Sunrise at Moon Watch

“Hello Robert!” Derpy threw a hoof over his shoulder as he came in the door.

“How's it going?” Robert asked, letting her lead him to the couch.

“Not bad. DROP IT.” the last was directed at a tiny filly behind the kitchen counter. The Cookie Jar lid clinked as the magic lifting it winked out. “After dinner.”

“Okaay.” Dinky Doo stepped out of the kitchen. “I was just practicing like I was told.”

“Aren't you supposed to practice with the balls you were given?” Derpy asked.

“Yes.” Dinky rubbed a hoof on the carpet. “But they don't taste like cookies.” she admitted. Robert laughed, and got prodded in the ribs with a hoof.

“You keep quiet.” Derpy said, then hugged him. “Go find your sister, please.”

“Yes Momma.” Dinky turned and trotted into the back of the house.

“So, what have you been up to since Tirek?” Derpy asked.

“Helping Twilight, delivering things. Making messes. Cleaning them up.” Robert shrugged. “The usual. You?”

“Pretty much the same. Except they're not usually my messes.” Derpy chuckled. “You helped Twilight? And you didn't even get a chair?” she teased, settling on the couch.

“I didn't do much of anything. Besides, I bought her a couch.” Robert smiled.

“What? But you gave her all that help with Scootaloo, and the formula for Pegasus flight.” Derpy shook her head. “And I heard you took on Tirek, even though you didn't have to.”

“Twilight would have figured out the formula eventually. And then she'd have solved Scootaloo's problem.” Robert shook his head. “Tirek... he'd have come for me. Me, Zecora, and then my home. Twilight and her friends had the chance to defeat him. I just bought them a little time.”

“That's surprisingly... sensible.” Derpy sighed. “Still, I'd think you'd want to brag a little.”

“I” he reached out, and tapped her snout. “am not Rainbow Dash. I know what I've done. I know others know. I don't need to spread the word. As long as I know I did the right thing, that's all that matters.” he paused. “I did hear something about dinner though, didn't I?”

“Ooh, right. Spaghetti, with brussel sprouts.” Derpy grinned. “Sparkler's a master at it, right?”

“Yeah mom.” said the unicorn, shaking her head. “C'mon Dinks, let's get cookin'.” the pair wandered into the kitchen.

“So.” Robert looked through the front window.

“What? I can see the wheels turning in your head. What's on your mind?”

“I'm just wondering. Zecora's gathering ingredients for her final exam. Which means I graduate. And yet, I'm still a few stripes short of a full set.” Derpy burst out laughing. “Oh ho, very funny.”

“I've never heard it put that way.” she kept laughing,but waved him on.

“Anyway, I'm not really sure where to go from here.” Robert admitted. “I mean. Yes, I got invited to learn from the Buffalo, and I really want to go down there and do that. It's just... I don't know. I'm supposed to be earning my stripes. And I'm a little stuck.” he waved at the stripes which stopped just behind his shoulders.

“What did you do that earned you those?” Derpy asked. Robert looked her in the eyes.

“I really don't know. I mean, sometimes it seemed like nothing at all would cause them to appear. I mean, I got some when I fought off a bunch of bandits. But then I got some when my wings got fixed.” Robert shook his head. “I thought it was feats of magic, but that doesn't seem right.”

“Well... Twilight keeps saying Friendship is Magic.” Derpy admitted. “So maybe you being friendly is what's doing it?”

“Maybe? I guess I could try that.” Robert sighed. “So, I've been working for Twilight, acting as her Seneschal at the castle.”

“Sounds like fun.” Derpy nodded. “Throw out anypony interesting?”

“How did you know I'd thrown anypony out? It's not really even part of the job description.” Robert asked, curiously.

“Because Twilight doesn't have any guards, and you're not going to let a little thing like being outside of the duties of the job stop you.” Derpy grinned.

“Hah. Lord Pasturn was ejected for failing to heed the warning to shut up.” Robert shook his head. “Actually, that's not entirely fair. He was told the session of court was over, and refused to leave. I've been informed that he wanted to pick a fight so he'd have reason for legal action.” he paused. Derpy was laughing.

“I wish I'd seen that!” she fluttered half off the couch, head rolling back. “I've heard all about that...” she glanced into the kitchen, “buffoon. He tried to get unicorns banned from Canterlot. Seriously.”'

“Is there anyone he hasn't offended?” Robert asked.

“Princess Luna.” Derpy nodded solemnly. “Supposedly he's afraid of her.”

“One can only wonder why.”

“Dinner's ready!” Sparkler called from the kitchen.

“Coming!” Derpy stood up. “Careful with the plates.” Sparkler had them all four plates, the spaghetti bowl and silverware wrapped in her magical field.

“Don't worry, I've got them.” she settled them to the table. Nothing broke. “Good trick.” Sparkler grinned at Robert. She raised a hoof. Robert bumped it.

“Look sweetie, I know we're trying to make up.” the stallion ducked around the far side of the table, chased by the mare. “But I don't think this will...” she went over the table and tackled him.

Cadance glanced up from her book. “That's odd.”

“What's the matter?” Shining asked, scrubbing a towel through his mane.

“Just a strange feeling.” she shook her head. “Like something that's right was just... wrong?”

“Anything specific?” Shining asked, settling down on the bed.

“No.” she blinked. “It's just a feeling. I must have eaten something I shouldn't have.” She lay her head over his neck.