“The score stands two to one…”

The mare gazed at him, narrowing her eyes. Without warning, she leapt over the table, all but tackling Barrier, knocking both pony and chair back, much to the surprise of Barrier and the observing ponies.

Barrier hadn’t been ready for that one, OR the two licks that followed.

“I believe that makes it three to two.” The mare replied smugly.

She’s warm. Barrier mentally noted as he and Octavia separated. “Well played, Tavi’. You do know this means war, right?”

“I believe the final score stands six to five.” The mare flashed her smug grin once more as she trotted into their apartment complex, flicking Barrier slightly with her tail as she stepped in front of him.

Barrier snort-chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. “So it is, but this war isn’t over yet, Miss Melody.” The pair trotted into the elevator, standing side-by-side in the close space.

“Oh yes it is, Barrier.” Her smug smile still held firm, “You’re in way over-” The mare was silenced as Barrier kissed her.

“I believe that makes it six to six.” Barrier left the elevator at a gallop, all but throwing himself through their apartment door, fleeing from the mare.

“These things are boring.”

The mare glanced up from her book, “I told you that you should have brought a book.”

“But Taaaaviiii!” Barrier whined and flailed around foalishly. “Reading sucks.”

“You read more than I do.” She turned back to her book, turning the page.

“That’s different. I’ve still got like three-hundred years of magical theory and associated subjects to catch up on.” Barrier stopped flailing.

“Then take a nap.”

Barrier thought about it for a moment; he wasn’t particularly tired, but he had nothing better to do. With a pop, he teleported from his bench and onto Octavia’s. Without any hesitation, he wiggled next to the mare and laid down, all but using her as a pillow.

“Honestly, you’re impossible.”

“Can’t talk, napping.”

A slight smile tugged at the mare’s lips as she dog-earred her book and pushed it away, curling up into Barrier.

“Oh for the love of the gods, Flash, don’t make this weird!” Barrier spoke through clenched jaws, fighting to keep his teeth from chattering.

“C-c-ca-can’t he-help it.” Flash managed to respond, his teeth clacking wildly. “Y-you’re fluf-fluffy.”

“I. Wi-will.” Barrier snorted, aggravated at his broken speech. “I will end you.” The pair were cuddled up as tightly as they could be, a thin cloak and magical barrier over them as a blizzard raged outside their little bubble.

“I-if I wer-were gay…” Flash chattered, “it wo-would tot--totally be for you…”

“I swear on Celestia’s name, Flash, I will let you freeze to death.”

“Uh, ma’am, sir?”

“Flash…why do you have a stiffy?” The line was mumbled right before Barrier awoke, yawning and glancing up at the speaker, blinking the sleep from his eyes. “Wassat?” He asked, still half-asleep.

“Uh…” The attendant had temporarily left his senses, trying to process the first statement.

After nearly a minute’s silence, he got his original message out. “We’ve arrived in Ponyville and most of the other passengers have already disembarked.”

That got Barrier’s attention. It was a lengthy ride to Ponyville as they had to go to Canterlot, switch tracks, and then to Ponyville; that they slept through it was impressive.

“Tavi, wake up.” Barrier nudged the mare slightly.

“Oh yes, Magic Barrier,” the mare responded in a sultry tone, kicking her hind-leg slightly. “I’d love to play a private concert for you.”

Barrier blushed brightly, showing through his coat with a little effort. Similarly, the train attendant blushed intensely at the sultry tone the mare had used as well.

“Tavi, up, up!” Barrier began to poke her in the ribs, causing her to giggle and for her eyes to shoot open. I’ll have to remember that spot. “Come on Tavi, we’re in Ponyville. It’s time to get up.”

The mare stretched and yawned, climbing upright and stretching. “I’m up.” The statement was followed by a yawn.

“Thank you for waking us up. We’ll be out of your mane shortly.” Barrier watched the attendant leave and nudged Octavia slightly before trotting to the door.

With a moment’s hesitation, Octavia followed Barrier and leaned into his side, walking alongside him.

Barrier smiled and slightly leaned into the mare in return, thinking back to the spaghetti incident only two weeks prior; after that, they had been far more open with their affection in public. Much to Barrier’s surprise, it didn’t hurt like he had expected it to; all that went through his mind was that Radiant Smile would be glad that he was moving on.

How far in this relationship are we really? Barrier was uncertain what constituted a relationship in this day and age; courting seemed fairly similar, but were time-frames the same? They had been together for nearly three months, but their relationship had only really seemed to start after the little war they started at the cafe, only a couple of weeks prior...yet, Octavia was clearly having very interesting dreams. With a sigh, Barrier shook the thoughts from his head, making a mental note to consult somepony about it.

“Something wrong?” Octavia had noticed his sigh, preceded by deep thought.

“Nah, just trying to wrap my head around everything. I’m pretty well adjusted at this point, but it all still seems really surreal from time to time.” As the pair exited the train, Barrier found his hair standing on end, his breathing becoming slightly heavier as adrenaline flooded him for some reason.

“Barrier, is something wrong?” the mare noted the sudden change in behaviour.

“Feels like something is coming. Can’t really tell what, it just feels...horrifyin-” Barrier fell silent and lashed out on pure instinct.

“Hi, I’m Pinki-” Pinkie Pie was touching Magic Barrier almost muzzle-to-muzzle for all of a half-second before Barrier caught her square in the jaw with a hard right cross, laying the mare out flat on the ground.

Both Octavia and Barrier glanced down at the unconscious mare, stuck in utter silence.

“Barrier.” Octavia’s voice was eerily calm. “You just punched a mare in the face.”

“It was a reflex!” Barrier was suddenly defensive. “You can’t just appear in somepony’s face and expect them to not react adversely! She came out of nowhere!”

“Barrier, you punched her in the face. That is-” Octavia fell silent as the pink mare wobbled back to her feet unsteadily.

“Wowzers, that was one heck of a greeting!”

“Uh…yeah. Hi.” Barrier glanced at Octavia in uncertainty, only for the mare to shrug. “Uh, sorry for…you know, punching you. I get jumpy when ponies appear in my face.”

“That’s okay! I’m Pinkie Pie, what’s your name!” The mare had taken to bouncing in place with barely contained glee.

Oh god, I can feel the diabeetus infecting me!

“I’m Magic Barrier, and this lovely mare,” Octavia blushed slightly, “is my marefriend, Octavia Melody.”

With a drawn out gasp, the mare hovered in mid-air for a moment before sprinting off, never actually touching the ground.

Magic Barrier could feel his eyes roll off in opposite directions as he tried to process what had just happened. Brain.exe has stopped working...

“Yeah, okay.” Barrier finally broke the silence. “You know what, not even going to question it, something tells me it’d be a really bad idea. Let’s just get to Twilight’s place, get the location of the inn and…hell I think I need a drink after that.”

“A drink sounds excellent.” Octavia replied, shaking off the shock of the physics-defying mare.

“It’s a library…in a tree.” Barrier tightened his jaw and sighed heavily. “My ideas hurt, Tavi. They’re hurting my ideas.”

“I can’t imagine the insurance for such a building is cheap. It’s like a big fire hazard. Didn’t you say she has a baby dragon living here with her?”

Ah, Spike. The only male presence in Barrier’s first stint in Ponyville. That little guy had been an absolute lifesaver. All the estrogen in this town could bring down even the strongest of stallions…

“Barrier, knock!” Octavia chided as Barrier walked up and put a hoof on the door.

“I...what?” He was genuinely confused.

“It’s impolite to barge into somepony’s house uninvited, family or not!”

“It’s,” he glanced at the clock-tower. “one-thirty, on a monday, and it’s a public library.”

Octavia opened her mouth to respond, but fell silent, simply shaking her head at the realization.

That out of the way, Barrier turned back to the door and pushed it open, stepping inside to…

“SURPRISE!”

A massive wave of sound strong enough to physically blow his mane back.

Licking his lips slightly as he took in the surroundings, he glanced at Octavia and mouthed, ‘All the alcohol’ before turning back to the pink mare who was once against uncomfortably close and talking way too fast to understand; Barrier simply tuned her out for the duration.

After nearly a minute of non-stop talk, the pink pony fell silent and looked at both Barrier and Octavia expectantly.

“...yes.” Barrier finally answered, having caught nothing the pink mare had said.

“Of course?” Octavia’s came out as a question, having missed everything Pinkie had said as well.

“Welcome back to Ponyville.” Twilight and two other mares trotted up to the pair. “Sorry about that. Pinkie is…unique.” Twilight chuckled nervously.

“She means well,” Marshmallow added, “she’s just a little overwhelming to most ponies.”

“Miss Rarity, Miss Dash.” Barrier tilted his head in acknowledgement. “This is Octavia Melody, my marefriend.”

“Sup.” Dash floated above the ponies lazily.

“Octavia, this is Rainbow Dash, Miss Rarity, and my granddaughter Twilight, who you may remember.”

“Wait…marefriend?” Twilight scrunched her brow up in confusion. “I thought you and my brother were dating?”

Maintaining his neutral expression, Barrier responded in a very matter-of-fact tone, “Your brother and I have what’s called an open relationship.” He glanced at Octavia, shooting her a silent plea, “We’re still together, but we’re seeing other ponies at the same time. We’re still very much in love, we just needed a small break is all.”

Octavia, against her better judgement, nodded her affirment. “Barrier and I discussed it and we both agree that a short-term relationship would be fine, until he and Shining get together again.”

Rainbow Dash stopped hovering, touching the ground for a brief second, “Wait, aren’t you like...his grandpa? Isn’t that kinda weird?”

“It’s an incredibly distant relation at this point and has little to no bearing on our relationship.” The charcoal unicorn reasoned, winking subtly at Dash, all but begging her to play along.

Rainbow Dash, catching on, nodded. “That’s cool, I guess. Long as you guys are happy.”

Rarity simply nodded when Twilight remained silent. “It’s not uncommon for noble houses to try and keep bloodlines pure. Though uncommon in this day and age, it’s technically not illegal. So long as you’re both happy, I suppose.”

“Uh-huh…” Twilight was skeptical, at best.

“So, a party. I only have one question.”

All of the mares looked at him, awaiting the rest of the statement.

“Is there any alcohol?”

“I...quit” the mare spat out and fell backwards.

Barrier chuckled as Rainbow Dash thudded to the floor, hiccupping.

Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Magic Barrier and a mare named Berry Punch had decided to have a drinking contest; Rainbow Dash was the first out, Applejack was getting close, but Magic Barrier and Berry Punch were still going fairly strong..

“How-” the mare hiccupped, “in the hay rre you still sober?” She slurred heavily, nearly twenty glasses in.

“Because I’ve drank way heavier. We used to drink a lot of griffon stuff way back when. This stuff isn’t bad, but I’ve had stronger.” Barrier measured his speech carefully, appearing more sober than he actually was.

“I haven’t ever lost a drinking match. No reason to start now.” Berry Punch locked eyes with the stallion, slamming back her mug to even their count out. “Why don’t we bring this to a close?” She pulled out an unmarked bottle with clear liquid in it.

“Oh no, I’m out.” Applejack backed away from the table when she saw the bottle.

Never one to back down from a challenge, Barrier smirked and slammed a hoof on the table. “Buck it, you’re on.”

Author's Notes:

Usual thanks go out to Izanagi and Alticorn but also to DerRotSpassvogel who came back to try and free his fellow editors/proofers. Kinda sucks now, since he's chained right back up with them but welcome back nonetheless.