Restless in Hoofington

Almost three months had passed since Autumn officially joined the Restless, and summer vacation had come and gone. While it took almost a full week due to the toll the new runes took on her magic supply, she managed to enchant every outfit - her own new one included - with an illusion set to activate whenever the hood was pulled up. And ever since, every time she pulled her own hood up, she still felt a pang of guilt at how she had gotten the runes from her mother in the first place.

For the other members, however, everything is business as usual. Portal still lives with Ornate, and his ‘ex-parents’, as he called them, had yet to go out looking for him or contact the authorities. Snap still lives with Reflect, though with how much he would just stay in his room and try to avoid bothering the changeling, they still barely saw each other. And everyone else was just getting by like they always have, glad to be able to go a time without any real missions beyond the occasional grocery swipe.

One evening, an unlikely pair heads through town to a small restaurant, not getting as many looks as one would expect. Upon being seated, Alloy looks to the changeling across from her with a slightly raised eyebrow. “Any reason we keep coming to this same place to talk?”

“A variety of reasons.” He leans back, getting comfortable. “A few being that the food and drink is good, the place is comfortable, and it’s usually not too loud or crowded.”

“And your house is less comfortable and more crowded?” she asks, eyebrow not going down.

“As I said, many reasons.” He smiles at her before his eyes are distracted by the green pegasus waitress coming up to their table.

She notices them and smiles. “Well, fancy seeing you two again. Guess we can skip the introductions this time, hm?” She passes them each a menu. “Same things to drink as usual?”

“Yes please, Miss Hilltops.” Alloy smiles, dropping her disbelieving face and putting on her typical ‘polite filly’ act.

The drone nods as well. “Anything looking interesting on the dessert menu today?”

“Nothing new this week, sorry.” She chuckles before stifling a small yawn. “P-Pardon me… um, I’ll be back with your drinks soon.” Smiling sheepishly, she quickly trots off towards the kitchen.

Alloy looks back to Reflect, a little smirk on her muzzle. “We’ve gotten stares and glares, but never yawns. I wonder if we can count it towards our goal of being treated normally if we’re apparently boring now.”

The leader lets out a chuckle. “Maybe we’re just too good at our work nowadays. I don’t think I’d mind that too much.” He closes his eyes a moment, as if taking something in before his smile shrinks ever so slightly, growing back a moment later.

She blinks. “I saw that. Something up?”

“Ah, you know me, just keeping an eye on the emotions of the place.” He waves off her words as he looks towards the kitchen.

“...emotions of anyone in particular?”

“Everyone really, though some seem to spike more than others.” He looks back at her evenly. “I won’t be broadcasting them to intrude on privacy yet.”

She sighs, putting her menu down. “Reflect, my parents are both psychologists. I know how to tell when someone’s trying to avoid a direct answer. Just give me one so we can move on to the discussion topics we came here for.”

He raises an eyebrow at her much like she did at him before. “Hmm… to which question? You asked a few.”

“Who are you so concerned about right-” Alloy pauses before glancing back at the kitchen. “...is it Hilltops?”

His ear flicks. “...her… and some of the emotion of those around her have me concerned as well.”

“Do you think she’s getting yelled at or lectured back there?” She taps a hoof on the table. “Would explain why it’s taking so long just to get two glasses of milk...”

“Something like that…” His tone and expression both seem to drop the longer he speaks of it.

She pauses for a moment. “I know working as a waitress eight hours a day, especially on the shift that goes right up until closing time, can’t be fun… but now I’m thinking back to all the times I’ve noticed her seem a little stressed, and starting to doubt that her job is the reason. This is the fifth time we’ve been here this month, and it seems to get worse every time for her.”

His voice is quiet, but serious. “Then perhaps it’s time we… helped.”

She smirks. “We’re not gonna barge into the back room, are we?”

“Not unless particular emotions spring up.” He looks towards the kitchen again. “For now, we help in a different way.”

“Just talking. Got it. Though I doubt we can pull her aside during her shift for very long...” She stops her train of thought when the topic of their discussion comes out of the kitchen, a quicker pace to her walk as she approaches them with the two glasses.

She sighs as she sets them down. “Sorry for the delay. Just… had some obstacles in the kitchen.”

“It’s fine, Miss Hilltops.” Reflect’s horn lights up as he takes a sip from his glass. “Everything alright back there?”

The waitress nods hurriedly. “Y-Yes… I think so, at least.” She looks back at the kitchen and winces at the stallion glaring at her from the doorway. “I’ll… um, be back soon… just flag me down when you’re ready to order.” She walks back to the kitchen, her head low, and follows the stallion inside.

The changeling’s eyes narrow. “You don’t need to feel emotions to see that.”

“Yeah.” Alloy bites her lip. “We might need to have a talk with more than just her.”

“Yes… the question is which to do first… I think Miss Hilltops, so she doesn’t give in to depression or something worse.” Though he sips casually, the drone’s translucent wings snapping out and back under the plates on his back show his agitation. “Between what I feel from her and him, choice things will need to be done for both.”

She hums before smirking. “We might be able to do both at once… you meet up with her after her shift, and I’ll take care of who’s presumably her boss.”

He looks at her, not with incredulity, but with an analyzing look. “You sure you want that one? Plenty of resentment and loathing in him.”

“I doubt I can turn him off that in one fell swoop, but I can either find out what’s going on or plant the seeds. Maybe both. Would work even better if I grabbed Portal first.” She tilts her head and smiles sweetly. “After all, who’s going to brush off a couple of innocent kids asking about their friend?”

He chuckles wryly. “You never cease to amaze me. Go ahead, though you know you’ll need to let his mother know. Ornate’s fully embraced how protective she can be of her foal now.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I’ll be doing more than just telling her what’s going on.” She smirks, leaning in. “If he is heartless enough to tell us to get lost, we’ll be stubborn until he gets mad. Then he’ll yell at us. And that means he yells at Portal, which makes her our secret weapon.”

“Is it always the pink ones that are devious?” he asks with a toothy grin. His magic musses her mane fondly. “You make a drone proud, you know.”

She laughs, trying to fix her mane with her hoof. “I learned from the best.”

“In that case, time to think of how I’ll be working on Miss Hilltops… perhaps honesty? I am a concerned friend after all.” He gestures with a hoof to ask her opinion.

The filly nods. “We’ve been here often enough and you’ve seemed concerned a time or two. You could catch her as she leaves without seeming like a stalker, ask some subtle questions leading up to the main topic, or just go right for it. She probably knows about changelings sensing emotions, so the latter would make sense.” She glances down at her menu. “...we should probably also order something so we don’t get her in trouble.”

“Well put, despite how only one of us actually needs to eat.” He shakes his head a bit as he flips over to the desserts menu. “Hmm… perhaps ice cream with hot fudge…”

“You go ahead and indulge. Unlike you, I need to worry about healthy eating.” She glances down at her stomach and frowns before going back to the menu. “...and now you’ve tempted me.”

"I could always switch exclusively to salads to set a good example if you want." He looks to her honestly.

She shakes her head. "No, no... it's your business what you eat, not mine. It's my fault for just paying so much attention." She puts the menu down after apparently deciding. "Problem is the healthy options here are about as filling as a slice of bread, but cost as much as a full meal."

"Hmm..." He browses it himself. "I could always order you two things and pay for it. I'll just have another glass of milk and do a little more emotion skimming."

Again, she shakes her head, this time with a smirk. "If you do that, it's gonna look like we're on a date."

He chuckles, one fang poking out as he smirks. "There are worse things, but perhaps you're right. Still, you should eat something."

"Yeah..." She sighs. "I blame you for not having any missions lately where I do a lot of running."

Still smirking, he counters. "I could always start assigning training missions."

"I'd rather you didn't, and I think the others would too."

"I know." He laughs again, motioning to the menu. "Have you decided?"

"Yeah... since I need to be able to focus when I deal with the big bad boss, I'm just going for a full meal this time." She leans back and glances at the kitchen. "Getting a tinier tummy can wait."

"Don't give up on that. I can taste that doubt you have. Trust me, be glad you can't." He smiles at her. "It'll happen."

She smiles back. "Alright... thanks." She glances back to the kitchen and frowns. "She still isn't back out yet..."

His smile instantly disappears. "I noticed... and I don't like it or what I'm sensing."

"Want me to go play the innocent child act early?"

"...yes please. I'm a little worried about her."

She hops off her seat, brushing her mane back. "If I'm not back in five minutes, come in after me and pretend to be my slightly overprotective dad." With that, she heads off and trots into the kitchen as though she doesn't care about the 'Employees Only' sign on the door.

A couple minutes go by before she comes back out, leading a very relieved-looking Hilltops by the hoof. The stallion once again glares at her as she leaves before retreating back into the kitchen. Alloy turns back and sticks her tongue out at the closed door before bringing Hilltops to the table.

Looking between the two, Reflect looks concerned. "How bad was it?"

"I'm fine," Hilltops tries to assure him.

Alloy shakes her head. "I couldn't hear what he was saying to her, but he definitely seemed angry while saying it. He turned and started getting mad at me when I walked in until one of the cooks stopped him." She tugs on Hilltops' hoof a bit. "I pretended to start crying and she took me out."

"...you mean you weren't going to cry?" The mare looks surprised. "He wasn't exactly being kind with you..."

"She's a tough filly..." His eyes narrow as he frowns. "But that doesn't mean I'm any happier about someone verbally abusing her or you."

"Oh..." Hilltops clears her throat, watching Alloy sit down. "Um... well, thank you..."

"Do you want us to pretend to be deciding what we want so you can have a moment to talk or gather yourself?" He picks up and opens his menu.

She looks down at the floor. "Thanks, but he's already mad enough as is... stalling might make it worse..."

"Why is he mad?" Alloy finally asks. "You're doing fine."

"It's... a long story." The waitress waves a hoof. "I'm just... not really trusted."

"Well... we wouldn't want to get you in more trouble." He gives her a smile. "Still, don't give up. Things will get better, I promise."

"Right..." She sighs before taking out a small pad and a quill. "So, um... orders?"

"The ice cream bowl with hot fudge sauce, please," the drone replies.

Alloy makes a bit of a face at first, then sighs. "...I'll take the same thing."

"Had dinner already, hm?" Hilltops smirks a bit as she collects their menus. "I'll be back with your food soon... hopefully." She turns toward the kitchen, hesitating for a moment before trotting over and in. Reflect gives the pink pegasus a look, but doesn't say anything.

She looks back for a moment. "What?"

Like any smart male, the drone replies automatically. "Nothing. Just curious how much of a sweet tooth you have."

"Too much." She folds her forelegs on the table and rests her head on it. "Ever since that one time Autumn baked a cake, I've been craving chocolate and sugar basically all day every day."

"And... is it ever enough?" He tilts his head at this new problem.

"When I actually eat some? Yeah. It gets me over it for a few hours." She groans. "But then it just gives me a more recent taste to remember, and then I just want more..."

He reaches over and pats her mane. "Have you tried just small amounts? Maybe chocolate milk?"

She shakes her head. "It's never enough... I need full slices of cake, big chocolate bars, or... well, bowls of ice cream. Anything that just whets my appetite makes it more unbearable."

"Hmm... I wonder if it's hormones that are giving you cravings... unless..." He blinks rapidly, looking up at her before shaking his head.

"...unless what?" She raises an eyebrow. "And don't play the 'oh it's nothing' game with me."

"Well, if you really want me to say it... you didn't get with a colt during your last heat, did you?" The changeling has to draw on all his acting skills to keep his face straight and calm.

She blinks before glaring at him. "I'm not pregnant, idiot! I'm still in high school!"

For once, Reflect's ears fold back as he clears his throat. "That doesn't stop some, but I just wanted to be sure... sorry. I should have known better than to think you would be careless like that."

She huffs. "Yes, you should have." Getting herself under control, she shakes her head. "And I'm not sure about it being hormones... then again, I don't know much about those in the first place."

"Well then, I'm not really sure what to say other than what you already know about its effects on your health." He offers an apologetic shrug. "I'll help if I can, but right now it just seems like you’re addicted."

"Yeah... I blame Autumn."

He chuckles. "She does seem like a sweet one."

She laughs a bit as well. "Night can attest to that... but you know what I mean."

He puts a hoof to his chin. "Hmm... should we take her off the dessert position for the next meeting? It's what she was assigned to bring."

Alloy very quickly nods. "Yes. Our group name wasn't supposed to be because we're always on a sugar high."

"Alright, I'll let Ornate know." He just chuckles more. "Maybe we can wean you off the stuff..."

"Thanks, but..." The kitchen door opens and Hilltops comes out, depositing their desserts and hurrying back without a word. "...not at this rate." Distracted by looking at where the mare had disappeared, Reflect only nods. "You know you can stop ogling her, right? We'll help her when her shift's over or if we think things are getting violent back there."

His wings flick before he looks back to the filly. "Ogling?"

"Yep. Ogling." She smirks before taking a large bite.

As he takes a bite of his own food, Reflect chews on his words a bit before speaking. "It's plenty of worry too..."

"It's still ogling." She sticks her tongue out. "You haven't exactly kept your eyes off her any other time we've been here."

"...was it that obvious?"

She rolls her eyes. "Need I mention my specialty in this group again?"

He raises an eyebrow. "Scout and apparently with aspirations of second in command?"

"The one who notices everything your emotion radar doesn't pick up on." She raises her own eyebrow back. "And what do you mean 'aspirations'? Who's second in command if not me?"

"Technically I think Ornate is."

"...am I at least third?"

"Zesten."

She looks down at her ice cream and tries again. "...fourth?"

"Hmm... I don't know... Portal has connections now..." He has to struggle to not smile.

Her ears fold down. "...oh... okay..." She starts eating again. "...fifth?"

Finally unable to hold it, he lets out a chuckle. "Alloy, I don't think anyone really outranks anyone right now. We each have our skills and expertise. Although I will say I've grown fond of your counsel."

She sighs in relief, scowling at him with her eyes but her mouth in a small smile. "That was kind of mean, you know."

Pausing for a moment, she hops out of her seat and trots around the table, giving him a point-blank glomp.

"Hng!" He gasps as she squeezes, but soon hugs her back. "Forgive me for being 'mean'?"

She nuzzles his cheek. "Only if you forgive me for calling you mean in the first place."

"I can do that." He smiles and squeezes her. "Now, we have ice cream to eat."

She nods, releasing him and heading back to her seat, starting to eat quickly so it doesn't melt.

A few minutes after her shift ends, Hilltops exits the back of the restaurant into the alley, waiting for the door to close before a scowl comes over her face. Muttering a string of curses under her breath, she slams her foreleg into a dumpster, not even wincing.

A voice speaks from behind her. "Quite durable and irritated; not a great combination for those in your way."

She jumps, whirling around to see a familiar changeling. "...can I help you?"

"That's my line," he says simply, staying where he is.

She walks over. "What do you mean, exactly? ...and whatever it is, can we walk and talk about it?"

He bows and motions with a hoof. "Ladies first."

Chuckling, she starts to lead. "Alright then. So, since I never got it, what's your name?"

"Reflect, your friendly neighborhood changeling." He smiles at her.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Reflect." She nods in greeting. "Mind if I ask why you wanted to talk to me?"

"Well, I know for a fact you could use someone to talk to." His wings flick. "The emotions I got from the kitchen had me worried..."

"That's just the manager... he doesn't like me." She says this matter-of-factly.

"I noticed, but I can't fathom why. You're a very likeable mare." He says this with a tone matching hers.

She sighs. "Well, I come from a family of not-so-likeable ponies."

He tilts his head. "...and?"

She raises an eyebrow. "What do you mean, 'and'? You should know where the story goes from there. Father and older brother in prison for making and selling drugs, mother a killer still on the loose, older sister a prostitute barely flying under the radar. Logically, this means my younger sister and I must be destined for trouble too." She says this last part with a voice dripping with sarcasm.

"...not really. You're your own pony, quite a pleasant one. I can't speak for your sister because I don't know her, but you at least I'm confident about." He says this all plainly, as if it should be obvious.

"And I'm confident you're a nice guy too. But when have you ever gotten that respect from the general public?"

"Admittedly there are some who refuse to learn no matter what they are shown, but I've found friends who accept me, and I them. I'm just saying if you're truly a good pony, there's really no reason for other ponies to treat you as otherwise." His smile fades a bit. "There is no excuse for it. None. Especially when it hurts you."

"And what am I supposed to do about it?" She faces forward, glaring. "I tell them I'm not like the rest of my family, and they just say 'give it time'. I do good things, and they just think I'm trying to fool them. And every time I get even a little bit angry or disobedient, they get that smug look on their face because they think it's finally. Fucking. Happening!"

Grimacing from the waves of anger coming off her, Reflect puts a hoof on her shoulder. "Easy... don't let them turn you into something you're not. I'll support you while you vent, though."

She takes a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I'm sorry... just... I want out of this hellhole. Whether that means just quitting my job for one where I get treated properly, or leaving this city altogether... I want out."

He nods. "Well, as much as I enjoy you being my favourite waitress, I can completely understand. Want some help?"

The pegasus snorts. "Unless you can give me enough money to pay for bills on my parents' house and food for two ponies until I can find this dream job, I don't think there's much you can do."

"Well, admittedly I have plenty in my savings, but... hmm... if I can see what I'm working with, I might be able to find another way to help." He adds after a moment. "Plus, either way, we're working to see what we can do about your boss."

"What, gonna drop a rock on his head so he forgets who I am?"

"I'd rather avoid that. I was thinking either changing his mind about you or getting him to leave you alone long enough for you to be able to look for another job while not suffering every day at your current one." He shrugs. "I could always leave big tips."

She sighs. "Look, I appreciate it, but you're just gonna get my hopes up. Nothing's gonna change that sonuvabitch's mind about me, even temporarily, until I cure the common cold or something like that. And he just swipes the tips anyway."

"Oh does he now?" Reflect puts a hoof to his chin. "Would that happen to be against either the law or company policy?"

"He makes his own rules at the restaurant, and there's nothing about letting waiters and waitresses keep tips," she says defeatedly. "And if it is against the law, I doubt they'd find out anyway."

"I wouldn't be too sure about that." His grin grows. "Though, quick question: you say he makes his own rules. Does he just do that on his own, or is he allowed to?"

"Well, considering it's a local restaurant rather than part of a bigger company, and he's literally the one who owns the whole thing in that case... it's both."

"Right, legal route then." He nods. "I'll have to do some looking into it. Either way, I think I can be persuasive enough to make the rest of your time there no longer miserable."

"Good luck with that." She rolls her eyes. "If you were able to actually make it a reasonable place to work, I'd... I dunno what I'd do for you in return, but I'd think of something."

He is quiet for a minute before making his request. "Would you be happy?"

"...I would be happier." She looks down. "I won't really be happy until my sister and I have a decent life, rather than this prejudiced bullshit."

He blinks, looking at her for a while before stepping closer and nudging her a little with his head. "Looks like I've got my work cut out for me then."

She pauses, looking at him. "...you're not really going to go out of your way for this, are you?"

He tilts his head at her. "I don't really think it's out of my way if I want to do it."

"And do you actually want to?" She doesn't look away.

There's a long pause as she faces forward again. Eventually, she stops walking. "...forgive me for this, but... I won't hold my breath." She turns to him. "But... if you can help us... it would mean everything to me."

He smiles honestly at her. "All the more reason to do it quickly then."

Finally, she manages to smile back. "...thank you, Reflect."

He chuckles. "There's that smile. Been a while since I saw it. And backed by happiness too? I'll have to get more of that going."

She throws her forelegs around him in a hug. "You... are... amazing..."

He sucks in a breath before hugging back, filled with the fuzziness of her emotions. "I'm trying to help a mare I'm fond of."

She gives him a nuzzle before breaking the hug, blushing a bit. "F-Fond... right..." She rubs the back of her neck. "Um... w-well, my house is coming up, so... I won't take any more of your time..."

"It's proper to see a lady to her door, and as far as I can see, we aren't there yet. Mind if I stick around a little longer to make sure you stay safe?" He dips his head in a quick bow a happy smile on his face.

She blinks and chuckles. "Such a gentleman. Sure, if you insist." She continues walking, her eye on a house not too far down. "I'd invite you in, but my sister's asleep, and if she wakes up for a drink of water and sees a changeling..." She winces. "I-I don't mean offense by that! Just... she's never seen one before, so... yeah..."

He shakes his head. "I understand. With the fangs, holes, and lack of pupils, I know we can look scary in the dark." With a brief flash, he suddenly changes into a pony version of himself, same coloring and everything. "I like to think I'm fuzzy on the inside though."

She jumps at this, before laughing. "Wow... um, well, I guess you can come in if you're like that..."

"I wouldn't want to intrude if you'd rather me not come in." He laughs with her. "Though I admit I'm curious about this mysterious sister of yours now."

"I have no problem with you coming in, no matter your form. I was just afraid of her getting scared." She shakes her head. "She's a little shy..."

He smiles. "I understand. Pony form will do then until you feel you want to break it to her. I'm surprised at how used to walking around in my normal form I've gotten."

She chuckles. "It's good to feel comfortable being yourself." Reaching her door, she unlocks and opens it, walking in and holding it open for him to come in behind her.

He hesitates for a moment, but comes in, looking around. "Wow... much bigger than I imagined."

"Like I said, it was our parents', and they had to fit a family of six." She shuts the door. "Sugar - that's my sister - is a deep sleeper, but please try to keep your voice down if you can."

He switches to a whisper. "I can do that. Still though... a family of six? Wow..." The awe is clear even at this volume.

"Yeah... mom had some wild heats." She sighs, heading to the kitchen. "Can I get you anything to drink?"

He thinks. "Mmm... I think I'm good. The milk I had earlier did the trick."

"If you're sure." She grabs a glass of the white liquid for herself. "We can watch TV together, if we keep the volume low... or I could take you up to see Sugar, but unless she secretly stayed up late to read again, I don't know if you'll be able to actually talk with her."

"As guest, I shall leave the itinerary to you, my gracious host. I can always see her another time." He smiles at her.

She smirks back. "Let's go check on her first and then we'll decide, okay? It would do her good to make some friends."

"Well, I do know a few younger in various age groups that could do that." He follows her. "If she's like you, they'll get along wonderfully."

"We'll see. I wouldn't say she's really like me, since she doesn't go around punching walls when she's alone and swearing up a storm, but she's definitely a sweet little filly." She gets to the door and sees a light coming from the crack, smirking a bit. "Sugar? Are you awake?"

A lot of shuffling noises come from the door, followed by a sigh and a quiet voice. "Yes..."

Hilltops giggles. "I'm not mad, Sugar. Actually, I wanted you to meet someone. Can we come in?"

A small pause. "...okay."

Nodding to the disguised changeling beside her, Hilltops opens the door to let the two of them in, smiling at her sister.

A little purple earth pony filly is sat up in her bed in flowery yellow pajamas. She looks between the two older ponies as they walk in. "Sorry for staying up, Toppy... I couldn't stop reading."

She giggles. "It's fine, Sugar. As long as you're getting your sleep." She gestures for Reflect to introduce himself.

The disguised drone steps forward, waving a hoof. "Hello Sugar. I'm Reflect."

"Hello!" She waves back. "You seem nice." She looks to her sister. "Who is he? Coltfriend?"

She blushes and shakes her head. "N-No, he's... just a friend. He's helping me out with a few things at my job."

Sugar smiles. "Oh. Thanks Mister! Toppy doesn't like her boss very much because he's a jerk."

He chuckles. "He certainly seems like it. That's why I want to help her."

"I'm still not sure how you will," Hilltops comments, sitting on the bed with her sister. "But yes. Mister Reflect is going to be helping us, so I wanted you two to get to know each other a bit."

He blinks, looking at the mare and gesturing to himself questioningly. She pauses for a moment before shaking her head. He nods, looking back tot he filly. "So, umm... Sugar, how old are you?"

"I'm nine!" She continues to smile, scooting over closer to her sister as though making space on the bed for him.

He takes the spot, smiling. "Almost ten? You'll be getting your cutie mark soon."

Sugar nods. "I don't know what it's gonna be for, but Toppy thinks it's gonna be something about baking."

"Oh? You can bake?" He tilts his head at her.

"Sometimes... I'm only allowed to when she's home, though." She leans against Hilltops. "I don't know a lot of recipes."

"If you know any, you know more than most foals your age." He smiles at her, looking up to Hilltops. "And it sounds like your sister is taking good care of you."

The mare smiles and nods, but mutters to herself. "At least somepony is..."

"What's your special talent, Mister Reflect?" Sugar asks.

"Well, umm..." On the spot, the changeling tries to think of something. "My talent... is helping my friends."

The filly tilts her head. "Really? What does a mirror have to do with that?" She points to his cutie mark.

"Well..." He thinks quickly. "One of the happiest things a pony can see is to look in the mirror and see themselves surrounded by their friends."

"Oh!" She smiles again. "That makes sense... I like that!" Behind her, Hilltops tries to hold back her snickering. Reflect sees this and sticks his tongue out at the older sister. She sticks hers out back, and Sugar looks between the two. "...did I miss something?"

"Your sister was being silly."

"And so was he."

The filly giggles. "You're both silly."

"Are you silly, too?" he asks.

"I don't know." She shrugs. "Sometimes ponies call me silly."

"Nothing wrong with being silly." He chuckles. "It'd be pretty boring without silly ponies."

"Do you know any?" She tilts her head.

"Well, there is this colt I know... his name is Portal, and he's pretty silly... he's pretty smart too though."

"Silly and smart...?" She looks confused, as though she can't imagine those two adjectives being used to describe the same pony. "Wait... Portal? What does he look like?"

"Earth colt, orange coat, blue mane and tail," he responds quickly.

"Ohhh! I think he's in my class..." She thinks for a moment. "...I think I can see the 'silly'... I never really talked with him, though, so I don't know..."

"Maybe you should talk to him then. I think he'd like you." He smiles.

"I think I will." She smiles too.

"See? Already a potential friend." Hilltops ruffles her sister's mane.

Reflect raises an eyebrow. "What does that leave me as?"

"You're my friend too!" The filly hugs him.

He smiles, looking over to Hilltops. "Seems everypony wants to hug me today."

She chuckles and joins in. "You say that as though it's a problem."

"It's definitely not." He hugs them both, giving them a gentle squeeze and basking in the happiness.

After a moment, a quiet yawn comes from the filly. Hilltops looks down at her with a smirk. "Finally tired?"

Rubbing her eyes with a hoof, Sugar nods. "Uh huh..."

The older sister plants a kiss on her forehead. "We'll leave you alone now so you can get some sleep. Want me to tuck you in, or have you outgrown that?"

Sugar latches onto her sister. "Tuck me in, please?"

"D'aww..." Reflect coos at the sight.

Hilltops giggles. "Sure thing. Reflect, could you please put her book on her desk?"

Lighting up his horn in green magic, the disguised changeling does so, setting it down gently as he gets off the bed.

"Thank you." The pegasus picks her sister up and moves her to the pillow, folding the blankets to the side as she sets her down. She folds the blankets back over the filly before going to the shelf and taking a stuffed dog off of it, bringing it to Sugar. "Want to sleep with Bungles tonight?" She nods quickly, holding out her hooves much like one would for a hug. The stuffed toy is quickly placed in her arms, Hilltops giving her another kiss on the forehead. "Goodnight, Sugar."

"Goodnight, Toppy..." She snuggles down into the covers, rolling onto her side. "Goodnight Mister Reflect..."

"Goodnight..." He whispers. Hilltops motions for the disguised changeling to follow her out as she heads for the door. He does so, the door being closed behind them. "Alright... she was simply adorable and made me want to hug things."

"She's a little sweetheart." She smiles, but sighs. "And I want to keep her safe... and that's hard."

"Well, hopefully I'll be able to make it a little easier." He smiles at her, his expression soft.

"I hope so." She hesitates before leaning in and gently nuzzling him. "Again, thank you."

His tail flicks before he nuzzles her back. "You're welcome."

She giggles. "Now... how long until you need to go somewhere? If you do at all? I want to know how much time we have together."

"Hmm..." He thinks on that question. "Alloy will have headed home by now, Snap probably wouldn't come out of his room anyway... I could stay until tomorrow if you would have me."

This causes a surprised look to appear on her face. "Really? Wow... I think that'd be nice." She smiles before wincing. "...oh... um... a-are you fine with... sharing a bed? We converted all the unused bedrooms into storage a while ago..."

He tilts his head. "I'm fine with it, but are you? I mean, I can always sleep on the floor."

She shakes her head. "Please don't... I don't want you to feel uncomfortable. You're helping me, and you're a guest. ...also, every floor is hardwood." She rubs the back of her neck. "And I'm fine with it too, if you promise not to... you know... try anything."

"I'll probably stick to the far edge of the bed then... I have been known to cuddle." He says this without shame.

"...cuddling is fine." She smirks. "Just promise not to stick anything in me and we'll be good."

"I promise, but I go ahead and plead damning male morning issues now for any awkward situations." He smirks back at her.

She pokes his chest. "As previously stated: as long as it doesn't go inside me."

He nods. "Kidding aside, I do understand. I wouldn't do something like that."

"Thank you." She nuzzles him. "It's still a little early, though... TV?"

"TV."