Living with the Night

Chapter 3

Moving In

The two made their way through the small town of Ponyville as the sun shined in the middle of the sky. As they were walking, Connor noticed that several ponies were staring at them. Mostly stallions gawking at the new mare in town and who could blame them? She was gorgeous! A familiar dark furred Pegasus stallion with white mohawk zoomed down from the sky above and landed in front of the pair. “Morning Thunder.” The human said with a nod.

“Hey man how are you-” He was cut off as he noticed the mare beside him. His tongue dried up in his mouth and was using every bit of self control he had to keep his wings from rising. “Who is this?”

“Oh this is Twi’s pen-pal from Vanhoover.” He said gesturing to Luna.

“Good day, I am Azure Star.” She shook his hand.

“Very nice to meet you.” He grinned.

“Ahem.” The voice made him freeze. As he looked over his shoulder he saw the purple maned Unicorn with a raised eyebrow. “Thunder dear, what are you doing?”

“Oh h-hey honey.” He gulped as Rarity’s bright blue eyes of death. “I was just saying hi to..um.” His mare-friends blue eyes of death were making him freeze up out of sheer terror.

“My new roommate.” Connor said saving the Pegasus from a beating. Both ponies looked at the human and the Princess.

“Seriously?” They both said in unison.

“Correct.” Luna stated cheerfully. Thunder took Connor aside as Rarity started talking with the mare.

“Dude! Score!” The Pegasus said as he held up a fist.

“It’s not like that you horn dog. I’m just doing Twilight a favor.”

“Maybe she can do you some favors?” He waggled his eyebrows. Connor rolled his eyes at the words as Rarity and Luna walked over to him.

“Dear, why didn’t you tell me you were getting a roommate?” Rarity asked looking at Connor.

“It was really last minute.” Luna interjected. Rarity looked at her watch and gasped.

“I’m terribly sorry that we’ll have to cut this short,” She wrapped her arms around Thunderlane’s. “but we’re meeting my parents today.” She squeed.

“Yay.” Thunder said in a dead panned tone. Rarity gave him a light slap on the arm. “Catch you later man.” Connor nodded and the two ventured towards the human’s abode.

“Who was that stallion walking with Rarity?” Luna asked.

“That’s Thunderlane. He took over Rainbow Dash’s position as weather manager when she became a Wonderbolt.” He began. “He and Rarity got together after he saved her from falling off the Wonderbolt Academy’s testing grounds when another trainee caused their hot air balloon to lose control.” Luna nodded at the words.

The two continued along in silence until they reached the man’s home. “Here we are.” Connor opened the door and led her inside. Luna started looking around the man’s abode. Her eyes immediately boggled at the large flat screen television and the assortment of game consoles. along with games. “Okay Luna I’ll show you to your room.” The Princess nodded and followed the man upstairs into a hallway where three doors were.

Connor walked towards the one on the left and opened it to reveal an average sized room with a Queen sized bed, a closet and dresser. “I’ll get you some clean sheets and-” Luna snapped her fingers and dark blue sheets quickly covered the mattress and two pillows fell atop the bed. “never mind. You can put your stuff wherever, then I’ll give you the tour.” Luna nodded and walked inside to examine her new living space.

As expected it was far smaller than her room back at the palace, granted her room could easily be used to host one of Pinkie Pie’s parties. There was a large oval mirror above the dresser that had a layer of dust over it. “Apologies, I haven’t cleaned it in a while.”

“It’s quite all right. You were injured and needed to recover.” Her tone was like a stagnant pond. “I’ll unpack after I get better acquainted with your home.” She said as she stepped out of the room. Conner showed her to his room and the upstairs bathroom. Next was the living room where the man’s game collection was, along with his movies. In front of the entertainment center was a large couch that could hold six people.

Next was the kitchen, the floor was tiled and the counter was made of granite. An island table was in the middle of the room with a few lights hanging over it. The dining room was next to that, Connor only used that for fancy meals like dinner parties or guests. There was an old table made from a red maple wood. “So,” Luna said finally perking up. “do you live here all by yourself?”

“Yeah, except Nero.”

“Who?” The realization dawned on him and he face palmed.

“Damn it! I almost forgot I gotta pick him up from Fluttershy’s today.” He stopped and turned to Luna. “Look, I gotta do something real quick, but I’ll be back in a bit okay?”

“Fine, I’ll unpack and get settle I suppose.” She adverted her eyes and Connor felt a pang of guilt sound within him. Here was a mare who’d literally been ordered away from her home in order to make some friends and now he was ditching her. “Mind if I play on your console?”

“Yeah sure, feel free.” He said as he grabbed a leash off the coat rack. “I’ll be right back and I won’t bail on ya again okay? I promise.” Luna gave a smile at the words as he closed the door behind him.

Don’t make a mare a promise, if you know you can’t keep it. Connor froze as he heard the words echo through his mind.

I aways keep my promises. He thought with gusto. With that Connor made his way towards Fluttershy’s home.

~~~

After getting settled, Luna plopped herself down on the couch and turned to the man’s Xbox 360. Luna had brought her own that had a dark blue shell with a crescent moon over the power button. She looked through the man’s game collection and selected ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops.’ She found herself partial to the assault rifles and had just called in her attack dogs.

“Huzzah! Releases the hounds!” She yelled over the mic. She heard the dogs of war barking waiting to sink their teeth into virtual flesh. Her ear turned as she heard the sound getting louder and louder. The door flung open and Luna turned her head to see a mass of fur leap at her and pin her to the couch. Her mind rushed as she imagined the beast ripping her throat out. She then felt something wet drag across her face.

“Nero, down.” Luna looked to see the man standing in the doorway. Sitting next to him was a large wolf-like dog, it’s face, paws, inner ears and chest was snow white while it’s fur and areas around it’s icy blue eyes were jet black. The dog was sitting, wagging it’s tail and panting with what Luna could only imagine a grin on it’s face. Luna wiped the slobber off her fur and stood up. “Sorry about that.” Connor said as he scratched his head.

“Is that a wolf?” Luna got to her hooves and approached the animal.

“Nah, this is Nero. He’s a Siberian Husky, looks kinda like a wolf, but he’s not. Say hello boy.” The dog let out a bark as the human pet his head. “Just let him sniff ya so he get’s your scent.”

“He won’t bite me will he?”

“So long as you don’t try to take his bones, no. Might wanna drop your illusion so he knows it’s you when you’re around here.” Luna removed the bracelet and the dog jumped back in surprise as the transformation and started barking. The Princess extended her hand and the hound eagerly sniffed her. When the trial of the nose was done the dog quickly started looking around it’s home.

“He seems well behaved.” Luna stated as she sat back down on the couch.

“Oh yeah, Nero loves company.” He said as the dog went over and laid in his bed. Connor then saw the screen. “Black Ops?”

“Yes, I have never played it and it seemed good.” She said returning her attention to the main menu.

“Not the best, but not the worst. I’m more of a Halo person myself.”

“Halo?” Connor slowly turned his head towards the Princess.

“You’re kidding. You’re kidding right?” Luna frowned at the words. “Never mind. Halo, in my personal opinion, is one of the best FPS games out there.” Luna raised an eyebrow at the words.Connor looked at the clock and saw it was around dinner time. “I don’t really have anything prepared. Wanna eat out?”

“Sure, it has been sometime since we’ve been to Sugar Cube Corner.” The Princess slipped the bracelet back on her wrist and Connor grabbed his wallet. As the two made their way down mane street an awkward silence fell between the two. Connor tried to think of something for them to talk about, but what did he really have in common with a thousand year old Princess that raised the moon every night. Luna was the first to break the silence. “So, how did you procure your companion?”

“Nero? About two years ago, before I came here I was walking along the road at midnight.”

“Why so late?” Connor shrugged.

“Night air helps clear my head. Anyway, on my way back I find this box just laying on the side of the road. It looked like a normal box, only it was moving and making noises.” Luna raised an eyebrow at the words. “I opened it up and I see a six month old puppy left out in the elements. Poor guy was cold so I brought him to a nearby animal shelter where they fed him and gave him shots. No one came by to claim him, he needed a home and I always wanted a dog. So I killed three birds with one stone.”

“Poor birds.” Luna giggled. Damn her giggle was adorable. “Well that was certainly nice of you. I can’t imagine why anyone would do such a thing.”

You’d be surprised.

Why?

Gah! Don’t do that! I’m not use to having someone else in my head. With another chuckle the two arrived at the establishment and walked inside. Luna felt it was rather odd to go into a building with it’s lights turned off. Said lights suddenly turned on revealing several ponies crammed inside the establishment.

“Surprise!” The crowd roared as Luna looked at them in astonishment.

“Pray tell, what is this for?” She asked as a familiar pink blur zoomed in front of them.

“It’s your ‘Welcome to Ponyville Party!’” Pinkie chimed. “IsawRarityearlierandshesaid
thatConnorgotaroommateandIwaslike‘that’ssocool’butyoudon’thaveanyfriendsandthatmademesadsoI-” Connor quickly covered the pink waterfall of words’ mouth with his hand.

“I think she gets the idea Pinkie.” He let her hand go and Pinkie squinted at the blue Unicorn.

“Have we met before? You look familiar.” Connor’s blood ran cold as he gulped.

Oh no, don’t tell me her Pinkie Sense can see through her illusion.

Pinkie what?

Pinkie gets these little twitches when something weird happens.

How does-

It’s Pinkie Pie. Don’t question it.

“Hey!” The pink mare’s voice brought the two back from their conversation. “Are you two talking without talking?” Connor shook his head. Luna took a deep breath and gathered her thoughts.

“I assure you Ms. Pie, you and I have never met. Twilight Sparkle has probably told you about me so I just seem familiar to you.” Pinkie put her finger to her chin and thought hard.

No way is this going to work.

At least we are doing something!

“I guess that makes sense.”

Oh come on!

Ha ha! Connor shot the smirking mare a dark look.

“At first I thought that she was Princess Luna and she was here because of that mishap in the paper this morning and she’d be staying here which would be so awesome!” Luna stood frozen as her right eyelid twitched. “Well, I’m off to find Pokey! Enjoy the party.”

You were saying your majesty?

Quiet you. The two entered the party and started to mingle. A strong arm grabbed the man and sat him down in one of the booths. Connor looked to see Caramel, Mac and the other four stallions with blank expressions on their faces.

“Connor,” Caramel started. “Thunderlane here tells us that the new girl in town is your roommate. This true?” Only Mac and Comet hung back from the discussion.

“Um yes?”

“You are the luckiest son-of-a-bitch on the planet you know that!?” Soarin said. “Look at her man.” Soarin eyed her trough a box he made with his two pointer fingers and thumbs. “She’s hot! Right Mac? Comet?”

“Ah’ll admit, she’s easy on the eyes,” The hulking red stallion stated. “but Shy’s prettier.”

“Likewise, only with Twi.” The four stallions gasped.

“It’s finally happened.” Thunder said. “You’ve both become whipped.”

“I’m not whipped!” Comet said.

“That’s not what it looked like this morning.” Connor said in a tone only the yellow Unicorn could hear making his face turn bright red. “Anyway, she just moved in and I don’t really know anything about her.”

“She’s hot. What more do you need?” Soarin stated. Connor rolled his eyes at the words.

“Seriously man, I don’t get you.” Thunder said catching his attention. “You’ve been here for a year and you’ve never gone out with anypony. What gives? You could have any mare in here, minus six elements of harmony, and yet you don’t make a move. I’m forced to ask this, is it a species thing or are you into guys?” Connor rubbed his eyes and groaned.

“No, I’m not gay, not that there’s anything wrong with that. If you asked me about interspecies relationships a year ago then I’d have issues, but now that I’ve grown more accustomed to Equestria, I will admit that certain mares are attractive from a physical point of view and would be dating material. I choose not to date purely because the mares that show interest in me could give two shits about me as a person and only want to see how human males stack up against stallions in the sack.”

“And, that’s bad?” Soarin said as he raised an eyebrow. With him being a celebrity, the Wonderbolt has had his fair share of one night stands before starting a relationship with everyones local rainbow haired hot head.

“Sorry, but I call bullshit.” All heads turned towards Caramel. “Dating AJ these past couple of months rubs off on ya and you learn how to spot when somepony’s not letting on all the facts.” He leaned in on the human. “So what’s the other reason you’re not dating?”

“C’mon leave the feller alone.” Mac said coming to the human’s rescue. “If he don’t wanna talk about it then he don’t gotta. What are we, mares?” The group shared a chuckle as the stallions’ significant others appeared and picked them off one by one. Connor looked at his cup of cider and sighed as the disguised Princess sat down next to him.

“Hey, enjoying the party?”

“Indeed. Tis a merry gathering.” Connor chuckled. “What?”

“‘Tis a merry gathering?’ Seriously?”

“Are thou insulting the traditional way of speaking?” She frowned at the man.

“All I’m saying is ponies are gonna start asking questions if you start speaking in ancient
Equestrian. I don’t mind if it’s between us at home, just keep a handle on it while you have your disguise up.” Luna pouted. Daww she’s blushing!

We most certainly are not!

Damn it! Again with the mind reading. Okay, we need to talk about this whole psychic thing tomorrow morning.

Do not make fun of our speech!

I wasn’t! I was just trying to help you blend in more! Besides, it’s adorable. Both their faces flushed red and Luna crossed her arms. “Okay fine I’ll stop teasing.” Connor checked his pocket watch and sighed. “Look it’s been a long day for both of us. I say we head back and we’ll talk tomorrow with cooler heads.” Luna put her hand on her head and then on the man’s causing him to blush. “What are you doing?”

“I believe both are head are of normal temperature.” Connor groaned.

“It’s just-” He was cut off as he heard the same cute giggle.

“I’m just pushing your arm.”

“Pulling my leg.” With that, the two said goodbye and made their way back to the house. Luna noticed the cane the man was using.

“How bad is your leg?”

“Not too bad. I’m only using it for a week so Red Heart won’t bite my head off about not staying off it.”

“How bad were your injuries?” Connor shot her a dark look. “Sorry.”

“Let’s just get to bed.” He said as he walked into his home. Connor made his way into his room and changed into a black wife beater and gym shorts. As he laid down to sleep the husky lumped up on the foot of his bed and curled up in a ball.

~~~

Across the sleeping town of Ponyville stood the residential apple farm owned by Applejack and Big Macintosh. There were lights on in the barn and the six stallions stood before an alter where a fez wearing Thunderlane stood. The other five stallions were also wearing the red hat with a tassel. Why fezzes? Because fezzes are cool.

“Order! I call this meeting of the Ponyville Stallion Society to order.” Thunderlane said as he used a wooden mallet as a make-shift gavel. “Gents, we have a crisis on our hands.” The stallion’s looked at one another in confusion. “According to our intelligence, our comrade, Connor Rowe has not had a sexual experience since arriving in this fair country. I therefore motion that we remedy this post haste.”

“How?” Caramel stated.

“It involves buckling our bootstraps, getting our hands dirty and doing a little plowing of our own.” The five stallions looked at one another with nervous looks in their eyes. “Not gay sex.” The five all let out sighs of relief.

“I was about to call Rarity and say that her likeness of stallions was rubbing off on you.” Comet stated. Thunder rolled his eyes.

“I’m saying we help our friend get some sweet, sweet loving.” The group thought about it.

“Ah have to object.” Mac said raising his hand. “We got no right meddling in our friend’s love life. He’ll find his own way.”

“How many times has Connor saved us when it came to romance? Forgotten birthdays, anniversaries and the like?” The stallions all remembered how he’d managed to bail them out of tight situations with their mare-friends. “We owe him a lot. This way we can pay him back.” Mac scratched his chin as he thought about the option. “All we’re gonna do is give him a little push.”

“More like a shove.” Pierce stated. “You know Connor doesn’t like sharing personal information with us.” The stallion had a point. Since the human had started hanging out with the stallions, they still knew almost nothing about his life before Equestria. They knew small things like the name of his high school and previous occupations, but nothing concrete like family or past lovers. He’d always say, ‘I don’t want to bore you with things like that’ or change the topic.

“Ah say we put it to a vote.” Mac said.

“Fine. All in favor of helping our friend get laid, say aye.”

“Aye.” Caramel, Soarin, Comet and Thunderlane said.

“All those against?” Mac and Pierce knew it was pointless but raised their hands anyway. “Vote stand four to two and the motion passes. Meeting adjourned.” The Pegasus said as he slammed the mallet on the podium.