At the behest of one of my patrons, I have decided to divide up Volume 5 due to its length and have this earlier segment function as it’s separate mini-arc. Volume 5 will properly begin later.

It has been roughly three weeks since Gladesong was born. While it has not been an entirely easy transition, it has certainly not been quite as arduous as I was expecting. I suppose that would be because caring for baby ponies is slightly simpler than human babies since they develop a certain degree of independence earlier in regards to locomotion. She is already starting to walk. We even picked up a new camera for the sole purpose of taking photos of her. If I had to describe what Gladesong is like, I would say she is somewhere between a human newborn and a puppy. She is so much fun to just cuddle with and pet and she always loves it. And for as much as Fluttershy prefers keeping her hooves on the ground, she was really happy to finally be able to fly again after being weighed down with Gladesong for a while.

Pinkie Pie's observations after Gladesong's birth were far more on the nose than what was immediately apparent. True to her color scheme, Neapolitan ice cream has quickly become her favorite dessert. Every weekend, Pinkie Pie has stopped by with another tub of the stuff. Gladesong is starting to at least try to talk since Pinkie always elicits some laughs and calls from the little filly, but nothing coherent yet.

Applejack frequently stops by too to drop off healthy apple treats she makes herself. Gladesong always loves to try on her hat, though she always gets stuck in the middle since it is just much too big for her. Applejack also likes taking Gladesong for rides on her back and is just so good to her with how she alternates between her usual rustic tone and a much softer and sweeter tone whenever Gladesong needs to rest. I always see a strong maternal side come out whenever Applejack is with Gladesong. I am guessing she will be a great mom herself someday when she finds the right stallion.

Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle have also tried to find time to stop by to say hello and check on the newest addition to our extended family. And if not at home, they often find us whenever Gladesong is being carried by her mother through town. Little Gladesong gets a lot of attention whenever she gets taken into Ponyville and the locals ranging from lesser known acquaintances to close friends are always happy to say hello. Eleina has even offered to foalsit our daughter when she gets old enough to be allowed out of our supervision occasionally. Gladesong does not mind the attention at all. In fact, I would have to say she just might be the happiest baby I have ever seen. She rarely cries and is usually smiling. I guess she takes after her mother quite well. Even her mane and tail is reminiscent of Fluttershy in photos of her younger days.

And there is Rarity. Sweet dear Rarity. She always stops by every other day after closing up her boutique for the night. She is easily the guest Gladesong is always happiest to see. And I often see her and Fluttershy together with Gladesong whenever they are in town. They always bring her along during their weekly spa visits, which gives me time to spend with my little girl when I have nothing else to do. Aloe and Lotus are cautious about allowing babies in the spa due to the risk of them misbehaving, but Gladesong has won them over with her happy demeanor and has never had to be removed. I swear, whenever I see Fluttershy and Rarity together with Gladesong, I feel like they are the little filly's mother in equal sharing. At this rate, Gladesong may even start referring to them both as 'mommy' when she learns to speak. Not that I mind that. Rarity is a great surrogate mom and always makes Gladesong happy.

And if there is one thing I absolutely cannot overstate my gratitude for, it is that we are never short on help at home. Not from our closest friends, but from Fluttershy's many animal companions. Angela in particular has seemingly taken upon herself the role of Gladesong's personal guardian. She will frequently be found roosting above or right next to Gladesong in her crib and watches her at all times when she is playing with her toys. I have even caught her responding to a squirrel approaching the crib during one of Gladesong's in a shockingly menacing manner by opening her beak wide and trying to smack the intruder with her wing. I had no idea doves could look so aggressive. Needless to say, Gladesong adores her. Angela will often preen her little wings and coo sweetly at Gladesong while she nuzzles the little dove right back. It reminds me of the stories I was told of my grandmother's border collie standing watch over me when I was a toddler.

Going back to the many animal friends we have living nearby, they really have done the most in making this transition easier. Whenever Fluttershy or I need to be out of the room, they always watch over our daughter. I think most of them have had offspring of their own at some point, so they likely have experience in watching over newborns. They have even proven knowledgeable enough to change a diaper with some impressive teamwork, which I really appreciate since I still have not gotten used to the task. And best of all, they assistance has insured that Fluttershy, Scootaloo, and I get a full night's sleep. Should Gladesong awaken in the night, one of the more nocturnal critters like owls or bats will always be there to reassure Gladesong with their presence. And if she absolutely needs to feed, one of the mice will use one of the many pathways in the house to reach our bedroom and gently rouse Fluttershy so she can go downstairs to nurse her. They are the best and I cannot say how grateful I am for their dedication.

Scootaloo herself adores her baby sister. She likes to play with her in all manners she can think of from carrying her around on her back to taking Gladesong out for a very slow ride in a wagon attached to the back of the scooter. And if Scootaloo happens to be on the floor doing homework, Gladesong will most definitely stumble over to her big sister and cuddle up to her for a nap. And the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders love to visit her after school sometimes, although Gladesong is a constant distraction when they try to do their homework together. I wonder what new routines they will try as Gladesong gets bigger...

Anyway, on top of wanting to document that information, I wanted to get back into writing because today was something particularly special. Despite being a Monday, I was at home since Mr. and Mrs. Cake have essentially granted me paternity leave to stay home for a while for some more time with my child during her most delicate weeks. I still work at the spa and I do admit that it does pay better than Sugarcube Corner.

I was in the process of writing out cards to some of our wedding party guests as thanks for their contributions to the gift pile and adding in copies of a family photo we all had taken that had just come back from the developers. The photo depicted myself and Fluttershy sitting on our sofa at home with little Gladesong bundled up in a blanket between us while Scootaloo was standing up on the corner with her front hooves resting on my shoulders. Rarity insisted on having one taken with her in the shot as well, which I must say turned out even better than the last one, but we were sending out only copies of the first photo.

"Do we have enough, dear?" Fluttershy asked as she came into the room with Gladesong in her arm. I glanced over at her while slouched on the sofa with a stack of signed cards beside me. I only had a few more to go. I could not help but smile at her. She had recently styled her very long mane up into an adorable ponytail to help keep it out of the way for a while since Gladesong, unsurprisingly, likes to nibble or tug on it. I do not think Fluttershy has any intention of trimming her mane to a more manageable style. If anything, I think she has started to grow it and her tail out even further.

I glanced at the small pile beside me and the rest of the cards and photos on my belly. "Yeah, I think we have enough. More than enough, to be honest."

However, as I gazed at one of the photos I was going to send out, an old memory started to resurface in my mind. And that memory caused a smirk to form on my lips. Fluttershy must have noticed since she then asked, "Oh my... I'm not sure I like that look. Did something happen?"

"No, nothing happened... It's just that I remembered something my brother said to me once that was really uncalled for." I said while picking up another card and bringing my pen to the inside. "And I know just how to get him back for it."

A crooked smile spread across her face as Fluttershy started to draw near. "Oh dear. Can I see it when you're done?"

"Sure thing. Just let me write these out..." I replied while taking the photo and putting it on the back of the second page of the card so it would not be visible until the page was turned. "And...there. Take a look and tell me if I nailed it."

Fluttershy probably did not understand the reference, but she still read the card as I held it open for her. On the first page, it read as follows. "Hey, bro. Hope you've been well. Anyway, you remember when I was watching you play Skyrim and I asked about the marriage function in the game and if there were any Khajiit characters who were available? And how you said in response that I was going to be one of those freaks who marry their housecats? Well, check out who I did end up marrying."

On the next page was the photo of my new family. And on the inside of the card's back cover across from it was this. "Your nieces and sister-in-law say hi."

Fluttershy immediately burst into laughter while trying to not drop Gladesong. "Ohohohoho my goodness! I can only imagine what his response will be!"

I too burst into laughter at the mere thought of his response. "Oh man, I wish I could see the look on his face when he reads this. I am so gonna have Celestia send this back home. I swear, that kid's world views are way too outdated for the 21st century. I'm sure that guy thinks like someone who grew up during the 60s."

"I don't really get what that means at all, but... Yes, that didn't sound like a very nice thing he said to you. Is he prejudiced towards couples like us?" Fluttershy asked with a noticeable look of worry on her face.

I suppose I was making the situation sound worse than it actually was, so I just smiled at her while setting the card aside. "Nah, I wouldn't say the guy is prejudiced. He just has no imagination. At all."

"Well, that's a shame. He probably wouldn't like living in Equestria if he can't think outside the box." Fluttershy retorted before her attention was drawn to Gladesong pawing at her cheek. I smiled while watching Fluttershy give our daughter a kiss on the head. She then suddenly glanced back at me and said, "Oh, I just realized that I didn't collect the eggs and feed the chickens this morning. Could you please go do that while I take care of Gladesong? I think she needs her diaper changed."

Always willing to take any opportunity I could to not have to deal with that little chore, I rose to my feet and made my way to the door after placing a kiss on Gladesong's head. "Sure thing, dear. I'll be back in a bit."

I looped around to the back of the cottage with a pail in hand. I was hoping the chickens would not be too grumpy with it being past 10 AM. Much to my surprise, there was no sign of them once the pen came into view. I stopped while carefully scanning the area inside the fence from where I was. "Well, this is weird. I can't remember the last time the hens slept this la..."

I froze. The only times I have found the chickens still tucked away in the coop was when they have a guest. And Derpy has not stopped by in quite a long time. Which meant...

I rushed ahead and into the pen while dropping the pail near the fence. My skin was taut with tension as my thoughts raced. Was she there? Had she returned? I took a long breath to steady my nerves before I got down on one knee and peered inside. The chickens were just fine and were roosting on their nests. And there, tucked away in the corner, was exactly who I was hoping to see. Slumbering quietly and curled up into a ball was none other than Smolder.

A sense of elation filled my heart. I had written her off for dead. It has been nearly two months since the day she disappeared and here she was right in front of me. I was tempted to wake her, but was concerned that she had just gone through some hard times. At the same time, I was terrified of leaving the coop now that I had located her. I was worried that if I let her out of my sight for even a minute, she would disappear into the Everfree Forest and I would very possibly never see her again. But I also should not have kept Fluttershy waiting for too long. What would be the best way to do this?

Taking note of the square holes on the upper left side of the coop, I walked to the side and managed to slide my arm through one of them. Feeling around carefully, I soon felt the smooth rounded contours of Smolder's head. The very sensation of her scales pleased me now that I was making physical contact with her again. I so very dearly missed holding her hand in mine. I gently rubbed my fingers along her scalp and over her spines. It was while doing so that I found her spines were not at all like Spike's. Instead of being a single hardened ridge, they were tightly packed fibers not entirely unlike hair. They were sturdy and did not bend terribly easily. I am sure that they could be weighed down with water if soaked enough... And in hindsight, they were when she took a shower in my home. Regardless, I continued to tenderly caress Smolder's head in an attempt to rouse her as gently as possible.

Eventually, I got a response. I felt Smolder's head turn onto its side before her hands grabbed my arm. She mumbled groggily in her sleep as she remained in slumber. I tried to reach for her head again while being unable to see her, but I instead found one of her hands grasping my own. I let out a sigh as I felt that familiar sensation that only she could provide me. Her hand and mine, finally grasping each other again. In her sleep, I heard Smolder mumble quietly, "Don't go... Please..."

"I won't, sweetheart..." I mumbled in reply without any expectations of her hearing me. I just wish I knew what I did or said that drove her away that day. But now that she was finally back, I was not going to let go.

Eventually, I heard Smolder starting to stir further. I remained silent to allow her to make the first move. She was my guest and she had clearly been hurt. It was up to her to decide how this encounter would start. I felt Smolder's hand release its grip on my arm, but the hand grasping my own remained for a moment longer before slowly sliding out of my grip. I knew she was aware of who that hand belonged to. I heard her starting to crawl towards the entrance to the coop and stepped to the side to see her emerge. She did, but without even looking at me. I remained silent while she rose to her feet, but her posture was poor while she still look quite exhausted. But I could still see it in her eyes. That same empty stare from before.

I was unsure of how to even greet her. She just stood there, not really looking at anything. And I did not think she was merely still sleepy. I began to reach for her, trying to find simple words to ease us into things. "Hey... Haven't seen you in a while..."

Before I could even reach her, Smolder lifted her hand and weakly pushed mine away without even looking at me. "Sorry... Just came back to...reminisce... I think that's the right word..."

Her voice was so lacking in emotion... It was not that she was sad or upset. She... She sounded so empty. Just...so full of despair. And she...rejected my touch. She loved holding my hand the last time we saw each other, but now... "I'll get going now... I don't belong here."

"Hey, that's..." I started to say before she began to shuffle towards the Everfree Forest again. I felt a sense of alarm. If I lost her now, I would likely never see her again. I had to try and convince her to not depart. "Smolder, I haven't seen you in almost two months. I thought you were dead..."

"Well, maybe I will be soon... Not like anyone will miss me." She replied so coldly with a flicker of bitterness in her voice. What was wrong with her? She was never the most idealistic girl I have ever known, but this...utter nihilism was not like her. What broke her since that day?

Regardless, I was not going to settle for Smolder marching off into that forest if she had no real regard for her own survival. "That's not true and you know it. I... I'd miss you. I've been missing you and worrying about you since the day you left..."

Her response was equally cold. And even a bit angry as her posture became more rigid with her hands clenching into fists. "Well, you shouldn't..."

I began to approach her as Smolder came to a stop. I knew she had been hurt and that two years of aimless wandering and being chased off by the locals of any settlement she visited could not be good for her psyche. "Well, I do. And I want to make..."

Smolder suddenly turned around and glared at me with the emptiness in her eyes replaced with a frightful combination of frustration and pain. She practically screamed at me with blue embers flickering around her jaws. "Mom and Dad didn't want me! How could I ever expect you to?!"

My god, that hurt... I do not know what drove her to make such a harsh assumption about me, but that stung. And I think I saw something else in her eyes. Disappointment. Somehow, I remembered a very specific moment at that instant. When she told me to not make her regret opening up to me. And...I think I let her down. I have no idea how I did so, but I had a very strong feeling that I did something to fail her. She opened her heart to me, and I did something to hurt her. And the worst part was that I did not have the slightest idea of what it was I did.

Looking like she was on the verge of tears, Smolder turned away and began to approach the edge of the pen. I could not even bring myself to respond to what she just said. But as I watched her walk away... I panicked. I knew that this would be the last time I would ever see her if she got away. Steeling my nerves, I walked stiffly and briskly up behind her with long strides before dropping to one knee and wrapping my arms around her from behind. "Please... Don't..."

I heard Smolder exhale sharply as her hand immediately went to my arm and tried to pry herself out of my grip. She could have rend my skin with those claws. Or even scorched my arm with her flames. But she did not. She merely squirmed and pushed, trying to loosen herself free with her only free arm. "Just lemme go! I don't belong here and... And..."

She stopped the instant I reached up with my hand while trying to keep a firm grip on her. When my hand rested upon hers, she became still. Our time together had been brief, but I knew this simple gesture was sacred to her. As it was to me. I had never felt someone hold my hand in Equestria until I met her. And I could tell that her hand had never held another until it held mine. I could feel Smolder's breathing become increasingly labored and erratic as I felt her lungs quiver through her scales. I got through to her. Her defiance was fading. And so I whispered the same words I heard her whisper to me mere minutes earlier. "Don't go... Please..."

Mere seconds later, Smolder's hand fell from my arm. And another few seconds later, something happened that I did not entirely expect. She wept. Smolder let out a painful wail as she stood there in my embrace with her face turned to the sky. I could feel her tears cascading down onto my arms. I had no reason to restrain her, so I gently released her from my grasp. But no sooner had I done so did she turn around and clamp her hands onto my shoulders as she pleaded with such a look of utter desperation in her eyes. "Please don't leave me...! Please don't leave me like they did...!"

Dear lord, I never imagined I would live to see a dragon look so pitiful. Those tears just flowing down her face... Even I was starting to feel tears of my own beginning to build in my eyes to see someone I was very concerned for in such pain. I placed one hand on her side and gently cupped one side of her face with the other as I spoke softly to the delicate dragon girl. "I'm not going anywhere... I'm right here for you."

Smolder buried her face into my shirt and continued to whimper pathetically. She sank to her knees, but I just scooped her up into my arms and carried her out of the pen and into the shade of the cottage nearby. I sat down with my back to the wall while tall grass served as a comfortable cushion. Smolder never really stopped crying during the relocation, but she was starting to fall quiet while I gently stroked my hand over her back and down her tail to her magenta tail spade. My own tears had begun to spill right then, sharing in her sorrow and longing as I too was extraordinarily relieved to finally have my little friend back in my life after weeks of dreadful uncertainty.

Finally, I had to ask an important question as Smolder's weeping finally came to a stop. I looked down at Smolder with her head right under my chin while being mindful of her horns. I then whispered as my hand found its way to hers, "Smolder... You told me back then to not make you regret this... Did I...do that?"

I heard her let out a long sigh before she replied quietly, "No... No, you didn't... I... I don't regret... I... I... I just don't know anything anymore..."

"I mean... Last time... Did I say or do something to hurt you?" I asked again, trying to get some answers on what I could have done to drive her away that day.

Smolder went silent for maybe ten seconds before she muttered quietly, "I... I don't know... I'm not sure what it was about what you said, but... I... Please, don't think I'm trying to dodge any questions, but... I just don't know...why I felt the way I did... I thought...you didn't want me around anymore... That I wasn't needed... I feel so stupid that I keep doing this... I don't...want to stay away... It's just that..."

"Smolder... Sweetheart... I never wanted you to stop coming to see me... I know we haven't known each other long, but... In just this short time, I've come to adore you. And I want to keep adoring you. And...I want you in my life." I replied tenderly, trying to soothe her sense of self worth. She may try to put up an aloof snarky facade at times, but I know Smolder has a fragile soul.

It was only then that Smolder looked up at me with her tired beautiful blue eyes. She panted in exhaustion as a sniffle escaped her nostrils. "You...really mean that?"

I replied the best way I could. I lifted both of her hands until they were before us. I then showed a slight smile as I tenderly closed my hands over both of them. That was all I needed to do as Smolder displayed such a look of reassurance as more tears flowed from her eyes. But not of sorrow or pain. She was happy. She knew she was home. And most importantly, she knew she was wanted.

Smolder closed her eyes and tilted her head down until her forehead was resting against my hands. I would never expect such earnest gestures from someone so young, but Smolder is a very earnest young lady. She whispered happily to me as the flow of her tears finally came to a stop, "I... I never knew just how much I missed this..."

"I... I missed this too... You have...such a tender touch..." I muttered back as I just felt so calm in her presence. I was in no hurry to get up. I knew I needed to feed the chickens and collect the eggs, but we needed this. It could wait a while longer.

I eventually felt Smolder try to pull her hands apart from each other once she lifted her head to look at me. She never looked at my hands. She just looked into my eyes as I gazed back. She did that a lot the last time... And I enjoyed that gaze of hers. "I like it when you look at me..."

"I like to look at you...because you make me happy." Smolder replied sweetly in a manner uncharacteristic of a dragon. At least from what I have heard of them from her and Spike and just about everyone else who has encountered one. I finally opened my hands to allow hers to be freed, but she immediately turned the tables on me by bringing my hands together and clasping them between both of hers. Her face was directed at our hands, but her eyes were looking up at me.

I could not stop gazing into her eyes anymore than she could stop gazing into mine. By which I mean we could not. The silence between us being interrupted only by the sound of a summer breeze blowing through the trees and grass may have seemed awkward to anyone who witnessed it, but I loved it. I did not want to look away from her. I was so afraid for her... But she was with me again and I was happy to be there for her.

Eventually, I had to ask. While Smolder gazed up at me with my hands being held between hers, I asked softly, "What were you doing out there all this time?"

Smolder's eyes fell upon our hands before they looked up at me with a less happy gaze. "Just...getting by... Thinking about you... Wanting to see you again, but... I felt like I shouldn't... I..."

Smolder closed her eyes as she pulled my hands forward and held them to her cheek. "I can't believe how much I missed this... It's...still so warm... I kept...rubbing my head...thinking it was you... I... I wanted to feel your touch again... Wanted you to teach me more on how to read...and write... I tried writing stuff on bits of wood sometimes... Stuff I wanted to show you, but... I just couldn't... I couldn't remember everything after just one time..."

"Then...why today?" I asked, wondering why she would come back if she was so convinced that she should not be there with me.

Smolder removed one hand from both of mine, allowing me to pull one free and cup her cheek with the other while her one hand held mine to her face. She looked so apologetic as she looked at me, almost guilty even. "I... I got desperate... I wanted to feel happy again, so... I came back just to try and remember the last time...you found me... I didn't think you were still looking for me... I..."

Smolder went silent as another tear trickled free from her eye and slid right under my fingers. "I... I guess I just kept lying to myself... Telling myself you weren't worth being around... I... I guess I was just tired of being hurt... Tired of...getting my hopes up..."

"Smolder... I said you were always..." I began to say, but I was silenced when Smolder reached out and cupped my cheek with her hand in the same way I was doing with hers. We gazed at each other in respectful silence, the need for words no longer being present for a short while.

A somber smile spread across her lips as Smolder finally spoke to me. "There were...two things I remembered how to write... And I kept writing them over and over to make sure I wouldn't forget. One was my name... I guess...it was just to make myself feel important enough to be worth having a name."

"And the other?" I asked quietly in sincere curiosity.

Smolder's smile brightened as she spoke even more softly. "Your name."

Just to prove it, her hand left my face before she pressed one finger into my chest. She drew along my chest with her claw, carving an imaginary word into my shirt. I felt her claw slide around in the shapes of letters. J, followed by an A, then a M, and then an E, and ending with a S. I...felt so touched as she did that, writing my name often just to preserve her memory of me. I actually got a bit chocked up as she did that before she whispered, "I felt like I shouldn't see you again... That I should just forget about you, but... I couldn't. I just...couldn't forget you. Like...a little voice in my head told me to not forget... So I didn't... And...I'm glad I didn't... And... I'm especially glad you...didn't forget me... I... I really...really wanted to see you again, James..."

It felt...nostalgic hearing her say my name for the first time since we last met. I tried to find the right words to say, but failed. However, I think I did not need to. The tear that Smolder wiped from my cheek was all she needed to see. No words were spoken for a while longer. I just continued to rub her cheek with my hand while her hand rested on the back of mine. She never looked away from me. It did my heart good to see her happy again. I eventually began to lower my hand, but Smolder had other ideas. She grabbed me by the wrist and brought my hand right back to the side of her face as she closed her eyes and sighed, basking in my touch. I almost chuckled at just how much she desired my presence. She could not get enough of my touch.

My other hand eventually made its way to her chest. I am not sure why I reached for it. I guess I just wanted to feel the warmth of her body. She did feel somewhat warm to the touch. And even better, I could feel a faint tempo in her chest. Her heart was beating away against my palm. Smolder placed her hand over mine, face tilted down at my arm while her eyes glanced up at me like before. I could only smile back at her. I eventually tried to pull my hand away, but Smolder once again took hold of it and brought it right back to her chest and pinned it there under her hands like she was holding a precious treasure to her bosom. I decided then was a good time to inquire about that. "You really like my touch, huh?"

"Mmhm..." Smolder mumbled as that was the only response I got out of her. I did not mind. I adored her touch as much as she loved mine. However, I came to remember what was on her back. My spare hand reached behind her and began to feel along the folded frames of her wings. This surprised her since Smolder suddenly looked back before glancing at me. "My wings...?"

"May I see?" I asked quietly, a simple curiosity in my heart wanting to see the dragon girl's wings. A silent smile spread across her lips while she finally released my hand and crossed her arms over her chest to likely give her wings more room to move. I watched in silence as she spread those grand wings as wide as she could. Well, that might be an overstatement. Her wings were not even as long as her body. Smolder looked at me patiently, awaiting my evaluation.

My hands reached out to her wings' membrane before I started to gently drag my fingers along them. I was expecting them to feel similar to a bat's wings, but I was left surprised. Instead of having a leathery feel, the inside of the membrane had a texture akin to a lizard's skin without consisting of any scales. Smolder was a little ticklish as she snickered a bit from my touch and struggled to keep her wings open.

Not wanting to kill the mood or to risk damaging the delicate membrane of her wings, I brought my hands to her wings' frames. They reminded me of Nightmare Moon's wings in terms of shape and the locations of the joints. Smolder let out a delighted sigh at my touch as my hands slid up and down her wingspan. Wanting to make her feel as happy as possible, I threw out a compliment that would please any woman. "You have a very beautiful set of wings."

That compliment might have worked better than I intended. Smolder blushed hard upon hearing my words and fidgeted with a crooked grin. She finally muttered, "No wonder I missed you so bad... You really know how to make a girl feel special."

Once again, Smolder surprised me. She leaned forward as her wings reached around my back and embraced me. Smolder became pinned to my chest with her arms still crossed over her own chest. This soon changed as I felt her hands turn over and rest upon my chest, the two of them making gentle circular motions as she rubbed me most tenderly. It was only then that I began to realize just how romantic the situation was getting and started to wonder if this was a bad idea.

But I could never push her away. Not after all she had been through. And... I would be lying if I said I did not feel a very strong desire to kiss her with her face now so close to mine. However, I had to take into account what such a gesture would mean to her. She was not like the dragons of her homeland. She had renounced her people's culture a while ago. And... A most uncomfortable thought entered my mind as Smolder pressed against me with my body now held captive in her wings. She was young. Very young. Older than Spike and Scootaloo, but...

Smolder's hands soon slid up my chest and began to tenderly cup my face much like I had done minutes earlier. She looked so happy, the faint scent of sulfur on every other breath she took. Gone was the angst and despair that had been in her eyes not even an hour ago. She looked easily the most at peace I had ever seen. And she whispered in confirmation of my silent observations. "When you hold me like this... I can't...feel upset or worried about anything... Like... I just know that everything will be OK... Just as long as I'm with you..."

My hands reached under Smolder's wings and rested upon her lower back as her hands tenderly caressed my face and gingerly pushed a lock of hair out of the way. I could not believe how lovingly tender a dragon could be right out of the badlands. And I adored that about her. The way she held me... The sincerity of everything she said... And just the way she looked at me... Try as I might, I could not see her as a kid. This dragon girl was no child. There was no immaturity or childlike wonder in those eyes. She was a earnest young woman and my perceptions would not be convinced otherwise.

I was left feeling very conflicted over the walking paradox that Smolder was. She looked like an older child, but... She did not feel like one. Most likely somewhere in her adolescence. Living out in the wild for two years must have forced her to mature or at least discipline herself for the sake of survival. Smolder must have noticed my internal worries since her expression soon showed concerned while cupping my cheek like a loving girlfriend. "What's wrong...? Are you OK?"

I felt her wings grip me more tightly as she became concerned for me. I did not want to give her reason to worry and I was not upset at her in the slightest. With my hands still resting upon her back, I whispered to her. "What's it like...being a kid when you're a dragon?"

Smolder gave me a bemused smirk as if she was not entirely surprised, yet did not see such a question coming. "Well... I can't say I would know right now. I haven't been a kid since I got kicked out of home."

"Sorry..." I mumbled as I realized I likely brought up some bad memories. However, Smolder responded by placing one finger upon my lips.

"Don't be." She whispered back before she tilted her head down and nestled it under my chin while being careful that her horns bordered my neck. "If I never left home... I wouldn't be here with you right now."

I was touched by those words. It really was a silver lining after all she had gone through. And I did want to keep her happy as much as I could. My hand rose from her lower back and rested upon the back of her head as I whispered with sincerity, "And I'm grateful for that... You're...being very sweet to me."

"Oh... I guess...I'm just following your lead." Smolder replied as she lifted her head until she was looking at me with a somewhat bashful grin on her face. "It's just that you've been so good to me ever since I came back the first time. And... Well..."

There was something about that look in her eyes that made me a bit uncomfortable. Her eyelids lowered while I felt her hands rest over my chest near my heart. A look of deep earnest sincerity filled her gaze as she whispered to me with such a tender tone to her voice, "I want to be good to you too."

An uneasy and tingly warmth surged through my nerves. I think she may have been coming onto me without actually realizing it. As much as I was enjoying our time together, I felt that we should probably cut this moment short. Thankfully, it was then that I realized how long I was taking with the task that I had originally set out to do. "Hey... Um... I just now remembered that I was supposed to do something when I came out here... And I really shouldn't linger any longer."

A look of embarrassment formed on Smolder's face as she only then realized such a fact. "Oh... Was it to collect the eggs again?"

All I did was nod. I could tell that Smolder was reluctant to let go of me as she let out a sigh. But she still looked at me with a grateful smile while her hand cupped my cheek one more time. "I really enjoyed myself..."

"I can tell you did." I replied before I gently helped Smolder off of me. She folded her wings back where they belonged and stood up before I went to the little closet shed Scootaloo stores her scooter in to collect the bag of chicken feed. But when I went back over to the pen, I found that Smolder was nowhere to be seen. Just as I was beginning to fear that she had run off, I noticed the pail I had dropped had been situated next to the coop's entrance. And I soon saw Smolder's hand reach out and drop an egg into it.

I smiled that my little friend was helping out to speed things along and began to poor the chicken feed out in the pen. The hens had already emerged and began to peck away at their meal in a crescendo of soft clucks. I just watched with the sack of feed hoisted in my arms before I noticed Smolder walking over to me with the pail being dragged along the ground in her hand. She looked happy with herself as she lifted the handle up to me. "Here you go. Looks like a good haul."

"Thank you, Smolder. Just give me a minute." I replied before I went back to the shed to place the bag back inside. Smolder followed me every step of the way and handed the pail back to me. She looked up at me with smile as if awaiting my next move. I was happy to have her in my company. "You...want to come inside?"

"Sure!" Smolder chirped as she grabbed my empty hand once again. I could only smile while I led her along. I am sure she thought I was alone again and likely just forgot that the cottage beside us was not originally mine.

I let go of Smolder to get the front door and led her inside. Fluttershy must have heard me close the door since I then heard her approaching from the kitchen. "Is everything all right, James? You were out there for... Oh?"

Fluttershy froze when she entered the living room as her and Smolder's gaze met. Smolder looked almost startled before her eyes glanced around the room, her expression becoming much more dry. "Oh, right... I forgot this is a pony's house."

However, Fluttershy's reaction was much more joyous. Her eyes went wide in wonder as she raised her voice. "Oh my...! You found a baby dragon?! She's adorable!"

Smolder suddenly flinched as if she had suddenly been insulted. She then glared at Fluttershy with a much more hostile gaze while her arms went straight down with her hands clenched into fists. "Ba... Baby?! I'm fourteen, you know!"

This revelation got a snicker out of me while Fluttershy took a step back in embarrassment. Smolder's age was no surprise to me. In fact, it was exactly what I was suspecting. My wife was quick to apologize as Smolder crossed her arms and defiantly looked away. "Oops... Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean... It's just that I've only seen one other little dragon before and he..."

As Fluttershy paused to find the right words, I decided to stand up for Smolder in a playful manner. I gently patted her on the head and said, "That's right, dear. She's not a little girl. She's a young lady."

Smolder glanced up at me with a proud smile before pointing her thumb at me while showing off quite a smirk that really seemed to suit her. "See? This guy gets it."

Fluttershy showed a more amused smile as she began to draw near. I think Gladesong had been put in the kitchen for an early lunch. I could hear Angela cooing to keep her occupied while Fluttershy stepped out. "Oh... Oh, I see what you mean. You're not a little dragon anymore. You're so much taller than the last one I saw... Although your little fangs here do make you look really cute."

Smolder flinched once again. Indeed, the two little fangs sticking out from her upper jaw were visible and did not make her look intimidating in the slightest. "Huh?! What sense does that make?! These are fangs. FANGS. They're for ripping the throats out of prey!"

"But I thought dragons feed primarily on diamonds and other precious stones." I replied before seeing Smolder look up at me with those fangs plainly visible. I then just had to say, "And she's right. They only make you look cuter."

"Oh, come on! Dragons don't do cute!" Smolder retorted while crossing her arms and looking away from me. I guess that old dragon pride had not quite left her despite her disdain for her own kind.

"Says who? All the other dragons back home?" I retorted while wondering what she would even say to that.

Smolder flinched once more, but hesitated in speaking. Her eyes darted around before she sighed in defeat with her arms hanging low as she hunched forward. She sighed bitterly as she grumbled, "OK, OK, so I guess I am kinda cute..."

"Nothing wrong with that." I said while I began to rub the side of her head with my hand. Smolder's grumpy scowl faded in seconds as she straightened her posture. I soon felt her hand rest over mine while a smile formed on her lips.

"You know what? If being cute gets me good feels like this, then I say dress me up in pink bows and glittery dresses." Smolder then said without much irony. I think she was sincerely trying to let go of the heritage she came from. She really did not want to be like the barbarians back home. Smolder then cast her gaze back to Fluttershy, who was watching with a patient smile. I suspect she was unsure of how to react to a pony that was not immediately wary or hostile. She did finally extend her hand to Fluttershy when I pulled mine away from her head. "So... Uh... The name's Smolder."

"It's nice to meet you, Smolder. And I see you've met James. I'm Fluttershy." Fluttershy replied while she placed her hoof in Smolder's grasp for a friendly shake as they stood roughly eye to eye.

However, I noticed Smolder freeze as Fluttershy introduced herself. I saw her eyes fall upon the bracelet around her wrist before glancing at the ring on my finger. She then asked with a cautious tone, "Are you...his mate?"

Unsurprisingly not used to such a primitive term, Fluttershy gave our little guest a puzzled gaze. "Mate? Um... If you mean I'm his wife, then... Yes. We've been married for roughly a month now."

Smolder's gaze instantly narrowed as she gave Fluttershy a much colder stare while her voice gained a bit of a bitter monotone to it. I was initially worried that Smolder was about to do something rash, but all she did was let go of Fluttershy's hoof. "Oh... Ok then."

Fluttershy did not seem to notice or at least question Smolder's shift in tone, but I noticed. And it worried me. This was not the first time she displayed a poor reaction to discovering that I was married. Why? Was she worried that having a wife meant I would not have time for her? Before we could even think about it, a noise caught our attention at the entrance to the kitchen. Even Smolder's gaze softened as she looked on in curiosity to see Gladesong toddling towards us.

"Oh, what are you doing out of your chair? Did mama keep you waiting?" Fluttershy said sweetly to her child as she turned and gave Gladesong a loving nuzzle. I suppose she did end up getting distracted by Smolder's arrival. However, Gladesong then looked at Smolder and took an immediate interest in her. She excitedly stumbled forward while saying 'dra' over and over again. Not exactly a real word, but I could tell she knew what Smolder was as the confused dragon girl looked on in bewilderment. "Oh, you see Smolder? Yes, she's a dragon. And a big one too."

Smolder did not appear to have any idea what to make of Gladesong as she took a step back when the tiny filly started pawing at her leg. I could only smile. It was quite cute to watch. Finally, Fluttershy caught on to what Gladesong wanted. "Smolder, would you like to hold her while I put the eggs away?"

"Huh? Um... Sure?" Smolder replied with some confusion before she reached down and picked Gladesong up in her hands. The little filly giggled as she hung there, her tiny wings flapping out of sync.

Seeing that she was at a loss of what to do, I instructed Smolder on how to properly cradle Gladesong as Fluttershy carried the pail of eggs into the kitchen for sorting and storage. "Let her lie in your arms... Yes, like that. And be sure to support her head."

"Uh huh...?" Smolder mumbled until she finally got it right. Gladesong quieted down and just looked up happily at our guest. Seeing that Smolder was doing fine, I just stood there in supervision.

It did not take long for me to notice how silent Smolder was. She did not say anything to Gladesong. She barely even moved. The atmosphere in the room started to get a little uncomfortable, so I stepped to the side to get a better look at Smolder's face. I was concerned that Smolder was not comfortable holding a baby pony. Instead... I was left confused by what I was seeing. And unnerved. Smolder was giving Gladesong a...disturbingly harsh glare.

"Smolder...?" I asked in concern. She did not respond. Gladesong was just fine, smiling sweetly up at the dragon girl as she was cradled comfortably in her arms. I thought I then heard a slight rustling above me and turned my gaze to the ceiling. What I saw only alarmed me further. Lining one of the narrow pathways used by Fluttershy's smallest animal friends was an entire row of chipmunks, squirrels, and birds. And right in the middle was Angela. They all were gazing down at Smolder in unnervingly silence while keeping a constant vigil. As if they were on the verge of pouncing upon her. Did they sense something wrong that I could not?

Taking this as a bad sign, I looked back to Smolder. My eyes went wide as I noticed thin trails of smoke beginning to rise from her jaws. All sorts of alarms went off in my head as I prayed that she was not about to do something violent. "Smolder?!"

She still did not respond. But just when I thought I was going to have to snatch Gladesong away from her, Gladesong herself stopped her from...doing whatever it was she had in mind. All she did was reach up and touch Smolder on the nose. This immediately snapped the dragon girl out of her brooding as her expression became one of confusion. Her eyes focused on her own nose where Gladesong's tiny hoof was touching her. Feeling the tension fading, I managed to smile and say, "I think she likes you."

Smolder's face shifted to display a very conflicted smile as she looked like she did not know what to do. Finally, she abruptly turned to me and held Gladesong out to me. "Take her..."

She looked pained. Afraid, even. I then asked, "Smolder, what's wrong? What did..."

"Take her!" Smolder all but yelled as a look of panic was set into her eyes as she looked like she was on the verge of tears. I reflexively took my daughter into my arms and watched as Smolder rushed out the door without a word.

I stood there in silence. Gladesong called out to Smolder as she disappeared with the door being left ajar. I knew better than to allow Smolder to disappear from my sight for too long. I entered the kitchen right away with my fingers petting Gladesong on the head to soothe her just in case she had been alarmed. The row of critters above me began to disperse now that the threat had passed. "Honey? Could you watch Gladesong for a bit? I think Smolder wants to talk to me in private."

"Oh? Sure, could you put her in the booster seat right there?" Fluttershy replied as she was just starting to finish putting the eggs in a tray in the refrigerator. I did not even really say goodbye. I set Gladesong in the seat, strapped her in, kissed her on the head, then rushed out the door. I was expecting to have to go around back since I was certain Smolder was going to go hide in the Everfree Forest. To my surprise, I did not have to go far at all. I barely got by the front door before I stopped. Smolder was out on the bridge that spanned the brook in front of our house, sitting at the edge with her legs dangling off the side and her hands holding up her face.

She did not even respond to my approach. I took a seat beside her and said nothing for a moment. She did not look angry. She did not even look upset. She looked more horrified than anything with a thin trail of tears flowing down her cheeks. I knew that something terrible very nearly happened, so I tried to approach the subject as carefully as possible without beating around the bush. "Why did you do that...?"

"I don't know... I just... I..." Smolder mumbled before covering her face and letting out a haggard breath before looking up at me. That tearful gaze was pathetic to behold. My gaze remained firm, yet concerned. I knew Smolder is not a bad person, and yet... What was going through her mind as she held my daughter?

Once more, Smolder turned her gaze back to her unsteady reflection in the babbling brook below us. Almost as if she was studying herself. Trying to understand the motives behind what she had almost done. I then quietly asked, "What were you going to do to her?"

"I... I can't even say it!" Smolder all but yelled as she held her face while the flow of her tears only intensified. "What's wrong with me?! She didn't do anything to me! I've got nothing against that...little thing..."

My response was to gently place my hand upon Smolder's head and gently rub my thumb along the fibrous crest of magenta hues that ran along the center of her scalp. She was very upset with herself. And considering her age of fourteen...

"Smolder... Listen to me." I said quietly yet sternly. She instantly turned her gaze to me, eyes open wide in distress as she looked to me for guidance. And so I decided to lay the likely truth bare. "Look, I know you don't have a bad bone in your body, but that was my daughter you almost hurt. As much as I care about you, I have to take this seriously. But I think I understand what your problem is."

I then gently tapped on her head. "The problem is right here. It's your brain."

Smolder gaze of distress turned into one of confusion. "My...brain? Is there a parasite in there that's screwing me up?"

"No, no, nothing like that. You said you're fourteen years old, right?" I replied while caressing her head to calm her. "That means you're still young. And most importantly, you're a teenager. Your body is maturing and your brain is still developing. This stage in your life can be very...unstable. Girls your age are much more likely to act on impulse than logical thought. It all comes down to how you cope with it. I'm not saying you're stupid. I'm saying your brain isn't fully developed yet."

My little friend turned her gaze to the water below again. The flow of her tears was steadily coming to a stop, but she did not look more at peace at all. "So... I'm an idiot who can't control her urges, huh? No wonder I've been chased away from so many places... Are all dragons just monsters deep down inside?"

I sighed in some mild exasperation. I knew Smolder was just exhausted from the same frustrating routine and it sounded like it was starting to seep into how she views herself. "Smolder... You don't give off that kind of vibe at all. Since the first time I met you, you've always been someone with a lot of restraint and maturity."

"Yeah? Well, that's because I had to learn early on that I needed to learn to think twice to stay alive. I don't think maturity is even the right word... I just had to... Um... What's that word? I know what it means, but..." Smolder replied before pausing in confusion due to an obvious lack of advanced diction in her vocabulary.

"Discipline?" I asked, pretty sure that I knew what she was referring to.

My guess was correct. "Yeah, that's the word. I had to...discipline myself to not make mistakes. I've learned to think twice on everything I do. But...I guess I can't do it all the time... Maybe it's not in a dragon's nature to be...good."

"That's absurd. Spike's been a good kid ever since the day I first met him. And I know you're a sweetheart in there too." I replied before resting my hand on the back of her neck. I wanted to set my hand upon her shoulder, but... It appeared that she just did not have any, if you can believe that.

Smolder glanced at me out of the corner of her eye in apparent confusion. "Spike...?"

Realizing that I had never mentioned my little friend to her, I decided to not keep her waiting as I pointed to my left at the distant town. "Yeah. He's a dragon boy living in Ponyville right over there. Nice kid too. He's Twi... Uh..."

I paused when I noticed that Smolder's face had changed to a look of utter annoyance. She then suddenly raised her voice as she asked, "Are you telling me that there's another dragon living in that town right there and you never told me about him?!"

I responded promptly, "You told me that you weren't in a hurry to meet anyone new at the time, so I didn't think it was important to bring up!"

"Yeah, well I... I..." Smolder began to say before falling silent and casting an aside stare at nothing in particular while still looking rather irritated. "Yeah, so I did... Guess that's my fault."

I could not help but let out an amused snort. At least Smolder was not upset anymore. Still, I felt that now was a good time for us to do something about that. "Well... How about I introduce you to the guy? And maybe a few of my other friends?"

Smolder glanced at me with a look of extreme unease. She did not like the sound of that at all. "Are you sure I won't get run out of town?"

"Absolutely sure. Besides..." I replied before stroking my fingers over her scalp. "They wouldn't dare run out someone as cute as you."

"Hey! I already told you that dragon's don't do cute!" Smolder barked in annoyance before crossing her arms and looking away from me.

Amused, I leaned forward and whispered into the little hole in the side of her head that served as her ear. "Says who?"

"Says... Says...all the other dragons back home..." Smolder mumbled as her arms fell to her side. Her face fell as well to gaze at the flowing water below us.

"Well, you're not like them. And you know it." I said softly before scooting behind her and folding my arms over her chest in an embrace. I looked over her head as I saw us both gazing back at each other. "You're not like the barbarians back there. You're a good girl. You're adorable. And...you're beautiful."

Smolder once more blushed hard, but she also squirmed and grinned brightly as her eyes squinted shut. "Why does it always feel this good to hear that?!"

"Would you prefer it if people called you ugly? Or terrifying? Or cruel?" I asked in response, knowing that Smolder did not fit such harsh terms.

She once more gazed at her own reflection. A conflicted gaze settled into her eyes as she I saw them look up at the reflection of my own face right above her head. She sighed deeply before a slight smile formed on her lips. "No... I...wouldn't like being called that... I'd rather be called cute over any of those. Although..."

I felt her place her hands over my arms before she looked at my reflection while I looked at hers. "I prefer being called beautiful over anything else. It just...sounds nice."

"It's supposed to. Beauty is a precious thing. And I'm guessing dragons don't show it much back where you come from." I replied quietly as I cherished the touch of her hands upon my arms. I then asked, "Although... I'm sure some dragons can look quite graceful in flight."

"Heh... Yeah, some can. Just not so much the burliest ones. They're kinda ugly no matter how you slice it." Smolder muttered while she rubbed her hands along my forearms.

"Well... Would you like to show me how graceful you can be?" I whispered to my little friend, hoping to try and cheer her up more.

I saw her reflection smile at me as she said, "Sure. Just gimme some room. I haven't used my wings at all today."

I stood up and stepped aside while Smolder climbed to her feet as well. She soon spread her wings and took to the air with a great flap. I watched diligently as she hovered in the air, arms crossed while she looked down at me with a proud look in her eyes. She then began to fly circles around me, swooping low at times before rising back up. I tried to follow her movements at all times, but more often than not my gaze met hers. She never looked away from me as she circled me from above. Despite her barbaric origins, Smolder really was quite a graceful flier.

After a minute of watching Smolder strut her aerial skills, she came to a stop and hovered above me again with her arms crossed. She looked very pleased with herself. My response was to hold my arms out to her in invitation. Taking me up on my offer, she spread her wings wide and drifted down into my embrace before I held her against my chest while her arms and wings wrapped around me as well. We just stood there, holding each other in delight. It was a welcome change after all that tension from before. Although it did not last. Smolder soon whispered, "I'm sorry... I swear I won't do that again. Your kid... She's really sweet."

"And she sure seems to like you. I saw her touch your nose." I retorted quietly while nuzzling Smolder's head with my own. I had to mind her horns. Those are every bit as hard as they look.

I felt the muscles around Smolder's jaws shift as she smiled quietly. Eventually, Smolder whispered to me. "You think...we could go see that Spike kid now? I'll be OK if you're with me."

Pleased that Smolder was being brave enough to broaden her horizon's, I gladly honored her request. "Sounds good. Just let me go tell Fluttershy that I'll be gone for a bit and we'll head out."

I soon headed back up to my house and popped in before letting Fluttershy know about Smolder's request. She was more than happy to let me escort our little friend and wished me well before I headed back out to meet up with Smolder while she stood on the bridge. Together, we headed east towards Ponyville.

"So... This Spike guy... How old is he?" Smolder eventually asked as we followed the meadow path towards town.

"You know, I never asked. But he's younger than you. Since you're fourteen, I'd have to say he's...around twelve?" I replied while trying to make an accurate estimate. I know he is somewhere around Scootaloo's age, though maybe just slightly younger.

"Twelve? That means he'll be going through his growth spurt before long. Bet he's just a little guy right now." Smolder retorted while smirking a little. I think she was kind of glad to know there was a dragon around younger than her.

As we neared Ponyville's perimeter, I started to feel like Smolder was getting a little too quiet. When I glanced down at my side, I noticed that she was no longer beside me. It was only when I turned around that I noticed her maybe twenty paces behind me. She was rooted to the ground, her eyes gazing unblinkingly into the town before us with a look of extreme unease.

I knew what was wrong. I walked up to Smolder and said, "There's nothing to be so worried about. They won't harass you. The people of Ponyville are good people."

"Yeah, I know you kinda said that. Just..." Smolder mumbled before she reached for my hand. "Could you hold onto me? Just in case?"

I felt a twinge of delight to see Smolder put so much faith in me. And I was not going to let her down. I gently grasped her hand before turning back to Ponyville. "Shall we?"

Smolder said nothing as we headed into town. Sure enough, nothing happened that was cause for concern. Smolder stayed at my side at all times while tightly clutching my hand. She did get a lot of stares, likely due to be the first dragon to visit Ponyville who was not Spike, but no one approached us. Even so, Smolder did not relax her grip on my hand. I know Spike did not speak with any sort of pleasure when describing his encounters with other dragons and Smolder has never had anything nice to say about her own kind as well. In an attempt to pass the time, I asked, "I take it dragons aren't exactly welcome in most places in Equestria?"

"I wouldn't know. I haven't even met any dragons out here since leaving home, so I'm guessing they just stay out of the way. But... I'd have to say they probably are always up to no good when they do show up if most ponies don't like me being around." Smolder replied while her eyes constantly and warily scanned her surroundings.

"Then it's a good thing Spike made a good first impression before you showed up." I said softly before the library came into view. "There it is. Spike should be inside right now."

Smolder, understandably perplexed, cocked her head to one side. "Um... All I see is a tree."

"Yeah, it is. And it's been hollowed out to convert it into a kind of dwelling. And yes, the tree is somehow still alive." I explained while leading Smolder closer.

"It is...? Oh wait, now I see the door and the windows and...all that other stuff higher up. Ponies have weird taste in housing sometimes." Smolder said as she turned gaze up at the balcony that was higher up.

"Yeah, it sounds like you don't have a high opinion of ponies to begin with. I guess...being chased off time and again would do that." I replied while trying to not hold her prejudice against her. I think it was more out of frustration than anything.

"No, it's not that... It's just..." Smolder muttered before she came to a stop a short distance from the library. She looked conflicted as she gazed up at me. "I get that most places around here don't trust dragons, but... Well... All the dragons back home don't have the nicest things to say about ponies. They...think ponies are weaklings and inferior in pretty much every way."

Weaklings, huh? I was especially curious of what their reactions would be if they dared to say that to the three royal sisters. Still, I guess I was not entirely surprised to hear of such arrogance being commonplace among dragons. Still, I looked down at Smolder and asked, "Do you think ponies are wimps too?"

Smolder's gaze wandered as she had a hard time looking at me. "I don't know... I mean don't get me wrong. I have no shame in leaving that place behind and I'm not blind to just how barbaric dragons are back home, but... I guess old habits die hard. I'm really trying to look past all that. I've seen a lot of places the last two years and I'm amazed at just how much...better Equestria is compared to where I come from. The ponies are the real masters of this world. And they don't need brute strength to do it."

Her words made me smile. Smolder really does has wisdom that most girls her age do not. I reached out and rubbed my hand over her head, smiling at her while she smiled back in response to my display of affection. "You'll get there someday."

"Thanks... So, is that Spike kid home?" Smolder then asked while approaching the door.

Remembering all of the bad early encounters I had with that door, I quickly spoke up. "Whoa, hold up. Lemme check first."

Smolder stopped in her tracks and glanced back at me. I then peered through the nearest window to see if Spike or Twilight was coming. I saw no sign of Twilight, but Spike was sorting books on one of the shelves that line the walls. "OK, the coast is clear. Let's head on in."

My little friend just gave me a more perplexed look as if she did not understand what I was so concerned about. She stepped inside first while I was right behind her. Spike immediately detected our approach and turned to say hello, but immediately froze in surprise as he dropped the book he was holding.

The three of us just stood there in tense silence. Smolder remained still as she and Spike shared an long unwavering stare. A full ten seconds went by before Smolder raised her hand and at least tried to initiate conversation. "Yo."

I know every encounter Spike has had with dragons have been encounters he was not happy to recall, so I was a little concerned of how he would react to seeing another right in his own home. Thankfully, he did not become hostile or wary. Probably because Smolder's body did not look a whole lot different from his own. Her smaller size likely made her appear to be less troublesome. "Um... I... You're..."

Hoping to ease the two of them in a bit, I set my hand on Smolder's head. "It's OK, Spike. I swear she doesn't mean any harm."

"She...? You're a girl?!" Spike asked loudly as he recoiled in utter surprise. I am guessing he has never seen a female of his own kind before.

Apparently annoyed that Spike could not notice Smolder's more feminine traits, the little lady crossed her arms while giving him a very dry look as she threw in a little snark. "Yes, I'm a girl and no, you can't check to make sure."

I facepalmed as I tried not to laugh. That was especially dirty of her to say. Still, Spike approached Smolder with his hand reaching out to her. "Oh, all right! Anyway, I'm Spike. And you know James?"

Smolder's dry stare faded while she glanced up at me briefly before looking back at Spike as a smile began to form on her face. "Yeah, I know him... And the name's Smolder."

The two dragons shared a handshake while I watched with great interest. They were off to a good enough start. I was just wondering where else this would go. Spike was then quick to make an observation. "Huh? Hey, you have wings!"

Almost as if on reflex, Smolder spread her wings to let Spike see them. "Yeah, I do. What about it... Oh, you're a digger!"

Spike and I both looked at each other in utter confusion. A digger? What did that even mean? Spike then looked at Smolder with an utterly baffled gaze and asked, "A what?"

"Oh, that's just what we fliers call flightless dragons." Smolder replied as she checked Spike's backside. Indeed, Spike has never had wings. Although... She might have been onto something. On the few occasions where I tagged along with Rarity when she went digging for gemstones, Spike would always display impressive burrowing finesse with his claws. He digs far faster with his bare hands than I ever could with a shovel. And Smolder was quick to point this out. "They don't fly, but they are excellent diggers. And they're really strong too. I bet you could even lift James no problem."

"I can?!" Spike asked while looking quite excited to learn a little more about himself from another dragon. He then suddenly looked up at me and said, "I gotta try this! James, lemme hold you!"

"What?! Well... Uh... Sure. Just let me find a better center of gravity first." I replied before lying on my back while Smolder looked on with amusement. I was really hoping she was not making any of that up.

Spike walked up to me before taking a few deep breaths and stretching his arms. "I've never tried lifting something as big as you... Here goes!"

I was not expecting much in the way of progress, but Spike surprised me. He lifted one side of me to try and get to the center of my back, but then lifted me right above his head without much delay. It was really awkward for me since my head and legs were still touching the floor as if I was sprawled out on an exercise ball, but Smolder just applauded at Spike's show of strength. I never would have expected the little guy to have that much muscle in him. Still, I then said, "OK, you're a total powerhouse! Now can you please put me down?!"

"Oh, sure!" Spike replied before he very gingerly set me back down on the floor. But right as I was starting to sit up, I noticed that Spike had pulled out a mirror tall enough to show his whole body looking back at him. Smolder and I looked on in bemusement as Spike began to flex. "Man, I never knew I was this ripped all along! Can't wait to show Sweetie Belle."

"Tch... I like this kid." Smolder quietly said to me while giving me an aside glance. But she then walked up behind Spike and asked slyly, "Sweetie Belle, huh? Who's she? Someone special?"

Spike, suddenly realizing what he had said in front of us, turned to face Smolder while turning the mirror around. Where did he even get it? "Huh?! Oh, uh... Just a friend! We see each other to play sometimes and..."

"She's his girlfriend." I said at the first pause in Spike's words.

Smolder immediately pounced upon the opportunity to mess with Spike further and grinned slyly as she asked, "Ooh, lucky her! I bet she's gonna like it when her man carries her in his arms like a total hunk. Right?"

Spike was blushing furiously as he looked ready to just curl up and die, but his embarrassment was distracted by such a thought. He brought a finger to his chin as he went silent in thought. "Huh... Yeah, I bet she would like that..."

I got a good laugh out of that and took some steps towards the little guy. "Spike, it's OK. A lot of people know you two are seeing each other. Even Rarity knows and she's very happy for both of you."

I was not expecting Spike's panicked response. "Rarity?! She knows?! Oh no, I meant to break it to her gently! Oh man, I feel awful! I didn't mean to beak her heart! Was she OK when she found out?!"

Dear lord, now I know why Rarity was getting fed up with that kid's crush on her. Smolder looked on in complete confusion since she had no idea who Rarity even was. I then just rolled my eyes and said, "She's fine, Spike. She knew it was never gonna work out with you anyway."

Spike breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Phew! That's good... She really deserves a guy who can be her prince. I'm just sorry it's not gonna be me."

Smolder then gave me a mildly amused smirk and asked with her arms crossed, "Has he always had a vain streak?"

"Yup." I retorted as she and I laughed for a brief moment. Spike did not seem to get what we meant as he glanced back and forth at us.

Finally, Spike walked up to Smolder and asked, "So... Will I ever get as tall as you? I mean you kind of look like me, but..."

It was only then that I got a good look at Spike next to Smolder. When taking his spines out of the equation, the top of his head roughly reaches the base of Smolder's neck. He really is a rather scrawny kid, although I doubt that would last. Smolder soon confirmed this thought as she put a finger atop Spike's tallest spine. "Oh, I'd say you're probably due for a growth spurt really soon. If you ask me, you'll have put on a few inches by this time next year."

"That soon?! Sweet!" Spike rejoiced as he jumped as high as he could with his fists reaching for the ceiling. I concurred with Smolder. It was high time for him to start gaining a few inches.

Pretty soon, the two dragon kids sat down on the floor and just started talking. I leaned against the wall nearby, just listening in and making sure Smolder knew I was still there. I doubt she would appreciate me leaving her alone, even if she was bonding with a fellow dragon who is a good kid. "So... How long have you been living in Equestria?"

"Since the day I hatched. I mean I have seen some of the dragon lands, but all the dragons there are jerks! I never wanna go back there." Spike retorted while bringing up that one time I was not here to witness. He only told me about it once.

"You actually went there, huh?" Smolder said as her eyes glanced away at nothing in particular. "Why would you ever do that? I've been there and... Well, it's not the nicest place with not he nicest people."

"I...uh... I was going through a bit of an...existential crisis, I guess? I think that's what they call that? I wanted to know what it was like to be a real dragon. But, when I got there and started to fit in a bit..." Spike said before his gaze fell to the floor. He held a hand to his face as he sighed harshly, "I couldn't do it... I couldn't be like them... Not if it meant being a worse person..."

Smolder looked on with concern before gently patting Spike on the head. "That's good. You're too nice a kid to get yourself mixed up with those guys."

"Heh... Thanks... I guess the most important thing I got out of that trip was that it's not about what I am. It's about who I am." Spike replied as he smiled back at his new friend. However, those surprisingly wise words seemed to get to Smolder as her expression became a more thoughtful gaze.

"It's not about what you are, but who you are..." Smolder muttered as her gaze wandered. I noticed her glance at me, causing me to smile back at her. She smiled as well before looking at Spike. "That's some really good advice. I gotta remember that..."

As they began to chat about more mundane things, such as what there is to eat another there and something about phoenix chicks, I happened to notice something odd about Smolder's posture. The way she was sitting... It was different from how Spike and I sit. She was down on her haunches like a dog. Maybe it was because her body is lankier than Spike's, but her legs were folded vertically with her feet flat upon the ground.

I started to wonder how she even did that. It very uncomfortable from where I was sitting. Still, I decided to experiment. I sat down on the floor and tucked my legs in close as if I was trying to do a sit-up. Try as I might, I could not get my torso to straighten itself up and was in a lot of discomfort as I tried. My awkward sitting position did not go unnoticed as Smolder asked, "Uh... James...? What're you doing?"

Rather embarrassed that I had been caught doing some very weird floor exercises, I rolled over and looked back at her. "I was just wondering how you sit like that. Isn't it uncomfortable trying to keep yourself sitting up straight like that with your legs folded? Although I'm sure your tail helps..."

Smolder got a bit of a snicker out of that before bringing up something about her anatomy that I did not expect. "Well, maybe they would be if they were in front of me. My legs are at my sides, so they're not in the way."

"Your...sides?" I mumbled before standing up and coming over to look at her from a different angle. She was not kidding. Her legs as well as her arms were not set up like those on a human. Instead, they came directly out of the sides of her torso like those on a lizard. Fitting for a reptile, I suppose. "Huh... So they are... You don't even have shoulders... Does that make it easier to get around on all fours? I know I've seen Spike do it sometimes..."

"Sure does!" Smolder replied before suddenly crawling onto her hands and feet and beginning to walk in circles around me. She was quite adept at it as if her body had been designed primarily for a quadruped stance. Just as I was expecting her to go back to where she was sitting, I got a surprise when Smolder went behind me and crawled right up my back until she was holding onto me with her head right behind me. "Although I gotta say climbing you is a lot easier than climbing trees."

Spike just crossed his arms and smirked in amusement at his new friend's cheeky side. Smolder soon propelled herself from my back with a flap of her wings to land on the floor and went back to her prior position. This time, she was much more lax in her posture and set a hand upon her right knee while her other leg rested on the floor while curled inward. She went right back to talking with Spike and asked, "So... What's it like being a dragon in this place? Does anyone give you a hard time?"

"No, not that I can remember. Just about everypony in Ponyville is really nice. Even when I lived in Canterlot, nopony batted an eye at me being a dragon and... Oh, is that Twilight?" Spike replied before turning his attention to the stairs. The sound of hooves could be heard coming from the stairs leading into he loft. And sure enough, Twilight Sparkle soon came into view.

"How is the alphabetizing coming alo..." Twilight began to say before she froze upon locking eyes with Smolder. The dragon girl looked back with a look of alarm. I suspect she thought she was about to be ordered to leave like many times before. However, Twilight merely replied in greeting, "Oh, you made a new friend?! Well, hello! My name is Twilight Sparkle. And you've met Spike? And...James too?"

I just waved back at Twilight when she acknowledged my presence. Smolder began to relax a bit since she then said, "Uh... Yeah. Spike and I have just been...talking and... Um..."

Spike then spoke up for Smolder. "She's really nice too! A lot nicer than the last dragons we saw. Right, Smolder?"

She really was not expecting such a genuine compliment and visibly blushed at Spike's sincerity while fidgeting a bit. "Heh... Thanks. I'm just trying to not start trouble while I'm here."

It was then that Spike went over to the pile of books he had been sorting and went right back to work. "Oh right, I almost forgot about what I was doing. I'll have the rest of these sorted in just a little bit, Twilight."

Smolder looked over at Spike in puzzlement as the dragon boy put the books on the shelves one by one. She looked back at Twilight and extended her arm towards Spike as if trying to ask a question without speaking. Twilight understood what Smolder was implying and said, "Oh, Spike is my assistant. He helps me with all sorts of tasks."

It was then that Smolder asked a much harsher question that none of us was expecting. "You mean he's your slave?"

That was rather startling to hear. And Spike was the first to come to Twilight's defense as he rushed in front of her. "What?! No, no, Twilight's my friend! I don't serve her! I help her! And I don't mind it at all!"

Smolder looked visibly embarrassed as she seemed to come to understand she had made a pretty drastic faux pas as she staggered to her feet. "Sorry! It's just... I guess I'm not used to seeing dragons working for or under ponies... We don't exactly have a high opinion of them and... It's just a pride problem and..."

"We know, Smolder. I was there when Spike ventured into the dragon lands. They're quite brutish, aren't they?" Twilight asked with a look of concern while starting to draw near.

I think Smolder must have saw Twilight's approach as an act of aggression since she started to step back with her hands held out before her. "Yeah, they are... But not me! I've got nothing against ponies! Just..."

Seeing that she was starting to come under duress, I got behind Smolder and kneeled so that she backed up into me. I immediately wrapped my arms around her, prompting Smolder to immediately place her hand upon my arm. She knew she was safe. I would not let anyone harm her and she knew it. I then whispered into her ear, "It's OK, Smolder. Twilight isn't going to hurt you."

While Smolder stood in my embrace, Twilight asked, "Have you two known each other long?"

"Yeah, kind of. I've known Smolder for a couple of months or so." I retorted before glancing at Smolder's scalp out of the corner of my eye. I then tried to give as good of an impression of her as I could. "She's lovely. Don't mind her occasional gruffness. Smolder's a sweetheart and I've adored her since shortly after we first met."

This heavy-handed praise was more than Smolder could bear. She buried her face in my arm and groaned, "Jaaaames, knock it off! I'm not that cute!"

"I never said you were! I only said you're lovely!" I replied while Smolder only cringed more as she screeched into my arm. Twilight and Spike laughed at her reaction, but I knew Smolder appreciated the positive reinforcement even if she was completely not used to it.

It was then that Twilight walked closer to Smolder and said, "Don't be so concerned about Ponyville, Smolder. Nopony will give you trouble. Nopony will ever discriminate you for being a dragon. This is a good place with good people and you'll be very happy here."

Smolder slowly lifted her face from my arm until she was looking back at Twilight with a gaze of caution. "Well... If every pony in town is as nice as you... I guess I really don't have anything to worry about at all."

It was then that Spike went back to work with his task. As he did, I stepped back from Smolder as Twilight stepped up to her. "Did I scare you a minute ago? I wasn't trying to..."

I could have answered that for her, but I chose to remain silent to let Smolder tell her tale in her own words. She sighed with her arms crossed, casting her gaze to her right, then at the floor, and finally back at Twilight. "Sorry... I've been chased away so many times that I kinda had a knee-jerk reaction... Are dragons really that much of a problem in Equestria? I haven't seen any since leaving home, so I wouldn't know."

Twilight's expression soured somewhat as she was confronted with a question even I never had the mind to ask. "Well... I've only had three encounters with dragons other than Spike and not one of them were good encounters. The first was a very large dragon living in a cave on a mountain not terribly far from here who was releasing large amounts of smoke in a deep sleep that could have had adverse effects on local weather systems..."

Smolder did not seem all that surprised. "One of the big guys, huh? Yeah, that doesn't happen very often, but sometimes the biggest dragons need some extra sleep thanks to their huge bodies. Too much greed will do that to you and most dragons actually don't want to end up like that."

"Yeah, Spike found that out the hard way... We're very lucky the royal guard didn't come knocking afterwards." Twilight muttered while looking very unwilling to discuss that topic. She went back on track and said, "Anyway, there was another living in the Everfree Forest that Spike ended up intruding on and Owlowiscious and I had to get him out of there. I really don't want to think about what would have happened if he caught up to us."

Smolder began to look somewhat uncomfortable the longer Twilight went on. I think it was out of sheer guilt by proxy. "And...the last time was when you went into the dragon lands, right?"

"Yes. And they were only juveniles. And I still don't want to think about what they might have done if they caught us if their idea of fun involves smashing phoenix eggs." Twilight retorted before smiling back over at Spike, who was diligently focused on his current task. "I'm really glad Spike is still with us. Despite everything, he's helped keep us keep our views of dragons relatively impartial."

Our little friend looked over at Spike as a calm smile spread across her lips. "Yeah... He's a good kid. I'm glad he's had a good life out here."

Right around then, Owlowiscious flew down from the stairs and began to flutter around Smolder in observation. Smolder connected the dots right away as she watched the owl circle her. "Oh, hey! You're Owlowiscious, right? Cool bird."

It was then that the little owl did something none of us expected. In need of a perch to land on, he reached out with his talons and wrapped his toes around the length of Smolder's right horn. She did not seem to mind at first, but immediately gained a look of alarm as his added weight made her start to tilt her head in one direction. "Huh?! Whoa, hey, what's going on?! Get off!"

This was so unexpected that all we could do was laugh. Owlowiscious is pretty light, so it did not take much effort for Smolder to pull back against his weight and hold her head straight. But she still glanced in annoyance at him and said, "That's it. I'm getting these trimmed this week. Poking holes in pillows is one thing, but I draw the line at having birds using me as a roost."

Owlowiscious finally flew off for a more stationary resting spot a moment later right as Spike walked over to us. "All done! Oh, and... Hey, Smolder? How about I show you something that's pretty awesome about living in Equestria?"

I noticed a thin book or magazine in his hand and knew where this was going. Twilight could see it too and displayed a knowing smirk. Smolder, ignorant as she was, became interested right away. "Something awesome, huh? What is it?"

Spike then held up his gift to her. One of his issues of the Power Ponies comic book series. "Comic books! They're fun to read and have amazing stories. And they have pictures, so you can follow along easily!"

The colorful comic got Smolder's attention as she took it in hand and flipped open to the first page. "Hey, this is cool! Loving the character designs here."

"What's it say?! It's the newest issue, so I haven't read it yet." Spike replied while I looked over Smolder's head to see what was going on.

Smolder hesitated in her response. She looked pretty uneasy about admitting she lacked a skill that someone younger than her had, especially one so simple yet important. She started to visibly sweat while mumbling and muttering as Spike asked, "Has Pharaoh Phetlock gotten better with swordplay? Is Radiance still going out with Hunter? Did Mistress Mare-velous reveal her..."

"I can't read, OK?!" Smolder finally barked as she closed the book between her hands. Even though she had memorized how to read and write her own name, she still had a long way to go in becoming literate.

Spike was the first to respond, though he just looked confused. "You can't read...? But...at least one of those dragons I saw could read."

This caught Smolder by surprise. And myself. How could some punk delinquent barbarian know how to read while someone more sophisticated like Smolder could not? Much to my surprise, Smolder seemed to know why. "He could...? Oh, he must have been from the dragon lord's territory."

"Dragon lord? Are you saying that there is a governing power in the dragon lands despite it being a wasteland right out of the stone age?" I asked in return, wondering why Smolder forgot to reveal this information to me.

"Well... Kind of?" Smolder replied while having some difficulty finding the right words. "It's a pretty big territory where I come from. The dragon lord calls the shots there and... Well, I guess it is a step up from the rest of the place. There's some education, I think they even figured out how to get metal from raw ore, but it's really not that much better. Trust me, they still got nothing on the rest of Equestria."

Before anyone could interject, Smolder then spouted another bit of information for us to take in. "Oh yeah, I also heard the original dragon lord kicked the bucket a while back. Now the dragon lord is his daughter. I've never seen her, but I've heard her name is Ember. And...that's about all I can tell you."

"A woman rules the dragon lord territory now? But... Isn't the correct term for that title dragon 'lady' instead of lord?" I asked while processing this new information. If Smolder was being truthful, then it is likely that we should not get our hopes up for even the dragon lord to guide the dragons into a more civilized era.

Twilight gave me a puzzled gaze as she said, "Perhaps... Although dragon lord does have a more authoritative sound to it."

It was then that Spike walked up to Smolder and shook her hand between both of his. "Well, I can promise you that if you decide to live in Ponyville, you'll have a good time. It's nothing like the dragon lands."

Smolder's eyes darted from side to side before she gave Spike a more subdued smile. "Sounds good... I'm already liking it here more."

Twilight then looked at me and asked, "Will you be taking her to see the rest of our friends? I think they'd be very happy to meet Smolder."

"I'd love to, but..." I retorted before looking down at Smolder while she glanced up at me out of the corner of her eye. "That's up to her. I don't want to drag her along if it'll make her uncomfortable."

Smolder did not take long to give us a response as she showed a quiet smile. "Well, if meeting them will be just as nice as meeting you two was... I'd say I'm up for it."

Twilight then gave Smolder a pleasant smile as she said, "Well, it was very nice to meet you, Smolder. Feel free to stop by anytime you want to say hello."

Our little dragon friend smiled back before looking at Spike. "Yeah, it was really nice. Oh, and hold onto that book for me. I'm gonna wanna check it out as soon as I figure out how to read."

Before Spike could respond, I remembered what I was carrying around in my pocket. "Hey, one more thing before we head out. Spike? Could you send please send this up to Celestia?"

I passed him that card I signed that morning complete with a little note on it instruction her who to send it to. Spike happily took it over to the front door and reduced the card to a plume of smoke that flew out the door. Smolder looked on in confusion as she asked, "Huh? Did that just... Did he really turn that piece of paper into smoke instead of ashes? And it flew off for...somewhere?"

Not surprised that Smolder had never seen something like that before, Twilight was quick to provide an explanation. "Oh, Spike's been able to do that for a long time. It's a spell that was cast on him that lets him serve as my means of direct communication with Princess Celestia in Canterlot."

"You've got connections to one of the princesses that run Equestria? Um... Wow. Friends in high places, huh?" Smolder retorted while looking more than just a bit unsure of what to say to someone with close ties to one of Equestria's rulers. With our business at the library concluded, Smolder and I stepped outside before I began to lead her to the southeast. Rarity's home would be the most convenient location to visit next.

Much like before, Smolder insisted on holding my hand as we walked through town. She glanced up at me and asked, "So... Um... Who exactly are we going to see today?"

"I was thinking we could meet my most important friends. You've already met Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle along with Spike. That just leaves Rarity, Rainbow Dash Pinkie Pie, and Applejack. Rarity lives close by, so I thought we'd go see her next, then Pinkie Pie back in town, and finally Applejack since she lives close to my place."

"And what about that Rainbow something?" Smolder asked as she noticed the one name I did not mention a second time.

"Her? Well, I guess we'll just have to bump into her when we find her. She lives south of here in her own house, but she spends a lot of time in Ponyville. Just look to he sky. If you see a light blue pegasus with rainbow stripes in her mane on a cloud somewhere, that's her." I explained, wondering if we would even see her today.

Surprisingly, I did not wait long for an answer. Smolder pointed ahead of us and said, "You mean like that?"

Sure enough, there Rainbow Dash was. Just napping on a low cloud above the road. As we drew near, it became harder to see Rainbow lounging around on the cloud. I doubt she would even hear me from that height either. "Yep, that's her... You think you can get her down here somehow?"

Smolder gave me a concerning smirk as she let go of my hand and cracked her knuckles. "You got it. I'll be just a second."

I watched with intrigue as Smolder spread her wings and took to the sky. She hovered above Rainbow Dash for a moment before doing something I never saw coming. She dove right past Rainbow Dash and grabbed her tail, yanking her off the cloud and dragging her through the air as the suddenly awakened Rainbow Dash let out a yell. I could not help snickering like a fool as I watched Smolder's unexpected shenanigans. She soon flew down to me and held Rainbow Dash right in front of my face. "Got her!"

"Who's the wise guy dragging me around by... Huh?! Oh, hey there, James. What's going on? And who interrupted my nap?!" Rainbow all but yelled at me before suddenly getting dropped by Smolder, who was likely starting to become alarmed by Rainbow's frustration. She managed to stop her fall with a vertical pushup and immediately turned around to look up at whoever had grabbed her by the tail. "OK, what's your de... Uh... Whoa, when did Spike grow wings and turn orange? Or... Scootaloo?! What happened to you?!"

I cracked up quite a bit at Rainbow Dash mistaking Smolder for a very similarly colored filly while Smolder had no idea how to respond. I just patted Rainbow Dash on the head and said, "Not quite, Rainbow. This is Smolder and she's new in town."

"Whoa, really? A new dragon in town? Wait, is she a good dragon? We haven't exactly had the best experiences whenever dragons are involved..." Rainbow replied while Smolder began to look very uneasy as my friend brought that up. I guess Smolder is all too aware of her kind's problems in regards to how they mesh with Equestria's society.

Wanting to do away with Rainbow Dash's concerns as quickly as possible, I stepped past her and held out my arms to Smolder. She all too happily fell into my protective embrace and wrapped her limbs around me with her head nestled against my chest. I turned around to look at Rainbow Dash and made certain she could see exactly how docile Smolder really was. "Yes, she's a good dragon. I've met her a few times before and I adore her."

Rainbow slightly tilted her head to one side as a warm smile spread across her face. She then asked as Smolder looked down at her. "Has the big guy been nice to you?"

Smolder chuckled for a second before she replied, "Yeah... He's been really nice to me... I'm glad I met him."

"Yeah, she looks cool to me." Rainbow then said while she walked halfway around me. Now that all tension had faded, I carefully set Smolder down. Rainbow then dragged a hoof over one of Smolder's folded wings. "Wow, your wings get really compact when you're not using them. I almost don't even notice them anymore."

"How's this then?" Smolder then asked as she spread her wings wide for her fellow flier to examine.

Rainbow was quite impressed as she got to examine a dragon's wings up close for the first time. "Ooh, nice wingspan! They're even bigger than mine! And how old are you?"

"Fourteen. And you?" Smolder replied mostly on reflex. Funny that I have never asked Rainbow Dash her age and did not know it myself. Or I did not recall off the top of my head.

"Twenty-four. Man, your wings are bigger than mine, but you're ten years my junior? I wonder how much bigger they're gonna get." Rainbow Dash said while comparing her own wing to Smolder's in length. "Anyway, it's good to meet ya! Have you seen Spike yet? I bet he'd like having a new dragon friend."

"Already been there, Rainbow. And they hit it off quite well." I retorted while Smolder was looking much more relaxed in Rainbow's presence.

"Nice. So, what're you two up to? I was just catching some Zs before my evening shift." Rainbow asked before letting out an unexpected yawn. I guess we really should not have disturbed her at the time and even Smolder looked a little guilty for having woken her up at all.

"We were just going around town to meet my friends so Smolder could feel more at home. She...hasn't had the best history with ponies, but that's more of her own kind's fault than her own." I replied while rubbing Smolder's head to soothe her.

Smolder's face became one of unease as I brought that subject up, but Rainbow was quick to reassure her. "Hey, it's cool! Any friend of James is fine in my book. And you really don't look like trouble, kid. Anyway, I'm gonna catch up on some shuteye before my shift. Lemme know if you ever wanna go flying, all right?"

The two of us watched as Rainbow Dash flew back up to her cloud and went right back to sleep. Smolder then looked at me with her arms crossed and a pleased smirk on her lips. "She's pretty cool. I think I'm gonna like her."

"Yeah, being cool is what Rainbow's all about. And she's dependable. She's the last person in the world who would give up on her friends." I said before leading Smolder on. She must have been much more relaxed than before since she did not reach for my hand for comfort.

The Carousel Boutique soon came into view at the south eastern corner of town. Smolder immediately noticed how fancy its exterior design was and said, "Whoa, that's fancy... Are we even in Ponyville anymore?"

"Oh, we are. Rarity just...well... She has a much higher standard than most other tailors. Most of her wares are luxury attires commissioned by the Canterlot elites. And she's really good at it. So I guess her place was designed to resemble something from the place most of her income comes from." I explained as we stopped under the tree in front of her house.

Smolder cast me a smug smile while crossing her arms. "Canterlot? You mean that super fancy city up the mountain? Ooooh, so she's rich, huh?"

"Heh, I guess she is. She's one of the wealthier mares in town and it shows." I retorted before I started to approach the door. It was then that I decided to let Smolder in on a little information she did not know. "And one more thing. She knows about you."

Seconds later, Smolder got between me and the door with a look of concern on her face. "Wait, you did?! What did you tell her? Should I be here?"

I could only smile and rub her head to calm her. "Relax, it all happened when I picked up that rock candy for you a while back. She thought it was for Spike, but it turned into a topical segue when I revealed it was for someone else."

Smolder's hand rose to mine as she became visibly calmer. "So you just happened to get the chance to talk about me? What did you tell her?"

"Only the nicest things. Rarity sincerely wants to meet you." I replied as I cherished Smolder's touch. I knew she was about to have a pleasant experience.

"You spoil me... Getting me such nice stuff and telling your friends the best things about me..." Smolder muttered as she gave me such a sincere smile. "So... Can I meet her?"

"Absolutely. Just let me lead." I said before I pushed the door open as the bell on the other side jingled. Smolder stayed close behind me while she followed.

The instant I stepped into Rarity's main workroom, I saw Mitta standing near a box of sewing equipment and thread with a clipboard on her hoof. Probably taking inventory. She then glanced over at me as I waved in greeting. My friend smiled back before speaking to someone beyond a folding screen. "Rarity, you have a guest!"

"Coooomiiiing!" I heard Rarity's elegant voice call out. Smolder was quite surprised by the sound of it as well. I doubt she was expecting to meet someone who sounds quite that refined. My beautiful lover stepped out from behind the screen and said, "Welcome to ca... Oh, James! So good to see you, my love!"

I could only smile as she so joyously trotted my way. But she soon came to a stop as she noticed who was peeking out from behind me. "Oh? Is that... Is that her? Is that Miss Smolder?"

Smolder's eyes opened wide in response to Rarity addressing her so formally and with such dignity. She slowly stepped out from behind me as Rarity held a hoof out towards her. "No need to be shy, darling. I've heard good things about you. I am Rarity. And your name...?"

Rarity was doing a good job at winning Smolder over. An uneasy smile spread across my little friend's face as she took Rarity's hoof between her hands and shook it in greeting. "Yeah, I'm Smolder... And...it's... I... Sorry, I... I feel like I'm talking to a princess and..."

Oh, Rarity loved that response. She grinned and giggled in delight as she said, "A princess?! Oh, darling, you just made my day! Here, let me go brew you some tea and prepare a little snack for you. I'll be just a little bit!"

Smolder could only look on in surprise as Rarity so readily went into the back and to the kitchen to prepare her a gift. She then looked back at me and asked, "Is she always this generous?"

"Generosity is kind of her thing. I think that's part of why she got into a business that makes stuff with such high price tags. The more she has, the more she can give." I explained while happy so see Smolder so pleased with her first meeting with Rarity.

"Yeah, I can tell. She's really nice... Really pretty too." Smolder muttered while looking like she was at a loss for words as her eyes wandered around the room. She was quite taken with the aesthetics.

I walked up to Smolder and rubbed her head again. "Yeah, you'd be hard pressed to find a mare more beautiful than Rarity in Ponyville. And she's easily the sweetest aside from Fluttershy. And I love her for it."

Smolder then glanced up at me and showed me one of her best smirks. "Sounded like she loves you too."

I decided to drop the conversation at that point. Smolder was likely not at the age where she could understand my complicated relationship with Rarity. But before I could think on it further, Mitta came over to us while looking happy to see me. "Sorry, I'm taking inventory now. How have you been, James? Is Gladesong doing fine?"

"Yeah, she's doing great. Always happy and she's starting to walk. She'll probably even be running in a week." I replied while I gently pet her head. While we chatted for a bit, I noticed Smolder giving Mitta some weird looks. Or rather, she was looking at Mitta's flank.

Mitta eventually had to step out to run some errands for Rarity. But as soon as she left, Smolder walked up to me with a puzzled gaze. "Hey, um... She didn't have any of those markings on her butt that Rarity and all the other ponies do. Is that normal?"

"First of all, that part of a pony is their flank. Secondly, the term for those marks is 'cutie mark'. And third... Yeah, she's never had one. And I doubt she will ever get one." I replied while watching Mitta trot of to town from the window.

"Why? Every pony I've seen has those marks. Why doesn't she have hers yet?" Smolder asked in genuine curiosity while she drew near.

I was uncertain how to really bring up Mitta's past, but then a thought occurred to me. "Well... She... Wait... You've spent a lot of time in the Everfree Forest, right? Have you ever come across a tiny village somewhere inside it?"

Smolder's eyes opened wide. She knew exactly what I was referring to. "Yeah! That town full of creepy ponies at night! I never went inside. They looked like...bad news."

"It was smart of you not to go in there." I said grimly as I turned to her. "Mitta was one of them, but I got her out of there one night and had some help in getting her cured. Don't worry about her, she's a good person. But the rest..."

"They...don't have marks either, right?" Smolder asked as she started to comprehend Mitta's condition.

I looked outside, my thoughts of Sunny Town never being pleasant whenever it comes to mind. "Yeah... It's something they all share. It's not a big deal to Mitta though. All that matters to her is that she is happy and never has to see that place again."

My eyes fell upon Mitta just before she could disappear into the distance. "But really... Never ever go to that village. The ponies there are evil and they are cursed."

Smolder stared in silence out the window, her hand resting on my arm. She soon glanced up at me and said softly, "You did a really good thing for her."

I said nothing to that. All I could do was smile over how much better off Mitta was now. But not even ten seconds later, I heard Rarity call for us from the kitchen. And so Smolder and I entered to find a couple of teapots set upon the table. Smolder immediately detected the scent of something in the air, as did I. "Whoa, that doesn't smell like chamomile..."

"Very true! I decided to use something with a fruitier flavor. We have raspberry and tangerine today." Rarity replied as she took a seat at the table with us. She then said, "I'm afraid the tea is still quite hot I've only been steeping them for the past ten minutes. Do be careful."

Smolder and I watched patiently as Rarity used her magic to pour use some tea into little cups. It had a red tinge to it and smelled strongly of raspberries. Smolder inhaled deeply as she savored the aroma. She then gingerly took her cup by the handle with her fingers and cradled the bottom of the cup in her other hand before bringing it to her lips for a sip. "Ooh, you can taste the fruit! I love it!"

Rarity did not look surprised that Smolder could tolerate the temperatures of boiling water. I guess Spike displayed that trait often enough for her. Instead, her eyes caught something else. "So glad you like it, dear. And you have quite an air of refinement to you."

I was a little confused as to what Rarity was implying. But as I glanced at Smolder again, I started to understand what she meant. Smolder was looking just as confused as I was, but her posture. The way she held the cup from below. I suppose I should have expected someone hailing from a land of barbarians to know nothing of etiquette. But not Smolder. She seemed to have a disposition for more civilized behavior. She was not slouched in her seat or leaning on the table while carelessly holding onto her cup like it could slip out at any time. She was carrying herself like...a lady.

Smolder clearly had no idea what Rarity was getting at as she cocked her head to one side. "Uh... Refinement? I don't even know what that word means."

I decided to fill Rarity in on a trait that Smolder was sorely lacking in order for her to understand Smolder's underdeveloped vocabulary. "She's illiterate, Rarity. She doesn't have much in the way of advanced diction."

"She is?! Oh, you poor dear! Well, I certainly hope that changes soon! You're missing out on some of the most important perks of civilized living!" Rarity retorted in sincere compassion as Smolder drank the last of her tea.

"Ill lit what? Advanced...huh?" Smolder asked in confusion as she only illustrated my point. I was hoping she would gain and understanding of such words once I helped her learn how to read some more. It has been a while since the last time we did that. And it was the only time.

Tactfully deciding to avoid pursuing that topic further, Rarity ended up bringing to light a different point about Smolder. "Anyway... I can't help but notice that you seem to growl when you speak, darling. Is that normal? Or just a habit?"

"Huh? My voice? What about it?" Smolder replied, not really grasping a trait of hers that she had likely long since stopped noticing.

As she spoke, I listened in carefully. And sure enough, Rarity was right. Her voice sounded a bit gruff. Too gruff to be entirely natural. "Yeah, I hear it too... You speak with a subtle growl to your voice. Like...you're trying to sound tough."

Smolder went silent before holding her hand to her throat with her mouth slightly agape. Her eyes then opened wider as it suddenly occurred to her. "Oooooh... I get it... Yeah, I... Uh... My folks told me a long time ago that my voice made me sound weak and that other dragons might go after me if I sounded like I was a pushover. So I... I started talking like this..."

I could see the look of shame in her eyes. She was not exactly proud to have taken to heart advice that her own parents had given her long after she had severed ties with them. Rarity too gazed at her with concern as she said, "I see... But dear, you don't have to make yourself sound dangerous in Equestria. Why not let us hear your true voice? Surely it must be quite lovely."

This piqued my curiosity too. What did Smolder truly sound like? Smolder seemed hesitant about his as she said, "But I... I mean... It's been so long since..."

After a brief pause, Smolder lowered her cup as she turned her gaze to he table. "No... You're right... This place doesn't feel as...dangerous as where I come from. No boiling lava lakes. No howling dust storms. No dragons that might jump me at any time... This place feels...safe."

She then looked at us as she said, "And you two... You don't hide your real voices. Even Spike doesn't do it. Rarity. Your voice is just so beautiful and you don't do anything to hide that. And James, your voice is...so soft... So quiet and... I think I like your voice the most. Especially when you...whisper to me..."

Rarity cast me a knowing smirk that made me slightly uncomfortable. She likely knew where Smolder was coming from. But then Smolder said wistfully, "I... I kinda wished you would talk more... I like it when you talk to me."

"Well, I tend to listen more than I talk. Especially when there's more than me and one other person around. But I'll talk to you all you want later." I replied as Smolder's expression brightened just slightly.

Before the conversation could change direction, Rarity then asked, "But anyway... May we hear your true voice?"

"Well... OK, I'll give it a try. What should I say... Ahem..." Smolder retorted before she coughed a few times to clear her throat. She looked at Rarity for a few seconds as she likely considered what she wanted to say. Her eyes glanced at her empty cup. She then showed a very bright smile as... That voice... "May I try the other tea, please?"

Rarity was utterly delighted by the sound she heard. So sweet and demure. "Oh my stars, your voice! Why be so uptight about such a heavenly tone?"

Smolder was clearly not expecting such praise and shirked adorably behind her teacup as she lifted it before her face. Regardless, Rarity answered her request by pouring the contents of the other pot into her cup. It had an orange tint to it and had a delightful citrus scent. Rarity then looked at me and asked, "Did you hear that, James? How did the little lady sound?"

I was almost at a loss for words. Smolder's true voice hit me in a way I did not expect. Just...so beautiful. And so I answered as bluntly as I could. "I think I just heard an angel..."

"An angel? Are... Are you blushing?!" Smolder then asked as she slipped back into her usual voice.

"Am I?!" I yelped before my hands felt along my face. I must have if the pressure in my cheeks was of any indication. I tried to avert my gaze, but so did Smolder. With nothing else I could bring myself to say, I started sipping from my tea now that it had cooled just enough to be tolerable.

Smolder and I did not say much to each other after that until it was time to depart. Rarity eventually bid us a cheerful farewell right as Mitta got back with a few bags hanging off her sides. Once outside the door, Smolder and I did not get far before we just stopped under the tree in front of Rarity's house. We did not look at each other. The tension from before still lingered.

Finally, Smolder broke the silence. "Rarity's really nice."

"Uh huh." I retorted while not looking at anything in particular.

"I really liked the tea... I'd like to see her again sometime." She added while sounding quite reserved in her tone of voice.

"Uh huh." I repeated as I remained rooted to the spot.

Finally, Smolder asked, "Hey... When I talked with my real voice back there... Did I...really sound that nice? I don't even know what an angel is, but... It sounds...wonderful."

"Yeah... I meant it." I mumbled while still not being able to look at her.

As a moment went by, I noticed Smolder's position change at the corner of my vision. When I finally gathered the courage to look at her, I saw Smolder adorably shifting from side to side with her hands clasped right behind her back. Her face was directed to the ground, but her eyes then glanced up at me. "May I hear...your voice again? Just a whisper... Just...tell me how nice I sounded...?"

So sincere. She was nervous about it, but I could not deny her such a simple request when she was making herself vulnerable like this. And so I dropped to my knees and whispered into Smolder's ear. "You sounded like an angel..."

I heard Smolder let out a loud sigh as she threw her arms around me once again. As much as I loved the sound of her true voice, I knew she loved the sound of mine. It was as if the softer I spoke, the more she adored it. I think I was blushing again and Smolder confirmed it. I felt her hand tenderly cup my cheek as she gazed into my eyes with a slight smirk on her lips. She then whispered, "You're really cute when you blush."

The way she said that and the way she looked at me filled me with a sense of alarm. Smolder must have been on the same page as me since she too stepped back and looked away. We averted our gazes and just stood there in awkward silence until Smolder mumbled, "So... Where to next?"

"Sugarcube Corner." I retorted with a mumble of my own.

"Sounds....tasty? Can we get more rock candy there?" Smolder replied while sounding a bit more interested.

"Um... Maybe?" I replied before leading her on through town. We remained silent for a good while, but my eyes soon fell upon the spa when we reached the town square. My eyes then glanced at Smolder's horns. I had suggested she get them trimmed a while back and even she was open to the idea a little earlier. Perhaps the spa could handle the deed. "Say... You wanted to get your horns trimmed, right?"

Smolder glanced up at me, having forgotten about that awkward moment between us. "Huh? Oh, yeah. You were right, these old things are just too tall. You know a place that can cut these down to size?"

"I might. Right over here." I said before leading Smolder over to the spa and inside. Lotus was seated at the front desk. Smolder, wary as always, waited by the door.

"Good afternoon, James! Can I help you?" My employer asked as she set down the magazine she had been browsing.

I stepped forward while Smolder was partially obstructed behind me. "Not really. I just had a question about a possible appointment I could make. Do you think it would be possible to trim a pair of horns here?"

"Horns? What sort of horns?" Lotus asked in return. I stepped aside to let her see Smolder, who casually waved back. Lotus' eyes opened particularly wide as she beheld the dragon girl's overly long horns at the side of her head. "Oh... Those are... I think we might, but... I will have to get back to you tomorrow. I'll let you know when you come in."

I was hardly surprised she did not have an answer for me right away. While the spa does offer filing services for unicorn horns, they have never had to work on the horns of a dragon. Let alone horns that were that oversized. Still, I agreed and headed out with Smolder at my side. She then asked, "What's this place anyway?"

"This is the local spa. I work here. It's where people go for some relaxation and physical rejuvenation." I replied while not really sure of how else to describe it.

Smolder seemed to get the idea since she then asked, "You mean like a hot spring?"

"Um... Yeah, we have something like that. A hot tub simulates a hot spring, but we also have massages, seaweed wraps, facials, manicures, mud baths, a sauna... And I'm one of the guys there who gives out massages." I replied before suddenly finding my hand in Smolder's grasp once more.

"Mm... Massages, huh? No wonder your hands always feel so nice." She said softly while holding my hand to her face before her eyes glanced up at me. "I just might give it a try."

"Heh... Well, I work there on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays." I retorted while wondering if Smolder even knows what the days of the week are. I would have to check with her during our next lesson. "Anyway... Now that I think about it... How about we grab some lunch while we're out here? We'll pass the café before we reach Sugarcube Corner."

"Lunch? Um... Sure, sounds good!" Smolder replied happily, as did her stomach with an audible gurgle. She did not even have breakfast this morning, so it was a good time to get some food in her belly.

It was not terribly busy when we arrived, so there were a few tables open. Smolder was not keen on sitting on a hay pile as a seat, so I procured a couple of stools for us. I guess it would feel itchy against her scales, even though Spike has never shown discomfort. I guess flightless dragons have tougher scales.

Once the waiter came over and dropped off our menus, I felt it was a good time to get a status report from my new friend. "So, how're you feeling now that we've been in Ponyville for a while?"

Smolder looked around at our surroundings before turning her gaze back to me. "Well, I'm not exactly worried anymore... I mean nopony has given me trouble... I haven't seen one pony give me any dirty looks today. That's a first for me."

"Ponyville is a good place. I can't imagine living anywhere now. Good people, good weather, good visual design. Easy on the soul and easy on the eyes. Everything about this town strikes a balance I haven't seen anywhere else. It's...just right." I replied as I thought a little deeper on the subject.

"I can see what you mean." Smolder said as she looked around. "I haven't seen much, but I'm getting some really good vibes from this place. And it's so colorful here too... I think I'd like to live here if they would have me."

I smiled at the thought of having Smolder stay in Ponyville as a permanent resident. A fitting final destination after her years of wandering. "It would be really nice to have you here. I'd love being able to see you every day."

Smolder cast a silent gaze at me for maybe five seconds. While I was worried I had said something that did not sit well with her, she soon smiled right back and said softly, "I'd like that too."

We started looking through the menu to try and decide on what to order. I quickly made my decision, but then suddenly realized Smolder still could not read. She likely did not know what anything in that menu meant. I barely had time to think about this before the waiter returned with glasses of water for us. I ordered a sandwich with a side of pasta salad. Smolder, clearly not able to comprehend the menu's contents, made a request that you would hear out of a dragon. "Do you have any sapphires?"

Sure enough, the waiter merely gave her a dry stare. I bet he gives that look to Spike all the time too. Understanding that she had made a mistake, Smolder changed direction without actually turning around. "No? How about some opals? Diamonds? Maybe some peridot?"

"Smolder. This is a café. Not a quarry." I too said dryly while finding her ignorance to be pretty amusing. I then looked at the waiter and said, "She'll have the hay fries. Extra crispy."

My friend just looked at me in confusion as the waiter took our menus away. "Hay fries? As in...eating hay? I know I can eat and digest just about anything, but... Really?!"

"Hey, Spike really likes that stuff, so I thought you would too." I explained while seeing an opportunity to pass the time with a topic to converse about. "Come to think of it, if you dragons are such extreme omnivores, what do you normally eat when gemstones are in short supply?"

Smolder rolled her eyes at the thought. I guess she was never in short supply of food sources while wandering the wilds since she could eat just about everything. "Well, if we really don't have anything else to choose from, we dragons can live off of ordinary rocks."

"Rocks... Just...rocks... I think Maud would like to introduce you to her family sometime." I replied in an almost joking manner as I recalled that her family apparently operates a rock farm somewhere to the southeast. I sure miss that mare. I hope to see her again before long. It was actually a shame she could not make it to my wedding.

"Who? Actually, forget it. But yeah, we can get by on just rocks if we have to. I dunno why anyone would. Eating plain rocks tastes like eating sand." Smolder explained while sounding like she was not kidding at all.

We conversed for just a little longer about before the waiter approached with our meals atop his back. Smolder went into hers with some caution, but soon started to dig into hers with the same gusto that Spike does. She almost did not even notice the side of ketchup. I just watched in silence with a smile before I started on my own meal.

Smolder soon let out a long satisfied sigh. She is still somewhat small, so that one plate of hay fries stacked high was enough to fill her up. "Phew... I didn't think hay could taste so good."

"Just be sure to wash your hands after that. Anything fried tends to have bits of oil on it." I replied as I started to dig some bits out of my pocket.

"Oil? Is that what this little thing is for?" Smolder asked as she picked up a little folded moist towelette beside the plate. She soon unfolded it and thoroughly rubbed it between her hands. I watched with a slight smile as Smolder then inspected her hands. "I guess that did the trick... Huh? What are these things you're leaving here?"

"Bits. They're Equestria's currency." I replied as I stood up, but Smolder continued to watch me in confusion.

"Bits? Currents? Huh?" She asked while clearly not grasping the concept of currency. I suppose that is to be expected from someone who hails from a land so stuck in the past that the concept of economics does not exist to them.

"It's money. Most things in the world has a cost and you pay money for them... We'll go into this in more detail later. As for right now, we go to Sugarcube Corner." I retorted while knowing it was not a good time to really explain something like that to her.

Smolder followed along without objection and we soon came to Sugarcube Corner. Unsurprisingly, Smolder stared aghast at the gingerbread house before her. "Whoa! Is this the place?! It looks delicious!"

"Yeah, that's kind of what Sugarcube Corner is all abo... Hey! No no no no no, not again! Don't even go there, Smolder! I swear that it's not as edible as it looks!" Thank goodness I saw that coming. I managed to grab Smolder out of the air when she tried to fly up to the roof to likely try to eat it. And considering how strong her jaws are, she really would be able to take a bite out of it.

"Wait, really? It's...not made of tasty stuff?" Smolder asked while starting to fold her wings as I set her back onto the ground.

I almost chuckled as I recalled that memory from a year ago. "Trust me, you wouldn't be the first to try it. Mitta did the same thing when she came to Ponyville for the first time and she didn't get far when she tried to eat the place."

Smolder just burst into laughter as she likely tried to imagine a pony on the roof gnawing away at it to no avail. I then led her into the store where Pinkie Pie was minding the cash register. My perky pink friend was quick to offer a greeting. "Hey there, James! What can I getcha? Anything for little Glade... Huh? Oh, Spike! Is it your birthday already? Wow, you've gotten big so fast!"

I just crossed my arms and watched with a smirk as Pinkie mistook Smolder for a different dragon child. Smolder looked back and forth before pointing at herself. "Me?"

"Yeah, you! Wow, do purple dragons turn orange as they get bigger? Hodl on just a minute! I've got a little something for the birthday boy." Pinkie replied before she trotted into the kitchen.

Smolder just crossed her arms in annoyance while I let out a brief snicker. Finally, Smolder looked at me and asked in a louder tone than she normally uses, "Why does everyone keep thinking I'm Spike?!"

I decided to just state the obvious. "Probably because he's the only dragon child everyone in town has ever seen and you don't look all that different from him. You even have a similar facial structure. You could easily pass as his sister."

Smolder just rolled her eyes while she grumbled, "Pfft... I guess you have a point... But does that mean if another human suddenly showed up one day, everyone in town wouldn't be able to tell you two apart?"

I started to lift a finger as my mouth open, but then I paused as I considered some possibilities and how the ponies of Equestria are like. I grimaced in mild irritation as I muttered, "You know... I wouldn't put it past them."

"Heh, I bet they... Whoa! Are those sapphires?!" Smolder replied before suddenly turning her attention to a cupcake that Pinkie Pie was holding as she emerged from the kitchen. It had light blue icing that was studded with shards of sapphire. She immediately snatched it from Pinkie's hoof and chomped down on it, taking half of the cupcake off with one bite. "Oooooh man, that is good stuff... Thanks!"

"Anytime time, Spike! The cutest dragons deserve the best goodies!" Pinkie Pie retorted while taking pride in how much her guest was enjoying her handiwork.

"Meh, fine. Call me cute all you want if it means I keep getting tasty stuff like this." Smolder said hastily as she started taking smaller bites out of her treat to try and make it last.

It was around this point that I decided to inform Pinkie Pie about the dragon's true identity. "Pinkie... That isn't Spike. This is Smolder and she's new in town."

"Really?!" Pinkie gasped before eyeing Smolder closely. A moment later, she looked at me in bewilderment. "Huh! I never would've guessed! They look so alike!"

Smolder then suddenly gave Pinkie Pie a look of concern now that the confusion had been cleared up. Pinkie Pie just smiled and waved her hoof at Smolder as she said, "Oh, don't worry about it. If you're new around here, then consider that a welcoming gift! Always good to meet a new face."

My little friend smiled gratefully while she licked her fingers clean of crumbs and icing. "All of you ponies here are so nice... I wish I found this place a long time ago."

Pinkie just leaned on the counter as she said, "Well, I'm glad you found me when you did! I didn't know there were dragons out there just as cute as Spike! And now I've gotta set up a new welcoming party! You free this evening?"

"Actually, give her a week, Pinkie. She's taking things slow right now. It's a long story." I interjected while knowing Smolder was still approaching Ponyville and everything in it with a degree of caution.

"Ooh, I get it. Not used to loco in the coco stuff yet? That's cool! And it'll give me more time to plan out the finer details." Pinkie said with no less delight than before.

Smolder just gave our goofy pink friend a smirk before she glanced at me. "Your friend's pretty wacky. I like her."

"Heh, that's why everyone likes Pinkie Pie. She's good at making you smile." I replied while petting my friend's puffy pink mane. "While we're here, how about half a dozen chocolate drops to go?"

"Coming right up!" Pinkie said as she put together a paper box and took six chocolate drops out of the display counter. Once they were all set inside, I put a couple of bits on the counter for her. I think she understood that Smolder and I had other places to see before the day was over. She smiled brightly at Smolder and said, "Well, I hope you enjoy the rest of your time in Ponyville. I'll see you again soon. OK, Smolder?"

Smolder replied with a sincere smile as she waved back. "Yeah, you too. Later, Pinkie.....Pie, right? Anyway, see ya!"

As soon as we were outside Sugarcube Corner, Smolder looked up at me with an entertained smile. "She's kinda weird, but fun."

"Yeah, that's Pinkie Pie for you. She really hard to dislike. Even when she gets on your nerves, she can't really hate her since she's just that good at making you smile. I really appreciate her constant optimism." I replied while glancing back at the door.

"I can tell. Anyway, one more stop and then back to your place, right?" Smolder then asked as she began to follow me. She no longer reached for me hand, which made me suspect she was much more at ease in Ponyville by now.

"Yep, and it's just south of home. Right this way." I said before leading Smolder towards the southwestern edge of town.

We eventually came to the outskirts of Sweet Apple Acres. It would not be long before the harvest season started, so Applejack and her family were likely in the process of preparing their apple bunkers for a hefty harvest of apples. Smolder marveled at the vast fields of trees lined with ripe red apples. "Whoa... This looks just as big as the Everfree Forest, but tidier. Even the air smells sweeter than in the Everfree Forest. What's this apple tree forest?"

"It's not a forest. It's an orchard. I guess you can say it's an organized forest grown for the sake of harvesting fruit every year." I explained as we neared the farmhouse. There was no sign of anyone at first, but Applejack soon walked into view and trotted over to us with an inviting smile.

"Howdy, James! Hey there, Spi... Uh... Wait..." Applejack said before coming to a stop before Smolder. While Smolder crossed her arms, Applejack closely examined her as she noticed something was not consistent with her memory of Spike.

Smolder, starting to find some amusement in this chronic case of mistaken identity, rolled her eyes and said, "Go on, say it. Just about everyone else has done it."

"Um... I reckon you ain't Spike after goin' through a growth spurt." Applejack finally said while looking quite confused. She then looked up at me and asked, "New friend of yers, James?"

"Yep. This is Smolder. She's new around here and I'm just introducing her to some of the best people in town." I replied while rubbing Smolder's head.

Applejack was quick to introduce herself and tipped her hat. "Really? Well howdy there, lil' lady. The name's Applejack and this here is Sweet Apple Acres."

"Got a thing for apples, huh?" Smolder asked while that snarky smirk spreading across her lips. I suppose it is hard to not poke fun at Applejack's line of work and most of her very identity revolving around the fruit her name contains.

Applejack took Smolder's observations in stride as she said, "Sure do. I guess we wouldn't be the Apple family if we didn't. And it ain't just me and my kin here. The Apple family's all over Equetstria! We've got Apple Bumpkin, Apple Tart, Apple Strudel, Apple Crisp, Apple Leaves, Apple Cobbler..."

"Stop! Enough with the apples! I'm gonna have apples on the brain all day if you keep this up!" Smolder suddenly shouted as she planted her hands over her ears. All Applejack and I could do was laugh.

"Heheheh... Right, sorry 'bout that. It ain't often somepony born or married into the Apple family doesn't have that word in their name. Only ones that I can name off the top of my head are my auntie and uncle from the Orange family and my cousin Babs Seed. But that's about it." Applejack said with a chuckle while being a good sport about the whole thing.

Smolder lowered her ears now that the earworm had passed. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Well, it sounds like you've got a really good family life."

"Sure do! We're even gonna have the Apple family reunion here in a couple of years." Applejack retorted proudly. Maybe I will get to see it too.

Smolder's expression soured a bit, possibility out of some degree of envy for Applejack's close family ties when she had none to speak of, but it soon turned into a more sincere smile. "Sounds nice. I'm happy for you."

Applejack seemed to notice the shift in Smolder's tone and tactfully found a way to draw attention away from it. "Say... You in the mood for a snack? Go ahead, help yourself to as many apples as you want."

The dragon girl's eyes opened wide in surprise, but she then placed a hand on her belly. "I guess something healthier does sound nice after that cupcake... Thanks!"

I watched with Applejack as Smolder flew off to the nearest tree in the distance and started helping herself to the apples still on the branches. Applejack smiled before she said, "Huh... I didn't even notice the wings on 'er 'til she took off."

"Yeah, she's got wings. Apparantly she and Spike are from two different races of dragons. She's light and can fly while Spike is stout and strong." I replied while watching Smolder really enjoying herself as she plucked a fruit from a branch and chomped it down.

Soon, Applejack looked up at me and asked, "Say, James... Is she all right? I mean I can tell she's older than Spike, but... Ain't she a bit young ta be out here by 'erself?"

She must have noticed which topics got under Smolder's skin. And so I said softly, "She's got a lot in common with Scootaloo, to be honest. She doesn't exactly have a home or family to go back to. Not because they're gone, but because... Well, she claims it's tradition to kick a dragon child out of home when they reach a certain age. She says she's been wandering for two years."

"Well... Wallop my withers, I wouldn't expect even a dragon ta do that to their kids. I haven't had the best experiences with dragons myself and Twi told me 'bout that time she followed Spike into their territory right after watchin' that migration, but..." Applejack muttered bitterly as her mind wandered for a moment. "The dragons just don't sound like good folk. Maybe that's why we don't ever see 'em in Equestria. I don't think anypony wants 'em around."

I crossed my arms while I continued to watch Smolder. "Yeah, she knows it too. Smolder's pretty disillusioned with her own kind and hasn't said one good thing about them. She was pretty happy to meet Spike today. They hit it off pretty well."

Pretty soon, Smolder came walking back over to us while looking quite satisfied. She had devoured every last apple that was on that one tree. But before she could say anything, Applejack spoke up first while showing a very concerned smile. "Looks like ya had quite the hankerin' for some apples, huh? Anyway... Smolder, I just wanna say that if ya ever need anythin' and I can help ya with it, y'all just holler, all right?"

Smolder was quite surprised to hear a stranger offer her such a heartfelt invitation. She just glanced back and forth aimlessly before smiling just slightly. "Thanks... I'll do that. And thanks again for the goods."

Brief as our encounter was, I felt it was a good time for us to start heading home. Applejack saw us off with a smile and allowed us to walk north through the orchard to make our way back to Fluttershy's cottage as the crow flies. Smolder eventually looked up at me and asked, "Was that everyone?"

"Yeah, that was the last of them. What do you think of Ponyville thus far?" I asked in return. I felt Smolder once more grasp my hand, but I did not resist her. She was not feeling afraid. She just wanted to hold me as much as I wanted to hold her.

Smolder looked up at the canopy above us as she said with a smile, "I dunno yet, but... I guess I'm comfortable with the thought of going into town by myself now. It's the first time no ponies have given me dirty looks or chased me."

Before I knew it, I suddenly felt Smolder climb up my back and held onto my shoulders. I looked back, seeing her head right behind me. "Enjoying the view?"

"Heh, yeah. You don't mind me up here, do you?" Smolder asked in return while flashing me a delightful smile with her two little fangs on display.

"Not at all. You're quite the lightweight. Hold on all you want." I replied before I continued on. Smolder was quiet for a while as she just enjoyed the view. We eventually came within sight of home again. And as soon as Smolder dropped down to the ground, she immediately grasped my hand. I looked down at her once we were up by the front door and asked, "Well, that was quite a walk. You in the mood for some tea?"

Smolder glanced at the door before glancing up at me. Her expression showed a look of uncertainty, but she tried to hide it behind a smile. "Actually, is it all right if I hang out around here for a little while?"

This only caused me to tighten my grip on her hand. I was fearful that she would disappear into the Everfree Forest while I was not looking. "I'll still find you out here when I come back out right?"

Her gaze became more somber. I think she could see my fear of losing her again. So the dear dragon girl placed her other hand over mine and clutched my hand between both of hers. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm just gonna sunbathe for a bit. And... I'm just not sure if I'm ready to see your kid again. I don't want to hurt her..."

I understood Smolder's concerns over her own impulsiveness. She said she did not fully understand why she felt such animosity towards my daughter and I believed her. She still needed time to sort out her feelings. I then gently stroked her head and said, "All right then. You just knock on the door if you need anything."

Smolder bid me goodbye with a smile as I stepped into the house. To my utter adoration, I found Fluttershy lying upon the sofa with Gladesong wrapped in her arm and with a little storybook on her hoof. "And then Winona said, 'This is why I live out of town.' Pin... Oh! Welcome home, dear. How was your time with Smolder?"

I walked right over to my wife and child before sitting upon the sofa as they made room. Gladesong smiled and reached up to me from her cozy swaddling, prompting me to pick her up. "Hey there, little blossom. You miss daddy? And yeah, it actually went really well. I introduced Smolder to all of our closest friends and she really hit it off with Spike. I think those two will be good friends before long."

"Oh, that's good to hear. The poor dear looked like there was something troubling her. I hope she will be just fine." Fluttershy replied before she snuggled up to me. I cradled and nuzzled our little filly in my arms, glad to be home and with my family. However, barely five minutes passed before there was a knock at the door. "Hm? Who could that be?"

Before Fluttershy could even climb down from the sofa to answer the door, the handle was coated by a familiar azure aura before it was pushed inward. And our guest was none other than a very happy Rarity. "Good afternoon! I closed up a little early so I'd have some more time to see the little darling."

Rarity was gotten a lot stingier about her business hours. Half the time, if business slows down enough later in the day, she will close up shop a little early just so she can spend more time with her goddaughter. I swear she mothers Gladesong just as much as Fluttershy does. Gladesong responded immediately to Rarity's voice and looked at her, calling incoherently to her godmother with little coos and babbles. Rarity trotted right over and gave my daughter a tender nuzzle. "Hello, my little darling. Did you miss your auntie Rarity? She missed you sooooo much too!"

Fluttershy and I could not help giggling at how sweet Rarity was being to the child of her best friend. I scooted to the side a bit to allow Rarity just enough room to hop up onto the sofa with us. I was sandwiched between the two beautiful mares as they spoke softly and sweetly to the precious little filly in my arms. But Rarity soon turned her attention to me as she whispered, "And I could never forget about daddy here. Did he miss his beloved as much as she missed him?"

"Oh, very much so. I'm glad you came as early as you did, m'lady." I whispered back to her as we shared a kiss. In the security of my own home, we had no reason to hide our love from each other.

"Don't forget about Mama Fluttershy, dear." Fluttershy whispered to me before we too shared a kiss. I felt like the luckiest man in the world while surrounded by my family. A beautiful little daughter of my own cradled in my arms and in the loving embrace of the two most beautiful mares in Ponyville. Fluttershy, Rarity, Gladesong, and myself. We were a family and I could not be happier at that moment.

For several minutes, we spoke quietly and shared many back and forth kisses while Gladesong cooed quietly like she was due for a nap. However, as I turned my head to kiss Rarity once again, I noticed something beyond her. Outside the far window in Scootaloo's room was Smolder looking in at us. And... She looked quite bewildered. Had she been watching us?

After a moment longer, Smolder beckoned me to come to the front door before she walked out of sight. I suspected she had some questions about what she had just seen. I then whispered to my beloveds, "Excuse me, ladies. I think Smolder wants to have a word with me."

"OK, dear. We'll be right here." Fluttershy replied before I gently handed Gladesong to Rarity. I walked to the door and was about to step outside before I looked back. The two lovely mares were huddled up against each other while whispering sweet things to my daughter. With a smile on my face, I stepped out of the house and found Smolder standing at the bottom of the slope to my right.

"Hey there. You need something?" I asked as I casually approached Smolder. I doubt she would tell anyone about what she saw, especially when she did not seem to understand what she had just seen.

Smolder lifted her hands slightly as she asked, "Yeah. Uh... What was going on in there? I know Fluttershy is your mate, but... What's her name again? Rarity? Anyway, what was she doing in there? The way it looked... Are they both your mates?"

I was not surprised that such a concept was completely alien to Smolder. Still, I answered as honestly as I could. "Well... Yes and no. Yes, Fluttershy is my wife. We were married just a little while ago. Rarity is my lover too, but we are not officially married in any way."

"But...isn't that...weird?" Smolder asked while looking more confused than accusatory.

"I guess it is... I mean it's not normal, but... I personally don't think it's wrong. I will confess that such a relationship isn't for everyone. Not every man has the capacity for it. It takes strong commitment, faith, and integrity to have that kind of relationship." I explained before averting my eyes. "And to be honest... I'm still not sure I'm ready to try such a thing."

Smolder cast me a most perplexed stare. She glanced back at the cottage to her left before asking, "But... I mean... Aren't you doing that right now?"

I was careful to pick only the right words for my response. "Kind of... I'm being honest when I say that I'm not exactly in such a relationship right now. It's just that... I had to make an exception for Rarity. And Fluttershy was in full support of it."

"Yeah, I could see that. Fluttershy looked really happy in there with you and Rarity with her. But... If that's not official, why did..." Smolder began to ask before she paused in hesitation.

"Because I love Rarity too much to have her as anything less." I replied solemnly. "I need her. And she needs me. And we are very happy together."

Smolder went silent before she crossed her arms with her eyes directed to the ground. "She called you her love... And... Yeah... You do make her happy. Really happy..."

"I know it's not normal. And I know that it would be best that no one finds out. But we are sincerely in love. And there's nothing wrong with that. We're doing things our way and it's made us all very happy." I said while also looking back at my own house. I felt blessed to be so in love with two very special women.

However, Smolder then brought up an obvious question. "Wait... You said you're not ready to really try it... But...does that mean maybe someday? Are there others who love you? And you love them?"

Her words caused me to stop and think. Yes, I do love Rarity and Fluttershy. But what if there were more? Like... Rainbow Dash? That night... I never forgot it. She has become much more reserved with her feelings since then, but when we are alone... It still seeps out. She loves me. And I do love her. Is there a future for us?

"I don't know... I mean there's a reason why I haven't pursued such a relationship in earnest yet." I said while I crossed my arms. "But...Fluttershy sincerely believes I am capable of it. And I... I think I may be too. I have the capacity for it. Just not the confidence. So maybe... Just maybe someday..."

I did not get the response out of Smolder I was expecting. Her eyes brightened as an excited smile spread across her lips. "Really? That... That's great! I'm sure you can do it too! You'll do just fine when you finally try it."

Why would she even say such a thing? It was not like she was... Wait... It was then I noticed. That face... It was the exact opposite of the empty lifeless gaze she had when I told her I was getting married. Instead of despair, those eyes were full of hope. An uncomfortable thought came to mind as I felt the need to confront Smolder over something dire. "Smolder... Were you...upset when I told you I was getting married?"

That got her. A most uneasy look filled her eyes as she was confronted with a question she did not expect and probably did not want to answer. Smolder did not immediately respond. Her eyes wandered, darting back and forth as if looking for a way out. I did not budge. I wanted to know what went wrong that day. And I was fearful of what the answer might be.

"OK... No more hiding... I'll tell you straight... But... Over here. I wanna get comfortable first." Smolder finally said before motioning for me to follow her. The two of us took a seat on the earthen bridge in front of the house with the babbling brook flowing underneath. "Yeah... Yeah, I was hit pretty hard by that news..."

"Why?" I asked, already knowing what the answer likely was. An answer I did not want to hear.

Smolder looked hesitant. Her hand found its way to mine, prompting me to hold it. Without even looking at me, she asked, "You won't get mad at me, will you?"

"Of course not. I'll listen." I said softly in return. I could see Smolder smile just slightly in reassurance.

"Thanks. Anyway... Well..." Smolder muttered while frequently pausing. She was trying to find the right words while I waited in silence. I did not rush her. I could tell this was going to be difficult for her. "When I showed up here... I thought you would just end up chasing me away like all the others. But you didn't. After that, I thought you just wouldn't mind me hanging around, but... You did so much more than that."

Smolder cast her gaze at the gently flowing water below us. She had such a nostalgic look in her eyes, likely remembering our earlier encounters in a pleasant light. She smiled warmly as she said softly, "You...went way out of your way to make me feel welcome... To make me feel special... No one I've ever met did that much for me...without ever demanding for something in return. Even at their best, my parents were never...so sweet to me..."

I continued to wait for Smolder to explain her reasons for why she was upset by my words last time, but I could not help smiling a bit. It made me feel good knowing that my efforts to make Smolder feel wanted were not in vain. But it was what she said next that confirmed my suspicions as she turned to look at me with a blush in her cheeks. "I started wondering... And I couldn't help thinking that...we could be mates someday..."

Again with that primitive term. And yet, I knew exactly what she meant. I suppose I should not have been surprised. She is at that age where girls tend to start thinking about boys in a new light and her lack of experience in matters of the heart certainly was not helping things. But...was that why? Why she sounded so cold to Fluttershy before? And why she almost...did something to Gladesong? Was it all out of jealous spite? A disturbing concept, especially for someone so young. At least she has since tried to let go of such envy by then. I let out a sigh and turned my gaze away as I said, "That's...a very sweet sentiment..."

"Yeah... I... I thought I found the guy I wanted to spend the rest of my days with, but he ended up being spoken for... I guess I just got too hasty and..." Smolder muttered before falling silent for a moment. "I still wish I didn't run away... I... I didn't know you had what it took to..."

"Smolder... Listen to me." I said as I turned to look at her. She immediately looked up at me, silent as she listened. As much as I had grown to adore her, I knew her pursuing such a thing was a bad idea on several levels. Especially for me. "I know it's tempting to jump at such an opportunity. I know what it's like to fall in love for the first time. But I must insist that you reconsider."

"Why...? Don't you like me?" Smolder asked, though sounding more confused than hurt.

"Of course I like you. I've had plenty of time to think about you and I couldn't be happier that you came back. But..." I retorted before turning my gaze to the brook below us. "Firstly, you are roughly half my age. Secondly, you're still naive when it comes to how your heart works."

"Oh... So that's how it is, huh? I get I'm still a stupid kid, but you..." Smolder grumbled as if I had just insulted her. I could see her turn away from me in disdain.

"Hey, I am not saying you're stupid." I spoke promptly while placing my hand upon her head. "To be naive is to be inexperienced. I'm only saying you just don't understand love yet. You'll understand love more someday, but not right now."

"Well... Could you teach me?" Smolder asked while turning her head to gaze at me once more while now looking more hopeful than just a moment ago.

I was unsure of how to answer that question at first. Eventually, I tried to be as honest as I could. "I'd love to...but I can't. You can't explain love anymore than you can explain friendship. There's just some things you can't teach in a classroom. You have to learn and grasp it through experience."

Smolder let out a sigh and looked up at the sky. "Love's...complicated, huh?"

"Very. It's a wonderful thing, but it has quite a learning curve. Everyone's eager to be loved and it can result in you thinking you're in love when you really aren't. The younger you are, the more likely you'll act on impulse. And combined with your lack of experience, you're bound to make mistakes. Lord knows I have..." I retorted while also casting my gaze to the clouds above. I did not mind discussing the topic. I am sure we have all gone through messy relationships as a result of being too eager to love and too naive to listen to reason. "It's good that you've learned to think twice. That'll be an important trait to have when you start to understand what it's like to be in love. Just be careful who you decide to try and get into a relationship with. You're a wonderful young lady and you deserve to be happy."

"Heh, thanks... Well... If I'm not really feeling love right now... When will I know when I am?" Smolder asked as she turned to look at me once more.

"Um... Well... I guess the simplest advice I can give is..." I began to say before I gently set my hand upon her chest. "I can't explain love, but when you feel it... Right here... You'll know it."

Smolder sighed as she placed her hand over mine. "I guess I still got a lot to learn about all sorts of stuff... And I'm seriously looking forward to it."

"Yeah, and I'll be willing to chat with you about whatever you'd like. If you have any questions, you just let me know." I said while starting to climb to my feet. I was pretty sure that I had satisfied Smolder for now. "Anyway, I'll go and get started on... Eh?"

As I walked past her, I felt Smolder once more grab my hand. But when I looked at her, she did not look at me. Her gaze was still directed to the water flowing below her feet. "Smolder...?"

She did not respond. I tried tugging my hand away from her, but the dragon girl's grip was like a vice. She would not release me. I started to feel uncomfortable. Almost alarmed. "Smolder... Please, let go..."

"I can't..." She muttered softly without even looking at me.

I stopped trying to pull away when it began to dawn on me that she was in a more delicate state of mind than a moment earlier. Now starting to feel a hint of concern for her, I asked, "Why not...?"

"Because...there's a little voice..." Smolder muttered as she brought my hand to her chest and held my palm against her. "In there somewhere... And it's...telling me... Begging me to not let go..."

I listened in silence. I was uncertain of what to even say, but I knew it would be dangerous or even cruel to disregard Smolder's feelings entirely at that moment. She continued to whisper, "It's telling me that if I let go... If I don't hold on, I'll regret it... I'll always wonder what could have been... And...it scares me..."

Conflicting emotions filled my heart. She was being so sincere. So earnest in her feelings. She soon lifted my hand to her face and held it there, closing her eyes. "I don't know what this feeling is... But... I know I've never met anyone like you before... No one has ever been there for me like you have. No one has ever touched me like you have. No one has ever held me like you have. And no one has ever... Ever..."

Smolder fell silent for a moment. The emotion in her was palpable. She was struggling to find the right words. Or was she simply having difficulty bringing herself to say the right words? But soon, she did speak. And it pierced my heart. "Has ever...loved me like you do..."

God, I wanted to cry. That just...hit me in a way I did not expect. Loved her, she said. Did I love her? Do I love her as I write this? I would have to say... Just maybe. But I know I should not. And just before I could ponder it further, she turned to look at me and asked, "Is there a voice in you too? Right there?"

She knew... And there was. A little voice that had been whispering to me all day. Every now and then. When our hands touched. When I heard her true angelic voice. When she gazed into my eyes. My heart was speaking out to me. As much as I wanted to deny it... As much as I should have denied it, my heart had other plans. Our tender moments together in solitude time and again, our tender caresses and soft gentle words bordering on romantic and flirtatious context. I could only look at Smolder with such conflicted thoughts in my head. I should not. I could not. Not for her...

It was preposterous that such feelings could bloom after only five days in each others' company. I know that Fluttershy and I started a relationship after exactly that much time had passed, but we were remarkably lucky that our relationship did not fall apart later. And beyond that... What was I thinking? Smolder is only fourteen. I do not even know what the age of consent is in Equestria.

We locked eyes once more. Smolder looked at me longingly, waiting for my answer. As we gazed into each others' eyes once more, I tried to convince myself that I was making a mistake to see Smolder for what she was not. She was merely a child. I knew this to be true, but my heart was seeing something else. My mind kept telling me what she was, but my heart instead told me who she was. No matter what I told myself or whatever arguments I made, I could not see the girl. I could only see the woman.

Five days in each others' presence, but weeks upon weeks of wondering about her had left such an impression upon me. I worried for her. I wanted to see her again. I wanted to hold her. To make her feel wanted. But were those feelings becoming something more? Something dangerous? My thoughts clashing, I finally provided an answer. "Yes... I hear it."

Smolder could likely see I was under some form of emotional duress. She asked quietly, "What is it telling you?"

I looked at nothing in particular. I adored everything about Smolder up to that point. She made me happy to have her around. I knew that allowing that adoration to become something more is risky. And that she is not ready for such a relationship. But my heart would not be silenced. My mind and my heart clashed, but eventually reached a compromise. It was too soon to say about anything. So instead, I spoke the wisest course of action my heart told me to take. "It's saying...to be patient. And I am a patient man."

"Be patient...for what?" Smolder asked with some confusion in her eyes.

"Just...be patient. Wait and see what happens..." I said softly before I dropped to a knee to bring myself closer to Smolder. I held her hand between both of mine as she gazed hopefully into my eyes. I did not want to reject her. But I also could not accept her at the time. I could only choose a middle ground. I at least told her what I could. "I...want you to stay... And see what happens..."

Smolder gazed also unblinkingly into my eyes while I gazed back into hers. I was unsure what to say as she seemed to be trying to make sense of my words. But just when I thought the tension had passed, she asked me a question I never expected. "Do you love me?"

My nerves set alight. I never imagined such a simple question could nearly send me into a panic. My eyes darted from side to side. My mind raced. Such a simple question, yet with an answer that could prove most troublesome. What should I tell her? Should I let me heart speak? Or let logic decide my response?

In the end, I did not get the chance to offer a response. Smolder brought her free hand to my cheek and whispered comfortingly, "Hey... Easy... You don't have to say it."

I froze. She was looking right at me. And she was smiling most gratefully. Her touch was comforting and calming, but I was still afraid. However, she then provided another answer I did not expect. "You don't have to tell me anything. I can see it in your eyes..."

I do not know where it came from. I just...cried. I cannot recall the last time my heart was in such turmoil. Still clutching her hand in mine, I brought my hands to my forehead as I quietly sobbed. This time, it was Smolder's turn to comfort me. She pulled me into an embrace and whispered into my ear, "It's OK... I'll wait for you to tell me when the time is right... And maybe by then, I'll have a better understanding about all of this. OK, James?"

"Yeah... Sounds good..." I muttered as I too embraced her. As suddenly as they came, my tears began to dry up. The two of us just stood there, holding each other. I was...just so happy to have Smolder in my arms again. "Smolder... Please don't ever go away again..."

"I won't... I promise." She replied softly, her clawed hand rubbing over my back while she minded the placement of her horn. Unfortunately, our time together was cut short as a familiar motorized buzz began to reach our ears. Smolder suddenly let go of me and turned around while she glanced back and forth rapidly. "What's that...?"

My composure having been regained, I stood up and stepped past her until I was on the middle of the bridge. "Oh, that's just Scootaloo. She's getting home from... Smolder?"

I noticed the sound of Smolder's wings flapping and turned around to see her disappear into the foliage on the roof. I guess she was not ready to meet anyone new at that moment, or that the unnatural buzz of Scootaloo's wings sounded like trouble. I must confess that Scootaloo's use of her wings could be labeled as unnatural since there probably is not a single pegasus in the world that rides a scooter the way she does.

Sure enough, I saw her barreling down the meadow path when I turned around. Scootaloo was in a hurry to get home. I raised my hand to wave at her, but she zipped right past me while only saying, "Hi, Dad!"

I turned and watched with some amusement as she parked her scooter right at the base of the slope leading up to the front door. I knew what the deal was. She was in a hurry to see her baby sister. As soon as Scootaloo shut the front door behind her, I saw Smolder stick her head out of her hiding spot on the roof. "What was that noise anyway?"

"Like I said, that was Scootaloo. She's my eldest daughter... Kind of. She's got a unique way to get around on a scooter and it involves her wings making that kind of sound as she propels herself. Don't ask me how it works because I don't have a clue." I explained as I held Smolder in my hands when she flew down to me before setting her on the ground. "In fact... I think you two have some things in common."

"We do? I don't even know what she looks like." Smolder asked while glancing back at the house.

"Well... She didn't have any parents either when I first met her. I don't think anyone even really knows who they were or why she's an orphan. That's why I adopted her." I explained, having not covered that topic in quite a while.

"She...doesn't even know?" Smolder asked before looking back at me. "Well... I guess that can be a good thing. Better to not have to go through what I did. I hope you've been good to her."

"Well, I've been trying. She was more like a little sister at first, but that changed over time." I said as I began to approach the front door. "How about you come in and say hello? You should get to know everyone if you'll be staying."

"Now?! But... I almost... Are you sure I won't hurt Gladesong?" Smolder asked while sounding quite lacking in confidence. I guess the knowledge of what she almost did was still weighing upon her conscience.

I paused in thought too. Smolder was very biter with envy at the time. In hindsight, it should have been obvious. But I could see no such bitterness in her now. "Yes, I'm sure you don't hold any ill will right now. Come on. They'll be happy to see you."

Smolder took a deep breath to steady her nerves as she began to approach me without a word. I pushed the door open to step inside and found Scootaloo hopping around with Gladesong laughing on her back. Fluttershy and Rarity had stepped out of the living room and into the kitchen. But as soon as Smolder entered the room, she and Scootaloo stopped and stared at each other. It must have been like looking into a mirror of sorts with them having very similar color schemes. Ten seconds of awkward silence later, they both looked at me and asked, "I have a twin?"

I could not help laughing at the comedic timing of their mutual bewilderment. "Scoot, this is Smolder. She's a new friend of mine and will be staying in Ponyville from now on."

In an attempt to break the ice, Smolder raised her hand and cracked a smile. "Yo. I saw you coming in on that scooter... That's pretty cool, going that fast on wheels. I wish I could do that."

"But you have wings! Right? Those are wings on your... Yep, those are wings. Isn't it better to fly?" Scootaloo asked in return as Gladesong started to reach out for Smolder.

"Yeah, I can. But that scooter riding at that speed looks like a lot of fun." Smolder replied before noticing that Gladesong was reaching out for her. It seemed the little filly fondly remembered the dragon girl. "Um... May I?"

"Huh? Oh, what's up, Gladesong? Dra dra? You want the dragon to hold you? OK!" Scootaloo asked her sister before coming closer and letting Smolder lift my daughter into her arms. "You know how to hold her, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, gotta hold her head." Smolder retorted as she made sure to cradle Gladesong properly. Scootaloo watched happily, seeing her baby sister looking up at our guest with a quiet smile. Smolder showed no signs of a glare, her eyes instead showing a slowly building gaze of adoration as she even began to gently rock Gladesong in her arms. "You like me...? I like you too."

I happened to glance up and noticed Angela eyeing Smolder from the rafters. I made a few clicks with my tongue and coaxed her down onto my hand. I know she was aware of what Smolder almost did, but I wanted to make sure my own pet knew Smolder was not a threat anymore. Smolder glanced at me as I stepped closer with Angela on my hand. "Who's the bird?"

"This is Angela. She's my pet. And she's basically Gladesong's bodyguard." I said with a bit of a smirk, being unable to keep a straight face as I said that.

I think Smolder was aware of the stalwart glare Angela was giving her while staying rooted to my hand. A look of unease spread across her face as she mumbled, "Uh... I don't think she likes me..."

"No, she just doesn't like it when someone tries to hurt Gladesong." I replied while being mindful to not say too much while Scootaloo was within earshot. Things could get ugly if she knew someone had tried to harm her baby sister.

Smolder went a little blue in the face as she just froze. She could tell. Angela saw everything. I then whispered to Angela, "Smolder's a good girl. She just wasn't thinking back then. You be nice to her, all right? Gladesong likes her too."

Angela looked back at Smolder as the dragon girl cracked a nervous grin. I brought my hand closer to Smolder, but Angela just fluttered forward and perched along Smolder's horn while cooing loudly at Gladesong. I guess it was Angela showing that she accepted Smolder for the most part. Smolder was not amused, but the rest of us were. "Oh sure, they always go for the horns. She could've just perched on my head, but nooooo. It's always gotta be the long hard things sticking outta my head."

Fluttershy and Rarity soon came out of the kitchen and watched in respectful silence as Smolder swayed in place with Gladesong in her arms once Angela had retreated back up into the rafters in peace. I was quite impressed with how tender Smolder was being with the little filly. I would dare say she was even showing some motherly traits. "Huh... Who knew Smolder was that good with babies?"

Scootaloo decided to leave Smolder to Gladesong and went into her bedroom to unpacked her saddlebags. I went over to the sofa as Rarity and Fluttershy joined me. Angela was still watching from the rafters as she dutifully surveyed Smolder's handling of her. The three of us watched as Smolder would gingerly boop Gladesong's nose every time she would reach out and touch her nose like the last time. Rarity giggled quietly as she said, "Why, I do believe Smolder has quite a knack for the little ones."

"Mmhm, and Gladesong really likes her too." Fluttershy added while showing no concerns at all. I am kind of glad she did not notice the bitterness in Smolder's voice that morning. I cannot imagine how poorly she would take finding out Smolder intended to do her child harm.

Smolder was quite taken with little Gladesong, showing a motherly side I did not expect her to have. I bet even at that moment she was being a better mother than her own mother had ever been. I was proud of her. For all the unpleasant things Smolder had admitted to me about her own kind, she was just so sweet when the moment called for it. But as I watched her, I began to wonder where Smolder would stay. It would not be proper for her to spend every night in the chicken coop. And so I turned to Fluttershy and asked, "Say, honey? Would it be all right if Smolder bunked with us for a while? She doesn't really have anywhere to go right now..."

"Here? Um... Do we have room? And is she well behaved?" Fluttershy asked while glancing back at Smolder. She really did not know Smolder very well at all. Maybe not even ten minutes of time had been spent with her.

Thankfully, Rarity was quick to come to Smolder's defense. "Oh, don't let her occasional gruffness fool you. Smolder is a deceptively refined young lady. She was a delight to have over for tea today."

Fluttershy looked back at Smolder right as she bumped noses with a giggling Gladesong. Smolder then giggled as she said, "You're not afraid of the big bad dragon? Well, that's because this big scary dragon really likes you."

My wife's gaze softened as she began to smile. "All right. She can stay. I'm sure I'll be getting to know her much better soon. But where exactly should she stay? The nursery? I think Gladesong would appreciate having her close by."

"I dunno... I'm not sure if Smolder would appreciate the risk of being woken up in the middle of the night... I'll check if Scootaloo wouldn't mind a roommate." I replied before heading into Scootaloo's room over yonder. She did not notice me at first while resting on her bed with a textbook open in front of her. I eyed her room and saw a large enough space in the corner to hold something of Smolder's size while allowing enough room to walk between her and the bed. "Say, Scoot? Got a quick question for you."

"Yeah, Dad?" Scootaloo replied before looking up from her book without much thought.

I knew Scootaloo and Smolder barely knew each other, so I was not expecting her to agree to my request right away. Still, I proceeded to ask. "Well, Smolder doesn't really have a place to stay. She's been wandering for a long time. I was wondering... That spot right there? Would you mind if you let Smolder bunk in here with you?"

Scootaloo had a good first encounter with Smolder already, but that alone was not enough to win her over. She hesitated in her response while looking at the corner of her room. "Her? Um... I dunno... She sounds nice enough, but... Is she a lot like Spike?"

"She's no more dangerous or unpleasant as Spike. Personally, I think you two would get along quite well. She sometimes reminds me of you." I replied while trying to not be pushy. If all else fails, Smolder could bunk in the laundry room.

My adopted daughter rubbed her head before she looked up at me. "Yeah, she must be nice if Gladesong likes her so much... Can I think about it for a while? And maybe hang out with her later? I'll tell you what I think at bedtime."

"Sounds like a good deal. I'll let you get back to your homework. And thanks, Scoot." I replied before stroking her mane and stepping out of the room. Smolder was holding Gladesong above her and letting the tiny filly flutter her wings in false flight. Knowing Smolder's residence in my house was at least secured, I decided it would be a good idea to make preparations.

"Say, Smolder?" I asked as I walked up to her. She lowered Gladesong back into her arms as she turned to face me. "I need to head into town to pick up a few things before the stores close for the night. You wanna tag along?"

Never one to deny my company, Smolder could only smile. "Sure! Gladesong, the big dragon has to go away for a bit, but she'll be back. You be good, all right?"

Gladesong started to moan in protest, but that quickly stopped as Rarity pulled her over with her levitation magic. "Now, now, Miss Smolder has some business to attend to. Until then, you get your auntie Rarity. Is that all right with you, you sweet little thing?"

Gladesong's protests were replaced with delighted giggling as Smolder and I slipped out of the house. Smolder, her eyes glancing up at me almost cautiously as she reached for my hand, asked, "So... Where to?"

"I... Um... Actually, where do we go for an air mattress?" I asked to no one in particular. The first thought that came to mind was the store I visited...almost a full two years ago when I hid out in the Everfree Forest that one time. Man, that feels like forever ago. "Wait, never mind. I think I know. Let's go."

We walked along as Smolder asked me many questions. About Fluttershy, Scootaloo, and how things have been. We pretty much talked nonstop until we reached the store I only vaguely remembered. Stepping inside, I found that it was indeed as different as I remembered. There was no other store like it in Ponyville, all sorts of recreational goods on display. Smolder too went silent as she marveled at her new surroundings. "This...is cool... Look at all this stuff!"

"Yeah, you usually don't see this stuff anywhere else." I said while I began to browse the aisles for camping gear. Smolder had probably never seen the inside of a retailer before. For being fourteen, she was acting more like she was only six. She played around with some knives, opened and looked inside all manner of containers, tried on some backpacks despite them restricting her wings, and almost got herself in trouble when she tried out a fishing rod. I will leave it up to your imagination on what she managed to hook.

I started to think I was getting close once I found the sleeping bags. Smolder stayed close, but was way too distracted by everything around her to pay me much mind. Eventually, I found what I was looking for. Air mattresses were on display in varying sizes.

As I browsed the selection, I came to realize that I needed to avoid purchasing one that was too small. Smolder was still growing, so it would be wise to get one that was somewhat larger than her, but how tall was she really? The dimensions of the mattresses were displayed, but...

I turned around and wondered if there was something there I could use. Almost directly across from the air mattresses were types of measuring tapes. I guess the management thought it would be convenient to place them there just for that purpose. I reached out and took one off the shelf and turned to Smolder while she browsed some brightly colored fishing lures. "Hey, Smolder? Can you come here a second?"

"Huh? Oh, sure. What's up?" She asked as she walked over to me. Her eyes kept wandering like a kid in a candy store. As someone who spent as much time in the wild as she has, she was probably wondering how she could use all the stuff that was in there.

"Stay right there...and stand as straight as you can." I said before I got on my knee and began to extend the tape and secured the tip right under her foot. It took some effort since I could not get it very close to the top of her head. Still, I managed to line the top of her head up with the tape. "Excluding your horns and the crest on your head... Huh. Three feet, two inches."

"That's it? Uh... Is that tall or really short?" Smolder asked as she clearly had never measured her height before.

"Um... Well... I really don't know. I have no idea how fast dragons grow or what their max height can be, but it sounds like a reasonable height for you." I replied as I went for a mattress that was at least five feet in length. We then proceeded to the cashier for purchase before departing for home. Smolder avoided eye contact during the last couple of minutes, probably due to being scolded after that fishing line stunt.

"So... Am I staying with you now?" Smolder asked as we neared the edge of town.

I glanced down at her to see the dragon girl looking back up at me with a hopeful smile. "Yep. Not sure on where yet. If all else fails, you can bunk in the laundry room. Cozy in there."

"Hey, I'll take what I can get. Just as long as I have a roof over my head." Smolder retorted while looking absolutely delighted. One we were starting to cross the meadow at the western edge of town she once again climbed right up my back with her head right beside mine. "Really though... Thanks for this."

"Hey, it's always nice to have you around." I replied while looking to my left to see her. Smolder just smiled back at me as I walked along with her piggybacking on me. I kept glancing at her now and then, those beautiful blue dragon eyes gazing at me whenever I did so. "Did I ever tell you that you have some really beautiful eyes?"

"Yeah? Well, you have the gentlest eyes I've ever seen." Smolder retorted as she coaxed a more bashful grin from me. But her gaze narrowed as she spoke more softly. "And I love it when you look at me like that."

My gait slowed to a stop as she gained my full attention. I recognized that gaze. A gaze she should not be giving me. But before I could even say anything, she whispered in that sickeningly sweet voice I had heard only once that day. "You're so good to me."

"Smolder... Your voice..." I mumbled as I felt myself all but quiver upon hearing it. It was just so beautiful... How could a dragon have such a sweet and delicate voice?

"What's wrong?" Smolder asked as she tilted her head down to cast me an even more whimsical stare. "Don't you like the sound of an angel?"

"Smoldeeeeerrrrrr.....!" I squealed as I spazzed out a bit. I grinned and squinted my eyes shut, hunkering over at just how much I loved that sound, yet felt like I should not be hearing it.

Smolder got a good laugh out of my reaction and lost her grip on that delicate voice of hers. But once I had regained my composure, she brought her hand to my cheek and whispered in her normal voice. "You really are adorable when you blush."

I cracked an awkward smirk, but froze as I noticed her face was slowly inching closer to mine. Eyes lidded, smile parting as her jaws began to open. Was that... Was she about to kiss me?

I nearly panicked. This was too fast. Too taboo. Thankfully, I suspect Smolder knew this too as she stopped maybe an inch from my face before pulling back while looking very apologetic. "Sorry...if I made you uncomfortable. I..."

"Smolder, it's OK. I wasn't spazzing out like that because I was uncomfortable. I...just like that sound of your voice that much. And I'm not used to hearing your real voice." I replied to try and soothe her worries while also hoping to draw attention away from what it was she almost did.

This got a modest smile out of her, but she then brought her hand to my cheek as a much more sincere gaze spread across her face. "I won't let go... All right? I've got all the time in the world to wait and see."

I could not offer a vocal response. All I could do was nod and show a small smile of my own. I knew what she was speaking of. And I too was willing to wait and see what the future holds. We continued on our way, but did not say another word.

Upon reaching the house, Scootaloo came outside to put her scooter away while Gladesong was still on her back. Smolder then hopped down from me and walked over to Scootaloo to examine her ride. "Hey there, Scootaloo. So... How do you even ride this thing the way you do? Don't you have to push yourself with one foot?"

"Most ponies do, but I figured out how to propel myself along with my wings. I figured it's a good way to get around until I finally figure out how to fly." Scootaloo replied while securing her helmet. "Hey, Dad? Can you take Gladesong while I put this away?"

"Sure thing, Scoot." I replied before I set the bag with the air mattress in it down and took my newborn daughter into my arms. I barely got to hold her all day, so she was very happy to see me as I lifted her into my cradling embrace. "Hey there, little girl. You miss daddy?"

Smolder could only smile before looking back at Scootaloo in an almost inquisitive manner. I think she wanted to ask Scootaloo about staying in her bedroom, but was not sure how to approach the subject. However, Scootaloo instead spoke to her. "Hey, you can fly pretty fast, right? Wanna go for a little fun before Mom makes dinner?"

"Huh? Oh, sure! Lead on!" Smolder replied as she spread her wings. I stepped out of the way as Scootaloo revved up her wings and rode her scooter down the meadow path with Smolder flying along above her. They were matching each other in speed for a while, but Smolder then pulled a fast one. I saw her descend until she was right above Scootaloo before reaching down and lifting her right off her ride!

I could here Scootaloo yell as she flailed for a bit, her scooter eventually rolling to a stop while Smolder took my daughter for a ride through the air. What started out as fearful yells turned into shouts of glee as Smolder took her for a ride even Rainbow Dash has never been able to do very effectively. Smolder served as Scootaloo's wings as the dragon girl swooped and spiraled with her arms tightly wrapped around the filly in her arms. She eventually set Scootaloo down by her scooter so she could ride it on back. The two soon came to a stop before me as I asked, "How was your first flight, Scoot?"

"Awesoooome!!!" Scootaloo shouted as she jumped off her scooter and beamed at Smolder. "We gotta do that again sometime! Can we go again tomorrow? You can bunk in my room all you want if we do!"

That was enough to get an agreement out of the dragon girl. "You got it! Same time tomorrow, all right?"

Scootaloo happily started to ride her scooter around to the side of the house to put it away while I gently pet Gladesong on the head. But it was then that Smolder looked up at me and asked, "Hey... Is she supposed to not be able to fly at her age? I've seen fillies a lot younger than her flying, so why's still grounded?"

"Yeah, she should be able to fly at her age. She doesn't even have a year to go before she turns thirteen." I replied as I turned my gaze to Smolder below me. "Fluttershy suspects that her wings are stunted. If they're too undersized, they can't trap enough air under them to produce enough lift for her to get off the ground."

Smolder's expression soured as the concept registered with her. "So... You're saying she'll never be able to fly? That sucks... Does she know?"

"No, she doesn't. And don't tell her, all right? We haven't confirmed it yet. And besides..." I replied before squatting so I could whisper into her ear slyly. "Even if she is, a good friend of hers is putting something special together to fix that. But don't tell her. It's gonna be a big surprise."

"Gotcha. My lips are sealed." Smolder replied while showing an equally sly smirk on her lips. But that quickly faded as a look of excitement filled her eyes. "Anyway, let's go set up my new bed! Scootaloo said I can bunk in her room, right?"

I nodded and started to head up to the front door while Smolder carried the bag. "Yeah, and I know a good spot. Just be very careful with your horns until they're trimmed. If they pop that mattress, I'll have to buy a new one."

Smolder snickered sheepishly as she likely recalled what happened to that pillow the last time she slept in my house. I had to sneak it out to Rarity in order to get it and its case stitched up so I would not have to explain it to Fluttershy. "Heh, yeah... I'll think of something to keep them in check."

Not much else happened for the rest of the evening. I wrapped the new air mattress in some spare bed sheets and set a quilt and a large pillow on it to complete the look. Rarity soon set out for home while Smolder and I spent the remaining daylight hours catching up on teaching her how to read. I refreshed her on what we covered last time since it had been weeks since her last lesson, but I am sure she will be reading and writing on her own soon enough.

It has been a long day. Scootaloo and Gladesong have gone to bed, but Smolder is here with me as I write this. She is serving us both some tea while Fluttershy is washing up for the night. I am...very happy that Smolder is back. And even moreso now that she is here to stay. I hope she will take to modern society well. She certainly deserves it after all that time alone with nothing to her name.

I just finished my tea, so I am going to see Smolder to bed and go get ready myself. I just...hope I know what I am doing with these feelings... I just need to push them out of my mind for now. Maybe it is just a phase. It will pass. I hope... Anyway, time for bed. I am ready for some sleep.

At least that is how I would have ended that entry had I not been disturbed before I could fall asleep. As I lied in bed beside my wife, I heard the quiet creak of the hatch over our stairs rise open before closing again. The faint soft sound of footsteps reached my ears as I became still. I was sure of it. Smolder was standing right beside me like the last time. With barely a whisper, I asked, "That you, Smolder?"

Sure enough, it was her. I guess her eyesight in near pitch blackness was better than mine since she then set her hand upon my shoulder. "Hey... James... Just for tonight? Can I...be with you again?"

I saw no harm in letting her sleep beside me like the last time. I gently nudged Fluttershy over so that there was just enough room for the three of us. I know Smolder would fit since Rarity has occasionally joined us in bed for a few sleepovers since Gladesong's birth. "Sure thing. Come on."

The mattress shifted as Smolder climbed in bed, her wing draping over my torso like the last time. I could feel her smooth scales against my bare torso, but they had some warmth to them. She whispered sweetly to me as her hand rested upon my chest, "It feels just as nice as the last time... Thank you..."

"Anytime, Smolder. Sweet dreams." I whispered back as I pulled the covers over us. I fell asleep in no time in the presence of two lovely ladies... That sounded so wrong, but I would be lying if I said I see Smolder as a naive immature child. She really is wise and disciplined beyond her years, but I suppose that is a requirement to survive in the wilds of Equestria.

Fluttershy was quite surprised to find Smolder in bed with us when she woke up, but was a good sport about it and offered to cook Smolder some breakfast. And for once, I am finishing up one of these in the morning instead of at night. I was a little iffy about Smolder offering to go foraging for wild berries in the Everfree Forest, but I understood she wanted to pull her own weight while living with us. I am sure she will be fine and be back by the time I get home from work.

Well, I think that is about all I wanted to cover. I better get going. We have a few appointments today specifically requesting my massage services. I should bring a gift for the girls when I get off work too. Maybe Pinkie Pie has some spare sapphires in the storeroom at her place.