Equis Art Online II

As the group woke up, the sun was slowly rising. Rising up out of bed, Kirito yawned. As he stood up, he noticed the rest of the guys getting up as well, all in states of drowsiness.

"Great night. You guys?" Kirito asked.

"Never better." Aries said.

"Agreed." Shouzou said.

"Definitely." Agil said.

Klein yawned.

As the boys went downstairs, they found the girls and the element bearers cooking breakfast. Sitting down at the table, the girls set plates of food in front of each of them. Asuna took a seat next to Kirito and her dad, and they promptly leaned on each other. Shouzou sighed, and smiled.

"It was somewhat like that when I met your mother, Asuna." he said.

"I can see that." Asuna replied, not taking her head off Kirito's shoulder.

"Definitely." Kirito said.

As the conversation went on, the doorbell rang. Twilight answered it to reveal Cadance and Armor, who were both in various states of relief on seeing Twilight awake. As the talk continued, now including Armor and Cadance, the talk turned to the assassination attempt.

"It does seem odd why many of the nobility here would just...mark you as a threat." Shouzou said.

"It really is. I just don't know why they would just suddenly decide to kill me." Twilight said, sighing. Cadance put her hoof on Twilight's shoulder in a reassuring way. As the two of them hugged, Armor looked over at Shouzou.

"So, Shouzou...dang, can't think of a good conversation starter." Shining said, and Shouzou chuckled.

"It's often easy to find. People, or ponies, just don't seem to see that."

"I will admit, you are full of advice."

"Helps when you have a child like Asuna here." Shouzou said, and Asuna blushed.

"I see. Thing is, Cadance here's pregnant. And she's due soon. Twily and her friends know, but I think you don't. You got any advice for an expectant dad?"

Shouzou sighed.

"I've had two children, so I guess I can say a few things I've learned..."

"Like what?"

"It helps to alternate jobs and plan things out. Often, it leads to less fights over duties." Shouzou said.

Armor nodded and scribbled down the advice on a notepad.

"Shouzou? You said you had two children. Asuna's here, but where's the other?" Cadance asked.

"My son, Kouichirou, is in the United States for his education. He sends letters every so often." Shouzou said.

"I see." Armor said.

Yeah. Hey, Asuna? Would Kouichirou like me?" Kirito asked.

"He would. He's pretty easygoing." Asuna replied, and Kirito sighed. Aries set down his juice and walked upstairs. Leafa looked at him nervously, and then followed. As Aries entered the bedroom, he sat down on the bed and put his head in his hands.

"Aries? You okay?" Leafa asked, sitting next to him.

"I dunno, Leafa. I guess you could say I'm just tired." Aries replied.

"I am, too. I mean, that boss battle…"

"It's not the boss battle that's got me tired. It's the fact that Asuna and Kirito have so much together. I mean, I've never really been close with a girl before. Asher was the girl magnet in our family...when he was alive." Aries replied. Leafa smiled, and kissed him on the cheek, then she pulled back quickly. Aries blushed and turned away.

"That count as close with a girl?" Leafa asked, and Aries nodded.

"Come on. Let's head back downstairs." Leafa said, taking Aries by the hand.