(Dominic’s P.O.V.)

It has been five days... and still nobody has heard from Dash... I need to go see her.

Walking across Ponyville had become a regular thing for me, as my route took me directly through town to get to work, or I passed many buildings I had come to distinguish from homes or shops. Yet I was going to work today, instead I was going to see a friend, in order to see a special friend. Five days was a long time for Dash to not make an appearance, and while those days have been rather peaceful; no make out sessions, no pranks, and nothing of the sort, I was beginning to worry. The rumors had started, and as soon as they had, that was when I had learned there was a newspaper service here in Equestria; Ponyville just getting the news first.

Five days is certainly longer than a few.

Looking down a street, I turned and made my way down it when a certain treehouse slash library became visible; my destination. None of the others seemed to mind that Dash hadn’t made an appearance in those days, the theories ranging from shyness, to embarrassed, all the way to being she may be busy or some other nonsense. I believed a few of them, but Dash hadn’t even snuck into my home during those five days, and that was what really disturbed me. I had grown used to her companionship since the first day I met her, and I had come to expect a kiss from her every day; as she would go as far to give me a kiss after her pranks when they had been going on.

Dash relished in attention, more so actually, as she seemed to thrive in it, especially when it was given to her by me. I had managed to learn I was the first coltfriend she had for a long time, and I could only guess why, even if I chose not to. I just wanted to know that my mare was alright. Yet I hadn’t even heard of Dash’s home, much less seen it, so that would mean I would need to go to the mare I trust the most, that I could reach; Twilight Sparkle.

Stopping in front of the wooden door, I brought a hand up and knocked on it, feeling the vibrations from my knocking on the thick door. I pulled my hand back and took a few steps back, waiting for an answer. The entire time my thoughts went to Dash, and how she had given me that kiss in the spa those days ago. I had assumed now that everyone would know of our relationship that she would enjoy herself even more now. Nothing had prepared me for this sudden isolation in her home, wherever that may be.

I raised my hand to knock again, but as I did, the door clicked, and it was pulled open, and I found my eyes falling lower than I had expected. Where I had expected Twilight to answer the door, it seemed it was her step-brother, Spike. I remember this little drake, our initial meeting being sudden and quite an awkward one, though it could’ve been worse... much worse. His eyes looked up, apparently he had expected someone shorter, somepony.

“Oh, hey dude... come on in.” The stout drake turned and walked into the home, and I followed him in. I had taken the time to get to know him properly when I had visited Twilight during our brief history lessons of one another. I looked around and found the library looked to be in a state of disarray, books were stacking in piles on the floor while shelves were empty. Yet as I stopped in front of a rather tall pile, I heard Spike call out, “Hey Twi, Dom is here to see you!”

Looking over, I found the purple scales that belonged to Spike actually disappear behind a few piles of books, before he reappeared on a stepstool in another location. Just the sheer fact that I had lost sight of him behind books and he was somewhere else the next time I saw him brought a smile to my lips; it seemed ridiculous.

The sound of hooves coming down the wooden stairs brought my head around, and I found Twilights familiar purple fur greet my eyes, before she smiled and asked, “Dominic, what can I help you with today?”

Looking around, I found there was no room to go anywhere else without risking a book avalanche, so I simply turned back to her and explained the situation. “Hey Twilight. I didn’t want to bother you with this, but would you happen to know where Dash lives? Ever since the spa... well, I haven’t seen or even heard from her.”

Twilight moved with ease through the books, bumping not into a single stack as she looked around, before she levitated a book out from one of the piles. She looked at it as she began to flip through pages using her magic, as she said, “I do, but you would need a cloud walking spell once you got there. You see, Dash lives in a home with Cloudsdale architecture... meaning it is made of clouds.”

“Homes... made of clouds?” The sheer thought of that made me feel skeptical, yet here I was, watching a Unicorn flip through a book using magic. I am fairly certain I should’ve expected something like this. “How does that... never mind... do you know how to apply the spell to someone else besides yourself?”

Twilight smiled, before she closed the book and returned it to its place in the pile, “Of course! I’ve had to use it on others before... but I'm not sure if it would work on you. We may need to run a quick test, that way you don’t simply fall through the clouds.” I leaned a bit to the side, ready to ask another question, but I bumped into the tall book pile I had been observing earlier, and I jerked away from it... bumping into another book pile in the process. This gained the attention of both Twilight and Spike, the latter watching with wide eyes, the former quickly using her magic to steady the stacks, before she said, “Perhaps we should go outside...”

“Uh... agreed.” I turned around, careful not to bump into anymore piles. As I reached the door, I heard Spike let out a breath...

Making my way outside, I stopped a half a dozen feet from the tree home, watching as Twilight closed the door using her magic. Once she was facing me, she smiled as she said, “All right, let’s begin!”

...

Looking between Twilight and Derpy, I felt myself a bit unsure if I really wanted to be doing with the latter as my spotter, though I didn’t raise any objections. I had already witnessed this one’s clumsiness on one such occasion in the spa, as well as the horrible aftermath of when she had attempted to fix said destruction. Luckily I had managed to literally snatch her out of the air before she could try to clean the mess that had resulted. I had been more of worried for the safety of her and others around rather than angry with the mess. Now however... I was worried I was gonna die; just to check on my mare.

“Go on Dominic, there isn’t any more lightning in that cloud, I promise!” I looked over at the grey coated mare, noting her sincere smile, but despite the fact she was just a sweetheart without a mean thread in her body, I didn’t trust her word. I didn’t necessarily mistrust her... trouble seemed to be wherever she was or in whatever she touched; the smell of ozone and the tingle of static was still strong...

Looking towards Twilight, I saw her smile wider, before she motioned towards the cloud with her hoof. Looking in front of me and at the white fluff in front of me, I swore its soft fluffy shaped body held an evil smirk, its last lightning strike nearly getting me; missing by mere inches. Taking in a deep breath, I lifted a foot, and took a step forward, before lowering my foot into its soft embrace, the sensation feeling almost like standing on a springy bed. Firm, yet springy. Not ideal for standing on. A hazard to those that wished to remain living. I still stepped up onto it fully.

God... if I shall die today, let it be quick. None of that breaking bones or horrible agony crap...

“O-k... let me just renew the spell Derpy, and then you can take him away.” Twilight said, her horn lighting up in a purple glow, and it flaring as a cold tingle ran down my body, the tingle turning into a quick pinch in my feet as it finished. Yet as I looked down at the cloud I was standing on, Twilight spoke again, “Alright Dominic, just remember, you only have six hours. After that, the spell will begin to fade away.”

Bringing my eyes to Twilights, I found a bit of fear welling up into me, as well as the sudden jolt from below adding to it. I nearly jumped off the cloud right then and there. “What do you mean it will fade away?”

Twilight stood there, unaware of the peril I felt I was in, and she said calmly, “It isn’t anything to worry about, just have Dash fly you back down to the ground and you will be safe. You will start to fall through the cloud, but at a slow rate...” Twilight raised a hoof and waved as Derpy began to push me away, our altitude rising and speed quickening. “Enjoy your visit Dom!”

Her smile remained, mine disappeared. Looking over the edge of the cloud, I found us zipping over Ponyville at perhaps thirty MPH, at a height of maybe thirty feet. If I fell... er... rough calculations, I would hit the ground in a little over a second. It would be painful, however short. The only time I fell, or flew, I had a parachute or working equipment; I had neither right now. As if sensing my discomfort, Derpy called out, “Don’t you worry Dominic, I will have you at Dash’s home quicker than you can say ‘muffins are the best’!”

As she said that, the cloud beneath me rumbled threatening, almost as if it was chuckling at Derpy’s words and feeling the need to mock me. We were going much to fast or flying to high for me to simply jump of should this death trap decide to go off, so with that as inspiration, I kept my eyes on the horizon, hoping this trip would be over soon.

Though as we went, I found myself foolishly looking over the edge of the cloud, feeling a bit sick at the sight, but also a bit in awe as well. Ponyville wasn’t much to look at, but it was still far from ugly. The homes, mainly cottages, dotted the hills around Ponyville’s proper, yet there were also the woods that covered the entire south-west flank, as well as the smaller woods to the east. There was also the park off in the distance, our speed having put us further out than I had ever walked, though we were also leaving the buildings behind as well, the buildings below shifting into trees and small empty fields. There was still a path below us, but it wasn’t as worn as it was in the middle of town.

“There goes her home Dominic. Isn’t it cool?”

Looking back up, I felt my jaw nearly drop, watching the large white cloud home appearing around a bend of small hills. It was built tall, looking almost like a mansion that one would find in Rome, but instead of a fountain, it had a small rainbow waterfall that ended just below the bottom of her home; not quite reaching the ground down below. It wasn’t just cool, it was, “Beautiful...”

I heard Derpy laugh, before she said, “Yup... you should go see Cloudsdale someday Dominic!”

If it wasn’t for the lack of wings or proper long duration cloud walking spells, I would have to do that... but since there is the lack of said stuff, I will need to forgo that trip until I somehow magically turn into a Pegasus...

Once we reached the front porch like area, Derpy began to slow the cloud down, before she stopped it just over the area in front of the door, and she let me off. I turned around, and Derpy smiled as she said, “All right! Have a good time Dominic, I need to go back to work!” As she turned to leave, the cloud darkened, and I quickly jumped out of range, though it simply rumbled threateningly. I don’t like that cloud...

Making my way closer to the cloud door, I was rather surprised to see up close, Dashies cloud home, while fluffy out here, looked actually really smooth up close. The walls, the doors... the window frames, were all made of clouds, but they were smoother than the other clouds; no lumps or even a small blemish ruined the smoothness, and as I looked up, I saw none on the upper parts of her home. With a home like this... I was surprised Dash had been staying with me as much as she had in my house, when this house looked short of a millionaire’s home.

Wait... is Dash secretly the daughter of a millionaire, and that’s why she has a house this size, yet rarely ever uses it?

Despite the absurdity of it, I found a smile and a chuckle leave my throat. Raising my hand, I was about to knock on the door... the cloud door. Yet after some consideration, I shook my head while lowering my hand, instead opening my mouth to call out for Dash. I felt my smirk widen a bit, the words never coming to me, a thought actually coming to mind for righteous retribution. She is comfortable coming right into my home... I don’t see why she would have a problem with me coming in as well...

Letting my smirk fall, I leaned forward and placed my head against the door, doing my best to listen to any possible sounds from within Dash’s home. I heard nothing that would suggest Dash was in behind the door or any adjacent room, yet then again, this was a cloud door we were talking about.

Reaching a hand down, I gripped the handle and twisted it until the door popped open soundlessly, poking my head in and looking around the first floor. It was huge. I scanned everything, looking for the telltale rainbow pattern that accompanied my mare wherever she was. Large couches, tables, lamps, and even a bookshelf were in the living room, with what I assumed was her kitchen off to the left of the foyer. Yet as I looked around, I didn’t see Dashie anywhere.

Creeping my way through the doorway and deeper into the cloud home, I took a peak into the kitchen, which was sparsely decorated but adequately equipped. Against the far wall stood a fridge as large as myself, surrounded on each side my counters and cabinets, with a serving island in the middle of the room. The sink was a wide deep basin that was located in front of a large window, with a few dishes set inside it. Yet no sign of blue fur or feathers, or a rainbow mane or tail. It was a nice kitchen though.

Walking away from the kitchen, I looked towards the stairs and followed them with my eyes to the landing above, seeing the second floor and the vaulted ceiling above. I would check up there second if she wasn’t down here, but for now, I wanted to see what kind of books Dash liked to read. So as I made my way across the living room, I looked around and smiled as I found myself feeling more than a little impressed. The home that had been provided and then decorated for me was well worth more than I had expected, and it was given to me for free as a gift of good will nonetheless. Yet the more I looked around, the more I began to feel like Dash really was the daughter of some millionaire.

Pushing that thought to the side, I moved closer to the bookshelf, kneeling down and reading the titles as I pulled the books out enough to look at the covers. They were all the same, with a minor deviation to each individual book from any other. Daring Do and the Sapphire Statue, Daring Do: The Golden Obelisk, Daring Do: Golden Compass of Truth, and many... many more. The bookshelf was stacked with the books, all with the tan Pegasus mare in a different pose, either carrying, chasing, or trying to get to some kind of artifact like deal.

I have heard of some strange similarities between our two worlds, but this is now on a personal level with another adventurer; Indiana Jones.

Placing the books back where they belonged, I stood up and made my way around the shelf and into another part of her home, looking every which way for any sign of Dash. I passed what looked like a massive relaxation room, and as I looked around it, I couldn’t help but smile widely; this room would be set if it had a few game consoles and a large television. Yet this room looked hardly used, so I turned and made my way over to a window, looking out it and seeing the rainbow waterfall just on the other side; its ‘water’ rainbow falling straight through the clouds beneath. The entire area out there was barren, except for a spot where the clouds looked thicker, and made a perfect spot where one could lie down and relax in the sun. It had the same curve of a beach chair, yet perfectly shaped for a pony instead of a human.

Turning around, I left the room and headed for the stairs, seeing my next target for personal invasion and investigation; pictures! I grinned as made my way for the stairs a bit quicker than before, knowing now was a chance to possibly see more about Dash’s family. We may be pretty damn close, yet we hadn’t even once stopped and even talked about each other’s families, more of simply talking about ourselves... or not even that.

Stepping onto the stairs, I ascended three steps before reaching the first picture, and what I saw wasn’t family, or in the sense of blood. In it I could see six familiar mares, all with wide smiles and seemingly completely at home with one another. It was Dash and her five other friends, supposedly at a picnic when someone took a picture of their group. I brought a hand up placed it against the wall, before looking up and to the next picture. With a few more steps, I had reached it, and it showed a picture of a little filly and a scooter, a filly I feel like I had seen a bit before around Ponyville. She seemed to radiate the same spunky attitude Dash did, what with that cocky smirk and challenging eyes... it was like looking at a younger differently colored Dashie...

Smiling a bit more, I turned and walked up to the last picture, and felt my eyes widen as I looked at the picture. The old mythological tales of Mount Olympus were amazing to hear about, yet here in front of me, was a picture of some city, made of clouds just how Dash’s was, yet it fit the description of Mount Olympus to the letter. Dash’s home was beautiful and amazing with its architecture and appearance, yet this city...

Sorry Dash, but comparing your home to that city is almost like comparing my home to yours... it doesn’t even match up.

Leaving the picture be, I reluctantly left it behind, knowing my true goal wasn’t to snoop through my mares home, rather to find and a see if Dash was alright. Yet as I made my way through her home, I suddenly felt an icy chill run down my back, and for the first time in a long time feeling fear curl like rotten milk in my stomach. What if she isn’t here...?

Swallowing thickly, I felt worry for more than just Dash, rather now for myself instead. Twilight said the spell should last a few hours, right? Hell... I hope she’s right... I don’t wanna experience that kind of thrill anytime soon...

Giving the entire second floor a look to best guess where to go, I turned and made my way to the left of the hallway, seeing a door that was left ajar. As I stepped through it, I found myself in a large expansive bathroom, the shower at the far end having nothing but the fluffy type of cloud above it compared to the smooth ones that made up the walls and much of the floor. The sink was wide, and the surface of it seemed marble or something of similar quality. Yet the toilet looked like a standard toilet... though it was still a toilet in the clouds. ...Magic... has to be magic, or it would’ve fallen long ago.

Looking around the bathroom one last time, I froze and looked at her towel. Across the front of it, facing towards me, was a logo, with the title, ‘Wonderbolts’ stitched beneath it. I vaguely remembered Rarity saying Dash was an avid Wonderbolt fan... at least now I know not to get the Wonderbolt towel if I buy her some gifts that revolve around whatever they were. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to tell if the bathroom had been recently used or not...

Turning and making my way back into the hallway, I went over to the next door and pushed it open slowly, peeking my head in when I was able to. What I saw in here was apparently a guest bedroom, sparsely decorated, yet still ready in the event of a guest. I left that room almost as soon as I entered, moving onto the next. I placed my ear to the cloud door, doing my best to hear anything that would alert me of my mare on the other side of the door. Yet as usual, I heard not a single sound, so I repeated the process I had with the last bedroom.

This time I appeared to have found the master bedroom, and I was able to tell it was Dash’s without a doubt; Wonderbolt and Daring Do posters hung over many of the walls. I eased my way into the room, listening for any sound as I made my way over to the closet, and looked into it. I pulled out and looked around, before making my way towards the open porch. I didn’t feel like snooping as much now, simply wanting to throw my arms around my mare and then to smother her with love and affection.

When I stepped out onto the porch, a gust of wind ran across my skin, bringing with it the smell of spring; fresh rain, trees with bright green leaves, and lush plains all came to mind. With a quick step to the side, I looked up to make sure Dash wasn’t lying in wait above, yet what I saw took me by surprise entirely. Above her home was the source of the rainbow waterfall, yet as I looked at it, I saw it glittering in the midday sunlight, the ‘water’ falling slowly, creating a rainbow of colors that splashed down below.

Dash was living a life of luxury, yet she chose to spend most her days down with me in my home, instead of here, where she virtually owned a mansion that was by all rights and definitions; fucking awesome. If we modernized her home, adding radio sets around the entire thing, placing a TV in every room, and all that other jazz, she would be living like all those young pop star celebrities back on my world.

Turning and looking around, I found myself surprised by the sheer size of her home. I was on the second floor, yet her home looked still twice as large from my current angle. It was most likely due to the vaulted ceiling inside, yet it still wouldn’t cover the entire area that I was looking up at. The mansion was easily four times my own homes size, and that was just counting what I had seen on the inside.

Giving the rainbow waterfall my attention once again, I followed it to the top where the liquid rainbow began. The cloud was much the same as all the others, save for the fact an endless stream of rainbow colored liquid came out from under it. It was possibly one of the more interesting things I had seen here in Ponyville.

Yet the longer I looked up at the top of it, the longer I had a chance to look at every single detail that covered it... one of those details being a little more solid, yet of the rainbow coloration I had been seeking on the inside of the mansion. Standing up and focusing my attention more so on that little detail, I saw a bit of blue outlining the edges of the rainbow color, yet not light enough blue to be the sky. If I was looking at the angle correctly... that blue and rainbow color was Dash’s flank and tail...

I felt a grin spreading across my lips, yet as I looked for a way up to her position, I saw none... none for someone without wings. Now, if I wanted her attention, then I would have to call up to her instead of sneaking up and spooking her how I wanted. Though unlike any time in the past where I wasn’t able to reach her yet desired her attention, I lacked water balloons or even an advantage to sneak up on her. So as I looked up towards my beautiful mare, I felt a smile stretch across my lips, knowing of one such way where I would be able to gain her attention without her knowing directly that it was me.

Taking a quick look around where I stood, I took note of the spacious porch space and the furniture that it had, and I looked back up towards the flanks and rainbow colored tail of my beautiful mare, wishing to see her proud and even cocky smile already, even if it was before I gave her a kiss or a massage. Yet I withheld calling out to her just yet, knowing I could make her day so much better if I instead followed through with my plan. I would just have to hope she wouldn’t leave between now and then, as I wanted this to be perfect...

...

(Dash’s P.O.V.)

Tilting my head back and feeling the breeze blow a bit harder across my muzzle and through my mane, I let my eyes fall close as I took in a deep breath, feeling more content than I have in days. The sun felt warm, warmer than it had in the past few days, and as I stretched my wings out wide; I felt my smile fall a bit, wishing against everything Dom was a Pegasus too just so he could be here with me right now.

Dominic...

Digging my hooves into the cloud as I opened my eyes, I looked up towards the clouds too high to worry about for weather duty, but as I did, I couldn’t help but think of the strange creature that had literally crashed into me one day. Tall, lanky, and nearly hairless except for a few places around his body. Before I wouldn’t have ever thought I would associate myself with such a strange and weird creature, the mere idea seeming to be uncool, especially for one so cool as I was. Yet he was handsome, strong, kind, and most importantly, he treated me like a mare for who I was... not what I looked like. He was a stallion I hadn’t ever seen before, except for Big Mac, but not even he could compare to Dominic. I hadn’t ever seen before, except for Big Mac, but not even he could compare to Dominic. My Dominic...

I wanted to go see him so badly, but I knew without a doubt that what had happened at the Spa would have spread through the town like a wildfire by now, and then I wouldn’t be able to spend time with my stallion without being pestered by other ponies. The thought that once news had spread through the town would make many mares dare to flirt with my stallion had come to mind before, and that had made my blood boil. Yet then I remembered my Dominic, my stallion, wouldn’t allow any mare into his heart; not after he called me his mare.

Today I would try to go see him, yet I knew I probably wouldn’t, every time I tried to leave; something drew me back inside and to my bed. It was foolish and totally not me, yet it was without a doubt a fear within me that I would be made fun of; the only mare in town to date the strange new creature. I remember Rainbow Crash... I don’t want to know what else everypony can say...

Yet despite the fear I felt in my chest, I wanted nothing more than to feel his arms around my body again, or just to feel his chest against my back, or even his hands... his wonderful hands! A shiver ran up my back from the thought of simply feeling his hands running over my fur, through my feathers, and even around my wings. His strength and his fingers... the mere thought left me with tremors running through my body, even though the sun shined brightly and hotly above. My smile returned in full force, and I forced myself to dig my hooves further into the rainbow waterfall cloud that I was sitting atop of. Any Pegasus would know what I was experiencing, yet only another mare would know of my struggle when he had first touched my wings, as well as the first time he did more than just touch my wings.

I was a strong mare unlike others however... yet my stallion was starting to leave me with burning desires that I was finding myself harder to resist. Besides, he was a stallion... a male of his species, and I was more than sure he had his own desires. He was a kind stallion though, and even though he had explained the reason why he wore clothing, he still hadn’t even let me see him for who he was without the clothes he wore. He was a true gentlepony... and he was all mine...

Already I could feel my wings aching and starting to stiffen, feeling the ghost like sensations of his hands running around my joints, and as I ruffled my wings to get the irresistible itch out of them, I could almost imagine his fingers moving my feathers around. Tilting my head back a bit, I felt my ears twitch, hearing what sounded like Dominic whispering just behind them...

Yet then a sharp and loud whistle cut through the crisp silence from below.

(Dominic’s P.O.V.)

Looking up towards my mare in the clouds, I felt a bit curious as to why her wings were quivering, yet as her flank and tail disappeared over the edge of the cloud, it was replaced by her peeking over the edge of the cloud with her forelegs clutching the cloud like a life line. She looked down at me, her muzzle falling open and her eyes widening. Despite still seeing her wings standing straight and stiff, I grinned as I moved over to the table that stood next to the railing. Placing the plates in my hands down and onto the table, I looked over just as I heard the beats of wings against air approaching from above.

“Dom...?”

Smiling as Dash flew down and hovered in front of where I stood; I looked into her disbelieving eyes and said warmly, “A pleasure to finally see my mare after so many days.” Bringing a hand up and tracing it along her cheek softly, I softened my smile to something a little more mild yet caring all the same, and then I asked, “You hungry?”

Her eyes, roving over my own in obvious curiosity, glanced down towards the table where I had placed two plates that contained a meal I hadn’t been expecting to prepare when I entered her kitchen; a piece of fried fish that I managed to bread and lightly season, mashed potatoes that I prepared as the fish fried, and a serving of greens, my plate lightly salted. I hadn’t been able to find anything to carry everything, so I hadn’t been able to bring anything for us to drink, though when Dash did a double-take, I felt a bit of pride as I knew she would like it; even if there was meat on her plate... as it had been in her fridge to start with.

While she remained distracted, I reached both arms up and quickly and effortlessly snatched her out of the air and pulled her tightly against my body. She offered no complaint or resistance, though she did yelp from surprise however along with tensing up, however brief. Her wings shot out to her sides, before she looked up at me endearingly as her wings refolded at her sides. I pulled her tightly against my body as she leaned forward and nuzzled against me, before she asked, “It is totally awesome that you are here Dom... but... how are you here? You aren’t a Pegasi.”

“Well duh.” I said, leaning in to plant a quick kiss between her ears. “Twilight used a cloud walking spell on me. She said I can walk on clouds for six hours before it wears off...”

Her muzzle slowly began to curl into a wide smile, before she said, “That is so cool! So you are here for six hours?”

Giving myself a moment to think about what she just asked, I ran a few numbers through my head quickly, making sure that was true before I went and gave a solid answer. Between the time it took for transport from Ponyville to here, and then my sneaking through her house, finding her, and then the time to cook her food, I could only estimate the amount of time I had left as I lacked a watch or clock to tell time. So as I maneuvered us around, I moved her into her seat as I said, “Not exactly six hours anymore, but I should still have five or so... now, I believe I have some answers that deserve a few answers.” Taking a seat across from Dash, I saw her smile fall a bit, before I asked, “Why weren’t you in town for the past few days?”

Her smile fell, and she looked down at her plate remorsefully as the only sound that permeated the local area around us was that of the wind and the rainbow waterfall. Placing my arms to the sides of my plate, I leaned forward and opened my mouth to speak, but it was her that spoke first. She opened her muzzle and admitted why she had been in town, “I haven’t been back in town because... well... I'm glad everypony knows you’re mine now, but, has there been any rumors yet?”

Feeling my smile drop as well, I only gaze a short and silent clipped ‘yes’, knowing exactly why she wouldn’t want to go into town if there were rumors flying around not only about her, but of us. There would obviously be more to talk about when it concerned her and me being together compared to just her being her. Rumors were powerful social tools, especially for these ponies I had come to live around.

Her eyes looked up from her plate as I leaned back and crossed my arms across my chest, her gaze knowing, yet still questioning at the same time. Her muzzle parted, and she asked quietly, “What are they saying?”

I can’t tell her... none of them are positive, and she already feels bad as is...

Licking my dry lips, I looked over the railing and across the tree tops of White Tail Woods as I opened my mouth and said softly, “Nothing bad... they are just,” disgusted, “surprised that I,” ‘twisted’, “caught the most beautiful mare in town...”

Turning my head back towards Dash, I gave her what I could only hope was a cocky smile. I could only hope, as my gut was twisting itself in knots from the way I twisted the truth to her. Heh, at least the rumors are about me...

That thought alone made my smile twitch down just a bit, something that Dash’s sharp keen eyes caught. Immediately the beginnings of her smile were falling, but I forced a wider smile as I gestured towards her plate and said, “Dashie, you should really eat up while the food still has a bit of heat to it. I promise I didn’t add any salt this time around.” I gave her a flirty wink at the end, yet I noted with dissatisfaction that she wasn’t buying any of it or even remotely accepting my excuses, though as soon as I looked down at my plate, Dash spoke.

“Dude, I know how Ponyville reacts to gossip... that isn’t all they are saying, is it.” She didn’t so much as ask as she made it into a statement, her tone knowing, and her eyes practically screaming at me to come clean. She had a sad, if somewhat expecting gaze as she looked at me.

Setting my hands on either side of the plate, I fought not to frown, though when I looked up, I felt a bit of the energy in me simply dissipate into a tired mess of my emotions. I shook my head, my smile dropping to keep up my act as I said, “No, it isn’t.” I answered perhaps a bit more gravelly than I wanted to come off, “Just how the rest of town was curious, I was just as much about where you had disappeared to, and what had happened to keep you away from town.” Or how I had a role in you going missing...

Grabbing the fork and returning my attention to my plate, I forked myself some mashed potatoes, intent on doing nothing more than filling my mouth with some food in order to have a good excuse to not answer questions. As I ate though, it was for a much different reason; I was tired of the forced fake smile. While chewing, I could at least pretend to keep a neutral expression, my thoughts swirling through the multitude of rumors I had heard.

I had expected the ponies to be more skittish around me when I had first arrived compared to the general cautious curiosity that I had been greeted with, yet once they knew me, they had been very welcoming. Now though, after the great reveal of my true relationship with Dash becoming public general knowledge, public opinion had shifted concerning me as an interesting creature, to something a little less... flattering. Rumors I could deal with. Outlandish rumors I could tolerate.

A populace that I had once come to like creating these outlandish rumors... that hurt.

“Dom?”

Dash’s soft tone, as well as the concerned undernote was enough to act as a bucket of ice water to my awareness. When lost in deep thought, I hadn’t noted how grim my features had started to become, nor had I realized how tightly I was squeezing the fork within my grip. I looked up and found her brilliant bright violet eyes gazing back at my own brown eyes. The calm yet excited swirl of emotions I had felt earlier had done well to cloud my mind from thinking about any of the rumors I had heard throughout those few yet long days, yet once confronted not by a regular pony, rather my mare, I truly felt the pain from a few of those brazen remarks hit home. My ears may be smaller than a ponies, unable to properly swivel and direct themselves at points of sound or conversations, yet I had heard everything that had been said as clearly as if it had been said directly beside me.

Swallowing to clear and excess food I had remaining after I had gotten lost in thought, I offered a smile, this time a little less forced as I forced myself to remember; I was here to spend time with my mare. My mare... a mare I could trust no matter what.

Giving a genuine carefree smirk towards Dash, I spoke without a hint to what I had been thinking, “Yeah Dashie?”

Her concern however didn’t waver from my change in demeanor, before she asked, “Are you sure that is all you have heard around Ponyville?” I could hear the disbelief in her tone, and I knew she didn’t believe me, though I gave a brief nod, though as soon as I was about to speak, she did so, “Dom... thanks for coming over.”

That was uncertainty in her voice... now I’m not the only one omitting what they say.

Looking up and at Dash, I found her just looking down as she reached a hoof up and grabbed her own fork, before she too began to eat. As I watched her, I felt a stir of endearment, the five days of Rainbow Dash eccentric presence having been sorely missed, though I had my own questions, now that the string of rumor derived questions had passed.

I remember that one mare mentioning that Dash was an Element of Harmony, though I didn’t catch anymore after she left. That there certainly isn’t something I knew about, and why would a random pony mention something like that with it being false information? Unless it is information I haven’t heard about yet...

The brief thought of saving that question for Twilight passed my mind, though my mouth worked faster than my intentions, “Dash, what is an Element of Harmony?”

Dash stopped chewing for a moment, looking up and giving me a critical eye as she swallowed, before she said with a wave of her hoof, “Some weird crazy magical thingy... you should ask Twi about that.” She looked down at her plate, before she looked up and cracked a grin and said, “You sure you didn’t put any salt in this? It tastes pretty salty too me... ya aren’t trying to get me in bed so early, are you?”

Feeling myself choke on a mouthful of fish and mashed potatoes, I felt heat flare into my cheeks as I looked over at Dash, memories of the soup night flashing behind my eyes in an embarrassing flashback. I quickly cleared my mouth, though I had to pound my chest after coughing a bit. The smirk on Dash’s muzzle widened, before I quickly spoke to clear the air, “N-No, I didn’t put any salt on your plate, especially after how you acted last time.”

Dash, for her part, didn’t seem to take that as bad as I had expected, yet the quirked eyebrow and the teasing smirk were indicators that she knew something, and I was granted to seeing her take a bite of her food very slowly, and very meaningfully. When she finished, she smacked her lips loudly, before she said, “Yup, there is salt in this...”

Glancing down, I quickly forked more mashed potatoes into my mouth, and paid close attention to the flavor I was granted. It tasted good, if somewhat bland. And then it became painfully and embarrassingly clear to me why she was tasting salt, while I was not. Giving Dash my best apologetic smile, I chuckled sheepishly before amending, “That is because I have your plate... and you mine.”

Well damn... if salt is enough to distract her mind from latent conversational subjects, I think I will need to use it in more meals. The smile on Dash’s muzzle widened, before she took another bite shamelessly. Though maybe it will be better if I use the amount that I put in my own plates... just to make sure that nothing untoward happens again.

Resuming my meal, I could only smile as I ate a meal with Dash, knowing that now, at least I was with my mare, and while I was with her, then I would easily be able to enjoy my time here in her cloud home. Yet as I thought about it, I wasn’t sure how long would be sufficient, as I didn’t want to learn how quickly I would sink through the bottom level of her cloud home.

...

The meal had been rather uneventful after the little plate mix-up, yet as soon as we were finished eating, I had been given the grand tour of Dash’s rather expansive and quite ornate home. It was beautiful and well decorated... it made my home look like a shack. Yet as I laid there on the ‘patio’ of clouds that overlooked the Whitetail Woods, I pulled Dash closer to me and held her firm, feeling her wing do the same, though she wasn’t able to play with my back how I was playing with her side.

Tilting my head to the side, I felt Dash’s ear flick against my cheek as I said, “I think I missed spending time like this with you more than anything Dash. And waking up alone in a bed without a certain Pegasus cuddled against me sure has been a,” I grinned widely, “very pleasant change. I can actually stretch out again.”

Dash scoffed, a hoof quickly connecting with my ribs with enough force that a wheeze nearly left me from the literal low blow, yet soft enough that no real damage occurred. She turned her muzzle and said very hotly, “Yeah, as if! You never even move!”

“How would you know Dash?” I queried, making sure to tighten my hold around her as my hand went from her side to hold her hoof. “You are always passed out on top of me.”

Her hoof jerked against my hand, yet when that failed, I felt her hind leg actually kick me just above my knee, in a very vulnerable part of my thigh. I stifled a yelp of pain, only to here Dash lightly curse me, before she said, “You’re bucking lucky I like your company Dom.”

‘Bucking Lucky?’ That was one fucking painful kick!

Silently groaning as that spot on my leg began to throb, I looked over and found Dash looking away, though her cheeks were a very deep scarlet, showing just why she had reacted quite as strongly as she had. Despite the very real pain and the luck I apparently had, I couldn’t hold back a chuckle. I didn’t use any words, for the slight fear that I may transgress on a further sensitive point, so I instead settled for pushing my cheek against her ear; I remember reading that a nuzzle was the equivalent of a neck nuzzle. The small gesture was enough that I felt Dash push back just a small bit, yet that was enough for me to feel content with my current position, in my current location.

I knew all good things must come to an end, yet for right now, I was content to lie next to my mare...

Author's Note

Busy Busy Busy... Im running late now because this chapter took so long to modify for online posting...