Celestia sat alone in her study. Hearth's Warming had come and gone. A lonely time for her to be sure. Another year, decade, century spent alone. Though Twilight had visited her.

That memory brought a smile to her face. Her student really does have a kind heart. Her inability to make friends, however, troubled her. The only one she had any focus on was Orion. Though lately she has not said a word about him. She knew why.

A spell had continued to play the battle of that night nearly a week ago. She had it cast in front of her desk. That colt, looked like more of a stallion that the night. Si Metus Maerens, Overwhelming Fear, or Intimidation. It was an older spell. One that hadn't seen much use since the Second Reunification War.

Most of her ponies that had ever used it, had only a moderate effect. On Orion with his teeth, that grin, it was almost terrifying. She had also figured out why he seemed larger, he had modified the spell. And he was able to cast it on the fly which meant he had practice with it. What other forbidden knowledge had he somehow found that he should not yet know? Or know at all.

In truth, he reminded her much of her student. Though, Twilight listened when told no despite her curiosity. She had sense enough to wait for Celestia to let her know when she was ready for more. Truthfully the way the filly devoured her instructions and understood them made her want to ease off the reigns a little. But, Twilight's ineptitude for making true connections with others was stunting her from the role Celestia intended her to play. Better to play it safe and allow her to grow naturally when she is ready, after all she had nothing but time.

The report on advanced student's books going missing from time to time and then reappearing again gave her an idea where Orion was getting all his knowledge from. "But what is his goal? What does he intend to do with this? What was the point to his rapid advancement? Where had this innate knowledge of science and math come from?" He was clearly more advanced then what his teachers knew, at least when it came to the basic academia. Who had raised him before abandoning him in Stalliongrad with no memory?

That was it. It had to be. He didn't know who dropped him there. Or why. He must be driven for knowledge in order to prepare for his search. Celestia too, wanted to know who would abandon such a foal. The examinations and tests done when he first arrived, showed he was no Shadow Pony. So she breathed easy knowing she had wiped that race out for good. But the more she brewed on it, the more she wanted to perform another battery of tests. Just to be sure.

But his mixed heritage was another question she had no answer. There was no trace of Diamond Dog blood. Or Griffon. She even allowed a comparison to Dragon blood. It came back negative too. And it was too much of a stretch anyway. Dragons, even barely breeding age dragons, were too big for a pony.

The tests showed there is unicorn blood. But there was something else. Some other strain that seemed, magically stagnant. Like it didn't belong. Just who were his parents?

She had began to think he might be a golem. But if he was, then someone had figured out how to stuff a soul into one. Which was improbable. Not to mention how would one go about making it grow like another mortal individual? Then there is the fact that he is not made of inorganic materials.

"Also he would have no magic generation on his-" She shook her head. She was going to far afield in a dead study. Without an enchanter a golem could not even be powered.

She laughed to herself, she was obsessed about this colt as much as she was for the mysterious enchanter that was hidden inside her borders. She WOULD find them. She had idly thought that Orion was the enchanter himself. But seeing as he was struggling with his magic, not just with power but range now. No. That pony didn't know how. Though she wished he did.

That, and she had him tailed for a little while. There was never any indication that he was attempting anything. Most of what he seemed to do was read, and practice various spells behind the orphanage. Daisy Evergarden had provided him a room in the basement for his studies, but when her agent inspected the room he saw nothing but books.

Advanced for sure, but most settled into the either math, or chemical ingredients and their effects. A foal would not have thought ahead to hide anything. Though the idea of him messing with something that might explode did cause her concern. Some of the items on those lists were volatile to each other. But he actually had them marked as such.

Having him frisked at school had been another strategy. She had figured if he had anything that might be what she hoped she would find it then. Nothing. The search in his locker also reveled nothing. So she was ruling him out.

She had found suspicions activity in the dark quarter, and decided to have her agent reallocated there, tracking the possible illegal activity that may be there for the time being.

Thinking of Orion, Twilight's silence on the colt had finally made Celestia ask about him that afternoon when she had visited for Hearth's Warming.

"I haven't heard much about Orion from you Twilight. You two have a little spat?"

The poor filly had jerked in her seat the moment she had mentioned his name. The struggle to form words was readily apparent on her face. The scene in the school's courtyard must have left a deep mental scar on her student. She had yet to tell her about what had happened to him on his second trip down into Ponyville.

"N-no, no fight. J-just been too busy with my own studies. Y-y-eah that's it." Twilight would have to learn to lie eventually. But for now, it served Celestia's needs.

"You filly, are a terrible lair. This is about that fight at the school isn't it?" Her student could only look away. She sighed. "You do understand that Orion was merely defending himself from those colts, right?" A nod but still no eye contact. "I'll tell you a little secret about him that I know...."

An ear flicked toward her, that got her attention. Celestia inwardly smiled.

"You know, he is really rather well built. I got to see him with out his shirt on and for a colt of fourteen, well, he is gonna be one hot to trot stallion when he gets older. As long as he maintains his regiment that is." She got the reaction she wanted. Twilight was furiously blushing, looking everywhere but at her. She chuckled. Ah to be young and have options. "Now that is a bitter thought isn't in you old mare."

In a more serious tone, "Twilight, he used a spell to cast a very intimidating illusion. One that I have only seen one other perform to such great effect. I don't know where he learned it, but he knows it very well. He was likely trying to stop the fight early on with it. But he either hadn't figured out how to cancel the spell out, or got distracted and let the spell linger. Either way most of what you saw was just a mirage." The filly slowly started to look at her, a frown creasing her features.

"All of that was just an illusion spell?" A nod and a warm smile. " Oh good. I will have to apologize to him. I thought those teeth of his were real." The smile dropped.

"I'm afraid that was likely the only real thing that was there. Orion is an omnivore. He is capable of eating both plants and animals." Raising up a hand to forestall her student. "I do not know what his parentage is. His blood work was subjected to magical examination. He is unicorn, but there is something else, something not documented."

"You do not need to fear him however. He really doesn't go out of his way to attack ponies. But it is unfortunate when they come after him. I fear not knowing who his family is has left quite a scar upon his heart. He may act tough, and very smart. But I believe he holds himself from anypony for fear of being hurt. It might be why he avoids you."

Realization dawn on her face. Like with Orion, Celestia just loved watching ponies come to the proper conclusions she had bread crumbed for them. "So, he's never going to bite me? Or hurt me, he just rude to everypony because he's scared?" Another nod, the warm smile back. "Oh Princess, I was so afraid of him! The idea of his teeth just scared me so much, that and the size he had seemed to take on! It was like watching a monster come to life!"

"No he is not monster Twilight. Just a colt who is struggling to find his place in this world. Much like all my little ponies." She grinned. "And whose to say you won't want him to bite into you one day, those teeth during a rut? I can imagine what that would feel like!"

"PRINCESS!?" Celestia just cackled gleefully.

It was a fun moment, she may have been a little inappropriate with her student, but it felt good to let the old mane down once in awhile. She looked back at the paused spell. He stood there with his body alight in flame as the wolf who pounced found that its plan had failed.

"What happened to force anypony to abandon such a promising colt?"

Orion, winced for what felt like the thirtieth time that afternoon. Removing stitches is not as fun as it looks on tv. The tugging on the flesh as each strand came out was uncomfortable and painful. "Look friend, if you do not ease up on the yanking I am going to beat you to death with a bed pan!"

Doctor Heartline seemed like a decent person. But he was old, and slow as shit in winter. And the way he seemed to just yank out the string just at the end, was making him think he was enjoying this too much.

Heartline paled. His yellow fur on his face somehow losing color. Gray was speckled throughout his pale blue mane as it shook as he took a step back. Fear in his eyes.

Orion was struck upside the head with a deep purple aura. Rarity was watching him today as AJ had to help out on the farm. "You will do no such thing! Doctor if you would please, I'm sure you wish to get him out of here as much as he does to leave. And Darling, if you do not behave I will have to be rough."

He just grumbled as Doctor Heartline went back to his work. A bit quicker now as he began to pull out the last of the stitches from his face. He caught distinct words of something about the princess shouldn't be making him deal with common ponies. Stuck up fuck.

No matter what they could do he has scarred for life, physically. Emotionally he was fucked to hell and back, the nightmares returning make sure of that. Those marks had peppered his body, and while it wasn't as bad as it could have been, the one on his face would bore a grim reminder of his inability to think ahead. Especially when he was angry. There goes his modeling career.

He had been watching through the reflection of the mirror on the far wall. The last of the stitches removed, the fur would grow back, but there would be a thin mark of skin that everyone was going to see. Though on further reflection, it made him look like a bad ass. He grinned.

"Well thanks Doc, it has been real but can I please get the fuck outta here now?" Another wack. "And would you stop fucking hitting me?!" Another wack. He glared daggers.

"I am not sure what you are saying but those words you use sound to close to another word I know. No colt your age should be saying. You will act like a civilized stallion and behave." Rarity was grating on him. Just a little.

"First, Your only older then me by like 2 years. Secondly, that's because fuck does mean buck." He saw it coming this time and flicked her horn, canceling out her magic. If he had to wear a null ring she couldn't use her magic either. Cheating bitch.

Rarity just glared then huffed.

Doctor Heartline chose that moment to interrupt, "I have completed my part. Would have been completed if you didn't twitch every time a stitch was pulled. But, I suppose it matters little now, once your done dressing head down to check out and get whatever medication they think you should have. I'm not your doctor. I won't know what that is." He tottered out, grumbling to himself. Orion was tempted to chuck the bed pan at his head anyway.

Another glare from Rarity made him rethink that path of thought. Standing up he began to remove his hospital gown. "No matter what universe, all hospital gowns show everyone's ass." He stopped. Looking at Rarity, "What you want, a free show?" He smiled cheekily.

For her part, she flustered and babbled what was clearly an articulate thought for the ancient ones, but for the modern horse it was indecipherable. She stormed out in a tizzy, still making up unintelligent excuses. Grinning. Ah something he hasn't lost. His humor.

Looking into the mirror in the bathroom he really took in his form since he first arrived. The pink of fresh scars coated his upper torso. "Dear God I really didn't think at all did I?" Rubbing one of the scars, a puckered slash across his abdomen. That one could have been bad. Looking into his face, he cringed a little.

He was never going to be a model. But now he was never gonna win any prizes in the average department. The nasty soon to be scar would get almost covered, but it would still show on his face. No one could look at it and not know exactly what it was. He looked like a convict.

That thought brought something unbidden to his mind. His past incarceration and the reason for it. He hadn't thought about any of it since that morning he was shoved into that fucking portal. All he did for the first year was try and survive, and then life happened so fast for him it had been pushed back into distant memory. That first night after everyone went home, Orion was caught back up to the day of is trial. The nightmares that plagued him during his time in the underground research center, locked in that tiny cell, had returned.

"Oh Jesus, maybe this is my punishment. No, that's stupid. If anything I am having a pretty good time here. Sure I've had to go through puberty again and its a pain, but at least there was no acne."

He was just getting lost in his thoughts. But the guilt, the memories he had all but forgotten was back and seemed there to stay. Shit.

Rarity was pacing back and forth for the last five minutes. "The nerve of him to imply that I would be a lady of such ill refinement is appalling. How dare he!?"

It was more then what he had said to her. She was trying to distract from what really had her upset. Those scars going down the left side of his neck and back. She saw them clearly when the gown opened up. They looked so deep. She knew she was beginning to tear up and forced herself to stop. Pulling out a handkerchief from her clutch she dabbed at her eyes.

"No pony should have gone through this, and he put himself through it on purpose! What was he thinking?!" She knew why he did it. She had heard the explosions that night, many ponies of Ponyville had, and ended outside their homes that night. She could see the clouds above Applejack's home light up in orange, blues and reds. She had thought that her friend had been attacked by and invading force of griffons of all things.

When Applejack had pounded on her door that morning she was relieved. Her best friend was safe.

When she had heard that Orion was in town but missing from her home from last night she grew fearful, but immediately suggested the hospital. The crestfallen look on her friends face told her that was the last place AJ wanted to look.

He was just laying there. Covered in bandages. The rhythmic beep of the heart monitor the only thing making noise in the small hospital room. Applejack had turned immediately to the nurse, a white mare with a pink mane, and began asking as many questions as she could. Rarity could only walk up and grab a hold of his hand. He was so beat up. The bandages across his face and body spoke of what he had done that night. The cow filly in the room told her on the way over what she and he brother had found in their field.

He was so strong looking the last time he was here. Like the world could not touch that confidence in his eyes. Now his broken form sat before her and she could do nothing but bow her head and weep. The arm that wrapped around her just made her cry all the harder turning her into a mess. She knew she had ruined her makeup, but for once she could not bring herself to care.

She turned burying her head into Applejack's shoulder and just cried her heart out. Holding firmly onto his hand.

She had been mumbling to herself and had not heard his room's door open.

"Hey pretty lady, penny for your thoughts?" She snapped out of her musing and stared at him. 'Penny'? She blushed, he had called her pretty. He had his moments.

"I will never understand how or why you speak with those strange idioms. Are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be. Let's blow this joint. I am hungry as hell." She thought about whacking him again. It likely wouldn't help. It seemed he was refusing to use any manners. A colt from Canterlot should not speak with such callousness.

"Then lets get you checked out dear. We had a bakery open up last year and the cupcakes are to Die for." Just the idea of stuffing one of those heavenly pastries into her mouth made her forget all about the diet she was supposed to be on. Besides, she had been under a tremendous amount of stress this week. She deserved a pick me up.

They had walked to the lobby of the hospital in silence. She looked over to see his face. No smiling, happy go lucky attitude. He was brooding. Heavily so. The news that he had destroyed his first room in fit of night terrors had alarmed her. Walking into room 312 had found him actually strapped to his bed. Apparently that was not the only night he suffer the nightmares.

Redheart had told her personally that he had screamed for three nights in a row. Only the last few days had he been quiet. But the heart monitor showed his heart rate spike constantly during the midnight hours. Rarity feared for him. The scars of fighting the timber wolves was not just on his body, but on his heart and mind as well.

Pushing through the double doors she spotted Applejack at the receptionist's desk, waiting on them obviously. While not expecting her friend for another hour she was happy she was here, but the least she could have done was change her clothes. She was a mess, and was those leaves stuck in her mane. "Oh Celestia, she didn't even bathe did she?"

Getting closer Rarity had confirmation. By Orion's face he could smell the cow filly too.

"Whew AJ you didn't even bother to clean up did ya?" He hugged her, much to the budding fashionista distaste. To hug somepony after they had been in the field all day, she shivered. She just gave a polite nod. Which only seemed to get a chuckle out of the dirty filly.

"Sorry 'bout that Orion. I wanted ta get done as soon as I could and raced over here. I wanted ta be thar when ya got out. and I know how ya feel about dirt Rares. Not that it wouldn't hurt ya none."

"I'm sorry Applejack but if we were meant to roll in the mud and dirt I believe we would have been born as ignorant four legged animals." The cackling laughter brought both fillies attention to him. He was doubled over laughing so hard that the nurse behind the desk was giving him a rather concerned look.

"Oh god...I shit what are the odds....oh god fuck!" Rarity smacked him again though he didn't seem to notice. " I'm sorry....hooooo you wouldn't understand it if i explained it to you guys! Oh shit! I needed that." Still chuckling to himself he went to sign himself out. The two just shared a look.

While Orion dealt with the paper work Rarity and Applejack walked a bit away. Speaking in hushed tones, "So? How's he lookin'? I noticed that scar on his muzzle, it looks a might nasty. Has he had anymore nightmares? Oh, and when is he leaving?" She had fire off the moment they were far enough.

"Applejack, darling slow down please. He is okay for right now. That scar on his face isn't the only one adorning his body, his whole left side down his back has them. Fortunately his hands made a full recovery. Honestly he is lucky to have everything intact from what the nurses have been telling me. The nightmares haven't seemed to make a return, at least not like they were at the beginning." She shuddered. "I couldn't imagine fighting one timber wolf let alone a horde of them. He....it seems he is more withdrawn. Whatever those nightmares are they are plaguing him. I don't believe there is a thing we can do."

The cow filly just looked to Orion, a tear coming to her eye. "I jest can't believe he did what he did. Did it all fer my ma and pa....Rarity, he was so hurt." She sniffed and Rarity handed her the handkerchief she had used earlier to her friend, rubbing her back gently. "A stallion isn't suppose to be fightin' like a mare. He shouldn't have gone out that night. But, I can't be mad at him. I burned those wolves and all I can be is happy that it was done. Am I a bad pony?"

"No, no. Wanting justice is not bad. Especially when its for the family robbed from you, dear. I just wish he hadn't gone out like he did. I cannot imagine what he was thinking. When you told me he was here because of his suspension for fighting I thought you had finally learned to lie properly. Now, after all this? I can believe it. He has a strong sense of justice."

"Granny said the same thing. Right before she told me he was not allowed back. She had told him not to. He chose to ignore her completely. Now....Rares he can never come back to the farm. That's not fair." She was close to tears.

"Shhhh shhh, its okay Applejack. Granny is like you, real stubborn. It will take time but I'm sure she will one day welcome him back. He did what he thought needed to be done. Even if we don't understand it."

They both heard Orion walking back. When they looked to him, he had a look of concern on his face for her friend. "You okay there apple bottom?"

Applejack just laughed, "I'm fine, and when are you gonna tell me what you mean by that nick name."

He shook his head, "Never. You have to figure it out yourself. Your a smart cookie. I'm sure you'll know soon enough." He just smiled back, there was none of the usual devilishness in that smile. Something was truly wrong with him.

Stepping outside found a very unpleasant surprise. The flash of a camera nearly blinded all three as reporters surrounded them, more specifically, him. The two fillies were pushed aside as he was bombarded with questions from multiple ponies. All wearing press tags. Oh shit. Somehow, somewhere, someone leaked what happened in the fields.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Dead silence claimed the road, none of the reporters knew what to do. Stabbing a finger at a random stallion in the group, Orion towered over him as he glared. "What the hell is this about?" His teeth with bare. He did not give a shit.

"Uh...I-I'm Sun Herald. From the Daily Sun. We received a tip that you had been in an altercation with a few timber wolves. And were injured due to it. We wished to bring our readers the news, and well colt, you are the news right now. Canterlot is buzzing with rumors about you as well." The red and orange stallion had maintained his voice but was slowly wilting under his gaze.

Looking at the rest he spoke six words, "You have five questions, choose wisely." He didn't want to give them shit. But knew they would just find a way to harass him and those around him.

These idiots had actually huddled up tossing questions back and forth. He should have told them to fuck off.

Fifteen minutes later they had finally pulled away from one another. A unicorn mare stepped forward. Her sun yellowed mane immaculately brushed. The white fur of her cheeks a little rosy. "I'm with Present Times. My name is Petal Grace. I have been elected to ask you our five questions that you allow."

"Well then lets get on with it. I'm hungry and you lot have already made a shitty day worse." He folded his arms and took up a position on a pillar.

"Okay, first question: The outlandish claim of upwards of a 150 timber wolves, did you actually come that close? Or was the report as crazy as it seemed?"

He thought of how to answer, tell the truth or lie. No, they could likely pull information from public records later. Might as well be honest.

"One hundred and thirty two. I had counted."

They all stared. A stallion in the back, "T-thats impossible! No colt can just fight off a horde of timber wolves!"

"Wanna remove the ring on my horn and you can find out first hand how I did it?" No one took him up on the offer. That shut up Mr Doubting Thomas in the back. "Next." It wasn't a question. The fuse in his head started to shorten.

She took a moment to collect herself. "Is, is it true you stood up to Princess Celestia the day of your suspension?"

"No comment." He wasn't about to add to his trouble.

She looked to object, then saw his face. She swallowed and resumed. "Your public file says your an orphan from Stalliongrad, rumor has it you were found eating a...raw rat. Is this....true?"

Oh boy a fun one. "Yes, I was." Gasps and as one they all seemed to take a step back. "I'm an omnivore, I eat both plants and meat in order to maintain a healthy diet. If you're worried about me suddenly attacking you I wouldn't bother. No amount of seasoning makes the media palatable." He actually received a few chuckles from that."Just because I consume meat in my diet doesn't mean I am suddenly going to turn cannibalistic. It just means I get to enjoy bacon unlike you poor poor plebs." AJ grinned at this.

Chuckling and seeming to feel more at ease she asked their fourth question. "There are talks in the rumor mill that claims you haven't been spoken for by a herd yet. From your academic scores many are considering tendering an invitation. Would you consider joining yourself to one of the elite herds looking for a stallion?"

He gave her a bewildered look. Looking behind the growing crowd he spotted both AJ and Rarity looking worried. He shook his head. "Lady, I am almost fifteen. Why the hell would I want to get into a relationship with anyone. Let alone sign up with a group of them. My education and future career is far more important to me then taking the back seat in some herd. Thank you, but no. They can keep their invitations."

Grumbling from what looked like the gossip group. "Suck my dick you vultures I know your game." More gasps rang out. Rarity looked like she was going to go into seizures. "I'm not apologizing. Back to you Miss Grace."

She had a half smile on her face, apparently no one liked the tabloids. "The last question is about what happened at Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. Reports claimed you were involved in an altercation with several students. Would you like to comment on it?"

He grinned, "Sure. Why not?"

After snapping a few more photos, Petal Grace and Snap Shot wandered back to the train station in a daze. "That colt can't be real." It was a mantra Snap had been repeating since the interview had ended.

"No, its actually true. I had managed to get an interview with a filly named Fancy Breeze that was at the location when the fight broke out. Everything he said matched up with her statements. I plan on pushing for both stories to be published to our editor tonight. Mark my words, he is going to vanish shortly after graduation." She laughed. "He was not happy, and I get the feeling he doesn't like publicity despite being so candid with us."

Getting the ring removed from his horn again was a pain, if this kept happening he was gonna be on personal terms with the 405th garrison, but not like he could complain about it now. Rarity and AJ had dragged his ass to, what he could safely call, the House of Diabetus. The place looked like death by sugar was a fun past time.

The cupcake he bit into was like biting into fluffy syrup. How could horse people consume this?

Looking across the table he saw the two girls just chowing away on a variety pack of cupcakes. He set his cupcake down and shuddered.

"Way too much sugar for my tastes. Sorry ladies but the pile be yours." Pushing the offensive pastry away he looked to Miss Cake, who had the strangest pink swirl pattern to her mane he had ever seen. She looked like a failed ice cream attempt. "Sorry Miss Cake but this is just too strong for my taste buds. I'm sure its delicious. But unless you have something that backs off on the sugar I'm afraid this will be my only visit."

The poor woman seemed to panic at the thought of losing a potential customer, and rushed behind the counter into the kitchen. The clash of pots and pans echoed throughout the store.

"Orion, that was positively rude! Can you not say it more delicately then that?" Rarity was glaring at him. Applejack held her own disapproving look as she shoveled yet another cupcake into her mouth.

"I could, but its not about sparing her feelings. Its about her maintaining a business that many potential customers can come to. Her taste in pastries cannot be the bar she sets. There will be others like me I promise you that, and rather then let her lose potential clients she can learn from this and back down on the fucking sugar." Nodding he took a drink of his milkshake, which was actually rather delcious, he hummed in approval as he sucked down the banana and chocolate drink. "The Milkshakes however are on point." He said loudly enough to be heard in the kitchen.

The pause of activity told him she had heard. Shortly after she came back out with what looked to be an apple turnover. Sprinkled lightly with sugar. "Thank you for the compliment on my milkshakes dear. Rarity, while I may not like hearing it, he is correct. Though I wish he was a bit more gentle, I will have to serve various ponies with different taste buds. I may just have to slow down on the sugar as he says." Orion was only half listening.

It was indeed an apple turnover, and it was fucking delicious. His moan of approval drew the girls attention. "Oh yeah, now this is the stuff. Oh God, Miss Cake this is so good." The smile that bloomed brought the beauty out of her slightly pudgy face out in full view.

She was more average in the looks department then the mares in Canterlot. But she glided with grace through her establishment that one can appreciate, her hips were rather eye catching. But when she really smiled, her face and the room itself lit up. It was a pleasant thing to see. He couldn't help but smile back.

"Thank you so much hun. I was a little worried, your not the first to complain about the sweetness of my treats. I am worried I won't be able to keep my business open if i don't draw in more customers." The frown didn't belong. She should be smiling.

"Since when did I give a damn about others happiness?" Looking to the baker he made a suggestion. "Why not just use about a third of the sugar. You'll save on the supply side and you can test where everyone's tolerance is. It can give you a good baseline, and allow you to adjust so as not to lose your established customers."

She had taken on a speculative look. "But what about my customers that already like it the way it is?"

"Easy, still make some of your pastries at their level of sweetness. You can put little signs out to say which is what. That way they get what they want and new folks can try without going into a diabetic coma."He was rather proud of himself for the suggestion. Rarity was smiling while Applejack was giving him an appreciative look.

"That, that actually could work. Thank you Mr Falls. I and my coltfriend will definitely give that a shot. We so want this to work out. Its been our dream before we even met." The smile was back, good. A sudden thought had him pulling his pen and a roll of paper out of his coat. He began to write quickly.

"Darling what is that your writing. And what is up with that quill? I've never seen one like that." She was focused more on the pen in his hand then what he was writing.

"This is a pen Rarity. It has the ink inside of it, instead of having to constantly dip into a ink pot, I have it all in one. I won't explain how it works because I am planning on patenting it. This recipe I am writing down is for Crepes, a dish found in F-Prance. Its more of a breakfast food but it can go with just about anything any time of day. It's low on sugar and yet still sweet, and you put filling inside such as fruit with sauce in it. The combinations can vary depending on what you would like to try."

Miss Cakes eyes had began to fill with wonder. Rarity didn't give her a chance to speak. "You know Prench cuisine?!" She seemed to have forgotten the amazing invention he was using. The baker seemed to share the same unspoken question.

"Uh yeah, I do. Not a whole lot but a few recipes here and there. This is one of them." Handing over the list of ingredients and instructions of how to make the confection. "Now it looks complicated but a little practice and you will have something to jump start peoples day without making them feel like Jabba the Hut." Strange looks was all he got. But the baker mare was too busy dancing with joy at the idea of a new recipe. From Prance of all places.

"Thank you so much, Mr Falls!" The hug was soft and comfortable. Yeah, he could see why Carrot had gone for her, she squished just right.

"Heh, your welcome. You put in the effort to try and make me happy, it was the least I could do. I too wish to see you succeed. I expect the next time I am here, that I can eat a horde of those. They are my favorite after all." Thinking and nodding again. "I won't be passing out that recipe to anyone else. You guys will be the sole bakers of that particular dish in the area. She was tearing up. "Aw shit, don't start crying its just food."

Rarity was beaming in her seat, Applejack had somehow finished the entire plate of sugar death. She was looking very satisfied with herself. He was being swung about by Miss Cake. Thank yous were uttered profusely. Good thing her boyfriend wasn't here. She was way to soft in all the right places.

"That was a wonderfully nice thing you did for them Orion. To think your usually so surly, to see this sweet side of you is rather lovely."

"Come on, she was working her ass off to make me happy. Earnest people are the least shitty people. They want people to like them and love what they do. How could I not reward that effort?" He was eating another turnover. Damn these things were so good. "So, I leave tomorrow. What is on the agenda for the rest of the day." Looking up he noticed the day coming to a close. "Or well not. Its getting late, and AJ needs to get back to the farm, don't you?"

"Yeah, I do." It was apparent to a blind man that she didn't want to. " I reckon I shoulda been home some time ago. Was jest havin' to much fun hang with ya both. Sorry."

"Why be sorry? You have responsibilities that you can't shirk. And a Granny that hates me at the moment. Believe it or not I understand. You get on home. I'll see you in the morning when I take off?" A sad slow nod. " Hey don't be like that apple bottom. I'll likely show up again. I don't know when, but I will be back."

She hugged him tightly. Chuckling to herself.

They waved her off as she walked down the road past a boarded up shop that was built to look more like one of those rides you find at a kid's park.

"Awww crap. I gotta go rent my hotel room again. I hope they are still open. You people don't seem to have much of a night life here...as in none." Orion made to say his goodbyes to Rarity.

"Nonsense darling. You'll be staying with me tonight. We have a guest bedroom and I'm sure my parents would not mind your presence." She had planned this. He could see it in her smug and self assured expression.

"So I get to see meet your mob family, eh?"

"Mob....family? What, what do you mean by that?!"

"I mean, uh, wait, you're not part of the horse mafia?" The spluttering and gaping shock from her told him no. No she was not. Well, back to her family being really rich hippies.

"Whorse Mafia?! I don't know where you got the idea from, but my family does not dabble in such debauchery. How dare you imply such a thing?!" Oh boy she was heated. Going over it in his head the way she said horse he realized two things. No, three things.

First and foremost, he is in fact a dumbass. Secondly, horse was a slur in their language. How had he not remembered that? Third, it was going to take some serious bullshitting to get out of this. Half the work for that was done thankfully, the walking polygraph test was not here. Applejack seemed to sniff his lies out every single time. Fucking weird.

"First, I did not mean to imply you or your family were prostitutes. Secondly, I....I...shit I don't know Rarity the word popped outta my mouth and I am too tired to really try and bullshit my through it."

"Please, please by the bullshit I am feeding you right now."

The universe tossed him a bone.

"Oh, yes, I can see how exhaustion can make one say things they normally wouldn't. And for your information my herd trades in textiles such as silks and cotton. Flanks Inc. The premier fabric company of the highest class and quality."

Oh shit. Her family, herd, was loaded. And not a mafia.

"Ah so that's where you got the diamonds for my cuff-links." He was still deciding how he wanted to enchant those. "I was so shocked when I saw them, I figured you were some type of mafia."

"No, that's actually my special talent. I can easily find precious stones when I go looking. I found those the day you arrived here and figured that were best given to you. It seemed like fate after all." She had went from indignant to sultry. She was gazing at him through her eyelashes with a look that made him question if he wanted to be in the next thirty yards of her.

"Okay, getting back on subject. I will...stay with you. Mostly due to the fact that I am sure the hotel is closed already. But there are some ground rules. No making that look at me. No contact outside of hugs. And I am sleeping alone." He had read somewhere that sometimes estrus begins early. Not having another Canterlot.

Rarity blushed furiously. He didn't think she realized what she was doing. "I can respect those terms, though darling, did you really think I would try to take advantage of you in such a way?"

"Let me tell you about a young man who got caught up in the hell known as estrus. And the women who chased his ass through the streets...."

She was laughing at him. Rarity had quickly picked up that the story was about him. The realization that he was dumb enough to go out during season just brought gales of laughter from her. Bitch.

"I ca-can't believe you actually did that! To punch that poor mare like that." She just went back into giggles.

"Yeah and a fuck you too. I didn't realize. When I was younger we were practically chained inside the orphanages...." He gave up. She was laughing so hard that she was having trouble getting her key into the lock of the purple monstrosity known as her home.

"Forgive me darling. B-but that story...oh my goodness." Another fit of giggles as she managed to turn the key and open the door. "How unladylike of me. Welcome. Welcome back to my home." She was STILL giggling to herself.

Making her way inside she immediately guided him to a guest bedroom. It was just as garish as the rest of the house. Even the wood was painted purple. Ugly. The bed was soft though. Way to many pillows. "To the floor with thee!"

She stood at the door to his room for the evening. The giggles that had been there were gone. "Can I interest you in a spot of tea? Maybe a lite snack before bed?"

"Naw, besides eating just before you go to sleep is actually not good for you. Recommended to eat about three or four hours before sleep to ensure your body doesn't hold onto the extra calories." She blinked at him. "Oh sorry, its the way Bulk Bicep recommends eating. He is a trainer at Iron Will's Gymnasium in Canterlot. The advice has worked out amazingly for me. The results as you can see speak for themselves." He had been unlacing the collar of his shirt while he spoke, pulling the garment off he turned to Rarity.

She was blushing but hadn't turned away yet. "See? Not much fat, just a comfortable amount that anyone should have when you hit the gym."

She wanted to look away. True she had seen plenty of colts playing in the summer without shirts on, even measured him, but this seem so sinful. His chest was defined just like the last time she had seen it. It seemed he had bulked up just a little more. The abs were there but not overly exposed like she had seen from the magazine her older herd sister, Violet, had had. But his arms. Those certainly looked inviting. She shook herself.

"I see you have kept at it, Orion. I suppose there is merit in that way of dieting. Something I may have to look into, but if you want for nothing, darling, then I am getting ready for bed as well. I am glad to see your okay." She trembled, remembering when they had found him in the hospital.

She was embraced in a hug, when had he moved? "It's okay Rares. I'm fine. Still functioning. Just with a few new decorations.

"That joke is in poor taste. Still...I'm glad to see you're alright." Pushing away with reluctance, she was going to have dreams about this she was sure. "Sleep well. Don't hesitate to call on me if you need anything."

She closed the door silent and walked to her room. AS she undressed she paused and held her self. "That hug felt way to good. Get a grip Rarity. He's just a colt. In a room. Just down the hall." Dressing into her pajamas she threw herself into bed. Slowly falling to sleep in a dream filled with arms that held her tight.

Rarity woke to the sound of something shattering. She had bolted awake in fear. The silence of the house was being disturbed by what she thought were the sounds of a struggle. Orion.

She pulled herself from bed and rushed down the hall to his room. There on the bed was him thrashing in his sleep, whimpers emanating from his mouth. "I...didn't do it. Please...." She couldn't understand what he was saying.

She leapt into his bed and began to brush his mane and neck speaking softly in soothing noises, his thrashing slowly abated. Looking about she saw the table lamp, it was shattered and laying on the floor by the bed. Still stroking his mane she made to slowly rise from the bed, the look on his face stopped her. His face was slowly morphing back into fear.

She laid down next to him, fearing leaving him to his nightmares. "I meant to only dream being in bed with him. Not an actual reality I thought would happen. Oh Orion, what has happened to you?" She adjusted herself into bed for comfort, but before she was too comfy she was swept up into a cuddling hug, those big arms enveloping her small frame.

Now she knew what it was like for all those mares in her romance novels. To feel a big and powerful stallion holding onto them. Celestia, this was better then she had ever hoped to experience.

Snuggling in she smiled as she rested her head on his broad chest. This time, she didn't have to fall asleep imagining.