“Good morning!” Ruby chimed causing me to wake up.

I groaned and attempted to move but found I couldn’t, I was also aware of the fact that I appeared to be lying entirely on Ruby’s tail. I forced my eyes open a little then fully.

“What…?” I glanced around then leaned over to look down. I was suspended in a hammock made of Ruby’s tail “Ruby?”

“Comfy?” Ruby’s head appeared to my left and I turned to face the grinning lamia.

“Why am I in a hammock?” I asked sleepily.

“Because I wanted to see what you would sleep through. I made you roll down a slide made of my tail in a spring like way, I held you by one hoof upside down…” Ruby leaned close “I even whispered sweet words to you, but all that did was make your wings spread out.” Ruby grinned and I blushed.

“You shouldn’t mess with me when I’m asleep.” I said sitting up and pushing around about to jump off.

Ruby’s tail clenched down as I began to slide off, my head and upper chest were completely buried and my rear legs flailed about as I hung in the air. I heard Ruby giggle then something brushed against the base of one of my hooves, which twitched back on reflex.

“Oh, are you ticklish?” Ruby cooed.

I gave a muffled cry of protest but Ruby simply giggled before lowering her tail from around my head “If you don’t want me to tickle torture you, you have to massage your Mistress.” I blushed at the name, since that word was now associated in my mind with… That.

Ruby lowered me to the ground and lay herself down on her back against her tail. I stared down at her and she grinned as I took a step towards her, and then another. I kept taking slow steps until I was stood before her seat. Ruby smiled warmly, rolling over onto her stomach and folded her hooves, resting her head on her legs, staring back at me.

“Go on.” She purred.

I stepped gently onto the pile of coils and Ruby’s trap sprung, a single coil grabbed both my front legs and jerked me forward and Ruby rapidly rolled out of the way as I fell on where she had previously been, then she fell down on my back wrapping her hooves around my neck.

“Gotcha.” She whispered into my ear.

Ruby chuckled and I gasped, my lamia friend had opened her mouth and was tracing her fangs along my neck.

“Now, shall we inject that special venom that makes you sexually active? I think…”

“Bolt, Ruby. Are you awake?” My mum’s voice ran through the room and Ruby groaned contracting her hooves around me, the glass shattering as they say.

“We’ll continue this later.” She whispered and I smiled up at her as her tail retreated from my body again, though more regretfully this time.

We both made our way to the kitchen, not wanting my parents to investigate what we were up to and get the wrong impression. My dad wasn’t present and I guessed he’d gone to work, my brother was likely still asleep, but my mum was sat at the smaller table in the kitchen a pair of deep red reading glasses on and the newspaper propped up in front of her bowl of cereal.

“What were you two doing, I thought you were falling through the floor.” She said as we entered.

“Sorry that was me, I was coiling Bolt up.” She said blushing, my mum smirked.

“Don’t let Metal hear you say that, he’s been a bit bitter recently.” She said.

“Well we’ll be gone tomorrow, going Ponyville.” I said my mum nodded eyes unmoving as she read the paper.

“Do you really have to go so soon?” She asked.

“No, but I want to get it done so I can show Ruby ALL of Equestria.” I said with a slight smile at Ruby.

“My you really do love her…” My mum folded her hooves under her chin and stared between us, smiling though her eyes distant. Likely thinking of how she and my dad met.

Ruby and I ate our breakfast, Ruby insisting until I gave up that I had to sit on her tail like a chair, in silence then got ready to set out to meet Note

Rub.

“I’m gonna beat him upside the head for what he put about that blessing part.” I grumbled. Ruby chuckled softly and I smiled pushing open the door.

The early spring sun gently shone across our faces, it was incredibly refreshing after all the snow and cold wind we’d had. Ruby sighed stretching her hooves over her head and letting her tongue curl slightly out of her mouth, tasting the fresh air. We set off slowly towards the town centre, the odd pony passing us watching Ruby. A few nodded politely or said hello whilst a few looked embarrassed or slowed down or sped up suddenly.

“Ponies are weird.” Ruby whispered.

“Oh thank you, we do try.” I said making my voice raise and lower in pitch, much to Ruby’s amusement “Want to go get some ice cream?” I asked glancing up at the bright blue sky.

“That stuff you put on with your cheesecake?”

“The one you ate so much you were ill? Yes.” I said.

“Sure, I’d love some.” I moved a little further ahead, leading Ruby through the familiar roads of Oakbark.

“You know,” Ruby said slowly smiling “This is almost like a date.” I felt my face become warm, and it had nothing to do with the sun being out.

“H-how so?” I asked.

“Well, you’re taking me around town and you’re planning to buy me a treat… Do you plan to give me the ice cream on a little spoon, all cute like?” Ruby asked grinning as my ears lit up.

Ruby laughed heartily and despite my embarrassment I laughed a little too. I pointed out a small, sky blue ice cream vendor to Ruby, an old mare serving ice cream to a family’s kids.

“That look okay?” I asked. Ruby nodded slightly and slid up beside me to the mare. The old mare blinked once then her face split into a motherly smile.

“How did getting the blessing go you two?” She asked.

“I’d li-Wait what?” I sputtered as Ruby blushed along with me.

The parent’s kids who had been arguing were now silently staring at Ruby’s tail as it shifted along the ground, sparkling in the sun.

Ruby and I shared a looked and Ruby busied herself by looking at the picture selection.

“We’re-we’re not getting married.” I said.

“Are you not?” The mare looked a little upset “That’s a shame… Are you even a couple?”

“Yes!” Ruby said as if afraid my contradiction might split us up.

Her shouting made her blush and she returned to the picture. But the old mare was now smiling again.

“I’d like the strawberry cornetto please.” Ruby said in a small embarrassed voice.

“Two please.” I mumbled.

The mare passed us the ice creams and I slid over the bits, my ears rather glad to be escaping. I gave Ruby hers and ripped open my own, enjoying the refreshing cold treat. We wandered over to a small park and Ruby curled up on the grass and I sat down on her tail, enjoying the soft tweeting of the birds and the sun’s warm rays.

“Equestria is very calm and beautiful.” Ruby whispered as she finished her ice cream, I nodded in agreement lying back on her tail stretching my hooves out either side of me.

I closed my eyes and sighed contently, reopening them when Ruby lay down next to me. I stared up at the sky as a pair of pegasi flew around pushing clouds together and making art.

“What are they making?” Ruby whispered but as the shape began to form I made a guess, sitting up slightly to get a better look.

“It’s us.” I muttered.

Sure enough as the pair finished it was a fluffy white image of Ruby curling her snake body around me and we appeared to be locked in a kiss. I felt my face burn.

“This town is stalking us.” I muttered.

“Well it is pretty small by Equestrian standards isn’t it…? Nothing as interesting as this has likely happened in a while,” Ruby leaned close “Wanna kiss so those likely spying on us will REALLY have an excuse to gossip?”

“Is that really necessary?” I whispered.

“I dunno… Is it?” Ruby leaned down a little, her tail curling around my neck tugging me up so I had to use my front legs to prop myself up.

“I guess it is.” I whispered as our lips met.

Ruby tasted of her ice cream and made such cute sounds as we pressed our lips together, a warmth only she could bring. The coil around my neck tightened, promising to never let go, to always be there if I needed a comforting embrace. I reached up with my left hoof and held it around her back but we both pulled away as we heard several rapid clicks and a bunch of groans. A small crowd of ponies, mostly consisting of mares, were watching from the bushes, a few holding cameras. I felt my face flush but Ruby smiled and waved whilst I sank into her tail in embarrassment, the crowd laughing. Then a voice called out.

“If I’d known you’d do something like that I’d have told Shoot to come along and bring his camera.” Note was walking up towards us from the other side of the park, his recorder already floating out of his saddle bag.

As he reached us I sat up slightly.

“You had to write about the blessing thing huh? Now everypony thinks we’re getting married!” I said angrily. Note simply raised an eyebrow.

“Comfortable in your fillyfriend’s tail?” I blushed “What I thought, you do make a perfect and interesting couple,” Note leaned closer “And you do appear to be heading that way.” He said with a grin, sitting down opposite us. Note clicked on his recorder and sat it between us before facing us.

“Now, yesterday we discussed where you came from and what you planned to do on that day, now I’d like to know, if you don’t mind, what you plan to do now you’re here in Equestria long term.” Note seemed to faze his question more towards Ruby but she glanced at me for help.

“We’re planning to head for Ponyville to meet Princess Twilight since Princess Luna suggested it, she’s planning to provide Ruby with a potion to make her appear like a normal pony so she can go to places a little more… Uptight about her extra feature. Afterwards we’ll probably explore Ponyville for a bit before heading back here to pick up my brother and heading back to Ruby’s home for the first month, we’ll think of something else then.” I said.

“Your brother wants to visit Ruby’s home?” I nodded “Hmm I might want to find out where that is myself… Could you draw me a map?”

Ruby drew a rough sketch with instructions on a piece of scrap paper Note passed her and then returned it to him.

“It’ll be interesting to visit, I might see you there. I’ll probably leave after I publish this story. I hope your plans go well, but for now I hope you won’t mind joining me for a little bit of tea later tonight. I know I said I’d meet you around lunch, but I’d like to get a draft done, that okay with you?”

“Yeah that’s fine.” Ruby said smiling.

“Brilliant… Oh, and I would suggest you two go give the local amusement park a little visit, namely the Ferris wheel. Good luck with the date.” Note said smiling and trotting away levitating his recorder back into his bag as I shouted insults at him.

“Should we give the amusement park a shot?” I asked when I had vented fully.

“I guess, we have nothing better to do really.” Ruby said smiling “Totally a date.” Ruby whispered giggling.

The amusement park had set up a little away from the town, the opposite side we’d entered to be exact, and it became visible as we left the last of the houses behind, a noticeable crowd following us.

“Are they hoping we’ll do it in front of them?” Ruby whispered “Because I wouldn’t mind if that’s what they want.” Ruby winked at me and I blushed, looking towards the rides to distract myself.

Sure enough the largest ride was the Ferris wheel (How do they make them mobile exactly?) there was also a few smaller rides, I could see some vendors and I could imagine there was at least one shooting range for some form of prize… And I could see the pink love tunnel, oh Celestia.

It appeared to be pay for the rides not pay for tickets, because the entrance was wide open and no booth in sight. I glanced around, already several ponies within the park had noticed Ruby and were staring, a few vendor workers leaning out. I noticed a number of ponies muttering and smiling.

“Shall we start with the Ferris wheel?” Ruby asked and I nodded and followed her towards the large golden ride.

The small carts were designed to hold specifically four ponies, and maybe two foals as well, not a pony and a lamia, though we did managed to get a ticket. I gestured for Ruby to get on first and she managed to wrap her tail over the seats, I managed to get inside and sit beside her, the ride worker closing the door beside us winked at Ruby and I bit my lip to hold back my voice.

It was a good thing they made the carts windowless, otherwise it would’ve been very cramped. Ruby hung a few coils of her tail outside the window once we were up a little, the ride stopping for minutes on end as we moved slowly upward. Ruby insisted I lay on her tail, she remained sat on the same bench so I ended up lying on her lap, or what I guessed to be her lap judging by the position of her tail. Ruby was about as interested in the view as I was, she was more content to gently run her hoof through my mane, cooing softly, while I hummed tunelessly. As we began to reach the highest point though I sat up to take a look and Ruby slid up beside me, making sure she was as close as possible, her tail curling around so she had her cheek squished against mine. We looked over the high view of Oakbark, the little houses puffing smoke so much like when we’d arrived. I stared at the view, the feeling of guilt welling up inside me again, before Ruby gently pushed me back onto the bench and my head onto her lap.

I looked up at her and she smiled down at me.

“Want me to dull the pain a little?” She whispered and I nodded selfishly.

I didn’t want to feel like this. When I looked up at Ruby again I found her eyes were lazily pulsing multi-coloured spirals. Captivating, entrancing… Relaxing. I sighed as Ruby returned to stroking my mane and I smiled contently, allowing my brain to be wrapped in the hypnosis blanket Ruby was providing… And the one she was making with her tail. As the Ferris wheel reached halfway back down Ruby’s eyes returned to normal and she gently shook me awake. I sighed sadly allowing my brain to take control again, emotions returning, and I sat up ready to get off. The worker smiled politely to us both as Ruby got off and I led Ruby towards the centre of the park.

I took Ruby over to a cotton candy vendor and bought us a cone to share.

“It looks like a pink cloud.” Ruby said as I hoofed her a piece and she nibbled on it “What is it?”

“Pure sugary goodness.” I said pulling back from taking a bite and Ruby began to laugh.

“Hello professor Pink Beard what are you teaching us today?” She asked. I chuckled.

“Today, the relativity of – You colt, put that down that is not something to toss around it a highly explosive… My face!” I said pretending to be smacked in the face by something, much to Ruby’s amusement, in an odd voice I thought sounded rudely smart.

The rest of the day was quite fun, amazingly we managed to avoid the tunnel of love (On purpose) but went on several smaller rides, often times taking up four seats for Ruby though nopony really minded. There was one of those optical illusion glass mirror rooms and Ruby was very entertained by the one that made me tiny, smaller than a baby foal. As the sun began to make the sky glow fiery red we decided it was time to leave and head to the tipsy mare to meet Note. Most ponies had left but a large crowd continued to follow us, muttering softly.

“I bet they’re saying what a cute couple we make.” Ruby said bumping my shoulder and I smiled.

“Glad to know I make the right choice.” I said.

We soon found the tipsy mare pub, sure enough the picture Note had described was hung over the entrance.

“Does that look a little suggestive to you?” Ruby asked with a grin at the two mares leaning against each other’s heads, grinning foolishly.

“A little, come on.” I said holding the door open for Ruby.

The bartender, deep wooden brown with a short black mane and a pint of beer as his cutie mark, was the first pony within the bar to see us both, and raised an eyebrow at Ruby.

“Whole town’s been talking about you, all know who you’re meeting as well.” He nodded towards one of the window tables “Note’s been waiting for you, would you like any drinks?”

“I don’t know if…”

“I’d like to try some vodka mixed with apple cola please.” Ruby said “And one for him.” She said pointing at me as the bartender chuckled.

“First time to start I guess, I’ll send them over.” He said with a polite and knowing nod.

“What are you doing?” I whispered.

“Having fun.” Ruby said sliding a little faster ahead of me to reach the window seat.

Note had his hooves folded under his chin and was grinning with his teeth showing as I sat down beside Ruby.

“So, had fun?” He whispered taking a sip of his beer.

“Yeah, was great.” Ruby said smiling.

“Glad you’re liking Equestria so much.” Note looked down at the table, pretending to read the menu but I could tell he was thinking “Your home… The other lamias are they… They are as nice as you are… Right?” Note looked between us both.

“Well for the most part yes, but, you know, some ponies can be mean too.” I said.

“What do you mean?”

“There’s one lamia, Midnight, remember the mare I told you broke Bolt’s leg?” Note nodded as Ruby spoke “Well she’s kind of the meanest lamia there, but the rest of them will be very welcoming… Maybe a little too much at first. My kind, myself included, have a tendency to coil ponies up as a greeting. We also know hypnosis, so if a lamia asks you to look at their eyes don’t… Or do if you want to, it’s very relaxing.” Ruby said with a smile.

“Hypnosis… It’s not painful?”

“The first time it can be a little bit but it becomes less so the longer you are hypnotised and the more it happens, and it really is quite nice.” I said softly.

“Might want to try it.” Note whispered softly.

“Well there is a spa pretty much dedicated to hypnosis based relaxation, could try that.” Note smiled and nodded.

“I reckon, I will, thanks.” Note said.

A waitress walked over beside us, a tray balanced on her head with Ruby’s and my drinks, she slid the tray onto the table and hoofed them to us both before pulling out a notepad.

“May I take your orders?” She asked cheerfully.

“I’d like the grilled salmon and hay fries with the maple salad as starter.” Note said.

“I’ll have some spaghetti with hay balls please and some garlic bread.” I said.

“And you miss?” The waitress asked smiling at Ruby.

“Erm, I’ll have the same as Note please, the salmon.” Ruby said nodding to him.

“Alright, one maple salad, one garlic bread, two grilled salmon and one spaghetti?”

“Yes, thank you.” I said the waitress nodded and disappeared with her empty tray.

“You didn’t even look at the menu.” Note whispered.

“I didn’t realise there was options, we always have limited food where I live.” Note raised his eyebrows.

“Well somepony will have to help you lot get a steady supply of food, do you have anything to trade form your town, can you make anything?” Note asked.

“Well, our town often comes up with a lot of precious metals but we don’t really use them other than for really fancy things, we have a large vault of the stuff we don’t use… I can…” Ruby went quiet.

“What can you do?” I asked.

“You know my cutie mark is a gem right?” I nodded “Well… I’m good at manipulating shapes out of precious metals.” Note’s and my jaws dropped.

“You can bend metal into shapes… That takes serious magic, we normally have to melt them down.” Note mumbled “Are you good at it?”

“W-well… I can make patterns on bracelets and crowns and stuff and… I only need one metal I can make visible patterns and shapes even on something that’s a single colour and I’m good at getting bits of rocks out… I made the Queen’s crown.” Ruby said with a hint of pride in her voice.

“That… Could certainly get a bit of money between Equestria and your home… I’ll see what I can do to get things started but you might want to talk to Princess Luna about it, if you see her again.” Note said as our food arrived and we thanked the waitress again, Ruby finally taking her first sip of her drink.

“Any good?” I asked taking my own sip, she nodded slightly and smiled as she levitated her cutlery up to eat.

For the most part the only sound was the three of us eating, we occasionally answered questions Note asked us, such as how we got our cutie marks; I got mine at a cooking competition when I was young and Ruby got hers when she was curious what would happen if she tried to stretch useless metals into shapes. We also asked Note the same question, he’d worked for his own school for a piece in the paper. Most ponies had complicated stories ours were just simple, but at least ponies could follow them.

“Hay I just realised,” Ruby muttered staring at a piece of salmon “This town openly sells fish?”

“It always has, it’s one of the more lenient towns in Equestria, there is, like everywhere, vegetarian options but I always quite liked sea food.” Note said smiling.

When our food was finished the three of us made our way to the bar, Ruby simply didn’t want to bother with the stools so she pushed them aside and sat on her tail, she still, despite how raised up she was on her seat, had plenty of coils left, which she trailed around herself so that other ponies had to step over them. Ruby and I finished our drinks and Note ordered some shots of whiskey.

“You’re paying right?” I asked as a small shot glass was placed before both Ruby and me.

“Course.” Note said grinning as he tipped his own back into the air.

I glanced at Ruby but she was already tipping hers upward like Note and grinned at me, I sighed and downed the drink. I blinked feeling the odd sleepy, yet energised feeling that meant I was getting drunk.

Note and Ruby managed to convince me to have some more shots with them and the bartender continued to grin at us all as we got steadily more tipsy, joining in our discussion of Ruby’s home town and some things about Canterlot. Ruby began to giggle and I had to squint to see only one set of shot glasses, though I couldn’t count which one’s were mine they were all piled together.

“N-no Note, I’m good.” I mumbled as the flushed journalist attempted to push another shot towards me.

“Last one, then we’ll call it a night. To the future?” Note said managing to raise his glass, I nodded.

“To da futwer.” Ruby slurred raising her own unsteady hoof, I raised my own glass.

“To the future.” I said alongside them.

I closed my eyes fighting the sleepy feeling of being heavily smashed. With all the drinking I’d done in my life I’d never once been sick but I didn’t want to start. I was distracted by somepony pushing against the side of me, I then heard an odd, suggestive moan.

“Bolt.” Ruby purred wrapping her hooves around my head and pulling me down into a kiss. In my sluggish state I simply went along with it.

“Alright love birds, that’s enough. Best head back.” The bartender said supressing laughs as he began to clean up. Ruby managed to uncoil herself and stood up and I led the pair out of the building.

Ruby continued to lean against me as we trudged home, at the first cross roads Note bid us farewell and he stumbled, walking in an odd wavy fashion, down the street and out of sight. Ruby began to sing softly grinning foolishly, a song about a mare who was trying to get a stallion. As my house came into view Ruby turned my head with her tail and sang softly to me .

“…And as the moon shines its lovers light upon us, I’ll make you see… That you belong to me.” Despite having drunk so much her voice was still very sweet and I enjoyed her song, though I’d missed most of it.

“Hay Bolt… You know you said you’d like me to tell you in advance before I got predatory… Well, this is in advance.” Ruby grinned as my face flushed in understanding but I smiled faintly.

“We’ve had a bit too much to drink I think.” I whispered.

“Is that your way of rejecting me?” Ruby asked.

“No, I’m just thinking out loud… But if you really want to… It’d be best if we make sure my parents don’t hear us.” I whispered. Ruby grinned taking my hoof and leading me along the last part of the street towards my wagon, which was parked outside the house.

Author's Note

So Ruby and Bolt go on a date... No other way to say it, what did you think, I thought they were ADORABLE! :3

And I also told you: This was god damn finished before I injured myself if only I had finished proof reading >.> Ah well it's out now, enjoy. :)