It was growing deep into mid-day on the Apple Farm. Lumberman had been working in the orchard with Applejack. Kelly tagged along to help but had been struggling. Even picking up the strays that fell off course every so often.

"Kel," Lumberman dropped another barrel of apples into the back of a cart. "For the love of Christ. You can't be so bored that you feel the need to fuck your legs up worse than they already are."

Kelly stopped mid-motion of bending over and instead allowed herself to drop down to her knees and take another break.

"Well? What the fuck else am I supposed to do? Help clean the kitchen? Stumble around town like a drunken hobo?"

Applejack's ears perked up at Kelly's last suggestion.

"What's a hobo? And what do they get to drink?"

"Applejack," Kelly called out with a sudden burst of excitement. "If you become a hobo with me, you can drink whatever you want."

That's all Applejack needed to hear.

"Whoo-Wee! Ya hear that, Woody? Me and Kelly are gonna grab us some bottles and have ourselves a good ole time out in town. You in?"

"We're not getting tanked tonight, Kel," Lumberman groaned. "Why can't ya just get some rest and let yourself heal up? Shit. At least if you're gonna spend all your time drinking, do it at the castle."

Applejack, feeling sympathetic, added, "Spike and Starlight could use the company during the day. Plus, yer still gonna have Chris and Sniff staying there. So it's not like you won't have company."

Kelly gave a long stare off into the distance. She didn't want to be alone, but now that Big Mac was going to be away, she didn't want to be at the Apple House either. Even if she did like Applejack and felt safe around Lumberman, seeing those two so close together only made her miss Big Mac more. Then watching how those two got along and the aggressive play flirting they went back and forth with made her wonder if she wasn't the only one messing around with the locals.

She looked back at Lumberman. He had moved on, growing too impatient for her to give him a response. Instead, he was helping Applejack into the harness on the cart again. They got along so well together, and seeing that had her thinking two things. The first came to mind after watching them together. She started to wonder if Applejack was the picture-perfect heroin character everyone made her out to be; she was just the kind of woman Lumberman needed. The second was more selfish, if anything else. Because if she knew Lumberman was sweet on Applejack and started knocking boots, who could say boo about her doing the same with Big Mac?

Either way, for either good or bad reasons, the best thing she could do for herself and Lumberman was to leave him alone to take care of Applejack. Plus, Spike would be there at the castle. He seemed like he could be good for a laugh. Actually, now that she had thought about it more, maybe he could do her one little favor.

Kelly, finally ready to give him an answer, called out.

"Hey, Lumberman?"

Prim Posy opened the door and poked her head inside.

"Hello?"

Cheerilee called over from her desk, "You're fine, Prim. We're all here."

"Oh, good," she trotted in and let the door close behind her. "I was kind of worried when Starlight popped in out of nowhere and asked me to meet up here. And—" She looked around the room to the others. "—do any of you know why we're here?"

"I dunno," Derpy shrugged.

Cream Heart had a long stare around the room.

"Wait? Do any of us know why Starlight wanted us here?"

A sudden flash of light and a pop came at the front of the classroom. The mares turned their attention to Starlight, who finally joined them.

"Good, you're all here," Starlight was relieved to see they all arrived.

Berry Punch was the first to ask the big question.

"And why are we here, exactly?"

"Sorry about that, girls," Starlight took a seat on one of the desks like the others had. "I needed to talk to you all, and this was the only place I thought we could talk openly without somepony bothering us."

Derpy perked up.

"What are we going to talk about?"

Starlight took a deep breath and immediately looked guilty.

"Well... here's the thing. So, I was out with Chris at the human embassy. And—"

"You made him your special somepony, didn't you?" Berry Punch accused with a deadpan tone.

Starlight hysterically shook her head and waved her hooves out in front of her.

"No! It's nothing like that... mostly."

The mares of the classroom quickly started an uproar of angry accusations and complaints.

Starlight couldn't get a word in edgewise until she shouted above the angry clamoring, "Nothing's changed! Chris hasn't made a decision on who he wants to be with! Alright!"

She let the mares around her collect themselves for a moment and assessed their current states.

"And what happened with him and me... Look, girls, I want to apologize for telling him how I really feel, but I can't. I'm... I told you all how much I care about him. And then bringing you all together to spend time with him? I thought I was doing the right thing and trying to make him happy because I thought I ruined my chance to do it myself."

Derpy asked, now not sounding so angry, "You didn't?"

"I guess not," Starlight huffed. "But! Just like I told him, I know that I like him. Like... a lot of a lot, but I don't know if I'm in love with him, and he can't say that he loves me either. Not after only just a little over a week of knowing each other."

Without warning, Derpy was up with her forelegs around Starlight's barrel.

"Well, I'm glad to hear you were able to tell him how you feel."

This was an unexpected response Starlight didn't see coming.

"Really?"

Cheerilee gave a heavy sigh, "I'm happy for you. After all, you've known Chris the longest."

"And we saw how hard it was for you to try and set us up with him," Prim Posy added.

Cream Heart leaned forward into view, "And we all saw how happy it made you to see how happy he was when you introduced him to us."

Berry Punch, however, had a slightly different outlook.

"I'm happy for you, too. But I think I'm going to have to reconsider all of this."

Every mare did a quick turn to Berry Punch with a look of concern.

“It’s not about you jumping in with the rest of us,” Berry Punch went on to say. “The more I’ve thought about it, I didn’t originally want to do this to find a special somepony of my own. But… I guess I got caught up in the moment and thought it would be nice to not be a single mom anymore. And, I feel bad for saying this now, because Chris really does seem like a nice stallion… but I think I’d prefer to be with a real stallion. I’m fine with whatever you girls do, so don’t think I’m going to talk to anypony about any of this. My heart’s just not into it. You girls have a lot more invested in this, and I don’t want to take any of that away from you. Especially you, Cream. Chris seems perfect for a mare like you and Button Mash.”

“Berry?” Cream Heart trotted up to one of the few mares of the group she was friends with before getting involved in this. “Are you sure about this? I know that’s what started this whole thing for us, but—”

“Creamy,” Berry Punch put a hoof to her lips and gave a remorseful smile. “I shouldn’t have thrown my hat in the race with the rest of you. I should have been more honest with what I wanted. Both for me and for you. And don’t think that I won’t be available for any of you girls if you need anything. I’m still open to have a playdate with our foals if that’s what you need to have some time with Chris. I’d even like to tag along if you all do something together again. It was fun being able to get together and have even more like-minded girls to talk to.”

“We’d be glad to have you along with us,” Starlight nodded. “And I understand if that’s how you feel. None of you should feel obligated to be a part of this if you don’t feel comfortable or think things are exactly what you were hoping for.”

“Oh, and Cream,” Berry Punch had a little bit more to add. “If Button Mash still needs a sitter, I’ll be home tonight and can watch him for you. Not sure how he’s going to feel about missing out on the arcade, but I’m sure I can find something to keep him entertained in the meantime.”

Cream Heart gasped as if the weight of the world had been lifted off her shoulders, “Oh, my Celestia! I was running low on my shortlist of ponies to turn to. I owe you big time for this.”

Berry Punch pawed her hoof at the idea of needing to be paid back.

“I’m just doing what any good friend would do. But, if you are looking to do me a favor.“ She suddenly blushed and rolled her eyes away in embarrassment. “You’ve got to give me the juicy details."

She giggled like a schoolgirl for a moment, “Chris may not be the one for me, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think he isn’t cute in his own way. Plus, how long has it been since we’ve gossiped about boys?”

“Too long,” Cream Heart laughed out loud to the room.

Derpy fluttered her wings, excited to see how things turned out.

“So, we’re all good then?”

Prim Posy finally hopped down from the desk she’d been perched on.

“Well, I’m a little sad to see you go, but we definitely need to hang out more. Plus, I haven’t had any good gossip of my own to share. And it would be nice to be able to talk to somepony about what all works and find out more about what he likes. Give us all a better chance, you know?”

“Do mares really do that?” Starlight asked, gauging the room. “The gossiping, I mean?”

Berry Punch blew raspberries and snorted, trying to contain her laugh.

“Starlight, hunny. We have a lot to teach you.”

They all shared a quick laugh, and a thought abruptly came to Starlight's mind.

"Would saying he's a really good kisser be good gossip?"

"What?!" They all shouted together at the question.

Derpy was immediately in Starlight's face, "You already kissed him?"

Prim Posy shoved Derpy out of the way.

"How did it feel? His lips are so tiny."

Cheerilee pushed her way between them to assert her own question.

"You're not in love or even dating, and you still both kissed!"

Berry Punch took a seat, "Okay. This is the gossip we need to hear."

Derpy fluttered over to a desk, awestruck at Starlight's quick progression with Chris.

"Wow, you two sure are moving fast if you're not even dating."

"I know," Starlight huffed but then practically melted into her seat. "But it felt so right at the time and felt so Goddamn good."

"Woah. Hold up, now," Berry Punch interjected. "Just how good, or what even is, Goddamn good?"

"Uh? I don't know actually," Starlight answered, still wondering that herself. "It's something they say when they want to emphasize what they're feeling at the moment. Sometimes they say it in place of saying what you know they're talking about. So, like… how you all first reacted when I told you I wanted to try dating Chris. You could have said 'Goddamnit,' and I would have known that you were upset about what I just told you."

The mares exchanged a few inquisitive looks before returning to Starlight before Derpy asked, "But if that means we were mad, doesn't that make something being Goddamn good a bad thing?"

"Not from what I understand," Starlight assured the group. "It could mean any strong emotion. Actually, a lot of their curse words have lots of different meanings, depending on how they're used. I'm still learning myself."

"These are bad words?" Cheerilee asked.

Starlight shrugged, "I dunno. If they are, I don't see how."

"Girls! Girls!" Berry Punch called out to break up the derailed conversation. "We're getting off-topic. What we really want to know is about this kiss between you two."

"Kiss-es, technically," Starlight corrected the claim bashfully as she blushed. "He… really seems to like being held close and kissing."

"How do I get a kiss from Chris?" Derpy happily inquired.

That answer didn't require a lot of thought to give.

"If he likes you, just ask. That's what I did," Starlight answered.

"Details," Berry Punch pressed again.

All the attention was now centered entirely on Starlight. Positive attention. This was a first for her. At least, earning it honestly from what she believed to be real friends she made on her own.

“Alright. So, I was working on a spell to help Chris and his friends get power back to their house slash embassy. It… and you really can’t tell anypony about this, but it didn’t go as planned, and I ended up having to tackle Chris to the ground to keep him safe. He was kinda out of it, and I was so worried that I didn’t realize I was still on top of him, because, you know. Trying to keep him safe and all.”

“Wow,” Rainbow Dash gawked over the full bag Cerb had been carrying. “You really carried all of this by yourself?”

Cerb jokingly scoffed, “What do you think I came out here for?”

Rainbow Dash was still looking over the spread of items collected. “Yeah, yeah. I know, but… We’re going to have to make multiple trips to get all of this back to Twilight and them so they can sort it out.”

“That’s fine,” Fluttershy replied. “We’re not going anywhere else tonight. So that will give us more protection while we set up camp.”

Rainbow Dash cocked an eyebrow.

“And why is it again that you’re stopping so early? You two are stopping short of the next checkpoint. I mean, yeah, this is already a heavy load to carry, but even still… Are you sure everything is okay?”

“It’s fine, Dash,” Cerb answered. “Sometimes, these things happen. Survive, adapt, and overcome. Plans change when the situation changes. And Fluttershy made the call to stop early tonight, so we can get a better assessment of my leg.”

“Eghck,” Rainbow Dash groaned. “Kelly really isn’t going to like hearing about this.”

Cerb grunted and pinched the bridge of his nose, “Yeah, no shit.”

“Becky probably won’t either,” Rainbow Dash sighed. “Do you think she’ll be okay without me there with her? I know she’s not alone back there, but you wanted me there to take care of her. Should I fly back to check in on everything and make sure there’s no problems or if they need my help?”

This was a time for Cerb to give some much-needed mentoring.

“Dash. In the real world, you don’t have the option to just put everything down and fly back to hang out with whoever you want. You’re on a mission with us. You have an obligation to fulfill. The one you agreed to.”

“I know,” Rainbow Dash sighed.

“That being said,” Cerb lightened his tone. “This is a training environment. So, I would suggest getting with Twilight. If there’s any reason to believe something could be wrong, then I would want you to go back. If not, write her a letter. That’s the normal thing to do. Can you handle that?”

Rainbow Dash looked up and smiled, “Yeah. I can handle that. Oh, yeah. Do you need help setting up your camp for the night?”

Cerb looked over to the camping gear Rainbow's team had dropped off for them.

“No. I can pitch a tent with just Fluttershy’s help.”

Rainbow Dash grinned and quietly whispered to herself, “Phrasing.”

“What was that?” Cerb asked, almost certain he heard her say something that should have been over her head.

“Huh?” Rainbow Dash looked up, acting surprised that Cerb was still talking to her. “Oh, nothing. Just thinking out loud, I guess. Crazy how much we have to carry back when you didn’t even finish what we originally planned for today. But, yeah. We’ll load this up and head back to let Twilight know that she can pick up Rarity when you’re done here. How much time do you think you’ll need.”

Cerb looked at his watch.

“I’d say… any time after twenty hundred.”

Rainbow Dash scrunched her face, “Huh?”

“Sorry,” Cerb cracked a grin. “Military time. Twenty hundred is eight PM.”

"Take it easy there, chief," Rainbow Dash said with a grin. "I'm a future Wonderbolt, remember? I know what military time is. But don't worry. We’ll make sure to get her here early for ya."

With that cleared up, Rainbow called over her crew, "Alright, everypony. Load up and get ready to move out."

Cerb and Fluttershy watched Rainbow Dash's team get to work, and Cerb asked a question that had been eating at him for a while, "Any idea what you're gonna say to Rarity when she gets here?"

Fluttershy didn't even flinch at the question.

"I think I know how to handle this. You shouldn't have to worry about anything."

Chris was deep in conversation with Spike while helping him sort through a pile of books.

"So, what else do you know about us?" Spike asked. "I mean, do you know how Celestia found my egg?"

Chris handed up another book, "No. Just the Mane Six and Starlight. I think they're saving your back story for another season. Probably some big reveal or something like that."

"Oh… That's lame," Spike said with not a lot of emotion behind it.

Chris wondered if maybe he should even be having this conversation, but he was kind of stuck in it now.

"To be fair, the show is called ‘My Little Pony.’

“I know,” Spike groaned. “It’s just that…“ He paused for a moment to think and then turned to look Chris in the eyes. “Is it okay if I talk to you like I do with Sniff?”

That could mean a lot of things, and Chris didn’t know how he should answer.

“If you wanna talk, I’m here to listen. But I don’t claim to have an answer for everything.”

Spike thought about that and eventually took it for what it was worth.

“Fair enough. But, uh… What’s it like to grow up with a mom and dad?"

"Oh… Did Twilight tell you about our past before we got here?"

Spike didn't hesitate to answer, "She told me that you all had a difficult time in your world and had a lot of bad things happen to you when you were there. Then Cerb was hurt really bad in a war. Not much else."

Chris handed up another book.

"Spike, having a whole family you're born into is supposed to be the one thing you can always rely on… but none of us had that. Or at least was able to keep it. But if you're wondering what life would have been like if you were raised by dragons instead of Twilight, it's a question that can't be answered. It would be like me trying to understand why my parents gave up on trying to love me."

Spike's eyes went wide, horrified at the comment.

"You mean your parents—"

"Different world, different families, Spike," Chris said and let those words sit long enough to allow the young drake process them. "I don't talk to my family, and they don't reach out to me. I was an unwanted child. And I'm sorry that I can't tell you why you wound up with Celestia and were raised by Twilight. But you were lucky. A lot luckier than I was. I didn't realize what it was like to have a family that cared about me until I was a lot older... Sometimes the family you claim is better than the one you come from."

Spike nodded.

"That's pretty much what Sniff said."

Chris handed up another book, "That's because we're a better family than the one he was born with."

Three honks from Lumberman's truck sounded off, letting Spike know they were about to have guests.

"You know," Chris set the rest of the books down. "I can't tell if that's a courtesy that he honks to let us know he's here, or rude that doesn't knock on the front door like a normal person."

Spike put away the last book he was handed and asked an enlightening question, "Aren't you all normal humans?"

"Haa!" Chris couldn't have kept a straight face if he tried. "Not even close."

"Yo!" Lumberman's voice called out from downstairs. "Cowboy!"

"Sir!" One of Luna's night guards protested. "We can announce your arrival, so you—"

"Nah! We good homes! Chris! Spike! Where you at?!"

Chris chuckled, "Come on, Spike. Break time."

It didn't take long for Chris and Spike to make their way downstairs and take in the excitement. Mostly just the humor of one of the Lunar Guard bat ponies shadowing Lumberman.

Lumberman raised his arms to the side with a why me expression that might have been legitimate.

"Chris? The fuck, man? Why the poh poh hounding me?"

"Hey!" Spike ran up to put some distance between the two. "Midnight Flash, he's a friend."

"Of course," the night guard replied with a bow. "Princess Luna was very explicit about taking care of our new human guests. I was merely attempting to save Sir Lumberman the burden of searching the castle."

Lumberman did a quick turn back to Midnight.

"I didn't know you were doing me a solid, pony.” He stuck his knuckles out for a brofist. “Put 'er there, man."

Midnight stared at Lumberman's fist, looking a little uncertain, if not scared.

"Are… Are you threatening me?"

Applejack trotted up angrily, "No, you gosh darn numb skull. It's a sign of respect. How can you not know this?"Applejack raised her hoof for a bro-hoof. "Don't worry, Woody. I won't leave ya hanging."

Lumberman kept his hand up for their bro-fist.

"That's my girl."

"Jesus Christ," Kelly jokingly groaned. "Please don't make a hate crime out of this."

Becky, being the saint that she was, leaned down and whispered into the clueless night guard's ear.

"Oh," Midnight nodded and smiled in thanks. "Sir Lumberman, please accept my apologies. I didn't know I was… dealing with a real OG," and raised his hoof."

Lumberman was loving this and returned the bro-hoof.

"Midnight, dude… I know she told you to say that, but you went with it, and you look awesome as hell, bro. Much respect."

Applejack shook her head as she watched the two exchange a bro-hoof to bro-fist.

"Woody? You ain't never talked like that around me? What are you doing?"

"He's just trying to impress the new guy." Becky joked but was also a little serious.

Lumberman was trying his best to live in the moment.

"Yo, Midnight. The girls here are staying the night. Make sure they're taken care of and kept safe under your watch. But if you get off the clock before ten, you gotta stop over Apple's place and have a drink with us."

"Woody!" Applejack shouted angrily. "You can't be invit-did you say have a drink with us?"

"Yeah," Lumberman answered with an overly pleased smile. "Granny Smith is back at the hotel. Becky and Kelly are ditching us. Might as well have a sip or two by the fire. And if Midnight and the other vampire-looking motha fucker want to stop over, cool."

Midnight watched Lumberman continue on to where the alcohol was being stored.

"Our watch is to be relieved at sunrise."

"Don't worry, dawg," Lumberman shouted back, pointing a finger gun. "I got something for you and your boys! You're tight with a real OG, now!"

Midnight gave Spike a confused look, to which Spike just shrugged.

Becky continued towards the stairs but stopped short at the bat ponies side.

"He's getting a bottle for you and your other guard to share for when you get off work. But… can I feel your wing?"

Midnight gave a curious look at Becky and then his wing.

"If it pleases you, then I am sure Princess Luna would allow it," he replied as he extended his batwing.

Becky carefully trained her fingers over the thin membrane of the wing.

"It's like really smooth leather. That feels so cool… Do you feel it when I touch it?"

"Phrasing!" Kelly shouted from near the staircase.

"Oh, you're one to talk, Pony Ride!" Becky shouted back.

"Here we go!" Lumberman shouted as he entered the room with a bottle of Bacardi O and two bottles of Patron. “Two for me and Apple Hat, and one for the new guys. It’s orange-flavored. I’m giving it to you because I’m pretty sure ole Apple Hat would kick me out of the house if I even brought it on her property.”

Apple Jack snorted and tried to play it off as if she were offended.

“Darn toot 'en.”

“Becky!” Lumberman called out as he handed her the bottle. “If you would be so kind as to educate these fine law enforcement ponies on the finer points of day drinking.”

“Of course, Sir Lumberman,” Becky graciously accepted the bottle with a passable British accent. “Don’t get profiled on your way back from ditching us.”

Lumberman ushered Applejack out and waved them off with a handful of tequila.

"Don't make the news getting caught selling Spike in a dress on the street!"

"A dress!" Spike shouted, gripped in fear. "No! I'm not wearing a dress!"

Kelly moved just fast enough to avoid a head-on collision with Spike running up the stairs.

"He's joking!... Spike!" She glared at the vanishing sight of Lumberman as he rounded the corner. "Thanks! Not like I might need his help tonight, ya asshole!"

Lumberman's voice drifted back into the room, barely loud enough for Kelly to hear, "I was joking, Spike."

"Goddamnit," Kelly grumbled before she turned to Chris with pleading eyes. "Can you find him and tell him we’re not going to dress him up like that?"

"Yeah," Chris huffed. "I'll find him. I have to get ready to go, though. Starlight's showing me around town tonight."

"Wait? Like a date?" Kelly asked.

"Kel," Chris pulled off the most believable insulted tone. "I want to laugh to help make it funny, but I'm just going to go and do this favor for you instead."

"That's not what I meant, Chris!" Kelly was suddenly feeling like she was batting zero and really needed to talk to Spike. "Fuck me. I need a drink."

"Don't worry, hun," Becky said kindly. "I'll grab a bottle for us. Party for two, am I right?"

"Thanks, Becks," Kelly groaned.

"Hey, Midnight," Becky caught the guard before he rounded the corner. "Could you help my friend up to her room?"

Rarity capped a small vial of lip gloss.

"And there we are. Not overdressed, but not looking so casual as if you didn't care to put any effort into this evening. You are positively gorgeous."

Oven Fresh took a look in the mirror. Her new skirt, saddle, a more appropriately managed mane, and a shiny coat of lipgloss shining luxuriously… She was dressed to kill.

"Rarity? How did you… I look…"

"Gorgeous, yes. I know," Rarity proudly stated. "And believe me. If Sniff can't see how beautiful you are, there is no helping that stallion. But there are plenty of others who I'm certain would. And at least one other human stallion who would likely take a shining to such a lovely-looking mare as yourself."

Oven Fresh covered her mouth and tried not to cry or scream in excitement.

"Ah-ah-ah," Rarity touted. "Let's not ruin your mascara."

Oven Fresh could hardly contain herself.

"Sorry. Did I say I was excited yet? Because I'm so excited right now."

"Just stay calm and be yourself," Rarity said, doing her best to comfort her. "Don't try too hard to impress him. Ask him questions about him. Get to know him better and let him ask questions about you. You're a very interesting mare with a lot to offer. Show him that you're more than just a baker. You're a beautiful young mare with the world dangling from the tips of your hooves, and all the love and fun and excitement he could ever need."

"Right!" Oven Fresh declared with righteous indignation. "And if worse comes to worst, I still get to be the pony he gets to perfect his massaging techniques on." She did a little shake just thinking about having his hands on her again. "By the way, if you get the chance. You have to get a massage from a human. It is…"

Rarity chuckled loudly enough to stop the giddy mare from continuing on with her suggestion.

"I assure you I'm already far ahead of you in that regard."

Oven Fresh did one last check in the mirror before thanking Rarity one last time, "No matter what happens, I owe you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."

Rarity started to pack away all of her beauty supplies as she bid the mare adieu, "Best of luck, my dear."

Shortly after Oven Fresh had left, Rarity was back deep into her work on another set of orders.

"With any luck, she just might be the one to turn the current status quo of what the rest of the humans believe to be acceptable. Then, hooves crossed, things will be different.”

Just as Rarity was finishing her thoughts aloud to herself, the bell above her door chimed from another patron entering.

“Hello! Be with you in a moment!” Rarity sang out from her workspace.

As she trotted back out into the showroom, she was treated to the sight of Twilight.

“Oh!” She almost yelped. “You’re here early.”

“Evening, Rarity,” Twilight greeted her. “And yes. Fluttershy suggested that they stop early tonight and for us to come get you. I wanted to give you a heads-up earlier about the change in times, but trying to keep up with all the intel reports and admin work, I couldn’t find the time. It won’t be a problem to leave a bit early, would it?”

Rarity was already gathering her things.

“Well, of course not. I just need to put these last few things away and grab Sweetie Belle. We still have time to drop her off at the inn with Granny Smith, do we not?”

“Plenty of time,” Twilight hummed, happy to see that even with the change in plans, Rarity was able to adjust her schedule.

A flash of light had Rarity teleported to a low burning fire and a small tent big enough for one human and two ponies.

“Here we are,” Twilight announced. “Safe and sound. See?”

“Welcome, back, Twilight,” Cerb said and waved his hand. “Rarity, glad to have ya.”

“Ah, yes,” Rarity trotted over with her saddlebags full to the brim. “And I’m ever so pleased to see things appear to have been safe and hospitable for the both of you.”

“Yeah,” Cerb huffed out a slight laugh. “I think the top three most dangerous things we saw today has been me, a squirrel, and Fluttershy. Not in the order of appearance, but certainly in that order of danger.”

“Starting from least to greatest,” Fluttershy joked.

Twilight had a good laugh at that.

“Yes, I’m sure. Oh, and what was up with that crazy letter you wrote back to Benny? I don’t recognize any of those military terms.”

Cerb shrugged, “He wrote me a stupid letter, I wrote him a stupid one back. Blame him for it.”

“I’ll be sure to do that,” Twilight said, grinning excitedly. “Otherwise, how is your leg doing?”

Cerb ran a hand over his leg that wasn’t hurting any more than he had expected.

“I’ll be fine. But this whole trip has revealed a lot more about me than I think I would have preferred to know.”

Fluttershy bopped Cerb on the top of the head from behind.

“You’re fine. No need to be acting like things are worse than they really are.”

Twilight was starting to let her anxious mindset show, looking around the campsite for something else to talk about.

“So, today has been pretty quiet… Which is good, as Benny keeps telling me. But is there anything you can tell me that wasn’t put in the reports?”

Cerb stood up and adjusted his belt.

“Sorry, Princess. Things have been so slow and boring I’ve actually forgotten that I had to go to the bathroom. If there was more to tell ya, we'll put out a message for you. So, if you’ll pardon me.”

Twilight felt a bit let down at how uneventful everything had been up to that point. Not even Cerb had anything to add.

“Oh… Okay? Well, what about you, Fluttershy? Anything—”

“I’m sorry, Twilight,” Fluttershy asserted her apology rather abruptly. “I know you’re looking out for us and must be bored out there looking over the reports, but I’d like to get a start on going over what we need to do with Justin tonight. And, I would have you stay and talk with us longer, but Justin hasn’t really been open to the idea of anypony outside of Rarity and myself… you know… There are some things he still would like to keep private.”

Rarity softly spoke up as she took her place by Fluttershy’s side.

“Twilight, I cannot apologize enough if it feels like we’re pushing you out. But I’m sure you can—”

“It’s fine,” Twilight sighed. “But if things are going to be this slow, I might turn in early for the night. Maybe even head back to Ponyville with Rainbow Dash. Check-in on everypony back there.”

“How about you come back in the morning?” Fluttershy offered. “I’m sure once we have a better idea on how to take care of everything, he will be more open. We don’t want to keep you in the dark with everything, but we won’t keep anything from you that we know we can’t handle without your help.”

“I know,” Twilight said. “I have the utmost faith in you two. And Justin as well. Just let him know the overwatch teams are well-rested, and the recon teams will do their searches as he requested."

"I will," Fluttershy said with a nod and a smile. "Have a good night, and we'll see you in the morning. Maybe have breakfast together?"

Twilight gave a soft smile back, a little more promise of a better day tomorrow showing through.

"Sure thing. Have a good night, you two."

As soon as Twilight teleported out, Rarity let her nervous excitement out.

"Fluttershy, you will not believe the news I have."

"Rarity, if you have good news to share, you might want to save that for after what I need to tell you first."

Rarity was still too caught up in the moment.

"Well, it's not all good news. Turns out that I might have told Justin something that he… Hold on." Rarity stopped, suddenly noticing the tone and worried look from Fluttershy. “What do you need to tell me?”

Outside of the campsite, Cerb was busy with a small collapsible shovel, covering up the small hole he just finished doing his business in.

“Jesus, how much fucking fiber she put in those fucking scones. There’s no way that much shit was from what I ate alone today.” He placed his hand over his gut. “Better to push it out now… Last thing I need is to shit my pants if Rarity flips the fuck out.”

Cerb moved past the small bushes he hid himself behind and looked out to the campsite they had set up. Somewhere on the other side of the tent, he knew a serious conversation was happening. One that he caused and was going to have to rehash again as soon as they were done. And even though the soft colored lights of orange and amber from the fire created such comforting imagery, dancing on the ripples of the pond they set up next to, he was so far away from being relaxed. In fact, he was terrified.

He walked further out towards the water’s edge and sat on the grassy shore.

Sitting alone, the world around him looked so much different after the events of the day. Not in how it looked physically. The grass and leaves were just as green as they were before the sun had set. The water's dark blue surface mirrored the night as the many he'd seen before. Even the night sky, as the colors blended so beautifully together under the stars and crest of a new moon, were as they should be. Everything was in perfect order and paraded motionlessly without a hint of warning that it could have been mistaken for home.

What had changed was his outlook.

“The only easy day was yesterday,” he said to himself in the nearly silent forest. “But today is a new day.“

He tossed a pebble into the water, “And tomorrow, there will be hell to pay.”

“He said what?!” Rarity’s voice cut through the cool night air. “Ow! No! You let go this instant! I will not be quiet! Nor will I let this-Ow! Okay! Okay!”

Cerb sulked deep into himself as he sighed, “But first, I have to make it through the night.”

Now that it was quiet again, his mind went back to review where this all started and to where he screwed everything up.

Stepping out of the car and crashing into a strange new land. Blacking out for a moment in the garage. Freaking out when Starlight ran into him. Meeting Rarity and Fluttershy for the first time and… why did he blurt out the first thing that came to mind when he saw them? Was that what he was even thinking? Were those his thoughts? Certainly, reaching out and hugging Fluttershy wasn’t his idea or intention.

It was as if he simply reacted with some instinct to comfort and appease them. Like a boy fawning over his first crush, but he did it to complete strangers. Only they were no longer strangers; none of them were. But none so familiar to him as those two were.

He had to remind himself they were miniature-talking horses. So often, when he thought about them, the fact they weren't human seemed to fail to weigh in on his thoughts. Kind of strange how the world he left behind seemed to disappear from his mind so easily, along with their species.

Cerb pulled out his phone and powered it up.

After unlocking it and swiping through some apps and thumbnails, he opened a special folder. He swiped through pictures, glancing at some, staring at others. Him and his mother, his younger brother, various squad members he was assigned to while still serving. Many were with all of his friends there with him, and even a few who were no longer around. All of them, though, had one thing in common. They were all the ones he swore to protect.

That’s how he saw himself. Their guardian, protector, avenger, a brother, and a son. Now, here in this supposedly dangerous forest, he was putting everyone that he still could protect at risk. Although, maybe even that was a questionable concept.

His thoughts went back to Celestia in Benny’s living room during the standoff.

“NEVER IN ALL MY YEARS HAS ANYONE VIOLATED THIS MOST PRECIOUS LAW AGAINST SUCH VIOLENCE! BUT YOU! YOU!“

Those were the words that echoed in his head. She was so egregiously enraged over the thought of taking another's life. It was as if she couldn’t comprehend the idea that it could ever be an option.

Then there was his history.

How many lives had he taken? For a while, he knew the numbers, but after so many close calls and firefights and cover fire from all those around him, the numbers lost their purpose. Rookies cared because they hadn't experienced it. After a while, for those who were in the thick of it, they didn't brag about the numbers. Maybe some did, but it was rare to hear any numbers mentioned. Not unless it was said to tell about how hard someone else had fought or how they fought through overwhelming odds. It became less of a "me versus them" and "more of an "us versus them." How many went out alongside him, and how many came back. Those were the numbers that counted.

Although, now, the six he so readily tried to keep safe could lose their favor. All over what, in a moment of weakness and wanting to be honest with Fluttershy, he had said.

He might have doomed them all. The only saving grace he could rely on was Fluttershy. His fate had been put on her shoulders, and all he could do was wait to see if she could pull it off.

The soft crunching of grass startled him, and he turned to see who had approached from behind.

Rarity stood before him with her nose up and a stern glare in front of a mournful Fluttershy.

“I… am so angry—”

“Rarity,” Cerb quicking spoke up as he moved to stand.

“—and disappointed in you,” Rarity coldly scolded.

That did it… Cerb was done. No coming back from that. He took his seat in the grass again and waited for the worst to come.

“Seriously, Justin,” Rarity continued to scold him through restrained ire. “I simply, for the life of me, cannot begin to—“ She gritted her teeth and tried to shake the confusion from her head. “—To think. I let you into my place of business, my home, introduced you to my family, comforted you not once, but twice!”

Fluttershy tried to move between them, “Rarity, please calm down. You’re—”

She was promptly lifted away in Rarity’s aura.

“No! I need to say this! And he needs to hear it!” Rarity barked at her wingmare before narrowing her eyes back down on Cerb. “I have clothed you, held you close when you were crying out in your sleep, defended you, praised your good deeds and behavior to all I’ve spoken with. I've nearly lost my mind trying to understand you, and now I’m who-only-knows how far out in this filthy uncivilized forest.“ She turned back with a look of disgust glazing over her anger. “I hate the forest! I hate this forest! And then I come out here and have to listen to Fluttershy tell me…”

Cerb couldn’t say anything, couldn’t stand. He couldn’t even muster the courage to look her in the eye. He sat there, taking the verbal beating, staring at the grass, and waiting for her to finish her piece and leave him. All he wanted was for it to be over. Instead, she reached a hoof out to raise his chin.

“Look at me, Justin,” Rarity ordered, with her anger reaching the point of breaking into an emotional meltdown.

Cerb looked up to see Rarity’s sad eyes searching for him to find her.

“What more do I have to do for you?" Rarity pleaded in a shaky voice. "Did you really think, for even a second, that I would give up on you or leave you?”

Cerb sat there in the grass, relieved that his fears were for nothing, but was also embarrassed that he had made her worry. Actually, as more of her scolding became clear with her plea, he was ashamed.

He reached up and held her hoof in his hand.

“I’m sorry…”

“Don’t be sorry, Justin,” Fluttershy said, finally joining his side. “After the way I acted, I can’t blame you for thinking Rarity or any other pony would run away.”

Rarity pulled back from Cerb and marched up to Fluttershy, looking just as angry as she was moments ago.

“Oh, and you, Fluttershy. Turning away and trying to run off like that. From Justin? He was in a war, for crying out loud. That’s what war is. It’s why we have tried so hard for so very long to avoid it and stop others from starting them.”

Fluttershy shrunk in on herself, embarrassed for the way she acted to Cerb’s confession.

“I wasn’t going to run away… I just needed to… have a little space to think.”

Rarity drew in a deep breath and opened her mouth to lay into Fluttershy again but paused for a moment. She exhaled all of the frustrations still festering inside out in a long sigh and composed herself.

“It’s fine. I can’t stay mad at either one of you. Even if I don’t appreciate how you both acted over this, I can still at least understand why you both may have done so. But, now that this is all over and out of the way, it is time for dinner. You’ll need your strength if you’re going to be carrying around Fluttershy all day tomorrow and skipping your checkpoints like some scared foal trying to avoid the timeout corner.”

Cerb tucked his phone away and started to bring himself back to his feet.

“Rarity. I’m sorry for—”

Rarity stomped her hoof, “How many times must I tell you, Justin? Stop apologizing so much. I’ve already put your reckless behavior behind me. If running around the forest with—”

“For doubting you,” Cerb corrected her, stopping only long enough to take in her look of shock. “It’s been me and my six friends for the last few years… I’m not used to meeting new people and having them… want to stay around me.”

Rarity dropped the high and mighty act and finally calmed down.

“Oh? Well, in that case. Apology accepted. And I’m sorry for storming out there like some irate mare… And even though I think I have a better understanding of it all, now. At the time, I was hurt that you perhaps didn’t trust me like I trust you.”

“It won’t happen again,” Cerb said, forcing the best smile he could.

Rarity drank in his best efforts to make amends and chuckled quietly.

“It better not. Now come on. Apparently, you’re friend Sniff saw fit to make sure we all were fed what’s called a ‘bread bowl? You can have either the broccoli and cheese or squash and corn chowder. Then we can take a look at that leg of yours.”

“Oven Fresh, sweety. You need to calm down,” Top Shelf laughed out quietly as she poured one of her new signature drinks. “He’s not late. You’re just here early. And I still can’t believe you managed to wrangle yourself a human. And my number two pick. Go figure.”

Oven Fresh was fidgeting in her seat.

“I am calm. I’m just… I’m not calm at all. I’m so nervous and excited at the same time.“ She picked up her new drink with her hooves and chugged the first half of it. “Wow, that is good… And number two? Oh, please do tell while making me another one of these. Because this is so good. And-no, wait… Let me guess. The big guy in the forest? Cerberus?”

Top Shelf pulled out the bottle that was nearing empty.

“You’re not just lucky you talked him into a date. You’re lucky he came in to check up on our supply. We’d be out right now if not for him setting this all up for you tonight. And, if you must know, yes. I do have a thing for Mr. Husk. That’s his real name. I didn’t see him like that until after he started to talk to me. Another little secret, he scared just about the entire staff here. Except for Italian himself. I guess our boss knew enough to know everything was fine, but I was quivering and about wet myself. I was so scared of him.”

“Oh, you poor baby,” Oven Fresh mockingly joked.

“I’m serious,” Top Shelf continued on. “He is huge, and those fingers he was wiggling around—”

“Did you get a chance to feel them?” Oven Fresh asked with a flirty grin.

Top Shelf didn’t know if she should be offended or if this was some sick joke.

“What? No. Why would I—”

“You are missing out,” Oven Fresh emphasized with her eyes as she took another sip.

"Oh!" Top Shelf giggled now that she was catching on. "You mean, did I feel them on me? Not me touching them. And no. I met Mr. Husk before those rumors started floating around. But anyway. I didn't know what or who he was or why he was with Rarity, but if he wasn't the nicest, charming colt I ever did see at this bar. And I'm not talking about your run-of-the-mill sweet talker. This stallion was genuine from start to finish. But that wasn't what got me."

"I'm waiting," Oven Fresh teased for more information.

Top Shelf gave a whimsical sigh, "It was how he treated her the whole night. Such a gentlecolt, and they were so cute together. And at the very end, Italian Stallion brought out a single slice of cheesecake for their dessert—"

"No. Did they..." Oven Fresh giddily begged the question.

"Hold on now," Top Shelf answered with an elated smile. "I was watching them the whole time and got worried when it looked like their night was ending badly. And I don't know what they were talking about, but it must have been something upsetting because I swear somepony had just rained on her parade and stole her crown. She looked so crushed. Then, Mr. Husk, he was getting all fired up about whatever must have made her upset—"

In all the excitement of the gossip, something became clear to Oven Fresh.

"Cerberus? He really is sweet on Rarity? I knew it."

Top Shelf was about to drop the most important detail.

"He moved to sit by her so they could share their dessert, and they even used the same spoooooon."

"Awwwwwwwe." Oven Fresh squeed.

Top Shelf went back to finishing the next drink.

"I probably shouldn't tell you any of this, but you're kind of in the in-crowd with them and me, now. So, us girls can talk. But please don't mention anything I told you about Cerb and Rarity. Those two don't have a clue about what the other must be thinking."

"Why is that? Did she turn him down?" Oven Fresh asked, looking for evidence that she was right.

"Hmm," Top Shelf wondered out loud. "That would have… No. I don't think so. He might have turned her down and is trying to fix it… Please don't repeat that. I honestly don't know. I just know that he cares about her, and she is head over horseshoes for him… I'm actually surprised they’re not a couple already. But if they don't call it soon... egh." She shrugged with a careless smile. “This single mare is calling dibs.”

Oven Fresh giggled, “Well, I’m sorry to say, but I might have redirected Rarity back on course… I don’t know how, or even what happened, but I think one of them thought the other turned them down. Which, Luna only knows what kind of bad luck that must take to accomplish that.”

Top Shelf silently laughed, holding it in as she saw who was approaching.

“Well, knowing any of those girls and their history, I could see that happening. And here’s your second drink, Oven. Enjoy yourself tonight.”

“What?” Oven Fresh asked with an open smile, thinking the barmare was joking with her about the conversation being over. “Did you run out of things to talk about?”

Sniff stepped behind her and laid his arm around her shoulders.

“She’s just being courteous and letting me say hello to my special lady friend for the night.”

“Peter!” Oven Fresh shouted. “You made it!”

“Did you think I was making it up?” Sniff jokingly asked.

Oven Fresh tried to calm herself down and answered, “No, of course not. I just...“

Sniff finally took a closer look at what she was wearing.

“You just wanted to show off,” he answered for her with some humor in his voice as he turned to the barmare. “Hey, Topsy. She making you jealous over there?”

“Depends,” Top Shelf spoke over her shoulder. “Is she going to be buying you all the drinks tonight? If that’s the case, then I’ll wait for Mr. Husk to get back.”

Sniff looked down to the full glass of the Top Shelf’s new trademark drink sitting next to Oven Fresh’s near-empty glass.

Top Shelf giggled, “He’s all yours, Ovens. Mr. Husk paid for everything on his first date.”

“Pop’n Fresh?” Sniff mocked being insulted. “What are you trying to do to my good name? I thought I told you I was treating you out tonight?”

Oven Fresh could see the game those two were playing and played along by pulling both glasses towards her.

“Darn right, you’re paying. And don’t listen to her. These are both mine. You can order your own.”

“Awe,” Top Shelf cooed over the bar. “Little Miss Oven Fresh is calling the shots and gets open bar before dinner with you. Hmm… Maybe I’m a little jealous.”

Sniff pulled out a small cloth sack and slid over a handful of bits.

“Alright, I’d ask to see your manager so I could see who put you in this position, but we’re both here, and now I’m going to have to live with my mistakes. So… how abouts a nice tip, and you play nice with the guy footing the bill tonight?”

Top Shelf scooped up the bits and bowed her head, “Well, if you’re going to bribe me, I can’t really say no, now can I?’

Sniff replied in a cutesy voice, “Thank you, Topsy. But I would like one of these cocktails as well before we eat, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course, Peter,” Top Shelf giggled. “One house special, coming up.”

“Now,” Sniff softly called out as he drummed his fingers on the bar's countertop. “As I was saying, before I was extorted for quality service, and feel free to rub this into all the other mare's faces.“ He made it very clear that he was checking out what she was wearing. “But whatever you worked out with Rarity has moved you from the cutest thing I’ve seen by far, to the prettiest thing I’ve had the pleasure of seeing here.”

Oven Fresh sat there frozen at the compliment. Even if he was laying it on thick, she had never received such a compliment like that before.

“Okay!” Top Shelf stepped in to help her new friend out. “Now, I’m jealous.”

Sniff chuckled just long enough to allow Oven Fresh the chance to recover and get her wits about her.

“I’m sorry, Pop’n Fresh. You did all the leg work and must have pulled some teeth to get my friends to tell you that I got a thing for the short skirts.“ He reached out and gave a little tug at the brim of the skirt. “And now there’s me. Walking up in here with nothing fancy on, like a bum.”

“Well, then,” Oven Fresh started to counter his narrative. “You make for a very handsome bum.”

“Good save,” Sniff said with a wink as he picked up his freshly made cocktail. “Cheers.”

“Top score on both Dogger and Power Ponies: Ponies in Time?” Cream Heart was excited to announce. “Oh, my goodness. As much as Buttons would have loved to be here for this, I’m glad he wasn’t around to see you beat his Dogger score. Sniff did his best to apologize for beating him so bad at Prance Prance Revolution, but I think he was more interested in apologizing to me than he was to Button. Then again, Button did get carried away with his trash talk.”

“Maybe next time we can all do something together,” Chris suggested. “Like maybe have another shot at even coming close to your Mrs. Pacmare score. Seriously? How many hours were you on that thing to get it that high?”

Cream Heart had a hearty laugh.

“Wow. It’s a little embarrassing to admit this now, but I was there from opening past closing. The owner was so impressed he let me stay longer.”

“Geeze,” Chris vocalized his admiration for her dedication as best he could. “How far did you get?”

“Don’t know,” Cream Heart admitted. “I fell asleep at the controls,” She told him before breaking off into another laugh.

Chris had a few stories he would share later if the conversation started to go dry, but for now, he was craving something sweet.

“Yeah, I’ve done that with a few games. But how about a milkshake? My treat.”

“What? No,” Cream Heart playfully protested. “You’ve been treating me out the whole night. Let me at least pay for something.”

One strawberry and chocolate milkshake later, they walked out together.

“What else do you do for fun around here when you're not playing video games?” Chris asked.

“Me?” Cream Heart asked. “Oh, I rarely get the chance to play these games anymore. This was a real treat for me. Otherwise, in the spring and fall, there’s not a lot for me to do. But in the summer, I like to head out to swim at the lake nearby. Then maybe ice skate in the winter. Have you seen the lake yet?”

Chris took a long sip of his chocolate milkshake and had to fight off a brain freeze, “Ouch… Ah! Stupid cold foods being cold like they’re supposed to be. Emph… Oou. But no. Is it close by?”

Cream Heart took a short sip of her strawberry shake and shook her head.

“It’s pretty close. Yooooou want to check it out? It would be a nice place to sit and enjoy these.”

Chris was more than ready to go. She could have asked him to check out the local landfill, and he would have agreed. But heading out to a lake, late at night, in the middle of spring? Even he wasn’t so dense to realize she was taking him somewhere they could be alone.

“You lead the way, and I’ll follow,” Chris answered. “But I don’t want to keep you out too long if you have to pick Button up.

Cream Heart blushed, hoping he would pick up on wanting him to stay longer with her answer.

“Oh, he’s staying the night at Berry Punch’s tonight. I didn’t know how long you wanted to stay out tonight.”

“Oh?” Chris answered, happy to hear that. “Then, should we take our time getting there or take our time coming back?”

Cream Heart giggled uncontrollably, “Whatever keeps you out the longest.”

They continued idle chat about the games they played growing up until they found themselves at the water's edge.

“Well… This is the summer hot spot,” Cream Heart informed Chris. “Not much to look at in the dark.”

Chris's eyes did one take over the lake before landing back on his date.

“No… There’s plenty to look at.”

Cream Heart gave a cute little laugh as she took in what little was visible.

“Well, maybe once the sun rises and you can actually seem more than a few feet in front of— “ She lost her train of thought when her sight brought Chris staring at her into view. “Oh… Please, I know you have a thing for mares, but... “

Chris took a seat in the grass and patted the spot next to him.

“If you say you’re not beautiful or pretty enough to look at, I’m going to have to point out the ugly mug you're hanging out with tonight.”

She took a seat next to Chris and smiled bright enough that it could have lit up the scenery for them to see in if happiness was measured in lumens.

“There’s more to you than just your looks, Chris. But that doesn’t mean I don’t like what I see. And I’m sure you can tell that I’ve been having a wonderful time with you tonight. I hope you’ve been enjoying your time with me.”

“Of course I have,” Chris said, dropping his hands down into his lap. “I’m still trying to get over the fact that any of this is even happening. All of you girls wanting to get to know me and having the chance to get to know all of you. And not to dampen the mood, but… I mean... I had some reservations about dating all of you all at the same time. How are you okay with it?”

“Yes,” Cream Heart said with a soft sigh. “It does seem a bit strange that we all would be so willing to try and share your time, but… well, I won’t lie and say that finding a stallion is hard enough as it is. It’s not out of desperation that I wanted to give this a try.”

“Well, it still plays out in my favor,” Chris joked.

“I imagine it does,” she said with a laugh. “But you seem like such a good family stallion. Which is something I would like to have again. But you were so good with the foals, and I know Button would love having some pone like you around… and… so would I.”

Chris jested with a touch of whimsy in his voice, “Someone to be your player two?”

Cream Heart shyly asked, “Would you like to have me as your player one? Because I would like that. Even if it only goes until the game over screen and I have to start again. I’d like to keep playing this dating game with you.”

Chris exhaled and thought about what that analogy meant.

“I don’t want anyone of you girls to have a bad ending. Because that would make me the villain in the end… I don’t want to hurt you if… you know.”

Cream Heart put her drink down and turned to him, “Chris… We all agreed that we would give this a shot and not hold it against you or anypony else if you settled on one of us, and that was that. Also, we might only have you until Twilight can find a way home for you. So… I’m okay with not having the happy ending or even the top score. Just being able to have somepony to turn to and be close with again, that means a lot to me.”

Chris smiled and said, “Well, I can’t say I don’t like the sound of that.”

Cream Heart smiled and tried to think of another good gaming pun, but if this was to be a short-lived experience, she still wanted to see how far she could take it.

“You know… I heard a rumor about you. Two rumors, really. And… I wanted to know if they were true.”

Chris could already hear the questions about him knowing all the ponies. That he had been watching them from another world. He was ready to do his best to explain it.

“And what might those be?”

She bit her lip, nervous about going through with it.

“You don’t have to prove those rumors to be true for me, but word has it that you….”

“That I?” Chris said, trying to encourage her to get the awkward question out.

“That you have a magic touch and are a good kisser,” she finally managed to say.

“Well, the show… Oh.” Chris said, caught completely off guard, which made him a little slow to recover. “I… uh… I don’t know entirely about that. I haven’t really done much of it to know how it all works, but I don’t want you to think that I’m just out here to—”

“Could you show me?” Cream Heart asked with some reserved excitement.

With a mix of nervousness and excitement feeding each other, Chris answered, “Wow, I didn’t think you would be so forward or want to move that fast? I hope Starlight didn’t put you up to this just to make—”

Cream Heart took Starlight’s lead and slid over to straddle his lap.

“No pony is pushing me to do this. I really do like you, Chris. And even if this does seem rushed or selfish, I’d like to have a stallion to be close to again.“ She sat deeper into his lap like Starlight had gossiped about and placed her forehooves over his shoulders. “Can you remind me what it feels like to have a special somepony and not be so alone?”

Chris was getting aroused again, and the sweet smell of strawberries on her breath wasn’t making it easy to remain anything close to virtuous.

“I don’t want to give you something that will hurt if it’s taken away.”

It had been far too long since she held a stallion this close, and she wasn’t about to give up on having it back, even if only for the night.

“I’ve already had it taken away once, and I know you’re not mine to keep, but you are my date for tonight. And maybe another night if you’ll have me.”

Chris stared the tan-colored mare in her wanting eyes.

“I want to say yes so badly, but I don’t want you to think that I’m going to—”

Cream Heart heard the yes and nothing fit to fight against after ‘but’ and moved in to press her lips to his. Her efforts were rewarded with the magic touch and all the lovely feelings Starlight had tempted her with.

To much of her surprise, though, everything she was told wasn’t enough to prepare her for what she felt with him. It was so much better than expected, and she lost herself in the embrace.

Chris, likewise, couldn’t fight off the temptation to explore what he was offered. She wanted his attention and affection, and there was no one, human or pony, to tell him to resist. And while it felt so wrong to him to exploit their desires, he couldn’t hold himself back when all of it felt so good.

He loved the way these mares felt. How their lips tasted. Their soft sweet scent. And of course, how they made him feel and all the gratification that left him wanting more.

Cream Heart softly moaned as she experimented with how they kissed each other.

“Chris, mmph. Please. Mmm. Muah-Mmm.“ She opened her mouth slightly to suck in his lips but was surprised to feel his tongue slide up against hers, sending a wonderful shiver down her back. “Please don’t say you want me to stop.”

Chris answered by running his hands over her rump and pulling her in, making them grind against each other.

Cream Heart moaned again, only louder than before. She opened her mouth to meet her tongue with his. To her amazement, what she thought was just going to be her following his lead ended up adding a new dimension of pleasure that increased her desire to experience more of him.

Whatever this was, whatever these new feelings were, there was a nostalgic sensation that was carried along with them and warmed her heart.

“You’re so amazing,” she hushed under bated breath as they separated. “Whatever it is you’re doing to make me feel like this, I don’t want it to stop.”

“I don’t want it to stop either,” Chris confessed between kisses and gasps for air.

In all honesty, though, he wanted so much more but couldn’t bring himself to tempt a reach. He couldn't press for something so debaucherous, despite taking care of himself in the bath before his date. It hadn't been enough to remove the desire to strip down and show her how much more there was to offer.

However, his fears and insecurities were too strong to allow him to tempt fate with something that committed. Maybe someday, but not tonight.

Not unless she took control and made it happen. He knew he wouldn't have the willpower to stop her... but maybe if he rubbed her ass a little more and felt her up just right. Would that be so wrong?

So... that's a lot that happened. And while it's nice to see AJ and Lumberman getting along so well, kinda sad to see Kelly struggling like she is. For Kelly, though, some people just don't do well on their own. At least alone like she is. Also, some of her jokes and jabs from earlier are coming back to bite her in the ass.

Too bad that also broke up the moment Chris and Spike were sharing.

Although, Cerb was having a much rougher time than expected in the Everfree. How did you reach through the interaction with Rarity and Cerb after she was given the breakdown? That was a trip to write.

Then again, what about little Miss Oven Fresh? Any bets on how that date is gonna end? Cerb did set a high standard after all. It is already off to a good start.

Better yet, Chris and his date?!

Oof... What are these humans doing to these poor ponies?