“Well, what do you think?” Red asked.

“It’s um…”

There was a pause as Ivory observed the plot of land with very little on it. She knew what she was expecting to see, Red had described it all beforehand. It was just now she was actually looking at it, they seemed even more sparse than the image she had in her head. Essentially what Red’s construction company was marketing was a flat slab of land with a picket fence and mailbox with the idea that anypony can just park up on it and have as much space as they needed to grow. At least, up to the picket fence.

“This is it?” she finally finished.

“Well mostly, they have one other trick.” Red said, tapping something into his Pad’s keyboard. “There’s a function linked with your Pad, I have access to the show model so I can show you.” he said, as he finishing speaking four small drones appeared out the corners of the plot of land and hovered into the air about fifty feet up. They then with a small pow! shot out a grappling line between them and a netting like cover materialised above and down the sides that went down to the floor.

“What on Sleipnir is that?” Ivory asked.

“It’s if the weather turns, they figured ponies wouldn’t be happy with being battered by the elements so this covers you from the rain, snow and whatever else might come at you. Oh also it heats up in the cold so you can stay nice and toasty.” Red explained, tapping a few more buttons on his pad. With that the grappling lines retracted and the drones slowly retreated back into their small resting spots under the ground.

“Hmmm, and ponies are considering these over properly built houses?”

“Well, we’ve had a number of interested ponies put their names down on the waiting list already. But they get built so fast, I could get us two plots I think very quickly if you wanted.” Red beamed. “And they’re much cheaper! We can afford two easily.”

“With the main benefit being you can grow on these as large as you like, well within reason I suppose. I guess you could outgrow your share of land.”

“Well yes, but by then who knows - bigger plots of land to move up to. There will be options.” Red explained. “So what do you think?”

“I think…”

Another pause. It was making Red anxious.

“I think I want a real house.”

“Oh.”

Ivory could see the disappointment from Red, clearly he had been banking on this. His chubby lips almost curled up into a dog like whimper at his hopes being dashed. But perhaps now this was a good time to reveal the little secret she had been keeping.

“Red, it’s a lovely idea and I can see the merit behind it. Really I can, but instead of a bare plot of land we need something with physical walls that well, eventually we will burst out of I suppose.” she said with a small laugh. “Besides your fat ass will be quickly crushing the picket fence behind you, I doubt it’s up to stopping an ever growing mountain of blubbery butt.” she said teasing him a little and watching him blush.

“B-but, this is all we can afford…” Red said, still heartbroken.

“Maybe not.”

“Oh come on Ivory, we both know what we make. Sure we could buy a house, but we’d outgrow it in no time, your current one is just about big enough for both of us.” Red replied. “I mean what is it, you secretly have a lot of money stashed away you’ve never told me about?” he asked.

“Right on the button fat ass.” she replied with a smile.

“Wait...you actually have a secret stash of money?” Red said, now giving her more of a puzzled look.

“Pretty much. Inheritance. Had a Grandpony that was crossing a bridge back on Equestria and it collapsed under his weight. A little funny, but not so much for him. The family got a huge payoff and well, we’ve just been keeping it locked up and untouched ever since. It’s why I have a job and live in a pretty standard house. I don’t want to touch it, but I think now might be the time.” she explained. “Plus, I know some ponies out there only care about money. They’d want to blow it all on food.”

“Well, I can’t say the thought didn’t cross my mind…” Red replied.

“Mine too, honestly been hard not to dip into it. But I think I’d like to take some of it and invest it into a house for both of us. A proper house that’s larger than any of these plots of land your company is offering. What do you think?”

“I think I could kiss you.”

“You can, if you’re okay with public affection.” Ivory laughed, quickly feeling a smooch on her flab as Red got as close to her as he could and gave her a little kiss.

“Well okay, I mean I’ll help out too with what I can. I don’t want it to all be on you.”

“We’ll see blimpy butt. For now, we need to find a house first.”

“Mmmm, well we’re still building the larger models.” Red started to think. “Then of course there’s all those super big, super expensive houses up in the nice part of town like where the Governor lives but they’re monstrously expensive and they don’t come up for sale very often.”

“Yeah, well we got time. It’ll be a little while before we need to move. My house is plenty big for the time being.”

“For the time being. But uh, thanks for sharing. It’s good to know we’ve got more options.”

“Of course. Sorry for not bringing it up sooner. It’s just...you know what ponies will try to get money if they hear someone has it. I figured at this stage I can trust you with the knowledge. Don’t go spreading it around, or we’ll never get that house.” Ivory said slightly more sternly this time.

“The idea never even crossed my mind. What I would like to get is dinner though.” Red said, turning his pad to head towards Blubber King.

“Sure, if it’s your treat.” Ivory grinned back.

“Hey, I thought you were the loaded one!” Red teased.

“Maybe for money, not so much for weight chunky cheeks. By the way, I’m driving behind you so I get that fat ass all in my vision.” came a slightly lusty reply.

“All yours honey.” Red said with a blush, the two making their way towards town for food.