Instead of heading straight to Lyra and Bon-Bon’s home, I decide to detour back through the town in order to show Ice Blossom more of the town’s layout. Here in the market, I might even be able to find one of those flighty flower flakes for my fantastic filly-friend. Wow, try saying that three times in quick succession. Stupid brain.

Still, I really do want to give Blossom a feel for the town before I venture into the Everfree with Gale. If the trip into the Everfree can be taken care of on the first day, I’ll have all the time in the world to spend with Blossom and Lyra and Bon-Bon. Plus, she’ll get some opportunities to ask around about those two flowers she’s looking for. I just really hope she’s not looking for one of the flowers I’m thinking she’s looking for.

Heck, I could even take her with me to pay Twilight and Spike a visit if I wanted to... which I do plan on doing, just not today. Sure, she’s the best source of information on reaching Zecora’s hut safely, but I actually have somepony else in mind. If she’s here in the marketplace today, I could probably get pretty good directions to the zebra’s frightening forest abode on account of her sister’s frequent visits. It’s just a totally unplanned convenience that this same pony is most likely to give me an honest impression of the town’s mood.

“Bon-Bon seems like a very nice mare,” Blossom comments idly, eyeing the merchandise in a few stalls as we pass. “She definitely seems very concerned with her Lyra’s condition.”

“Mmmhmm,” I hum, glancing around in search of my target. “With how motherly she really is, you’d never think that the mare didn’t like foals. Just goes to show how you can be changed by the prospect of having to do more than just occasionally mother your lover.”

Much to my surprise and utter bafflement, Blossom bursts into a fit of giggles. She just keeps walking, giggling not unlike Pinkie Pie. I’m actually a bit surprised she can even walk straight with how hard she’s giggling. This goes on for quite a few moments before finally she pauses to wipe a tear from her eye.

“What was that about?” I ask, incredulously. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d have assumed you’d just smoked a whole joint. Are you high or something? Do I have to worry for the candy breakfast waiting for me in my saddlebag?”

“Oh no, it is nothing like that!” she protests quickly, as though bothered by the implication she might steal my meal. “I was simply imagining you with a foal of your own. Beyond your sometimes outlandish quirks, you are a very compassionate pony. Surely it would make any filly or colt happy to be able to call you their mother.”

I stop mid-step to stare at her. What in the nine hells brought that up? “Me with kids?” My incredulous response slips from between my lips before I can reign it in. Seriously, why would anypony think I’d make a good parent? I’m no less than five kinds of crazy, and there’s a good chance my kid would become Pinkie Pie. “Really?” Is she really talking about kids when we’re not even officially dating yet?

“Yes,” she meekly replies.

“Let’s skip the logistics of how a stallion would literally tear me in half, for a moment,” I mutter, covering my face with a hoof. “As much as I support adoption, it isn’t for me; I’m an all or nothing type of mare. That leads me to the fact that me bearing a foal is a terrible idea. Remember now, Blossom. I’m a dwarf.

“Assuming my dwarfism is not magically imposed genetics, but instead a result of Equestria’s magic converting matter to energy to fuel the transformation, chances are good that any foal I have would be full sized.” I let out a small giggle as the morbid image of me bloated like a blimp, my hooves unable to touch the floor. In that scenario, it would probably be necessary to putter around on a cloud for the eleven month gestation. Judging by the rather shocked expression on her face, the same image just occurred in Blossom’s mind as well. “Oh sure, it’s plenty humorous to imagine, but in all reality it’d probably be incredibly hazardous to my health. Teen pregnancies are bad enough when they aren’t stuck in the form of an eternal preadolescent. I’m almost guaranteed a required cesarean or I’ll die in childbirth. Luna preserve me, let’s not even think about twins or triplets.”

“They only perform those sorts of operations in places without qualified medical unicorns,” she nickered softly. “Please remember that this world is much unlike your own.”

She makes a fair point. I have been living in Equestria for around ten months now, but I still think in terms comparable to earth so long as unicorns aren’t involved. After all is said and done, I’d like to say that Equestria operates on principles similar to those on earth, but beyond the laws of gravity—Pinkie notwithstanding—everything is dictated by magic. Arcade machines? Arcane crystal arrays. Electricity? Sure, they have hydroelectric dams, but you never see any infrastructure, as though it’s all buried cabling. Heck, it might even be magically transmitted.

So why am I so quick to ignore magic? What’s the phrase? Oh yeah! Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Surely the inverse is also true. I grew up so used to computers, home television sets and e-readers that the benefits of magic don’t even faze me unless I actively think about them. Magic is essentially technology here in Equestria, and technology is just one of those things you learn to ignore out of convenience. The only magic I even actively think about is alchemy these days. What’s that say about me?

I put my ruminations aside, and freeze as a familiar pony falls under my gaze. Scratch that! Two familiar ponies are dead ahead of me. The first, a blue pegasus with a polychrome mane and tail, is having an animated conversation with an orange earth pony covering most of her blond mane with a stetson. Of course Rainbow Dash would be the one having a conversation with Applejack when I show up. Fuckin’ Rainbow Dash!

“... and I know she’s in town, because I saw her hat when she was walking away from the train station!” Rainbow’s raised voice carries across the market. Thank Celestia, she hasn’t spotted me yet, or else this might turn ugly for me. Unless... “You don’t forget a unique hat like that, and it’s hard not to spot her with how suspiciously she’s dressed.”

“Say, Blossom,” I ask in a playful tone, casually leading her into an alley between shops. “How do you feel about role-play? I’ll share half of my chocolate breakfast with you.”

When we step back into the marketplace, my hat and sunglasses are replaced with a green hair bow fashioned from a bandana, and my travel cloak is tucked safely away into my saddlebags, along with my identity. For the time being, I’m not visiting Ponyville as Silver Script with my marefriend. Instead, I’m simply Snowdrop, visiting ponyville with my mother.

With that in mind, I stick very close to my ‘mother’s’ side as she trots casually through the market, occasionally stopping to look at a stall’s merchandise as we agreed, while slowly making our way to Applejack’s stall. For my part, the act is simple enough. Stick close to Blossom, and pretend to be a skittish little blank flank. In reality, it isn’t all that difficult an act to put on; being exposed like this makes me every bit anxious.

Strangely enough though, when I actually muster up enough courage to look around, I’m not met with looks of suspicion or disdain. Instead, many ponies are smiling at the sight of me sticking so close to Blossom. Looking to put on a good show, I press closer to my ‘momma’ and shyly nuzzle her side. This action serves a dual purpose. In addition to eliciting a few ‘awws’ from mares operating a stall selling fashion accessories, it also gives me an excuse to nuzzle her publicly without it being too obvious.

.

That’s when Rainbow Dash finally spots me. Her eyes lock on me, and instantly narrow, halting whatever conversation she may have been having with Applejack in favor of giving me an accusatory stare. For a long moment, nothing happens; not once do I make eye-contact, instead doing what I’m sure any filly would do in a scenario where a stranger is staring at you like you’re scum: warily back away.

As if on cue, the polychrome mare advances, her face twisted in anger and disgust. “You’ve got a lot of nerve coming here,” she says in a spiteful tone. “I thought I made it clear the last time that nopony wanted you here!”

Alright, Snowdrop, make it good. “W-what a-a-are you t-talking ab-b-b-bout?” I stutter in a squeaking filly-ish tone. Reflexively, I take another step backward as Rainbow unfolds her wings to make herself appear larger and more threatening.

“Drop the act, Soren,” she growls stomping her hoof. “You know exactly what I’m talking about!”

Shrinking back and hiding myself with Ice Blossom’s tail, I cue the waterworks whilst letting out a whimper. “What is the matter with you?” Blossom shouts in a good approximation of rage, drawing attention from ponies in the market. “My daughter Snowdrop has done nothing to you!”

Rainbow Dash snorted in disgust. “Is that the con she’s running now? Getting herself adopted and sponging off of some foreign mare?” she asks with much disdain, creeping closer. “Did she tell you how she tried to murder my best friend?”

Sniffling, I peer around Ice Blossom’s leg at her. “Momma, w-why is she b-b-being so mean to me?” I stutter before letting the crocodile tears flow. Smiling inwardly, I decide it’s time to seal the deal. “I just wanted a pretty dre-hess for my bir-hirthday!” I wail in a Rarity-esque manner, stomping my hooves into the ground before hugging Blossom’s leg.

The gathering crowd begins chattering lividly at the sight of Rainbow Dash tormenting a little girl. “On her birthday, no less!” one mare points out in outrage. “Oh sure, she’s a national hero... but what right does that give her to bully children? If her status has gone to her head, I’m not sure I want my foals idolizing her any more.” A chorus of agreement erupts from the crowd. “I’m just glad they aren’t here to see their hero now.”

I can’t help but flinch at the sneer projected in the mare’s voice. Again and again, ponies in the crowd speak out against Rainbow Dash in disgust, and with each word, my heart clenched in pain. When it gets to the point where I can actually see tears rimming her eyes, I get the impression that I’ve made a serious error in my calculations, and she’s just standing there taking the abuse.

“This is evil,” I croak, feeling my crocodile tears becoming real. “I knew full well that this would happen, and I did it anyway! This is exactly the sort of thing Aqua Regia would do.”

“Silver, I do not think this will end well for her!” Blossom whispers back to me, her voice wrapped in fear. “You must do something.” Then, as if in slow motion, the first tomato begins its arc through the air towards Rainbow Dash... and then another, and another, but the mare makes no indication that she will move.

Without even a thought, I launch myself into the air, intercepting the first barrage of fruit before it strikes its intended target. More produce begins soaring through the air before anypony understands what is happening, only to pelt me instead of Rainbow Dash. Hell, if the pain lancing up from my side is any indicator, one or two ponies may have thrown stones instead.

When the hail of merchandise ceases, I land in front of Rainbow Dash, wings spread defiantly. “What in the fuck is wrong with all of you?” I shout indignantly. “You see a pony you’ve all known for years—a mare you know and respect—verbally assailing somepony, and you don’t even stop to second guess the situation, instead basing your reactions on appearances? I would have thought after the whole misunderstanding about Zecora you all would have learned not to judge a book by its cover.

“Did you not even stop to think that you were being manipulated?” I ask, stomping my hoof and glaring defiantly at the crowd around me. “Ugh. The lot of you are as judgemental as the day I left Ponyville for Canterlot! Oh sure, you were all so eager to remember what I did in my insanity, and made sure to judge me by it every single day I was here, but you all seem to have forgotten me once I was gone.”

Recognition and shame begins crossing the faces of a great number of ponies faces as a realization dawns on them. “Only a hooffull of ponies seemed to remember what I went through and did, only to still hold it against me. Rainbow Dash was one of them,” I announce. “She blamed me for her friend having to go back to Canterlot, as well as for nearly killing the mare in a psychotic fit, and thus made it her duty to make me feel unwelcome as a result.

“I put on this act just to show her a fraction of how I felt, but alas this has gone too far!” I announce angrily. “You should all be ashamed of yourselves. I know I’m feeling nothing but disgusted with myself for having made this happen. I think the lot of you owe Rainbow Dash, a national hero whom you have all brought shame to, an apology.”

Much to my shock, much of the crowd as shrunken back, refusing to look at either Rainbow or myself. Tapping a hoof, I comment loudly, “I’d like to point out that given your treatment of her just now, to refuse her an apology is every bit as evil and horrendous as what I’ve done.”

Still no takers? Wow. I think I broke Ponyville. Not good. “It’s only right that I go first, of course,” I answer the silent crowd solemnly.

Turning to Rainbow Dash, I realize that she must be in shock over the situation. It’s not just the Ponyvillians turning on her; she’s in shock that in spite of wishing this horrible mess on her, I took every blow intended for her and shamed the whole town. “Rainbow Dash, since the day I lost my mind and convinced myself that Twilight had been replaced by an impostor and very much needed to die, you’ve treated me with nothing less than disdain and animosity,” I say sadly. “ You were upset that the circumstances leading up to the event ended with her being recalled to Canterlot for so long. Out of loyalty, you made it your duty to make sure I didn’t threaten any of your friendships ever again through attempts to make me feel unwelcome.

“In spite of all that, I still respect what you did, really. That you would go to such lengths in reminding me time after time of what I’d done and making me believe that I’d never fit in...” I smile weakly. “Getting your hooves dirty and playing the bad guy just for the sake of your friends, regardless of your public image... that’s about the closest thing to pure loyalty as you can get, short of killing for them.

“Ultimately, though, your actions were unnecessary.” I lower my head and dig at the dirt before me. “Every day I spent studying under Twilight was a constant reminder of what I’d done. I came to a conclusion long ago that beyond my relationship with Lyra and Bon-Bon, I had no place here in Ponyville. I’m just too different.

“When I came back to Ponyville, a part of me hoped that you would have gotten past the events of that day as I had, but it angered me to hear you in the market so wound up about me,” I whimper. “I couldn’t believe my ears, and that twisted, bitter part of me insisted that showing you how I felt was the right thing to do. It wasn’t.”

Looking up at Rainbow Dash, I swallow the lump in my throat. “What I did—then and now—is completely unforgivable, and though my word is probably worth less to you than the produce I’m covered in, I want you to know how deeply sorry I am,” I apologize, prostrating myself before her.

I watch her eyes as she stared unblinkingly at me. Even when the ponies in the crowd finally man up and apologize for their part in this horrid debacle, she doesn’t move or blink. If not for the steady expansion and contraction of her sides, I would probably worry that she had perished from stress. Eventually the crowd dissipates completely, leaving just me facing Rainbow Dash, and Blossom a few feet behind me.

“Rainbow Dash, I—”

She blinks suddenly, as if noticing me for the first time. “Save it,” Rainbow Dash hisses, her tail snapping me in the face as she turns. I hear her mutter “I’m outta here,” angrily as she takes flight.

Rubbing my smarting cheek, I watch the multicolor speed demon take flight. If I really wanted to push the issue, I doubt it would take much to track her down. After all, this is the mare that leaves a rainbow contrail. That wouldn’t help anything, though. When someone like that storms off, it’s because they want space, not because they want you to follow.

Surprisingly, when I turn my head to speak to Blossom, my words catch in my throat. She’s wandered off to a stall to speak with a rose-maned earth pony—Roseluck, if I'm not mistaken. I get the distinct impression that she’s making a great effort not to look at me right now. Can’t rightly blame her, given how hurt Rainbow looked when she fucked off; I’d be unwilling to talk to me too given that I got her involved.

Staring at the ground, I make my way over to Applejack’s stall, only to find the cowpony has closed up shop for the time being. At the stall counter, there’s a large sign proclaiming her return in fifteen minutes. Odd, considering that she was there the whole time, just watching disapprovingly. Did she realize I was coming to speak with her before I got caught up in my self-righteous scheme?

Come to think of it, she scarpered at about the same time as Rainbow Dash did. Smacking myself in the forehead with a hoof, I groan. Of course Applejack would go after her friend, dumbass! Those two are best friends! Seriously, Silver, what’s gotten into you?

“Oh well, I guess I’ll just wait in this alley until Blossom’s willing to talk to me,” I mutter, loping over to the nearest alley. “Who knows... Lyra’s been hanging out with the crusaders, so she might know the way to Zecora’s.”

To say that the walk to Bon-Bon and Lyra’s domicile was quiet is an understatement. Aside from a stern “I am very upset with you,” I don’t think she has said a single thing since the marketplace. At least she’s looking at me now, even if those looks are frequently alternating between hurt, pity, and worry. That’s a step in the right direction.

When we finally come to the end of the court the house is on, I stop and turn to face Blossom. “Well! Here we are,” I proclaim, patting the gate to a pink picket fence. Heaving a sigh, I make sure I’m looking her right in the eye. “I know you’re upset with me. Hell... I’m upset with me. There’s no excuse for any of it. You have my word... no! I promise I’m going to try to make things right with Dashie.”

“That is not the issue, Silver” Ice Blossom replies. “You have been acting terribly erratic since our arrival. Even before your encounter with the rainbow one, your behavior has been—what is the word—twitchy to say the least. You have been on the edge since we got on the train, as though this town is wearing away at you. I worry for you.”

I’ve been twitchy—on edge? That’s ridiculous! Things are just fine, so why would I be on edge? It’s just Ponyville after all! What happened here is in the past, and I’m ready to let it stay that way. It doesn’t matter if a spoiled rotten filly ran off somewhere, because it hasn’t a thing to do with me. Just like with Pound Cake, none of that stuff has anything to do with me.

Just as I’m about to address Blossom’s concerns, however, the door to the house opens, and a familiar minty unicorn pokes her head out the door. “I thought I heard a conversation out here,” Lyra says to herself looking at Blossom, and then at me. Aside from having her mane tied in a bun—I guess she took a liking to the style—the only noticeable difference in her appearance from the last time I saw her is the fact that her belly looks particularly bloated, and the dark circles under her eyes. “Silly! You’re here, and you’ve brought a pretty mare with you!” With a teasing look, she adds, “Is she your special somepony?”

I can’t help but blush as I push the gate open, though I can’t help but think that my blush is hidden by some of the tomato covering me. “Lyra, it’s so good to see you!” I say, trotting up toward the door. “I’d love to deck you for lying to me about the tomatoes and potatoes all that time ago, but I reckon that you lied to me at the time because you were personally allergic to them.” She looks almost concerned for her personal safety. “Besides... anypony who would attack a pregnant mare is scum.”

Glancing back at my friend, I smile. “Lyra Heartstrings, I’d like you to meet Ice Blossom,” I speak casually. “Ice Blossom, this is the pony responsible for making me the mare I am today.”

Crossing through the threshold of the gate, Blossom’s earlier distress is forgotten. “It is an honor to meet you, Miss Heartstrings,” Blossom purrs laconically. “Thank you for having me.”

Lyra laughs playfully, looking at me. “Oooh, she’s foreign! Did you bang her yet?” she says wryly, poking me in the forehead with a hoof. “Is that why you’re covered in fruit, you kinky little thing?”

Before I can help it, I’m snorting in amusement. Leave it to Lyra to flat out ask that sort of question. After spending some time with her, it’s kind of easy to forget she’s a mare. Lyra just has one of those ‘one of the guys’ attitudes when she opens up to you. As such, she’s pretty liberal about talking about personal lives, which honestly kind of explains her photographing that whole thing when we were all drunk.

Blossom, on the other hoof, is blushing and stammering away. “I-I am as pure as the driven snow! We—I mean I...”

“No Lyra, we haven’t done any of those sorts of things,” I answer in a cross tone for Blossom’s benefit. “Blossom and I are taking things slowly because I don’t want to force her to confront the conflicting cultural values head on. We’re working on that one step at a time.”

Snickering, Lyra pulls the front door open and beckons us forward. “Uh-huh. Why the fruit bath then?”

“I... ran into Rainbow Dash,” I say glumly.

With a raised eyebrow, Lyra asks, “She dumped a food stall on you? Harsh.”

“N-no... I did something really horrible that ended in towns ponies pelting Dash with fruit... only, I’m the one that got hit, because I fucked up.” I glance down the hall. “I can explain it in more detail later... Do you think you could get Blossom situated in the guest bedroom while I borrow your shower? I’d really rather not go into the Everfree smelling like fruit salad.”

“Sure! Follow me, Ice Blossom!” she says cheerfully, turning around and skipping back inside. “I assume you still remember where the bathroom is. It’s not like it went anywhere.”

Staying ahead of Blossom, I try my best not to look at Lyra’s arse. “I dunno, Ly-Ly,” I say mockingly. If she’s allowed to call me Silly, she’s definitely going to be Bon-Bon’s Ly-Ly. “The most potent memory I have of that bathroom is having my head stuck in the U-bend under that sink.”

“Har har,” she says, flicking her tail slightly. I immediately drop my gaze to the floor.

Like paint from a leaking can, I see tiny droplets of a white fluid trailing behind her on the wooden floor. Backtracing the trail, I quickly spot the source: the hanging dark aquamarine chevrons that are Lyra’s engorged teats. “Uhm... Looks like you’ve sprung a leak, Lyra,” I comment, turning my gaze to the wall.

“Darn, again!?” Lyra shouts, stomping a hind hoof angrily. “Blasted colostrum is leaking out again? Why can’t it wait until after our little sweetie is born? It’s bad enough they’re so swollen... The way they feel so full most of the time, I feel like one of AJ’s cattle!”

Without thinking, I say the first thing that comes to mind, “I know how you feel. Kinda makes you wonder if it’s like that all the time for the Milkmare of Trottingham, eh Lyra?”

“Nah, Milky Way’s just an urban―WAIT A MINUTE!” She rounds on me, eyes wide. Even Blossom gasps. “What do you mean you know how I feel.”

“Silver, what is the meaning of this?”

Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck! Why did I say that? “I um...” No! Damn it, tail! You stay down. Stop rising, you traitor! Abort! “Would you believe it’s kind of a long story that I don’t really want to tell?” I chatter quickly, feeling my haunches becoming moist. Traitorous anatomy and physiological reactions. “Oh, listen! The shower’s calling me! See you in a bit.”

Author's Notes:

This was a really fun chapter to write. I was originally just looking at a little humiliation for Dashie, but then I realized how Aqua that would be, and needed to make sure Silver recognized it too. I know some of you might be a bit concerned that Applejack didn't even take a second to see if <i>Silver</i> was okay after being pelted with a bunch of produce and a couple of stones, but the way I saw it, if Silver was okay enough to lecture the whole town, Applejack might have decided Dashie was more in need of her help than Silver.

Thanks go to E3gner, a returning editor of mine, DarkxRedemption, and Vilcor for editing this chapter for me. I'd also like to apologize to NightmareKnight for not waiting up for your edit run this time around. I was pretty anxious to get this one out before the weekend.

Also, I've got a bit of news. Our house has just gone up on the market, so I might lose out on writing opportunities during the day. It's not going to stop me from trying to write though.