-Snow in Spring Volume One – Chapter Three-

... Snow Sail's eyes went wide while Rosy Glow slowly lifted up her tail. Snow was used to Rosy's teasing but this was obviously far beyond any teasing. When it came to her... needs, Snow always believed that Rosy had other ponies in mind to lend her a hoof. Of course she would, Snow kept himself so busy that he didn't think about anypony's needs, least of all his own. Rosy had meant to do something about that for a long time and the timing of Snow's forced vacation couldn't have been better. This way, they could take care of each other.

Even with the distance between them Snow could smell Rosy's heat in the air. It sent his heart racing and blood pumping. His friend was showing him everything, which cause Snow to audibly gulp.

"C'mon Snow," Rosy panted, looking back at him. "You gonna help me out or what?" she asked, punctuating her request with a wink–

-Valentino Brugato – Private Record-

–I slammed the book shut and threw it onto the table. Three chapters in and for the first time since I had started perusing through pony literature I was completely caught off guard.

Twilight was out running a few short errands with Spike and while I was waiting for them to come back I thought I would make use of the library I was living in. The book I picked up was just kind of goofy looking. It had a lots of hearts on the cover and was titled Snow In Spring. It wasn't quite so odd anymore that I pulled it off of one of the highest shelves in a distant corner of the library.

Most of the books I had read were pretty plodding and had predictable happy resolutions. It was cute the first couple of books I read but it got boring fast. I thought that such a cheesy looking pony romance novel would be an amusing read. What I got instead was startling to say the least.

My experiences with ponies didn't prepare my heart for such risque material. Although if it was a certain monarch I knew who just happened to moonlight as an author I wouldn't be so surprised. But I thought about it and not only was that unlikely it was unreasonable to sweep so many other ponies under the rug like that. The bashfulness of the very few ponies I often teased shouldn't paint the rest.

In fact I became determined, through this line of thinking, not to let my assumptions color my opinions and to broaden my horizons. So I carefully reached back over to the book and slowly cracked it open to where I thought I left off...

-Snow In Spring Volume One – Chapter Three-

... Rosy's moans urged Snow to thrust faster–

-Valentino Brugato – Private Record-

–I slammed the book shut again. My heart was racing. It felt like the first time I had discovered pornography all over again. Shocked, morbidly curious and feeling like I was looking at something I shouldn't...

... But it was possibly important research.

Certainly not an accurate testament to pony reproduction. More likely the idealized fantasy that appealed to the readership, though that alone had cultural implications. I flipped back to the first page. Snow In Spring was more than just it's first volume, it was an extensive series. Since it was the fourth edition print the library stocked, listed at the front of the book was six more volumes. It was possible the series continued even past that.

I walked back over to the shelf I picked it from and there was... a few volumes were there but quite a few more were missing. It was either a popular series or Twilight was sitting on quite a few of the volumes. I don't know which was more intriguing and it was certainly something that required further investigation.

That could wait however until it got in the way of my pressing research.

Still I found myself pacing back and forth in front of the table. It brought up a lot of mixed feelings. There was the obvious in how I was using research as an excuse to read a very... steamy romance novel. But that was hardly a dilemma I took issue with. It was more like...

I felt like it was the equivalent of peeping in on two ponies going at it. Which was bad enough on it's own but certainly creepier since I was not of the same species. Certainly didn't feel like my place.

On the other hand it was just a book. It was irrational to assume anything just from partaking in the local literature no matter how steamy it was. It certainly held some cultural significance if it was as popular as it seemed.

Yet if I was seen reading it by a pony who knew the series then that would open up the door for an excessively awkward conversation.

Unless I took the right attitude then it was possible it could open up the door for an excessively hilarious confrontation.

I stopped at last in front of the table and picked up the book with one hand and a renewed determination. It wasn't just insight that the novel would give me. Potentially it would give me ammunition. Maybe it was not necessary for some of these Ponyville ponies but I could think of one specific pony back in Canterlot who had gotten the best of me too many times.

The book fit snugly into one of my coats two interior pockets. I wasn't going to delve much deeper into Snow Sail's saucy encounter with Rosy Glow with the threat of Twilight's imminent return. That was a conversation that needed planning and more research.

It could have been funny, but it was best to control myself. Take it slow and not blow my load too early. A piece of advice I would wish to impart on Snow Sail after some further reading.

Hm.

--

Just a few moments after I had the book safely tucked away in my jacket pocket the door jingled open. "We're back!" Twilight announced. Her saddlebags looked like they were packed full. Spike ran ahead of Twilight with a big bag in his arms.

"We got the groceries you wanted!" Spike declared as he ran up to me.

"Great, thanks," I said, reaching over and taking the bag from him. I looked inside and was satisfied.

"I know you wanted to make dinner, but why did you need so many ingredients?" Twilight asked.

"Sauce," I called back, already halfway to the kitchen. Once I got to the kitchen I started carefully pulling everything out of the bag and lining it all up on the counter. I could hear hooves following after me.

"Sauce?" Twilight asked.

"It's easier to make a lot all at once and freeze the leftovers. Takes ten minutes to heat it up and dump it on some pasta whenever you're hungry," I explained. I can't even remember how many different kinds of sauces I had stored in plastic containers in my freezer back in my old apartment. The one that isn't in pony world.

"Oh, of course," Twilight said, making her way into the kitchen.

I had spent a lot of time scoping out the kitchen in preparation to cook but it seemed time and time again I was incapacitated, indisposed or vehemently proving a point.

And of course, sometimes I was just lazy.

Regardless I was pretty familiar with the layout. The tools were more or less the same. Kitchen knives, pots, pans, whisks and the like were made with mouths, hooves and magic in mind. Fortunately that was enough, something that was meant to be manipulated with a mouth could easily be manipulated with a hand. Some of the handles dug into my palm in weird ways but ultimately it was workable.

I glanced over to Twilight once before getting started. She was happily sitting down at the far end of the kitchen watching me.

I didn't pay her much mind, it was time to get to work.

-Twilight Sparkle – Human Observation Record-

When cooking Valentino shows much of the same attitude and behaviors as normal. He moves and acts very slowly and deliberately, without any sense of urgency. He had set everything out before hand, every ingredient and tool was laid out very precisely. His planning was so meticulous that he didn't need to even look up from his current task to grab what he needed.

I am always impressed when Valentino would display his penchant for planning and quick thinking. It was no less evident in his cooking. He moved so smoothly from one task to another, only interrupted intermittently by having to stretch out his back. The height of the counters caused him to bend over slightly which seemed to put some strain on it.

Though his height did not seem to do well for his back his long arms and dexterous hands were quite beneficial. Spike often has to use a stool just to stand at an appropriate height and then would have to drag it along the length of the counter over to the stove and back again depending on what he was cooking.

He said he was making a tomato based sauce that he claimed was really very simple but was something that he had a lot of when he was younger. It meant a lot that he was willing to share something so personal with me. Though he did laugh a little when I mentioned it.

"It's just sauce," he said, stirring the pot. He wasn't able to hide the wistfulness in his voice though. By his tone and his smile I think he was happy to share it with me. Which of course made me happy as well.

He told me to pick out whatever kind of pasta I wanted. I ended up buying a fun corkscrew shaped pasta. He referred to it as "Rotini" and seemed familiar with it. It's amazing how certain things resonate with him so easily, sometimes to the point that he doesn't seem so much like a foreign entity. Does it speak to his adaptability? Or perhaps that wherever he comes from is more closely connected to our world than we think?

The sauce carried a wonderful smell that filled the entire library. It eventually brought Spike in to investigate.

"It smells great in here!" Spike said, running into the kitchen.

"Oh yeah? You want to try some?" Valentino asked, reaching down to one of the drawers and pulling out a fresh spoon.

"Sure!" Spike said enthusiastically.

Valentino got a small spoonful of the red sauce and knelt down in front of Spike, passing the spoon over to him. Spike eagerly slurped down the sauce.

"Tha's good!" Spike said with the spoon still in his mouth. When he pulled the spoon out he looked over at me. "Twilight you should try this!" he said.

"I think I'll just wait until it's all done," I said.

"Shouldn't be long," said Valentino. He had moved away from Spike and back to the pair of pots sitting on the stove. He was chewing on what I assumed was some of pasta that he had fished out of the smaller, boiling pot to the right of the huge pot of sauce. "Spike, you want to toast this bread a little?" Valentino asked, motioning to the basket of bread he had on the counter.

Valentino was not shy about cooperating, not even when he first arrived. It's very surprising given his situation. I think this speaks volumes to the social nature of humans.

Valentino made up plates for each of us and then quickly went to work storing the rest of the sauce he made. He told us to go ahead and start eating. The pasta and sauce was topped off with a lot of cheese, something Valentino said he was fond of. It tasted wonderful, though I can't say I was that surprised after watching him work.

After a few minutes Valentino sat down with us and started to eat himself. He let out a small sigh after his first bite, it must have been a little nostalgic for him.

-Valentino Brugato – Private Record-

"Do you miss your family?" Twilight asked not long after I had sat down.

The question caused me to pause. It really wasn't something I was expecting to discuss over dinner. Though I guess I put the notion that this was something I had a lot with my family in Twilight's head. Something we had while me and my brother were kids. A simple tomato sauce that wouldn't upset two picky kids.

Not to mention that it was easy enough to make. We would have it a lot while my parents worked their asses off to support us and the restaurant my dad was dead set on starting. The restaurant didn't get a lot of traction until I was in high school.

"Of course I do," I finally said.

"They are probably..." Twilight paused, looking at me and trying to gauge my expression.

"Worried about me? Oh yeah," I said calmly, finishing the thought for her. "Well, my brother is pretty optimistic. As far as they know, I'm just missing... and..." I trailed off.

"And?" Twilight asked.

I was hesitant to talk about my family drama. I had already shared a lot with Twilight, the worst of it actually. She was curious and probably wouldn't let it go if I tried to brush her off. Not that I really had much reason to brush her off anymore. Keeping too many things to myself didn't really seem to work out in the long run.

"It's a little complicated. I haven't really seen much of my family for a while. I mean, before all of this," I said, gesturing widely.

"How come?" Twilight asked. She was quite relentless on the subject. Her tone was even, sympathetic but she pressed the issue without hesitation.

I let out a defeated sigh. I wasn't about to get away with telling Twilight anything but the whole story.

"It happened a couple of years after I was discharged from the military. My brother had just been discharged himself and was on his way home. What had happened was that during a... conflict... he lost vision in his left eye. Obviously the standards are pretty high and complete loss of vision in just one eye is enough to get you sent home. Still it was a lot better than being sent home for turning into an emotional wreck," I grumbled sarcastically. Twilight's expression fell a little and even Spike's frantic devouring of the food in front of him slowed.

"But I was getting better. Less reclusive anyways. I was staying with my parents at the time and as I improved I saw a lot more of them. Even helped around the restaurant some times. My dad was going out a lot with some good friends of his that were a big part of the restaurant after it started to expand. Pretty much what you would expect but one night I went down into the restaurant and saw one of his pals working late. You know, one of the ones he just told us he was going to get drinks with. I'm sure you can see where this is going," I said, hoping she would fill in the gaps.

Twilight just gave me a confused look.

"He was not hanging out with his friends, he was lying so he could go do something else," I emphasized, hoping that would be enough set her down the right path.

"What was he doing?" Twilight asked, still confused.

"He was cheating!" I groaned, exasperated.

"Ch... cheating...?" Twilight said, her questioning tone was not as shocked as I expected. She still seemed just as lost.

"On my step mom," I clarified.

Still she was tilting her head quizzically.

"He was having illicit rendezvous with other ladies," I elaborated.

No change.

"Sex!" I nearly shouted.

Twilight's eyes left me and started darting back and forth while she tried to piece together the information. "Were these other... females... not part of the... relationship?" she asked, giving me an unsure look.

I sat there with my mouth open for a second when I finally started to catch on to her confusion. "It was.... a monogamous relationship," I said slowly, staring hard at Twilight and trying to gauge her reaction.

"Mono..." Twilight mumbled before realization started to dawn on her. "Oh... Oh!" she exclaimed, putting her front hooves onto the table. Her understand came with a flux of emotion as everything I had just described slowly took on new meaning. "Ah..." she eventually muttered, her ears drooping and she dropped back down to the ground. "Is that... common?" she asked.

"What? The cheating or the monogamy?" I asked.

"B-both I guess?" Twilight responded awkwardly.

"I, uh, think I'll go wash this," Spike said with an awkward laugh, pointing to his empty plate. I remained silent as he quickly made his escape into the kitchen.

"Monogamy is fairly common, at least where I come from. Polygamy is actually illegal. Well okay, bigamy is illegal. Having multiple, state recognized marriages is illegal. Even attempting it is illegal. I mean you could be with whoever you want but depending on... it's..." I trailed off because despite trying to explain it Twilight just looked... distraught. Shocked even. "It's complicated," I awkwardly ended with.

"I didn't think... you said you had a relationship with multiple... females," Twilight stated.

"Friends who I also sometimes had sex with," I clarified. "Which certainly has it's own social implications but isn't illegal. At least not where I am from," I added.

"But... that's so..." Twilight mumbled, she looked frustrated and her head was spinning.

"Well, how are things around here then?" I asked.

"It's... well," Twilight stumbled at first but then shot up with a serious expression on her face. "Love is something that's a little different for everypony. It's something that might burn intensely only for a very special somepony or you might be overflowing with love for several ponies. However love manifests and for who it manifests doesn't matter because love is just a wonderful thing," Twilight strictly recited. But once she was done her expression became frustrated again. "It's... you can't dictate how anypony is supposed to love each other!" she proclaimed

"Yeah that sounds about fair. But what law book did you get that out of?" I asked.

"That's just how Cadance explained it to me..." Twilight mumbled.

"Okay it's not that I disagree... well, listen, Twilight my problem isn't that Dad was having intimate relations with other... humans. He could have been screwing around with ten other women, or other dudes! Whatever! You've already pointed it out, I have no place to judge on that front. My problem is that he was lying," I said, letting irritation seep into my words.

My explanation managed to ease Twilight's concerns at least a little. Her attention was back on me anyways and not dancing around in her own head.

"His current relationship was not fulfilling him in... whatever ways he needed it to. But instead of bringing it up with Mom honestly he found that fulfillment elsewhere, at my step moms expense and then lied about it," I vented, feeling an impotent surge of old anger. I brought my hand up and pinched the bridge of my nose.

"I tailed him after I first found out he was lying to us. I hoped it was for a good reason, like a surprise party or something he was planning for maybe when Bruno got home. Eventually though I figured it out. I couldn't keep it to myself. Holding the information in at all made me feel sick to my stomach. I couldn't just tell Mom though, she wouldn't believe me. Not with the way I had been acting since I got back. She'd think I was just being emotional and hysterical. I wasn't even sure if I should tell Mom. So then I thought maybe I would confront Dad and put it on him. But how easy would it be for my dad to brush me off? Dad's a pretty strong willed guy and he's my dad, that was intimidating enough," I continued, removing my hand from my face and letting both of my arms rest on the table.

"So... what did you do?" Twilight hesitantly asked.

"Kept tailing him, took photos, documented what he would say and who he would talk to. Took statements from his friends. Day after day, until Bruno finally got home. Took him aside and showed him everything. Absolutely everything. There was some denial at first but all the photos and documents, he couldn't really dispute it. After that of course he was furious, wanted to take a very aggressive course of action right away. I calmed him down, said we needed to approach this delicately or at least plan something out. Bruno wanted it to be a family thing, get everyone in the same room and let it all out. This is where I sort of... messed things up," I grumbled, looking away from Twilight.

"How did you mess it up? It sounds like you had a plan in mind," Twilight questioned.

"Well, Bruno had a plan. I was terrified by the idea of looking at my fathers face while I outed him. Yet at the same time I was disgusted by the idea of letting Bruno call him out while I hid. There was no way to say, here's all this evidence without it coming back to me. Bruno hadn't been around! Of course we couldn't let it keep happening while we waited for the timing to be better. And..." I trailed off again, not wanting to recount the humiliating incident.

"What?" Twilight said, her tone gently urging me to continue.

"It might have been my fault. I was so... volatile for so long. Say the wrong thing and I would just shut down, for days. My parents were on eggshells the moment I got home. Coddling me when they did interact with me. If I wasn't so lost in my own head I would have felt like I child," I mumbled.

"But what happened to you was–"

"That wasn't the problem. I was how I was. The problem was that maybe my dad didn't confront the issues he had with his marriage because of how it would affect his emotionally unstable son," I spat out through gritted teeth.

"Overall, because of how terrified and cowardly I was, I convinced Bruno to let me explain everything to my mom in private. Then, the same night, I packed up my things and moved in with a friend about three hours north of where my family lived. I was convinced at the time that Bruno could be the emotional center that my parents needed to help them sort out their issues. They could hash out everything they needed without me there to drag them down or hold them back," I said. I couldn't look at Twilight. All I could do was stare down at my hands.

"But the reality is... I just stirred things up and ran away so I wouldn't have to deal with it," I said with a sigh. "I couldn't live with the lie but I couldn't handle the consequences," I said with a shrug.

When I finally looked back up at Twilight she just looked... sad. Depressed and uncertain. Her big eyes would look up at me and then glance down to the floor a lot. It seemed like she couldn't find the right words to say. I decided I needed to steer the conversation out of the depressing pit it was in.

"My friend helped me break into my career. I thought there would be stricter standards for entry into law enforcement but... well I've told you about where I worked, place was very lax in a lot of ways. I managed to squeeze right in. I wasn't sure how well I would do given the exceptional failure that was my military career. But I actually ended up doing very well. Though I guess I already had practice causing trouble for people causing trouble. Actually, having something to work on and to work towards did a lot for my... emotional stability. I managed to confront a lot of my issues and was actually feeling pretty good," I said.

"So that's when you became a detective?" Twilight asked.

"I was just a regular officer for a few years. But I did like the idea of becoming a detective. I excelled beyond my peers, which wasn't difficult given who I was working with, so when the space opened up it was a sure thing. After that, well, you know the rest. I got comfortable in my position and started working to make changes in the whole department. That had it's own ups and downs but, eventually things started down the right path. Skip ahead a little further and here we are," I concluded

"What about your family?" Twilight asked eagerly. Her expression hadn't changed much and but her tone was expectant Maybe she was hoping for a happy ending.

"Well, I saw my brother pretty often. Got in touch with my step mom after I had been working for a while. She was doing fairly well after they had split up. But Mom was always pretty stoic, hard to tell what she was thinking. Bruno said it was... difficult for her. At least for a little while," I said, frowning at the thought. Glancing up at Twilight she wasn't looking too happy either. "She did chew me out for taking off though," I said with a small laugh. Trying to cheer someone up.

"As for Dad... well, even after I advanced to detective he still wouldn't really talk to me. I thought he was mad. Bruno told me though that he was really ashamed. That he couldn't bear to face me and see the disappointment on my face. To be fair I don't think I'd have been able to hide it. I think I'm probably even more disappointed now than I was then. It was just a fight I don't think either of us were ready to have... guess we won't have the chance," I mused.

In silence Twilight slowly walked around the table. Her ears were pinned back and her head hung low. I lifted my arm as she quickly grabbed onto me with her front legs and buried her face into my side.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry this has all been so hard..." she said quietly.

I failed to suppress a laugh which had Twilight look up at me confused. I let my arm drop, my hand landing on top of her head. Her horn poked out between my thumb and index finger. I gently started to stroke the top of her head.

"I appreciate it Twilight but I've already spent a lot of time talking to my brother and working this stuff out. I'm about as okay as I can be with this family stuff at least," I said.

"But they're your family and–"

"I'll miss them," I interrupted, still gently running my fingers through Twilight's mane. "I'll miss them a lot. But... I know they're fine and that really helps. Mom was pursuing her art stuff, Dad's business was still successful and getting bigger. Bruno was taking up his martial arts stuff again and really going at that pretty hard. Wasn't going to let his one eye keep him down," I said, not hiding my pride.

Twilight pulled away from me and I took my hand off of her head. We stayed silent for a few moments.

"I started, for once, living my own life. That brought me here. We're not all together. Dad's not with Mom anymore, I'm not with them. But it'll be fine because we're all doing fine. Or something like that," I said, giving Twilight a half smile.

Twilight tried her best to return that smile.

-Snow in Spring Volume One – Chapter Six-

By the end of her estrus Rosy's relentless pursuing of Snow Sail had lessened. If Snow did manage to see Rosy around town he'd still have to quickly flee in the other direction. Rosy knew how to stop Snow in his tracks with just a look. That expectant stare and sultry smile. Snow was embarrassed just to think about how he let Rosy relentlessly milk him for everything he was worth over the past week. Even more embarrassed about how much he enjoyed it and how it still clung to his thoughts.

Snow thought that it would be better to stay inside and keep busy. It was supposed to be his vacation but Snow still scoffed at the idea. Winter might have ended but there was still another right around the corner. Did they have any idea how much planning was required to–

Snow's thoughts were interrupted by a knock at his door. His heart jumped into his throat as he imagined Rosy waiting at his doorstep. However, Rosy rarely bothered knocking and the polite gentle rapping at his door was completely unlike her.

Curious, Snow walked up to his front door and opened it just a crack–

-Valentino Brugato – Private Record-

Hooves roughly struck me from behind and I felt the normal shocks go through my back. My book flew out of my hands and onto the grassy ground. I was shoved onto my stomach and a heavy weight kept me pinned down. Not that I made much effort to move. In fact I just stayed motionless in the grass.

"I got you!" Rainbow Dash happily proclaimed.

"Yeah, you got me," I agreed with sarcastic enthusiasm. I remained limp on the ground. It didn't take long before Rainbow Dash began her agitated fidgeting.

"Come on!" Rainbow whined, hopping off of my back and easily rolling me over. "It's no fun if you just lay there!" she continued to complained.

"Ah, you've figure out my scheme," I said dryly while I sat up. Rainbow Dash huffed and was glaring at me expectantly. "Listen closely Rainbow Dash because this is an important lesson that will give you insight into some of my greatest abilities," I said with more serious tone. Immediately I had her attention. I got onto my knees and faced her, clearing my throat as I did so.

"You see Rainbow, I could have attempted a complex reversal based entirely on my assumptions of your anatomy. I might have even pulled it off. But I was in a disadvantageous position and you are strong, athletic, practiced," I lectured and Rainbow Dash grinned at the praise. "So I did what any good human would do–"

"Gave up?" Rainbow dash snickered.

"Ah that's the secret," I said, motioning for Rainbow Dash to come closer. As she approached I conspicuously looked around to make sure there were no ponies who could eavesdrop. Once she got close enough I leaned in even closer to her. "I let you get off of me all on your own," I whispered before leaning back again slightly and shooting her a sinister grin.

Rainbow Dash stared blankly back at me for a just a second. The moment realization hit and her eyes went wide I lunged at her. She spread out her wings but I had lured her so close that I barely had any distance to cover. I wrapped my arms around her neck and pulled her into me.

"Ah! No!" Rainbow Dash squealed. My left arm held her head tightly in place while I pressed the knuckles of my right hand roughly into the top of her head. She kicked at my leg with her front hooves, it stung but not enough get me to let up on my assault. I roughly started rubbing my knuckles against the top of her head, messing up her mane and causing her to yell out more.

"Come on! That's cheating!" she complained, though her yells were only punctuated with giggles and laughter. She started to kick my leg harder and despite the inevitable bruising I didn't let up.

"And sneaking up on me while I was reading wasn't?" I chided, digging into her head with my knuckles even harder.

"Agh! It's not my fault you weren't paying attention!" she whined.

"Well then it's not my fault you didn't see this coming," I retorted. Rainbow Dash changed her tactic and dug her hoof into my side which was unfortunately painful enough to get me to loosen my grip. Rainbow Dash slipped her head out from my hold and backed away from me, panting.

"Jeez..." she heaved, taking a break to look around and spotting my book still laying in the grass. "What were you reading anyways?" She asked curiously and trotted over to the book.

"Ah, it's important research," I said, rubbing my side.

Rainbow Dash flipped it over with one hoof, exposing the heart decorated cover. Almost immediately she was smiling at me and fighting back laughter.

"What?" I asked, doing my best to keep my expression blank.

"I just..." Rainbow Dash started only to catch a laugh in her throat. "I didn't think you were into corny romance books," she blurted out and followed it up with a burst of giggles.

"Rainbow..." I mumbled, putting on a hurt expression. This managed to cut off her laughter and she looked at me dubiously. "I'm alone here you know. Maybe I'd like to think that someday... I might find love, even here..." I said wistfully and looking off towards the horizon. It was incredibly melodramatic and Rainbow Dash was starting to get wise to my antics.

"Really?" she asked doubtfully.

"Maybe, but really I thought it might be funny," I said seriously. Rainbow Dash giggled.

"It looks like it," she said and to my surprise she kicked the book open to a random page.

"Uh–" I could barely utter that much before Rainbow Dash's eyes went wide as they scanned across the pages of the book.

And she just kept going, despite how flushed her face became. It very quickly became uncomfortable as she continued to read the book, even going so far as to turn the page. Eventually I awkwardly cleared my throat which broke Rainbow's concentration. She quickly shut the book and picked it up with her teeth. She didn't make eye contact with me as she walked over and dropped the book into my hand.

"Thanks," I mumbled, tucking the book into my inner coat pocket.

"Yeah..." Rainbow Dash murmured back at me. She might have made fun of me if she hadn't been sucked into the steamy novel herself.

"Don't worry, I'll let you borrow it once I'm done reading it," I said.

"No!" Rainbow Dash shouted defensively. I finally turned my head to look at her, she was looking back at me though her eyes quickly darted down to where I stowed the book. "I mean... you don't need to... I can just, uh... sure," she mumbled, trailing off over and over again until her eyes finally looked away and she accepted my offer.

"Seems like it's a pretty big series, I'll get the others too you as I finish them," I offered.

"You really that into that book?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I told you, it's important research," I said.

"Pff, yeah that's it," Rainbow Dash snorted in disbelief, regaining some of her composure.

"Now Rainbow Dash, I know it's hard for you to remember that I am actually a big, weird alien but it's the truth. This is a necessary bit of cultural research. It's probably a more idealized version of... romance, but still probably useful knowledge," I said, patting at where I stowed the book away. "Besides, how else am I supposed to know if you are using strange pony tactics to come on to me?" I added with a smirk.

"Oh my gosh you're such a dork," Rainbow Dash said, giving me a playful shove.

"At least I'm not some sky nerd," I expertly retorted, shoving her back.

Rainbow Dash reared back and lunged at me. We spent the rest of our time together with her trying to wrestle me down while I evaded and taunted her. I think she stuck to the ground to give me a fair shot but once she got irritated she took to the sky where she easily outmaneuvered and then overpowered me. A fact I did not hesitate to rub in her face, which just started the cycle all over again.

It was fun.

-Valentino Brugato – Dream Log-

A sea of stars greeted me in my dreams again. I spent what felt like a decent amount of time floating through it before a familiar royal pony formed herself out of the stars glittering around me. Once I was face to face with Luna I felt clarity wash over me. The normal haziness of being... well, in a dream was gone.

"Valentino," Luna curtly greeted.

"Princess Luna, it's nice to see you. I think. Unless this is a... dream. I mean, I'm dreaming you being here and you aren't actually in my dreams. Very complicated magic you have," I commented.

"I assure you that it is truly I," she said seriously.

"Well, don't be too mad if I need to confirm it when I see you in the waking world," I said.

"I am surprised by your skepticism considering everything that's happened," she pointed out.

"Well if you are all the way back in Canterlot I can't just confirm it with you when I wake up like before. The skepticism just comes with the job anyways, I feel better with proof. Testimony, evidence, that sort of thing," I casually explained. "But right this second I guess it doesn't really matter, what's up?" I asked.

"I merely wanted to check up on you and make sure you were still doing well," Luna said... stiffly, maintaining a stoic expression.

"Well that is very sweet of you Luna," I said with a grateful smile.

"I... I am only making certain that you are safe," she insisted, her stoic expression and tone cracking slightly.

"Like I said, very sweet. Well, I have had no trouble sleeping these past few days. Day or night. It's been... well as good as it can get I think. You've done good work," I praised her, which only served to break down her stiff exterior further.

"I am... I am happy to hear that," she said, glancing away.

"But how are you? How are things in Canterlot?" I asked. Even that question seemed to catch her off guard. Though it was more like she was simply unprepared for my query and took a small pause to collect her thoughts.

"The nights have continued to be very peaceful since you left. My sister though complains of the ceaseless squawking of a certain griffon that is currently a... guest in our castle," Luna said, taking on a grim expression.

"Oh right... I may have had a hand in... agitating that... fellow," I confessed.

"Yes, my sister made me aware of your interaction and her frustration. Though I disagree that you were anything but justified in defending yourself from baseless accusations," Luna said.

"Well yeah, I just probably could have said it in a tone that didn't imply that I felt I was arguing with the stupidest bird in Canterlot. Not very political. Then Princess Celestia having to protect me didn't really improve tensions," I said in Celestia's defense. Not that I can say I would have done differently even with that understanding. Luna just huffed.

"The ambassador should take more after Iris," Luna suggested.

"Oh?" I questioned.

"She spends her time working rather than complaining, often late into the night and is nothing but polite," Luna stated.

"Seems like Erling has her intimidated though," I mentioned, recalling how she cowered behind him and barely said a word while he prattled on in our last encounter.

"Is that so?" Luna asked.

"From what I could tell, probably," I said.

"Perhaps this is something I should look into," Luna mused, turning away from me. The starry sea that surrounded us shimmered for a moment but stabilized again. Luna awkwardly turned back towards me.

Anticipating what was coming I held out my arms. Luna shuffled forward and pulled me into a tight embrace. As soon as it happened everything started to shimmer again, even my thoughts became vague and foggy. A stiffness filled my body and I felt disoriented...

-Valentino Brugato – Private Record-

With the dream shattered my eyes fluttered open. I could feel the warmth of an embrace, though it was just Twilight who was softly clinging to me. My grip on her was tighter though I relaxed as soon as I got my bearings.

It was nice to... talk to Luna? I guess that's what that was? It seemed less odd having her mess with my dreams when she was in the same room. Or even the same large building. It seemed however dreamland was a different beast than I imagined and distance didn't really matter. Thinking on it now, I suppose it wouldn't? Maybe? Either way it was about as convenient as a phone call but twice the existential crisis. Like I didn't have enough of those looming around, waiting to strike.

I let out a quiet sigh and pushed it out of my head. Instead I turned my attention to the purple pony whose neck I had just had my face half buried in. When I pulled my head away from her and she grumbled in her sleep. Her hooves lightly tugged at me once but the disturbance didn't rouse Twilight much beyond that.

I hadn't really seen much of Twilight while she slept. Usually I passed out before she did and she was awake long before I was. Yet there she was, snoozing peacefully. Her breathing was light and her mane was mildly disheveled.

I pulled my left arm back, letting go of her. I brought my hand to her chest and ran it over her soft coat. My fingers traveled up her neck and through her mane. Then back down and over her leg that reached over to me and rested on my shoulder. Adorable as she was the differences were noticeable.

Before I could dwell on it she tugged at me again and pushed her face into my hair, bringing my face into her neck again.

That was the other thing though. Her actions, all of the ponies, just seemed so distinctly... human? Or perhaps it was just their intelligence that made it seem human. Not like I have anything else to compare it to. But if I close my eyes and talk to a pony it's the same as talking to any human. At least until they say something like "somepony" or "hoof" or whatever.

Little, little actions, expressions mostly that made them seem most... human. Intelligent and emotional are probably a little more accurate but I mean... they act like I would expect a human to. But obviously it was a matter of these actions simply not being exclusive to humanity. Or so it seemed.

The smell too. Twilight had a slight floral scent. Probably attributed to her bathing and grooming herself every day. Similar. How she went about it though was likely a bit different.

Different, similar, I don't know why it seemed like such an important distinction while I lay there. Idly I was gently stroking Twilight's leg while she nuzzled into the top of my head. I could hear her breathing and if I just turned my head a little and pressed my ear to her chest I could hear her heart beat. Plus she was warm. Not so different.

Not so different...

Author's Note

Well that's another chapter down!

I wanted to take the time to thank everyone for all the comments. I'm not really that active in the comment section and I apologize for that! But I really do read and appreciate everything!

I also really appreciate everyone who points out spelling errors or missing words. It's just me working on this so there is bound to be a lot of stuff I miss when editing! So really thanks a lot!

And of course, thanks so much for reading!