Two weeks later

Applejack, Shining Armour, and Flash Sentry were being treated to the sight of Twilight and Jesamine working together in the kitchen. It was like a well choreographed dance born from practice and repetition.

“Garlic powder please.” Jes requested.

With barely a glance from where she was working on making mashed potatoes, Twilight reached into the cabinet and pulled out the requested spice and slid it down the counter.

“There ya go!” She said.

“Thanks.” The woman responded with a smile.

So it continued with multiple dishes being moved around the kitchen as all of the cooking appliances were pressed into service. Soon the sound of things sizzling and boiling filled the room and the smells of a variety of foods permeated the house.

The pair was also singing with the music that they had put on before starting cooking. The three Equestrians watched the couple tradeoff singing, and sometimes doing duets as the songs played on.

Soon enough, the group was seated at the table enjoying the hearty meal. Conversation flowed as the group swapped tales.

“No way. I cannot believe that you actually pranked someone Twily. Not my straight laced little sister.” Shining said in disbelief.

Twilight, who was cleaning the meat off of a hot wing, rolled her eyes and flipped Shining the bird in response.

Shining huffed while the others around the table chuckled.

“It’s hard for me to believe too.” Jesamine said once her chuckles subsided. “Growing up she was quite studious and friendly, but she was never one for playing pranks. Her sense of humor was rather dry truthfully.”

“So says the girl who decided that flashing her knickers on the playground when we were in the fourth grade was a good idea because you were bored.” Twilight snarked as she reached for the bowl of mashed potatoes.

Jesamine sputtered incoherently for a moment. “You suck.” She said as she pouted.

Twilight leaned over and gave the woman a one armed hug while planting a kiss on her temple. “You know you love me though.” She said with a smile.

Jes smiled despite herself. “Yeah, I do ya brat.” She said while slapping the mare’s shoulder.

After the food had been eaten, leftovers put away and dishes cleaned, Twilight went outside. Setting a glass of bourbon on the table, she stretched her arms above her head before sitting down and looking up at the night sky. Hearing the door open, her ear swiveled around.

“You always did have your head in the stars.” Shining Armour said as he sat down next to her with his own glass.

“I like the mystery of it.” Twilight replied, never taking her eyes off the sky. “Probably why I kind of miss Afghanistan, the hell hole that it is. Get up in the mountains, the sky is clear and the view is stunning.”

“I always feel small and insignificant when I look up at the stars.” Shining said as he took a sip of the bourbon.

“Where’s your sense of adventure Shiny?” Twilight asked with a grin. “Haven’t you ever wondered what was out there?”

“I did until I came here.” Shining replied.

“Bah, don’t judge the universe on the first planet that you come across. Civilization here on Earth has only been going for about seven thousand years or so and most of the development has really only happened in the last two millennia. Plus, they don’t have an actually demigod as a ruler. Kinda makes things easier when making a utopia if the one in charge has that kind of power at their beck and call.”

Shining contemplated that point quietly for a moment.

“But that is what works for us. I’m sure that once we get back and get the Liger situation dealt with, hopefully with as little bloodshed as possible, I will have an opportunity or two to talk to Luna and Celestia about encouraging real scientific development. It’ll be a process, but if we can get the ball rolling, I’m sure that Equestria and the other nations of Terra will enjoy a bit or responsible technological advancement.” Twilight continued.

“What about Cadence?” Shining asked.

“Truthfully? I’m sure that she will be involved, but neither her nor I are as experienced at playing the long game as Celestia and Luna are. The pair of us are used to thinking in decades as long term and they are used to thinking in terms of centuries. And the development of the past eighty years or so here on Earth has happened so quickly that there is little to no regulation on how to protect the users of the technology. Because quite frankly, technology has given humans the Dumb.” Twilight replied as she took a sip of her drink.

“How so?” Shining inquired.

Pulling out her smartphone, Twilight held it up and said: “I hold in my hands a device that can access the entirety of recorded human history.” She paused. “But I use it instead to look at funny cat videos and get into arguments with strangers.”

“Seriously? You have that kind of knowledge and ability to communicate with others to make things better and that is all that you do with it?” Shining asked incredulously.

“Well, not just that.” Twilight replied.

“Thank Celestia.” Shining sighed with relief.

“I also use it to look at porn.” Twilight replied cheerfully.

Shining Armour’s eye twitched, and then he faceplamed.

Twilight laughed at the expression on her brother’s face.

Author's Note

Just a little slice of life that I came up with. The return to Terra will be coming in the next chapter. Also, does anyone know of any artists that are taking commissions? I have some ideas for cover art, but quite frankly my skills as an artist leave something to be desired. Any recommendations would be appreciated.