Symph opened his eyes slightly before fully opening them. Getting up he looked around, finding himself in Bills castle. Shaking his head he swung his legs off the side of his bed and rubbed his eyes, thinking about what he had heard in his mindscape. He knew the reason for Jacqueline trapping herself in that temple, he knew how to open the door without the keys...but he wouldn't let Bill know, he couldn't let Bill know, I’m not going to let any of you know. Why? Because I love hiding things from my readers, well I should say mine and Jokers readers but you get the point.

He looked to his body to see that his wounds had healed and his bowtie was placed on a table across the room as it had been damaged but was now repaired. Placing it around his shirt collar he nodded in satisfaction before walking out the door of the room to find Bill.

The castle would have seemed like an endless maze to anyone else, but Symph had been made to specifically counteract things that bent reality, as such he was able to navigate through the castle normally. How else did you think he wasn't affected by the gravity change when he and Bill met Celestia?

As Symph approached one of the many living rooms of the castle he sensed Bill inside...and he was distressed.

Opening the large black door he sa Bill slumped on the couch. Walking up to him Symph cleared his throat to get his attention. “Oh, hey there sidekick, feeling better?”

“My injuries are healed yes, but I'm the one that should be asking you how you feel, you seem upset. I didn't think I'd ever see Bill Cipher sulking.” Symph looked at him with concern. “How are you feeling?”

Bill groaned and slumped back in his seat. “Do you know what today is Symph?”

“To be honest I don't know how long I was out, so care to enlighten me?”

“It's hearts and hooves day.” Bill stated with sadness. “And I can't even spend the day with my lovely wife. I may be Bill in body, and in ways in mind, but I'm also human, I WAS human. I still care for things, I care for people, I feel sadness and I feel joy. I'm not some heartless monster because I'm NOT the real Bill Cipher...I'm me. And I miss my wife, I wanted to spend the day with her, just me and her, together…”

Symph started to feel guilty, partially for the knowledge he had that could fix Bills problem, but mostly for something else.

“Oh well, guess it's just me and you sidekick, what's say we go flirt with the single mares in town eh?” Bill asked in a cheery voice, no back to his normal self.

Symph looked away slightly. “Well…” He didn't like what Bill was suggesting, but to avoid his feelings being hurt further he decided to go along with it, just to keep Bill under control and to not go too far. “Alright.” He replied. ‘Zeri please forgive me for this!’

…

Symph watched as Bill tried and failed to flirt with the mares in town, resulting in a slap to the face each time.

Bill walked over rubbing his right cheek that was now red from the slaps, even a being that was essentially a God was no match for female slaps, no man was. “Damn, the women in this town are really sensitive.”

“You're going about this wrong.” Symph stated.

“What?”

“You're just pointing out their physical features, you're letting those chaotic thoughts of yours tale over, you aren't acting like you care because you don't, you already have a wife so you purposely make yourself screw up.”

“Oh really? If you know so much about this why don't you give it a try, and why not make it a bet?” Bill asked with a smirk.

“Challenge accepted. If I can successfully gain a positive reaction from one of these mares you have to be the sidekick for as long as I feel like it.”

Bill thought for a moment. “Alright, if you can't you have to cater to my every whim.”

“Deal.” The two shook hands, their hands being coated in blue fire, and Symph began looking around for a potential target. Spotting one he changed his body to be a few years older, specifically twenty years old as to not creep any mares out with him being a young boy. His hair was now long, reaching past his neck, his boy was well toned but still thin and his teeth were slightly sharper, but still smooth enough to not intimidate.

He walked over to his selected mare, Octavia Melody, and tapped her shoulder gently while she was looking through a music shops window. She turned around and raised a brow. “What do you want?”

‘Remember, you need to make her feel wanted, show her that you care.’ He thought to himself. “What I want is irrelevant my dear, what you want is far more important in this situation.” He said politely with a small smile. “I couldn't help but notice that you seem to be staring at a certain chelo in that window, highest quality instrument on the market I take it?”

Octavia looked back at the instrument and smiled. “Yes, I almost have enough bits to buy it. I need to have the best at my disposal when performing.”

Symph nodded. “I understand, only the best quality for the best kind of person.”

Octavia blushed slightly at the comment. “I b-beg your pardon?” She asked in shock.

“I'm sorry, did I say something to offend you?” Symph asked with legitimate concern. “I assure you I was only complimenting you.”

Octavia shook her head. “No no, you didn't offend me...it's just, I've never been given. compliment like that before.”

“Well I'll admit I'm surprised, with how you look and how much confidence and talent you have I'm wondering why stallions are not throwing themselves at your hooves.”

Octavia blushed brighter and smiled. “Well...thank you...um, what was your name?”

“Symph, pleasure to meet you.” He said holding out his hand, but not to shake. He held in his hand a small purple rose and handed it to her.

“Oh, why thank you Symph. I am Octavia, and the pleasure is all mine.” She took the flower and to a sniff. “Um, don't get me wrong Symph, but is this an attempt at courtship?”

Symph smiled and shook his head. “I'm afraid it's not my dear, I merely saw that you looked a little lonely and thought I'd come up to brighten up your day a bit, I know that today of all days is the worst time to be alone, so I thought I'd give you at least some love on a day like this.” He replied. He then walked up to her and whispers on her ear. “I'm also trying to win a bet with Bill to see if I can get a successful reaction from flirting.”

Octavia's eyes widened and she smirked, her meal was ruined when Bill had summoned his castle and her food had spilled on her good clothes, now she had a chance at revenge. “We then consider your bet won.” She stepped forward and planted a kiss on Symph's cheek before walking away while looking at him with half lidded eyes.

Bill just stood in shock, his jaw dropped. He wasn't able to hear what had been said but he saw the end result. Symph turned around slightly and looked to Bill with half lidded eyes and a smug smile before reaching into his tux, pulling out a microphone and dropping it. “...what…”

“Pick up the mic...sidekick.” Symph smirked as he taunted Bill.

…

Symph had returned to normal and ran through the Whitetail Woods until he came to a circular clearing. He quickly made sure he was presentable before giving a sigh of relief. “I made it on time.” He said to himself.

He waited a few more moments before a dark purple portal appeared a few feet away from him, a figure jumping out before it closed.

Symph smiled warmly at the new arrival and held out and open hand. The figure placed her hand in his and they both closed. “Hello, Zerlinda.” He greeted with a loving voice.

The girl, that looked around the same age as Symph, had long dark purple hair, her eyes red, tiny fangs poking out from under her upper lip, she wore a black hoodie, jeans and shoes, three black tendrils growing out of her back. “Hello again, Symph.”

The two looked to each other with care in their eyes before walking hand in hand through the woods. “Happy hearts and hooves day.” They both said in unison.

Next Chapter: Round One With Discord Estimated time remaining: 21 Minutes