Through the Cavern

"Overheard you and Twilight talkin' the other day." Big Mac said, not making eye contact. Ricky was put off by the fact that this was the most he had ever heard him say at once.

"Really? I didn't see you anywhere around the place." Ricky took a sip of cider. Mac nodded "Eeyup. I was just outside the window."

"Okay...how come you listened in on us? Not that I'm pissed off or anything, but I'm just curious as to why you of all ponies would take interest in my problems."

Mac shrugged "You're good to my sisters. Anypony who's kind to my kinfolk is a good spirit in my books. Speakin' of my sister, AJ's been meanin' to send this your way."

Ricky was surprised to suddenly find a small box full of bright green buds stuffed into his hand "Wow...when did she go out and get this?"

"Went into the forest a couple of days ago. But anyway, back to what I was gettin' at. I know what you just had to go through with Muffins over there." Big Mack turned and spat into a mud puddle. Ricky was confused at what he said "Muffins? No, you must be mistaken. I was with..."

"Everypony calls her Derpy, but her real name is Muffins. I don't believe in usin' undeserved monikers."

"Okay, I get that. But why do you want to know what happened between us?" Ricky pocketed the box and took a sip of cider.

"Well, she happens to be a friend. I know I don't talk much, but I do listen. You'd be surprised how many ponies vent to me." Mac said, turning to Ricky "Anyhow, she was tellin' me about how she wanted to tell you how she felt, and how she was plannin' on doing it tonight."

"Really? So...what did you end up saying to her?" Ricky pulled out another smoke, turning away as he lit up.

"I told her that there was a pretty strong chance that you were gonna say no. But, she kept insisting that it would be just fine, that you might give her a chance." Mac sighed "She's a nice girl, but some things tend to fly over her head."

"Oh, damn...now I feel even worse about this whole mess." Ricky groaned, wishing he could go back in time and stay out of the haunted house.

"Don't beat yourself up. Frankly, I'm glad that you turned her down." Mac smiled.

"Really? Why, do you...?" Ricky asked, dreading the answer.

"Naw, she's a little too young for me. I prefer more my age demographic." As Mac said this, he glanced over at Cheerilee, who was dressed as a witch. She caught his eye and winked. Ricky decided to ignore this action "I didn't want anypony to start making fun of her more than they already do, not to mention you've built yourself a nice little rep in this town."

"I see where you're coming from with this. The last thing I would want is for ponies to go back to looking at me weird. Not to mention there's Der...I mean, Muffins' feelings to think about as well." Ricky drained his bottle of cider and set it down.

"Eeyup." Big Mac sighed "I've just seen too many of ma friends get hurt in the past. I'd rather not see two more go down that road again."

"Well...thanks, man. I know we don't really socialize much, but I really appreciate you taking the time to help me get this off my chest. The last thing I wanted was to have this sitting on my mind for the rest of the night." Ricky pitched his smoke after putting it out on his boot.

"No problem. Glad I could help ya out. Uh oh..." Mac hopped down from the bale of hay "Princess is comin' this way."

"Huh? Why, what's the matter with Twilight?"

"She's alright. It's Luna that weirds me out. Had an...interesting encounter with her at a festival last a couple months ago." He clapped Ricky on the back "Cheer up, partner. It'll blow over in no time." He hurried off, not looking back.

"Ah! At last, I have an opportunity to converse with thee, human!" Princess Luna approached him, flanked by a pair of black pegasi in sinister looking armor. Ricky stood in a haste, prepared to bow. Luna suddenly stepped back, clearly surprised at his height.

"Wow. I was NOT expecting you...I mean, thy stature is impressive, otherworldly creature!" She drew herself up to full height, and Ricky just couldn't help but snicker slightly. Luna narrowed her eyes at this "Does thee have an issue with ourselves?"

"It's just...god, I'm so sorry, but...after meeting your sister, I wasn't expecting you to talk like Shakespeare. It's...well, it's kind of funny." Ricky closed his eyes, ready to be struck by a guard.

"Oh, darn it...I REALLY need to start working at that. Twilight told me it was pretty off-putting." Luna sighed "I guess I do need to start getting with the times..."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you, your highness! I sometimes speak without thinking, you see, and you being a princess and all...well, I mean I've already met two princesses, but the point is..." Ricky could feel his foot going deeper and deeper into his mouth. Princess Luna stared at him, then began to laugh.

"Okay, you've officially gotten into my good books. Anypony who fumbles their words that badly has GOT to make me look good in comparison." Luna held a hoof out "What is thy name, human?"

"Oh! Ricky, your highness. It's a real honor to meet you." Ricky took her hoof and gave it a shake. Luna shrugged "Well, I know I'm nowhere near as impressive as my sister, of course, but I suppose it's nice to feel appreciated once in a while. Will you walk the grounds with me, Ricky?"

"Sure, I'd love to." Ricky swept his hair back and placed his mask back on. Luna turned to her bodyguards "You two may take a break for a bit." Grinning like children, the two guards ran off in the direction of the hay rides. Luna chuckled at this "I must say, for such serious stallions, Nightshade and Eclipse are a pleasure to have around. They deserve to have some down time once in a while." The two of them began strolling idly along.

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Ricky replied, and Luna gave him a curious look "Might I enquire as to who this Jack fellow is?"

"It's a quote I heard in a movie...it's not that important, really." Ricky said quickly "So, I was wondering...what sort duties do you do? I mean, I understand that Celestia raises the sun, so...what about you?"

"To be honest, I don't really do as much as my sister does. I mean, I am in charge of raising the moon and keeping an eye on everypony's dreams. But, apart from that, nothing that you would exactly call impressive." A couple of fillies bowed to her and wished her a happy Nightmare Night, and Luna returned the gesture.

"Wait...you're telling me that you have a badass superpower and you don't consider it to be impressive?! I mean, ever since I was a kid and I saw 'Nightmare on Elm Street'...well, I wasn't technically allowed to, but I watched it anyway...I've always wanted to be able to enter a dream, if only once!" Ricky stopped to take a breath, and saw Luna giving him a surprised look.

"Well, if you're that impressed by my ability, I would be happy to demonstrate it for you sometime," she replied.

"Really? You're going to let me enter the dream world with you?!" Ricky was beginning to feel like a kid again, but he didn't care. Luna giggled "My, such enthusiasm...Of course. I would love for you to share in the experience. Frankly, I've been dying to have some company lately. It gets rather boring being the only one awake sometimes."

"Wow, this is awesome! Is next Saturday cool with you? Please tell me that it is." Ricky crossed his fingers, and Luna laughed at his antics "Oh, I suppose that would be alright. I'll make arrangements for you to be allowed in, does that sound good?"

"Totally! Man, this is gonna kick so much ass..."

"I'm glad you're excited. Now, I believe that this is supposed to be a party, and that we're supposed to be dancing right now!" Luna made her way over to where Vinyl and her friend were pumping out tunes, and joined in the group of ponies that were moving along to the beat. Ricky couldn't help but grin, until he felt Luna's aura envelop him and pull him over to join her.

"Son of a..."

***

"Man, that was AWESOME as always!!" Spike said, hurrying to catch up with Twilight and the others. His helmet dragged behind him, bouncing along.

"I'm glad you had fun, Spike, but you might want to pick that up. It's gotta go back to the rental shop tomorrow, remember?" Twilight said. She seemed to be a little put down.

"Oh, cheer up, Twilight. Your Starswhirl costume NEVER wins, remember?" Rarity said sympathetically, but got only a blank stare in return. Ricky thought about chiming in, but the second prize moneybag hitting his leg told him to just stay out of this one.

"So what if you didn't win? You still had a blast, didn't you?" Rainbow Dash asked, gliding beside her friend "I mean, so what if..."

"Just knock it off already." Twilight muttered, walking a little faster. Rarity slowed down so that she was keeping pace with Ricky "I really don't have the heart to tell her that technically, princesses don't qualify for the costume contest."

"Yeah, best that she doesn't know that one." Ricky replied, watching as Spike tried to reassure the purple alicorn. He seemed to be having no luck whatsoever.

"Oh! I nearly forgot. Ricky, I've been meaning to ask you...what's your work schedule looking like next week?" Rarity asked. Ricky was taken off guard for a second, but quickly said "Well, I've got Monday and Wednesday off. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I do hate to be a bother, but I unfortunately must work late myself on Monday, and I won't be able to pick Sweetie Belle up from school. You wouldn't be against collecting her for me, would you?" Rarity batted her eyelashes, and Ricky smirked at her gesture.

"Yeah, I don't mind. I really didn't have much planned anyway." Ricky replied, and Rarity sighed with relief "Oh, thank you so much! I promise I will make it up to you when I get the first opportunity."

"Don't worry about it, I'm happy to help." They had arrived at Ricky's place at this point. Rarity smiled happily "Wonderful. Please make sure she has her homework this time, would you?"

"No prob. Man...I don't wanna be rude, but..." Ricky pointed at the front door, and Rarity nodded "Of course, darling, you must be exhausted! Again, thank you so, so..."

"He said it was cool, Rarity! Geez..." Rainbow interjected, annoyed "Let the guy get some sleep, would ya?"

"You don't have to be rude...You take care, darling, alright?" Rarity said, giving Rainbow Dash a dirty look. Ricky nodded "Alright. I'll see you on Monday, ok?"

"Wonderful. Good night!" Rarity headed off down the road, Rainbow Dash in pursuit. Yawning, Ricky pulled his mask off again and let himself in. He couldn't hear Bulk Biceps' thundering snores, so he didn't bother tip-toeing up the stairs. Tossing his tunic to the floor, he collapsed onto the bed, and within minutes was sound asleep.