The Refugees

The Refugees
by neorenamon

As the group settled down for dinner, Opa and Zecora made no secret of their interests in each by kissing each other in front of the others as much as they could get away with. They were also not to shy about touching each other, although they did not go as far as openly groping where somepony else was looking. Even Apple Bloom saw them kiss each other in the hallway. When she asked them what they were doing, Opa replied, "We are as happy as we can be. Wait for dinner and you shall see. When you are a little older, you will see when it's alright to be bolder."

It also seemed that every kiss of theirs was matched by a smooch between Big Mac and Jifar even though the two pairs were not even aware of what the other two were doing. Apple Bloom saw that as well, prompting him to say, "Y'all will understand how mares and stallions really feel bout each other when yer a little older."

"It seem like everythin has ta wait til 'I'm a little older'," she complained, which only got her hair ruffled by both the hands of Big Mac and Jifar playfully.

And on top of that, Spike and Bakabaka seemed to be hitting it off as well, although they didn't seem to display their growing friendship in front of the others as openly as those mentioned before. But Opa certainly seemed pleased that someone liked her in spite of her self image issues.

"While it surely wasn't planned," she said to Bakabaka, "it seems that's Spike's affection is truly grand."

"I am glad that you looked after me," she replied, "when there was no stallion-friend around to see."

"Well I can't say I've been quite this happy in some time," said Spike as he took her hand.

But everyone dropped what they were doing and ran to the kitchen when they heard Granny hollering. They all seem just a little defensive when they saw that Kimbuala was holding Granny's arms back at the elbows and appeared to be trying to break her back with her knee. They could literally hear all of the creaks, groans and pops that were coming from Granny's back.

"Y'ALL STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!" hollered Applejack.

"Oh, it ain't nuthin!" snapped Granny, "She's just gettin this 20 year old kink outa mah back! It just surprised me an all!"

Kimbuala released Granny much to the relief of everypony rushing into the kitchen.

"Lansakes!" she said, "My back ain't felt this good in at least 19 years!"

"Back in our village," said Opa, "before the attack and pillage, Kimbuala took care of our elderly, and did it well as you can see. The old were greatly treasured, and their words equally measured."

"Granny is stiff in many a place," added Kimbuala, "and requires some treatments to erase."

"So y'all are like a nurse for the elderly?"

"I suppose that would pass the test," she replied, "as how one could phrase it best."

"Well I reckon she can come back an work on my back any ole time she wants," replied Granny.

"I s'pose that Nurse Redheart and Nurse Tenderheart could always use another hand." mused Applejack.

"E-yup," agreed Big Mac.

"And she is too modest for herself to say," said Opa, "that she helps the sick in many a way."

"Well anyways," said Granny, "It's about time fer dinner, so everypony git yerself cleaned up and to the dinner table as soon as ya rightly can."

So after everypony cleaned up, they began to file into the dining room. Opa and Zecora came in first to sit next to each other at the middle of the left hand side. Then Twilight came in with Big Mac and Jifar. He took the end seat with Jifar sitting on his right hand side, and Twilight on her right hand side. Spike and Bakabaka came in to take seats on the right hand side as well, but closer to the head of the table. Acacia came in among the last, sitting on the left hand side next to the seat at the head of the table. Apple Bloom came in and took a seat between Twilight and Spike. It was about then that Granny and Kimbuala came from the kitchen to begin serving everyone.

"Why don't you sit and rest a spell?" asked Kimbuala of Granny, "As with my magic, I can serve just as well."

"All right dearie," she replied, "Thanks fer bein so helpful an all."

"I outta thank ya fer that as well," added Applejack.

The Abada's horns, larger and smaller, both glowed as the food floated into the room.

"I would like to take time to say," said Opa, "that with Zecora I shall stay. She shall teach me her herbalist way. I hope to start learning under her today."

"With Opa do I surely agree," replied Zecora, "No more living alone for me. Opa already knows of many things. I may learn a thing or two from what she brings."

Opa smiled as Zecora looked at her. She reached out and took Zecora's hand as she added, "And I wish to say before all of my friends that we share a love that never ends."

Zecora leaned in and gave her a quick peck on her lips.

"I all jus wanna say that sugar... Jifar an I are goin to Canterlot so Celestia can bless our weddin an all fer Jifar. Twilight will be comin along with us... an all..." said Big Mac as his voice began to trail off.

"The blessings of this goddess is enough for me," she said, "but I want this marriage to make us truly happy."

"I'm sure there shouldn't be a problem," said Twilight, "and I'll have a chance to see Princess Celestia again. It has been some time before we've had some time to just speak to each other. I just don't want to burden them or anything..." Her voice trailed off as she looked away.

"So when are y'all leavin?" asked Applejack.

"I'm all planning ta go tomorrow morn," he replied as he glanced at Twilight, "if'n that's not too soon fer you an all?"

"I'm fine with that," she replied, "No problem. I'll teleport home to pack, and Spike can stay here while I'm gone. Somepony can look after things at the library while I'm gone." She noticed the way Spike and Bakabaka we're holding hands.

Jifar smiled, but Applejack could tell there was still a lot of unsettled issues between Big Mac and Twilight. She was tempted to shoehorn herself in as well, but decided that they were all adults and could take care of matters on their own.

"Hey Twilight!" said Spike suddenly, "I'm sure I can look after things while you're gone, and I can take some time to help Bakabaka know Ponyville better. I can show her the sights, and we can see if she can get a job over at the Sugarcube Corner."

"Well, if it isn't much of a bother..." replied Twilight.

"No problem at all!"

"And I hope to follow your lead," said Bakabaka, "and better learn to read."

"That would be real cool!" he said back, "I want to help you do it too!"

"I taught Spike to read rather well, and I hope he can teach you as well as I taught him," added Twilight.

"So Bakabaka and I will head back first thing in the morning too," he suggested helpfully, "That way all the matters at the Library can be settled before I take her to see Ponyville."

The ponies fell quiet as they took to eating. It was only slightly embarrassing how Big Mac and Jifar seemed to prefer feeding each other over themselves, but no one really said anything about it. The same situation seemed to develop between Opa and Zecora. The main draw seemed to be the loaves of bread straight from the oven that Granny and Kimbuala had been baking earlier along with a large tub of fresh churned butter. Twilight didn't seem to eat much at all, and seemed to excuse herself early.

"Are ya feelin well, sugar-cube?" asked Applejack.

"Oh, I'm fine," she lied, "I... just want to get plenty of sleep... going to be real busy tomorrow. I don't mind sleeping on Apple Bloom's couch." Her awkward chuckle didn't seem to sit well with Applejack, but no one stopped her from leaving the table and going upstairs alone. Jifar seemed unhappy, but said nothing, and no one could gauge Big Macintosh's reaction.

"Okay," said Apple Bloom, "I'll try not to wake ya up when I got to bed."

Twilight nodded as she left the room.