LOVE'S BEEN A LITTLE BIT HARD ON ME

Chapter 1: Method of Modern Love

With the suddenness of a spring, she sat up in the still darkened room. Not bothering to open her eyes, Cheerilee made her way to the bathroom, still mostly asleep. She stood in front of the mirror, and looked at her reflection. Laughter at the serious case of bed-mane would have issued forth, had she the energy. As it was, all she could manage was a garbled chuckle that ended in a snort.

Cheerilee began brushing her teeth, letting her usual morning routine help wake her up. She was halfway through when she remembered that today was Satyrday. Ooohhh... bless it! Last week has gotten me all discombobulated! She thought back to the busy week, and even busier weekend as the teacher finished brushing up, trying hard not to facehoof. I'm glad Twilight decided to let the foalnappers go, but even more so that the Princess has taken custody of them. The poor dear has enough on her mind as it is without adding that to it.

After a quick shower to finish her morning ablutions, Cheerilee headed down to the kitchen. “May as well start breakfast,” she said to herself. “We have a long day ahead of ourselves, and a longer weekend still.” She happily hummed to herself as she cooked a pot of oatmeal. It was a valiant effort, but it took less than one refrain before she broke out into full song.

She was so into the song and tending to the pot, that she didn't even notice Spike as he came in. The little dragon barely reacted to the sight, opting instead to fix his own breakfast of a bowl of rose quartz shards swimming in sugar and milk. He then sat down to enjoy the show the mare was unknowingly putting on. He had to admit, although her singing was slightly off key, her dancing certainly made up for it. There was a certain kind of energy to her that made it look effortless, despite her moves being about fifteen years out of style. The tyke almost lost it and snorted his meal through his nose when she did the “running in place” step when she got to the “Don't you leave me” line which segued into singing into the spoon for the crescendo.

Cheerilee returned to stirring the pot as she sang, adding ingredients as needed. A little cinnamon here, a dash of nutmeg there, a grating of ginger for pep, and about six apples diced finely for taste as well as a hoofful of cranberries. She sashayed over to the cabinet and hit it with her hips, somehow knocking the upper cabinet's door open despite not being connected to the lowers in any way; causing four bowls to bounce out, and roll down one foreleg, over her shoulder, down the other foreleg, and depositing them all in a row on the counter next to the stove.

What happened next was almost too fast for the dragon's eyes to follow. The earth pony grabbed a bowl, tossed it up in the air, and lobbed a ladleful of oatmeal into it, knocking it off course of its prescribed arc so that it landed on the table next to him. She repeated this thrice more, each time landing a bowl in a new spot on the table. When all was said and done, all the places at the table were either set, or being used by a shocked dragon, and not a drop of oatmeal had spilled. As the mare finished the song, she turned around to find her stunned audience. Cheerilee blushed a little, but didn't try to play off what had happened. “Morning, Spike!” she chirped.

“Um, morning,” Spike returned. “You're awfully chipper for somepony going to meet her fillyfriend's parents for the first time.”

Cheerilee walked up to him and gave him a hug. “Oh, Spike. We're all grown mares. Besides, any parents who could raise somepony as great as Twilight is bound to be a delight to meet.”

Spike just gave a weak chuckle as he looked away awkwardly. “Yeah...”

Before the mare could inquire further, the rest of her herd walked in, practically floating on the aroma of the meals spread before them. “Eat up girls! We have a full day ahead of us, and we'll need the energy!” she said with a grin.

Twilight gave her a peck on the cheek as she walked past to her seat, while Trixie gave her a saucy wink, and Spitfire bumped rumps with her playfully. Riding the high from the simple acts of affection, Cheerilee took her seat, sporting a huge grin. They ate in silence for the most part, the only sounds coming from their mouths being moans of appreciation. Every now and then, one of them would give Twilight a seductive look, causing her to blush and concentrate on her meal. All three of them would smile at this, trying to be the next to repeat the adorable act.

Spike, for his part, was almost put off his cereal by all the “subtle” PDA. Hoping to break the awkward (for him) silence, he asked, “You sure you want me to go too, Twilight? I know you hate leaving the library closed, especially for so long.”

“If it were up to me, I would have you stay and ask the girls to keep an eye on you,” Twilight replied, “but the Princess said that she had an important matter to discuss with you, and could not wait. Besides,” she added perkily, “I would have thought you'd be happy to get away from this dust magnet and see her again. You two hardly had any time to speak at all when she was here last week.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” the dragon replied reluctantly. He poked at his cereal with a spoon, watching the crystal shards pop back to the surface of the milk.

Twilight ruffled his head spines playfully. “Cheer up, Spike. They'll be here for you when you get back.”

The little dragon's eye were wide in worried surprise. “W- W- What do you mean, Twi?”

“Your friends, of course.” Twilight beamed at him.

Spike laughed nervously. “Oh, them. Yeah, I suppose so.”

Twilight's gaze wandered up to the clock on the wall and grimaced. “Ooo, we better get going if we're going to make the first train. Spike, go get the final checklist and run through it with Trixie and Cheerilee. Spitfire, help me clear the dishes away. Don't want to leave them to set for the whole weekend.”

The ponies and dragon went about their appointed tasks, making short work of them. It took only a few minutes for all them to finish and meet at the front door where all their saddlebags (and one baby dragon-sized backpack) lay waiting. Their trip in the dark through the early morning town was uneventful, only running across Lyra leading a completely drunken Bonbon home. The mint green unicorn waved and gave them a wink. She held out her hoof, before wandering off, and it took Twilight a moment to figure out what she was doing.

“What was that all about?” Trixie asked.

Twilight chuckled and shook her head. “Oh, she was giving us what she calls a 'thumbs up'. It's apparently a human thing, but I still haven't grasped the all the nuances behind it.”

“Human?” Spitfire said in confusion. “I thought those were an urban legend or fairy tales?”

The librarian smiled at her. “Oh, they are, but they've been a fascination of hers since before I met her.”

They made it to the train station with time to spare. To pass the time after buying the tickets, they sat on a bench, and huddled for warmth as they waited for the sun to come up. The last of the stars in the east disappeared, and the sky became lighter and lighter, heralding the coming sun. With a brilliant flash, the golden orb peeked over the horizon, instantly warming the five shivering bodies on the bench.

The faint sound of a whistle sounded in the distance, and they looked to see the train rounding a bend, clearing a copse of trees. With a grunt, Spitfire hopped down from the bench and stretched her legs. “Come on, everypony. Train's here,” she said with only a hint of sleepiness in her voice. They grumbled and huddled closer to Twilight in response. “Oh, come on,” she cheerfully groused. “It'll be warmer in the train than out here.”

With great reluctance, three more ponies and a dragon stood and made their way to the boarding line at the edge of the platform. The train pulled to a stop in front of them, and the conductor happily waved them in after checking their tickets. They settled into their seats, Trixie and Spike sitting on one seat on either side of Twilight, leaving Spitfire and Cheerilee to take the seat facing them.

The trip itself was uneventful With Twilight and Trixie sharing a book about the mechanics of illusions, while the rest played a game of cards. The sun was well and truly up by the time they pulled into Canterlot station, hours later. As they disembarked, Twilight heard her name being called, and looked around to find her brother standing next to a dozen guards. “Shining!” the mare squealed in delight, and ran up to him and nuzzled under his head.

“Hey there, Twily!” the stallion enthused.

“What brings you here, BBBFF?” Twilight asked, grinning at his blush. She's lost count of the number of times he's told her not to call him that in front of the troops; something about familiarity among the ranks.

Instead of berating her, he settled for a noogie, which he knew she especially disliked. “I'm here to escort you all, actually.”

She paused her unruffling of her mane to tilt her head at him quizzically. “Why the change? I've never had an escort before.” She didn't notice the three ponies behind her give each other a smirk.

“Just a temporary thing, Twily,” her brother said with a nonchalant wave of his hoof. “Got a new delegation from Griffo-Minotauria, and the Princesses aren't taking any chances with your safety. It's doubtful they'd try anything, but better safe than sorry, right?”

“I suppose,” she answered doubtfully.

“Great!” Shining replied. “I've got my trusty lieutenant here to escort Spike to the Princess, and the rest of us will take you four to my place where our parents are waiting.”

Twilight scratched her head in confusion. “We're not going to Mom and Dad's house?”

They looked at each other and smiled as they said in unison, “Security.”

(\ /)
( . .)
*(“)(“)

“Are you sure she didn't tell you something and ask you to hide it from me, Dear?”

Night Light set his mug of coffee down as he refolded the newspaper. He looked over to his wife and smiled at her. “Honey, you know the answer to that.”

Twilight Velvet rolled her eyes as she sighed. “Even if she did, you wouldn't tell me; yes, I know.” She smirked at the stallion across the table. “You know she's really got you wrapped around her little hoof. Always has.”

“Daddy's little filly,” he said proudly as he took another sip of coffee.

They heard the front door open, and before either of them could move, Twilight had bounded into the room and gathered up her parents in a crushing hug. “Mom! Dad! I missed you guys!” It didn't take them more than a moment to respond in kind and return the affection.

When they pulled away, both mares were wiping away tears. “Oh, Twilight, my little filly! We've missed you, too.”

“Oh! Before I forget, let me introduce you two,” Twilight said. She stood aside so that the others could be seen. “Mom, Dad, this is Cheerilee, Trixie, and Spitfire,” she pointed to each in turn as she named them off, “my fillyfriends and future herdwives.”

One could literally hear a pin drop on the carpet in the room.

As one, Night Light and Twilight Velvet sat down on the floor heavily, like two sacks of potatoes. “Whuh, whuh, whuh? B- b- b- but... grandfoals...” Velvet stammered.

Twilight scratched the back of her head and grinned nervously. “Aheh. Funny you should mention that...”

(\ /)
( . .)
*(“)(“)

Spike peered around the barely open door and peered into the Princess's office. “Y- you wanted to see me, Princess?”

Celestia looked up from the paper she was studying on her desk and smiled at him around the reading glasses she wore. “Spike, do come in.” She gestured to a sumptuously cushioned chair in front of the imposing wooden desk. “Please, sit down. Would you like some tea?” The Princess indicated a pot sitting on her desk next to an upturned cup and saucer.

The dragon climbed into the chair, sinking into the plush seat so that his feet ended up as high as his stomach. “Um, no thanks, Princess. What did you want to see me about?”

“I suppose getting the business out of the way so we can enjoy each others company would be preferable,” Celestia said with a hoof to her chin. “I'd like to ask your permission to cast a spell on you. This spell will allow you to send letters to Luna, Twilight's fillyfriends, Twilight herself, and a special agent, as well as myself.” She pushed the glasses up and steepled her hooves before her face, leaning her elbows on the desk. The... incident last week has brought to my attention how lacking security for Twilight has been. We need... we need other avenues of communication should a similar situation arise again.” She leaned back in her chair, the sunlight streaming in from the window behind her, casting half her face into shadow. “I won't force this on you, but I'll hope you'll agree with me that something needs to be done. Through no fault of her own, trouble seems to follow Twilight around like a lost puppy.”

Spike rolled his eyes exasperatedly. “Tell me about it,” he whispered out of the side of his mouth. Returning his attention to her gaze, he said, “I have no problem with that, Princess, but how do I know which pony will receive the letters?”

Celestia smiled as she walked out from behind the desk. “You need only concentrate on the pony in question, Spike. As for the special agent, you'll have to use these special ribbons on the scrolls.” She patted a box on her desk. “I'll teach Twilight and Trixie the spell necessary to send a letter to you, and will give a magical charm that will allow Cheerilee and Spitfire to do the same.”

“I'm glad this was what you wanted to see me for,” the little dragon said with more than a hint of relief. “I was kinda afraid you were mad at me and Twilight for breaking into the Starswirl the Bearded wing a couple years back, or the garden party they crashed, or the-”

Spike stopped when he noticed Celestia staring at him in shock. Her eye twitched spasmodically.

“-other things you obviously didn't know about until just now.” Spike looked around nervously, eager for a change of subject. “So... spell, huh?”

(\ /)
( . .)
*(“)(“)

Cadance floated a large silver tray of tea into the parlor. The look of shock on her face had yet to go away, and as she set the tray down, her eyes darted to Cheerilee, more specifically, her belly. Even though there was no noticeable bulge yet, she could feel the love for all four mares towards the tiny life growing there. Twily and Cheerilee, I expected, but the other two as well? I would have expected more jealousy than affection.

As she served the tea, the alicorn discreetly used her special talent to closely examine their features, and noted that they definitely had some feelings for each other as well as Twilight. Subtle gestures like knees touching, a hoof lingering just a bit longer than was necessary and a genuine smile for each other confirmed her suspicions. Mares in competition with each other wouldn't be this friendly with each other. Hay, they weren't this friendly to each other last I saw them. Hm...

Tea served, she sat down again next to her husband, and looked to her in-laws. Night Light seemed to be taking it well, but then, he was always pretty laid back. Velvet, however, seemed to be in a state of shock. She kept mumbling to herself about babies.

“So Pun'kin, just couldn't settle on one, huh?” Night Light's words caused his daughter to blush beet red.

“Daaaddyyyy!” Twilight whined cutely. “It wasn't like that. There were... It was... I...” She slumped in defeat. “Okay, it was like that. You know what I'm like with the tough decisions. I think we're all lucky I didn't have another 'flying roller skates' incident.” Twilight and her family along with Cadance gave a visible shudder, while her fillyfriends gave each other curious looks.

Night Light grinned at his daughter. “Setting that aside,” he said, “what are your plans? You can't marry all three of them. There are laws against that sort of thing, you know.”

Glancing at her fillyfriends nervously, the librarian said “Um, well, we found an old law on the books that we think was never repealed. We have to check with the Royal Library to be sure, but if it's still in effect, we're going to form a herd.”

“A herd?” Night Light said incredulously. “There hasn't been a herd in... let's see...” His eyes rolled up into his head as he calculated.

“Six hundred, forty-two years,” Twilight answered for him, “give or take a few months.” She blushed at his apparent surprise. “I... did a lot of research into this. Granted, the books in the Golden Oaks Library were woefully inadequate, but I was still able to determine that much.”

Night Light looked at her with such pride in his eyes. “My little filly is growing up,” he said in a choked voice. Looking at the mares by her side, he added, “And taking after her mother, too.”

“What?” Twilight asked incredulously.

He looked at his wife sitting next to him, who was now glaring daggers at him. He just smiled and acted as if nothing were wrong. “I stole your mother from an older mare back in college.” He looked at the ceiling in thought. “What was her name again? Vineyard? Vinty?”

“Vintage Fields, Dear.” Velvet replied. “Don't play at being obtuse; it doesn't suit you. Cheerilee? Are you alright, dear? You look as if you've seen a ghost.”

Indeed, the mare in question was so pale as a sheet. Twilight held her hoof in worry. “Cheery? You okay? Was it... oh.” Realization hit her hard as she recognized the name. “You don't think...”

Cheerilee looked to her future in-laws and asked, “This mare, did she have a dark red coat, and a pink mane and tail?” Night Light and Velvet nodded. “And was her cutie mark a wine bottle, a glass, and a bunch of grapes?”

“You know her, Cheerilee?” Velvet asked. “Is she a parent of one of your students?”

“You could say that,” Cheerilee replied with a facehoof. “She's my mother.”

Silence reigned.

“Well,” Night Light said with a smile, “that certainly upped the awkward quotient.”

“Wait,” Shining Armor said, opening his mouth for the first time since walking into the house, “Do you mean to say that if you hadn't come along, then Twily and I wouldn't...” He trailed off as that train of thought ran to the end of that line.

Cadance jumped in, trying to move the conversation along. “So where did you find the spell that... allowed this situation to come into being?” The alicorn had to resist the urge to facehoof at her choice of topics her mind went to in a panic.

Wringing her hooves, Twilight nervously looked down at the carpet as she answered. “Um, well, I actually found the spell for it in a book I got as a gift.”

The Princess's eyes went wide. “You mean I-”

“No!” Twilight's volume surprised them all, herself included. “Um, no,” she said in a much quieter voice. “It wasn't the book you gave me. I got it from... another source,” she finished, eyes darting to Spitfire before returning to the floor.

Twilight Velvet stood on rubbery legs and looked to her daughter. “Twilight? Cadance? It's getting near lunchtime. Why don't the three of us prepare something for us all?” Without waiting for them, she walked to the kitchen.

With an audible gulp, the lavender unicorn stood. She glanced at her fillyfriends like a condemned pony marching to the gallows. “We'll be um, right back.”

Cadance nuzzled her as she walked past. “Come on, Twi. Lunch isn't going to make itself, you know,” she said, leading her away.

Night Light smiled at the three mares on the couch opposite him. “So,” he said, rubbing his hooves together, “how many grandfoals are we looking at here?”

(\ /)
( . .)
*(“)(“)

“Cadance, Sweetie, would you mind going down to the root cellar and bringing up some potatoes for dinner tonight? No sense waiting foal the las- I mean for the last moment,” Velvet asked her daughter-in-law sweetly. She waited until the door had closed before letting out a world-weary sigh. “Oh, Twilight, what am I going to do with you?” she asked, putting a hoof to her temple and massaging it.

The librarian paused in levitating the loaf of bread over to the counter, and looked back at her mother. “In what regard?”

The light gray mare brought over some cheese from the refrigerator and a knife to the same counter. “I know I told you to be careful not to get pregnant until there's a ring on your hoof, but that didn't imply that it was okay to get another mare pregnant instead.”

“Mom, I took all possible precautions-”

“Except the one that always works,” Velvet interrupted.

Twilight sighed in exasperation. “Yes, except that one. Mom, I honestly thought I had all the bases covered. I used the variant that didn't have any sperm, none of them were ovulating at the time to my knowledge, and I had calculated my power level down to the picojewel.” She hung her head in shame and looked away from the bread slices she had laid out. “What I hadn't taken into account was that they had been under the effects of a mana blockage in their frontal lobes.”

Velvet stood in silent thought. “And that...”

“Was enough to throw off my calculations,” Twilight finished. “Luckily, I- that is, only one of them got pregnant.” She sighed heavily and looked at the ceiling. “And I thought that moving to Ponyville would throw off my life plan.” She gave a short bark of rueful laughter.

Twilight Velvet hugged her daughter, smiling as the act was reciprocated. “Oh, sweetie. I've told you before that that 'life plan' of yours was an exercise in futility. Life almost never goes the way we want it to, and just when you think you've got things figured out, that's when you really got to be careful. She could feel her light gray coat dampening from the younger mare's tears. “There, there. Things aren't nearly as bad as you think, Twi.”

Looking into her mother's eyes, she asked in a pitiful voice, “They're not?”

“You have the love of three lovely mares, a supportive family, your health, and a moderately well-paying job. If anything, I say 'count your blessings'.” She brushed a stray hair from the mare's face and smiled at her. “That's not even mentioning the Princesses or your friends. Why, I wish I had half the luck you have when I was pregnant with your brother.”

Twilight smiled at her mother. “Mom, you and Dad were in Her Highness's service. You were hardly hurting for cash.”

Pulling back from the hug, she bobbed her head in reluctant acquiescence. “True, but if it weren't for the Princess keeping in touch after I retired to have Shiny, it would have been tougher, still. Your Great Uncle Vigilant Watch could only do so much, what with him still being her Captain of the guard.”

“Speaking of which, how is he? I had planned on dropping by later tonight, but I was told that he's unavailable,” Twilight inquired. “Something about a reunion?”

Cadance popped out from the cellar door. “They call it a reunion of the Captains, but really it's just an excuse for a bunch of old war dogs to get together and drink while ogling mares a quarter their age.” She propped up a burlap sack next to the garbage can, and set a crate of celery and a jar of peanut butter on the counter. “Not,” she quickly amended, “that they don't deserve it, of course. Those 'old war dogs' did more for our country than most of the nobles in Canterlot.”

“Well, I'm glad he's enjoying his retirement,” Twilight commented. “Uncle Vigil deserves it. If I don't see him before I leave, could you send him my love?”

Velvet paused in spreading peanut butter on a celery stalk and kissed her forehead. “Of course, dear. And that's from him, by the way, just in case.” Twilight beamed up at her.

(\ /)
( . .)
*(“)(“)

“Ever since then, she's had a mortal fear of tardiness,” Shining said.

“To the point where we never use the 'T' word around her,” Night Light added.

Their audience sat on the couch, stunned. “Wow,” Spitfire said in a low, awestruck voice, “Who'd have thought that she could have gathered that much speed with roller skates?”

“Or that so many vegetable carts could be found on a single street?” Trixie added.

Cheerilee shook her head in amazement. “I'm just shocked that nopony was hurt in the explosion.” She sat in bewilderment for a moment before appending, “And that down comforters could explode.”

“Well, to be fair, it was less of an explosion, and more of a 'catching fire so quickly it may as well be an explosion' kind of thing,” Shining said with a shrug. “But it all worked out in the end, and the fire department instituted a new procedure called the Sparkle Maneuver.”

Cadance walked into the room just then and announced, “Lunch is ready. Come and get it!” Lunch itself was a quiet affair, and quickly put away so that they could get to the afternoon's scheduled activity. “Shining, get your keister in gear, we're ready to leave and the others are waiting on us in the cab already!” the Princess shouted at the study.

The Prince-Consort walked out, rolling up a scroll held in his telekinetic grasp. “Sorry, Dearest, I was just sending a report to Twily's Guardian Captain.”

Cadance smirked and poked him in the ribs. “The one you think is creepy?”

“No, the one that's taken her place temporarily; and she is creepy,” Shining replied. “You don't have to read her reports. They're more like odes dedicated to Twilight's rump or sonnets to her estimated sexual prowess than reports.”

Rolling her eyes, Cadance retorted, “Oh, come on. She's not that bad.”

Clearing his throat, Shining said, “And thus, didst the fair Sparkle of the Twilight defeat the foul bear of stars, and return it to the firmament whence it came. Turn she did, to the foalish jackanape perpetrators of the deed, and smote them with facial hair of the premature variety. Only then, did the saucy wench turn about and return to her home, where she took a bath most deserve'd. Know not, did she, just how much consternation her deliciously delightful, downright debilitating derriere did send at least one mare into a bequivering, beguiled, pile of Sapphic sensuality.”

Cadance's eyes were wide as saucers. “Wow! She's good.”

“No, Shining replied, “she's bad. Bad for my sister, and bad for this job. Unfortunately, the Princess doesn't see it that way. Best I can hope for is that this forced vacation of hers will give her some perspective.”

Placing a hoof on his shoulder, Cadance gave him a weary look. “Shining, some ponies can handle living only to make one pony happy, regardless of the personal pain and sacrifice of not having that affection returned. You've said that she's been doing this job for the past ten years, right?” He nodded. “And in that time, she's always shown this... attachment?” Another nod. “If it's really bothering you this much, I'll talk to her. If I feel that this will only end badly, then I'll talk to Auntie and see what we can work out, okay?”

Shining sighed, but nodded as he hugged his wife. “Thank you.”

(\ /)
( . .)
*(“)(“)

As she kept up her barrage on the heavy bag, Plain Sight kept imagining Black Diamond's face. His sneer haunted her waking moments, but his promises of what he was going to do to Twilight is what plagued her with nightmares. She could see him, standing over her broken body.

Left, right, left, left, right left, right, right, left RIGHT!

Her ungloved hoof went right through the tough canvas up to her elbow. Sand spilled out, forming a small dune at her hooves. With a jerk, she freed her foreleg and sat down. The spymaster wiped the sweat from her brow, trying to catch her breath.

“You keep doing that, and they'll kick you out, you know.”

Turning to face the new arrival, Plain Sight shrugged. “If they do, they do.” She walked over to the bench and squeezed out a gulp of water from her bottle. “What are you doing here, Limnear? Shouldn't you be trying to save your fool of a sister from the Princess's wrath?”

The griffoness sat down on the bench next to her and smiled. “We're still negotiating her punishment. Her Highness wanted to adjourn for today to take care of some personal business. Luckily, that gives me some time to see an old friend wounded in the line of duty,” she said with only the barest hint of sarcasm.

Nodding towards the now half drained bag, Plain Sight said, “As you can see, I'm fit as a fiddle and twice as loud.”

“Are you?”

“What's that supposed to mean?” the mare asked.

“Are you fit, Plain? Or are you still pining for her?” Limnear asked. “Do you still dream of her? Yearn for her? Want to rock her world?” She leaned in close and whispered in her ear, “Still want to make her scream your name to the heavens?” The griffon gently blew into the ear, causing to twitch.

Plain Sight placed a hoof on the griffoness's shoulder and gently pushed her away. “Limnear, it's over. I've moved on, and I would have thought that you did too, by now.”

Limnear cast her sky blue-eyes to the floor of the gym. “You never forget your first love.”

“And you never forget your first breakup, either.”

“Or the reason?” A silent wince met the griffon's quietly voiced question. Standing, Limnear made her way to the exit, only to pause at the doorway. “I could have lived with it, you know. Still can.”

Plain Sight's whispered reply was to an otherwise empty room. “I can't.” But Limnear had left long ago.

Author's Notes:

Woo! Another new story, another leg of the journey! Did you like the noodle incident? Twilight's dad? What about Plain Sight's scene? I was debating whether or not to leave it in, since she's not the focus of the story, but I just couldn't leave it alone. Well let me have it. Comments, criticisms are both welcome, but kindly leave the trolling at the door. ^_^

The usual disclaimers here. I own the arrangement of the words, Plain Sight, and Limnear. All else belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust.