Cloud Nine is a very nice cafe and bar with a rooftop terrace overlooking the busy junction of Thirty Third and Sixth and Greeley Square. When it first opened five years prior, the saner citizens of New York had called the owner insane for setting up a cafe on a desolate rooftop. The owner, the arguably aptly named Crazy Jack, used to laugh them off and say that he’s happy being closer to the angels than the jackasses on the street. Often while sober.

The later success of the cafe had become an interesting point of debate on the definition of ‘sanity’. The angels really did come for Crazy Jack, mainly in the form of the weather pegasi working the weather station, previously situated in an overglorified pigeon coop planted on a rooftop of a building on Park Avenue just a few blocks down. At first they began frequenting the place out of convenience, the rooftop terrace proving to be a convenient landing strip for pegasi.

Being the crazy entrepreneur he is, Crazy Jack began catering to his pegasi guests, serving them a whole host of Equestrian favourites including Cloudsdale cloud cakes and Sweet Apple cider shakes. The cafe’s interior was redone with ponies and particularly pegasi in mind, with large breezy windows, low chaise lounges and pony sitting pillows, fur-safe carpeting and pony-friendly bathrooms. The wide entrance was equipped with convenient hoof-washes and featured a half-finished unicorn teleportation platform that was stuck in development hell at the time. The lofty ceilings were reinforced and fitted with an upside down lounge complete with hanging-perches and a large bird feeder filled with tropical fruit for the ceiling-loving bat ponies. Even the rooftop terrace was fitted with a large stone pegasus bath, a flower garden/buffet and a launch pad complete with bright landing lights.

Rocky remembers Crazy Jack simply disappearing off the face of the earth for a good six months at one point. He left the cafe in the hands of a random Shinto monk he had pulled off the street at random who turned out very decent at the job. When Jack finally returned he had a chestful of dragon treasure, a tan and a scar across one eye. He had told Rocky he had just gone out on a little walk and immediately introduced him to the cook and shopkeeper he had happened to bump into and hire on the spot. The cook was a brilliant unicorn chef named Sugar Belle, the shopkeeper a travelling trader named Teddie Safari. (Jack also went on to start a herd with the two, one of the saner things ever accredited to Crazy Jack).

Before long Sugar Belle had turned Cloud Nine into a home-cooking-quality cookhouse for humans to sample Equestrian cuisine or for Equestrian expats to get a little taste of home. Teddie, meanwhile, opened the Cloud Nine Emporium, selling all manner of legal imports from Equestria such as Featherfirst’s luxury preening oils or Flax & Wheat’s rejuvenating mane shampoo (and a few illegal ones like Playcolt magazine back-issues and Crystal Empire rock salt in Cloud Nine’s infamous backroom, but only if you ask her nicely). It wasn’t long before Cloud Nine had become the go-to hangout for ponies working in the Big Apple as well as all the curious human hanger-ons keen to catch a glimpse of earth’s alien visitors.

The fact that the local weather boss and Crazy Jack were old detention buddies definitely had nothing to do with the cafe’s success.

A soft jingle filled the cafe as the wide windowed door swung open with an aged but gentle creak. Rocky pulled off his flight goggles and allowed them to hang from his neck around his aviator scarf as he stepped into the bar. He quickly missed his goggles' tinted lenses as the bright sunset light dancing across the billowing white curtains threatened to blind him. The sweet aroma of freshly baked delights mixed with the musk of the aged liquor did nothing for the butterflies plaguing his stomach. Normally the cafe would feel like home but that wasn’t the case that particular evening. It felt more like that one time he had to follow Daring and Spitfire into an ancient Incolt tomb filled with scorpions and cobras and scorpion-cobras. He focused on the task at hand, scanning the ponies and humans seated about the cafe for her.

Most of the patrons that afternoon had their eyes on the large plasma TV in the corner lounge. Instead of its usual live football or the new-fangled Equestrian recordings of hoofball, it was showing the news. “...2000 extra tourists visited New York today just to see Earth’s first real life weather factory where it is now stationed high above the Empire State Building. I am standing here on its eastern side where you can catch a great view of the literal rainbow falls and station’s grand new entrance done up in what we’re told is traditional Cloudsdale architecture. Tour companies have moved fast to offer blimp and hot air balloon rides that promise to take visitors to the edge of the newly-imposed pony-only flight zone, close enough to catch a glimpse of the weather pegasi busy at work. The factory will help mass-produce tailor-made weather that will allow weather teams to operate all throughout the east coast and soon the whole of the United States. Mayor Sarah Tupper is certain that this latest addition to New York’s skyline will come to be as iconic to the city as Times Square, maybe even the Statue of Liberty. Our reporter, Top Story, is in the air now to get us a closer view…”

He tore himself away from the distraction, bringing himself back to the task at hand. He was about to give up and wait when he noticed a familiar head of hair. Sure it was the wrong colour, jet black instead of its usual auburn red, but that silky straight bob was unmistakeable. Her brilliant green eyes and idle smile replaced his doubts with grim assurance as he approached the woman sitting in the secluded booth in a corner. He couldn’t help but tut inwardly at the black rider jacket she wore over her vest. He had told her repeatedly that biking in New York would be the death of her.

He took a slow, deep breath as he approached. Meeting her was never easy. It felt like bitter disappointment competing with sour-sweet schoolboy giddiness, a very nauseating mix. ‘Kindness, generosity, laughter, loyalty, honesty.’ He thought to himself as he put on his best smile. ‘And love. Don’t forget love.’ He added to himself, thinking of his Meepy. “Hey, this guy bothering you? Shall I remove him from your life forever?” He said, putting on his make-nice face as he pointed at the empty seat across from her.

“Har, har. Careful, one of these days someone might bite.” She looked up from her coffee to give him a warm smile. After 8 years it was nice to see some things haven’t changed. “Take a seat. Thanks for agreeing to meet up.”

“Thanks for agreeing to meeting here, Sam.” Rocky sat down, sinking right into the seat. Crazy Jack really didn’t compromise on quality. Even the seats and pillows were comfy and plush. “Sorry about Crazy Jack by the way. I told him to lay off the serenading.”

“Oh, I don’t mind. I know he doesn’t mean a word he says. He never did, even back in school.” Sam chuckled. Rocky couldn’t help but feel her bright, jingly laughter pull at something he had long buried somewhere deep inside. “Besides, he’s got, what, two...herdwives is it?”

“Herdmates. And it’s three.” Rocky corrected.

“Hi, Rocky!” He was blindsided by a sudden and very enthusiastic glomp to his ribs.

“Whoah, Sugar Belle!” He gasped, giving the pale cerise unicorn a one-armed hug in return. That was one thing his long stay in Equestria had long since gotten him used to; Ponies and their love for physical contact. “Loving the bun in your mane. Literally.” He patted the giant magenta muffin bun she had tied her hair into.

“I woke up with it. Naughty Jacksy sneakily did it while I was asleep.” She chuckled into a forehoof. “I will get him back though. I have a big pink polkadot ribbon I’m gonna tie into his goatee.” She whispered with a wink. “So, what can I bring you? We have….” She began, levitating her unicorn-friendly smartphone up to take his order.

“Muffins?” Rocky poked at her muffin hair again. The two broke into affectionate laughter. “A cup of tea for me, please.” He finally said.

“She’s sweet.” Sam said as Sugar Belle trotted off with his order. “Is she one of them? Jack’s herdmates?”

“Yeah. His first, actually. They met in Equestria. Though considering it’s Jack, it was probably more a freak accident.” Rocky said. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean for us to get sidetracked.”

“Nah, it’s cool. I kinda needed that, actually. I can see why she’s with Jack. She compliments him pretty well.” She said, watching as Sugar Belle greeted a group of ponies with her usual upbeat cheer. “Looks like that’s what everyone’s calling you these days. ‘Rocky’.” She chuckled.

“Yeah, it’s kinda hard being me.” Rocky sighed, before wilting under her pointed glare. “The pegasi thought it described my incredible talent for flying when I first arrived in Equestria.”

“I think it’s cute.” She said, before suddenly looking away. “Uh, anyway, how is Blossomforth?” She abruptly changed topics.

“She’s weathering it well.” He said, earning him a facepalm of despair from her.

“Dammit, please don’t tell me you inflict your shit puns on poor Blossom as well?” Sam muttered into her palm.

“Okay, I won’t. I’ll show you a good one instead.” He whipped out his wallet and pulled out photograph of Blossomforth with her mane tied into a rather fetching ponytail. “Get it? Because she’s a pony and…” He received a seat pillow to the face for his troubles.

“I swear, you’re trying too hard.” She huffed, “And if you make a pun with your nickname I will hurt you. Heck, make any pun and I will make sure there is nothing left of you.”

“All-right, All-right.” He said, before ducking for cover.

“God, relax. You always do this when you’re nervous. Overdo the damned puns, I mean.” She muttered, sitting back and crossing her arms. “It’s not easy for me either, alright? But I’m not here about us, I’m here about Blossomforth.”

Thankfully Sugar Belle sailed over to the rescue, levitated tea tray in tow. He took the opportunity to gather himself as he absentmindedly watched the unicorn lay out his tea for him. He gave her a nod and a quiet ‘thank you’ before finally steeling himself. “Alright, what about her?” He said, as evenly as he could manage.

“She’s amazing, you know. Back when we first began talking she was very keen on me being open to you about anything we talk about. No secrets and all that.” She took a long draught of her coffee. “Shit, Rocky, you lucky bastard.” She muttered.

“Too lucky sometimes.” He agreed wistfully as his thoughts wandered back to his little pegasus. Blossom had offered to share everything she discussed with Sam very early on, but he had patted her on the head and told her he didn’t mind in the slightest.

“Which is why I wanna tell you this. You know how she’s been meeting up with me and calling me a lot lately?” Sam began.

“Yeah, you two met up just last Monday, right?” Rocky nodded.

“Yeah. Thing is, she’s been asking a lot about how you used to be in bed.” She said with all the casualness of commenting on the weather or a war plaguing a third world country.

To say that hit him like a truck would be putting it mildly. “Uh, wha…?” He mumbled, intelligently.

“She wanted to know a lot of things. The sorts of things you liked and stuff.” She said, evenly. “But that’s not the weirdest part. She really wanted to know how many times you can go at it at a time.”

“What?” Panic struck him as his mind flew back to the night before. He couldn’t help but think of that smile of relief on her exhausted face. “Uh, what, uh, what did you tell her?” He asked, feeling about as collected as a fireworks factory on fire.

“Uh, I told her the truth.” She said, suddenly looking sheepish. His heart sank. “That you were good for three rounds at least. On average. What worried me the most was that she seemed really bummed out by that.”

‘Oh Celestia, fuck me with the sun’ He cursed inwardly.

“I’m really sorry, honest.” She said, shaking her head ruefully. “I should’ve been more thoughtful. I mean, I googled it right after. Banged my head on the monitor a dozen times for good measure.” She muttered. “I really didn’t realize mares have that problem.”

“There is no problem. She’s fine.” He suddenly growled, angrily. “In fact, she’s fucking amazing.”

It took him a while to notice her staring at him wide-eyed. He followed her gaze down to his right hand. There was a hint of red seeping out of his clenched fist. “S-sorry.” He said, quickly pulling out some bandaids out of his wallet.

“Those are cute.” She nodded at the flower-patterned bandaids, awkwardly shifting the topic. “Lemme guess, she puts them in there for you.”

“Yeah, she does.” He said, feeling a small smile come on. “You know she fought tooth and hoof to keep me alive in Equestria. Fought a manticore for me once.” He said, fondly. “Uh, that’s kinda like a winged scorpion lion on steroids.” He added, quickly. “But even here she’s still really protective of me. There was this one time a taxi almost ran me over. She bucked it in the grill and blew the radiator.”

“I read about that. The newspapers wouldn’t stop going on about the mare who stopped a taxi to save her human boyfriend.” Sam chuckled. “From what I’ve read about ponies, I thought that was more an earth pony thing.”

“Blossom’s scary when she’s angry.” Rocky said, sagely. “Anyway, I’m sorry for, uh, that.” He waved a hand vaguely. “Blossom is amazing, and I won’t get tired of saying that.”

“I’m sure she is.” Sam said, patiently. “But I wouldn’t be talking to you if I wasn’t worried about her. At least think about it some, alright?”

“Yeah, yeah, thanks.” He said, a little more gruffly than he intended. He couldn’t help but feel a touch of relief on noticing her gathering her scarf and bike keys, signalling an end to their meeting. “Oh, by the way, how’s, uh, John?” Rocky said, deciding he should at least do the polite thing and ask about her boyfriend.

“His name’s Jacob, and we broke it off last month.” Sam said, airily, though the bitter tone in her voice was unmistakeable. “I just finished moving out in fact. Had to change jobs too.”

‘And dyed your hair too.’ Rocky added, inwardly. “I’m sorry to hear that, Sam.” He said. He wasn’t, and he couldn’t help but feel a little guilty about that. “You okay?”

“I’ll live.” She chuckled, bitterly. “You should’ve heard what Blossom blurted out when I told her.” She gave a more earnest chuckle. “She asked me to join her herd. Then she rambled on about how she’d have to ask you first and stuff.”

He stiffened. “And...what did you say?” He asked, a little hoarsely.

“Duh, I said ‘no’.” She sighed. “No offense. What you guys have is real special. I have no idea how things work with herds but no way in hell I’m getting between you two.”

He released a breath he didn’t even realize he was holding. He was surprised to feel relief flooding him. He knew things were over between them since the day Equestria and Earth made first contact and he found out she had moved on to someone else. In fact it was probably half the reason it took him a while to finally decide to return home to Earth. But the relief he felt then sealed it; They were truly done.

“I should have waited for you, huh?” Sam sighed. “It was only four damned years. I could’ve waited four damned years. Hell, I should’ve come with you. I…”

“Hey, we promised; No regrets, remember?” He reminded her, quietly.

“It’s not fair. I made you wait all that time. And I made poor Blossom wait, what, two years?” She said, bitterly.

“Three.” He corrected tersely before he could stop himself. He sighed deeply. “Sorry, didn’t mean that. Not gonna lie, it was shit finding out when the portal opened. But hey, I went missing. There was even a funeral with some nice flowers and deep words and stuff. And you had to get on with your life and that’s fair enough. Shit happens.” He paused for a moment as he looked down at the photograph of Blossomforth on the table. “Now I’ve got three years to make up to her.” He said, mostly to himself.

“And you’re doing a damn good job.” She said in a voice barely above a whisper. “From the way Blossom goes on about it, she’s the happiest girl in the world, and you are her entire world.” She gave a little pause. “Hey, I know this is asking a lot. But I want to continue seeing Blossom. I want to help her. I moved back into our old place so I’ll be nearby. I…” She faltered, looking down. “I just…”

‘Generosity. Kindness. Laughter. Honesty. Loyalty. Oh, and Love.’ Rocky took a deep breath. “I’d like that. I’m sure Blossom would.” He said, giving her a little smile. “And I’m sure Jack would love it if you came here more often too. I certainly would. I’ll introduce you to the gang.”

“Yeah…” She murmured wistfully. “Yeah, I’d like that.” She gave him a genuine smile, one he hadn’t seen for years. “Thanks. Oh, by the way…” She dropped her voice to a whisper as she leaned in close, “Blossom loves it when you hold her really tight while you’re eating her out.” She smirked impishly as she stood up, leaving a frozen Rocky behind. “See you around, Rocky.”

“What the hell do girls talk about?” Rocky muttered, numbly watching her leave. He sighed, deciding to save Sugar Belle some trouble as he gathered the coffee mug and tea things. His trip over to the bartender gave him more time to mull over their awkward meeting. He couldn’t help but worry about Blossomforth. ‘Is she worried about satisfying me?’ He frowned. He felt a sudden surge of anger towards Sam. ‘Meepy was there for me when you weren’t. She waited for three years out of respect for you when you left me for dead! How dare you make her question her worth?! How dare you suggest to her that she is in any way less than you?!’ He took a deep breath, reigning in what he knew was an irrational outburst. ‘Sam doesn’t matter here.’ He told himself, as calmly as possible. ‘Meepy does.’ He gave a little sigh. He tried to take heart, hoping that their little success together the previous night might have given her a bit more confidence in herself. He reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out the folded list he had made the previous night. Somewhere on that list was the key to their success. And, if anything, his search for the answer had become more urgent than ever.

Author's Note

The pegasus birdbath was inspired by Pinkie Pie Fox's Equestria's Garden.