Chapter 16: Friends

Graceful awoke first the next morning as the oddly loud chirping of a bird outside their window filled his ears. He blinked blearily, peering over at the half-concealed window before giggling stupidly to himself when he remembered the pane he'd shattered. The slender pony yawned and snuggled closer against his companion for a moment, one of Riff’s muscular forelimbs automatically squeezing around his waist. He smiled, gazing up at Amdusias’s still-snoozing form and reaching out to gently rub a hoof along the reptile’s broad chest. We’ve come a long way.

He allowed himself to relax silently between the two larger males for a bit, tempted to drift back into a half-sleep in the comfort of their bodies surrounding him so protectively. But when neither Amdusias nor Riffraff seemed any closer to awakening themselves, he smiled somewhat and carefully slipped down to slide free of his partner’s embrace. His wings fluttered quietly and the feminine pegasus floated above the bed with a warm expression when he saw Riffraff mumble in his sleep but only squirm a bit closer to the massive scaled entity, one of Amdusias's thick arm wrapping subconsciously around the crimson stallion’s waist as Riff’s muzzle ground quietly into the demon’s masculine chest. “Cutiebutts,” Graceful murmured with another smile before he hummed softly and drifted over to the coffeemaker, his hooves moving on autopilot to start a full brew before rinsing out the mugs with a few soft glances over his shoulder to ensure he didn’t wake his companions.

When the coffee began to drip into the glass carafe, Graceful grabbed their dwindling bag of coins and ambled down to the front desk, where he finally had the opportunity to meet the owner of the inn as the aging unicorn browsed moodily through a newspaper. He’d carefully explained that a window had been broken – entirely on accident, of course – and asked how much it would cost to repair the damages.

The unicorn had been surprised, muttering about how most out-of-towners had absolutely no manners nor sense of responsibility. In turn, he’d been lenient with the estimate and Graceful smiled warmly when he slid him a small pile of bits to cover the cost, along with a moderate tip as a kind of unspoken apology for the uncomfortably audible ‘celebration’ two evenings past. Grunting quietly and giving a small smile that very clearly went against his usual nature, the dark brown unicorn nodded once and added gruffly that the two pegasi were welcome to stay as long as they planned on remaining in Ponyville and that their rates would be discounted if they were willing to pay for an extended duration in advance. It was somewhat obvious even to the carefree Graceful that the family-run inn needed as much a boost as any other dwindling small business, and he nodded firmly, informing the owner that he’d talk to his coltfriend but would most-definitely-for-sure-absolutely come down later on to take him up on the offer.

When he slipped quietly back into their room, the carafe was nearly full and he could hear Amdusias mumbling something in his strange tongue. During his brief absence, Riffraff had turned around and Amdusias unconsciously held him tightly against masculine torso with both powerful arms. Graceful smiled and shook his head with a soft giggle. He deserves it. Normally I’m the one who gets to always be held all tight an’ safe an’ stuff...

He felt genuinely happy, which confused the pegasus when he mulled on his own emotions. It hadn’t been but a few days ago when he’d still been concerned Amdusias was out for more than Riffraff’s soul, absolutely convinced the demon had his eyes set on the masculine stallion’s heart, mind and body as well. It wasn’t strange for his emotions to twist about, making complete u-turns far more often than the average pony would be able to handle. But when it came to matters of the heart – matters that involved his partner, to whom he considered himself dedicated and devoted, without hesitation – Graceful was hard-pressed to back down from an accusation or opinion of an interloper. He had been positive that nothing could ever change his mind about the cruel reptile. And yet...I dun even feel the slightest bit jealous now. I’m...happy. Dusey...we coulda had this...months ago. Avoided all that shit we went through...

The demon’s long tail twitched slightly beneath the covers before the split tips dropped off the side, glowing dimly as Graceful felt more than heard the supernatural creature’s voice in his mind. I...I know this, little one. We are each at fault for the events which unfolded between us. But I know I personally instigated much of it. I apologize. And...I thank you. I know despite your paladin’s best intentions, we would not be here without your approval.

The periwinkle pegasus blushed quietly, gazing at the two males and now able to see Amdusias shifting slightly beneath the sheets. His eyes remained shut but Graceful could tell he was at least partially awake, and the slender male smiled shyly as he quickly turned around to begin preparing their three mugs. A new warmth ran through him now, augmenting the optimism he’d woken with and giving the feminine pony a truly uplifting rush of emotion. His body swayed with the natural rhythm of a jaunty tune that played through his mind, feeling the upbeat tone of the song filling his form with the same cheery sensation.

Graceful began to sing softly, his eyes warm and his motions smooth as he prepared the two mugs with creamer and sugar, leaving his empty as always. His tail swung with the tempo as a rear hoof tapped gently against the carpet, the piercings along his lower jaw glinting in the rays of light that pierced the drawn shades, flinging beads of light through the room as he continued to sing happily to the countertop, coffeemaker and ceramic mugs, starting to pour the coffee neatly into each one without missing a beat. “Are you reelin’ in the years...stowin’ away the time?” He smiled and set the carafe back, bobbing his head steadily. “Are you gatherin’ up the tears? Have ya had enough of mine?” He laughed softly and began to quietly vocalize the familiar guitar riff that was a trademark of the rollicking classic, then closing his eyes and rearing onto his back legs to mimic the motions of playing his companion’s instrument while his muzzle continued to ring out with the mock sounds of an electric guitar solo.

He turned around absently when he started on the final stanza before blushing deeply as he realized the two males were watching him with quiet smiles, Amdusias sitting up against the headboard with Riffraff half-curled onto his chest, a muscular arm wrapped lightly around the pony's shoulders. The embarrassed stallion grinned sheepishly, dropping back onto all four legs before rubbing a hoof lamely into his mane. “Um. Sorry, guys, I. Hope I din’ wake you or nothin’.”

“I will have to insist that this is perhaps one of the least offensive ways to be stirred from a most delightful slumber,” Amdusias replied softly. He met Graceful’s eyes and the two shared a momentary link of emotion before the feminine pony blushed again and rubbed shyly at his own muzzle, then gazed affectionately at Riffraff.

“Thanks, Dusey. How’d you sleep, sweetie?”

“Really, really well,” Riff murmured, smiling back at his companion as he let Amdusias pull him a bit closer to his side. “I think we’re turning you into a big softie, Amdusias,” he added, tilting his head back to gaze amusedly up at the scaled male’s flushed features.

“I...no. You...are the soft one,” Amdusias retorted as he poked the blood-red stallion’s chest firmly. “I have natural armor. No part of my glorious body is soft.”

“That’s not truuuue,” Graceful sang out with a giggle, winking and then spinning around as he carefully grabbed the two cream-colored coffees and trotted to the side of the bed to pass them to his companions. “The inside of your mouth is pretty soft. An’ I found out last night where else is really soft, ‘member when I put my tongue in--”

“Yes, yes, very well, I have...a few weak spots,” the demon stammered hurriedly, clearing his throat and blushing despite himself as he held the mug up to his face in a vain attempt to hide behind the steam twirling up from the hot liquid.

Riffraff snickered and gratefully snagged his own drink with both hooves to sip quietly from it. “Yeah, we know where to poke you now, Mr. Awkward Noises,” he teased, smiling up at the reptile’s embarrassed scowl.

Laughing warmly, Graceful Melody skipped back to grab the last mug before fluttering back onto the foot of the bed and sitting before the two, slurping loudly at the hot black coffee. “Yeah, we do! But...so what’re we gonna do today, huh?”

The crimson stallion looked thoughtful as Amdusias glowered but kept his arm wrapped around Riff’s shoulders before glancing down with his own curious expression. “Well. We’ll take a look around town, see what sorta venues they got. Worse comes to worst, I’m sure we can find a bar or saloon or somethin’ that won’t mind throwing a few bits our way to give ‘em some entertainment. And...we do still have enough money in the bank that some free shows wouldn’t hurt us real bad.” He smiled from Graceful to the demon at his side, nodding once.

Amdusias grunted softly in approval, sipping gingerly at his coffee and smacking his lips once before. “Good. I am loathe to admit this, but...I do genuinely wish that your fellow mortals were not so judgmental of my kind. I would be fond of the idea of performing with you two.” He tilted his muzzle upward for a moment, sniffing disdainfully. “Of course, I would make the pair of you seem like shabby beginners of the trade, mere yearlings fumbling to maintain even the fundamentals of the rich, beauteous pieces I would play.”

“Of course,” Riffraff replied easily, a smile twitching at his muzzle as he winked at Graceful. “Not that my little gay singer outdid you yesterday morning or anything.”

“That competition was wholly unfair and I am still tempted to root around in the little one’s throat to discover what unfair secrets he possesses for such unnatural vocalizations.”

“I’d say you’ve done plenty of rooting around down there already,” Graceful replied with a toothy grin. “If I had any secrets in there, you woulda already busted them wide open.”

Amdusias blushed again and quickly busied himself with sipping from his mug as Riffraff laughed and shook his head amusedly. “You gotta stop walking into those, Dusey, especially if you wanna keep trying to pretend that you hate it.”

“Well, your nasty little minx makes it far too easy,” Amdusias mumbled hastily, eyes glowing as he glared at the grinning pegasus across from him.

“I bet you’d like it if I played hard to get, though,” Graceful giggled, wings fluttering a bit before folding against his spine. “I’m gonna make you work for it next time.”

The demon huffed but Riffraff interrupted with a smile before the awkward conversation could continue. “Next time. For now, let’s get our lazy butts outta bed and see what’s up with this town. For all the growth I’ve heard about happening in Ponyville, it still seems like a pretty quiet little place, almost like they’re living in the past around here.”

Graceful nodded musingly, taking a gulp of his plain coffee and then adding, “That’s true, but so far besides gettin’ weird looks ‘cause of our little...fiasco, the ponies seem nice. I went down while you two were bein’ cuddle-buddies, paid for the broke window. Dudepony was real nice despite how grumpy he was at first. He offered us an extended-stay discount if we paid for it up-front.”

“Oh yeah? Well...good, let’s take him up on that. And thanks, hon – you didn’t have to go do that.” Riff smiled gratefully at the effeminate pegasus and even Amdusias seemed somewhat surprised.

“You...truly are a very strange little mortal,” he murmured before clearing his throat. “However, I have my suspicions about this so-called discount. I believe they wish for us to remain here long enough to prepare the holy ceremony during which they shall burn you two at the stake for being blatant homosexuals, guilty of the worst kinds of sodomy, while capturing me to remove all my extremities to be ground up for potent elixirs, aphrodisiacs and mystical divining potions.”

The two mortals stared up at the hulking reptile, who sniffed distastefully and then ignored them to nurse his mug of sweetened coffee. Riffraff blinked slowly and Graceful pursed his lips before leaning forward slightly. “What. Parts of you can be used for aphrodisiacs?” Amdusias gagged on his drink in surprise, choking and spraying a mouthful of it over the bed and Graceful’s forelegs as the smaller pegasus giggled, peering at his horrified partner. “Well it’s a legitimate question!”

“I would hate to see what you would be like if you were under the influence of sexually enhancing potions,” Riffraff said morbidly, rubbing a hoof through his unkempt mane while draining the last of his mug and setting it onto the nightstand. “No stallion would be safe.”

“No stallion already is!” he replied happily, finishing off his own coffee and then taking to the air as he drifted over to scoop up his partner’s empty mug, then gliding to the sink to begin rinsing them out. “If anything, it would just bring out my...more dominating side.” He grinned over a shoulder and both demon and crimson pony flinched back reflexively as a bevy of awkward memories and images rushed through their minds. “Why do y’all look so scared?” he complained, setting the mugs aside and pouting at the two larger males. “I’m nice!”

“Yes. Yes, of course you are,” Riffraff replied with a faked grin before clearing his throat at Graceful’s glare. “Um. Please don’t rape me.”

The periwinkle stallion huffed before tilting his head up and trotting primly to the bathroom, his tail held high. “You two are very rude, and I hate you both. I am going to have a shower and you are not allowed to come in and make use of my wet-hoof-wetter-orifice technique.” He sniffed at the air before blowing a raspberry over his shoulder and then kicking the door shut.

Riffraff stared at the bathroom for a moment before clearing his throat awkward and peering up at Amdusias, who seemed torn between amusement and horror. “He’s. Uh.”

“Very, very special,” Amdusias replied slowly, the demon shaking his head slowly before exhaling loudly. “However, your plan satisfies me.” He paused, then softened. “And you require making a payment, Riffraff.”

The stallion grimaced and rubbed at his chest, having felt the pang even before the reptile’s gentle statement. “You...well...”

“I cannot make the urges disappear permanently, no,” Amdusias said quietly, meeting the pegasus’s grey eyes. “Nor would I, if I could. But it is above my powers – our contract is a legal document of Helheim. We are bound to it together, and neither of us may do more than occasionally bend the rules. I...I did not lie when I agreed to share a bond of friendship with you and your companion. But you also both acknowledged to understanding that certain things simply cannot change.” He smiled faintly, then held out a hand to bring the quiet stallion’s pack of cigarettes and lighter across the room, his familiar amber aura glowing around them. “Come. You need to submit payment before you are harmed.”

Riffraff quietly accepted the smokes and lighter numbly, nodding once before looking confused when Amdusias smiled slightly and pulled him tighter against his side with his scaled arm. The pegasus widened his eyes somewhat. “Wait, wait no, I’m not—”

“—ready for oh fuck me ouch ouch ouch,” Riff groaned, stumbling to the side as his head swam, the morning sunlight washing over his trembling frame as he instinctively covered his eyes with a foreleg and muttered. “Dammit, ouch, Dusey. I so am not used to that.”

They now stood on the roof of the small inn, the crimson stallion looking somewhat pale, a sense of vertigo and nausea rising in his stomach. Amdusias looked more embarrassed than he was willing to admit, clearing his throat and rubbing lamely at his curved horns. “Ah, I apologize. I am used to short jumps, I forget that you mortals are not yet attuned to instantaneous travel.” The masculine pony glared up at him blearily and the reptile awkwardly lifted both hands. “I. Am unable to transport you via my demonic smoke?”

“You know, we have these things called legs?” Riffraff scowled and slapped a hoof against his rear limbs before grumbling and sitting heaving back onto his haunches as he slipped a cigarette into his muzzle and lit it quickly. “I’m just glad I haven’t eaten yet. Ugh.” He leaned back as he puffed quietly, rubbing at his stomach idly. “But. Thanks, Dusey.”

The demon grunted quietly, glancing down at the pony for a moment and then gazing out over the sleepy town as the bright sunrise filled the streets with a warm light, long shadows cast toward the hills behind Ponyville. “It...it is my pleasure,” mumbled the reptile. “But you will need to adapt to these methods of travel. I may have to employ them when you and your fair maiden find yourself in an inevitable, troublesome situation.”

“Can’t you like...make them think that they’ve all turned into cupcakes and have them start chewing on each other?” Riffraff grumbled, tapping the ash to one side before hugging his knees to his chest and looking meditatively up at the demon through the bluish smoke.

Amdusias rolled his eyes and glanced over his shoulder, his thick tail flicking irritably. “How many times must I explain my abilities? I may only affect the minds of those open to suggestion. Yes, I suppose if you were attacked by some mindless thugs, I could fool them into seeing whatever visions I choose, or altering their entire perception of reality.” He paused, then looked almost wistful. “Perhaps even drive them into complete and utter insanity with my music alone.”

The crimson pony quirked an eyebrow with a quiet snort, smoke billowing from his nostrils. “Wow. You are sick sometimes, dude. But...yeah, I get it. Some real hard-flank toughie attacks, you wouldn’t be able to do much more than try and telekinetic his dumb face a few klicks away.”

“Your grammar is very deplorable at times,” the reptile mumbled grumpily, nodding nevertheless. “I was not simply putting forth an emotional display two nights ago. I honestly possess almost no fighting ability. I am able to defend myself to an extent, but even that is limited to what I have crafted in the past while creating inventive ways of harnessing my domain in conjecture with my demonic powers.” He shrugged slowly and then sat down next to the pegasus, leaning back on his hands as he gazed across the rooftops of the small town. “It has never been an interest of mine to involve myself in physical confrontation. I am powerful, and against other demons of equally low fighting abilities, I can easily hold my own. But...as a demon of Sloth, I tend to avoid such situations when possible. It is simply my nature.”

Riffraff nodded silently, glancing down over himself before stubbing the cigarette out against the smooth roof beneath them. “Hard to go against our natures.” The reptile gazed down at him thoughtfully before grunting softly and hesitantly wrapping an arm around Riff’s shoulders as the two turned their eyes back toward the rising sun.

The demon and crimson stallion returned to the room as Graceful was toweling his rich blue mane off, the slender pegasus smiling across at the two. “Hey, guys! How’s it lookin’ outside?”

“Horribly bright and full of the stench of emotionally secure ponies,” Amdusias muttered, then scowling when Riffraff elbowed one of his muscular legs. “Ouch.” He sniffed and lightly booted the larger mortal in the flank before flicking his tail gently across Riff’s side. “It is true. I now fear that a flock of small, chirping birds will assault us with a cheery tune as we depart this woefully derelict hostel.”

“You are just a ray of sunshine,” Riffraff remarked amusedly, ducking beneath another swipe of the reptile’s flexible tail. “Besides, this place ain’t so bad.” He paused before blushing slightly and glancing toward his partner with a small smile. “We’ve...got some good memories from here, I’d say.”

Amdusias flushed as well, looking embarrassed as he sighed and then leaned against the counter to absently rub at his features. “You two are disgusting. I would prefer for the three of us to form memories consisting of other than mindless slapping together of our genitalia, rhythmic as it may be thanks to me.” He touched his other hand to his chest and Graceful peered up at him from where he’d been rubbing a damp towel against his cerulean mane.

“Hey. I got rhythm, too, smoothie-butt!” the slender pony protested, flinging the wet cloth toward the lizard, who squawked in surprise and flailed at it before looking awkward as the two mortals began to giggle stupidly. He huffed and then picked it up from the carpet before simply breathing a thick plume of fire out that immediately sent up a cloud of steam before all but disintegrating the towel to leave only a smoldering pile of ashes at his feet.

The ponies stared up at the enormous creature and he sniffed haughtily. “Next time the pile of ashes will smell of your sweet scent, little one.”

Riffraff cleared his throat and glared up at the demon pointedly, but his companion only brightened and giggled cheerfully. “Dusey, awwww! You think I smell good?”

“I. That. That was not the point of my threat,” Amdusias stammered, blinking and looking horribly flustered. “Do not take compliments from my vast ire!”

“There is much of you that is vast,” Graceful replied wisely. “Your ire is only one of them.”

The spiked reptile scowled and threw his muscular arms into the air. “It must be absolutely impossible for any creature possessing male sexual organs to hold a serious conversation with you. I am going to find a mortal who does not fill his mind with filthy, disgusting emotions every three seconds. I require normal sustenance or I fear I will devolve into a slavering thrall driven only by the prospect of spilling its fluids mindlessly into something that vaguely resembles a warm orifice.” He jerked the twin tips of his tail into the air, which Riffraff assumed represented some impolite gesture in Helheim, and then snapped his fingers loudly before dissipating into a thick stream of smoke that twisted away beneath the door.

Riffraff rubbed slowly at his forehead before smiling slightly at his grinning partner. “You’re gonna get us roasted alive one day. And no, no, don’t even go there. I know we roasted you alive the other night, dirty little whorepony.”

Graceful stuck his studded tongue out and then shook himself wildly before flicking his tail and flexing his wings a few times to send droplets of water spraying across the bed and walls. “Dusey won’t hurt us. He’s a nice scary demon guy. And he’s...he’s doing better.” The periwinkle pegasus softened and dropped off the bed to approach Riffraff and nuzzle into his neck impulsively. “I know how things will end one day,” he murmured quietly. Riff closed his eyes and silently wrapped a strong foreleg around the smaller male’s shoulders. “I’m okay with it, though. You gotta worry a little bit less, Riffy. You’ll get wrinkles.”

“Not if Amdusias keeps stretching my face as much as he already does,” the crimson stallion commented dryly, but smiling amusedly as Graceful blinked, then laughed loudly at his side. “Yeah, see, I can be a dirty slut, too.” He snickered and reached over with his other hoof to grind it teasingly into his companion’s messy mane, Graceful giggling and attempting to squirm free as his wings flapped wildly. “C’mon, though, let’s go find us somewhere to play. I am itchin’ a bit, admittedly. It’s been too long.”

“Yeah, you right about that,” the slender pony replied, twisting his head slightly and managing to slip free of his partner’s tight grip with another quiet giggle. The two stallions gazed at each other for a moment, then pressed their muzzles together for a brief kiss, Riffraff reaching up and slowly rubbing a hoof along Graceful’s spine as the feminine pegasus arched his back a bit and then finally pulled back with a warm smile. “Should we bring our stuff?”

“Why not? Might as well go prepared, yeah?” Riffraff nodded and gently cupped his companion’s cheek before smiling back into his eyes. “You gonna wear a scarf or somethin’, too?” Graceful immediately brightened further, bouncing excitedly around on his hooves and squealing incoherently as Riffraff laughed despite himself. “I’ll take that as a yes. Well, grab your mic, pick a little gay accessory and I’ll get my guitar. We might as well audition with a bang.” He paused when Graceful giggled quietly behind a hoof, then rolled his eyes. “Not. Like that.”

The effeminate pony licked his lips but obediently began to root through one of the duffel bags that was stuffed full of Graceful’s eccentric clothing while Riffraff turned around to grab his case and the bag containing his guitar equipment, smiling to himself. Let’s make the best of this little town...

Graceful Melody and Riffraff trotted down into the lobby a few minutes later, their instrument cases slung over their shoulders and a white and black scarf wrapped snugly around his neck. His eyes shone brightly, proudly strolling past the front desk with his flank pressed gently against his partner’s, microphone case bumping against his side with each light step forward. The owner blinked before calling out from behind the reception desk, “Are you two gonna take us up on the long-term stay deal?”

Riffraff glanced over his shoulder, then smiled sheepishly. “Sorry, sir – Grace did tell me about that, but we completely forgot. Yeah, your daughter should have our bank account information, if you wanna go ahead and take out enough for...two weeks?” He looked over at Graceful for a moment, saw the beaming expression on his companion’s features and chuckled softly, nodding toward the unicorn. “Yeah, let’s do that.”

The older stallion looked thrilled despite himself, smiling gratefully. “Thank you. We’ll process the payment today – would you like the room cleaned this afternoon?”

“Uh.” Riff cleared his throat and rubbed slowly at his muzzle for a moment. “Maybe. Maybe tomorrow. We need. To get some stuff moved around.”

“We’re gonna clean the sheets ourselves!” Graceful announced cheerfully, earning a morbid glare from Riffraff and an extremely uncomfortable stare from the unicorn behind the front desk. “But then it’ll be ready for you guys!” Riffraff mumbled and slowly ran a hoof down over his own features before simply turning around and pushing through the front door as his companion giggled and quickly chased after him. “Wait for me, Riffypie!”

The two mortals entered the broad main road together, eyes automatically searching the street for a sign of Amdusias. But the demon was nowhere to be seen and the stallions glanced at each other before shrugging. “Let’s look for somewhere we can play, honey...Dusey can catch up to us later.”

“Will he?” Graceful asked softly but honestly, his eyes meeting Riffraff’s as they began to plod together along the dusty road. His two-tone scarf slid a bit, seeming to wilt with his worried expression as the bottom dragged silently along the arid dirt below.

Riffraff smiled quietly, reaching out and carefully lifting the end of the fabric wrap to loop it tenderly around his companion’s neck. “You know I’m no mind-reader, sweetie. But what makes you think he won’t?”

“‘Cause he’s a big stupid demon,” the smaller pony murmured, shifting the weight of his case to the other side of his slender frame. “How do you know he will?”

“I...don’t, to be honest,” replied the other stallion with a soft laugh. He shrugged slowly and glanced up at the austere facade of a building to their left, aptly given a sign that read “SALOON”. Riff nudged his partner quietly and they looked across the street thoughtfully before he added slowly, “But I guess I just wanna believe he meant what he said to us.”

Graceful nodded silently before smiling meekly up at his partner. “Yeah. Well, I guess we’ll find out. Let’s go see if they have sexy cowboys over there, though.”

“You are far too easy to put into a better mood,” Riffraff remarked mildly before shaking his head amusedly and leading the way across the street.

His companion shrugged amiably and trotted after him, taking the moment to beam and wave at a family comprised of both pegasi and earth ponies. They were seated around a breakfast table and the two foals were staring through the window at the periwinkle stallion with the countless piercings that glinted in the morning sun, and they seemed absolutely thrilled that the strange pony had noticed them. They giggled and waved back, their parents automatically turning to peer through the window and then widening their eyes somewhat as Graceful laughed and grinned toothily at their shocked expressions before catching up with Riffraff at the entrance to the rustic establishment. The crimson pony glanced over his shoulder curiously before he entered. “What’re you laughin’ at?”

“Nothin’, nothin’,” Graceful Melody replied dismissively. “Just possibly scarring some children for life.”

“Ah, your other-other favorite pastime,” his companion said dryly as he pushed through the double doors into the quiet bar, eyes quickly scanning the near-vacated premises. Several empty round tables were placed throughout the front area, the flooring beneath their hooves pockmarked with years of abuse. He spotted two ponies chatting quietly behind the bar, one slowly polishing drinking glasses as the other organized the bottles of liquor lining the shelves behind them. They fell silent, however, when the two pegasi strolled quietly forward.

The earth pony holding the stained bar rag frowned slowly as his eyes remained on Graceful’s lithe figure and extravagant body work. “We ain’t hirin’,” he said flatly as the pegasus at his side set down the bottle he’d been lifting, crossing his forelegs upon the bar and glaring at the musicians.

“But...you look like you have a good venue for what we got to offer,” Riffraff pressed, taking a hesitant step forward with a weak smile. “We play some mean blues, and...”

“I don’t think you heard right, colt. We ain’t hirin’, and we definitely ain’t lookin’ to hire for whatever...you two have to offer,” the earth pony enunciated flatly, leaning forward against the bar.

The other stallion made a face before scowling at the two pegasi. “Why don’t you two make your way down to the other end of town. They got a place down there more fittin’ for...your kind.”

Graceful huffed and glared up at the larger pony before turning around promptly and kicking a rear hoof at an invisible pile of dirt. “At least ‘our kind’ doesn’t smell like my bedsheets after my fifteenth birthday party!” he growled before tilting his muzzle up haughtily and storming back out through the front door. The two stallions behind the bar snarled and both leaned across the chipped counter as Riffraff held up a hoof and grimaced.

“We’re leaving, we’re leaving. Sorry for...whatever it is that makes you two be assholes,” the crimson pegasus grumbled before flicking his tail and tromping out after his partner to leave the two townsponies to their own devices. “Enjoy your conservative closet party,” he called over his shoulder with a mumble, letting the doors slam shut and automatically reaching back to pluck a cigarette from the small pouch.

His feminine companion gazed at him softly but only offered a supportive smile as Riff lit the slim cylinder upon the porch before stomping down back to the street and puffing quietly on the glowing cigarette. “They were big buttheads,” Graceful commented as the pegasi pressed their sides together and continued down the street. “I wouldn’t have wanted to sing for them, anyway.”

Riff smiled slightly and shook his head slowly. “Yeah, yeah...I s’pose there’s ponies like that in every town you go to.” He unfurled a wing and let it rest across his partner’s back, earning a happy smile from the singer. “I sure hope that wasn’t the only bar in town, though. I don’t see this place having much in terms of choices for us to play...” He squinted as the morning sun continued to steadily elevate above the distant mountains, just barely cresting the stone-and-mortar towers of Canterlot perched on the side of the thickly forested range. “Then again, we ARE going around looking for places to play night-time music at the ass-crack of dawn.”

Graceful giggled quietly, nodding agreeably before nudging the larger male with his flank. “Chin up, Riffy. We got Dusey around, now, right?” He met Riffraff’s eyes for a moment, searching them almost nervously for some confirmation. The crimson stallion hesitated a moment but gave a slow nod, which immediately calmed the effeminate pony. “Yeah, so...since he’s here, you know. He c’n always bail us out and stuff again, right?”

“Yeah, I guess.” Riffraff pursed his lips, reaching up to pluck his cigarette free and tap it once, speaking through a thick plume of grey smoke. “As long as he don’t go around getting us suspected for any more brutal assaults on ‘esteemed members of the community’ and whatnot.”

His partner scowled and nodded fervently. “Yeah, that wasn’t cool. He should have at least set him on fire, that way it doesn’t look like we came in and just beat the crap out of him.”

“Just what I was hoping, to earn a rap as serial arsonists as well,” Riff intoned mildly, giving a slightly amused look down to the other pegasus. Graceful Melody only shrugged cheerfully and Riffraff snorted but let his attention turn back to the awakening town as they entered a somewhat more commercial district. A few buildings stood a couple stories taller than those around them and Riff’s eyes caught what he figured was the lone police station, as well as a municipal clinic. There were no bustling businessponies as they’d seen in Manehattan, crowding crosswalks and overpriced coffee shops on the morning commute to work. The outskirts of town had been rich with far-flung homes and ranches, sprawling farms stretching behind either side of the main road. Their motel was surrounded by a mix of businesses and suburban-like residences, but the area still felt like a quiet farm town. Downtown Ponyville hardly offered much more to their well-traveled eyes; there was indeed a First Equestrian bank branch, and Graceful was fairly certain he could see a church several blocks down from the tiny clinic, but no towering skyscrapers dominated the horizon and even signs of non-agricultural business were nigh impossible to spot.

They wandered along at a slower pace, marveling at the provincial layout of the city’s center. Riff stared at the courthouse as they passed, widening his eyes a bit. The architecture pre-dated even the fanciest renaissance-style city halls of his previous cities of employment, yet he knew it was genuine, not a molded facade built around the original, ugly, modernist design. Holy zombie savior, that’s original material. This place is the definition of the boonies. Except I kind of like it. He smiled a bit again, glancing down at Graceful when the little pegasus gasped excitedly. “Riffy, look!”

He turned his gaze to the direction toward which the slender pony’s hoof pointed, then snorted amusedly. “Really?”

Across the street from them, a massive earth pony was hauling a cart full of ripe apples, a long stem of straw hanging from his muzzle. His mane was a long mess of blond locks, a few straight locks hanging over his warm beryl eyes. He wore a thick oaken yoke around his neck, not visibly attached to anything, but he bore the weight as easily as Riff sported his chained harmonica. His emblem was that of a green apple, halved from top to bottom. “Reeeeally,” Graceful breathed heavily, licking his lips as his eyes gleamed. “I bet he’d split my apple in half, too.”

The slim pegasus began to prowl forward but Riffraff cleared his throat and quickly grabbed his companion’s tail before the periwinkle stallion could approach the muscular earth pony. “No. Bad pony,” Riff admonished, ducking his head slightly in fear of the enormous male spotting them. “I don’t want to be beaten up by some crazy farmcolt.”

“That ain’t no colt,” Graceful rumbled, his hips wiggling as his front hooves slid against the dirt road, restrained by his tail as he was. “That there’s a stallion.”

“Yes, and I’m sure with our luck, he’s the straightest stallion in all of the lands,” Riffraff commented mildly as he waited for the crimson earth pony to amble past and out of earshot. Graceful pouted and finally ceased his struggle as he stomped his hooves childishly, flicking his tail the moment it was free of his partner’s grasp.

“I wasn’t gonna hurt him! I was only gonna say heeeeey.” Mumbling and rubbing at his pierced muzzle, the slender pegasus scowled and then peered after the red stallion on more time with a grin. “Mmm. Hate to see him go, but...”

“You like his butt, I know,” Riffraff grumbled but smiling all the same as he glanced around the street. “Hey, check it out, Gracie. A bar that doesn’t scream ‘we only serve angry cowboys’.” He gestured toward a squat building that stood on the next corner, squinting and smiling again. The sign out front simply read “Bar” and the structure was made of simple brick, no decorative elements standing out.

Graceful tilted his head but turned around reluctantly. He peered down the street and then laughed quietly. “Well. Let’s go have a look, Riffy, since you’re determined to keep me from havin’ any sex with any townsponies today.”

“You can have all the sex with all the townsponies you want after we get us a gig, hon.” Riffraff snickered softly at his companion’s bright expression, trotting after the slender pegasus when he broke into a gallop toward the bar. I probably shouldn’t make promises like that.

They found the front door open despite the fact it was hardly breakfast time and the smaller stallion immediately pushed his way in with a bright laugh. Riffraff blinked but poked his head in as well, looking around nervously. But they were greeted warmly by a mare neatening the condiments for a booth in the furthest corner, and Riff felt his nerves calming somewhat as she straightened. “Hey, you guys, how’re ya doin’? Bar’s closed right now, technically...we don’t open ‘til a little after lunch.”

“We’re actually...wondering if you ever, uh. Hire...a band?” The larger stallion cleared his throat awkwardly and glanced around the spacious area before his eyes locked onto a narrow stage opposite the long bar. “Ooh.” His ears perked and he looked curiously back toward the amused earth pony as she tilted her head to the side. “I see you have a stage.”

“Yes, we do,” she replied with a chuckle. “And we don’t really have a regular house band, so...if the owner has some extra cash, we’ll give the audience a live performance. You two play?”

“Yep!” Graceful beamed happily and pranced forward. “Could we do a quick audition, find out if you guys could think about us next time you want a great show?”

She laughed softly, gazing over both pegasi for a moment. “Stony isn’t here right now, he’s the owner. But he’s let me decide on a band or two in the past, so...sure, why don’t you colts play something? Is it just the pair of ya?”

The slender pony nodded several times and smiled brightly at his partner before rushing toward the stage. Riffraff smiled back amusedly, then nodded toward her. “Yeah, just us. There any sorta music your patrons like more’n other types?” he inquired as he ambled after the excited singer before blinking when Graceful laughed loudly from across the room, his wings unfurling quickly to give his feminine frame a boost into the air. Riff winced, recognizing his partner’s usual dramatic entrance as the periwinkle pegasus leaped over a table set for four, his scarf and tail fluttering with his rapid bound before he turned a tight flip and brought the tall microphone case around between his front hooves before slamming it down firmly onto the stage with an inverted grin, his body standing vertically for a moment. His wings spread wide as he switched the position of his hooves upon the top of the case, deftly unsnapping the clasp nearest to him – he’d already undone the other three at some point, apparently – before lightly shoving himself backward to land smoothly on his rear hooves. He faced the empty seating area with a toothy grin and reached a foreleg forward just as the microphone case neatly opened and fell as two halves to either side to reveal the telescoping stand of chrome, which he immediately grasped before stomping his other front hoof against one of the halves of the case. It snapped up toward him with enough force that the heavy microphone tucked snugly away into the padding popped free and arced into the air only to be snatched down and quickly shoved into place atop the polished stand.

Riffraff rolled his eyes while the server simply gaped, her muzzle hanging slightly open as Graceful Melody preened behind the microphone stand. “You know, if you did stuff like that during actual shows instead of private sessions or auditions...we might make more tips,” he commented mildly as he reached the stage and hopped up next to his partner. Two medium-sized speakers were hoisted onto wall-mounted stands behind them, with cables hanging down for ease of connection. He began to hook up both his battered acoustic and Graceful’s microphone while the earth pony finally shook her head, stirred out of her awe at the feminine stallion’s acrobatics.

“Er, to answer your question...we get all kinds of folks through here, but I suppose anything catchy and with a good rhythm will please most of our regulars.” The mare smiled slightly and leaned against a thick support column near the center of the room as she set down the tray full of replacement condiments and watched the two pegasi with visible interest.

“Well...we like jazz and blues, but we can stick to blues, not a problem.” Riff nodded and looked somewhat relieved – at least they didn’t crave the soul-numbing pop covers like the audience at their last legitimate job in Canterlot. He licked his lips as he ran his hoof gently down the strings of his guitar, idly tweaking one of the tuning knobs before glancing up at his eager companion. “Alright, Gracie, your pick.”

Smiling over his shoulder, Graceful nodded once. “I know we normally need other ponies for this one, but...let’s do ‘Right Place’, Riffy.”

The crimson pegasus snickered quietly and nodded back with a slight smile. His hooves moved into place and then began to move along the strings as he played a brief repeated duo of notes and then started to stomp a rear hoof for a solid rhythm as his front hooves slipped into a more funk-like strumming.

Graceful laughed and turned back to his microphone as he bowed briefly to the smiling mare at the center of the room, then reached up to pluck the microphone from the stand, holding it in one hoof, his voice taking on a gentle lisp. “I been in the right place...but it musta been the wrong time. I’d of said the right thing...but I musta used the wrong line.” He took a step closer to the edge of the small stage, leaning forward with a playful wiggle of his flank, the ends of his long scarf hanging down past the elevated flooring. “I been in the right trip, but I musta used the wrong cart. Head is inna bad place...an’ I wonder what it’s good for.”

The singer became more animated as they played through the classic funk number, his pitch rising and falling emphatically with each repeated chorus while the server laughed and stomped her hooves along to the energetic duo’s performance. Riffraff yearned to have taken the time to attach his effects pedal – he would have been able to produce a much wider variety of sounds appropriate for the tune, but he still felt confident that his hooves had not yet lost their way around six strings and as he listened to his companion’s voice streaming richly from the speakers, he knew Graceful hadn’t lost his edge during their long musical reprieve. They finished with a brief fade-out from the guitar, accompanied by a bit of genre-appropriate dancing by a beaming Graceful Melody, and their single audience member had immediately sat back on her haunches to whoop and clap her front hooves together in approval.

“Very impressive, colts! I daresay that Stonewall won’t mind me signin’ you two up for this weekend – we get a pretty good crowd in here, and there’ll be more than enough to toss some bits your way, give a little somethin’ back to our loyal customers.” She laughed and stood up once more, idly brushing herself off before smiling up at them as they looked relieved and began to pack up the guitar and microphone. “Still don’t even know your names, though.”

Graceful smiled brightly. “Thank you so much! We’ll play real good, promise. An’ I’m Graceful Melody, an’ my coltfriend is Riffraff!”

The mare lifted an eyebrow but shrugged and continued to smile with entertainment. “Pleasure to meet ya both, in that case.” She paused and then tilted her head a bit. “Stony usually gives fifty bits an hour plus you get to keep all your tips. Not sure if he’ll drop that at all since there’s only two of ya...but does that sound okay?”

“Sounds great,” Riffraff replied warmly, his expression grateful. “Honestly, we’re just glad to have some work again. It isn’t the money so much as it is...it’s...”

“We like playin’ music for other ponies,” his companion finished with a soft smile, their eyes locking. “It’s what we do.”

The earth pony laughed quietly. “It seems to me like you two are in the right business, then. Feel free to stick around for a bit if you’d like, but I gotta get back to straightenin’ this place out. Drop by later sometime tonight or any night before the weekend...I’ll introduce ya to Stonewall and he’ll make sure you two are good to go for this weekend.”

Graceful beamed, slipping his microphone into the protective carrier before gently laying the stand down into the padding and grabbing the other side to snap the case back together. “That’ll work just fine, thank you!” Riffraff nodded from behind him, the same happy look on his features as he returned the guitar to its own battered cradle and gathered up the cables. “We’ll come by again soon.”

“Good.” The mare nodded politely before continuing her rounds through the bar and leaving the pegasi to finish gathering their gear. “We’ll keep our eyes open for ya.”

Graceful Melody and Riffraff left the establishment a few minutes later, tossing waves to the server and both feeling a quiet sense of accomplishment for having secured a part-time gig; it was all the better to know that they would hopefully get away with playing what they liked best, too, and perhaps even have it appreciated. They weren’t unfamiliar with forcing out the soulless tunes that seemed to be all the rage for most ponies these days, but it wasn’t a habit they wished to repeat often. Matters were not made any easier by the fact that they had a literal demon nearby to breathe fire down their backs whenever they sacrificed their integrity and very nature as gifted musicians to play into the expectations of an ungrateful audience.

“So...you wanna fly back to the inn, drop our stuff off? We can find Dusey, tell him to shut his spiky face about finding a place to play.” Graceful glanced up at Riff, smiling and bumping their flanks lightly together.

Riffraff chuckled softly and nodded. “Sure, Gracie. Though you know his response.” The larger stallion jutted his chin out mockingly, moving his head from side to side. “You two disgusting insects can make any location your venue, the magnificent domain of my glorious music knows no boundaries!”

His companion giggled behind a hoof. “You do a good impression of him!”

“That’s because he never shuts up. So it’s easy to learn his mysterious demonic ways.” Nodding wisely, the crimson pegasus shook out his wings briefly and then met his partner’s eyes once more. “But alrighty, lead the way, cuddlebuns.” He nudged the feminine pony with his muzzle and Graceful laughed before taking a few quick steps and then hopping into the air, his microphone case slipping down to hang from a shoulder as his wings unfurled and flapped several times. But just as Riffraff trotted after him, his own wings spreading wide, Graceful squealed excitedly and dropped back down to his hooves, pointing eagerly down toward the edge of the downtown area.

“Riffy, look! I think that’s Trixie!!” he said excitedly before laughing and sprinting forward. “C’mon!”

Riffraff blinked and squinted ahead – he could indeed make out a rather distinctive pointed hat and flowing cloak but he hardly believed that they’d run into the showy magician yet again, especially in such a small town. “What, are you serious?” He grumbled but smiled despite himself as he took chase after his companion with a shake of his head. Great, now she’ll think we’re following her. Just the thing for her fragile ego and complete lack of self-confidence.

He galloped after Graceful as the periwinkle pegasus hollered shamelessly down the still-quiet streets. “Hey, Trixie! Trixie, it’s us, what are you doin’ here?!”

The powder-blue unicorn slowly turned around, a laden satchel hanging from her side as she stared at the approaching pegasi. She wrinkled her muzzle before tilting her muzzle upward as Graceful slid to a stop just before her, announcing loudly, “The Great and Powerful Trixie needs no explanation for her whereabouts! And she most certainly does not recognize the likes of you two talentless showponies!”

Graceful Melody only giggled again as he peered at the preening unicorn and then sat back on his haunches in the middle of the road, heedless of the stares they received from the townsponies passing by. “Trixie! You remember us, it’s Graceful and Riffy! How the hell have ya been!? It’s been foreeeever since we saw you. Actually, we saw you at Canterlot, but I guess you were distracted by the scary Princesses beating each other up, ‘cause you totally didn’t even say 'hey' back!”

She sniffed and regarded the slender pegasus with a disapproving glare at his black and white scarf, then glancing past him as the amused guitarist ambled up next to his companion and leaned to the side to light a cigarette. “The Great and Powerful Trixie does not recall seeing you in Canterlot. This is only more obvious to Trixie because anypony there would have known that the battle was an attack by Nightmare Moon upon Princess Celestia. Only simple fools as yourselves would believe that was Princess Luna daring to challenge her more powerful sister!” Her expression become somewhat guarded, however, and she glanced between the two pegasi almost nervously. But neither stallion seemed to notice and she relaxed somewhat before adding dryly, “The Great and Powerful Trixie also does not believe she is obligated to return every ‘hello’ given to her by an admiring fancolt.”

Graceful pouted but Riffraff only smiled slightly as he exhaled a cloud of smoke to the side before eying the pompous unicorn with amusement. “You still doing that whole third-person schtick, Trixie? Coulda sworn you woulda quit that back in New Sun City when they threatened to lock you up with the crazies. Public nuisance and severe delusions, wasn’t that the accusal?”

Trixie glared at him sourly and huffed. “Trixie cannot help it if other ponies are ashamed of how pitifully they measure up to Trixie’s magnificent show of ability and skill. Furthermore, were you not nearly arrested in the same city for public lewdness, Graceless Melody?”

But the smaller pegasus only giggled in response as he stomped his front hooves a few times against the dirt road. “You do remember us!” He laughed and beamed at his companion before cocking his head curiously. “But for reals, what’re you doin’ here? I thought you said you hated Ponyville?”

“The Great and Powerful Trixie does not stoop to hating those who are unappreciative of her talents,” the mare replied acidly before grumbling and dropping her head somewhat. “Besides, Trixie’s greatest rival resides here in Ponyville.” She lifted her head proudly again. “Trixie will show everypony that even Twilight Sparkle cannot compete with her indomitable will and endless capacity for improvement even beyond her already impressive levels!”

“You’re still sore about that whole Ursa Major thing, huh?” Riffraff asked with a snicker, tapping his cigarette to the side and grinning when Trixie shot him a deadly scowl.

“Trixie does not recall relaying this falsified story to the likes of you,” she retorted darkly, tossing her mane back before her horn glowed slightly to readjust the tall, moon-and-star patterned hat upon her head.

“We got you drunk in Verdant Spring that one time and you kinda told us a lot,” Graceful replied kindly as he smiled up at her, earning a horrified glare but simply giggling quietly. “Aww, don’t get sore – why do you think we were willing to put up with you for four months?”

“You...you did not put up with Trixie!” she shot back, flailing a hoof at the smaller pegasus. “It was the Great and Powerful Trixie who suffered through two boorish musicians following her as she awed audiences throughout Equestria!” she added irritably while idly shifting the satchel strapped to her side.

“Riiiiight,” Riffraff drawled, grinning slightly again as he blew another bluish plume to the side, gesturing toward her with the glowing cigarette. “That’s why we shared our cut with you so you didn’t have to spend the rainy nights out in that crappy little cart of yours and could at least have a real roof over your head for a change.”

“Trixie’s cart is not crappy!” she half-shouted, looking exceptionally ruffled as she leaned forward with a foreboding glow around her horn. “It is...modest! Just like Trixie!”

“Trixie is not modest,” Graceful said politely, trying not to giggle. “Trixie is very not modest.”

She glared balefully toward the feminine pegasus, eyes glowering before she huffed and slowly sat back again as the aura around her horn faded. “You should consider yourselves lucky that Trixie has promised not to cause any issues while she stays here. Otherwise, you would find yourself transformed into the pretty but useless flower that you are.”

“I was deflowered a long, long time ago,” the slender stallion replied airily, waving a hoof around and then trotting around to poke at the heavy satchel on the unicorn’s side as Trixie scowled and flailed again at him. “Whatcha got in there, anyway? Oooh, do you have new stuff for your act?! You should get scarves! They make me sexier.” He stood on his rear legs for a moment, proudly flicking his head backward to cause the two-toned fabric about his neck to flutter with the movement.

“Trixie has seen you on stage, Graceful. She does not believe you could be any more suggestive,” the mare grumbled grouchily before turning her grumpy expression back to the larger stallion. “Trixie sees that you continue to pollute the air with your filthy habit.”

“Riffraff has his reasons to smoke,” the muscular pegasus replied mockingly, smiling at her consternation. “Trixie would have perhaps learned why if she had been successful in getting us as wasted as we got her.”

“The Great and Powerful Trixie regrets making the two of you her temporary entourage,” the unicorn mumbled with a barely visible blush before she fidgeted a bit. She glanced between the two pegasi, features contorted with annoyance and yet revealing what might have been a wistful glimmer in her eyes. “However, Trixie is...assisting in the...preparation of an extremely important magical...thing,” she said with as much pride as she could muster, waving a foreleg dismissively. “She must be on her—hey!”

She glared over her shoulder as Graceful poked through her satchel, the mare hardly having felt his curious hooves. He giggled and plucked out a roll of parchment, holding it up high. “Trixie, since when do you use parchment? Dude, are you running errands for someone?!”

“That is none of your business!” she snapped, a more prominent flush rising to her cheeks as her horn glowed brightly to snatch the parchment from Graceful’s hoof with telekinesis, shoving it quickly back into the satchel and snapping the top shut firmly. “Trixie is not an errand-filly! She is the Great and Pow—”

“Yes, yes, the Great and Powerful Trixie,” Riffraff interjected mildly. The unicorn glared at him, looking almost hurt at having her line interrupted. But the masculine pegasus smiled and stubbed his cigarette out before flicking it toward a public trashcan on the sidewalk nearby. “C’mon, Tricks. We spent nearly four months on the road together, you can drop that act around us.”

“That is not my name,” she replied stiffly, looking embarrassed and flicking her tail indignantly.

Graceful immediately opened his muzzle to tease the mare for not using her usual third-person reference, but saw the pointed look on his companion’s features. He pouted but nodded from behind the female before trotting back around to his partner’s side and gazing up at her again. “Well, we understand if you gotta run,” he said with surprising gentility, giving a warm smile. “But we’ll be in town for a while. We’re...” He hesitated and glanced over at Riffraff. “We’re trying to relax a little. Get outta the big cities, take a break from that craziness.” The smaller pony nodded firmly and then gazed back at the scowling unicorn. “We’d love to catch up with you sometime.” He then tipped a generous wink and nudged Riffraff playfully. “I know Riffybutt would especially love to catch up with you. See what you’ve um. Picked up. Along the way.”

The larger pegasus blinked and then cleared his throat as he blushed deeply beneath his already-crimson hide, glancing awkwardly toward the side. Trixie herself seemed mortified, glaring at the slender pegasus and huffing loudly. “Trixie does not appreciate your hinting, you dirty little stage-hog!” She mumbled and pawed at the dirt below before turning her eyes sheepishly toward Riffraff for a moment. “However, I suppose if Trixie finds some spare time among all her intensive preparations and training, she...would not entirely be bothered by the notion of reminding you two why she was always the superior performer upon our shared stages.”

Riff smiled slightly, elbowing his companion firmly before nodding lamely. “That would be nice. And we promise not to get you too liquored up this time around.”

The light blue pegasus smiled wryly, however, turning around once more and replying over a shoulder. “If you two understood the hardships and sacrifices of the Great and Powerful Trixie’s current training, you would know that...I might need to get liquored up sometime.” Graceful giggled while his companion shook his head amusedly, waving once to her as she tossed a brief nod back to them. “Trixie knows where she will find you two. She can imagine only one venue in this little town would be willing to hire scoundrels and hacks such as yourselves. We’ll...catch up at some point.” She gave another slight smile, then began to trot away toward an open square situated a block over.

Riffraff smiled a bit and then blushed when Graceful Melody giggled again and leaned over to tenderly kiss just below his jaw. “I think sooomepony is having fond memories!” he teased, wiggling his flank a few times and grinning up at the embarrassed stallion.

“I think...somepony needs to shut up before I threaten him with chastity,” Riff mumbled, shifting his guitar case to his other shoulder. “It. Was a fling. She seemed sad and lonely and. You were off with that dragon, who I am fairly certain was NOT over-age.”

“Well he definitely knew how to act like an adult,” Graceful replied sweetly before smiling up at the larger pegasus as they began to walk back toward the inn. “And besides, I’m not upset or nothin’. I think it’s cute! An’ you know how I always worry about me being...Mr. Super Whore Colt Sex Face. I’m proud when my big Riffyraffy goes out an’ does the dirty all by himself!”

Riffraff only blushed further as he ducked his head embarrassedly and scowled at the grinning singer. “You. I am. Not a foal, I don’t need your approval or pride in my personal sexual accomplishments,” he complained, wings flapping irritably.

His effeminate companion giggled quietly and leaned over to nuzzle the grumbling stallion before gazing ahead. “I know, baby. Just teasin’.” He smiled and felt Riffraff’s awkwardness subsiding, the larger male stepping a bit closer so their sides once more pressed together as they made their way down the livening street. Ponies were beginning to emerge onto the sidewalks as the sleepy town steadily rose to the welcoming rays of the warm morning sun, some already erecting vendor stands for local produce and hoof-made goods while the small business owners turned their “Closed” signs around to proudly proclaim “Open” in the various windows and doors along the street. Graceful brightened as he gazed around cheerfully, waving to a few curious ponies on the sidewalks that surveyed his multiple piercings and leg tattoos apprehensively. “Oh wow, Riffy – for a small town, there sure is a lot of bustle around here!”

Riffraff glanced around as well and nodded sheepishly toward a unicorn peering at the two pegasi from behind the glass door of a small gardening store. “Well...yeah, you gotta think, most ponies here...work for a living. Sure, in cities like Manehattan they go to big skyscrapers and stuff, but here...they make their living with their own two hooves.” He smiled quietly to himself. “It’s not a bad thing.”

“Not at all,” Graceful replied with a warm expression as he waved cheerfully to a small pack of foals trotting down the sidewalk toward what he guessed was a small schoolhouse. “I like it here! This place has soul.”

“Yeah, it does,” Riff murmured softly before laughing quietly. “Wouldn’t be bad sticking around here for a little while. At least we know somepony here.”

“Riffraff’s gotta cruuush, Riffraff’s gotta cruuush,” the smaller stallion sang out teasingly, ducking beneath an embarrassed swipe of his companion’s foreleg. He giggled and beamed up at his partner, tail swishing gently. “It’s a good thing!”

“I do not have a crush,” the other male mumbled, wrinkling his muzzle a bit. “We never stick around anywhere long enough to have crushes. We have flings. You have flings, at least. I have awkward moments where I’m horrified to admit I’d rather be in a threesome with you and a stranger rather than leaving somepony behind that I’m worried will have sad-clingy-faces.”

Graceful smiled quietly but blushed somewhat all the same. “Oh, Riffy. You really are a better pony than me. Even though that’s also a little vain – it wasn’t like she exactly tried to keep in touch with us after we parted ways.” The periwinkle pegasus laughed softly and then glanced down with an unexpectedly sad smile. “But...still. You’re much kinder than me. I hardly think twice about the wake of broken hearts and lonely penises I leave behind.” He chuckled quietly, though his expression remained almost somber as Riffraff gazed down with compassion at the feminine singer. “I feel pretty crappy about saying it, but...you get used to it. At least, after as many blurred memories as I have of passionate nights and uncomfortable mornings, it...kinda becomes a way of life.” He shook his head slowly, his smile still faint, before his soft silver irises met the larger stallion’s gaze. “Commitment is...hard for some ponies. I’m glad you were there to show me there’s more to life than one-night-stands, though.”

Riffraff softened and leaned over to nuzzle the top of his companion’s head before gently kissing one of his pierced ears. “I’m still amazed my cheesy little late-night invasion and bumbling serenade made you wanna stick around. Even before you knew I sold my soul to a demon for the very skills I used to cheat my way into your heart.”

Graceful Melody laughed quietly and gently bumped his nose against the masculine pony’s neck. “You didn’t cheat your way into my heart.” His smile became more playfully as he winked. “I would say it was more a combination of strumming and thrusting your way in forcefully.”

Snorting amusedly, Riffraff shook his head and glanced ahead once more as they turned down the smaller street that led to the Lucky Hoof Inn. “I would say that you ruin every possible romantic moment...except that for us, it probably is the most romantic thing in the world. Gods, we’re messed up.”

“We sure are!” Graceful chirped brightly, flapping his wings once and smiling up at his bemused companion.

The two pegasi returned to their room after greeting the kind unicorn mare at the front desk. She’d informed them that the window had already been fixed, but that per instructions from her father, the room had not yet been cleaned. The slight grin on her features told the stallions all they needed to know; clearly, she had been the one who had repaired the window, or at least accompanied whoever had worked on it, and had seen more than enough to know that the awkwardly guttural noises of the previous evenings were not due to any kind of arguing or musical practice. Riffraff had mumbled an embarrassed half-thank-you, half-apology before rushing up the stairs after his giggling companion with a horrified expression on his features.

“Oh my gods no more sex in the room without at least a goddamn gag,” he fumed with a blush, pushing into the room after Graceful pranced through, the musicians setting their instrument cases down. “She’s gonna think we’re...dirty...sex-ponies or something.”

“She would not be incorrect in this observation,” a dry voice responded from the open doorway as Riffraff spun around with a surprised yelp, then glaring up at Amdusias towering over his partially-crouched form. “You two are capable of little more than swapping various bodily fluids and filling this tiny room with your unearthly cries of pleasure, it would seem.”

“Get in here before somepony sees you!” Riffraff hissed, jerking his head toward the interior of the room as Graceful peered up at the enormous reptile curiously. “You can’t just—”

“I can do whatever I please, little mortal,” Amdusias replied mildly, taking a step forward and using his dexterous tail to slap the door shut behind his hulking frame before crossing his muscular arms and studying the two pegasi thoughtfully. “And?”

“And...what?” the larger stallion asked suspiciously, narrowing his eyes somewhat as if expecting a painful reaction.

The demon lord rolled his eyes, brushing past the masculine pony and nodding once toward the smiling Graceful before sitting down on the end of the messy bed, leaning forward onto his bulging thighs. “You are far too paranoid, soul-seller. I am merely supplicating myself to your almighty presence, begging to hear news of finding yourselves a venue for performance that will not send me into fits of rage which may or may not cause irreversible damage to your face.”

Riffraff scowled but his companion giggled and bounded forward before leaping up into Amdusias’s lap faster than the demon could react. The scaled creature flinched but reluctantly shifted his arms to allow the smaller pony to sit comfortably upon his legs as he glared down at him sourly. “We sure did, Dusey! It’s a pretty nice lookin’ bar, not too fancy, not too...conservative. I don’t think they’ll lynch me for dressin’ up like a mare! Plus, we played a tune even you might like, and the server totally dug on it!”

“The server...dug on it?” Amdusias slowly repeated, looking confused before glancing down at Riffraff as the crimson pegasus muttered and sat down at the foot of the bed near the other two. “I demand you translate your maiden’s strange tongue.”

Riffraff sighed while Graceful Melody giggled and shoved his head childishly against the demon’s muscular stomach, earning a venomous look before Amdusias grumbled and lifted a hand to roughly pet the slender pony’s skull as if he were an energetic puppy seeking attention. “The pretty mare who serves food and drinks? She liked what we played. And we played our music, not...that Top 40 bullshit.”

“Then this is good news,” the lizard replied contritely, looking slightly pleased. “I am grateful that your ineptitude is not indefinite in its duration.” He paused and then tilted his head. “You also met another filthy mortal from your past, did you not? I sense something...odd.”

“You’re odd,” Riff retorted sharply, attempting to repress his blush.

Graceful giggled, suddenly standing on his rear legs and placing his hooves on the demon’s chest as he announced brightly: “Nope! Riffy ran into an old maaaaarefriend!”

The muscular reptile blinked, unsure of how to respond to the feminine pegasus’s position and instead peering down at Riffraff before grinning toothily. The crimson pony blinked and quickly tried to avert his eyes but Amdusias’s hypnotic stare had already gripped into him, freezing him in place. His own teeth grit in frustration but he had hesitated too long and he could feel the demon easily flipping through his memories before reeling back in a mix of amusement and disgust. “Oh, you horrifying little cricket! You shared a bed with...a boastful, self-inflated street magician?!” he crowed as Riffraff flushed and rubbed a hoof morbidly against his features.

He was about to make some protest but his companion pouted and pounded his front hooves wildly against Amdusias’s broad chest, making the demon squawk and flail his enormous arms lightly at the slender stallion. “Hey, Trixie might be loud and annoying, but she’s not as bad as everypony thinks! She just wants a little piece of the limelight, that’s all! She tries real hard.”

Amdusias scowled, reaching up and firmly shoving his hand against Graceful’s face to push the stallion down from his chest and back into his lap. “Nonsense. She sounds like any other creature of Pride. Full of herself, unable to even muse upon the notion of working for any goal or glory other than her own.”

“That’s a very shallow view,” Riffraff mumbled, crawling up onto the bed and sprawling out on his chest as his forelimbs splayed out, muzzle smashing against the covers for a moment before he dropped his chin onto the mattress. “Besides, you ain’t exactly clear of that particular trait yourself, Dusey.”

The demon pursed his lips and glared down at the prone stallion before snorting softly and idly running his fingers through Graceful’s cerulean locks. “Yes, well...this does not free you of the guilt of having slept with such an...unlikely mortal, uninspiring cricket.” He paused and then smiled innocently as Riff glanced up at him dourly. “However, I must applaud you for at least being brave enough to sample what I’m sure to you was the equivalent of a fiery chasm of doom, from which there was surely no return.”

“Guess you’ve never been brave enough to sleep with a fiery chasm of doom yourself, then, huh? Just little mortal colts with bubble butts of... stuff,” Riffraff shot back lamely, huffing and running a hoof through his pink mane. Amdusias glared down at him and half-shoved at the smaller pegasus, though Graceful only clung stubbornly to his waist with slender forelegs and surprising strength.

“I...have shared myself with both males and females,” the reptile muttered, unable to repress his own slight blush as he gave up on extracting the feminine mortal and resigned himself to rubbing Graceful’s back again. “This is not a comfortable subject. We will speak of other things now. I would rather discuss my whereabouts than talk...of sexual experiences with you two. I do not wish for another uncontrollable lapse of control and mindless release of passion.”

“Or at least you say you don’t wish for it. Because you’re embarrassed at how much you want it.”

Amdusias muttered darkly and reached his free hand over to flick one of Riff’s wings. The muscular stallion flinched at the contact but otherwise remained sprawled out on his chest and stomach, apparently content with waiting for the demon to begin at his own pace. Making a face, the scaled entity rubbed at his own broad chest for a moment. “As always, I feel inclined to remind you both that this does not permit either of you to question my intentions and travels.” When Riffraff grunted and nodded moodily against the mattress, Amdusias nodded and then idly toyed with one of the silver rings pierced through the smaller stallion’s ears. “I sensed something familiar. And when I sense something familiar, it rarely means anything good for you flesh-bags. It would seem one of my more barbaric, single-minded brethren decided to take up residence within one of the local mortals.” He paused for what Riffraff guessed was dramatic effect, earning it through a nervous squirm of the slender pegasus in his lap. “However, a few of the wiser insects of this obnoxiously rural backwater town took it upon themselves to escort the afflicted creature to an establishment in your Canterlot. I followed them long enough to ensure that this mindless infestation had no plans of seeking out my property. It is nonetheless something I am uncomfortable with.” He frowned slightly, his tone becoming serious enough that Riffraff rolled onto his back to continue listening curiously.

“My kind has dabbled in the occasional interferences upon your mortal plane. The tale of the Blood Seers is proof enough of this. But there seems to be something drawing lower-tier demons to this land. I would advise you both to keep a sharper eye about you, and to not hesitate in telling me of even the most minuscule of disturbances. While I will assuredly keep a close watch on...both of you...” He glanced between the two stallions as Riffraff gave a small smile. “I am still unable to watch you at all times. I am obligated to return to Helheim with at least some regularity and...” The demon looked almost disgusted for a few seconds, grimacing. “I am afraid I do not trust most of my own minions to assist me in my most undesirable duty to protect you. There have been...signs of dissent,” he added carefully, making a face as if the words left a better taste in his muzzle. “The stirrings throughout both our planes spurns the most regrettable notions of revolution and childish yearnings in weak minds, encouraging them to side with those who seek to take advantage of the looming darkness.” He grumbled and rubbed one of his curved horns, tail flicking irritably to the side. “As you know by now, I do not search for greater power or the conquering of more territory.”

“You just wanna spread your domain...share your gift for music, your love for it,” Graceful murmured, glancing up at the somewhat surprised reptile. “We know you aren’t some crazy-mean demon out for blood and stuff.”

“You know nothing,” Amdusias mumbled, looking embarrassed and gently pinching one of the periwinkle pony’s ears. Graceful only smiled quietly and pushed his head childishly against the demon’s large hand as Amdusias huffed but continued to silently play his fingers through the pegasus’s mane. “Even if you speak the truth. My ambitions do not often align with many of my fellow lords and generals. In this regard, however, it should mean we are somewhat safe despite the growing turmoil in my home land. I possess little that my greedy opponents would go out of their way to obtain.”

Graceful beamed brightly. “Unless they like big demon c—”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Riffraff quickly interrupted, rolling his eyes and then sitting up at the lizard’s side. “But...we’ll be careful. And I’ll pretend to not be emotionally broken by your implication that my soul – which technically you possess – isn’t enough to attract any demons’ attention.”

Amdusias snorted amusedly. “My dear meat-puppet, I am speaking only of those materialistic demons who wish to expand their influence in Helheim. Fear not, there are still many lower-tier demons who salivate at the chance of bringing me such shame and embarrassment by stealing away a soul I hold in escrow.”

“Well awesome,” the crimson stallion mumbled, once more looking dejected. “I really don’t want to walk around every day wondering when some demon with a grudge against you is gonna shove himself inside me and steal my essence.”

“As much as you fancy the notion, that is not actually how we collect souls from you filthy mortals,” the demon replied drolly as Graceful giggled in his lap. “Besides, for all the times I have wished to eviscerate you for your dishonorable trickery at the signing of our contract, you nonetheless inadvertently protected yourself not only from my own potential underhandedness, but also from the usual methods by many of my brethren. Binding your soul to that tinny instrument ‘round your neck assures a bit of extra shielding from demonic tampering.” He reached out and tapped a claw gently against the silver harmonica, sending a shiver down Riffraff’s spine as the enchanted object glowed slightly with the reptile’s contact. “But do not fret, I am not abandoning either of you to the whims of this utterly ridiculous plane. The Fates themselves will not deter me from claiming my prize.”

Riffraff grunted quietly and glanced down at the harmonica before gripping it in a hoof and gazing up at the ceiling. He felt oddly touched despite Amdusias’s particular wording. Besides, at this point...seems better to live what there is left of this life before going down with Dusey. At least better than being snatched up by some random, angry demon...

“I would not go that far, foolish creature,” Amdusias said softly in response to his thoughts, glancing down at the stallion for a moment. “Though at least you will know the one who composes your final symphony.” The demon gave a smile that carried a strange but genuine tenderness. “And it will be magnificent.” Riffraff gazed back up at the gigantic reptile, feeling uncomfortably soothed by his words as he nodded silently and then rested his head against Amdusias’s bulging arm. “Good,” the demon said in just above a whisper as he shifted slightly and wrapped the powerful limb around the pony’s shoulders. Amdusias felt almost protective as his eyes shifted between the two mortals before him, his emotions writhing in protest and all the same sensing a quiet peace beneath the maelstrom. He gave the slightest shake of his head before grumbling quietly and then squeezing Riff’s shoulder. “But the two of you require mortal sustenance that is not released in liquid form. Go and find food, and when you return, we shall discuss my expectations for your impending performance.”

“Wow, you really are a douche sometimes,” Riffraff remarked, smiling all the same as he chuckled quietly and nodded once, sliding down from the bed and shaking his mane out. He glanced up at Graceful, who seemed rather loathe to leave the comfort of the demon’s lap. “C’mon, Gracie. You can help me pick out some good food, then show off some of your stockings to Dusey.”

The feminine pegasus immediately perked, wings beating excitedly as he hopped out of Amdusias’s lap, his two-tone scarf fluttering behind him as he ran in a tight circle. “Yay! Dusey, you can tell me which ones are your favorite!” He beamed up at the demon, who looked back stupidly for a moment from the bed before scowling.

“Ridiculous. Only mortals would find it sensible to wear articles of clothing that cover everything except your woefully unhidden genitals,” the reptile muttered, rubbing at his spiked jaw with a grumble.

“Hey! I have lots of things that cover that up, too!” Graceful giggled, grinning at Amdusias. “You’d be amazed how much sexier it can be to wear stuff instead of wearin’ nothin’!”

“I will take your word on that,” came the dry response of the reptile as he looked down at the stallions with a sour expression. “You would know the best ways of wooing innocent males into your den of inequity, far be it from me to doubt your knowledge.”

Graceful Melody looked thoughtful for a moment, visibly processing the demon’s words before he nodded with a cheerful smile. “Yep, that’s true!” With that he giggled again and quietly headbutted Riff’s shoulder, then pranced toward the door. “Let’s go get some eats! And then we’ll have a fashion show, yay!”

Riffraff grumbled under his breath but nodded reluctantly before glaring over his shoulder at the enormous demon. “Your scaly flank better be here when we get back. You’re suffering with me.” He gnashed his teeth together as Amdusias blinked and huffed, then the larger pegasus hurried after his companion. The reptile scowled but only closed the door with an idle flick of his hand before he dropped back onto the bed. I deserve a nap for all my investigating. Being “friends” is very tiring. He grumbled and pulled a pillow over his head before curling up slightly. Nothing will ever be simple again. Insolent mortal swine.