The scientific method was fairly simple, so simple in fact that it even applied to magic ! It worked thusly, observe, question, hypothesize, test, gather data, develop theories and continue ad nauseam. Twilight Sparkle (Princess of Friendship) was currently retreating to the middle area of the method. Namely 'refining hypothesis', in this case it was the theory that the 'Mirror World' was a carbon copy of Equestria, merely changing species and certain job titles around to fit the strange society that these humans lived in. Admittedly it had been a work-in-progress, this was her third trip to the 'Mirror World' after-all --the paper she'd been writing would suffer alas but this was the way of all knowledge-- but Pinkie Pies 'Daddy' (as she squealed before hugging him tightly) was clearly not Igneous Pie, in fact she'd seen neither hide nor hoof of Cloudy Pie in either the last sleep over or this event either. Most odd.

The sugary pop-tunes were paused, Mauds hand hovering over the button to the stereo. Perhaps 'Not-Igneous Pie' would be irritated with them ? Whilst not an expert on parties during her  studious younger years she'd heard from Rarity how her parents would get rather snippy at an unexpected soiree occurring. It didn't help that everyone seemed tense, Applejack and Fluttershy for example were desperately trying to cover the cider in an awkward attempt at lounging. Even with both his daughters now embracing him though he still seemed to radiate an air of menace, the striking burn scar on the side of his face not helping to alleviate it.

"We're not drinking booze !" squeaked a guilty looking Rainbow Dash breaking the stand-off.

Mr Pie however simply disentangled himself from his daughters arms and walked over, face set in a calm look of disinterest. Reaching around the now cringing forms of both girls he picked up a single bottle of the alcoholic beverage and gave it a glance.  If Sunset and Rarities  eyes said anything then Twilight expected things to get rather bad very quickly. "Sweet Apple Acres huh ?" he asked to no one in particular, his voice disturbingly gravely.

"Y-yes" muttered Applejack, whilst honesty was her policy it was also liable to get her into a fine lick 'o trouble if Pinkies father made the connect-

"You brewed this I take it, your outfit is similar in theme to the bottles logo after all and my daughter mentioned one of her friends is both a 'farm girl' and works on her families apple orchard" he punctuated his statement by tapping her hat lightly causing Fluttershy to both squeak and hide behind her hair.

"Yeah" the 'farm girl' in question replied navel gazing. She could see it now, a harsh talk from Granny Smith and a months worth of hard-chores at minimum.

Popping the cap off with a quick flick of the wrist and his house key, Mister Pie took a deep whiff of the amber liquid. His face never changed once as he slowly placed the open bottle back on the table. "The label says it's eight percent but it definitely smells like you've got another two in there, i'd suggest maybe cutting the fermentation process back by a week, just to be on the safe side. Other then that you did a good job kid," he patted Applejack on the shoulder as he turned away from the thoroughly confused girl.

"I didn't know you knew how to make cider Daddy ?" questioned a bouncy Pinkie, the hyperactive girl practically circling her father as he made his way to the stairs.

"I've done a lot of things in my time darling, you know that" he grumbled quietly whilst ascending the steps.

Unable to take it anymore the tipsy Rainbow Dash stumbled forwards, her arms noodling about in a vain attempt for her body to catch up to her emotions "That's IT! No yelling, no 'Parties are banned in my house' no 'Your all minors how dare you drink in my house' no telling our parents an-" the girls eyes widened as she realized too late what she was saying, her hands now clamped firmly over her mouth.

Stopping half-way up the stairs Mister Pie turned to the athletic girl, a small smile present on his weathered face, "Kid there's three rules in my home," he held up the same number of digits dropping them down with each rule "One, no drugs. Two, no boys. Three, no weapons. Get drunk if you want it's none of my business, you'll do it in my house or else where, better that you do it somewhere warm and safe with a phone. As for parties ?" a raspy chuckle followed "Well you've seen Pinkie, you couldn't stop the girl if you tried, now if any of you need me i'll be in my study....or making a sandwich, one of the two." With that he disappeared up the stairs humming the ear-worm of a pop song that had been playing upon his entrance.

"He seems...nice" said Rarity hoping to shatter the now all consuming silence following their introduction to Mister Pie.

"Especially considering he didn't call your parents" added a now relaxed Sunset Shimmer, one of the few benefits of living on her own was that she was her own master, beheld at the whim of no one. Though she missed a certain alabaster colored Princess from time-to-time.

Turning the music back on --though only at half its previous volume-- the 'Element of Laughter' smiled, "Oh he wouldn't do that, Daddy is very laid back, like super laid back, when Maud was going through her 'rebellious phase' he let her drink and even smoke !" the girls eyed Maud in minor shock, she didn't really seem the type....then again she didn't really seem the type for much.

"It was just a few weeks," Maud grunted settling back into her armchair "He was right though, I learnt rapidly that waking up dying of thirst and feeling like i'd swallowed a ton of sand-stone isn't a pleasant routine."

"I was almost sick on Angel the first time I had a cigarette" mumbled Fluttershy her face  beet red. The flush deepened as her friends jaws dropped, Maud was one thing but Fluttershy ! Crowding around the poor girl her friends began to quiz her on what other 'unexpected' surprises she held for them. Whilst all this was going on however Twilight found it an opportune moment to discuss 'Mister Pie' with Pinkie in --relative-- privacy.

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"Otacon, Otacon come in, you've got to help me dammit !" the old man growled slapping the side of his head every few seconds "Codecs gone to hell without the SOP,"  he muttered now relying on satellites which weren't as foolproof as the former system, as insidious as it could be. Sitting in his studies comfy chair the legendary soldier wrung his hands together, he'd gotten better with kids, much better, he'd even been a moderately successful father in his own opinion. This though ? Way out of his league. Oh he'd managed to bluster his way through --using his 'Battle field look' as his long-dead friend Grey Fox had once referred to it-- but even so he didn't know how he'd be able to manage this many girls in his home.

"Snake.......what is it ?" slurred a groggy Hal 'Otacon' Emmerich, it was nine-thirty at night and he'd had a long day with Sunny teaching the rambunctious six year old the basics of coding, she was a natural genius and was learning from the best, he'd created the FOX-ALIVE system that had crippled Liquid-Ocelots plans after all.

"I need your help, I'm...I'm worried"

Blinking in confusion the self-confessed geek rubbed the bridge of his nose, "This better not be a teenage girl thing Snake, I've got another seven years before dealing with that."

"Pinkie's having a party and she's got six other girls here...I think they're her friends, what do I do ?"

"What do you mean 'what do I do' ?" this was becoming confusing very quickly, he'd never seen his best friend in such a state.

"Well do I get involved, talk to them, or do I just hide up here ? I mean I wanted some family time after two days at work but I don't want to ruin time with her friends an-"

"Do what you think is best Snake" it was a simple statement but the best he could come up on such short --and sleep deprived-- notice.

"But what if I can't talk about anything or they ask questions or-"

"I see now" interrupted Otacon again "It's an age thing right ?"

"...I don't want them thinking i'm some old fart" Snake mumbled eyes downcast.

A soft smile came to Hals face, for a man who'd done so many outlandish and legendary things Snake was a surprisingly tender man at times, he just tended to hide it behind his cold exterior, "They wont Snake, so you look a bit older then an average man your age, so what ? It's nothing to be ashamed of, there are men older then you look popping out kids as we speak. As for what to say ? Well I can't tell you to be honest but you're smart  you'll come up with something. The man who can turn a cardboard box into a necessary battlefield requirement isn't a person lacking in ideas."

"It's more then necessary it's vital" he retorted dead serious.

"Let me know how it goes ok ?" Hal said a large grin on his face at their now-routine 'box banter', " Just take it easy and relax."

With that the codec call ended.  After a few minutes of soul-searching Snake finally reached a decision.

"I think i'll have that sandwich." Next Chapter: Heavens Divide Estimated time remaining: 49 Minutes