https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZVHbnn92gc

Breakfast had been delicious, the best food Fear had ever eaten. His favorite stews and even spicy tuna fish came nowhere close to comparing to the morning meal Claritity Stoic had cooked for the three equines and one Abyssinian. Acrid was crying, having been convinced he'd never have food like this ever again, talking about how food in real life society had stayed the same for decades yet improved in nuance with the experimentation and science of multiple generations. Fear was literally moaning out loud, rubbing his hooves together as he used telekinesis to manipulate a fork and spoon, shoving food into his mouth voraciously – but for once he was showing table manners at the behest of Gentler. Gentler was happy to have real food again, but ate calmly with very little emotion. Faith was enthralled, but she had a reticence about her that betrayed her euphoric feelings as she chewed and swallowed.

It had been twofold. Oatmeal mixed with creamy milk, spiced with cinnamon powder, covered in ripe blueberries, and slathered in melted butter. The second portion was more than enough scrambled eggs for all of them. Juicy, chunky, with chopped up bits of juicy, fresh ham, fused with melted cheese, seasoned with pepper, salt, and other spices that gave it all a faceted exotic aftertaste. Fear hadn't stopped salivating even after eating enough to be satisfied. The blueberries dipped and spelunked in the oatmeal had been the best part. Not only was it milky and hot, nearly seeping into jelly in the mouth, but the sweetness was off the charts, almost lip-scrunching tangy, vaguely acidic and tingly, with a juicy mouthfeel and squirting copious amounts of juice that put the heart cherries to shame.

Fear'd almost faceplanted into his bowl of oatmeal from sensory overload. He'd certainly stopped a few times to hold his cheeks and groan, nearly choking on his food as he tried to gasp from the overwhelming tastes and textures that he had no prior experience of. He never wanted to leave. He could never go back to the wasteland after this paradise.

But he knew... knew it would eventually end and he'd have to return to his responsibilities. It wasn't the first time Fear'd been forced to act on his beliefs even though he had so much to lose due to it. No one would blame him if he came here to live and offer his services, make a name for himself. But he couldn't do that.

Right now, Acrid and Fear were busy walking through the streets of Panthera nursing their swollen tummies as they looked for something to do, their saddlebags with them. It was hard to move, at times. Fear's body felt a little like lead. Acrid suggested it was because after a long time he was finally genuinely relaxing and enjoying his surroundings instead of constantly thinking about how he could make them better.

Fear thought Acrid knew him well, yet not that well at all. Right? I'm pretty sure I relax a lot. Sure I'm always pushing myself but that doesn't mean I don't know how to take care of myself and lay back. Rose gave me massages now and then. ...But I also gave her money in return. And recommended both my aunts and my uncle to everyone, especially those who needed help with their jobs. No. It might've been a lot, but it wasn't enough. He had to do everything. He wanted to be a hero. That's how he was. He staked his self worth on it. I push myself too hard. Do I really not know when enough's enough? But it's fine. I can take this time to recharge my batteries and reinforce myself. But what about the future? It's not like I can return here easily. The pegasi will probably enforce patrols on the seas if not make a completely new Overvalkying. Hmm... it's unfortunate but I really gotta learn to relax. Stop putting in so much effort into everything.

Acrid was uncomfortable with the silence, so he tried to get Fear's attention. “Hey Fear?”

Fear shook his head, pulling out of his reverie. “What's up?” His voice had a twinge of irritation coupled with a scowl, and Acrid caught that. So did Fear. “Sorry, it's not directed toward you. Just have a lot of thoughts.”

Acrid nodded and patted his date on the shoulder. Fear didn't see it like that but the older stallion did. He wanted to impress him. “You remember when we first met and you took me to your home?”

“Yeah? What about it?” Fear's tone was genuinely curious as they walked together, with his partner occasionally bumping him.

“I was thinking. I was really harsh back then. I hope you forgive me. I didn't mean to make that joke about your plushie.”

Fear thought back on it. Acrid had made fun of him for it or something to that effect, but then he'd seen the depressed look on his face, and not only had he taken back the remark but he deprecated himself by saying he had plushies too and he was a dumbass for acting like he was somehow cool. Something about hypocrisy and school. Fear didn't really recall, it hadn't been important. The fix had been enough to leave him content. Though... he realized that the silence hadn't been the only thing bothering Acrid. “It's fine. Don't worry about it. I know what it's like to regret things.”

Acrid's lips twisted upward and he glanced to the side, away from him. “...Thanks.” There was a quiet sigh. “If it's not all that, then what's bothering you Fear?” He hoped the younger stallion wasn't wise to his plan.

Fear just shrugged, staring at the ground ahead of him. Cats still watched them occasionally but it was more rare now. He could feel suspicion in Acrid's soul but let it roll off of him. “It's nothing much... it's just...” He hesitated. Acrid nudged him to speak up, express himself. “Well. You don't think it makes me a bad pony if I don't put more than one hundred percent of my effort into the things I care about? I feel like maybe I'm stretching myself really thin. But that's how it's always been. Ever since I grew capable of handling it. And be honest, don't spare my feelings.”

The older stallion didn't even need to be told not to spare his feelings. “Fear? You're a dumbass.” He shook his head and bopped Fear on the noggin, causing him to look questioningly at him. “You care about literally everything from what I've seen. You're going to burn yourself out if you don't choose your battles more carefully. It's amazing you haven't already. You have a lot of endurance.”

Well I am always kinda tired, Fear thought.

“You shouldn't worry about it too much. Sometimes we need to just have fun with our lives, and stop worrying about what everyone thinks, and what our impact on the world is going to be.”

“What makes you say that?” Fear asked.

“Well... ever since I woke up from cryostasis, I realized everything I ever knew, everything I ever cared about was long dead and gone. It's a traumatic feeling, knowing the world skipped by you and there was nothing you can do about it. That everything you believed in was actually toxic and led to the downfall of a whole species. I appreciate you giving me the chance to be a hero, even if it wasn't your intent,” Acrid explained, “but in order to not go insane I've had to learn to accept what I can't do, and learn that it's okay to be imperfect sometimes. Tartarus, I've spent a couple months on this journey, been trying to relearn everything I forgot. I'm trying to catch up to you. But all I can do to keep my sanity is tell myself with all sincerity that I'm not a bad pony just because everything I cared about is dead and there was nothing I could do.”

Fear frowned deeply. “But what if I fail in the here and now, at an important moment because I didn't put enough effort in and then that small thing builds up into one big huge thing?”

Acrid purred in frustration. “Then it happens. You can't hold the world on your shoulders forever. Besides, you're the one who's died twice, you know life continues on after all this one way or another... unless it was chemicals in the brain.” He twirled a hoof. “I just know that if you don't give your body time to rest because you're always doing more than your fair share – always – then you're not going to be able to be there during the important moments. It's okay to not do everything, or be a perfectionist. It's okay to delegate and rely on others. You learned that with the Overvalkying.” Acrid wrapped Fear up in a hug as they walked. “So calm down okay? Just take life as it comes. Stop thinking about all the what ifs. That's your mother talking.”

Fear tried not to smile but it just turned into a spiteful grin. “I guess you're right... I guess. Dad tells me I get my constant worrying from her. He says it just manifests a tiny bit differently than it did for her. But both of us still try hard to remain in control.”

“See?” Acrid cemented. “You're just a pony who's scared and you want to be in control. But you don't have to be. You got us.”

Fear smiled wanly, his eyes exhausted. “Thanks Acrid.”

“Sure thing.” A beat. “Now let's go pick up some souvenirs or whatever. You were the one who said the visit wouldn't feel real unless we brought something back.” A laugh. “For someone who spends half his world in lucid dreams you sure have some weird thoughts about what is and isn't real.”

Fear spun a hoof and rolled his eyes, his simper stretching from ear to ear. “Alright.”

==========================================================================================

The store they entered was a miscellaneous knick knack store by the name of Jirard’s Filled Drawer Emporium, its highest selling point that you'd find something for anything. It was filled from bottom to top in shelves completely covered in merchandise and various items of varying value. The shop, in its partnership, was connected to a comic book store right next to it, both registers manned constantly. Fear and Acrid joked about the absurdity of these two places being put together and laughed it off. But the first place they stopped was a corner of the store that had an old fashioned, polished warble machine playing pre-set background music. It was beautiful in its chimes, but it seemed rather... pretentious for what little it could do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&feature=youtu.be

Fear was the one to excuse it. “Well, maybe that's just how Abyssinians roll? I mean they have all the time in the world it feels like, so why wouldn't they? They can do anything so they might as well live life large.”

Acrid frowned slightly. “I guess. It just seems like a waste given it doesn't seem easy to mass produce these things.”

A bark of laughter from Fear. “They probably don't care. They got the resources to be both mass producing and using hand crafted items.”

The cat operating the warble machine nodded and twisted around to face them. “Your friend's right. You two seem to be new here, but I hope you enjoy what we have to offer.”

Well, Fear thought, It's nice not all the Abyssinians here aside from Gentler's family are disrespectful in some way. Faith had told Fear how Butters' behavior, kneeling down to their level had irritated her because it made her feel like she wasn't equal, just being patronized. Fear hadn't gotten that view at all, but he understood where she was coming from. Faith didn't show it often but she was a strong mare that fought with the best of them to earn respect for herself.

That was one of the things Faith had liked about him from the start, his respect for her. Most ponies didn't pay any attention, nor look at her with the same kind of awe Fear had when they first met, because she was a street preacher. It might come as a surprise to most, but street preachers and respect don't quite go hand in hand. At least that was how Faith phrased it.

“Thank you sir,” Fear gratefully spoke to the Abyssinian. “Let's go look around Acrid and stop bothering the kind feline.”

Acrid huffed. “Fine. But only for you.” The two left, their ears flicking as the warble machine ended and started back up again. They parted ways and started looking through the shelves.

Fear found multiple things that were of value, or at least to him. One was a Mega Mare bobblehead, but a specialized Abyssinian version (collect them all!) It didn't come with any stories or explanation though, so he wasn't too excited about it. So he moved on. There was also an ornate quilt in a bargain bin among many others that had an expressive winter scene woven into it. Apparently it was for sleeping on or under, called a comforter. It was cool – Fear liked winter because snow was the only weather that looked pretty in the wasteland. Rain was nice but it had a chance to be acidic. The problem was he couldn't carry that around with him in his almost overburdened saddlebags. Then there was a mug that said “I'm Eggscellent” on it in stylized lettering. Tempting, but it might break easily and it wasn't like he was going to use it – that's what his canteen was for! Then there was a water elemental plushie named Mistle that looked like a cross between a clown and a seal, covered in blues and whites, with a cyan and white skirt, and a pink bulbous nose and threaded whiskers.

Now Mistle was truly the best Fear could ask for, and he was sorely motivated to grab it and purchase him.

There were squishmallows in the shape of Puckwudgies and other Everfree Forest monsters that were the exact same size as Fear. A big 'no.' He couldn't carry that! He kept moving on and found some dolls and toys, one was called a Perseverance Fractal Doll, and it was a toy that would always reorient itself to stand up on its legs after being knocked over due to physics, but it also had other dolls trapped inside of it that just kept going down and down.

Fear was more interested in the floral shampoos, oriental, amber, and seabreeze colognes, and the tropical, fruity perfumes that smelled like a succulent's nectar. They were all in the self care aisle, along with a bunch of scented and vibrantly-hued bath bombs, candles, and bubble soaps that Fear could smell easily – one was like fresh cotton. But these items were a one time thing that would end with enough use.

So no to that as well.

In the music section were a strange thing called CDs that Fear wasn't familiar with. Though he was familiar with vinyl records! He rifled through them until he came across one with a beautiful valley that said Eight Melodies on it. This would be good for Mirage... but did he want to spend his money on this? It wasn't primarily for him.

Also if he wanted Mistle he'd have to make some room in his saddlebags. And he really wanted Mistle. He wondered what franchise he was from, but it didn't matter. He'd find out before he left.

So he decided to sell the jarred changeling aphrodisiac in his best salesman voice, ringing out and confident. Talking about all the benefits and uses, from help with sex life all the way to just helping with your kinks.

“But can it be reproduced?”

“I mean maybe?” Fear responded. “I mean sure. Yeah. I'm sure it can! Just bring it to some scientists and they can recreate it after enough time.”

Acrid watched Fear haggle with the Abyssinian expertly with a raised eyebrow, starting with an exorbitant price and then slowly lowering it more and more, until he settled on a low end number and some positive gossip.

“You got yourself a deal, kid. You're not bad at selling stuff.”

The jar was handed over.

Affinity +80.

Fear immediately used some of the extra money to buy Mistle and the Eight Melodies vinyl.

“Jeez kid, you could've just told me you wanted some of my wares.” The alabaster white Abyssinian shrugged and accepted the trade, giving Fear some extra money in the form of paper bills.

Acrid was impressed.

Next they headed over to the comic book store section.

That was where Fear learned where Mistle was from. He was from a series of visual novels along with a number of other characters of specialized species. Every species had an element, and the species was different depending on if they were male or female, with some mixture in between depending on if they identified as something else. Often referred to as a Dual Souled shaman. Fear didn't know what to make of it but he liked the premise. Mistle was going around from nation to nation, learning how to apply the teachings of every other element to his own in order to make it greater, to magnify its prowess, while also making friends, gathering allies in order to take on the gods who were seen as malicious entities. Mistle was a water element, and apparently there were over twenty other aspects. It was apparently an adult series with extremely dark tones and intense moral lessons in every installment.

Fear also found old Mega Mare comics, and an offshoot series called Alpha Mare where the titular protagonist explored the world looking for her place in it after Mega Mare's success and Alpha's redemption. Mega continued seeking out peace, trying to stamp out violence wherever it stemmed, but Alpha just wanted to live in true harmony, even with her enemies. There were also Limit Breaker comics, a hero who was constantly surpassing expectations and everything around him in order to save the world. His archnemesis was a mare who loved Limit but was, in her heart a villain who would never change her ways. It was silly, but Fear was intrigued as he looked through the glass cases and the Abyssinian behind the counter explained the series to him. There were other comics with Abyssinian heroes, and some pony comics. The merchant elaborated that there were a few Abyssinian artists who didn't want to let the old Equestria heroes die so they revived them and told their own stories.

So a lot of these stories weren't the originals, but remakes? That was interesting.

The young stallion bought a copy of Mistle's first adventures, and some Mega Mare comics. Acrid bought an issue or two of Limit Breaker, explaining he'd grown up with him and he was the reason why he'd wanted to be a hero in the first place. It was just a shame that Limit hardly ever failed when it counted, like Acrid had. But the two young stallions were becoming wiser by the day with each other's help. Though... Acrid did explain that Limit always failed to redeem his archnemesis Diamond Will all the way to the end, and even in the end, when she died saving Limit's life and confessing her feelings, and how they may never be together morally, but they could be together emotionally. They stressed each other out to no end, Acrid explained, but they gave each other a form of stability no one else could.

The two left happy with their purchases, tucked away in their saddlebags. Fear knew he was going to enjoy the Adventures of Mistle and Friends!

Next stop was the arcade they'd seen on the way to the palace. It was a place full of chimes, blaring horns, and 8-bit music that was hard to differentiate unless you were in front of the cabinet that was echoing the sounds. Fear used some of his money to get them a bunch of tokens, and they wandered around trying out various machines together. They played a fighting game together that Acrid remembered from back in Equestria that was made up of multiple species, with the bad guy obviously being a zebra.

How did they allow that here, Fear wondered. Not that he knew, but industries in other realities didn’t pull TV shows off the air and games from shelves just because they were out of touch. They were classics, products of their time. It was understandable. Acrid taught Fear how to play. There was also Mareio, a platformer intensive video game with simple graphics and randomly generated levels with various settings. It was pretty difficult!

It was inevitable the duo would end up getting yell-y and intense, with Fear smashing buttons and Acrid having a more dexterous technique, both of them fiddling the joysticks as they mirthfully played every game at least once, talking with each other about what they thought the thought process behind each game was and shit talking each other. It wasn't often Fear's sass came out as thoroughly as it did then. He tried to be tough, playfully so, but it was always silly one-liners that barely correlated, while Acrid constantly made fun of both of them, the games, and the cats around them. Nothing was sacred, no one was safe. Acrid learned of Fear's dry sarcastic wit from their experience, and Fear realized Acrid could lighten the mood of anything. Whenever Fear was getting too serious, too focused, Acrid pulled him out of it and reminded him it wasn't that big of a deal.

Fear remembered the Nightmare Night cabinet from the topics of their group discussions. Gentler had explained it, and Fear found out for himself that it was a game where you played as an alicorn firing spells at nightmare shades, glitching monstrosities that terrified Fear because they reminded him of the Surreal. There were also obstacles you had to fly over and through. It was a little like Koirbo in some ways, but with a gameplay style akin to Mega Mare. Then there was an arcade cabinet based on Tempest's adventures – a brawler but using out of control magic. One gaming cabinet was a horror game where you were a colt or filly attempting to flee and hide from Tirek's magic draining powers and find the weapon that could banish him back to Tartarus. Further in were more Abyssinian oriented games – including some shooters with zombies, aliens, etc. Acrid had a hard time holding the plastic firearm, but Fear used telekinesis on it with ease. Honestly, there was something for every villain ever known throughout the world, including places outside Equestria, including the Storm King where the Abyssinian brother and sister were climbing through various locales in a wild storm in order to sneakily grab his staff of power.

One cabinet involved beating a pair of twins similar to Flim and Flam; although far more bulbous and cuter. More like eggs. It was all about speed and exploration, depending on which of the three characters you were playing as, requiring you to have extreme skill in order to get the special gems that would break the game. All about potential!

Another arcade machine was an action 2D shooter that involved eliminating the changeling menace from the face of the world with high caliber firepower. You also had a wire grappler for getting tough to reach spots and power-ups.

There was also an Ogres and Oubliettes style RPG brawler with multiple classes, with up to four players at a time. Fear and Acrid spent multiple tokens on it, and a couple young Abyssinians in the arcade at the time helped them out by playing with them. The personalities didn't quite click, but they weren't abrasive either. But fun was had despite.

It wasn't long before they left the arcade with stimulated, excited, hyperactive minds, constantly murmuring between each other about how they wished they'd been born during other eras so they could try taking on these villains for real.

The games were good enough though. Unfortunately there hadn't been anything Mega Mare related. The arcade owner had told them that cabinet was back in storage along with some others, kept hidden away until it was time to switch them out. It helped keep things fresh and generated a longing to play the classics.

After all, the moment you wanted something the most was the moment you couldn't have it. Just standard commercialism tactics.

There were a few other things on their itinerary, a couple things Acrid had suggested and Fear agreed to because... Fear was agreeable, and also because he sincerely saw the joy in these potential activities. They traveled to an arena further into the city that Gentler had told them about, and they watched a wrestling match. At first the two were silent in a sea of cheering, rioting fans rooting for their favorite masked wrestlers, but soon enough as they figured out who was who, and who had what personality from their speeches, the two were swept up into the fervor as well. After all the matches were done, both of them, not knowing any better, wandered to the preparation rooms and through a combo of sheer dumb luck, Fear's charisma, and Acrid's lighthearted cluelessness they ended up finding Abyssinian friends.

Well, it was that and also because rumors had been going around the entire city about the equines who were visiting and Gentler's return. The masked wrestlers wanted to see what the cutesy little equines were made of, how good they were at grapples, punches, kicks. Fear learned how to do a proper drop kick, the elements of a good kayfabe, and tips on how to get someone in a choke hold. Acrid discovered how to hype himself up as a heel and, less expected, was given ideas on how to make himself far more mobile with his earth manipulation. To make a muddy slope for him to gather speed on, it was as simple as dithering the dirt until it became mucky like it was soaked with water, but just on the surface, not deep down under. It had come up after a long conversation about their own histories as they were guided through making their wrestling personas, and one of the cats used earth manipulation gems back when he was a farmer. The two were given some personal hands on teaching.

The day had been stupidly good and incredibly splendid so far. The two were on cloud nine, having forgotten all about the wasteland as they conversed between each other, falling into a groove, moving from place to place. Acrid was still declaring how if he ever got to meet DJ-P0N3 he was going to make himself out to be a chaotic good anti-hero, and he connived with Fear to make him the lawful good hero. Fear wasn't comfortable with that because he was far from lawful good. After all, it wasn't like he spared every single raider's life he came across. Sometimes you had to cure the wasteland of its ills through a good old fashioned cleansing when one didn't show hints of wanting to change.

Sure Fear always gave them the choice to change while they were completely bound and defenseless, and he could sense lies, but that didn't matter that much did it? If a pony was going to change it would be right on the verge of death when they realized all their methods of survival or carnal pleasure had gotten them an early death.

Most raiders did not accept Fear's proposition to redeem themselves.

So they died.

Acrid barked laughter. “That's still way more than I'm sure any other pony would do! You're like some kind of redemption angel. It's kind of creepy.”

Fear sighed and looked off to the side at the ground.

“Okay maybe not that creepy. It's just weird that you're being the cause for a few pony's redemption story. Feels a little... strange ya know?” Acrid asked, trying to put his hoof on why it was odd.

Fear shrugged. “I mean if not me, then who? If no one else is going to do it, then someone has to. And if I'm there it might as well be me. I don't want everyone to just die.”

Acrid shook his head and tsked. “You know some of them probably returned to the raider life when it got too hard right? The wasteland obviously doesn't make a righteous life that easy.”

Fear hrmphed. “Well I mean... I don't know. I guess it sucks but what else am I going to do? Just constantly murder everyone who does bad things? We were just talking about how it's okay to fail sometimes.”

Acrid fluttered his eyelashes, smiling broadly. “Fear. You are lawful good. Your concern about failing doesn't even matter to you if it means someone will get the same chance you did. It might be a curse that you're subjecting others to, but I won't lie it's admirable. Still...” a sigh. “It'd be nice if we could protect everyone.”

“Don't I know it! Let's go try on some clothes. You said the last couple times you did it, you felt like a whole new you.”

“Right. Come on.” Acrid pulled Fear along the road toward a clothing shop.

Fear and Acrid were both unsure they would find clothes that would fit them, but as fortune would have it, the clothes meant for kittens were good enough. Acrid's size was about a young adult's and Fear's was the size of a kid. Acrid spoke about his wrestling name, getting invigorated at the idea as they passed clothes between each other and hung out in changing rooms next to each other. Acrid's name would be the Ashen Lore, to reflect his anti-hero personality, and he'd be an earthbending scholar who used magic as well as wrestling moves to incapacitate his opponents. After all, anyone with magic had to be a scholar.

...Right?

Fear joined in the merriment again swiftly, trying to come up with a name for himself. The Nova Nightlight, he decided. Or maybe the Prismatic Angel?

Acrid guffawed, joking that Fear's body wasn't built for it so he'd have to cheat with magic.

“I can show you some moves using momentum in the bedroom if you'd like,” the young stallion flirted.

Acrid blushed intensely, going wide eyed. It wasn't just the tease that'd made him jerk and have a powerful reaction, it was the fact that Fear had actually stood up to him in such a flirtatious way. He never thought it was possible.

It wasn't surprising though, the two found, even as Fear regretted flirting so nonchalantly, that they felt the way they did.

Fear and Acrid tried on bandanna masks with various designs. Monstrous fangs, big pillowy lips, hanging tongues, toothy smiles, golden teeth. Fear tried on a pair of purple and green cotton socks for his hindlegs and a second pair of the same ones for his forelegs; they were big enough to reach up to his thighs. He fit a snake-scale patterned sundress on, and fitted a gold buckle mantle on his shoulders, all the colors fitting together incredibly well. A fusion of greens, purples, and lavenders. Fear also put a tiara on his head. It wasn't often he attempted to look feminine, but it worked for him and his body.

Fear also experimented with more traditional feline clothing like a tailed coat with long sleeves and a cravat, made to make young kittens look formal and neat. He had to roll the coat's sleeves up a bit though. It was colored the same blue as his eyes, though the interior of it was the same color but paler. He switched between a cravat that was the same color as his hair, and one that was charcoal black – it reminded him of his sister's etheric chroma.

Acrid meanwhile was walking around wearing a dress suit, rather fancy, with an ornate vest like a lawyer would wear, or maybe a high ranking criminal. He also tried on more casual wear like a regular hoodie and harem long shorts made of cotton and linen. Fear liked that look a lot better than the formal fabrics! The hoodie was plastered with the four card suits, while the harem shorts were the same color as the hoodie. The clothing felt super soft to the touch and Fear eventually found himself rubbing against it a little.

During it all, especially Fear's experimentation, he couldn't help but look at his scarred left eye. He'd always thought such things were cool but... the wrinkled redness tainted his normal beauty. It marred his beautiful, coltish face. Abyssinians had been staring at it whenever they talked to him.

“Hey Acrid? Does my scar make me look ugly?” Fear wanted reassurance, even if it was a lie. Okay maybe not if it was a lie but... he just wanted to make sure he was still attractive to others, not just Acrid. It was obvious Acrid was attracted to his personality mostly.

“I think it's endearing and cool. Try not to worry about it too much. Anyone who matters will appreciate the story over the mark itself.”

Fear sighed and cocked his head to the side looking at it. He wished he could get a second opinion. It was weird. Having a perfect face seemed so distant now. The grass is always greener on the other side. He'd just have to accept this was him now. He was scarred for life, physically as well as mentally.

They headed out without buying anything, though Fear thought intensely about getting the hoodie and harem shorts for Acrid. Acrid explained that while he liked it too, he wanted something that expressed him a little more. Some kind of fancy design that was him. Maybe some blacks and grays, with a brown tree on the front of the sweatshirt getting ready to bloom after a long winter. His birthday was at the cusp of spring after all.

Fair, Fear thought about self-expression. I want that too.

Onward they went, exploring the city in tandem with each other, looking into every nook and cranny, finding out of the way restaurants that had food from different parts of the world, and eventually even Silken's sex toy shop.

They were technically minors, but no one had to know that. Acrid had to vouch for Fear's age though because he looked like a colt. The cat behind the register barely cared about his job anymore because it was so boring and didn't pay as much as he'd like. Stepping stones his ass. Every job should pay enough to live.

Fear and Acrid looked around at all the different things, with Acrid teasing the other about getting a 'cat safety harness' in order to lead him around by. Fear flirted with Acrid by saying “only if you wear a bit and reins.”

While they were there, Fear transformed himself slightly so he could experience what it was like to get high on catnip oils. It involved abrupt jerking, sudden relaxation, foggy brain activity that was all over the place, and a heightening of arousal. Fear was busy convulsing on the floor for a few minutes as it ran through his system.

Buster, the cat behind the counter, again, did not ask questions. Although in his mind it cemented Fear was of age, how could someone who wasn't do something like that?

They moved on swiftly enough; although Fear sorely wanted to try out the dildos and Acrid thought about getting a fleshlight.

That had been off their itinerary but just as well they'd done it – it'd been fun. But then they finally found the candy shop they'd been looking for. Pop's Sweets, it read in stylistically shoddy painted letters above the shop. Giving it some flair.

Upon entering they were inundated in a jumble of sweetly tinkling notes, asynchronous and random, but making vague, imaginary melodies like seeing images on a popcorn ceiling. The whole place was like something from a fantasy game, and as Fear and Acrid wandered around they found not only sweets. Some they recognized (Fear from traveling in the wastes, and Acrid from before his stasis). There was everything from fruity to chocolate, to sour to spicy, and even bitter and sweet of all kinds - wafer sticks too! Even fruits Fear and Acrid had never heard of before were labeled on the backs of some of them. There were also snacks like popcorn, something akin to pocky with various flavors, including a mint chocolate swirl. Pixie sticks were also displayed on the counter, which Acrid told Fear could be huffed like a drug, and had, by some ponies in his classes because they were trying to be grown up and rebels.

Acrid and Fear scoured over the candy before them, held in glass cases and on shelves, some lollipops, and other sweets. Acrid saw some spicy cinnamon sticks and menthol gum and an idea was gradually collating in his brain. A really smart idea. “Hey, Fear? I don't suppose you know much about spice and menthol?”

“No? What's menthol?”

Acrid grinned stupidly. “Menthol is a type of chemical that makes your mouth feel incredibly cold. I was thinking maybe if you combined spicy and menthol maybe it would cancel each other out?”

Fear didn't like where this was going. The cat behind the counter considered saying something, but then smiled and shook her head in pity. “Well I mean if you wanna try it, do it. I'm not going to stop you.”

“Nothing spent, nothing gained,” Acrid spoke, and then asked the Abyssinian for the spicy stalks and something that was basically peanut M&Ms, but covered in menthol. “Menthol is also used for breath.”

The cat reached into the case and took out the directed candies, pulling out a couple and taking the bits of cash, and handed them to Acrid.

Fear was having second thoughts. “I don't think this is a good idea actually, Acrid...” his intuition was speaking to him.

Acrid merely shrugged and popped the peanut chocolate in his mouth, snapping down on it. Immediately the menthol coated his tongue and made it feel like there was a constant icy breeze flowing in his mouth, making it feel uncomfortable to pant. “O-gay...” he spoke. “Now for the spice.” And he stuffed a cinnamon stick into his mouth, chomping down to the end in quick succession, smashing it around in his mouth.

Fear watched in wonder and concern.

Acrid immediately froze up, salivating over his chin and bringing his hooves up to his neck and grasping at it as he swallowed the capsaicin and menthol all at once. He fell. Writhed. Convulsed. His body was spasming and he was groaning and trying to keep his mouth shut because opening it caused hellfire to rage on his tongue and in his throat. His eyes rolled into the back of his throat and he foamed at the mouth with spittle.

Fear looked at Acrid pityingly, before setting a hoof on his stomach and gently caressing him. “I told you so. Why would two different sensations cancel each other out? Doesn't spice make you more receptive to heat? Not actually generate heat? Something like that?”

The candy clerk nodded. “Yes. You're right little one. Those candies enhance those sensations with chemicals by fiddling with the nerves. Your friend there will be okay.”

“I'm not concerned to be honest.” Fear stated simply as Acrid lay on the floor gasping out like a dying fish, eyes crossed over his snout. “It's not like I thought he'd been poisoned. It's just a bunch of candy.”

“Well I mean he could've had an allergic reaction...” She rolled a paw.

“Fair. But I think he would've known by now. We had cinnamon earlier today, and he would've mentioned a peanut allergy. He also acted like he'd had menthol before.” Fear was calm as a cucumber.

“Wow,” The Abyssinian stated. “You're really logical. Are you always like that?”

Fear smiled dourly, letting out a snort. “Not always.” He paused. “My sister and I got the trait from our mother, though it appears at different times.”

Acrid finally huffed, puffed, and panted, feeling the sensations slowly dwindle, though his mouth was still scrunched up from various levels of pain. “Haah... haah... haah... holy shit that was intense! What a ride!” He turned to Fear. “You gotta try that Fear!”

“I'll refrain,” Fear spoke simply. “I'll eat them separately but I'm not going to do what you did. I have more self respect.”

“Hah!” Acrid scoffed. “That's new for you!”

Fear rolled a hoof, lidding his eyes and simpering. “I'm not going to intentionally punish myself unless I like the treatment Acrid. But you can punish me anytime you want.” He gave the stallion a wink and turned around, slapping Acrid in the face lightly with his tail. The older stallion was speechless.

“Hey! At least try some other candies,” Acrid finally spoke up, reaching out to a box of fruity shells filled with juice that melted in the mouth, could be chewed could be sucked on. Acrid held it out, opening and closing the lid. “C'mon Feeeeear eeeeat meeeeee. You're a cuuuuutie.” Acrid threw his voice, making it nasally in order to coax the younger stallion into falling for the bait.

Fear arced his eyes and simpered a little more deeply, turning back and fluttering his eyelashes. It didn't look as pretty with his scar. “Fine, if both of you say so.” He said, giving in. “We'll buy this one, miss.”

The fruity candies turned out to be really good, and similar to what he'd eaten in the wasteland so long ago. Just not as chewy.

==========================================================================================

Up until then they'd been more or less searching extensively for the activities they'd wanted to partake in that day, but later in the day, not quite sunset but still in the evening, they busied themselves with exploring the city proper, wandering around and having a genuine journey, where the travels mattered more than the destination. Sure, their destination was home but they were sure they'd find something fun to do as a final note to end the day on.

And so they did.

Fear and Acrid found a small sign hanging out a shop that displayed a wine tasting going on in its confines for a number of hours, and all were welcome so long as they paid the fee. It was a sophisticated event, and while Fear and Acrid weren't dressed for the part, they still decided to partake anyway, heading in.

The event lasted a while, and seeing as it was their first time and they were exotic guests, they were given a few tips on how to most effectively take advantage of what was going on. The orders were to not spit it out unless they intended to be there for a long time, and they were guided through the process of how to make the most of it. The two were told to sniff the wine bottle right after opening, to get the first scent, then to fill a quarter of the glass with the liquid. Look at the edges of the wine, examine the colors, become accustomed with all the details. They learned that red wines had sediment at the bottom. Next they were told to swirl their glass to mix it all up a bit, then sniff. Then taste. Swirl it around, let it sit. Analyze, and swallow. Feel out the surface tension, explore the tastes, the textures, the mouth feel, and especially the aftertaste. Experience the effects, how strong it was, how it felt going down the throat, and discuss it with each other.

Acrid and Fear did just that, thanking the Abyssinian who'd explained it to them, and went around from stall to stall, taking a small bottle of wine and sharing it between the two of them, clinking their glasses each time (you were supposed to toast right? That was a requirement?) It took hours, just constantly sipping bits of wine, and by the end they were tipsy, Fear nigh drunk if not for his experience drinking with Gentler, and had to leave before they got too rowdy and disrupted the felines in the building. They had to take some time to sober up, maybe splash some water on their faces, drink a little of it to make sure they wouldn't have a hangover later. Some crackers were given to them before they left to help absorb the various alcohols they'd ingested. Fear was a happy, slurry drunk with a penchant for dodging every social judgment thrown at him, while Acrid was a weepy, sincere drunk who told everyone he loved them, only he'd been tipsy not full blown hammered.

They ended their day out by getting a pair of cannolis. Not the same kind of creamy treat Acrid used to get at carnivals, but good enough for Fear to find himself enamored with a new sweet, and the other to have vivid flashbacks to better times. Acrid got a little mournful.

“You okay, Acrid?” Fear asked while nibbling his cannoli.

Acrid nodded with a whimpering 'mhm.' His eyes were squeezed shut tightly, and tears were forming in his eyes. “It's just...” He swallowed his bite as they sat on the side of the street together. “I miss home so much. I can't believe I've lost so much.” His heart ached, Fear could sense it, even if it was blurred with everything else around him, as he stared ahead. “I couldn't do anything for anyone and sometimes it just... gets to me.”

Fear was still not entirely sobered up, so it took a lot of concentration to get his thoughts in order and out his mouth. “Y-yyyou m-mmmight not have it any-anymore, but you have… hhhave more you can build up. You're s-ssstronger than me, Acrid.” His voice was a little slurred, a little tipsy. “You've… vvvvvve shown me today that I've been… been a little cowardly in how I d-deal with… wwwwwith life. And I gotta try to act more f-ffffervently to enjoy it. Even ifffff my fears d-do come true, I n-nnneed to cherish the time I h-have.”

Acrid glanced to Fear, smiling gently. “No problem, Fear. I'm glad I could help.” His voice was strained. “And... I guess. I appreciate the compliment.”

The two nodded once, and fell into a solitary reprieve softened by only each other's presence. Things would be okay. They just had a lot to work through.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z4c4ftKZ1Y

The one I describe that's fighting the Storm King is based on Ice Climbers, the Tirek one is based on Friday the 13th NES game, and the 2D shooter is based on Contra.

BR asks the Squad: What would be your favorite kind of music if you could choose from anything?

Fear: Well for one thing I think all of us would have rather broad music tastes, getting into anything and everything because after spending so much time in the wasteland, we'd want to dabble in as much as possible. Art is important to life. It makes it worth living. As for me I'd be super into game music and OSTs. But I'd also be super into anything epic that makes me feel strong emotions, including punk, pop, and rock. That also includes religious music. I could see me being into country, but not that bullshit stuff about nationalism and masculinity. More just about love, loss, and the general feel of simpler times on the porch of your farmhouse. It was probably Grandpa Jack who got me into that - apparently the farmhouse's previous tenant taught him some songs.

Faith: Upbeat 40's music. Jazz. Lively folk songs. And definitely religious - not gospel. Just the stuff about determination, inner spirit, the afterlife, weird experiences, and maybe some songs that are basically just stories, you know? Things about unity and love. Maybe hippy music. Something like... yeah Green Tambourine I guess? That's a good suggestion.

Gentler: Vaporwave or anything akin to that for when I get high on catnip or something. As you've seen, there are some musical instruments that are in Abyssinia I like. I also like the Hang, it's a steel drum instrument that makes some interesting sounds. I also like classic rock, a little metal. Anything I can shriek to like a banshee. It might hurt my ears, but you only live once. Better make it worthwhile. You know how domestic cats have a tendency to meow on fences at night? I have a tendency to howl while I'm in the shower to songs I've memorized.

Acrid: Emo music definitely. But not just any emo music. Songs about how you're old and withered away, barely gotten to experience anything. Lost all you loved, feeling disconnected from your reality, that sorta thing. If there were more of them around I would have listened to anti-war propaganda-ists but... at the time, back then, I was super into the war and thought it was for the best. Swept up in the nationalistic fervor. I'd also enjoy other things, anything that really speaks to me. Maybe Gregorian chants and folk yodeling if I really got to taste everything. I still feel terrible there was no way I could actually help my nation way back when, and that I would have been powerless.

Fear tells me that I'm not a bad pony for being powerless even though he's had to learn the same thing from me. I agree now, but I still get those moments where I just... dwell. And I realize the war did more harm than good. I think I'd listen to any music so long as I had someone to listen to it with, because of that.

Fear toward Acrid, but without his scar.