Pinning the Heart

Chapter 45

Using my magic, I set the last of the dishes in the cabinet. “There you go.”

Satin checked the moving boxes near her to see if they were empty. “I think that was it,” she declared.

Rain, who was being held by Stormbreaker, made cheerful sounds.

“Show offs,” Stormbreaker told Rain. “Wait until you’re a little older. I’m going to teach you all kinds of flying tricks so you can impress them.” He nodded towards Coco. “I can’t help you get stronger than her, though. I think she was showing off too, moving those heavy boxes by herself.”

Coco blushed. “They weren’t that heavy.”

“Yep, we got it all,” Satin said, while stacking the boxes together. “We’ve still got odds and ends to unpack and put away, but I think we can say we’re officially here.”

“That must be nice to say,” I said.

Satin nodded and breathed a sigh of relief. “It is. It’s a huge load off.” Satin met eyes with Stormbreaker. “As a bonus, I don’t have to worry about Storm making all those long flights to Canterlot every day.”

“The flights weren’t that long,” Stormbreaker said. “And I never flew in dangerous conditions.”

“I know, but I still worry about you.” Satin took Rain from Stormbreaker and nuzzled him. “Now, we get to focus on taking care of our little stallion and working out how we’re going to fit into Ponyville.”

“I don’t think it will take long for you to fit in at all,” Coco said. “Ponies here know you, and I’m sure they will be as welcoming to you as they were to me.”

A thought crossed my mind. I chuckled and looked toward the front of the house. “Speaking of welcoming...”

“What is it?” Satin asked. “You’ve got that look like when you’ve had a mischievous thought.”

“I bet you’re going to have a visitor before long.”

Stormbreaker looked baffled. “What do you mean?”

“You and Rain are new to Ponyville, and you just ‘officially’ got moved in, so somepony is almost sure to show up.”

“That’s right!” Coco gave me a knowing smile. “I’d give it an hour at the most.”

“Sounds about right,” I agreed.

Rain wiggled as if wanting down.

“Hold on for a second.” Satin put Rain on the floor and smiled as she watched him survey the kitchen. “This is our new home now,” she told him.

“It’s going to be a whole new world to him inside and outside.” Stormbreaker watched Rain with a bittersweet expression. “He’s already getting so big. Seeing him here instead of the townhouse makes me realize how much he’s grown.”

“I know.” Satin looked wistful. “He’ll be off and flying before we know it.”

There was a knock at the front door.

“How did you two know?” Stormbreaker asked me.

“Oh! I bet I know who it is!” Satin said and laughed. “I’ll get the door.”

As Satin trotted out of the room, Rain looked at Stormbreaker as wanting to know what was going on.

“Beats me, little guy,” Stormbreaker said. “I think everypony else is in on this but us.”

We could hear the front door open, and a breath of cold air blew into the kitchen.

“Hello, Pinkie,” Satin greeted.

“You’re here!” Pinkie cheered.

“We’re here. We just got the unpacking done.”

“That’s great! Where are the new ponies?”

“They’re in the kitchen. Come on in.”

There was the sound of rushing hooves and Pinkie appeared in the kitchen’s doorway.

“There you are!” Pinkie trotted over to Stormbreaker. She pulled an envelope from somewhere in her mane and gave it to him. “I’m here to tell you that you and Rain are invited to be part of our Welcome to Ponyville Extravaganza at Town Hall.”

“Oh, wow.” Stormbreaker took the envelope from Pinkie. “Thank you, but you didn’t have to go through all that trouble for us.”

“It’s no trouble at all. Ponyville and Sanctuary are having a party to welcome all the new ponies that have been showing up there. We thought it would be great to have you there too, since you’re new to Ponyville like they are.” Pinkie smiled and waved at Rain. “Hello little guy. Welcome to Ponyville! You’re going to love it here.”

Rain walked over to Pinkie, his eyes never leaving her mane.

Pinkie got down on the floor with Rain so she could talk with him at eye level. “What do you think about your new home?” She pulled another envelope from her mane and gave it to Rain. “Here you go. I know you can’t read it yet, but I thought you’d like it as a memento. It’s not every day you move to a new place. I know I was super excited when- Hey!” Pinkie giggled as Rain climbed her shoulder and used his hooves to search through her mane.

Rain pulled out three more envelopes from Pinkie’s mane and put them on the floor.

“How did you know those were there?” Pinkie asked. “Those are for your mom, Coco, and Pokey.”

Rain stared at the envelopes for a second and then went back to searching Pinkie’s mane.

Pinkie laughed. “There’s nothing else in there, silly. I don’t carry stuff in there all the time.”

“Note the ‘all the time’ part,” I said. “She hides party supplies in caches all over Ponyville, though.”

“You never know when you’ll need them.” Pinkie tickled Rain, and he laughed and curled up on the floor with her. “There might be something you want to celebrate on the spot, or somepony might need cheering up. There are all kinds of things you can use them for.” She stopped tickling Rain and booped his nose with a hoof. “Sorry, little guy. I wish I could stay and play, but I have to get back to Sugar Cube Corner.” As she stood, she helped Rain to his hooves. “We can play when you come to the party next week, though.”

Looking a bit disappointed, Rain trotted to Satin.

“We’ll be looking for you there,” Satin told Pinkie.

“I’ll get the door for you,” Stormbreaker offered.

“Thanks, but I’ve got it.” Pinkie made of a show of adjusting her scarf and smiled. “You all stay here and nice and toasty.” She smiled at Rain and waved. “See you soon.” She zipped out of the kitchen as fast as she had entered. There was the sound of a door opening and closing in rapid succession, and then quiet.

“Is she always like that?” Stormbreaker asked.

Coco nodded. “Always.”

I levitated the three invitations from the floor and floated them to the ponies whose names were on them. “I wonder what she’s got planned for this to be an ‘extravaganza’ level affair.”

“Something big, I’m sure,” I Coco said. Her eyes followed Rain as he left Satin’s side to explore. “You seemed to warm up to her pretty quick, Rain.”

“Pinkie has a way with foals,” I said. “I think it’s because she is still a filly at heart and the foals pick up on it.”

Rain gave an impressive yawn.

“Today’s been a big day for you, huh?” Coco said. “You had to get up early for the train. There’s been all this unpacking going on. You’re in a new home. You’ve had an unexpected visitor. It’s no wonder you’re tired.”

“He’s going to sleep well tonight or not at all,” Stormbreaker said.

“He’s going to sleep very well,” Satin said. “Berry, Barrel, and the girls are going to bring dinner over tonight, remember?”

“That’s right!” Stormbreaker grinned at Rain. “You better get a nap in, little guy. Berry, Piña, and Pinch are going to want to play.”

“Rain, would you come here, please?” Satin said and held her hoof out. “Why don’t we go settle down on the cloud chair for a few minutes?”

Rain walked over to Satin, sat back, and held up his forelegs.

“That’s my little gentlecolt,” Satin said, and used her magic to lift Rain from the floor and into her forelegs. She cooed, as Rain put his head against her chest. “You are tired.”

“Coco’s right, he’s had a big day.” Stormbreaker stepped close to Satin and kissed her temple. “That, and you’re wonderful to snuggle with.”

“I think Coco would agree with you on how snuggly she is,” I teased.

“Pin!” Coco blushed. “I didn’t mean for that to happen.”

Satin smiled and told Coco, “I’m glad it did, though.”

Stormbreaker brushed a strand of mane from Rain’s face with a wingtip. “I think he’s already asleep,” he said.

We moved into the den and settled down. Coco and I took the couch, Satin, Rain, and Stormbreaker got on the cloud chair.”

“He didn’t even stir when you put him down,” I commented. “Should we come back later? I’m sure you can relax better without visitors.”

“Actually, I was hoping to get to talk with you two about something that’s been bothering Satin,” Stormbreaker said.

“Storm,” Satin said in a cautioning tone. “Let’s not bring something like that right now.”

“But it’s the perfect time,” Stormbreaker insisted. “We’re unpacked, they’re here, and I’m sure you were already thinking about it.” He smiled when Satin did not offer a denial. “I’m right, aren’t I?”

“You don’t have to look so smug about it,” Satin said, looking half amused.

“I’m not being smug.” Stormbreaker touched his nose to Satin’s. “I know you well enough to know that you’re already thinking of ways to be productive while still being able to be close to Rain.”

“Sis, you don’t have to do anything,” I said. “You’ve worked your tail off all your life. You’re allowed to slow down a bit.”

“I plan to.” Satin looked towards her side, where Rain was obscured by Stormbreaker’s wing. “I have somepony else I’d like to focus on for a little while.” Her expression shifted to being pensive. “I have to strike a balance, though. I want to spend as much time as I can with him before he starts flight school, but I don’t want to smother him.”

“All fledglings have to leave the nest.” Stormbreaker nuzzled Satin’s ear. “I’ll bring him back home every day, so it won’t be too bad.”

A knock on the front door paused our conversation.

Before Stormbreaker could move, I told him, “I’ll get it. You three are all nestled down.”

I trotted to the door and opened it.

“Hello!” Barrel greeted me. “We’re here to help and to deliver the first round of goodies.”

I winced at his enthusiastic volume. I motioned for him to lower his voice. “It’s good to see you, but Rain’s taking a nap.”

“Sorry!” Barrel whispered. He glanced past me, and his ears snapped up. “You’re already done?!”

“Turns out, the four of us make a pretty good moving team,” Stormbreaker said. “Come in before you two freeze.”

I moved out of the way and let Piña and Barrel in.

“Let me hang up your stuff,” I said to Piña and then took her hat and scarf from her.

“Thanks, Uncle Pin,” she said, as she stomped the snow from her hooves onto the greeting mat.

“It’s almost strange to see you without Pinch or somepony from one of the teams with you,” I joked. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine. We would have had Rumble with us, but Sis coltnapped him.”

Stormbreaker snorted with amusement. “What do you mean Berry ‘coltnapped’ him, and where is Pinch?”

“Pinch was the one who lured Rumble into the kitchen so Sis could nab him,” Piña said, while pantomiming somepony grabbing something and pulling it to themselves with a sharp motion. “Now, Sis has him helping them make dinner.”

Barrel chuckled. “That’s oversimplifying it a bit, but that’s pretty much what happened.”

I took Barrel’s hat and scarf, while trying to keep my grin to a minimum for Piña’s sake.

Coco giggled. “Another poor stallion lured into the kitchen.”

“That seems to happen a lot,” Piña said and brightened up. “That’s how Uncle Barrel got into trouble and why we’re here early.”

“What did you do this time?” I asked Barrel.

“I was performing my role as official taste tester, but Berry protested I was testing too much,” Barrell said, playing innocent. “While she and I were negotiating how much I could sample, Pinch came in to see what all the fuss was about and was told to ‘keep your father from gobbling everything and give him something constructive to do’. Pinch came up with the plan for me to bring the stuff that was ready.”

“That explains why you’re here, but how did Piña get pulled in?” Satin asked. She smiled at Piña. “Not that I’m not glad to see you.”

“I’m glad to see you too,” Piña said. She looked at the space between Stormbreaker and Satin.

“Yep, he’s right there,” Stormbreaker confirmed, and raised his wing a little so Rain could be seen. “He’s getting a bit of rest before everypony comes over.”

“Awww, he’s so cute curled up like that!” Piña whispered.

“Rain’s the main reason Piña’s with me,” Barrel said. “Berry told Pinch her idea was practical on one level, but I would need a chaperon to make sure I didn’t get any more samples on the way here. Pinch suggested Piña come with me to make sure I behaved and so she could see Rain sooner.”

I asked Piña, “Did he sneak any more samples?”

“I made sure he didn’t even get a crumb,” Piña said and grinned.

“I can escort him to the kitchen, help him unpack, and make sure he doesn’t sneak one, while you say hello to everypony,” I offered.

Pinch gave Barrel a suspicious look.

Barrel held up a solemn hoof. “I promise. I won’t sneak even a nibble.”

“This way, big guy.” I led Barrel into the kitchen and helped him unpack his saddle bags.

“I bet they’ll enjoy having more space,” Barrel commented, as he put a casserole dish on the kitchen counter. “Satin’s place in Canterlot was nice, but it was a bit on the small side, especially the kitchen.”

“Satin said she was going to have to get used to having room to move around and cook in,” I told him.

Barrel opened the casserole disk a crack and made a show of looking into it. “You’re lucky, little apples. I promised I wouldn’t sneak a bite.”

My ears perked up. “Are those Berry’s red wine baked apples with the pecan crumble on top?”

“Yep. Baked with Sweet Apple Acres’ apples bought this morning.” He fanned the air close to the casserole disk towards me. “Have a whiff.”

Giving into temptation, I drew in a breath through my nose and savored the aroma. “That’s them.” I gestured for us to leave. “Let’s get out of here, before my will power gives out.”

Grinning, Barrel wafted more air in my direction. “I’m the one that made the promise, not you.”

I backed away, while trying not to drool. “It’s the principle of the thing.”

“Goody-four-shoes,” he said. He let the top of the dish down with an audible and intentional clack of ceramic.

We returned to the den, and I stopped at the sight of Piña, who had taken my seat and snuggled up against Coco.

“Move your hooves and you lose your seat,” Barrel said, and then occupied the love seat.

“What did he sneak?” Piña asked me. “I heard something clank in there.”

“Neither of us sneaked anything,” Barrel said. “I tried to get Pin to try some of the baked apples, but he’s a tough cookie.”

I raised my eyebrow at Piña. “Speaking of sneaking things, I see somepony took my spot.”

“I didn’t mean to, but I was cold from the walk,” Piña said. “I got up here to give her a hug, and she’s so warm and soft I couldn’t make myself move.”

I met eyes with Coco and smiled. “I can understand that.”

Coco put a foreleg around Piña. “She’s still a little cold.”

“Sounds like somepony needs to make a Piña sandwich to warm her up.” Barrel said.

I nodded. “Sounds like a good idea to me. I haven’t made a Piña sandwich in a long time.”

“Wait a second!” Piña protested in mock panic.

I sat down next to Piña, leaned, and lightly pressed Piña against Coco.

Piña made noises of protest, acted as if she were in distress, and then let her head loll over and her tongue hang out of her mouth with a final dramatic moan.

“We could swap, if you don’t want to be in the middle,” I suggested, while sitting up so I was not leaning on her.

“Nope!” Piña cuddled against Coco. “You get to hug Miss Coco all the time. I have to take every opportunity I can get.”

“I can’t blame you for that,” I said and shifted away from her.

Piña looked up at me with her ears back and hurt expression. “Why did you move?” she asked.

“To give you more room,” I explained, feeling a bit of guilt at unintentionally hurting her feelings.

“You didn’t have to,” she said.

I scooted back so my side was touching hers. “Better?”

Piña’s ears went back up, and she smiled. “Much better! If I hadn’t been wearing my hat, my ears would have frozen off.”

“I knew it was supposed to cool down this evening, but not that much.”

“We’ve been getting some odd weather out of the Everfree Forest the last few days,” Stormbreaker said. “The Weather Team has been doing what we can to mitigate it, but there’s only so much we can do to push back against it without causing major weather disruptions later.”

“That’s okay,” Piña said and wiggled into a comfortable position that allowed her to get warmth from Coco and me. “It gives us an excuse to cuddle more.”

“Ten at most,” Barrel said.

Piña gave him a look. “I’ll stay awake.”

Barrel snorted. “I really don’t think you’ll make it five, but we’ll see.”

Piña stayed awake for four minutes, while the rest of us chatted about what Berry and Barrel had been up to the last few days. In her sleep, Piña leaned her head against Coco’s side and wrapped her forelegs around Coco’s leg.

“Out like a candle,” Stormbreaker said.

“Piña’s always been able to sleep wherever she stops,” Barrel said. “She’s been doing it a lot more the last few weeks, since she’s constantly going with all the teams are doing. How’s your leg doing, Coco? She can have quite a grip.”

“My leg is fine.” Coco looked down at Piña and smiled. “She’s a little cuddle bug.”

“Always has been,” Satin said. “When she was a little filly, she would snuggle with anypony anywhere.”

“She and Pinch are growing up so fast,” Barrel said. “While I’m glad they are into so many things and happy about what they are doing, I’m worried they aren’t spending enough time just being foals.”

“They are being foals,” I said. “They’re not that much different from when we would help Applejack and Mac with the farm when they got overwhelmed. We all worked, but we had a good time together.”

I tried to focus on the memories of the good times when we had helped the Apples and not what had caused them to need outside help.

“Don’t get that look. Today’s a happy day.” Barrel got a look in his eye and gave a deep belly laugh, which caused Piña to stir awake and open her eyes. “I remember it took you a couple of months before you could talk to the gals without blushing as red as an apple yourself.”

Coco looked at me and raised a teasing eyebrow. “Just how many gals are we talking about?”

“The three I’m thinking of were Applejack, Goldie, and June.” Barrel said. “He was just as awkward with them as he was when he was getting to know you.”

“I can imagine, but I’m not sure I understand why,” Coco said. “I thought he had a group of fillies he was friends with when he was in Canterlot.”

“He did, but they loved to tease him, so he never got comfortable around them,” Satin said. “He was the only colt of the group, and they constantly reminded him of it. Lemon Drops loved to treat him like he was her coltfriend just to see him blush.”

Barrel chuckled. “The gals here teased him too.”

“So, which of the three was he the most awkward around and for how long?” Stormbreaker asked.

I squirmed at the thought of where he could take the conversation. “Let’s not-” I flinched as Barrel ignored me and barreled on.

“It was a three-way tie, and he never stopped being awkward around them,” Barrel answered and grinned. “Goldie made it so much worse when she set him up and asked him to comb her mane and tail so they could dry out one time. He ended up combing Junebug’s too. He nearly got to comb out Applejack’s, but Apple Bloom ended up doing it.”

“Their wet manes and tails?” Coco gave me an intrigued looked. “Just how did he come to have such an opportunity?”

“We had all been working at the farm, and we were all filthy,” Barrel said. “The gals went to rinse off in the shower behind the barn while Big Mac, Pin, and I cleaned and put away the tools. Just as we walked out of the barn, Goldie ambushed him.”

“I bet he never had a chance,” Satin said.

“He didn’t. She waited for us to come out of the barn, then she pounced. Her coat was still damp and her wet mane framed her face in a way that had to be deliberate on her part. She even gave him ‘the look’ when she asked.” Barrel batted his eyes at me, and asked in a falsetto voice, “Pin, could you help me comb out my mane and tail?”

“She really asked you?” Piña asked with wide, disbelieving eyes. “He’s not making this all up?”

“She asked,” I confirmed. “Goldie had a blanket laid out on the grass and a brush and comb ready. I didn’t have a reason to say no, so I did.”

“You didn’t braid her mane, did you?” she asked.

Coco watched me with more interest.

Aware of Coco’s gaze, I told Piña, “No, I just combed it out so it would dry out faster and not tangle up.”

“He blushed redder than what is he right now the whole time,” Barrel said. “As soon as he was done with Goldie, Junebug came from behind the house and asked Pin to comb her mane and tail out too.”

“And he did,” Piña said.

Barrel nodded. “Yep.”

Piña looked at me and asked, “So how did Bloom end up helping Applejack?”

“Apple Bloom came out of the house while I was brushing Junebug’s tail and asked what I was doing. When I told her, she asked if she could help. Junebug told her I was about done, so she didn’t have to worry about it, and Apple Bloom got really upset about it.”

Piña looked confused. “That doesn’t sound like Apple Bloom at all.”

“Apple Bloom was a little filly then, and there was a lot going on.” I did my best to keep my voice even as I continued explaining. “They had lost their parents not that long before that. She was still hurting from them being gone and felt she was being left out of helping with the farm. She wanted to help with something, anything at all, to do with the farm. I think being told she couldn’t help us was one time too many, and she had a breakdown.”

Piña’s ears folded back. “Oh.”

“Goldie held Apple Bloom while she cried. The rest of us tried to calm her down, but nothing we did helped. Applejack heard Apple Bloom crying and ran around the house to see what was wrong. We explained what had happened. Applejack took Bloom from Goldie, held her, and told her she could help by combing out her mane and tail.”

“That’s so sweet and so sad,” Piña said, sounding like she was fighting back tears. “I’m going to have to give Bloom a hug the next time I see her.”

There was a knock on the front door.

“That would be the rest of dinner,” Barrel said. “Stay still everypony. I’ll get the door.”

As Barrel got up and moved towards the door, Rain poked his head out from under Stormbreaker’s wing.

“Seems like somepony’s waking up,” Satin said.

“There he is!” Piña scooted out from between Coco and me and trotted over to the cloud chair. She leaned her head over the edge of the chair, almost touching her nose to Rain’s. “Hello little guy.”

Rain gave her a bleary look. After a second, his ears perked up, and he smiled. Still on his belly, he wiggled out from under Stormbreaker’s wing and hugged Piña around her neck.

“Aww!” Piña hugged Rain back and nuzzled him. “I’m glad to see you too.”

Barrel opened the front door, and cold air flowed into the room.

“Quick, inside!” Berry said. She, Pinch, Rumble, and Thunderlane darted inside, and Barrel shut the door behind them as if keeping a wild animal from sneaking in right on their tails.

“That was brisk,” Thunderlane said.

“I hope the food is still warm,” Berry said. She looked around and greeted us, “Hello everypony.” She smiled and shook her head when she looked at Piña. “Why am I not surprised?”

“Yep, ‘Auntie Piña’ is already trying to foalnap him,” Rumble said.

“Just remember, I get a turn,” Berry told Piña.

“Hold on!” Piña said, and half caught Rain as he tried to launch himself from the chair. “Let me help you down.”

The instant Rain’s hooves touched the floor, he ran to Rumble and hugged him.

“Hey- Ooof!” Rumble laughed and hugged Rain back. “You’re almost big enough to tackle me now.”

Rain let go of Rumble and hugged Pinch.

Pinch nuzzled his head and told him, “You better be ready. Mom’s been looking forward to seeing you.”

Without saying a word, Barrel took Berry’s saddlebags.

“Thank you,” Berry said. Rain reached up towards Berry with his hooves, and she scooped him up off the floor. “You are getting bigger!” She touched her nose to his. “You need to slow down a bit, or I won’t be able to pick you up.”

Thunderlane mussed up Rain’s mane with a hoof. “I’ve got to help unpack all the goodies, but I’ll be back to see you, little guy.”

“I’ll help too,” Stormbreaker said. “We really appreciate this.”

“We thought you could use a good meal, after having to do all that moving,” Berry said. She nuzzled Rain and then put him back on the floor. “And it gave us an excuse to come see this little guy.”

Rain wrapped his forelegs around Thunderlane’s leg.

“Why don’t I take your bags and help set up,” I said.

“Thanks, but you’ve been moving stuff around too. I’ve got this” Thunderlane looked down at Rain and gave an experimental shake of his leg.

Rain gave him a defiant look and did not let go.

I chuckled. “You sure about that?”

“He won’t let you go until he gets a hug,” Satin said.

Thunderlane looked back at me and smiled. “If you wouldn’t mind taking my saddlebags, so I give this little guy a hug back. I’d appreciate it.”

“Can do.”

*****

“Mmmm.” Barrel rolled over on his side and closed his eyes. “You have a talent.”

“Thank you, but I didn’t make it alone,” Satin said. “Storm helped.”

Stormbringer shook his head. “All I did was wrangle a couple of clouds. You did the hard parts.”

“If you ever decide to make these for sale, I want the first one for Berry and me,” Barrel said.

The sound of crying drew our attention.

“Somepony sounds fussy,” Stormbreaker said. He got off the love seat and walked toward the hallway.

Before he could get to the hall’s doorway, Piña, Pinch, and Rumble appeared and inadvertently blocked his path.

“We didn’t break him, I promise,” Piña said.

Stormbreaker chuckled, “I never thought you did. I’m not surprised he’s fussy. It’s getting close to his bedtime, and I’m sure playing used up what energy he had left.”

Berry, who was carrying Rain, appeared behind the foals. “Rumble said Rain calms down if you put him on the cloud chair.”

“I can understand that,” Barrel said. He sat up and then got off the cloud chair. “I had forgotten how nice cloud chairs were.” He patted the cloud chair with a hoof. “Come on. I’m sure the little guy will calm down with you.”

Berry hesitated and glanced at Satin and Stormbreaker. “I’m sure he’d be more comfortable with Satin or Storm.”

“Not at all,” Satin said. “He’ll snuggle and settle down with anypony, when he’s on the cloud chair.”

Berry’s expression brightened up. “Really?”

“If you don’t mind him being a little cranky until he falls asleep, hop on up,” Storm breaker said. “I’ll hold him for you until you get settled.”

Berry passed Rain to Stormbreaker and got on the cloud chair. “Come here, little one,” she said and took Rain back and tucked him against her. “There we go. Calm down. I know you’re tired. You can sleep now.”

Rain’s crying diminished, but he still seemed upset. He looked over at the trio of foals and got worked up again.

“Rain, what’s the matter?” Stormbreaker asked.

“We can help,” Piña said. “We do this with the nymphs all the time.”

“What do you do?” Coco asked.

“We nest with them to get them to settle down after we’ve visited,” Pinch said.

“Can we get up there with them?” Piña asked Satin.

“Sure, the chair can hold all of you with no trouble,” Satin said.

Rumble took to the air and then helped Piña and Pinch onto the chair. “How are we going to do this?”

“You’re up against him with a wing,” Piña said. “Pinch and I will figure where we go.”

“Got it.” Rumble made a gentle landing and settled down against Rain. “It’s okay if you need to nap, little guy. We won't leave you or be upset with you clocking out on us, I promise.”

Piña half lay down and curled around Rumble’s front, so he and Rain could use her side and shoulder as their pillows. Pinch curled around Rumble’s hind end so her chest touched Rain and used Berry’s side as a rest for her head.

“Relax, little one,” Berry said. She took in a slow breath and let it out. “Just like that. We’re right here, and not going anywhere.”

There was some wiggling, as they all got comfortable. By the end of their shifting around for mutual comfort, Rain was asleep.

“Five,” Barrel said.

Piña cut her eyes towards Barrel. “I’ll stay awake. I had a nap before everypony got here.”

“Riiight,” Pinch said.

“You certainly looked practiced doing that,” Stormbreaker said.

“We do it pretty often with the nymphs,” Rumble said. “When they get tired and need a nap, they get cranky. If we try to leave too quick, they get upset even more. If we nest with them until they go to sleep, they don’t feel as bad about us having to leave them.”

Pinch giggled. “Sometimes Coxa and Radius have to help us get loose from them after they fall asleep.”

“I think I need to put the commission in now,” Barrel said. “Judging by how happy Berry and the girls are, it would be worth whatever price you ask.”

Berry gave Barrel a curious look. “What are you talking about?”

“I told Satin that if she got into the business of making cloud chairs, we got the first one.”

Berry’s eyes lit up. “I second that!” she whispered with excitement.

“No pressure,” Stormbreaker kidded Satin. “You’ll only be breaking her heart if you said no.”

Satin laughed. “Considering I have six orders and I haven’t even gotten a business license, it would be crazy for me not to go into the cloud chair business. I just have to figure out what I’m going to do until I can invest the time needed for it.”

“What do you mean?” Berry asked.

“Until Rain gets to be school age, I hope to find something I can do to find my spot in Ponyville while spending time close to him without being on top of him.”

“You need to talk to Amethyst,” Pinch said. “She has a talent for helping ponies find where they need to be.”

“That’s a great idea,” Thunderlane said. “She knows everypony in town, and she helps ponies find where they need to be all the time. I can’t count the number of times she has helped Caramel go from one job to another.”

Rumble shook with suppressed laughter. “Two and a half,” he said.

Everypony paused and looked toward the cloud chair.

Piña had fallen asleep with her head resting on Berry and a hoof resting on Rain as if making sure he was still there.

“Between her and Dinky, it’s a wonder the nymphs ever let us leave,” Rumble said. “They’re like candy to them.”

Pinch perked at as if a thought had struck her. “Did Pinkie come by?”

“She did, and she delivered invitations to everypony,” Stormbreaker said. “How did you know she would visit us?”

“We’re working with her on the Extravaganza. She really wanted you, Satin, and Rain to be there.” She looked at me and Coco with expectant eyes. “You’re going to be there to help too, right?”

I glanced at Coco, who looked as confused as I was.

Pinch asked, “Did she give you your invitations?”

“We haven’t read them yet,” Coco answered. “We got distracted by a sleepy Rain.”

Pinch smiled and patted Rain’s back with a gentle hoof. “I can understand that. Why don’t you read them now?”

I levitated Coco’s and my invitations from the couch’s end table.

“Thank you,” Coco said and took her invitation from my magic.

I opened my invitation and unfolded the paper within. My eyebrows went up as I read. I looked at Coco, and she giggled at my expression.

“I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve ever gotten an invitation like this either,” she told me.

Stormbreaker gave us a curious look. “What is Pinkie up to this time?”

“We’re supposed to RSVP if we are going to attend the Extravaganza,” I said.

“That’s not unusual,” Stormbreaker said.

“We’re also supposed to RSVP if we would like to be part of the menu,” Coco said.

“What?!” Satin said.

Rain stirred, and Berry whispered little noises to him. He nuzzled closer to her and went right back to sleep.

“Sorry, I overreacted,” Satin said. She took a breath and then smiled at herself. “I get it now. They want you to provide love for the changeling guests.”

“It’s more than that,” Pinch said with an odd note in her voice. “They’re hoping that changelings still in Pharynx's group will come. With winter setting in, they could be in real trouble if they don’t get enough love. Changelings don’t do well in the cold.”

“How much trouble are we talking about?” Stormbreaker asked.

“We need ponies to provide love there, in case some changelings need love bad enough for it to be an emergency,” Rumble said. “We don’t know how many changelings may come, so we’re trying to get as many ponies who are friendly to changelings there as possible.”

“I thought the changelings could draw love from each other now,” Stormbreaker said.

“Some of them can, but not if they haven’t metamorphosed,” Pinch said. “We’re still trying to figure out why, but ponies are still the best source of love for them, even if they have.”

“Count us in,” Coco said, and I nodded.

“Us too,” Satin said.

“I think don’t think they will want you there as first aid providers,” Barrel said. “You’re guests.”

“We can’t go there and do nothing, knowing what’s happening,” Stormbreaker said.

“They may have nymphs with them,” Pinch said. “Pinkie’s getting together a group to help take care of them. Coxa and Cheerilee want foals and their parents together, so they will feel more at ease.”

“The Cakes, Barrel, and I have volunteered to help with the nymphs and foals,” Berry said. “I’m sure Muffins and Turner will be part of that list.”

“We will be too,” Satin said, taking Stormbreaker’s hoof with hers.

“Thank you,” Pinch said. “They may need all the help we can give them.”

*****

I locked the door and then turned to look at Coco, who was examining our store’s new display. I could not help but smile at the look of contemplation on her face, the slight tilt of her head, and the way her right ear would change its angle as she thought. Even the clouds of her breath were cute and seemed to carry hints of her personality with them.

She must have felt my eyes on her. She turned her head toward me and titled it a bit more. “What is it?”

“Nothing,” I said. “I’m just admiring you.”

“I’m not doing anything special. I’m standing here looking at the display.”

“It doesn’t matter. You’re precious, no matter what you’re doing.”

Coco smiled and shook her head. “You silly pony.”

I moved to stand by her and looked at the display. “It looks good. Two ponies on a winter walk together with complementing outfits is perfect for this time of year.”

Her ear flicked. “Is it too much?”

“Not at all.” I leaned so my head touched hers. “The major question for me is, did you have fun while we made it?”

“I did.”

“I did too.”

Coco took my tail with hers. For a couple of moments, we stood there studying the display, with the mists of our breaths come together, making patterns in the air.

Coco altered her breathing, deliberately changing the way the clouds of our breaths interacted. Tilting my head a bit, out of the corner of my eye, I could see her look of playful concentration.

Despite trying not to, I chuckled.

“Stop laughing and keep breathing,” Coco said and gave me a bump with her shoulder. “I was getting the rhythm down.”

“Let me try something.” I slowed my exhalations, putting out as much warm, misty air as I could.

Coco tried a variety of techniques with her breathing, from quick puffs and normal breathing to almost musical rhythms. She settled on taking long breaths with me, letting our misty breaths weave and dance together naturally.

After a few more combined breaths, Coco leaned against me. “I’m going to have to work on my breathing exercises some more. I’m getting dizzy.”

“I am too,” I said and then nuzzled her mane. “I love you.”

“I know.” She turned her head and touched her nose to mine. “I love you too.”

“You two are too cute!” Berry said.

Coco and I started apart at her voice.

“If we sneaked up on you, you two really were in your own world,” Barrel said. “What were you doing?”

“Looking at the display,” I answered.

“Not that,” Berry said. “You were playing dragons or something.”

“We were just being silly with our breaths,” Coco said.

“Looked like fun to me.” Barrel grinned and asked me, “It’s wonderful when you’ve found the mare of your life, isn’t it?”

I smiled and nodded. “It is.”

Berry gave Barrel a look. “Going for bonus points?”

“Don’t act like you don’t enjoy it when I do.” Barrel nuzzled Berry’s ear amorously. “Besides, you know I’ll take any opportunity I can to score with you.”

Berry blushed. “Barrel!” She gave his shoulder a thump with her hoof. “Behave!”

“Why don’t we get going before Barrel gets himself into trouble?” I asked Coco.

Coco nodded. “I think that is a good idea.”

When we arrived, every light in Town Hall seemed to be lit and we could see silhouettes of the party-preppers through the ground-floor windows.

“Did she invite half of Ponyville to this?” Coco asked.

Berry smirked. “Knowing Pinkie, she probably did.”

We made our way up the Town Hall’s front stairs, and Barrel opened the door for us. A wave of warm air carrying scents of food and spiced winter punch greeted us as we walked in.

“It smells like they got the punch to the right temperature. I need to give a taste to make sure, though.” Berry looked around the room. “Where did they put the punch bowl?”

“You tested the punch three times before we put it in the barrels this morning,” Barrel reminded her. “It’s fine. Pinkie knows what’s she’s doing.”

“But what if-” before she could finish, a voice cut her off.

“There’s Mom!” Pinch wove through the crowd and went straight to Berry. “We were looking for you.”

Berry tensed. “Is something wrong?”

Pinch giggled. “Only a little.”

Dinky, Piña, and Noi appeared from the crowd and stood by Pinch.

“Miss Berry, can you help us get… Hee, hee, hee.” Noi’s words dissolved into laughter, and Piña gave her a nasty look.

“It’s not funny,” Piña said.

“Yes, it is,” Dinky said, and then giggled.

Berry, looking bemused, turned to Pinch and asked, “What’s going on?”

“Rumble’s been ‘borrowed’ by Vanessa,” Pinch said.

“We’re supposed to be helping Amethyst, Cheerilee, and Muffins set up to be ready for the nymphs, but Vanessa keeps hogging him and they’re too busy to help us get him back,” Piña complained.

Berry’s ears went up. “Where are they?”

Piña pointed towards the back of the hall with more emphasis. “We’re in one of the meeting rooms.”

“Got it,” Berry said and then made hasty steps toward the rear of the Hall.

As soon as Berry was out of earshot, Noi started giggling again. “At least the plan worked.”

“Rumble getting coltnapped, again, was not part of the plan,” Piña groused.

“Since it got you to react this way, it certainly helped,” Pinch said. “It made your acting more genuine. I’ve got a feeling that’s why Vanessa grabbed him and made a scene about keeping him.”

Noi bumped shoulders with Piña in a reassuring way. “Berry’s going to grab Vanessa like she grabbed Rumble, knowing your sis, so we’ll get him back pretty quick.”

“You’re probably right.” Piña cracked a smile. “Come on. Let’s follow Sis, or we’ll to save Vanessa instead of Rumble.”

After waving goodbye to us, Noi and Piña trotted after Berry.

“Perfect timing,” Turner complemented Pinch, as he joined us from the crowd. “If you hadn’t intercepted her, I’m sure Berry would have had been at the punch station by now.”

“I take it you set this up?” I asked.

“I had a small part in it, but Pinkie was the mastermind who knew Berry would need a distraction, or she’d be ‘testing’ the punch to make sure we had followed her directions. However, I am more involved in another machination.” He turned and waved a hoof at somepony I could not see. “I was told I was to signal when you and Miss Coco arrived.”

“Signal who?”

“There you are!” Rarity’s enthusiastic greeting turned changeling’s and ponies’ heads. She hugged Coco and told her, “I kept telling Lily there was no way you two would not be here.”

I glanced at Turner. “You knew when we were going to arrive?”

He shrugged and gave me a grin. “I made an educated guess.”

Rarity embracing me drew my attention away from Turner. “Hello, Rarity,” I greeted, as I returned her hug.

“If you two don’t come and see Lily, I think she’ll have a come-a-part.” She let go and motioned for Coco and me to follow her. “She’s over here.”

Our group wove our way through the sparse crowd to where Coxa, Junebug, Osima, Radius, and Spiracle were.

Coco waved as we approached. “Hello everypony.”

“You’re here!” Osima cheered. “Turner said you would get here right on time.”

“I’m glad to see you’re looking much better,” I told Osima.

“Thanks to you two and everypony else,” Osima said.

“Just remember to take it easy with them tonight,” Spiracle joked. “You’ve been pushing yourself, and we don’t want to need to load you up in a wagon to get you home again because you can’t help yourself and take a double serving again.”

“Spiracle!” Osima said through clenched teeth. She turned back to us and smiled. “Ignore his comment, please.”

“We can’t ignore that,” I said. “What did he mean?”

“When you were saying nice things about Coco, while we were going up the stairs that night, you gave off love and she gave off love at your complements,” she explained. “I was planning to take some love, but with as much as you two put off together, it was too much for me to process.”

Coco gave a light gasp and covered her mouth with her hoof. “We’re the ones who made you pass out?!”

“Quit feeling guilty,” Osima insisted. “It’s not as if you two planned to make me faint.”

“Speaking of which, we would like to ask you two a favor,” Rarity said. Osima made a noise of protest, but Rarity acted as if she had not heard. “Lily’s in need of love.”

Coco, her ears folded with concern, asked Spiracle, “Is she having trouble recovering?”

“She bounced back well, but she’s been pushing herself, helping to set this evening up,” Spiracle told her. “She’s also been giving her reserves away to help her contacts in Pharynx's camp.”

“They needed the love,” Osima said.

Rarity told us, “Thunderlane and I would have been glad to have donated, but he’s off with the Wonderbolts for the next couple of weeks.”

“Since you helped Vanessa, we were hoping you wouldn’t mind helping Osima too,” Radius said.

“Of course,” I said just as Coco said, “We be glad to.”

“We knew you would,” Junebug said.

I finally noted Junebug’s mane had a braid in it and she had a lily tucked behind her ear.

“Congratulations,” I told her.

“Oh! Thank you.” She blushed and gave Radius a sweet look. “Radi surprised me and asked me if I would like to make things formal the other day.”

“He told us you and Coco gave him a guide on how to conduct a ‘Ponyville courtship’,” Rarity said.

“It’s worked pretty well so far,” Radius said.

Junebug took Radius’ tail with hers and assured him, “It’s been fantastic.”

Several changelings stopped and looked at them.

“They’re dating?” somepony whispered.

“They’re in love!”A changeling responded. “Can’t you taste… oh. Sorry.”

Junebug and Radius both blushed at the surrounding whispers.

The sound of the Hall’s main door opening caught my ear. The uneasy reaction to it from those around us made me pause. There was a ripple of unspoken communication among the changelings, and many turned their heads towards the entrance. The ponies near the Hall’s entrance also grew quiet, and a feeling of unease spread through the room.

Rarity glanced around, looking concerned. “Lily, what’s happening?”

Coxa leaned down and whispered something in Pinch’s ear. Pinch nodded and trotted away from us.

The sudden silence of the room, somepony said, “They were right, this was a mistake.”

“Nonsense!” Tuner said to somepony I could not see. “You are welcome here. You are Miss Osima’s friends, are you not?”

“It’s okay!” With a burst of green fire, Osima dropped her pony appearance. She stood in her natural form with a disarming calmness. “I’m over here with Coxa and Spiracle.”

Four ponies, two mares and two stallions I did not recognize, made their way through the ponies around us and approached Osima.

“You’re here!” Osima cheered. She trotted forward and hugged one mare. “I’m so glad.” After getting a hug from the mare, Osima looked at the other newcomers. Her ears pinned back, and she looked worried. “Where are the others?”

“They stopped on the way here,” one stallion said. “We took a break to eat and warm up a bit, and they got into a debate about whether they should come here or push on to the Hive.”

“Those hardheaded mules!” Osima said. “I told them to come here first, even if they didn’t want to stay!”

“Ozzy, calm down,” Coxa said. “We knew this might happen. With as generous as the invitation was, and us being so close to ponies now, I’m sure there were suspicions of this being some kind of trap.”

“I don’t care if this is a trap,” the mare that Osima was not hugging said. “Are my nymphs really here?”

Osima gave the mare a scathing look. “Do you think I lied about that as part of some kind of twisted scheme to lure you here? What kind of monster do you think I am?”

“I didn’t mean it like that!” the mare said. “There’s a part of me that still won’t dare believe they’re alive.”

Radius seemed dumbstruck. “Mom?”

“We’re here!” Gena announced, as she, Cubitus, Kevin, Pinch, and Rumble trotted up to Coxa. As if sensing the tension in the air, she stopped and glanced around with concern. “What’s going on?”

“Gena?” the mare asked, with tears in her voice.

“Mom?!” Cubitus asked.

“Cubi?!” Green flames rushed over the mare, revealing her true changeling form. “It’s me!”

“You’re here!” Cubitus cheered. With Gena and Kevin on each of his sides, he rushed over and hugged the changeling.

“Ooof!” The mare grunted as the trio knocked her on her haunches with the combined force of their hugs.

“Elly!” Gena nuzzled into the mare. “Osima said you she had talked to you about coming to Ponyville. I’m so glad you did.”

Dinky looked up at Radius. “Who is she?”

Radius swallowed back his emotions and told us, “Everypony, this is Cubi’s and my mom, Elytra.”

Elytra looked down at Kevin. “Is that you, Kevin?”

Kevin nodded and sniffed. “It’s me.”

“You’re here.” Elytra pulled the three nymphs closer to her as tears went down her face. You’re all here.”

The sound of frantic hooves came from the back of the Hall.

“Worried ponies coming through!” Berry shouted. “Clear a path!”

Vanessa hurried past the changelings and ponies who stepped aside for her and Berry. “I don’t know what’s going on, but if something happened to our-” She stopped and gasped. “Elytra!”

“Hello, Ness,” Elytra greeted.

“You made it!” Vanessa ran over and hugged Elytra from behind.

Berry moved to stand by Barrel. “What is going on?” she asked him.

“A family reunion,” Barrel answered.

Cubitus looked toward towards one stallion. “Dad?”

The stallion grinned. “It’s me.”

“You three can drop the act now,” Spiracle said with authority.

Without hesitation, the other three dropped their pony disguises.

Osima snorted. “For somebuggy who just said he wasn’t an officer anymore, that sounded like a command to me.”

“I’m not an officer.” Spiracle grinned. “That doesn’t mean I have to give up my officer’s voice.”

“We surrender.” The changeling stallion standing next to the unnamed mare stepped forward. “If you want to arrest us, fine, but she needs love,” he said with desperation in his voice. “She’s nearly loved starved, and-”

“Calm down!” Spiracle said and held up his hoof. “Nopony needs to surrender to anypony, and nobuggy is being arrested. If any of you need love, I’m sure we can ask our friends to provide enough for you.” He gestured to us ponies, “That’s why they volunteered to be here.”

The stallion stared at Spiracle with disbelief. “They what?”

“He’s saying you can ask us ponies for the love you need for yourselves and have enough for leftovers,” Turner said. “If the situation is bad back with the others, you will be more than welcome to take some back home to your camp.”

“That miserable ‘camp’ is not home!” the mare said. She seemed shocked at her own outburst and then ashamed. Her ears folded back as she looked at the floor. “I’m sorry.”

Vannesa went to the changeling and gave her a hug. She signaled to Dinky. “Get in here, Dinks. She needs a boost.”

The changeling looked down at Dinky with disbelief as Dinky hugged her.

“Tibia, this is Dinky,” Vanessa introduced.

“She’s wonderful,” Gena said.

“Hello,” Tibia said to Dinky. “I’m Tibia, and the stallion with me is my mate, Rhabdom.”

A hoof settled on my shoulder, making me jump.

“Sorry!” Satin said. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I saw you and Coco and everypony together, and it seemed serious.”

I gave Satin a quick summation of what had happened, while Coxa and Spiracle talked with Rhabdom and the other changelings from Pharynx's separatists.

“We can just ask?” Tibia said, making my ear pivot towards her. “He and Ozzy aren’t exaggerating?”

“They gave me love for days, until I felt better,” Vanessa said while pointing a hoof in Coco’s and my direction. “They and Berry and Barrel have visited Sanctuary and given love to the nymphs and to those who need it, and so have Muffins and Turner. There have been others too, but I don’t know them as well.”

Tibia looked around at those of us as if trying to decide who to speak to.

Rhabdom stepped towards us and said. “Please, she needs love. I’ll do whatever you want to pay you back, but please help her.”

Vanessa gave Tibia a quick look over. “She could use some love, but she’s not in terrible shape. You’re in worse shape than she is.”

“I gave her my reserves,” Rhabdom said. “She needed them.”

Vanessa gave him a concerned look. “Rhab, what’s going on that has you so worried about her?”

Osima laughed. “Ness, you should know this one. Two young changelings, recently paired, in a stressful situation and needed comfort from each other.”

Piña’s ears went up, and she smiled with delight.

Kevin scooted away from Piña as Cubitus leaned towards her.

“I take it you’ve got an idea of what is going on,” Gena said.

“She’s pregnant,” Piña said.

“That’s it, isn’t it?” Junebug said. She looked to Tibia and smiled. “Congratulations!”

“Piña, behave,” Noi said and then gave her a restraining hug.

“Same goes for you,” Barrel said and hugged Berry to his side.

Berry looked up at her husband. “We’re giving them love.”

Barrel laughed. “Of course. Be glad to.”

“Now that’s settled...” Spiracle said and looked toward Tarsus. “You can signal the others to come in.”

Tarsus feigned ignorance. “I have no clue what you are talking about.”

“They’re out there in the cold, when there is no reason for them to be,” Spiracle said with a touch of force. “If this was a trap, we would have sprung it by now.”

“Tarsus!” Osima growled. “You lied!”

Tarsus winced. “I bent the truth a little. We had to be sure it was safe. They could have forced you to lure us in somehow.”

“You know me! If somebuggy was putting pressure on me, I would have told you or signaled!”

“As the ranking officer, it’s my responsibility to make sure everybuggy is safe,” Tarsus said with conviction.

Osima gave a humorless laugh. “We’re deserters, Tar. Don’t pull that ‘rank’ horse s-”

“Language!” Elytra warned, trying to cover the foals’ ears she could reach with her hooves and forelegs.

“Lily, darling, don’t take it personally,” Rarity said in a soothing tone. “I believe you would have done the same.”

After a second, Osima gave a begrudging nod. “I would have.”

Pinch looked up at Spiracle and asked, “How did you know they were out there watching for a signal?”

“It’s standard procedure when facing risky situations to send a scout or two before committing everypony to an action,” he answered.

“I’ll step outside and give the signal,” Tarsus said.

“Take Cubitus with you,” Elytra said, letting the nymphs go. “If they see him, they’ll know it’s safe.”

“Can do.” Tarsus patted Cubitus’ back. “It’s good to have you back.”

“Thanks,” Cubitus responded, as the duo walked towards the Hall’s entrance.

Dinky’s ears fell a bit. “They didn’t hug.”

“We’ll fix that,” Gena assured her.

“Considering most changelings have next to nothing to do with their nymphs, that greeting was pretty big,” Kevin said. “Remember, you’ve met the ‘softies’ and ‘weirdos’ of the Hive. Most changelings aren’t like us.”

Pinch leaned against Kevin and smiled. “They might not have appreciated you, but I like my softie weirdo friends.”

“Yep!” Dinky said and hugged Gena.

Vanessa gave Rumble a teasing look. “Looks like I’ll have to ‘borrow’ you for a hug again to keep with the theme.”

Before Rumble could respond, Piña hugged him to herself. “We get him back for a little while.”

“You get a hug, though,” Noi said and hugged Vanessa.

Vanessa giggled and returned Noi’s hug. “Thanks.”

Elytra, Tibia, and Rhabdom stared at the foals and nymphs with fascinated surprise.

“I told you they were getting along with the foals,” Osima said.

The Town Hall’s front doors opening wide brought the conversation to a halt.

Gena pranced in place. “How many came?”

Osima’s ears fell. “Not as many as I had hoped.”

“They have nymphs with them!” Pinch said.

Of the group of about thirty changelings, all of whom were in pony disguises, four were nymphs about Gena, Cubitus, and Kevin’s age, and there was one that seemed closer to Vanessa’s age.

“Many of those of us who left the camp are going to head back to the Hive,” Elytra said. “Our group is hoping to start clean in a new place.”

Coxa hugged Elytra and told her, “You are all welcome to live with us in Sanctuary, if that is what you decide.”

Elytra’s broke down a bit when she told Coxa, “Thank you.”

The Hall fell into a happy chaos. I smiled as I saw that most of the adult newcomer changelings had at least one changeling from Sanctuary who was glad to see them. For a couple of moments, the new nymphs did not seem to know what to do.

“There’s Ozzy!” the oldest of the nymphs said. “I told you she would be here.”

“What about Nessy?” one of the younger nymphs asked. “Where is she?”

“I’m right here, Aperta,” Vanessa said and waved. “I look different, but it’s still me.”

“Nessy!” Aperta dashed over to Vanessa and hugged her. “We were so worried!”

“I’m fine, thanks to my new friends,” Vanessa said. “They gave all the love I needed and more.”

The other nymphs came closer to our group with unsure steps.

“They don’t bite,” Gena said and dropped her filly form. “Cubi, show them.”

Cubitus changed into his natural form and nodded. “No danger here at all.”

“Could you please turn into your normal forms?” Coxa said to the new nymphs. “I’d like to see how you are doing.”

“Coxa!” Aperta cheered. “Ozzy was right! You’re here too!”

Osima stuck her nose in the air. “I do not provide bad intel,” she said in a playful tone.

The young changelings dropped their disguises, and Coxa looked them over with a critical eye.

“How are they?” Berry asked. “They look a little gray to me.”

“They could do with some love, but they will be fine,” Coxa said. She looked at Vanessa and chided, “You made me worry when you said you didn’t do right by them.”

“She did great!” the oldest of the nymphs said. “She kept us safe and gave us every scrap of love she could. That’s why she got sick.” His ears pinned back. “We were worried she didn’t make it until Ozzy said she was okay.”

Berry made as if to move, but Barrel put a foreleg around Berry’s shoulder to restrain her. “Sweetie, you can’t grab him up.”

“But look at him!” Berry protested.

“She feels like she really wants to make him feel better,” one nymph whispered. “Or am I going crazy?”

“You’re not going crazy,” Kevin assured.

“This is Miss Berry,” Vanessa said. “She’s been looking forward to giving love to a nymph that needs it. Could one of you give her a hug for me?” The nymphs all gave Vanessa shocked looks, and she giggled. “I’m serious.”

The nymphs glanced at each other with uncertainty.

“One of you needs to volunteer, or I’m going to let her grab whichever one of you up she wants,” Vanessa said.

The oldest of the nymphs stepped forward.

“Thank you, Hemaris,” Vanessa said.

Barrel let go of Berry, and she took slow, nonthreatening steps toward the nymphs and then sat down. “I’m not the only one who wants to help you. There’s a group of us who volunteered to be here to give you love, if you needed it. We have a room set up in the back for you if you need some quiet time so you can rest and get the love you need.” She held out her forelegs toward Hemaris. “Can I give you that hug now?”

Hemaris nodded and trotted to Berry. For a second, he had a look of surprise as Berry embraced him. Then, he closed his eyes, put his head on her, and cried.”

One nymph sniffed. “I want a hug and some love, too.”

A gray and blond streak went straight for the younger nymph and hugged her.

“If you ever need a hug or love, you just find me and ask,” Dinky told the nymph. “I’ll be glad to give them to you.”

After getting over her shock at being hugged, the nymph sniffed and hugged Dinky back. “Thank you.”

“Dinky, she should at least know your name before you…” Turner let his words trail off and then sighed with a smile. “At least she asked for a hug first. I have to commend you on that.”

Gena looked at the space that Dinky had occupied in wonderment. “How did she move that fast?”

Cubitus grinned. “I don’t know, but it was impressive.”

*****

“This turned into a much larger event than I thought it would be,” Stormbreaker said, as he sat down with Cranky, Radius, and me.

“It did!” Radius raised his glass. “I’m so glad the changelings from Pharynx's group are here, safe and sound. Winter is rough on us changelings. The one positive there was about the badlands was that it didn’t get cold enough for it to be dangerous to us. With them out in the wilds somewhere, I’ve been worried about them.”

“Can’t you turn into yaks or something else woolly?” Cranky asked. “That would keep you warm enough.”

Radius shook his head. “Changing our forms that much uses up too much energy. While we would be warmer, we would need to take in more love to offset the magic we would be using.”

Cranky guffawed. “Seems to me like your abilities cause more problems than they solve.”

“In some ways, I can’t argue with that.” Radius looked around the room and smiled. “However, I wouldn’t trade them for the world. Right now I can feel all the happiness, the relief, and the hope of the changelings and ponies around us. It’s wonderful in a way I can’t adequately describe. The closest thing I can compare it to is an emotional version of music.”

Stormbreaker gave Radius a grin. “You wouldn’t be able to appreciate Junebug like you do either.”

Radius blushed. “That’s true too.”

“Speaking of mares,” Cranky looked around and then grunted as if confirming something. “I believe we’re in for a bit of trouble.”

“What do you mean?” I scanned the room, looking for anything that would indicate something was amiss. “Everypony seems to be relaxed and having a good time.”

“How long has it been since we’ve seen any of our ladies?” Cranky asked.

I thought about it for a second and realized I was not sure. “Umm… A few minutes.”

“Try close to half an hour,” Cranky said and took a long sip of his drink. “Do you see them in the room right now?”

I looked around again. “I don’t.”

“I don’t see Coxa, Elytra, Osima, Vanessa, or Spiracle either,” Radius said.

Stormbreaker laughed. “I think Cranky is right. The party is supposed to be winding down soon, and several of the key ponies involved are nowhere to be seen.”

A flash of a well-styled mane caught my eye. “Wait a second, there’s Rarity. She looks like he’s looking for somepony.”

Cranky grunted. “I’ll bet it’s one of us or all of us.”

“Rarity!” I waved to get her attention. “We’re over here.”

Rarity smiled and waved back. She wove her way to our table with a winsome smile.

Cranky gave Rarity a knowing look. “They picked you as the messenger, didn’t they?”

“I volunteered, actually,” Rarity said. “Setting that aside, how did you know I was looking for you on behalf of somepony else?”

“Call it a hunch,” Cranky said with a wry smile of his own. “Where are they wanting us?”

“In the first meeting room, where you donated love to the changeling newcomers,” Rarity said.

“So there was some kind of meeting we didn’t know about,” Cranky sighed. “Be honest with me. How much trouble are we in for?”

Rarity laughed. “None whatsoever. They wanted other ponies' opinions and or concerns before they put their plans into motion, though.”

Cranky raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like we better go see what’s going on.” He finished his drink and stepped back from the table. “Come on, you lot. Let's find out what we’re getting dragged into this time.”

“It’s nothing too onerous, I assure you.” Rarity led us to one of the meeting rooms in the back of the Hall. The furniture had been pushed to the back of the room to make space for changeling style nests of blankets and quilts to be put on the floor.

“There you are!” Matilda greeted us. She patted the empty spot beside her. “Sit with me, dear.”

“Of course,” Cranky said and joined her.

Radius went to the nest Junebug occupied, Stormbreaker went to lie down beside Satin, and I joined Coco in hers.

“What’s going on?” I asked as I nestled down beside her.

“Hold that question until I get back,” Rarity said. “There is one more pony I need to gather before we can convene.”

“Thank you, Rarity,” Coxa said. “I hope you could talk some sense into her.”

“I will do my best. If I cannot get her to see reason, I believe I know who can.” Rarity strode with confidence into the hallway and out of sight.

I waved at Amethyst, Cheerilee, and Royal Riff, who were occupying a nest together. “Hello! Sorry, we seem to have missed each other tonight until now.”

“Everypony’s been busy,” Amethyst said. “But don’t worry, we’ll have more time to visit soon if everything goes as planned.”

“What is being planned?” Cranky asked.

Before she could answer, a ruckus from the hallway cut our conversation short.

“You are all worrying over nothing,” I heard Osima protest. “I’m fine!”

“You are not ‘fine’!” Vanessa said. “You’re still recovering, and you've given too much love away again.”

“Gathering and giving love to those who need it is my job! The changelings from the camp needed love, and I had it to give, so I gave it to them. Some of them are not comfortable taking love from ponies openly, so I gave them an alternative.”

I had to smother a laugh as Vanessa physically dragged Osima through the doorway by her hoof.

“That was your job,” Vanessa countered. “Besides, I know you’re still weak, because I can pull you along like this.”

“Vanessa, darling, I know you three are trying to help, but your methods are a bit more… uncouth than I was expecting when I asked for your help,” Rarity said, as she entered the room behind them.

With a grunt, Vanessa pulled Osima further into the room. “If you think so, then levitate her for me. Once she’s in the air, I’ll grab her tail and pull her along like a balloon.”

Not pausing in her efforts to resist Vanessa, Osima made an offended sound, and then gave Rarity a stern look. “Rarity, you’re a dear friend, but if you levitate me, I will have some strong words for you.”

Coxa burst out laughing. Spiracle, who sat beside her, sighed and put a hoof to his forehead.

Rarity only let a hint of a smile through her mask of polite composure. “What I meant was that I believe you are using the stick far too much when a carrot might work.” She looked at Coco and me and made a grand gesture in our direction. “Lily, if you join us for a few minutes, we’ll see if you can sit with Coco and Pin and have some of their love.”

Osima paused in her struggle and looked toward Coco and me.

Rarity gave Coco and me a wink. “Surely they wouldn’t mind proving a little more love this evening.”

“Not at all!’ Coco said.

I nodded in agreement. “Be glad too.”

Osima cut her eyes at Rarity and snorted. “Are trying to bribe me?”

“Of course I am.” Rarity smirked. “Did it work?”

“It did.” Osima patted Vanessa’s shoulder with her free hoof, as if tapping out. “You can let go now. I’m not going to bolt for it.”

Vanessa shook her head. “Let’s get you settled first.”

“Someone’s feeling their oats,” Osima said while allowing Vanessa to guide her towards us. “When I get my hooves back under me, we’re going to have to have a rematch.”

Without thinking, I moved to make space so Coco and I could shift over in the nest for Osima.

“What are you doing?” Rarity asked.

“Moving so she can have a spot with us,” I responded.

“Mister Pin, it works better if you are in contact with Miss Coco,” Vanessa said, as if she expected me to know that.

I looked to my right, where there was space left in the nest, and my ears snapped back.

“Pin, what has gotten into you?” Rarity asked. “Lily does not bite.”

Osima looked hurt. “Do you not want to give me love?”

“That’s not it at all!” I said. “I’m just… Not sure how we’re going to arrange this if I don’t move.”

Vanessa gave me a confused look. “What’s with all the weird emotions I’m getting from you?”

I blushed at the attention I was getting from everypony in the room. “Well...”

“Being a stallion between two mares can be intimating to a stallion, if he is not familiar with both of them,” Riff said, from his spot between Cheerilee and Amethyst.

“Thank you!” I told him.

“That’s what this is about?” Vanessa said. “You never had trouble like this when I visited. Sure, I never sat right beside you, but this seems a little much for such a slight difference.”

Satin made a noise to get Osima’s and Vanessa’s attention. “Please don’t take offense at his behavior. My brother spent a decent portion of his foalhood in Canterlot and in a strict boarding school. The rules about interactions between ponies there can be obtuse and old-fashioned, especially when interactions between mares and stallions are involved.”

Osima gave herself a mock blow to the side of her head with a hoof. “I should have remembered! Rarity told me he’s part Canterlotian.”

My eyebrow went up at her words. “I can’t say I remember ever being described as ‘part Canterlotian’ before.”

Rarity tittered. “I think the description is rather fitting.”

“What’s that have to do with anything?” Radius asked.

“Since he and Coco have gone through their courtship, there are certain protocols I must adhere to,” Osima said. She tuned to Coco and gave a polite bow of her head. “Coco, may I share your stallion for a few minutes?”

“Of course you can.” Coco put a hoof on my shoulder and applied a bit of pressure. “It’s fine Pin. Be nice and cuddly for her, please.”

The playful look in Coco’s eyes and her smile made my chest warm. I settled back down on the nest so my side touched hers. “I’ll do my best, but you have me beat with being cuddly.”

“I might have to test that some other time,” Osima said. She settled down beside me, leaving a small gap between her and me. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” I said.

Coco took my hoof with hers and leaned her head against me. I closed my eyes, savored the contact, and let my affection for Coco flow.

“You two are scrumptious,” Osima said and closed her eyes. She leaned against me and murmured, “And you have the best coat I’ve ever felt on a stallion.”

I felt my blush go all the way to the tips of my ears.

Vanessa sighed. “If you had just agreed to come, you could have been enjoying them sooner.”

“I had to make sure the others from the camp were settling in and they had enough love,” Osima said.

“They are fine, and all they have to do is ask for love,” Vanessa said. “The faster they learn that, the better. This time, you need to put you first.”

Osima snorted with good humor. “This from the changeling who became love drained because she gave her rations of love to the nymphs she had taken upon herself to look after.”

“Ladies, please,” Coxa said, sounding as if she was trying not to laugh. “We need to have our quick meeting and then clean up.”

As if taking Coxa’s words as a signal, Matilda sat up to her full high and spoke to all of us. “Thank you for coming. To make a long conversation short, Cheerilee, Coxa, Radius and I have been talking about an off the hoof comment that Twilight Sparkle said to Radius when she visited him for one of their research sessions. She believes changelings need to learn about pony culture and history and ponies need to learn about their history to make the process of us learning to live together easier.”

“When Radius told me what Twilight had said, I agreed with her,” Coxa said. “The issue with that is we do not have a ‘culture’ like ponies do,” Coxa said. “While we have stories, almost of our tales are about the triumphs of the Hive and of previous military exploits. Since Radius knows the ponies of Ponyville well, I tasked him with finding anyone who could help us get past this stumbling block.”

“I remembered Matilda studied and taught about cultures and reached out to her,” Radius said. “She was an invaluable source of information, but her understanding was far too advanced to be made easily accessible to the changelings that had not had training in the basics of pony culture like us infiltrators. So, after a quick discussion, we turned Cheerilee for help since we knew she would know more approachable ways to teach pony culture to others.”

Cheerilee slipped into her teacher’s persona as she addressed us. “I thought their idea was brilliant. After a little brainstorming with them, we came up with a possible solution. However, it will not be a simple thing to get to work.”

“They came and spoke with me and Spiracle, and we both agreed that their plan was sound, but would require expertise and resources,” Coxa said. She seemed to steel herself and said, “We wanted to reach out to the ponies in the room to see if anypony would be interested in helping us, before we committed any more time to the plan.”

There was a long, unsure pause, and Rarity gave a polite cough behind her hoof. “Darling, I believe this is the part where you give us a few more details so we can decide.”

“We want to put on a series of plays for the changelings of Sanctuary and, if all goes well, a couple for the Hive itself,” Coxa said.

Coco’s ears snapped up, and she leaned forward like a cat waiting to pounce.

I managed to keep my chuckle internal, but I knew that both Coco and Osima could feel it through my sides. “I take it you didn’t know what they were planning,” I whispered.

“Not at all,” Coco whispered back. “I got here a couple of minutes before you did.”

“Somepony is excited,” Osima teased.

“We wanted to ask if any of you would like to help...” Coxa paused and smiled at Coco and my raised hooves. “...us pull things together.”

Rarity, with much more restraint, raised her hoof.

Satin and Stormbreaker exchanged a couple of whispers and then both raised their hooves.

Cranky grumbled something and raised his hoof.

Matilda giggled. “Thank you, dear.”

Coco gave me a curious look. “Why did you raise your hoof that fast?”

“I knew it would make you happy, and you have given me an appreciation for the theater.” I smiled at her. “It sounds like fun too.”

Coco kissed my nose. “Thank you.”

Osima giggled, sounding drunk. “You two are delicious and too precious. We're going to have to do this more often.”