The chariot landed smoothly just at the outskirts of Ponyville. The place hadn’t changed much since the last time I visited here months ago, when I serviced probably my favorite in-heat customer—Cheerilee, a school teacher. It was also the time when I first met Rarity.

It was a bit odd to be back here again. I had been avoiding this town since that whole debacle in Neighagra, where I met Sea Swirl. She was a lonely mare who grew up with an awful life thanks to some darker aspects of Equestrian culture, which made her blame comfort horses, the equivalent of stallion escorts. She took out her anger on me. On some level, I felt she was justified in doing so, but when she—

I closed my eyes and took a breath. I hadn’t fully forgiven her, even if I did ask Rarity to talk on Sea Swirl’s behalf when she faced Equestrian courts, but thinking of her just reminded me of her actions.

I walked towards the entrance of the town, which now sported a nice gate that welcomed newcomers to the town with bright, happy colors. It was almost noon, and it seems everybody was out and about, chatting happily away as they made their way towards whatever destination they were going to. I noticed a lot more unfinished buildings, with humans dressed in construction clothes, probably out in their lunch breaks, chatting with their pony counterparts.

Passing them, I came to the bridge that connected to the center of Ponyville. Like the time I first came here, there were vendors selling all sorts of wares ranging from vegetables, fruits, and even the odd trinket here and there around the town hall. What changed though was seeing more humans in the mix, not buying, but behind the counters, calling for others to approach. Maybe it’s just me, but I thought it looked much better than what I’d find in a McDonalds. It had that timeless appeal, with a person using their own words and amiability to sell things instead of letting a faceless corporation do it for them.

I spotted a familiar red-coated stallion, and had to double-check for his sister. When she was nowhere in sight, I approached him.

“Good morning,” the stallion said deeply.

I looked at him for a moment, wondering if he recognized me. If he did, he didn’t seem to act like it. I greeted back, “Hey,” and started looking at the wares of his stall. “I’m going to need three apples,” I began, then pointed at a bunch of apples stuck on a stick and covered in plastic. “Are those candied apples?”

“Eeyup,” was his reply.

“I’ll take three of those.”

With quick efficiency, the stallion wordlessly packed three red fruits in a paper bag, and placed the three candied apples in another on top. After paying him, I gave him a smile and said, “Have a good day.”

He smiled back. “You too.”

I continued on my way, passing by that odd building that looked like a cupcake, before I came in sight of Carousel Boutique, Rarity’s shop. It had expanded a bit more than the last time I came here. It still had that basic shape—a half tent with a carousel on top—though now she’d added a rectangular structure beside it, connected by a covered hallway. I wondered if I’d get a chance later to ask what it was.

I heard some voices behind the door. I reminded myself of some of the basics, like not smiling with teeth showing, double-checking myself to make sure to look presentable. I smoothed out the sleeves on my brown jacket, made sure there wasn’t any dirt on my white shirt. I took a breath, then opened the door.

I hit someone.

“Oof!”

“Oh! I’m sorry, are you oka—”

I stopped when I saw a light sky-blue pegasus in front of me, rubbing her snout.

“It’s fine,” she said, shaking her head, allowing her rainbow-colored mane to swish around. “Didn’t expect anyone comi—” and she too stopped when she got a clearer view at me. Her light violet eyes focused on my face for a moment, widening considerably, before narrowing. “What are you doing here?”

It was Rainbow Dash, or Rainbow Streak as I like to call her. She was the first Equestrian to cross the portal, probably scaring the hell out of the military personnel that were sent to investigate the anomaly. Most remembered her as that cool pegasus that put up a show during First Contact. I remembered her as the Wonderbolt and friend of Princess Sparkle. For added bonus, I got on her bad side.

“Who’s that?” another familiar voice called from behind the pegasus. After a few steps, a filly with light grey coat and a two-colored mane of mulberry and light pink came forward. Her green eyes focused on me for a moment, before a wide smile appeared on her face. Rushing forward, she jumped up at me, making me stumble at her weight, her forelegs snaking around my waist. “Wingman! You’re here!”

I chuckled as I petted her head—avoiding her horn—and combed her mane between my fingers. “Hey, Sweetie Belle.” I gave her barrel a gentle squeeze. “Wow, you’ve been growing.”

As she let me go, I saw her cheeks coloring slightly, before it faded and she turned around, whirling her mane and tail. “You think so?”

I nodded. First time I saw her, she had that slightly chubby, stumpy cute look that all foals had. Now, her legs were extending, and she was now slowly growing into a shape of a mare. She was reminding me very much of Rarity. They had a similar coat color and style of hair. Even their cutie marks had some sort of shared theme, with Rarity having three four-pointed gems, while Sweetie Belle had three crystalline musical notes that used hearts for note heads.

“Hey!” Rainbow Streak exclaimed, getting between me and Sweetie Belle. The mare looked at the growing filly, and motioned to me with her snout, saying, “You know this—” she paused, probably looking for a safe word to use around the filly “—guy?”

Sweetie Belle nodded. “Of course. He’s the guy who accompanied me to the human movies. And got me my cutie mark!”

I smiled slightly at the memory. Though I still wished she’d seen the Broadway version of Rock of Ages instead of the movie version, I guess the simpler plot the movie had been enough to make her understand herself, and in turn, helped her gain her cutie mark.

Somepony didn’t seem to appreciate the news, though, as Rainbow Streak looked at me, even more livid than before. “Alright pal, you’ve been causing problems ever since you got here!”

I tried not to roll my eyes. “This is only like my second visit here.”

“Yeah, well, uh, that’s even worse! Did you know you got Sweetie Belle in trouble with her friends?”

I blinked, then looked at the filly, who in turn looked at Streak, disbelieving. “We just overreacted because of my cutie mark! We made up the next day!”

“And with Sea Swirl! Don’t you think I’ve forgotten about that!”

I stared at her, feeling angry.

She must have noticed my change in demeanor too, as her stance changed, ready for an attack. “You think you scare me? I’m not gonna put up with you! I’m going to kick you so hard that—!”

“Dashie, stop being uncool!” Sweetie Belle admonished. Streak acted like she’d been physically slapped as she whirled around to face the filly, her mouth open wide in shock.

“Uncool?! Me!?”

Instead of replying, Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes, then gently bit on my hand, and led me inside. I turned my head, looking at the absolutely flabbergasted pegasus, and stuck my tongue out at her.

Very mature, I know. It did help me feel better, though.

Sweetie Belle led me in, through the antechamber, then to a table near the center of the shop. It seemed to have expanded slightly since I last came here, with more clothes racks and mannequins, both pony and human. When I took a seat, she too sat beside me. “You and Rarity are going out on a date?” When I nodded, she smiled. “Where?”

“Canterlot,” I replied.

“Ooh, can I come?” she asked, then frowned. “Or are you going to take care of her, like Miss Cheerilee?”

If I were still new in Equestria, I probably would have found this conversation very awkward. It’s a little scary how common their culture was to Western human culture, and yet so different. I just chuckled. “You are far too young for that conversation.”

“Nu-uh,” she replied, shaking her head. “I’ve already gotten my first Heat and my cutie mark! I’m old enough.”

“One day,” I said, “you will be.”

She crossed her forelegs over her chest, pouting, “You sound like dad.”

Before I could reply, Rarity strutted in, wearing a very stylish dark grey sweater that covered her upper part of her barrel, and very feminine black pants clothing her lower body. She had her mane done in a woven ponytail, and finished the look with oval frameless glasses over her blue eyes. Her smile was dazzling as she greeted me with “Hello, Wingman.”

I felt myself getting hot for a moment. Rarity always had that effect on me, and it was most probably because she was very smart in using her clothes, as well as her understanding of some aspects of human dating. She was the only mare customer I had that covered herself in very form-fitting clothing, always carrying herself in a way that was enticing and classy.

Eve still beats Rarity with her Audio Erotica, though. And lots of other things, of course.

“Rarity,” I greeted her back with a nod. “You look very beautiful today.”

“Oho, please,” she replied, looking away demurely. She turned her attention to her little sister and asked, “Sweetie Belle, I thought you were going to meet your friends?”

“They can wait,” the filly replied. “Besides, Wingman is here! Can I come with you both to Canterlot?” Sweetie Belle lifted herself, forelegs on the table as she gave a wide smile. “Please?”

Rarity shook her head. “Sorry darling, but this is my time for Wingman.”

Sweetie Belle pouted. “It’s always your time.”

I smiled, patting the filly reassuringly. “Hey now, we’ll hang out again and see more movies. You’d like that?” She looked at me, then reluctantly nodded. “Good. And here, I bought these for you,” and I brought out the candied apples. She looked a little happier as I handed it to her. “Share with your friends, okay?”

She magically lifted them, then gave me a chaste kiss on the cheek. “Thanks, Wingman!”

When she trotted out, Rarity gave me a half-exasperated, half-satisfied look. “You shouldn’t encourage her.”

“Don’t worry,” I replied, digging into the bag and took out an apple, offering it to her. “I brought you some, too.”

Rarity replied with a That-Was-Not-Amusing look, but did look at my offering. She magically took the one I offered, lifting it near her mouth. However, before she could take a bite, she seemed to notice something behind me, raised an eyebrow, and asked, “You’re still here, Rainbow Dash?”

I turned around and found Streak walking listlessly towards us. Her mouth was still open from shock. She seemed to stare at Rarity for a moment, then back towards the ante-chamber. “She—what—uncool! Me!”

“What are you talking about?” Rarity asked.

Streak gave me a look, then suddenly seemed to blink, as if my presence brought her back to reality. “You! What are you still doing here?”

I did roll my eyes this time, then turned to face Rarity who looked a little amused as she replied, “Why, he’s here on my invitation. We’re going on a date to Canterlot.”

“Date? With him!?” There was a swish in the air, and I blinked as Streak seemed to just materialize beside Rarity. “You do know who this is, don’t you?”

“Well, I know his callsign is Wingman,” Rarity replied without a pause. “I also know his real first name. I also know it’s rude to talk as if a pony isn’t present.”

I chuckled at that, which seemed to incense the pegasus more. “He gave your sister her cutie mark!”

Now, that confused me. I had no idea what Streak was trying to imply, but it must have rankled Rarity because there was a hint of haughtiness sneaking in to her tone as she replied, “I actually can’t believe you’re using that ridiculous notion! If that’s the case, which stallion gave you your cutie mark then, Rainbow Dash?”

I blinked. What? I made a mental note to ask Eve about that as I watched Streak blush bright red. It looked pretty impressive considering the color of her coat. When she didn’t speak after a moment, Rarity finished with, “All they did was watch movies, and Sweetie Belle realized her love for singing.”

“Well,” I interjected, making both mares look at me, “she already loved singing. I think what held her back was the assumption that there was nothing more to it because she was quite talented at it. However, the movie gave her a different perspective, a look at different genres, and she realized music could be as complex as she wanted it to be.”

Rarity smiled. “Well, there you go, Rainbow Dash.”

“You’ll take his word over mine?” Streak asked, sounding hurt.

“Yes, especially since your word is as silly as it sounds,” the unicorn replied. Her tone turned even colder. “And I do not like the fact that you are trying to convince me otherwise by using such traditionalist views.”

Streak seemed to flinch at that. Hah! Go Rarity!

However, it seemed the pegasus had one more attack up her foreleg. She looked at Rarity for a moment then said, “How about Sea Swirl?”

I gripped the edge of the table a little harder.

“What about her?” the unicorn asked neutrally.

“He deceived her! If it wasn't for him, she wouldn’t have joined that Harmony Equestrians Something! What was it?”

Rarity looked really disdained. “Harmony Equestrian Reclamation Division.”

“Yeah, that! Because of him, she joined them and—”

I never seen such a scary expression from Rarity. She already looked annoyed, angry, but it transformed to something absolutely frigid. The unicorn’s eyes seemed to narrow to slits, before widening as her snout seemed to fold, giving her an expression of either full rage or utter disapproval. I wasn’t even staring at it full force, yet I felt my stomach crunch up on itself. Streak didn’t even stand a chance, as she started blubbering, and if possible, visibly sweating.

“Rainbow Dash, if it wasn’t for him, she would have been imprisoned, and for good reason,” Rarity said, her tone cold as ice. “She led a HERD mob to beat a human up and put him to a hospital. Wingman’s friend, in fact. He then asked me to talk to the court on her behalf, sparing her the more fitting punishment, and I almost wouldn’t do it until she turned against the group. If you’re going to start blaming him for her actions, I suggest you leave, Rainbow Dash, before I get even more cross with you.”

Streak looked at her, defeated, then looked at me, defiant. I had a sinking feeling that it wasn’t going to end there. Flapping her wings, the pegasus snorted, then kept staring at me as she slowly flew away. Out of sight, I felt the wind rush, and when I turned, Streak was gone.

“I’m sorry,” I said, looking back at Rarity. The unicorn shook her head.

“That’s my line, Harry,” she replied.

I felt myself scratching the back of my head. “Every time we meet with your friends, it doesn’t seem to end well.”

“Yes, well, I can assure you, Applejack settled down on that issue.” Rarity looked behind me. “Rainbow Dash still seems to have a bit more that she’s working on.” Shaking her head again, she looked back at me and smiled. “Don’t fret. Applejack is more hardheaded. If she worked out her issues with you, Rainbow Dash will soon follow.”

“Maybe it’s because I haven’t darkened her door since the, uh, first time? Out of sight, out of mind.” When she giggled, I felt a bit more comfortable. “So, uh… nice stare.”

“Not as nice as Fluttershy’s,” Rarity replied, also seemingly setting back to normality. “I asked her to teach me after that disastrous first meeting with Prince Blueblood.” She looked at me teasingly. “Don’t worry. I won’t use it on you, darling. Unless you become uncharacteristically rude, of course.”

I smiled. “I’ll try not to disappoint. And… thank you for this, Rarity. I know this is an inconvenience. I mean, you have a business to run and you’re spending money to set this up.”

“I thought it was rather sweet of you when you told me, so of course I am happy to help,” she said. “I am, of course, expecting compensation.”

I nodded. “Of course. It’s a little tight now, but I can pay you back—”

“Harry,” she interrupted. Her look turned sultry. “I meant compensation other than monetary. I expect once your business is done, you’ll attend to me completely.”

I chuckled, offering my hand. She extended her foreleg, and I gently grabbed it before kissing the top of her well-manicured hoof. “Of course, my lady Rarity. Shall we?”

Author's Note

Chapter 2 is here. Four more to go. I'd list all of my pre-readers here again, but come on, I think you guys don't even read that part anymore.

Thanks again to shira, coandco, permanent temporary, GIULIO, Denim_Blue, TownCrier, AJ_Aficionado, and Firesight.