The Moon and I

Day 4

Entry 1

I'll need to buy some more food today and refill my prescription. I explained what I need to do, but she asked if I could stay anyway. I gently told her no, but told her she could look through my drawings and handed her a folder of my more child-friendly pictures. I'm taking this journal with me, because I definitely don't want Luna to get her hands -- well, hooves -- on it yet.

I also want to see if I can get that donut for her, and maybe ask for Jay's help.

Anyway, I've left out some food for Luna if she feels hungry. Yes, I've been feeding Jitters, too. I left a bit of food for him, too.

I really hope that Jay is there.

Entry 2

He wasn't at his bakery. I'm gonna visit him and make sure he's okay.

I'm gonna bring Luna, too, so I can introduce Jay to her and, if he's not sick or anything, maybe ask for help. Luna's already in the car and knows what's going on. It's a waste but I need to keep her hidden. I'll update with what happens.

Entry 3

I think it's best if I just describe what happened. I'm still a little in shock, really. The dialogue probably isn't accurate, but it's close enough.

This is amazing.

Alright. So I was walking down Jay's driveway to his big -- well, big compared to mine, but pretty average by Welden standards -- blue house. Right before I knocked on the door I heard Jay shout something I couldn't make out and then a massive crash. It made me flinch. I'd left Luna in the car and was glad that the windows were pretty noiseproof.

I knocked on the door and heard Jay gasp. I called his name.

Another crash could be heard inside, followed by a slam of a door and a shrill “Kriiiii!” Jay cracked the door and peeked out. “Hello? Who is it?” I noticed that the chain was on the door.

I coughed and said that it was Aaron.

“Aaron? Hold up…” The door closed again and Jay slid the dead bolts out and opened  the door fully. “H-hey there Aaron… Did you need something?”

I told him that I needed his help but didn't say what with. I didn't realize right then, but my hair has gotten somewhat disheveled over the course of these four days. Admittedly, I couldn't care less; not until I have to go back to work.

“Oh? Now? Now isn’t really a good time…” A thump could be heard from inside the house. As if something hard ran into a door.

Thinking back, I should have recognized the sound from when Luna crashed into the back door her next few tries at flying. She'd gotten pretty good at control; I don't think I mentioned that. I just nodded and said that it pretty much needed to be now.

Jay looked really nervous and said, “Well… alright… come on in and we can talk about your problem…”

I nodded and sprinted back down to the car. Luna was wrapped in a bundle of blankets and I carried her up to the door. Jay stepped back and let me enter.

Jay had left the door open and was in the living room, sitting on his fluffy, blue couch. He really likes blue. “So… What is the problem?”

I grinned sheepishly and said, "She's not really a problem, but it's not something that can go on forever. I'm not a good dad." I  unwrapped Luna, who sat in my lap calmly for a moment before grinning and hugging me. I wonder why she hugs me so much, actually.

Jay only stared silently at Luna, his expression not changing.

I got kinda worried. "Jay?" I asked.

Jay pointed to Luna. “What is that?”

"She's, from what I can tell, Princess Luna from My Little Pony as a little girl. I'm calling her Luna. She doesn't seem to mind."

A muffled "nope!" came from my chest, where Luna's face was. I scratched her behind her ears and she sighed happily.

Jay blinked slowly. “What is a My Little Pony?”

I stared for a moment, then started to laugh. "Right, you don't TV. It's a show for little kids, but some older people like it too. Google it."

Jay cocked an eyebrow. “Riiiight…” There was silence for a moment before a faint buzzing could be heard above them. Jay looked up. I followed his gaze and saw a little pony, a lot like Luna, but with holes in her legs and bug-like wings standing on the ceiling. She leapt down with a grin on her face and attacked Jay’s face with a "Myaaah!"

It was adorable. I mean, I'm used to Luna, and she's fuzzy and adorable, but the bug pony -- I later realized she was a baby Queen Chrysalis -- was cute too. I recognized her from one of the comics with changelings. Then I realized Jay might have been hurt, since it was a hard shell instead of soft, fuzzy fur.

Jay cried out and wrestled her off his face, holding her out at arm's length. She had a mischievous grin. "Chryssi, I thought I told you to stay in the room..." Alright, clearly unhurt. 'Chryssi' just huffed and crossed her forelegs. "I dun wanna-krii..."

By the elder gods that pouty face was adorable. Yeah, me, hardened veteran, cooing over adorable things. Shut your trap. Anyway, Luna gasped and said, "Playmate!" She tackled Chryssi to the floor, grinning wildly.

Chryssi cried out and shoved Luna away. "Nu!" Jay cleared his throat. "Umm... Okay..." she said, defeated.

Luna's grin grew, somehow. I said, "Luna, don't bother Chryssi." I was seriously worried for both of their healths. Luna pouted, not as adorably as Chryssi, back to my lap. Then she latched onto my neck -- thankfully from the front -- and refused to let go.

Chryssi leapt back into Jay’s lap as well, giving Luna the stink eye. Jay didn't notice as he scratched her head. "So... is she from this pony land of yours too?" Jay asked, pointing to Chrysalis.

I nodded. "Yep." I frowned. "I think. But if you got a pony and I got one, who else did?" I shook my head. "Did anyone else?" I was confused. I hope it isn't just us two. I can think of a few others who deserve a kid.

Jay shrugged and said, “I have no idea. All I know is that this little bug decided my cupboards were a great place to stay. I have no clue beyond that…”

I snorted and replied, "Luna started leaning on my leg as I was drawing. I thought she was my dog at first." I scratched her head again. "She likes being petted about as much." She mumbled something incoherent into my chest. I kept petting her.

Jay chuckled. "I find it strange how they just appeared out of nowhere… You would think that there would be some great, showy event if something like this happened."

I frowned. Jay's more upbeat attitude wasn't leaking over to me. "But there will be a big 'event' if the public learns we -- or at least I --" I glanced at Chryssi and Luna "-- took in aliens as kids." Then I looked up and grinned. "Of course, the fans of the show will go mad for Luna. She's apparently a big character."

"Oh? What about little miss bug here? Is she some big character too?" Jay asked, booping Chryssi on the nose, much to her chagrin. He seemed to be taking a liking to her but it could have been the shopkeeper's attitude of 'be friendly at all costs'. He started scratching her.

"Yeah. More like a villain, but -- listen, you have internet. Google Chrysalis." I smiled. "I think you'll like her. Even if you get fed up every now and then. She is a toddler, they do that."

"A villain huh? I can see that…" Jay chuckled, roughly poking Chryssi on the back of her head. She growled at him and he returned to the scratching.

I blinked as a thought popped into my head. "Wait, is she why you weren't at the bakery?"

Jay nodded. "Yeah. I was having a hard enough time trying to get her to behave, let alone leaving her alone for hours on end… Who knows what she would do if she is bored…"

I laughed. "Luna's been behaved enough. Maybe you could bring Chrysalis to the bakery?"

"And let her into the shop full of sugar?! I think not!" Jay exclaimed, his eyes wide. "Though it doesn’t look like I have much of a choice right now…"

"I would take her," I said, "but I've already missed a day at work, and I'm bringing Luna tomorrow. I don't think I can manage Chrysalis, too."

Jay sighed. "I don’t think anyone can handle her…" He paused. "Wait… You are taking Luna to work with you? Aren’t you afraid of the government spooks or something like that?"

I grinned. It was my special 'I have no conscience' grin. I'd used it when, ah, questioning prisoners. "Not really. There aren't cameras in my office and it's easy enough to smuggle Luna-sized lumped around. Besides, they have very little reason to be spying on me. It's been more than two decades."

Jay coughed. "Yes, because a little horse alien is not reason enough to spy on you…"

"But they don't know about her yet. Once they do, of course they'll spy on me, but they won't spot her unless they look for her, and they won't be." My smile dropped out of 'intimidate' mode and into 'friendly' mode. "Besides, if they do come, I still have my concealed carry license and practice every weekend but this." Luna was looking up at me, wondering what those words meant. I petted her wings and she calmed down.

Jay stood up, laying Chryssi along his arm. "Well, this has been entertaining, but I still have a lot to do. Like checking up on the bakery to get ready for tomorrow."

I smirked. "Going back, then? Maybe I can get Luna a donut tomorrow." I picked her up and wrapped the blanket around her again, the stood up and stretched my hand out to Jay. He took my hand and opened the door for us. I nodded and walked out and back to the car, Luna under one arm.

"Heh, only the best for my customers," he said. "Especially if they are as adorable as her…" He waved and Chrysalis stuck her tongue out at us. I waved back as I stepped into the car, and then drove back here.

Luna was pretty tired, so I'm letting her nap. We need to talk when she wakes up, though. I'll draw in the meantime. I was hoping to finish the Space Marine sketch done by now, but... well, things came up.

Oh, I forgot to ask for help. Dammit.

Entry 4

I've just talked with Luna. She knows that she has to be quiet and not do too much at the office, but she's glad that she'll get to come with me. I'm glad that we work two to a room and the other side of mine hasn't been filled. It means that Luna will be able to at least be out, even if she has to be cautious. Her ears are sensitive enough that she'll be able to hear people coming before they enter the room. She also knows that I'll be working and so I won't be able to play with her so much. We'll still be able to talk, though. She's content with that.

She also won't stop talking about Chryssi. I'm glad she has a friend, but I suddenly understand why the guys at work complain about their wives gossiping. I let her talk anyway, because I won't begrudge her a friendship. Even if it is with a mischievous bug queen. Besides, she was comfortable enough sitting between me and my sketchpad.

After that, we played a bit, I finished that sketch, Jitters learned a new trick: play dead. I'm... not sure how Luna taught him that, but it's cool.

Her horn is also starting to glow a little as it sparks, flickering on and off. I think that's a sign of progress, since when the ponies in the show do magic their horns glow. I saw the episode about them getting cutie marks, which wasn't something I noticed before. Luna has that dark splotch on her flank, but not the moon. I'm slightly worried about how she'll get that.

I've started earnestly watching the show, if only so I can learn more about the ponies. I still don't like it all that much, but it did make me laugh, cringe, etc. here and there. Luna was outside playing. I feel kind of bad about hiding it from her, but I'll show her when she's older.

No. Down that path lies annoying, rebellious, idiotic teenagers like I was, who demand to see things now that they're "older". I'll show her next weekend and hope for the best.

She's still sleeping with me. The crib is still on its way, but I think that's a bad idea now. I think it had remove able sides, though, so it should be alright. I don't want her getting too used to sleeping with me, since I've got a business trip coming up next month.

Actually, I don't know where we'll be in a month. We may still be trying to hide her, but if the public knows about Luna -- and doesn't riot -- then I can definitely bring her. If not, then I want her to be able to take care of herself.

In that vein, I'll be teaching her how to use the microwave. Her hooves should be enough to press the buttons, and I've seen her lift things somehow with them. It's like they attach to her hoof or something. I not sure.

I'll need to buy more diapers as well. Luna's definitely getting better -- she didn't wet the bed last night and she used the toilet instead of just letting her diaper handle it -- but I think it embarrasses her that she needs them. They also chafe her. I've tried a few things, but none of them work. Until we get diapers especially for ponies I don't think that problem will have a solution.

I also need to get her vaccinated, but there's nowhere I can take her to get her shots without revealing her existence. Oh, the irony; I've always been incredibly pro-vaccine, but now here I was, not getting my daughter a vaccination.

My daughter. My daughter. I like that. I think I'll go play with my adorable, playful little alicorn filly -- my amazing daughter -- some more.

Tomorrow, journal.