Fallout Equestria: The Ranger of Seamane

Chapter 24 – Sunday Afternoon

“‘And let me be your sun, be your match light your heart up.”

I woke up in our apartment in Colt. The warmth was quite welcome as was the softness of Rose. I stretched and got up. I felt refreshed and slowly ate breakfast as I picked at the armor I had obtained as well as the ancient sword. I looked at the sword and ran my hoof over the flat of of the blade. I winced as I pulled my hoof away where ice had started to form on my hoof.

        “A sword enchanted with ice? Well, fitting, I have a sword enchanted with fire.” I chuckled as I turned my attention to to the armor. As I looked over it I noticed that it was of better quality than I had expected, while not quite as suited for protection from fire arms it was great for melee. What was more joyous was the fact the parts of the armor that were in best condition were those that would replace the weaker parts of my current garb. Which made sense seeing as the chest of the ancient armor had a hole clean through it.

        I set about rearranging my equipment to take advantage of this newly found armor and arms. I also worked out how to wear my two swords as well as my assault rifle.

        “I am getting over armed again...” I muttered as I also reloaded the combat shotgun I had with us for so long and yet neglected to use all that often.

        “That isn't a bad thing with what you seem to run into oh so often.” Rose muttered as she rolled over on the sofa. We had opted for sleeping by the fireplace due to we were both too tired to walk to bed and the fire was warm. Honestly there is only so far you can walk after a long day in the cold before you say to hell with it and fall face first onto the ground.

        “True, hopefully I can get some more explosives as well.” I paused as I realized just how much destructive capability my little group had. “And now I can see why we are drawing attention. We can make a hell of a dent in anything if we put our minds to it.”

        “What do you mean, Moony?” Rose asked still dazed in post sleep delirium.

        “We can cut through swaths of ponies thanks to all of our guns, we can demolish buildings. I can actually become invisible and sneak into a base and have free reign.” I shrugged. “I walked into a Steel Ranger base and looted their warehouse. I think really if anything we are not over equipped, but, more of under challenged.”

        “You called that worm thing from yesterday not a challenge?” Rose moaned as she rolled over onto her side.

        “I meant from the forces around us. Wings of gryphons, squads of hit ponies, and lone bounty hunters aren't really all that threatening to us. We can quickly dispatch them with just the sheer number of guns we can just point in a general direction. We have a heavy weapons expert with Foresight, explosives and tech with Anabel. I am a rather versatile mare, as well as you. I mean I have a decent amount of skill in planning, healing, and combat either direct or stealth. You are a good solid pony all around in or out of combat.” I explained as I leaned back on my chair. “Really we only get messed up when we get separated.”

        “Then I guess that stuff about friendship and harmony making ponies stronger is true.” Rose yawned as she sat up and rubbed her eyes.

        I nodded musing on the old notion of friendship and harmony that was so strong prewar. I laughed when I remembered what Watcher's requirement of helping me was.

        “I misjudged your advice Watcher, friends are far more powerful than I thought.” I laughed as I shook my head.

        “How about you give me a hoof, I am still sore from carrying your tired flank all the way home.” Rose groaned as she rubbed her back.

        “I'll give you a hoof, and some more.” I purred as I trotted over to her.

        After some massaging of Rose's stiff and sore muscles I had helped her wake up. Once that was done I had decided to get some walking in, as if I hadn't gotten enough of it as of late. Still though I felt a bit off when I didn't keep moving about day after day. Maybe I was becoming nomadic, or maybe I was just used to having a far less pedestrian lifestyle.

        Walking through Colt I saw that most of the walkways were cleared of any snow. It seemed so long as it wasn't a blizzard the ponies here were well adjusted to dealing with the snow. Which reminded me of Blackwoods. I let out a sigh hoping that those ponies were okay.

        I eventually had walked the whole place and even spotted the caravan, as well as Noble Team, in the distance headed towards Dune City.

        “So, this wasn't even a stop for them?” I whispered.

        “But, it is the last stop for you, Ranger.” A voice from behind me said, I cursed at the lack of a three sixty motion tracker or something to that extent to keep me aware of threats, E.F.S. only worked in one direction after all.

        “Alright, how is it going to work this time.” I sighed, slightly amused with how often this was starting to happen.

        “Slowly turn to face me.” The stallion said, I did as ordered and slowly faced him. “Now then, drop your pistols.”

        “Sorry, no can do.” I laughed as I quickly cast the invisibility spell pushing as hard as I could to make it last longer. I then slowly crept my way around the stallion, who was now panicking at my disappearing act, until I was behind him, then I jumped on his back like I was mounting him and put my knife to his throat.

        “Your eyesight is getting worse Dad.” I laughed before putting away my knife and dismounted my father. “What the hell are you doing clear out here in Colt?”

        “Young lady, is that anyway to talk around your father?” Dad scolded, I frowned at his words.

        “What in Tartarus possessed you to do such a idiotic and suicidal thing as to come out to Colt in the middle of winter?! Do you have a death wish or something, you idiot?!” I fired back.

        “That is more like it. So, how are you liking the adventuring?” Dad chuckled as I sat on my haunches next to him unable to keep from laughing.

        “I am enjoying it for the most part. I kind of shot myself in the hoof when I did that whole proclamation of war against Red Eye's forces within Seamane. Honestly I wish somepony would have shove a hoof in my mouth. Instead I was with probably one of the very few ponies who thought it was best to let a mare with pretty much no resources start a war with a major player.” I laughed as I stood up. “Come on I have somepony to introduce you to.”

        I saw my dad's expression. “I am guessing that you didn't hear me on the radio a bit over a month ago.”

        “No, the hull of Saint Clover is a bit too thick for that. But, in the month you have been up north we moved here. We originally were going to move to Dune City, but... Well it felt too close to Seamane itself with all that is going on to be safe.” Dad confessed.

        “I understand, I have friends here, they should keep everypony safe.” I smiled giving my father a pat on the shoulders. I then noticed that I was about even in height with him. “Huh, when the hell did I get so tall?”

        He blinked and regarded me again. “You're right, you have gotten taller, no longer such a pipsqueak are ya?” He laughed.

        “Nope, glad you and Mom never decided to name me pipsqueak or something like that. Oh how embarrassing that name would be.” I smiled as a thought crossed my mind. “Though after all the crap I have done I think the name wouldn't be so annoying. I mean when you put down a Wendigo, a horrific giant taint monster, a giant worm, as well as make a mockery of Red Eye and Slate's forces you have a bit of a reputation.”

        “So what Aegis said was true.” Dad smiled as he put a hoof to his chin. “Anyways where are you staying?”

        “I have a place with Ruby's Caravan Company. I kind of saved their flanks a few times and killed a Hydra to keep all of us from being enslaved.” I laughed, really though I just was stunned now with the kill list I of monsters I had accumulated.

        “Not bad, you seem to be making some good connections then. I know you know Aegis, he actually contacted me and offered up a place here for us a few weeks back.” Dad explained, and I nodded now knowing I owed Aegis a debt of gratitude for helping out my family.

        “Well, after you stirred things up in Saint Clover we had been looking to move. Neither you or Silver had many friends there anymore.” Dad shrugged as we approached the door to my apartment.

        “Well it is hard to make friends when all the ponies not focused on work are younger than you and their parents make snide comments about you being a blank flank.” I rolled my eyes before knocking on the door. I figured that would give a warning to Rose.

        “You're living with somepony?” Dad asked and then I suddenly panicked as I realized he didn't know about the fact I had a marefriend.

        “Uh...Yes, um...” I paused as the door opened to reveal a interestingly garbed Rose and I quickly began to blush hard as was Rose.

        “My marefriend...” I stammered as Rose stood there uncertain what to do.

        The silence hung for a few seconds before Dad offered his hoof to Rose. “Hello I am Dusty Sands, I am Moonlight's father.”

        Rose just sat there uncertain what to do. “OH! Um! This is White Rose, like I said she is my marefriend!” I hastily explained as my heart decided right now was a great time to go between beating hard and not beating at all.

        “It is a pleasure to meet you! I also now know why Moonlight knocked instead of just came on in.” Rose said with a smile forced on her face telling me what I suspected, she too was panicking and wanted to run off and get changed into something not quite so provocative. “Oh come on in, it is nice and warm in here.”

        I almost facehooved as she said that because she so did when turning showing more of the outfit highlighting her flank. I did however notice I was flaking ash again. That was probably something Dad was going to ask about if he noticed. I mean honestly most ponies don't flake ash when stressed, hell I wasn't certain if I sweated anymore intense emotional situations. As it was I think I caught fire, or I was shot with a flare. Either way I was on fire, again, at least my mane was, or I felt like I was. I ran back out of the doorway and buried myself in a snow pile as I attempted to put of the real or imaginary fire that I felt.

        “Moonlight!” I heard the muffled call of Rose from behind me as I lay in the cool snow.

         I tried to answer, but, I forgot I was half buried in snow with my muzzle the furthest point within it. I got a swift tug and landed on my haunches as my emotions ran dry and I looked up at Rose.

        “You burst into flames.” Rose explained dryly.

        “You are standing in the middle of the street in the middle of day in a... rather... Can you go change before my backside freezes to the ground.” I blushed, Rose remembered her outfit and dashed to quickly change as I attempted to control myself.

        “You two are adorable.” Dad chuckled as he stood on the wooden walkway outside of my apartment.

        “I am glad you approve. I was worried you might be upset about the lack of me being with a partner who would make me pop out foals for you.” I smirked, happy to have something help me not focus on how Rose was dressed.

        “Well, you still could.” I shot him a sidelong glance. “However, Silver I think has that covered. Well, he won't be popping them out.”

        “Oh? I’m glad to hear that. Also I finally got my cutie mark. Guess what, it is worthless. It is a book.” I laughed, although I felt a pang of guilt about it.

        “That is great news, seems like getting out of Saint Clover was exactly what you needed to get your life rolling.” Dad said as he came over and gave me a hug before getting me to my hooves. “Come on lets get inside, and maybe you can explain the whole bursting into flames and flaking ash. I am fairly certain that isn't something that you inherited from your mother or myself.”

        I shrugged as we entered the apartment again, this time much less nervous and much less flustered. “I don't know why I reacted that way, I have gone toe to toe with a Wendigo. Seriously, introducing you to Rose should have been nothing.” I bemoaned as I closed the door.

        “Because that has a simple solution, shoot it until it is dead.” Dad laughed as he took up a seat at the table and began looking at my assorted equipment on it.

        “I guess. Probably would have helped if Rose hadn't been wearing... what she was.” I mumbled.

        “I will give you this, you have a great taste in mares.” Dad jested, I just blinked at him, I saw flakes of ash float off of my cheeks again. “So, when did you two hook up?”

        “Just after I cleared out raiderville. It was that town between Dune City and Saint Clover that got over run by raiders years ago.” I explained.

        “So... three days away from home you got your cutiemark, killed a town of raiders, saved a bunch of ponies, and got a marefriend?” Dad whistled. “I imagine initially it wasn't that she was your marefriend and more of she wanted you.”

        “Hey! I didn't want our relationship based around that. Nor did she, she just... Liked her hero...” I blushed and realized it did sound like I was being used. “However, it isn't like that anymore! Maybe it started with her wanting me as protection or whatever, but, now she can hold her own and she will put her life on the line to protect me as much as I will to protect her if that is what you are trying to get at.”

        “No, it is more of it reminds me of how I met your mother.” He smiled. “I saved her sorry flank from some thugs, your grandfather was very upset that I put my neck out for some local whore. His words, not mine.”

        “Wait, so Moony's mother was a prostitute?” Rose said as she returned, now out of her garments. I still didn't get why adding cloths some how made a pony's form more alluring when we walk around naked for the most part.

        “More or less, she worked at a place down south. It wasn't very willing work, but, there wasn't much else that was as safe. Things got a bit rough, I thought with my sense of justice and protected her. It wasn't long after that we headed back to Seamane. A few months after going around the area and having some fun on the coast past the Unbound we settled down in Saint Clover due to you were coming along.” Dad explained, and I nodded, it was about roughly how he had told me years ago how he and Mom got together.

        “Seems like it is in your blood to be a bleeding heart.” Rose giggled as she sat next to me, I felt her fidget a few times before settling to just sit by me and not draping herself over me like she often did. I guessed she also was still a bit embarrassed from a few minutes ago.

        “Well, we may have it in our blood to be bleeding hearts, but, we seem to have it in our blood not to die from it.” I smiled before giving Rose a peck on her cheek, which I noticed was far more easy than last time we were Colt.

        “So tell me about yourself Rose.” Dad asked finally pushing aside my ice sword after he had freed his hoof from it.

        “While she does that how about I make us all some tea?” I offered as I stood.

        “That sounds good.” Dad replied before he and Rose got to talking about her past, as well as what had been going on since I left Saint Clover. I served the tea after Rose had finished explaining what happened in Oakmare and what she did while I had been up north after the events there.

        “So you spent quite a while alone up north then?” Dad asked as I sipped at my tea. I simply nodded, I would likely in a while be telling the rest of my family the story and figured there was no need to tell the story twice. “Anything interesting?”

        I frowned at Dad. “Yes, but, I am assuming you are going to have Rose and myself over at some point and then I will have to explain everything again to Mom and Silver.” I stated before taking another sip.

        “Fair enough. Well keep going Rose.” Dad encouraged. Rose informed him of the trip back up north to restore my magic, the trip to the Hoof, then our return trip. I filled in a few points where I had been separated from Rose, but, didn't fill in many details. Honestly more I thought about it when I did get separated from Rose things tended to become far more traumatizing.

        “Well, thanks for humoring me you two. I need to go tell your Mother about you being back in town. I expect we will probably be doing lunch or dinner as a family.” Dad said as he hugged me and Rose.

        “Alright, we will keep an ear open for someone knocking.” I smiled returning the hug.

        “It was nice to meet you, Dusty.” Rose smiled back as well as my Dad left.

        Once the door closed Rose collapsed against me and let out a sigh. “I didn't expect meeting your father to be so exhausting.”

        “I didn't expect it to be so... I don't know the word to properly describe the whole encounter.” I frowned as I supported Rose.

        She smiled and gave me a lick to my cheek. “Come on it should be a while until anypony else bugs us and we do need to relax.”

        I giggled. “I don't need any more convincing than that.”

        I yawned as I pulled out various parts and equipment from what I had brought back from the north as well as what I had left here in Colt before the northward trip. I knew that I needed to prioritize a few bits of equipment such as medical supplies. As such I was preparing trauma kits and ammo bags. I also was planning on stopping by Aegis' store and buying every five point five six round I could get my hooves on as our little group practically ran on them.

        I also was mulling over the idea of making some small deployable turrets with the use of the targeting talismans and the ten millimeter smg's. They wouldn't be terribly accurate, but, it would give us the equivalent of two additional shooters, as if we didn't have enough guns going all at once. Still though the idea was appealing and I decided to work on them. The smg's were small enough to fit in a nice small case. In this situation it was a lunch box, once I pared down the guns since I didn't really expect anyone to try using them manually. After a while I managed to get all the necessary parts and a whole heaping amount of ammo into the container and seal it shut. I also set up a remote kill switch for them with my detonator. I really didn't have much use for the detonator anymore as I was going to just let Anabel handle the explosives.

        Rose quietly stirred on the sofa as I finished the second turret, which the work went far faster than the first as I knew what I was doing. Honestly, I was sorry for the first pony I used them on. They probably would expect a bottlecap landmine or something, instead they would get a mini turret spraying hot lead filled death at them. I realized I needed to take these out somewhere and get some target practice. Then suddenly it hit me, I needed something that would let me make better use of these turrets than just having them as they were now. I tinkered around with the various parts of spritebots I had with me, setting aside the bits to make a new pipbuck zero once I had given my pipbuck to Anabel.

        The thought that struck me was that I could have a designator for prioritizing targets with the little laser that I had attached to the rebar crossbow. The main issue would be setting the turrets to keep an eye for the invisible line. Which was when I remembered spritebots vision could see that spectrum of light. Which made things easier, though now I had to take apart both turrets to install the new hardware. After the third time electrocuting myself due to I wanted to do this by hoof and not horn, Rose woke up.

        “Why is our table covered in bullets and the guts of robots, Moonlight?” Rose asked, amused at the mess I had created. I looked up at her, grease, soot, and patches of burnt coat covering me.

        “Uh... Making stuff. We don't have a proper workbench and I didn't see another table...” I trailed off as I saw her smiling.

        “Just clean up when you are do. Also try not to make anything explode. Things do that enough around you on their own.” Rose laughed as she got herself something to eat.

        “I will, oh do you happen to know a good place to do some target practice?” I asked as I set down a circuit board.

        “Why, don't think your aim is good enough?” Rose asked before taking a bite of food.

        “No, these are going to be turrets, and I want to see how accurate they are as well as test their ability to pick up on the laser designator that I have.” I explained as I dusted the burnt coat and soot off of myself, making the grease stains spread, much to my frustration.

        Rose thought for a few moments as I returned to finishing the upgrades to my turrets. I let out a sigh of frustration as I got shocked again which left me wondering what the hell in the circuit still had power that I hadn't shut off. Though really it didn't end up mattering as a few minutes later I had finished stuffing my turrets back into their housing and tested them a few times. I did enjoy that I could just toss them down and they would automatically right themselves as the legs came out to support them. Really all I needed to do was make them levitate or stick to walls and I would have some of the most annoying mobile firepower you could imagine a mare having. Well that or having a self drawn carriage with a heavy machine gun on its back. Or maybe a tank, but, those were a lot rarer. Also I didn't know how to drive which probably would be a problem if I wanted either.

        I blinked noticing my thoughts wandering off topic again and lusting for more firepower. I couldn't disagree with the lust, but, I knew the mobility would actually be far nicer to have. I mean instead of walking everywhere we could drive. While not as good as flying it was a lot easier to fight if you aren't exhausted from walking or galloping everywhere.

        “I think Aegis has a indoor gun range at his new place.” Rose finally answered.

        “That would do nicely, need to stop by there before we leave town again. While currently we have a decent supply of five point five six rounds we go through them faster than...” I paused trying to figure out a good metaphor for our rapid consumption of the rounds. “Than I go through armor.”

        Rose just giggled as she worked on her meal. I resumed my work preparing two pipbuck zeros from the parts that still were here and functional. One I would give as a gift to my family, the other was for myself. I also was going to be dumping off the plants for the Everfree on my family as they would have the time and space to tend to them unlike myself. Kind of hard to grow plants when you are wandering around the wasteland. Though I had heard about ponies whose mane were that of plants, I would have blamed exhaustion induced hallucinations if not for my experiences with taint. That and my own occasionally burning mane and tail.

        I regarded my hybrid hoof again understanding now the dangers of the world. I shook my head as part of me wondered if I could some how modify it in any way. Honestly there shouldn't be anyway to modify it, other than overpowering it through the few external access points that were left.

        “Man... it would suck to have this happen with that pink cloud stuff.” I muttered remembering the various horrors I had seen in Canterlot from pink cloud exposure.

        “What about pink cloud?” Rose piped up.

        “Oh, just remembering some of the horrible effects that I saw the pink cloud have on things in Canterlot. Beyond the immortal ghouls it created, it also would fuse flesh to inorganic material. Like say my armor would fuse with my flesh, my pipbuck would become a pipleg. But, unlike taint it isn't healthy. I would suspect anything beyond a pipbuck would slowly poison a pony to death. Not a pleasant way to go.” I explained.

        “That sounds horrific.” Rose exclaimed her eyes looking at my sympathetically.

        “Yeah, that is a place I want to avoid until the cloud is gone. After that... Well I have a thing for libraries and I would imagine Twilight would have one fine library in her ministries headquarters.” I smiled, I could tell from Rose's expression I was wearing my interest in the place clearly on my face.

        “I forget that under all that armor, behind all those guns, is a mare who love books.” Rose smiled as she sat at the table and put her hooves under her chin.

        I blushed as I smiled at her. “Yeah, I know who would think a mare who is a walking armory to enjoy a cup of tea and a good book. Hell look at me, burnt coat, scars across my muzzle and cheek, chunks missing out of my ears. I nasty scar across my shoulder. I look weathered, not studious.”

        “It isn't a bad look.” Rose purred.

        “It probably makes a few annoyances take care of themselves upon seeing me.” I smiled back at Rose as I stored the turrets in my saddlebags.

        “Mhm. Do you want me to come with you to the range?” Rose asked as I stood up and put on my saddlebags.

        “Up to you, bring your own ammo and gun if you do.” I shrugged as I slung the quiver and crossbow onto my back.

        “Of course, give me a moment will you?” Rose replied as she stood and fetched the silenced forty five and her assault carbine.

        “Right, you haven't had much time to practice with that pistol.” I nodded as I stood next to the door to go.

        “There really hasn't been a chance for me to use a silenced weapon. Unlike you and your little adventures.” Rose teased as she bumped my flank with hers.

        “Alright, well lets go get some target practice. I need to adjust the scope on this crossbow anyways.” I smiled as we walked into the winter morning.

        It didn't take long to get to Aegis' store. It also didn't take much convincing to gain access to his gun range.

        “Knock yourselves out.” Aegis smiled as we went into the underground shooting range.

        “Hopefully we won't.” I laughed, though I had brought with me one of the trauma kits I had made just in case.

        I set up the turrets in two booths next to each other at the opposite end of the range of where Rose was practicing. The reasons for that was to keep the brass being easier to organize after we finished shooting, and, because I didn't think she would enjoy the constant drone of sustained automatic gunfire next to her.

        In short order I had targets up and as I had thought I had to designate them with the laser for the turrets to even attempt to shoot their targets. Initially their accuracy was horrid, after a bit of tweaking and having a few rounds punch through me, I had them being more accurate and tuned not to shoot me.

        As it was, I was happy to have brought with me the trauma kit, because getting shot was a perfectly good test for if I did pack the essentials within it. As it was, I had, and I was back together before Rose noticed. I also did my best to clean up the blood, which wasn't too hard. Though I suspected I would need to dispose of the now bloody bandages quietly so she didn't worry.

        With the sounds of the turrets clicking maddeningly beside me I turned them off with a test of the kill switch. That thankfully worked, and they didn't randomly explode. So double plus good in design on my part. I packed the turrets up and collected my brass.

        “Well I feel a bit better with those guns, though I think we need to buy some more ammo.” Rose smiled as she watched me finish cleaning up.

        “No kidding, though I know I still have a heap of ten milli's back at our place. The forty fives and fifties not so much.” I nodded as I closed my saddlebags. “Hm… you’re good to go back up?”

        “Yeah, hopefully we didn't miss your dad swinging by to tell us when dinner is.” Rose said as we climbed the stairs. I was being a bit gentle with my leg thanks to the slight bits of pain lancing through it with each step from the still unhealed nerves. While the healing potion I downed had helped a fair bit there was still some damage left over.

        “Hopefully, hey Rose how about you handle getting ammo, if there is any regular five point five sixes in stock take them. If he has a box or two of surplus that is fine as well. I kind of want to get back and take care of these turrets. Also if Dad does show up at least somepony will be there to greet him.” I said as we got to the top of the stairs.

        “Alright, well I’ll see you at home then.” Rose smiled as she turned to go to the counter where Aegis was sitting.

        I nodded and headed out to home. Once outside I let myself give favorable treatment to my leg as I made my way across the cleared walkways. Today was a nice day, no snow, a little fog, the temperature seemed to be above freezing, and so far no red bars on my E.F.S. Of course it couldn't last, something would have to eventually come up, it always did.

        “There you are Moonlight.” Anabel said the soft crunch of snow behind me telling me she had been flying while looking for me.

        “Suppose it is time to give you my pipbuck then.” I stated as I looked at her, only to see one of the two pipbuck zeros I had made on her left foreleg. “Or not?”

        “Or not. You were willing to give yours up to me just to keep me around. You went into the Hope Solar Plant because I wanted to. You also seem pretty good at putting the safety of others, not just your companions ahead of yourself.” Anabel smiled. “I feel pretty safe sticking with you.”

        “Well then, now I don't need to explicitly go out of my way to raid a stable so I can have a pipbuck again.” I sighed smiling before tossing my head at the direction I had been walking. “Doesn't mean I won't if we have the option of going into an abandoned one.”

        “Good, because I want to see a stable in person.” Anabel said as she walked beside me.

        “I would have figured by now you went into at least one. I mean there are what like a hundred of them or something?” I replied as we walked the blocks between the new town and old town of Colt.

        “I know you would think so with my interest in prewar technology. But, one most are dangerous as hell to go into, by my ancestors I wouldn't want to go into one alone.” Anabel confessed.

        “I can personally state, no, you really do not want to go into one alone. I did, it was a horrible experience filled with sentient goo, fields of invisible death, and one hell of a explosion at the end.” I laughed. “Oh by the sisters I am actually laughing at what happened in twenty three.”

        “That sounds worse than what I have heard. Usually it is something about monsters having holed up in them or automated security trying to kill you while you navigate fields of skeletons.” Anabel frowned.

        “Oh, there were plenty of corpses too, that is where the goo came from.” I explained, taking a bit perverse of delight in the bristling of Anabel's coat. “No lying, it is why I don't like going underground much. At least in places that are far too clean for sitting abandoned for so long.”

        “I don't blame you. You said it ended with a explosion. That wouldn't happen to have caused that earthquake that happened in Manehattan a while back?” Anabel queried.

        “With how much force there was behind the explosion, I would imagine it probably did cause an earthquake, as it was I was underwater when it went off. Had to swim my way out.” I shrugged as I opened the door with my magic. “After that I was out sick for a while in an abandoned Steel Ranger bunker.”

        “Well I owe you, thanks to that earthquake the roof came down on some bandits who were chasing me. Let me escape and drop a few grenades on them to make certain they stayed down.” Anabel smiled patting me on my scared shoulder. “Thanks, even if it wasn't intentional.”

        “You're welcome, I guess.” I smiled at her shaking my head. “Oh, that reminds me, what do you think about having a crossbow and turrets?”

        “What do you mean?” Anabel turned to me confused as I pulled out the turrets and crossbow.

        “Simple, I keep loading myself up with a ton of gear that I really shouldn't keep on me. I have this crossbow which looks more at home in the talons of a gryphon than the mouth of a pony.” I explained as I hovered the crossbow and quiver to her. “And I imagine you wouldn't mind having automated turrets to rely on since you aren't a big person on shooting things yourself unless it is with high explosives.”

        “Well aren't you just showering us with gifts.” Anabel laughed as she shook her head. “Yeah I will take them, how big are they?”

        I fished out the lunch tins they were contained in. “This big.”

        She just looked at me as I turned one on. It popped open diligently and gave a beep indicating it was ready to fire. “It is empty at the moment of any ammo, takes ten millimeter rounds. The laser on the crossbow marks targets for it, and,” I fished out the remote kill switch. “This will turn them off with the flip of a switch.”

        “Damn, you thought of everything.” Anabel whistled. “Say, if we find a automatic grenade launcher think you could make a turret for me out of it?” Anabel asked looking like a filly in a candy shop.

        “Well if we have the parts for it sure. Really my design should allow for any weapon, so long as we have a case for it to sit in.” I said as I sat on my haunches and rubbed the back of my neck.

        “You have no idea what you have just unleashed on the wastelands do you?” Anabel laughed darkly and I gulped.

        “I am starting to get a vague idea...” I unevenly said as my eye twitched remembering Anabel's love of explosives paired with her love of prewar technology. I then realized I would never have the heart to charge her a single cap for any of the work she was going to make me do. “No I cannot build giant pilotable robots of death. Don't even ask.”

        Anabel looked at me in confusion for a minute before she burst out laughing. “I wasn't going to ask for anything like that. Just would like to know the limits. I mean I think you can understand how nice it would be to have say a turret with two miniguns and some rockets on it. I mean it is like the sentinel class roboponies, but, well a lot more simple and transportable. Also on our side.”

        I nodded, I probably could do that if I was given a sentinel to take apart that was just turned off and not forcefully shut down. “Do able, but, you would have to carry it. As well as the ammo for it. I am going to be making Foresight carry some ammo bags, but, that is just too much.”

        “If I am carrying turrets, and Foresight is carrying ammo. Then what are you and Rose carrying?” Anabel asked finally getting up off of her back from laughing.

        “Both of us will act as medics to an extent, I will keep my load a bit lighter because I have such a strong back and tend to grab a ton of stuff while walking around. Though in the field I am a better medic than Rose so while she has more of the supplies don't think that doesn't mean I am useless.”

        “I don't think you would be useless, you rode the worm the other day like it was nothing. I mean do you even think half the time you are in the middle of a battle?” Anabel teased.

        “I think enough to keep alive, keep those I want to keep alive, alive, and those I want to make dead, dead.” I frowned at her, honestly I was trying to think more while in fights, it is just some times the flow of battle would get going and thing happened then suddenly I was on the back of a monster running for its mouth with a explosive covered corpse to feed it. “Things just kind of happen when I fight.”

        “I noticed.” Anabel softly laughed as she inspected the turrets as well as the crossbow and kill switch.

        “Anyways, I am just relaxing until my dad shows up. Apparently my family moved up here from Saint Clover while I was away.” I said as I stretched out on the sofa. “Rose should be back in a bit with some more ammo.”

        “You don't mind if I crash here for the time being, looks like you have plenty of room after all.” Anabel asked, I nodded as I applied my magic to healing the last of my injury from the turrets.

        “Oh also make certain you properly sync the turrets I.F.F. with the pipbuck zero's, then they will just target things that want you dead instead of anything that shows up on their E.F.S.” I explained.

        “Alright, I will keep them unloaded until I get them ready.” Anabel called back.

        I started thinking about the upcoming dinner with my family. Would they want it to be fancy? Or were we going to just go with more relaxed. If it was fancy were either my two dresses too fancy, or not fancy enough?

        I frowned as I realized I was starting to stress out of it it.

        It was just my family after all, it would likely be simple, I could show up in my lab coat and be fine. Rose could wear the long coat she was keeping on her. Though coming back it would be after dark, so maybe I should take a weapon with me. Then again, I had my magic and I still had my pipbuck, so maybe I would take my combat knife with me. I then remembered I had a fucking powerhoof fused with my right foreleg.

        “Right, I can't get disarmed without being dismembered...” I whispered to myself. So really it was just a matter of finding out from Dad what the plan was, or whoever came by to let me know when and where dinner was to be. I frowned again realizing that I probably should have asked when Dad was here where they lived. Then my pipbuck so helpfully put a tag in my vision telling me exactly where my family now lived.

        “It is disturbing that you know that...” I said glaring at my pipbuck.

        For the next half hour I struggled to keep from worrying about introducing Rose to the rest of my family as well as have dinner with them. I mean it couldn't go that badly. Dad had been pretty receptive to Rose, as well as to me and Rose being together. Then again, he was also a top notch merchant, or at least I thought him to be so who knows he could have been hiding his frustration the whole time. But, I was his daughter, I was family, he never hid anything from us. In fact he had once said he was glad to have us so there was somepony he could be completely honest around.

        'Maybe I have fallen out of that circle due to my time away...' I muttered to myself in my mind.

        'So what if you have?' Came the voice of Doubt at the appropriate time for her to retain her namesake. 'Does it make it any different what they think? It isn't like you will be around here very long. Wasn't the plan to be headed out soon anyways. Back into the wasteland, off to continue your war, to go on further adventures? What does it matter if somepony in your family doesn't like Rose, or you being with her?'

        'That is a very valid point. Why would it matter, they were here. They weren't going to be with me on my trip around the region. They weren't fighting along side me where I needed their absolute loyalty to make certain I see the next morning.' I replied.

        'So, who cares, you love Rose. Rose loves you, if they stand in the way of your love what are they worth? Who is worth standing in your path of what you want?' Doubt asked.

        'Nopony is worth it if they stand in my path for what I want.” I answered.

        'Then why do you doubt your own answer?' Doubt faded off.

        I bit my lip, why was I doubting my own answer, why did I doubt my own senses. Even what Sunset had told me didn't help. Even though everything within me said there wasn't anything wrong about Rose and me, I doubted, I worried. What if my own senses were wrong, clouded, maybe mystified. Could she do that to me? Could she had done that from the get go? She was the one to approach me, she right away had the intent of taking me didn't she. So was this all wrong? Like I had said to Dad even if it started out with her using me she now was equally willing to throw herself into danger for me as I was for her.

        So why did I still question it. Why did I suddenly question it all?!

        I then received a tap to my horn and I looked up to get a kiss. Everything melted into the kiss, all the stress, worry, and doubt washed away. Without a word Rose knew what was wrong and fixed it. I wore my expressions on my sleeve, she knew what I needed and took care of me. She took care of me like when I had been half dead on our return to Manehattan. Like she had taken care of me after being held by those slavers. She took care of me like she always had. Why would I have any doubt about her.

        I finally broke the kiss and looked into Rose's eyes still feeling the effects of the kiss. “Thank you, I needed that.”

        “I could see by the fact you didn't react to me trying to talk to you.” Rose smiled. “You alright, you look like you cried a bit.”

        I blinked the remains of the tears away. “I didn't notice, I guess I was so stuck in my own head I didn't feel them. At least I cry tears of water and not fire or something.” I laughed smiling up at Rose feeling better than I had since bumping into Dad.

        “I would hate to see the state of the sofa if you cried fire. I also think I would have to find a fire resistant suit or spell.” Rose laughed.

        “We would find a way, I know we would.” I smiled as I got to my hooves, just then, as if they were waiting, somepony knocked on the door. “I'll get it.”

        With that I trotted over to the door and opened it. “Hello” I noticed the gun. “Pretty, mind getting it out of my face?”

        The gun didn't move and I rolled my eyes. “Would you please remove your gun from my facial region.”

        The gun still didn't move and the smile that had been on my face faded. “You have three seconds to remove the gun from my face or I am going to shove it up whatever opening in your body I can find first. One… Two… Three.”

        I hit S.A.T.S. I in return got a better view of the one threatening my life. They were clad head to hoof in armor, as per usual. Nothing to identify them other than a horn. In their magic was held a pitiful nine millimeter silenced pistol with extended mags and a scope. It was stupid, why the hell would you put a scope on a pistol like that. Whatever the case I set a attack against the gun put up a TK barrier between the gun and myself and set several strikes with my power hoof against their chest.

        Upon releasing S.A.T.S. I felt the shattered remains of a hollow point round scratch my coat as the gun rose from recoil and my shove of telekinesis. Next came the attacks to their chest, three strikes and they were away from me after a extra strong blow that seemed to trigger something sending them flying on fire into the snow pile I had jumped into earlier today. Time resumed its usual flow and the gun fell to the ground.

        I picked it up in my magic and walked across the street, many ponies had stopped to watch the sudden and rather one sided fight. I carefully walked up to the steaming pile of snow my metallic hoof causing the still frozen ground to hiss with each step. The bar of my would be assailant was now blue if it hadn't been before which meant I wouldn't kill them right off the bat.

        “Get up, you were a fool for even attempting to attack me. Be glad I am letting you off easy with just wailing on you.” I commanded, the pony in the snow slowly shambled their way out. Without their helmet I could tell he was a he, and he was familiar.

        “Silver?! Where the hay do you get off pulling a gun on your older sister!” I shouted at my idiot of a brother. I was glad I hadn't killed him, but, the thrashing I had just given him prevented me from moving to give him another.

        “Rose get me one of the kits!” I barked over my shoulder as I shoved the over modified pistol into one of the coats pockets and flipped its safety on.

        “Oh by the Sisters you even shot me! What the hell has gotten into you Silver!” I yelled as I lost my patience with him attempting to free himself from the snow and dragged him out with my magic and held him muzzle to muzzle with myself. “I almost killed you, if I hadn't aimed for your chest you probably would have a shattered skull and your brains all over my hooves!”

        He simply coughed blood and weakly smiled.

        “Oh shit... oh shit, oh shit, Oh Shit, OH SHIT. ROSE YOU NEED TO BE HERE RIGHT NOW!” I shouted at the top of my lungs as I tore off the remains of my brothers barding and began to do triage. “Fuck, by the sisters you are a idiot Silver, fucking hell.”

        “Here it is, oh wow let me give you a hoof okay?” Rose offered as she gave my brother a dose of Med-X and started helping tend to his surface wounds and stabilize his condition. I went to the next step of figuring out what all I broke with my burning hoof strike.

        My first step was looking for any wounds to his arteries and heart, finding a few near his lungs I began to work. I focused solely on saving my idiot of a brother's life after nearly killing him. Thankfully while I was doing that Rose managed to stabilize him and catch a few other injuries. Between the two of us we managed to stop the internal bleeding and get him to the point where healing potions, a dose of Hydra, and some of my healing magic took care of most of his injuries. At the end of it there was a light dusting of ash around us.

        “Rose get the rest of his stuff while I move him inside.” I ordered as I lifted my brother with my magic and started to head inside.

        “Alright, the fire should still be going so put him on the sofa.” Rose called back as she gathered everything up.

        Once inside I set my brother down and only now noticed Anabel had long left with the turrets I had given her as well as the crossbow. Though there was a note on the table along with what looked like a scroll or two. I mentally listed them as something to look at once my brother was settled.

        “I would say I would kill you for pulling a stunt like that, but, I nearly did so I think we are good on that end.” I said with an exacerbated sigh. “Honestly, you should have just given up the act after the second time I told you to move the gun.”

        “Sorry.” He wheezed and I watched as he grimaced at likely the unpleasant feelings that Hydra gave.

        “Since I gave you Hydra your natural healing process is going to be slower for a while. I also am going to need to have my marefriend cast the taint purging spell on you. Unless you fancy growing mutations until the taint eventually kills you, or worse.” I explained glaring daggers at my brother still. “Damn it Silver, we are supposed to have dinner with Mom and Dad tonight! What will they think about this? Huh? This isn't like you either, Dad I know does this to keep us sharp, but, you, seriously do you have a death wish?! Hell Dad said you have your own special somepony, why the hell would you risk all that on a joke?!”

        “I don't know...” He whimpered, his eyes looking far more tired than they should.

        I let out a sigh and gave him a No Doze, I knew it wasn't what I should be doing as someone trying to practice medicine, but, I wanted him awake and to answer me. “Who told you to do this? Or did you decide to do this on your own?”

        “My marefriend... Or was it Dad?” He said, his face full of confusion.

        I let out another sigh as I sank to my haunches my frustration leaking out of me replaced with exhaustion from the rapid change of stresses over the past few minutes. “I am going to fucking die from a heart attack today at this rate.”

        “What?” Silver croaked.

        “Nothing, just today has ended up being far more stressful than it should have been.” I let out a sigh deciding to change subjects. “Tell me about your marefriend. What's her name?”

        “Harmony.” Silver managed after a few coughs.

        “Where is she from, do I possibly know her?” I asked as I saw Silver smile slightly as he thought about his lover.

        “You know that security mare who you were with before you had to leave?” Silver asked managing to not cough.

        “I thought I was the only pony you had been with.” Rose chimed in with her damn perfect timing to make me blush.

        “I wasn't, she was an assigned guard to me the day everything hit the fan and I had to leave Saint Clover.” I fired back before shaking my mane back into place.

        “Yeah, she came to us to tell us what happened. She stayed on working as part of security for a month then she got fed up with it and stopped. She initially was basically a volunteer guard for us until we moved out here. We got close between then and now. She saved my flank a couple of times getting out here too.” Silver smiled his eyes clearly showing his thoughts lost on more pleasant times, I for one was glad we had opted to keep the armor plates over his stomach on him.

        “I am glad to hear that. She was a helpful mare when I was trying to get stuff at the market that day.” I smiled remembering back to then. “I am surprised at the notion she would tell you to do this, you certain anypony told you to try to attack me?”

        “Kind of hard to remember, sort of got the crap beat out of me.” He grinned and I rolled my eyes, he was clearly feeling better so I shoved a healing potion to his muzzle so he could drink it down.

        “We have to get you on your hooves as quickly as possible.” I explained, “I also need to know when dinner is.”

        “Five or five thirty is what Mom said.” Silver coughed as his chest filled out a bit more with repaired bone.

        “I am glad you are not going out into the wastelands that much, you would get killed in no time on your own.” I said as I shook my head.

        “How did you manage then? We’re both soft unicorns.” He asked.

        “Let me tell you the story of the Ranger and the Thief of the night then.” I smiled as Rose rolled her eyes. “What, I figured that is a better than saying “let me tell you the story of the Ranger of Seamen” it sounds cooler.”

        “Right, because a cool name matters that much.” Rose teased as she went to make some tea and clean up the place some more. “I wish Anabel had cleaned up her mess from working on your turrets.”

        “It is alright I will clean that up later.” I called back.

        “No I will get it, it isn't much after all.” Rose replied.

        I gave a shrug to Silver who looked amused. “So when is the wedding?”

        “When I stabilize Seamane.” I said with the flick of my powerhoof.

        “I would say a tall order for a short pony, but, you seem to have finally grown up sis.” Silver laughed before Rose fed him another healing potion.

        “And if you did I would hit you with my powerhoof again.” I smiled.

        “How did that happen anyways? I thought you had no weapons on you beyond the knife.” Silver asked pointing to the knife and its sheath stitched to the breast of my labcoat.

        “Oh, you get some nasty things to happen to you when you mess around with taint and other nasty things in the wasteland. As such I now have a powerhoof fused with my leg. When I say fused I mean there is no separation, my leg has the properties of a powerhoof now. It is not cybernetic it is a fusion of organic and machine. I also can feel through it.” I explained.

        “Sounds painful...” Silver winced as he rubbed his mostly healed chest.

        “I actually didn't feel it when it happened, I was kind of busy murdering a giant bird monster that was squeezing me to death.” I smiled looking at Silver judging his reaction.

        “You have to tell me what all happened since you left Saint Clover. You can leave out the intimate parts.” Silver said, blushing looking over at Rose then myself.

        “I prefer it that way.” I nodded and launched into what happened that night after I left Saint Clover.

        I lay back as the sky darkened with the onset of sunset. “We should get get going soon.”

        “Yeah, oh Silver, any dress code for the dinner party?” Rose asked, I had done a formal introduction between the two when I explained meeting her.

        “No, though you don't need to bring any of that horde of weapons you have.” Silver laughed.

        “Well that is a relief. I also think you are fully recovered, well beyond a bit of pain. We even cleared any taint in you so you should be safe.” I smiled as I pulled him to his hooves and we helped him get dressed.

        “You know where we live now?” Silver asked, I just smiled.

        “She doesn't, but, our pipbucks do.” Rose explained for me.

        “They're magic, don't question it or your brain will start to hurt.” I teased as I secured This Gun in its holster between my hind legs. While not the most comfortable place, it was hidden, and really I wasn't going to go around without a pistol after night. Too often I got jumped anymore, though today that was only by my family...

        “Coming from you... I won't worry about it, egghead.” Silver teased back as we headed out. Anabel had returned while I was telling my story to Silver and would keep our place secure.

        “Alright, time for dinner, see you later Anabel.” I called back as I shut the door, I got a single talon salute in return. “Come on, lets not keep Mom and Dad waiting.”

        “Or my stomach empty.” Silver joked, though he had a lack of food today thanks to his pummeling earlier, which I was now feeling guilty about.

        “Right, well either way it isn't that far if my auto-map isn't being stupid.” I smiled as I pulled up the auto-map display in my E.F.S. “This way everypony.”

        “Huh, it really does know the way.” Silver mused as I guided us down the roads. Apparently my parents had moved into a house next to Aegis' shop. I took that as both a sign of good will from Aegis as well as a clear statement of him having a insurance policy just in case. It made sense now that I was on my way to shaking things up more in the area as well as uncovering secrets. He was powerful, somehow, and possibly a lesser player in the game for Seamen. At least his actions reflected that to me, or maybe it was me just projecting.

        Within a few minutes we had made it to my families home and I knocked. Dad greeted me.

        “Ah, there you are Moonlight, I guess you and Silver did some catching up then?” Dad smiled.

        “In a way, he pulled a stupid stunt on me and got his flank handed to him. Then I had to patch him up because he is still pretty soft.” I laughed as my brother blushed.

        Dad shook his head at Silver. “I told you not to do it, so what did she do, go invisible?”

        “She launched me across the street with a kick, and set me on fire with it.” Silver answered absentmindedly rubbing where I had crushed his chest with my powerhoof.

        “I didn't know it was him thanks to his outfit. So I reacted like any wanted mare would to having a gun to her head.” I shrugged.

        “She also took a round to the shoulder thanks to ordeal.” Rose chimed in as I remembered that I hadn't cleaned out the injury of the bits of bullet.

        “I have been shot with worse.” I shrugged smiling.

        “She really has.” Silver and Rose supplied at my Dad's questioning look.

        I rolled my eyes as the smell of dinner hit my nose, I was surprised I was actually drooling at it. Then again, it had been far too long since I had a properly cooked meal that wasn't from a box or cup. Though instant noodles were quite nice, even better now that I could just heat the water myself.

        “Oh yes, come on in and get the cold out.” Dad chuckled as he stood to the side to let us through.

        Entering my families new home I saw it was a bit more decorated than the one back in Saint Clover had ever been, and a few boxes indicating stuff still in need of unpacking.

        “I thought you would travel light, or is the stuff in boxes from here?” I asked as I lay down on the rug by the fire place. I noticed the fire reacted to my presence with turning a faint blue. I dismissed it hoping the rest would too. I did notice though that Dad and Rose did spot the oddity though Rose just gave a quiet snort at it.

        “Gifts, a few left over things from Saint Clover, stuff that was here when we moved in.” Dad shrugged. “Most of it is for the rooms further back, we just haven't gotten to all of them. Between making more caps, re-establishing contacts, and all that.”

        I nodded as Rose introduced herself to Mom.

“Kind of forget sometimes you aren't a simple merchant.” I smiled to Dad as I turned my attention to him.

        “Not a simple merchant at all.” Dad laughed and smiled back at me. “While I may have lost the possibility of getting on the tribunal for Clover at least I still have my contacts.”

        I raised my eyebrow and looked at dad, I hadn't thought he had a chance of getting on the ruling tribunal of Saint Clover. “Sorry I cost you a shot at being part of running the show.”

        “Don't worry about it. Though, I imagine you are headed back to Seamane. I had a chat with Aegis to catch up on what I have missed out. While you were downstairs at the gun range.” Dad sat down on the rug next to me before dropping his voice a bit. “I know who was behind what happened in Saint Clover. If you can take care of a few things around the old ship we could go back, and Clover would be open to you again. You also could take revenge on the ponies behind it all.”

        I blinked at Dad, I hadn't expected him to just pretty much tell me to go kill a few ponies on a hit list of his. “Tell me what to do.”

        He blinked, startled likely by my willingness. “Listen, I know something is going on throughout the region. Why else would nopony be lifting a finger to fight against a pony who wants to capture everypony possible for slaves.”

        “So you also noticed that, well we should hash this out while dinner finishes cooking. Once I can get back into Saint Clover I can get on the Tribunal and give you all the information you need.” Dad explained, I nodded. “Alright, it isn't a long list or anything, mostly just need you to deliver a few things and chat up a few ponies. Maybe a few more... things that you probably are good at. If you don't mind getting your hooves a little dirty.”

        “You either need to say what you need done or write them down. I only need to read or hear the objectives and my pipbuck will log it.” I explained. “No paper trail.”

        Dad nodded. “No paper trail.”

        “Only problem going to be is if anyone goes missing while I am there they might get suspicious.” I explained.

        “Don't worry about that, just do things in order and it should all take care of itself.” Dad let out a sigh. “If it doesn't, I don't think they have the pony power to hold you anymore.”

        I smiled. “So you have met us.”

        Dad returned the smile. “Hence why I am asking for you to do it. Once this is taken care of you can focus on taking out the other players, or whatever you plan for them.”

        “Quicker we get control of the Saint Clover again the sooner I can start playing on my terms. Though, you know this is making you a bigger target right?” I asked.

        “Yeah I know. However, with the resources of Saint Clover at my hooves I will be much safer. I can also help you whenever you are in town. Discounts, free equipment, ammo, and healing.” Dad explained looking pleased.

        “Sounds like a good deal for both of us.” I nodded. “Okay, lets get down to hashing out terms and conditions.”

        Dad nodded and began to dictate what needed to be done. Most of it was talking to contacts of Dad's, trade some bits of information, give a gift to a few ponies, and horribly take my revenge on the son of a mule that was currently running the show in Saint Clover.

        “You two done talking?” Rose asked as she trotted over, I saw a speck of food on her nose.

        “Yep, and it looks like after our time on Ministry Row we will paying a visit to Saint Clover.” I explained, Rose raising an eyebrow. “We are going to take care of some things for Dad, and also clear my name, finally.”

        Rose smiled, “alright, well dinner is ready.”

        I stood up and trotted over with Rose to our place at the table. I noticed Harmony had at some point showed up as well, though I hadn't seen her when we entered.

        “Hi Harmony, glad to see you again.” I smiled as I took my seat across from her.

        “Hello Moonlight, it has been too long.” Harmony replied with a slight bow of her head.

        Mom sat down next to me after bringing the last bit of the food to the table. “Everything feels back to normal now. Though it took three months, both of you getting your cutiemarks and a marefriend to do so.” Mom laughed, I just softly smiled, wanting to push out some of the lingering thoughts of what was to come and what had passed for now and just enjoy the company.

        Without wasting any time we dug into our dinner. I quietly ate as Rose and Harmony chatted, the rest of us far more used to quietly eating our dinners. However, these two weren't part of our family for that long, and really I had so few proper meals with Rose that were than more than just the two of use for her to pick up on it. As it was, I enjoyed getting to hear something other than the silence that usually hung over my family while we ate.

        It wasn't like we disliked talking to one another or anything, it was just that when we ate we liked to focus on the food side of thing. Talking could come before and after the food. There was also the fact that we also all found it rude to talk with our mouths full. Thankfully that wasn't an issue with Harmony and Rose. As I ate though I did pick up on something unusual. There seemed to be an odd tone passing between Harmony and Rose, I couldn't place it, it was between a actual noise carried in their voices and a emotional vibe. It also seemed unrelated to what they were talking about. Nopony else seemed to make any sort of sign of noticing it.

        Maybe it was just the two of them being at odds since I beat up Silver and Harmony found that rude. Whatever the case the odd tone faded once others started to talk. Or maybe it didn't and it was drown out by the voices of others. Whatever the case I volunteered to do the dishes to give myself a little space to think, as well as to get a bit of dessert early. My plan paid off as I got the first piece after serving the cake to everyone else. Mom apparently had seen though my ploy, no matter though the cake was delicious and since I was taking care of dishes while everypony else chatted I managed to stay out of the center of attention.

        Right now being the center of attention was not what I wanted, for some reason I wanted to have their eyes off of me. Something just was scratching at the back of my mind bugging me about something. I couldn't place it and just chalked it up to more brain damage from taint, radiation, and getting hurt far too much to be healthy on a regular basis. Of course that is what I chalked Doubt up to anymore, as she seemed to be fading with time. Which was good as it meant the injury that had caused her was healing.

        “I think that dish is clean enough, Moony.” Rose chimed in, shattering the sphere of silence my mind had created while it started its descent into deep thought.

        I looked at the dish to see I had probably cleaned away more than tonight’s dinner and probably also cleaned off the past two centuries of aging. “Right, I was just thinking is all.”

        “I noticed. Also that was the last dish, so I guess your body got stuck on what to do next since there wasn't any more to do.” Rose giggled as I put the cleaned dishes away.

        “Maybe, I am glad you seem to be a hit with the family. It makes me feel a lot more relaxed now.” I smiled feeling tension go out of me as the realization of this fact hit me while saying it.

        Then more than just tension went out of me as my hind hit the floor and I had to keep myself upright with the use of the counter. I was positively exhausted.

        “What's wrong Moonlight?” Rose asked as I felt exhaustion hit me hard.

        “Tired, that's all. Maybe we should head home soon.” I said forcing a yawn. I felt my mind growing more sluggish than usual for being tired, I chalked it up to all the thinking I had been doing today that was more than just mere tactics.

        “You're going home already Moonlight?” Mom asked, causing me to feel what passed for a blush form on my face.

        “Sorry we didn't get to catch up that much, Dad wanted to talk business, and you know how we are at dinner.” I smiled back.

        “Just don't be a stranger.” Mom smiled back as she hugged me. I bit back tears as I realized this was the first time in months she had seen me, and the first time in months I had seen my family and how desperately I had missed them.

        “When I can spare the time. I am a bit of a busy mare.” I replied closing my eyes to keep my tears in check. I knew I would eventually fail at holding them back.

        “I will remind her when we are in town.” Rose offered.

        “There is one thing I meant to ask, I have some plants from the Everfree, perfectly safe, and I was wondering if you would mind tending to them. I gathered them because they can be used to make a curative for magical burnout. Something I think we all understand to be something rather useful.” I explained.

        “I'll take care of them for you. You wouldn't have happened to bring them with you tonight?” Mom asked.

        “She forgot, I didn't.” Rose interjected and I heard the sound of saddlebags hitting the floor. “She also meant to give this to all of you. A device she made herself, a pipbuck zero.”

        “Well, I don't think it is the right day for her to be giving us gifts, but, we will accept them.” Mom softly laughed as she stroked my mane while I had given up holding back my tears. I didn't sob, I just let the tears flow and held onto my mother. “After all today is Hearts and Hooves day.”

        My heart froze.

        “That is true, but, she did miss Hearths Warming Eve and day.” Rose stated, her voice sounding like she knew exactly what I was feeling and was teasing me.

        “Well, we should let you go then. A couple should have some time alone on Hearts and Hooves day, I am glad to have gotten to meet you, Rose.” Mom said and I felt her extend a hoof towards where Rose was behind me.

        “The pleasure has been all mine Mrs. Shores.” Rose giggled.

        I finally released Mom from my hug, where I had cried leaving her coat slightly damp. “It was good seeing you again Mom, it has been too long. Hopefully it won't be that long until I get to see you again.” I wiped the remaining tears from my eyes.

        “I know it will be a while, but, hopefully you can start making regular trips out to Colt so we can visit. From what Rose has told me you need to unwind more, and I mean having down time with no expectations of getting anything done. I know we pushed you to your limits a lot when you were growing up, but, now it is a matter of life and death not pleasing us with how much knowledge you retained.” Mom lectured, I felt myself wither under her eyes.

        I shook my head and pushed off the effects of her withering stare. “I know, it is just hard not to just keep pushing on through when there is so much on the line.” I replied. “Thank you for dinner, try to keep everyone safe, you always had the coolest of the heads between you and Silver.”

        Mom just smiled. “I will try.”

        “There isn't anymore I could hope for.” I smiled as I went to say goodbye to Dad and Silver.

        “So you're headed out already.” Dad said as I hugged him.

        “Yeah, nearly passed out after washing the dishes, it has been a long day for me.” I yawned.

        “Alright, any idea on when you will be around Saint Clover?” Dad asked, I rolled my eyes while my head was still behind his in the hug.

        “Yeah, in a while.” I laughed. “After I take care of a few things in the Unbound and then in Ministry Row. So I would wait for either a message from me or the DJ to say something. So keep an ear open.”

        “I know and I will keep an ear open and keep yourself safe. The Unbound is probably a lot worse than it was two decades ago.”

        “Keep Silver from doing anything too reckless as well.” I smiled back as I broke the hug.

        “No promises.” Dad chuckled.

        “You know I am right here.” Silver huffed, then smiled, as he knew it was all in good fun in the end.

        “I know, I want you to keep safe, and keep everyone else safe. Be careful, a lot more ponies are coming and going than they used to with all the stuff happening around the region.” I explained, he nodded.

        “I know, I noticed the caravan this morning. Anything I can do for you while you are away?” Silver asked and I mulled the idea over for a few moments.

        I stuffed a bag of caps into his hooves that held a few thousand caps. “Buy every fifty caliber round that you see, look into setting up a workbench and reloading bench in my apartment. If Ruby asks who you are get Dad and Aegis to sort things out.”

        Silver just blinked at me and his jaw hung wide as he saw the number of caps I gave him.

        “I just want it to be a safe house in case things get too messy to hide out in either one I have near Seamane.” I explained.

        “Practical minded as always, Moonlight.” Dad laughed, I gave him a smile.

        “Harmony, keep my brother alive and safe. He is your coltfriend after all so if anything happens to him it is on your head.” I commanded, Harmony giving me a salute before realizing she had, making me burst out giggling. “Do keep him safe, I am glad he found somepony as nice as you.”

        “I will do my best.” Harmony smiled back before looking fondly at Silver.

        “Alright, best we are off before Rose has to carry me back.” I laughed Rose smiling and shaking her head as well.

        With that we headed out. While we were eating it had grown dark and colder. While not an issue thanks to the diligence of the town on keeping some form of illumination at night on the streets I was having to look for patches of ice.

        “What was with you and Harmony at dinner?” I asked, finally breaking the minute long silence that had held between Rose and myself on our walk home.

        “What do you mean?” Rose asked, sounding more confused than I had expected her to sound.

        “Oh, nothing, just not used to chatty talkers at dinner is all.” I half lied.

        “Oh? Sorry if we talked too much.” Rose blushed.

        “Don't be, I am certain everypony including myself didn't mind having having something to listen to while eating.” I smiled reassuringly back to Rose.

        “Alright then. If you think it isn't a problem.” Rose sighed as we turned the corner to Old Town.

        “I am sorry I forgot about Hearts and Hooves day. I haven't kept track of days as well as I used to with everything that has been happening. That and this is the first time I have had any reason to celebrate it.” I frowned trying to come up with something to give Rose for the day.

        Rose stopped me with a tackle into another snow drift. I was finding their placement rather suspect and convenient. I expected her to be trying to pull me out of being mopy, instead... she was going to make this pile of snow melt with my heart. I held her in my forelegs as she kissed me and held me tight.

        “Just because you are supposed to give your special somepony a gift doesn't mean you have to. Maybe they just want your love.” Rose purred as she pulled me out of the snow with her.

        I hung my head and smiled. “You're right. That is what the day is about, love not things.”

        Rose kissed me again as we finished our walk back home. “I am so glad our bedroom is soundproofed.”

        I squeaked making Rose laugh more and give me bedroom eyes. Today had been a good day, and a rather fun day. Now I was about to give my special somepony the love she wanted, and she would give her love to me. For my first Hearts and Hooves day with somepony I would call it a success.

Footnote: No experience gained, go kill something if you want experience, or complete a side quest. Stupid lazy ponies wanting levels for free.