I was standing at the stove in the predawn hours cooking for my unexpected guest. A rather large pot of rice on one burner and a variant of my father’s venison and crab stew. Salted and dried manitcore meat that I had killed during my recovery in the everfree forest. Its hide now was being used as rug in the living room. In place of crab I used a larger fish from one of the palace’s garden ponds. The rest was rather standard; carrots, celery, onions, lots of bell peppers, mushrooms, and cabbage. I also threw in a number of spices and a little cream to thicken up the broth a little. As the rice was about finished cooking I heard my guest rustle from my bed her paws patting against the floor quickly. Her breathing was quick and I was guessing slightly panic. I was moving the rice to a sink getting ready to drain the excess water when I heard the door to the bedroom open. While the rice drained I returned to the stew and stirred slowly sniffing it to check if flavor was right. It was missing a little something then I remembered it needed black pepper. It was while I was grinding it right into the stew I heard one the chairs I had brought in from the balcony last night being lifted off the floor. I returned the pepper mill back to its place stirring the stew again as light paws steps got closer to me. It wasn’t hard to tell was she was going to try and do so while I grabbed a tasting spoon I spoke in my normal calm and detached tone.

“If you’re going to attack me in my own home please don’t break the furniture it’s brand new, use the knife in the sink.” The light paw steps stopped and I tasted the broth. Slightly on the salty side but I liked it that way. Tossing the spoon into the sink without looking I placed the lid on the pot and turned around to see my guest. With one of the most stunned expressions I had seen in a while she held the chair in her talons raise over her head ready to bring it down on mine.

“Please put the chair back where you got it and have a seat the food is almost ready.” I stated as I walked past her and used a finger to close her gaping beak. “Do you prefer coffee, or tea Miss?” She shook her head seeming to come out of her stupor at the question and found her voice.

“I..ugh-.. I.. uumm Tea?” She said as she set the chair back to the table staring at me.

“Before you ask distant cousin of diamond dogs, I hail from across the great sea, I’m known as a shifter and you can call me Roe. Oh and the balcony and front door is unlocked if you want to run away I won’t stop you. But I know that even the rudest of griffins don’t turn down a hot meal, so set down.” I remove the stew from the heat and placed the kettle on the still hot burner. “What’s your name by the way?”

“Gilda.” She spoke softly as she sat down her talons in her lap and looking down at the floor when I glanced at her over my shoulder.

“So where are you from Gilda?” I placed a plate and spoon in front of her then brought the drained rice over and retrieved the stew.

“Griffin Stone.”

“So what brings you this far south?” The kettle began to hiss as I dropped in the tea bags to let it brew.

“None of your business.” She sighed slightly frustrated as I gave her a large helping of rice and stew nearly dripping off the plate.

“Fair enough, but you might feel better if you talk about it.” Her stomach seemed to choose that moment to speak for her with a loud growl and she promptly blushed. “Think about that while you eat your fill.”

“Thanks…” She took a slow cautious bite and her eyes nearly popped out of her head. “This is delicious!” She nearly shouted and looked up at me while analyzing the flavor. “I-Is that manitcore in there?”

I nodded slowly as I poured her a cup of tea, sugar and cream already at the table. “It is and thank you for the complement.”

She ate slowly if enthusiasticly humming her enjoyment with every bite. I set down at the table and made a rather small bowl for myself. I ate with my eyes closed and even more slowly than she did savoring the flavor quietly as I was eating more for the enjoyment rather than hunger. The tea was another thing that was more for pleasure than sustenance. The plain looking silver ring, long since tarnished and turned black on the middle finger of my right hand made sure that I never needed to eat or drink unless I wanted to. After a few minutes of eating I cloud feel her eyes on me but I ignored her for the time being. Have her at my table eating was strangely comforting in a way. I could almost feel a smile form on my lips but I forced it back down and reminded myself why I was in this world in the first place.

There was a slight clamor of serving utensils as Gilda got a second helping. I cracked an eye open seeing a slightly guilty look on her face as the stew and rice was half gone. She was looking at my small empty bow then back to the food on her own plate.

“Don’t worry about me Gilda I don’t eat very much please eat as much as you like.”

“But you haven’t really eat-”

“Gilda I said eat your fill guilt free.” My eyes were opened again looking right into hers my voice not let letting her argue and she complied only the smallest amount of food left.

“Thanks…” She trail off she looked up at me examining my face a thoughtful expression on hers as she resumed eating.

I had looked her over for injuries when I had put her to bed last night and while I didn’t find any I was still left with more questions than answers. Somewhat invasive of me I know but something that needed to be done. I didn’t find any signs that said she had been beaten or raped, unless blood and other fluids had a different scent anyway. While she started off with hostile intent that quickly faded as she either decided I wasn’t going to hurt her or she was afraid I would and just hiding it well, I believed it was the former.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” She asked rather suddenly a look of suspension on her face.

“Do I really need a reason to be nice?” I asked as I started to take sip of tea.

“No I guess not, but I got my eye on you.” She warned narrowing her eyes at me.

“I’m flattered but I’m not interested in anything romantic in my life right now.” It took everything I had to say it with a straight face and not smirk. Her squawk of shock and nearly choking was priceless. She stood up quickly a deep blush on her feathery cheeks as she pointed an accusing talon at me.

“No you idiot! I’m watching you in case you try something funny!”

“Why would I try something funny? I’m not a comedian.”

“Grrr no stupid! I’m not going to let you molest me or something!” She nearly shouted.

“If someone did that to you I’ll happily kill them for you.” I took another sip of tea and the room got deathly quiet. All of her fury quickly left as she stared at me wide eyed as she took that in. I was completely sincere and something told me she could see it. I looked into her eyes my face neutral as always and she slowly sat back down trembling slightly.

“So who raped you and how much do you want them to suffer?”

“No! No one raped me! I’m just shocked you’d say something so…horrifying.”

“Really? My mistake then I had just assumed the way you attacked me last night you had been and wasn’t letting it happen twice.” She looked away guiltily and rubbed her arm slowly.

“No I was just really upset and I took it out on you, I’m sorry.”

“About what exactly?”

She was hesitant in the beginning but went on to explain what happened during her stay in Ponyvile. How Rainbow Dash was her flight school friend, how she had spent her last bit to get there and was force to steal and wasn’t proud of it. Furthermore because meat was so hard to come by in Equestria by she had been nearly at the point of starving while there and understandablely grouchy as a result. Then there were her interactions with Diane, while I had a hard time believing the mare would be so invasive but I let Gilda speak. Then came how she made a fool of herself at a party Diane threw for her and the pranks. Gilda relayed to me that she hated pranks because of her childhood in Griffon Stone after returning from flight school. She had only gone along with Dash’s insistence that she liked them to look “cool”, not that I understood that last part. Then the falling out with the pony she thought had been her long time friend and was crying softly by the end of her tale.

“So if it was such a hassle to visit her why did you? When you could have stayed home?”

“Because Griffon Stone is a dump and I had to get away for a while that’s why.” She had maintained eye contact for her entire story and only now looked away.

“That’s not the only reason is it?” She glared at me looking ready to kill me quickly deflated when I didn’t flinch.

“N-no its not..” Her tears made a return as she looked down at the table chewing on her bottom break when it clicked in my head.

“You loved her didn’t you?” I said setting my cup down.

“How did you know?” Shock was clear on her face as she snapped her head back to me. For the first time since she awoke my expression fell slightly and she caught it.

“I know what heart ache looks like...” I ran my finger of the rim of my tea cup. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to tell someone that the one they loved fell in combat be it their child, mate, or parent. It’s not exactly the same thing but after awhile heart ache becomes easy to spot. Frankly I’m ashamed to admit it took me as long to see it in you as it did.”

“So you’re a solider then?”

“Commander, but yes. So I assume you’re going back home.”

“Yeah…I just hope I can make it back.”

“Wait here.” I got up from the table and went retrieved my bag from my closet and returned with a 5 pound cloth wrapped bundle of manticore jerky and set it down in front of her. “For the journey.” I also pulled a small stack of bit bars plenty for the train there and back with a little extra. “Take this too, but there’s something I think you should do.”

“What’s that?”

“Go back and tell her how you really feel.”

“What!? No way! I can’t go back now not after what SHE did! Not after what I did…” She started off shouted but quickly died into a whisper.

“I’ll go with you to help if you like.”

“You’d do that for me…but you’ve already done some much for me I couldn’t ask you to.”

“I guess it’s a good thing you didn’t ask and I offered.”

“But what if she won’t listen to what I have to say.”

“I’ll make her.”

“But what if-”

“I’m not going to twist your arm on this I’m giving you the option.” I pulled out my watch to check the time. “The first trains start leaving in an hour. I have an extra set of clothes that should fit you with some alterations if you want to shower and change.”

“That….that sounds really good actually… you wouldn’t happen to have a bra here would you?”

I shook my head slowly. “No I don’t but speaking of which why would something that lays eggs have breasts like yours in the first place?” I asked raising an eyebrow glad that question might get answered. “I mean griffins don’t produce milk do they?”

“No you idiot! We have them to keep our eggs warm!” She shouted her face completely red with embarrassment.

“Oh that….actually makes sense I wouldn’t have thought of that.” I mused as I couldn’t help but look at the rather large mounds of flesh on her chest with a new found curiosity then looked back up at face.

“Yeah.. well I’m gonna take that shower now. Don’t you go trying anything funny.”

“Not a comedian.” I said with a wink and she chuckled gently. “I’ll have fresh clothes on the bed when you get out.”

She went in the bathroom locking both doors not that she needed to and cleaned up. In the mean time I took the pants she had shredded from the shins down and cut off the legs at the knees. I wasn’t going to wear them again so I decided she could have them. Grabbing a spare shirt I cut a hole in the back for her wings and the selves off at the elbow. I fashioned the scraps of cloth into a small belt and bag placing the jerky in the main pouch, a second pouch for her dirty clothes and the bits into a pocket on the side. I left a pair of clean boxers on the bed in case she wanted them and slipped on my cleaned mithral clothing and field gear. After locking the balcony door I sat on the couch holding my bow and my two kukris on my hips my back pack at my feet and my quiver on my back. I was waiting quietly when I heard a knock on my front door. Slightly confused I got up and used the peak hole to see who was out there.

Melody of all people was one of the last ones I was expecting. I open the door a bemused expression on my face and she jumped slightly guessing she didn’t think I’d answer so quickly. She was wearing a very clean and ironed collared button up white shirt with a pink bow tie around her neck. Her lower half was covered in an equally nice looking pair of black pants. She rounded out the look with light purple eye shadow, white full finger gloves, and polished black horse shoes that covered her hooves. Everything from her clothes, mane, tail, and posture said professional a far cry from the nearly nude mare I scared half to death the night before. On top of everything else it looked like she was holding my shirt also cleaned ironed and neatly folded.

Octavia

“Come on Octavia you can do this just knock on the door give him the shirt and apologize.” I thought to myself as I knocked on the door. “You already clopped this morning…twice so he won’t turn you on this time. Unless ready to go on a hunt… but that’s just silly he wouldn’t be going on while in…” His door opens quicker than I expected. “oh! sweet Celestia he is! That quiver, those blades, that bow! Is it made out of bones!?!The bag on the floor he really is going hunting! Is that a manticore rug?!?!?! ” I jumped slightly fighting myself to not blush. “No! No! No! You will not get wet! You will not blush! And for all that is decent in the world you will think of him as an equal not as a predator that can take you against will and have his…NO! NO! NO! Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! Just think of him as a mare… yes a perfectly normal mare not a tall muscular… NO! NO! NO! Stop it! Octavia you’re better than that. Look at the ground yes that way you won’t…no that won’t work he’ll think you’re scared of him. Think of something! Anything else! Don’t just stand here like a-”

“Melody? What brings you here so early it’s barely dawn.” He asked snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Oh I just wanted to return your shirt…you left so quickly last night you left it behind.” I held out the shirt to him and for a brief moment a pained look crossed his face as he took it he started to speak. It was rather rude of me but I interrupted him quickly. “I’m so sorry about my behavior last night it was very rude of me.” I said quickly with a quick bow.

“Wait I should be the one apologizing not you.”

“No you shouldn’t you didn’t frighten but the thing is….I’m sort of in..heat..” I blushed madly and looked away rubbing my arm slowly. The part about me being in heat was a lie but I was afraid how he’d react if I told him the truth.

“So… then you were…” He trailed off and I nodded slowly. “Then you were getting distance to “cool” off.”

“Yes.” I blushed even deeper. “I’m so so sorry about that. I was enjoying you company too I’m so ashamed of how I was-”

“Don’t apologize Melody.” He interrupted me and he had a slight smile on his face when I faced him again. “You can’t help you biology anymore than I can mine so don’t worry its okay. Just let me know next time and I’ll give you some space. It’s nice to know I didn’t scare you like I thought I had and Thank you for washing my shirt.”

“It wasn’t a problem and thank you for being so understanding.” I smiled up at him. “So could do you think we could get to know each other a little better some time?”

“That sounds alright to me…” He glanced over his shoulder down the hall briefly which confused me slightly. “..but not today I’ve got something to take care of in Ponyvile. Maybe after I get back I can listen to you play more directly?”

“Of course I’d love to play for you.” I said excitedly wishing I could skip work to go with him. “I’m normally home by five in the afternoon so feel free to..stop…by…” I trailed off as a hallway door opened up and a griffin hen walked out carrying a small bag. Her feathers were slightly damp and she was wearing what looked to be the same pants Roe had been wearing the night before only cut off at the knee. My heart sank as I started putting the pieces together he was already taken and I had to force myself not to cry.

“Thanks for everything Roe those bits we help out a lot.” She said as walked closer and I felt a spark of hope and resentment he didn’t look like somepony that would pay for a lady of the evening. “Who’s that? She your marefreind?” She said with a chuckle and I flushed at the idea but was still slightly perturbed at the idea of Roe hiring a whore.

“Told you already Gilda not looking for romance and this is Octavia Melody she lives on the floor below me.” Roe introduced me and I nodded slowly to her and that hope died again.

“Whatever.” She scoffed dismissing me and I was ready to slap the both of them now. “Well I’m ready to go….” She looked at the shifter a look of worry on her face. “You’ll really help me?” Confused I glanced between the two of them wondering what was going on.

“Of course but the decision is yours to make. I’ll go ahead to Ponyvile and be waiting for you at the train station. If you don’t get off that first train I’ll assume you’re on your way home.”

“How you going to get to Ponyvile before the train does?” She asked the same question I had.

“I raced a train a few days ago; turns out I can out run them and I already know I make here to Ponyvile without stopping.”

“No way!” I and Gilda say at the same time.

“It’s true but you go on ahead I’ll be waiting your decision at Ponyvile.” He said as they walked out of his apartment and grabbing the large backpack and I step to the side to allow them as Roe locked the door.

“You won’t tell HER anything right?”

“It’s a private matter Gilda I won’t say a thing.”

“Thanks I hope I get to see you again someday.” The griffin waved as she started walking away and I looked to Roe a brow raised confused beyond reason now.

“Private issues with a pony she knows and needed bits to get back home that’s all I’m saying.”

“Did you and her…” I started to ask but stopped myself it wasn’t any of my business.

“Did we?...Oh! No. No. No. Nothing at all like that just helping her out.” He exclaimed looking a little flustered it was kind of cute in a way.

“Oh alright then… so you’re going to Ponyvile then?” I asked trying to change the subject as I started walking to the stair well.

“Yeah need to be there for Gilda she basically got thrown out of town.” He walked beside me a determined look on his face. He whispered in a language I didn’t understand and the bow wrapped around leaving me wide eyed. “Plus I need to get the rest of the story from Diane and Dash.”

“Diane?”

“She’s better known as Pinkie Pie.”

“Oh I’ve met her she’s nice enough if slightly hyper active she threw me a party when I visited Ponyvile the first time. Wait why did you call her Diane?” We entered the stair well and he paused letting me go ahead of him something I found strange but didn’t argue.

“Her full name is Pinkamina Diane Pie, I call her Diane cause that’s a somewhat normal name back home and why I call you Melody. That is if you don’t mind me calling you that.”

“Oh no I don’t mind at all in fact I think I prefer it.” I smiled over my shoulder at him as we made it to the ground floor. “I guess this is where we part ways for now.”

“Yea I’ll be seeing you Melody.” He waved to me as we walked out the door then with speed I haven’t seen outside pegasusi flight took off running. He jumped up against a wall planting his feet firmly then bounced onto a nearby roof before disappearing from my sight. I was very thankful at that moment I wasn’t a pegasus or I would be sporting a massive wing boner right now. As I walked to work I heard his voice echo in my head. “…not looking for romance…”

“Maybe you aren’t but I’m still going to try…”

Roe

I woke up from my brief nap at the Ponyvile train station to the sound of a loud steam whistle in the distance. I had managed to get to the station an hour before the train was supposed to. I was somewhat glad that I didn’t stop to chat with that blue unicorn mare I past on the way, I really needed that nap. The train was approaching quickly and I stood and stretched my bones and joints popping loudly in protest. While I stretched out my legs I thought about Melody. She seemed tense around me and I don’t think she stopped blushing at all during our conversation. I didn’t think it was her heat I didn’t smell anything to indicate it was. Then there was how her mood changed when Gilda walked out she seemed…sad I guess, not sure why.

I flicked my earring to dull the sound of the train’s screeching brakes, just one more reason I’ll never ride one of those things. Once it stopped I turn the sound back on and waited. I end up getting a lot of stares from the ponies getting on and off the train. Being undisguised was not helping, and all of them were giving me a very wide birth. Whispers about who and what I was flew about, much faster than the large crates of goods being loaded and unloaded. To my disappointment but not surprise Gilda was nowhere to be found with huff of frustration I start walking to the small village. I was no more than a hundred feet away from the station when I heard erratic wing flapping.

“Oh no! Oh no! Look out below!” A high pitched panicked if somehow cheerful voice called out to me.

I quickly turned around to see a light grey Pegasus mare with a blonde mane and tail wearing a blue postal uniform like the ones I had seen in Canterlot. She was flying and carrying a mail bag that was WAY too big to be flying with. What was worse her wing had gotten caught up in the strap for it. She didn’t look like she was going to hit me but acting on reflex I dashed to catch her. My arms open I did and she hit me with a lot more force than I was expecting. I shifted briefly in order to absorb the impact and was pushed back a foot or two from it. Changing back I looked down at the mare and she looked up at me with crossed eyes.

“Are you alright Miss?” I asked her as I set her back down on her hooves ignoring her eyes.

“Oh yes I am thank you mister.” She said with a happy smile but a voice that instantly said she wasn’t all there in the head. “I’m so sorry crashed into you.” She dropped her head and ears. “Please don’t be mad at me.”

“I’m not mad miss, but why were you flying that bag is way too big to do that.” Her head shot up and quickly looked to the bag a look of fright on her face.

“Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! Sorry mister but I have to go!” She opened her wings and moved to take off but I quickly stopped her.

“Whoa hold on calm down miss.” I placed my hands on her shoulders as she started to panic.

“No I can’t I have to go! I can’t mess up today! I can’t!” She was borderline hysterical now.

“Hey sshhh calm down it’s alright.” I said softly as I ran my hand over her mane to try and sooth her, it seemed to work a little.
“Whatever is going on panicking won’t help you so just take a few deep breathes okay.” Holding her chin I gently made her look me in the eyes and motion my free hand up and down slowly. “Breath in” I moved my hand up and she did. “Breath out.” I lowered my hand and released her chin and she did again. “Now what’s going on?”

“I’m on probation at work and if I mess up again I’ll lose my job, if I lose my job I’ll never get my little muffin back from the F.P.S.”

“F.P.S. Little muffin?” I asked with a head tilt totally lost.

“My daughter Dinky, and Foal Protection Services.”

“And just why does this F.P.S have your daughter in the first place?” I asked trying to keep rage under control and plotting out how I was going to make these kidnappers suffer.

“Because…they..think I’m a bad mother…cause I mess up all the time…I try my hardest but I just can’t…do anything right.” She started sniffle and tears began welling up in her eyes. I meanwhile got to thinking about something regarding the F.P.S

“Miss tell me more about the F.P.S. what is their job and what do they do exactly and who do the work for.”

“It’s their job to make sure foals are being cared for and are healthy and safe. If they aren’t they take them away and care for them. And I guess they work for the princess.”

“You guess? You mean you don’t know?”

“Well they do. They are funded by the crown official royal seals and everything.”

I was skeptical but I’d talk to Luna and Tia when I got back.

“Alright you said you couldn’t mess up today right?” She nodded some of that fear returning. “Do always rush around like that with that big bag?” Another nod. “And you crash a lot losing and damaging a lot mail in the process right?” She shrank a little but nodded. “What time do you have to be done with deliveries?”

“Two thirty so I can be at the school house to pick up muffin at three with the F.P.S pony.” I pulled out my watch and looked at the time it was only 8:30 that was more than plenty of time to get that done.

“Alright then Miss I’m going to share a little secret with you that will help you get done on time if not early.” Her head snapped back up quickly looking at me expectantly. “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.” I actually had to force myself not to laugh when her muzzle scrunched up in confusion. “It means if you take your time and do things right the first time you won’t have to go back and try again.”

“But But I have to hurry slow will never get done fast enough!” She nearly shouted waving her arms and wings around.

“Trust me.” I offered her a smile and a pat on the head. “Come I’ll teach you.”

We started walking around town coming to the first stop. The mail was thankfully separated by street making it much easier. She explained that she had normally crashed by now and the mail would be all mixed up. Her fear and uncertainty was quickly beginning to fade. While I was with her she was the one doing all the work I was merely helping to keep her calm and not panic. It was on the froth house I heard very rapid wing beats approaching us from behind and above. The wing beats were quick but controlled so they weren’t about to crash. It was much closer to a dive bomb since I couldn’t tell who it was aimed at so I took a few steps away from the mail mare. As the flier got closer and closer it became apparent I was the target. So I waited till just the right moment then I jumped as high as I could tucking into a back flip. When I did I seen a very familiar rainbow manned mare crash into the ground making a small ditch from the impact.

“Well Dash that’s 2 to 0. Best out of five?” I snarked as I landed and she slowly pulled herself out of the hole groaning. The mail mare came walking back up to me a spring in her step and drawing my attention to bouncing bust. “Geze those are even bigger that Diane’s. Wait where did that thought come from?”

“Hi Rainbow Dash.” The busty mail mare greeted the downed pain in my tail.

“Hey Disty…” Dash groaned as we walked past her to the next house. On the plus side I got her name or at least a nick name.

The growl from the angry mare behind us was impossible to miss as was her taking off right at me. Narrowing my eyes in anger I turned my ears I and could tell exactly what she was doing. Her leg was curled up ready to perform a flying kick right into my back. Snarling myself I spun around shifting again and caught her hoof one handed my clawed thumb pressing hard in the pad. I wasn’t stabbing her with the claw mind you if I really did hurt her; my stay would become more complicated. She let out a loud yelp and her wings went stiff as she fell to the ground. I follow up be stepping on her stomach knocking some of the wind out of her. I could tell Ditsy had stopped and was looking at me and so was the rest of the town but I didn’t care at the moment.

“You really don’t learn do you?” I pushed a little harder on her stomach and returned to normal. “Or do you just really want to learn what the castle dungeon looks like?” The sudden look of fear on her face was more satisfying than I was expecting. “Here’s some free advice that aggression of yours is going to get you into a lot of trouble one day.” I released her hoof and I lifted my foot off her. “Don’t ever attack me again understand?” She nodded slowly some of that anger returning. “Good… now run along.” She very quickly flew away to parts unknown I didn’t care as long as she wasn’t bothering me.

“Why did Rainbow Dash attack you mister?” Ditsy asked looking confused and a little fearful.

“Likely because she’s a bigot.” I stated plainly as we resumed her mail tour.

“What’s a bigot?”

“Not important right now what’s the next street?”

The next few hours went by without incident other than the mixed whispers about what happened with Dash. Most were nonsense theories about me being an ex-lover of hers’ or Gilda’s or both. What was it with these ponies and assumptions about me being involved with someone? The rest of the rumors were about what I was and why I was helping Ditsy; they were just as groan inducing. Ditsy seem oblivious to the stares and whispers and never stopped talking about her “muffin”. All of it said she truly did love like a mother should. As she went on though my mood soured slightly thinking about my childhood but I forced that away. It was half past noon by the time she finished her route. I gave her a quick pat on her head for a job well done which she seemed to enjoy. A reminder of my secret and she was off to eat lunch before waiting for her daughter without even asking my name. I couldn’t really blame her or mind all that much. I hoped more for the safety of Dinky that I didn’t make a mistake by helping. I didn’t think for a moment that Ditsy would intentionally do something harmful but that didn’t mean she was fit to be a mother.

“Aww that’s so sweet!” A loud high pitched squeal came from right behind me and I nearly jumped out of my fur landing on my face. I quickly rolled onto my back to see Diane one of the brightest smiles I had ever seen on her muzzle. She wasn’t wearing the blue dress and apron like last time. Instead she was wearing a short yellow skirt and a blue top only being held up two thin straps. Even from the ground I could tell she was showing off a lot of cleavage. On the front of her lower thighs; I was guessing, her cutie mark two blue balloons and one yellow one.

“You helped out Ditsy! I knew was a super nice pony er…. uh shifter?” She finished tilting her head in thought.

“Person… but where did you come from? You scared me.” I got up and brushed off the loose dirt and grass. She really had too, it wasn’t until she spoke that I heard or smelled her. Getting snuck up on was something I really really didn’t like. A big reason was because it’s normally followed by pain, blood, sweat, and horrible smell of burning flesh, or freshly dug holes for disposing of the bodies afterward.

“Well it goes AAALLLL the way back to my many greats grandma Rock Pie, and grandpa Rock Field, and to great aunty Quarter Quartz, who had to change her name for tax reasons then there was Lime Boulder Uaness that married into the family and there was-” I had to cover her muzzles with a finger somehow I had a feeling she would tell me her entire family history if I didn’t. I sighed and expected her to be a little upset for interrupting her, but no she only smiled her happy smile up at me and waited.

“What I meant was how did you sneak up on me? They aren’t a lot of people that can do that.” I removed my finger and crossed my arms looking at her.

“What do you mean? I’ve be following you since catching Ditsy, except for that quick stop at Sugar Cube Corner to drop off my crash pillow.”

“You have a crash pillow?” Raising an eyebrow my insides were telling me there was a LOT more to this mare than I first thought. “Wait why do you have a crash pillow?” She giggled loudly covering her muzzle with a hand.

“Of course silly what else would I use when my tities tingle?” She blushed slightly realizing what she said while I just felt more confused. “When they tingle it means somepony flying is gonna crash. It’s all part of my Pinkie sense.” She finished with a big smile as if that explained everything.

“Pinkie sense?”

“Uhuh I get these little twitches, tingles and itches that tell me when something is about to happen. But I mean duh you have one too it seems.” She gasped loudly and placed her hands on her cheeks. “Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! You have a Pinkie sense too!”

“No I don’t.”

“Yes you do how else did you know Dashie was all..” She then made noises with her mouth that I was guessing meant flying. She had also, somehow produced two very crude dolls of myself and Dash and reenacted what happened. “… and you were all “witty one-liner” and walking off like a boss. Then she attacked you again, which was super duper mean of her, and you caught her hoof almost super faster like you had eyes in the back of your head.” Another deep gasp and she hopped behind me clinging to my pack and looking at the back of my head. “You don’t have eyes in the back of your head do you?”

“No, no eyes back there, just really good senses. It’s sometimes called “Blind Sight” though.”

“Oh oh oh like Mare Devil?” She asked hopping off my back again.

“Mare Deivl?” I asked and she quickly pulled out of her mane a small colorfully book with a picture of a mare in a skin tight red full body suit of some kind. The mare in question was wearing a blindfold and was fighting a very tall and muscular mare wearing a business suit. The title or the book read Mare Devil VS Queen Pin. Taking the book form Diane I quickly read through it. It detailed this “Mare Devil” as having lived in someplace call Tartarus’ kitchen how she was rendered blind and learned to “see” again using all her other senses. “Greatly exaggerated compared to my own senses, but yes that’s pretty much how I knew Dash was dive bombing me.”

“Cool! How greatly?”

“I can only “see” out roughly 60 feet..or hooves as you ponies say. That’s why I asked where you came from, you nearly scared me to death.” Diane’s smile dropped a little at that.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to scare you.” Her lip was trembling slightly she was looking slightly afraid. “Are we still friends?”

“I don’t see why not, but in the future please don’t sneak up on me like that.” Her smile returned and I relaxed slightly I didn’t want to see her crying again.

“Thank you for not being mad at me, but why don’t you like being sneaked up on don’t you like surprises?”

“No I don’t actually.”

“How come?”

“I just don’t...” I started walking off and nodded my head to Diane telling her to come with if she wanted.

“Super secret reasons you’re not going to tell me till you really really really reALLLLYYY get know me?” She joined me and I swear I heard a small squeaking sound when she smiled again.

“If I ever do tell you it will probably be a long time from now.”

“Great I’ll mark it on my calendar!” She pulled out said calendar and marked a large section of spring for the next year with a bunch of hearts and wrote “The truth unfolds” then stuck it back in her mane. This mare was pushing the boundaries of what I thought was possible or made sense. Still sane compared to Marshaw though so I just accepted it as part of who she was.

“Any idea why Rainbow tired to attack me anyway?”

“She really hasn’t had the best week. I think it might be a little bit because of me…” She hung her head slightly looking sad.

“Tell me about it.”

For the next hour or so we walked around town and she told me about what happened with Gilda. The story pretty much matched up with what the griffin had told me. I had led us to the school house where we sat down on the bench on the far side of the street. I was keeping an eye out for Ditsy and the F.P.S pony ready to find out the truth. Diane was talking about some upcoming cute-ceanera next week that she was planning for a big client in town. Ditsy had shown up and a business suit wearing mare not long after. I watched and listened to the exchange as best I could with the earth pony quickly talking about the party. As best I could tell the mare was a legitimate official of the crown. No talks of bribes, threats, loaded language or even double talk only a seeming arrangement to be checked on routinely. Ditsy left the school house holding hands with a small light purple unicorn filly and happy smiles on their faces that brought Diane to tears. I only knew this cause she clung to my arm making me lose my focus.

“So..” She sniffled slightly seemingly crying with joy. “So…So…wonderful.”

“I wish them well.” On the edge of my hearing I heard a buzzing sound of some kind when I turned to look a saw one of the dirtiest pegasus fillies since I got here. She was orange with a purple mane and was wearing a beat up and torn green sleeveless shirt and equally torn up blue jean shorts. The small filly was flapping her little wings as fast as she could, trying to reach some of the higher berries from a bush.

“Diane do you know that filly?” I asked pointing to the small pegasus and the pink mare looked.

“No I don’t she must be new….” A few full seconds past then she gasped jumping into the air and flying off to parts unknown. Then she promptly reappeared in front of me inches away from my face looking me in the eyes. “Make sure she is at Sugar Cube Corner by 7 okay? Thanks! Remember 7 o’clock bye!” And just as quickly she disappeared again. Confused and perhaps slightly fearful of Diane now I got up from the bench and walked over to the little filly.

I was about halfway there when I notice she just didn’t look dirty she smelt like it too. That’s about when I stopped and considered how to approach without scaring her. Sitting down quietly up against the trunk of a nearly by tree I fished around in my B.O.H. Finding what I was looking for I made a little show of unwrapping the cloth to reveal a trail bar. A large dense cake-like block made form oats, berries, and plenty of other dried fruits and vegetables combined with flour. Then pressed into a tight block then soaked in brandy to preserve it. A single 6 by 4 by 2 inch bar was enough to feed an adult for a whole day. It was a rather bland thing to eat by my own standards, but I kept a healthy stockpile of these around for times like this. The fact that they didn’t spoil for years didn’t hurt either. I pretended not to notice the filly looking over at the bar drooling while I tore off small bits with my fingers and ate them embellishing how flavorful it was with a hum of delight. I made an only slightly faked yawn as I set the bar to the side closest the filly with the cloth wrapper under it. Closing my eyes I pretended to go asleep breathing slowly and steadily. I wasn’t the best actor but it didn’t take much to fake sleeping. After a few minutes tiny hoof steps slowly got closer and closer. She was trying her hardest not to wake me up and steal the bar. It was right as she was reaching I quickly shot out my hand and grabbed her by the scruff of her neck.

“Well, well, well, looky at what I caught.” I smiled at her and she looked up at me in utter fright flailing her limbs and wings wildly but not screaming much to my surprise. As her wings flailed a scent entered my nose and my smile fell. The smell of decay was heavy on her little wings. It made some sense though a large number of feathers were broken, sticking out at odd angles, and a covered in dirt and filth. “Calm down young one I’m not going to hurt you.” Her look of fright changed to confusion and stopped squirming.

“You’re not?”

“No but if you wanted some food all you had to do was ask.” I let go of her and tore off a large chunk of the bar and handed it to her. “But since you try to steal I should turn you in….” I paused as the filly held her food shaking fear taking hold again. “….but I’m not going to provide you at least tell me a little about yourself.”

“Not a lot to tell…I’m an orphan.” She said as she took a bite humming at the taste of real food for what I was guessing the first time in months. “The names Scootaloo what’s yours?”

“Call me Roe, if you’re an orphan why aren’t you at an orphanage?” I wasn’t about to ask why she was an orphan too many reasons that it could be and none would likely be pleasant.

“’Cause the orphanage sucks that’s why all the caretaker did was yell at us an tell us we would never be adopted cause nopony loved us… especially our real parents…” She was starting to cry but was fighting hard not to. I placed my hand on her mane and pet her gently which help to calm her down.

“Scootaloo is that orphanage here in Ponyvile?”

“No Canterlot why?”

“Oh…no reason.” “You don’t need to know what I’m going to do to this caretaker when I find them.” I thought to myself wondering how loud they would scream once I found them. “Would you like a home little Scootaloo?”

“You’re going t-to a-a-” She stuttered looking overjoyed at the idea but I had to cut off that thought before it got too far along.

“No I’m not because I can’t I’m only going to be in Equestria till next year’s winter.” She started crying again and I pulled her onto my lap not caring about how dirty or smelly she was. “Instead I’m going to buy you a house here in Ponyvile and teach you how to take care of yourself.”

“What! My own house!?!” She shouted and looked up at me disbelieving.

“Mhm.” I nodded slowly. “The only cost to you is going to school making good grades and taking good care yourself and the house. The better your grades and the better the shape the house is in the more bits I’ll give you to spend on things other than food. Does this sound fair enough to you?”

She didn’t have any words and was fighting her tears again and pushed her head into my chest hugging me tightly. A sad smile on my face I tossed the remains of the bar back in my bag and stood up. Carrying Scootaloo got me even more strange looked but I took the long way around town to drop her off at the hospital. A kind looking earth mare with a white coat and soft pink mane took the tiny filly from me and promise to take good care of her. I paid for the bill up front and way outside the hospital. No way I was going to enter, that place gave me shivers just thinking about it. After that I went to town hall and after a brief, if slightly awkward exchange with Mayor Mare I now owned a house on the outskirts of Ponyvile. The place wasn’t new but in very livable shape and after another quick round of shopping the house was furbished if slightly spartan. It wasn’t easy to get new clothes for the little filly but I did get them. When I picked up Scootaloo from the hospital she didn’t even look like the pony I dropped off. Her and her clothes was clean she was smiling. I could tell her wings were in much better shape even with how rapidly she was flapping them. It made me happy that I had improved someone’s life today. I took her over to sugar cube corner right on time and the little filly was greeted with smiles from Diane the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Cake and a few random towns ponies. For a few hours I was willing to bet she was the happiest girl in the world other than perhaps Diane. I took Scootaloo to her new home Diane came with and while the child slept in my arms I explained what had happened and asked her to check in on her from time to time. With the little filly tucked in bed and a large teddy bear Diane somehow had on her we left locking the doors and windows. As we walked back to the bakery Diane made what she called a Pinkie promise to not to say a word about the orphan part. I had left Scootaloo a brief letter detailing what I was expecting of her and a Diane left a small cook book of easy to make and tasty meals for her.

“You did a good thing Roe Roe.” She said to me on the way back to the bakery.

I shook my head slowly. “No I didn’t I did what many others should have done to begin with. She has been the only poverty stricken pony I’ve seen since getting here, and trust me I’ve been looking.”

“It’s still sweet of you it’s like you’re her daddy.”

“No I’d be staying with her right now if I was.”

“You aren’t because you’re leaving next year?”

“Yes it will be easier on her if she sees me as a teacher rather than a parent.” I yawned deeply beyond tired at this point.

“Sleepy?” She asked with a giggle.

“Very I didn’t get any sleep last night. I had a sort of unexpected guest.”

“You had a guest? Wait does that mean you have your own place now?” Diane bounced on her hoofs looking excited.

“Yeah castle heights apartments 4th floor suite F.”

“Whoohoo! House warming party!” She jumped throwing little bits of colored paper into the air.

“Diane please no parties at my house.” I said waving the paper away from my face.

“Oh okay…then…I can visit thought right?” She asked with a little bounce in her step making me wonder how she didn’t fall out of her top.

“That I don’t mind at. But if you’ll excuse me I need to find a tree.” I said looking around.

“Why are you looking for a tree?” She asked tilt her head and ear eat twitching.

“To get in a quick nap before I head back.”

“Oh no you don’t mister!” She said with a surprising amount of force and grabbed my hand. “You’re not sleeping outside when I have a bed big enough for you.”

“I actually like sleeping outside.” I somewhat nervously said.

“No excuses!” With strength I hadn’t seen in years she quickly pulled me into the bakery and before I knew what was happening I was in her room.

“uhu…” I blinked owlishly as I took in the small room bright pinks alongside the cool earthy tones was relaxing yet slightly energizing somehow. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with this Diane.”

“Why not?” She hopped out from a changing screen wearing pale sky blue lose fitting outfit with muti-colored balloons on it. The clothes covered her neck to hoof except for a little of her pink cleavage. “Don’t you want a snuggle buddy?”

“Snuggle buddy?” I asked more than slightly confused as she gently but firmly pushed me onto her pink fluffy couch.

“Yeauh snuggle buddy. A buddy you snuggle with to help you sleep at night.” She said with an innocent smile no signs what so ever that was trying to pull a fast one on me.

“Is that a common thing in Equestria? Cause if never heard of such a thing.” I scratched at my ear slightly wondering if this was something only she did or not.

“Of course it is silly, Spike and Twilight are snuggle buddies, the apple family snuggles together, Fluttershy has her animal friends, and I have my sisters when they are around Gummy and Mrs. Cake sometimes. That’s also why I gave Scootaloo that great big teddy bear.”

“Gummy?” I asked and I felt something clamp around my shin it was really hard to kick my leg out in reflex. When I didn’t notice any pain I looked down to a tiny green alligator with a vacant look on its face softly chewing on my leg.

“Gummy! You naughty boy you know you’re not allowed to chew on guests till they say its okay.” She reached down and pulled the reptile off my leg holding it in her lap while I looked on in utter confusion. “I know you like him too but that was very rude say you’re sorry.” Gummy stared at me blankly for few long seconds then licked his left eye while blinking the other. “He says he’s sorry.”

“Umm…apology accepted…I guess….” I rubbed the back of my neck slightly crept out by the blank look on its face.

“So snuggle buddies? As hot as it’s been Gummy has really wanted some space lately.” She set the gator down and he slowly walked to the bathroom.

“Uh…Diane shifters and most others back on my world really only share beds with lovers or sometimes their children.” I said trying to avoid the awkwardness of this situation. “Plus I was only going to sleep for an hour or so before heading back to Canterlot.”

“Why only an hour? Do you reaalllyyyy need to be back that quickly?” She asked pleadingly and her mane slightly falling.

“Well…no but I-”

“Then what’s the problem? Is it because you don’t like me?” She interrupted me started tearing up slightly.

“No no its not that I….I just don’t really like being touched, even more so when I’m sleeping.” I said trying to calm her down.

“Oh..” She scooted down the couch slightly her mane falling even more. “I have been making you feel really uncomfortable then…”

“Not as much as I was expecting…” I said quickly wondering just where that came from and she seemed to perk up a little.

“So you’re going to go now?” She reached over placing hand on mine rubbing them back of it with her thumb looking into my eyes. Again I felt that strange feeling I did the night we accidently kissed that feeling of promised safety. I pulled out my watch and looked at the time and it was half past ten. With a sigh I put the watch back in my pocket and looked at her again.

“Do bakers wake up real early in the world too?” I asked and her mane puffed back out slightly as she nodded quickly her smile returning. “Then I guess it won’t hurt to sleep here.” Her smile grew so big I was afraid her face would split in two and she seemed to glow a little. “Just please try not to touch my back or head okay.”

“Okay I won’t.” She said happily as she got up and went over to her bed. “I won’t look while you change either.” She turned her back to me and covered her eyes.

Wondering just how in the hell I had gotten myself into this I walked behind the changing screen and changed into my spare “in-town” clothes. They were normal clothes deep blue cargo pants and a long sleeve pull on shirt. I placed my field clothes and blades in my B.O.H and my quiver in the pack closing it tight. Walking back out bare foot carrying my pack and belt I place them on her couch my bow still in gauntlet form on the top.

“You can look now.” I said feeling slightly strange about all this. She turned around and smiled at me then pulled her pink blankets back and climbed in patting the spot next to her. I watched for a few moments starting to have second thoughts. I reached into the pouch that held my flask pulled it out and tapped the dragon. As I was unscrewing the cap I looked over my shoulder, Diane seemed rather saddened by what I was doing. I hadn’t told anyone other than Luna what it was but it still felt like she knew somehow. I looked at the flask for few long moments then put the cap back on and back where in belonged not having drank a drop. When I walked over she was smiling again and gave me plenty of room. I normally slept on my right side thankfully I’d be able to without asking to switch places. Facing her no sooner than my head hitting the pillow she covered us with her blankets and snuggled right up to my chest. She had her own arms crossing her chest seeming to keep her breasts from touching me or to not hug me, hard to tell which. She gently nuzzled her cheek up against my cover pectoral muscles then looked up at me.

“I’m not making you uncomfortable right?” She asked me softly nearly a whisper and I shook my head. “Will you…hold me?” Her cheeks got slightly darker as I wrapped one arm around her. “Thank you…sweet dreams Roe Roe.” Almost instantly she was sound asleep.

I pulled her a little closer and rested my chin on her head and whispered softly. “May your dreams be pleasant….Pinkie.”

Author's Note

Okay i know there is going to be many that say I'm painting Dash as a blood thirsty hot headed fool. And yes i am because she WAS a hot head in season one. I mean she ATTACKS a dragon and I'm quoting Fluttershy here "A huge, gigantic, terrifying, enormous, teeth-gnashing, shark-scale-having, horn-wearing, smoke-snoring, could-eat-a-pony-in-one-bite, totally all grown up dragon."

Do i really need to say any more on that?

Also a chronological order of events up to when things start to really go off the show's track.
Please note that i wont be doing a chapter for each of these episodes its merely a guideline detailing the events that will happen.

Starting from "Griffin the Brush off"
"Boast Busters"
"Call of the cutie"
"Dragonshy"
"Look before you sleep"
"Bridle Gossip"
"Swarm of the century"
"Feeling Pinkie Keen"
"Show Stoppers"
"Stare Master"
"Over a Barrel"
"A bird in Hoof"
"The cutie mark chronicles"
"Party for one"
"Suited for success"
"Dog and Pony show"
"The best night ever"
"Sonic Rainboom"
"Green isnt your color"
"Owls well that ends well"
"A Canterlot Wedding"
"Fall weather friends"
"Luna Eclipsed"
"Baby Cakes"
"Hearths Warming eve"
"Winter Wrap up"
"It's About Time"
"Lesson Zero"