Up until his meeting with Velvet, Anon’s morning couldn’t have gone worse. He slept in, stubbed six toes in his rush to get ready, and nearly forgot to brush his teeth. He’d managed however, somehow, and arrived to meet Velvet in the markets without a trace of a poor start.

The sun had just come over the tops of the houses, warming the streets with Celestia’s pleasant light. The two of them, human and pony, sat at a table in front of a nearby coffee shop. There, they talked about the smaller things, watching the residents of Ponyville as they milled about. With the obvious pleasantries out of the way, such as “how are you,” and “how are your loved ones,” the two began exchanging stories about their lives, much to their mutual delight.

Anon listened intently as Velvet spoke, his jaw rested in his hand, elbow propped against the table and his mouth formed into an ever present, bright smile. He'd always loved listening to others tell stories and Velvet had plenty to share. He'd learned just how mischievous she could be and, contrary to her current tale, how caring she was. With every passing moment he wanted to know more and more about her. None of his past relationships had been this interesting, and it really helped that the mare before him had such natural beauty all on her own. She was cute, much like her daughter, but also intensely beautiful, like a Victorian lady.

Anon had to contain his growing adoration for Velvet, suppressing the occasional pleased sigh as he listened to her. It helped that she was currently telling him about the trouble she used to get into with her teachers in school; one teacher in particular, Anon took note, she seemed to have it out for.

"So . . . she was prone to paranoia? Aaand you made it worse," Anon chuckled.

“Right, she was paranoid,” Velvet said with a mirthful smile and a soft nod. “So, me being the incorrigible little filly I was, I kept leaving little notes on her desk. Every time she walked off, I’d put another letter on the note before she got back to her desk!” Velvet’s mischievous smile gave way to gleeful enjoyment, her hooves clapping excitedly while she practically bounced in her seat. "She was trembling for an hour after that!"

“Oh dear god. What did you write on it?” Anon asked, his grin stretched from ear to ear in anticipation.

“I. Will. Get. You.” she spelled out before giggling into her hooves. Barely containing herself, she then sputtered through her laughter, “You--you should have seen her for the next f-few weeks! Every time...every time she entered the classroom, she’d--she’d checked the doors and windows first, then her desk and chair, th-then our desks and chairs!”

"That long?! You’re horrible," Anon blurted. Smiling deviously, he leaned forward, putting both hands on the table to balance himself. “Ok, what happened next?”

“Hey, you’re laughing too, buster!" Velvet said in mock defence, her smile and giggles betraying her. "Anyway, after the paranoia faded a bit, I put another note on her desk, ‘Got ya!’ and just when she read it, I jumped through the window and threw a paint-filled balloon at her!” Seeming unable to control herself, Velvet giggled madly. “G-Guess what color! Well go on, guess!”

“Orange?” Anon sniggered knowingly.

“Like a traffic cone!” Laughing uncontrollably, Velvet wrapped her hooves around her barrel. “You--you should have seen the look on her face! It popped and covered her and the entire back wall, and then--and then she chased me! All over the school yard! For an hour!”

And at that, the two of them laughed uproariously for the next few minutes. Whenever they’d tried to stop and make eye contact, the smallest giggle or chuckle from either one of them would start the whole fit over again. Many times, Anon would wipe the tears from his eyes, only for them to return in another bout of laughter. He could see that Velvet wasn't faring any better, as she was doing the same. After what felt like several minutes later, Anon finally managed to calm himself enough to speak, his stomach and sides hurting as if he'd been running on a full stomach.

“You know, Velvet, I never pegged you for a trickster,” he said after sighing contentedly. “You’re just so serious all the time.”

After visibly taking a few steadying breaths to compose herself, Velvet spoke. “Well, admittedly, I didn’t used to be this serious. I could introduce you to a few ponies who’re still wary of me for what I did to them in my youth.”

“What, you’re not young? When did you start aging?” he teased, waggling his eyebrows at her, drawing a blush from the older mare.

“Oh stop. You’ll make me blush – even more,” she said as she turned her head to avoid his gaze, covering the side of her face with a hoof.

“Oh? So this delightful shade of pink isn’t your natural color?” he smirked, pointing a finger at her nonchalantly. He didn't think it was possible, but Velvet’s blush seemed to deepen and reach up to her ears. Sporting a curious smirk, he reached over her hoof and gently took hold of one of her ears, its soft and furry texture feeling hot beneath his kneading fingers, feverish almost. "I didn't think ponies could change color," he said in a near whisper.

Seeming annoyed, despite her incessant blush, Velvet swatted his hand away, only to stick her tongue out at him in a playfully. Bringing a hoof up to her head, she rubbed at her blushed ear, as though Anon had been a fly that landed on it.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to invade your personal space," Anon apologized with a hint of nervousness in his voice, his hands folding atop his lap after realizing his little faux pas.

“Oh, no, it's alright.” Velvet stopped and turned to him, a gentle smile gracing her lips. This, Anon noticed, was a genuine smile. A smile that was intentional and honest, reaching her eyes and cheeks, not just her mouth. “U-um . . . Anon? Do you think we could do this again? I’ve really enjoyed myself today.” she said as she began rubbing her fetlocks together. It looked to Anon like she would be wringing her hands nervously, if she had hands. “Maybe . . . maybe get breakfast again sometime?”

“We just had breakfast?” he chuckled, teasing her. The small act helping him recover from his embarrassment.

They’d been talking so long that it had become mid-day before either had realized it, as all the ponies around them were starting the mad rush that was lunch time. A curiosity to Anon was that, even here in Equestria, it seemed like lunch was still a big deal for some. People and ponies alike, rushing around just to take a break. I suppose some things are the same in every culture, he mused. The sun had now risen high above them, much like ceiling lamp, but many, many times brighter and hotter. Another thing he noticed was how the climates were identical to that of Earth’s, only the air was thicker and warmer, yet, not so much that he felt he was drowning. If anything, the air here was cleaner and richer.

“I consider a good conversation to be as good as food, I’ll have you know,” Velvet said in mock offence, huffing and crossing her hooves over her chest as she turned her face away from him, her snout raised to the air. Her smile however, crept back onto her muzzle, betraying her enjoyment of the moment. Opening one eye, she saw him with his elbows on the table and his chin on top of his laced fingers.

Smiling smugly at her, Anon teased again. “I see. Then I’m sorry I didn’t notice you stuffing your face, my lady.” Feeling a bit playful himself, he decided to wink at her.

Velvet scoffed softly. “A lady never stuffs her face.” she chided playfully, closing her eye and going back to her mock, huffing, offence.

“How about ‘gorging herself’?” he offered, grinning widely.

Turning back to him she punched his arm, shouting, “Oh shut up, you.” But, once again, her happiness gave way to a smile and she couldn’t keep up the facade.

Anon played along with Velvet’s act, he gasped and brought his hand to his chest in mock surprise. “Such violence, and language. And from a lady! Oh, what shame, the scandal!” He raised the back of his hand to his forehead as he’d seen Rarity do countless times.

I should get an award for “Best Impressionist,” he laughed inwardly.

Velvet giggled and rolled her eyes at him. “Ha ha. Very funny. Okay, smart guy. Let’s hear about your childhood," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. She turned to face him fully and adjusted herself in her seat, sitting slightly back to rest against the backrest.

“Hmm, let’s see. A good story about my childhood . . . “ he sat back and thought for a few moments. He pinched his chin between his fingers and looked down and to his left as if searching for something but unable to see it. He smiled deviously and looked back at Velvet, “I know just the one, but it isn’t from my childhood. Okay, so, you know that where I come from, we use a lot of machines–”

"–instead of magic, yes. I remember Twilight telling me something like that,” Velvet nodded.

“Okay, so this story involves a broken dryer, a remote controlled toy car, and some fireworks. The dryer is pretty straight forward. It’s a hollow metal box to dry clothes. The remote control car is basically like a toy train but it has little motors in the inside that drive it forward and you use the remote to tell it where to go. Kind of like a unicorn can make things float through the air and so on,” Anon explained, motioning his hands in front of himself as if he were using the controls of the remote.

Velvet nodded, waiting for him to continue.

“Anyway, I'm sitting on the couch all bored, and I know he's not coming home for a good thirty minutes. So I got an idea. I rigged up the motor of the toy car to some fireworks I had laying around the attic.Then I hid them in an old dryer we had in the shed behind the house.

"It was my brother’s turn to trim the grass and weeds around the yard, so, I hid the rake and weed-whacker beside the dryer in the far corner where I know he won't see them unless he goes looking for them. Not so much to be suspicious, but just enough to make him think I'd needed to put them there for some reason, you know?

"I hid on the roof of the house and just as I get up there he pulls into the driveway. I hear him moving around in the house and getting ready to come outside. Finally, he opens the door, crosses the yard, and went in the shed . . . “ Anon started snickering at the memory.

Velvet was grinning widely, “Yes, yes, go on!” she shooed a hoof at him to continue, her eye wide with anticipation.

“I give him a couple of seconds and then turn remote on. And not even a second later second later I hear, POP! BANG popopopopopop! Band bang! He-he come ripping out of the shed, running into the door on his way out, and tripped over his own feet in the middle of the yard!” Anon laughed loudly, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone move so fast!”

Velvet snickered, holding a hoof to her lips.

“Oh, it gets better!” Anon announced, holding up a finger.

Velvet looked up from behind her hoof, “Oh no, how could it?”

Holding back his laughter Anon continued, “He fell face-first in the piles of dog crap he was going to clean up! He got up and was all gaggin' and spitting!” His sides threatened to begin hurting as he fought to keep from laughing too hard.

“Oh, you’re evil!” Velvet grinned at him.

“Well, I didn’t get off scot-free. I was laughing so hard I rolled right off the roof and into a rose bush,” Anon admitted, scratching his chin embarrassed.

“Hah–!” Velvet burst out loudly, but just as quick, she held her hooves over her mouth. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to laugh at your pain but that is pretty funny too,” she smiled apologetically then took a deep breath and let it out to steady herself, “Well, Anon, this has been the most fun I’ve had in a while. I hate to cut it short but I need to get back to Twilight. When can I see you again?”

“I have the day after tomorrow off. Would you like to get lunch then?” Anon smiled at her, the soreness in his cheeks reminding him that he’d been smiling too much, which he was sure shouldn't be possible.

“I think I could manage that. I’ll see you then, Anon.” Velvet gave him a little wink and turned to leave.

“See you then, Velvet.” Anon waved to her as she walked away. Once she was out of sight he did a fist pump and nearly shouted, “Yes!”

Giddy and unable to sit still, Anon stood up and made his way home. He couldn't stop going over all the things he and Velvet had talked about over their foodless breakfast. Anon had a front row seat to Velvet and Night Light's breakup almost two years ago, and the divorce the followed soon after, so, obviously, he made sure to steer the conversation away from such topics.

Turning his thoughts back to more pleasant things, there was now another thing Anon discovered he and Velvet shared, their mutual dislike of mornings. Velvet regaled him with how her daughter had to wake her, by simulating an earthquake, because Velvet refused to get out of the "soft, warm, thick" blankets she'd bundled herself in.

Yeah, screw mornings. As much as I like Celestia, she shouldn't be waking anyone so early.

Velvet had chided him for laughing at her, but he admitted to needing a little help getting up in the mornings, which smoothed over that little speed bump; by which he meant that he hired an excitable green unicorn to come over to his house and bug the ever-loving crap out of him till he got out of bed. He didn't regale her with all the juicy details, much to Velvet's disappointment. He just couldn't, so, he told her about the less embarrassing wake up calls.

Anon felt his cheeks burning at a particular memory of being woken. He'd been especially difficult one morning and so Lyra had decided to enlist Bonbon to help her. The dastardly duo decided to dispel his dreams by putting him in an awkward situation, and by awkward, they'd put themselves in compromising situations around him, and thus, making him uncomfortable enough to wake. What he saw then could only be described as hot and bothered. Lyra was fooling around with his morning-glory while Bonbon took to hoofing herself over his chest while watching her marefriend at play.

Things escalated quickly and, needless to say, Anon never had to worry about waking up to the sounds of Lyra and Bonbon's voices. The latter he now had to pay bits to for her help in waking him up, like a the protection fee people pay to the mob. Bonbon might be sweet and charming openly, but behind closed doors, she was ruthless and conniving.

Anon learned three things that morning. One, that Bonbon was not as innocent as he'd assumed and was in no way going to let him forget it; two, that being with two mares was the hottest thing he'd ever experienced up to that point; and three, how to keep his mouth shut because of the threat of physical harm Bonbon had imposed on him.

Anon shook his head to clear his thoughts. Luckily, he arrived at his house before the memory of that morning could affect him publically. He ducked into his house quickly and shut the door, resting his back against the large, carved, wooden slab with a delighted sigh. He let his mind wander, due to the hot and bothered memory and due to Velvet.

Anon paused when he realized, Velvet was damn sexy! He'd had the thought before, but only in passing. Now however, it was the thought that permeated his thought processes. Her wide hips, gentle smile, tight and curving features, her sparkling eyes, and her voice. Oh, how her voice sent shivers down his spine. Although very mature and dripping with experience, she had a sound that reminded him of a teenager going through puberty, breaking every so often and almost raspy, deep and sexy while still having high pitches throughout. Some people may find it to be annoying, but Anon loved it. She didn't sound like every other mare, or even every other female, he'd ever known.

I wonder if that's why Twilight sounds so different . . . it definitely makes her cuter. He mused and chuckled.

Anon shook his head again to reign in his thoughts. He'd been propped against his door far longer than he'd intended. "Okay," he said to himself, "Time to get ready for work." ... after a much needed trip to the shower.

********

Anon rapped his knuckles against the hard wood of Twilight Velvet’s door, the sound echoed down the cavernous hallways of the crystal-tree that was Twilight Sparkle’s new home. As he stood there, Anon rocked on his heels, the small bouquet he held trembled slightly as he tried to calm his nerves, chiding himself for being so nervous. Two weeks had passed since Anon and Velvet went out for breakfast, and they'd had several very enjoyable and enlightening encounters since then. In Anon's opinion they were smitten with each other.

“Just a second! I’m almost done,” came Velvet’s sweet voice from behind the door.

Anon adjusted the red tie around his shirt-collar, Damn these things are uncomfortable. It wasn’t so much that his tie was too tight but that it felt like it was choking him just by being there. He silently made a pledge to never wear a tie again if he could help it. The tie wasn't helping his internal struggle with his shaking hands.

The door opened and Velvet poked her head out before fully opening the door, “Anon! I’m glad you’re here. How are you?”

“It’s good to see you too, Velvet. I’m fine, but apparently not as fine as you,” he smiled and gave her a wink and a quick look-over, “Wow . . . I think you may have just out-dressed the whole of Canterlot.”

Velvet giggled, then looked herself over, Anon followed her gaze. She wore a black dress with black-sequined accents and dark purple accents, all topped with lavender stitching. Her mane had been slightly puffed and had a silky sheen to it. Her tail had much the same treatment, sans bun. Anon couldn’t help but let his gaze wander all over her.

“See something you like, stud?” she said in a low, sultry voice, snapping him out of his wonderment. She fluttered her eyelashes when he looked back to her lavender eyes. She wore the slightest amount of eyeliner and eyeshadow.

Anon, noticing his own starring, pulled himself from his wandering, blushing lightly. He swallowed hard and his hands, although were no longer shaking, were losing their grip on the flowers he'd bought for his date.

Velvet put a hoof to her lips to stifle a giggle upon watching his cheeks turn, “Thank you, Anon. I’m glad you like it.”

“No! Er, yes! I like it but I wasn’t staring!” he stuttered, “I mean, I was and not that you aren't worth staring at . . . can I go dig my grave now?”

Velvet laughed, “Oh, it’s quite alright. You know, I didn’t take you for the type to get embarrassed this easily.”

Neither did I. She could weaponized her brand of sexy. Anon chuckled to himself, fidgeting with the flowers in his wavering grasp.

“In any case, are you here to pick me up, or are you just just window shopping?” she teased, giving him a half lidded "come hither" stare as she turned to the side and put herself on display, posing like a runway model.

“I am.” Anon smiled at her and took a deep breath to regain some of his composure.

“You are . . . what? Here to get me or just look?”

“Yes.”

“Well, which is it?” she turned back to face him fully.

“Yes.” Anon teased, his calm smile cracked and let her see the playful smirk that'd been building inside him.

“Alright, smart guy," Velvet giggled again. A sound Anon was coming to appreciate more and more each time he heard her do it. Velvet closed her door, her purse slung comfortably around her neck and over her shoulder. She then looked at the flowers he'd been holding, then looked up at him, "You going to eat those?" she teased.

"W-what?" Anon looked wide-eyed between her and the bouquet, realizing he'd forgotten why he'd bought them, "Oh! Yeah. For you. Something to look forward to later," he said, and passed her the flowers.

Velvet reached out a hoof with all the dexterity of an earth pony and took the arrangement. She sniffed them and sighed happily, "These are lovely, Anon! Thank you. I'm sorry but would it be rude of me to ask how you knew this is a promissary gesture?"

"Not at all. You'd have to try pretty hard to offend me. I'll admit, Little Twilight had helped me understand it years ago when I first tried dating a pony," he admitted.

"Did she happen to mention that this is also a marriage proposal?" Velvet winked at him.

"W-what?" Anon caught himself as he nearly fell over. His mind raced to put together the puzzle he'd just been given. He could feel his face drawn taut with fear, like he'd accidentally ripped a multi-million bit painting. No wonder the mares he'd given bouques to turned him down at the end of a date! He'd unknowingly asked to marry them! No wonder things between him and Berry Punch had been so awkward at first!

Anon was snapped out of his every growing freakout when he heard that chiming sound of Velvet's giggling. It dawned on him then, "Oh . . . You're mean! Jesus, Velvet, don't do that to me!" but it was too late. Velvet was nearly doubled over and laughing at him. Anon crossed his arms with a slight pout.

After several more moments in her elation, Velvet calmed herself and looked up at Anon Smugly, "I'm sorry."

"No you're not," he he rolled his eyes.

"And you're not mad at me," she suggested.

"What makes you think that?" he said, looking off to the side.

"This," Anon felt the hard edge of a hoof press on his chest and another geltly drawing his face back towards Velvet. When he caught sight of her, she kissed him. At first his reaction was to pull away, but the softness of her lips on his stayed him. It was by no means a passionate kiss, but long enough to be a tender kiss. When she released it and smiled up at him, Anon could only stare at her with a goofy grin creeping onto his features.

"Should we be going? The train will leave soon," Velvet said softly, giving him a half-lidded stare.

"You should be an illegal substance," he said happily, and chuckled. He placed a hand over the hoof on his chest and took a deep breath, "Yeah. Let's get going. I'm starved."

"Me too," Velvet smiled and hopped back down on her hooves. They pair made their way out of the castle with content smiles visible for anyone who saw them.

As they made their way to the train station, Anon noticed a bounce in Velvet's steps. She also seemed to be swaying her hips more than most mares did when they walked. He thought it might be because she was happy, if the pleasant smile she sported the whole way to the station was any indication, or, she could be doing it on purpose as to keep his attention on her. Velvet was devious when she wanted to be and very playful. That playfulness was one of the things that had attracted him to the mare in the first place.

He thought back to all the little encounters they'd had and, after thinking about it further, Anon realized that, as much as he was chasing her, she was chasing him. The little game of saying the right thing, teasing just enough to be playful, or even allowing the full weight of an emotion or thought through for the other to see . . . he wasn't the only one trying to control the situation and test out the other person. In fact, he was quite sure Velvet was better at this game than him.

Anon, still watching Velvet more so than where he was walking, came out of his revelation when Velvet turned her head to look at him. They shared a moment of curiosity before Anon smiled at her. Not the kind smile of a friend or the smug smile of someone who'd just learned his enemy's weakness, this was the smile of "I know what you're doing and I like it."

Velvet met his smile with her own, seeming to catch on to his train of thought. She bumped her hip against his leg and he flicked her hip with a finger. She grinned playfully but before she could do anything, Anon reached out and caught her ear in his hand. He rubbed the velvety flesh between his fingers and worked his way down to her skull, rolling the cartilage gently where it connected. Velvet nearly stopped as she slowed her pace to enjoy the scratch. She cooed softly and leaned into Anon as they continued on.

When they arrived, their delight took a small blow when they learned that the train was not only late, but also that it would be running slower than usual due to some engine problems. The train was still going to Canterlot, but only because it needed repairs. Anon and Velvet also agreed that they should be prepared should they need to stay the night in Canterlot after their date.

“Should we reschedule?” Velvet wondered aloud and tilted her head to the side.

Anon leaned his head back to look at the evening sky and thought for a second, he noticed three stars had begun to show as the bright even sun was setting. “Naw. I don’t think it’ll make a huge difference. Besides, we’ll have more time to talk and enjoy the view,” he offered, "Really, how often do you get to just sit on the train and watch the sunset?"

Velvet rolled her eyes playfully, “Which view? The one out the window, or the one that’ll be sitting across from you?”

“Can’t it be both?” Anon grinned at her.

Velvet gave his leg a gentle hip-check and smirked at him. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were trying seduce me.”

“Is that what this is called? I had no idea.” he said and waggled his eyebrows at her. Velvet grabbed his tie in her magic and pulled it tight at his sarcasm, much to Anon’s displeasure.

Anon, fumbling with the tie, coughed and sputtered. His tie had somehow caught on itself and, no matter how much he pulled, it wouldn’t come loose. He dropped to his knees and desperately tried to get Velvet to help him. At first she thought he was playing around, but Anon grabbed her hoof strongly in his hand and gave a desperate squeeze. He face, feeling rather stiff and warm, turned a deep red as he pulled on the legalized noose to make room for his windpipe.

“Oh, Celestia!" she fretted. Velvet used her magic and forced the tie to completely unknot. "I’m so sorry, Anon!”

Anon took several much needed deep breaths before he spoke, “It’s okay. It’s okay,” he waved her off, “Thanks though.”

Velvet smiled apologetically and turned her attention towards the oncoming train, but as Anon watched, Velvet didn't seem to relax and, if anything, she looked like she might be trying to hide her distress over nearly hurting him. With the mood spoiled for the moment and the train coming to a stop moments later, the two stepped onto the train and found their seats, waiting for the train's departure. They both looked out the window, chins resting on a hard or hoof, and elbows on the windowsiil. Velvet sat across from Anon dangling her back legs over the edge of the seat. They glanced at each other wordlessly before turning their attention back to the scene beyond the glass.

Anon brushed his foot against the outside of her left hoof to try and comfort her. The stiff, faux, polished leather slid against her fur effortlessly. Upon feeling his shoe against her, she looked over at him. He smiled kindly at her but when she smiled back, her's was more apologetic. The minutes seemed to crawl by and Anon racked his brain trying to think of a way to fix the current declining mood. Suddenly, like a falling star, Anon got an idea. Not having anything to do with the falling star he’d just seen out the window. Nope, not at all.

“Velvet?” Anon grabbed her attention and faced Velvet fully. The light of the setting sun flooded the car as a cloud passed from before Celestia's charge through the opposite windows of the car, casting Velvet in a golden light as if she was the Sun herself.

“Yes?” she smiled at him, hopeful for a better topic than the one they’d both been thinking about for the last few minutes.

“What would you do, if you could do absolutely anything? No limits.”

Velvet’s hummed a moment before answering, “That’s a difficult question to ask. What brought this on?”

“Just, wanted to see if I could get some insight on you,” he chuckled.

“Hmm . . . well,” she looked away, thinking and obviously weighing her choices, “I think I’d like to–OW!” she suddenly put her hooves to her horn, grimacing at the sudden pain. A marble landed on the train floor at their feet.

“Velvet?” Anon moved quickly to cross the small space and knelt down before her, looking for the source of her discomfort. He had more or less seen what had happened. Something came rocketing from around the seat behind him and nailed her at high speed. He looked down and saw the marble.

Velvet, still holding her horn and trying to keep from crying, had begun to curl into as much of a ball as she could without losing her balance, bringing her knees and chin to her chest.

Picking the marble from the floor, Anon stood up and turned around for whoever had thrown the glass ball. He spotted a young, teal and gold, unicorn filly playing with marbles. She was floating them through the air harmlessly, her mother sitting next to her, praising her for the magical efforts the filly made to levitate the little glass orbs. The mare was nearly identical to her foal, but lacked the vibrant colors the filly had.

“Excuse me?” Anon called over, raising his voice to get the mother's attention. His brows were knitted and and his annoyance he put on full display for the two ponies he stared at.

The mare looked up at him, “Yes?” apparently unaware of what had happened.

“Can you tell her to be more careful? Your daughter just shot my friend here.” Anon said calmly, gesturing to the filly and then to Velvet, holding the marble up as he did so.

“Hmm?" the mare hummed, only to realize what he meant and quickly shifted to a more apologetic tone, "Oh! I’m so sorry. She’s just learning how to use her magic,” the mare said nervously.

Anon sighed and turned back to Velvet only to see another marble whiz by and strike Velvet’s cheek. Anon whipped his head around to see the mare smiling nervously at him. As Anon stood to confront them again but Velvet put a hoof on his hand, stopping him mid-rise and shook her head, smiling at him as if to say "let them be."

Anon sat back down and sighed. Well, this date is going swimmingly. Maybe we really should call it quits for tonight? He thought back to how the date had started, and, all things considered, it had been very nice. His highlight was Velvet's kiss, and he guessed her's was the ear scratch on the way to that station. So, maybe this could get better, he thought, so far it's 50/50 on good to bad. I'm sure the restaurant and dinner will more than make up for this little setback

As soon as his thoughts had finished, a whole barrage of marble missiles showered him and Velvet. They covered their heads as best they could but each glass ball managed to find a particularly soft and easy target. When the barrage stopped, Anon stood and turned, standing between himself and Velvet. What he saw then disgusted him. The mother of the shooty-foal had dozens of glass marbles in her magical grasp, obviously aimed at himself and his date. She smiled at him menacingly.

“What is your problem!” Anon yelled.

She fired more marbles at him, “You are! We don’t need any talking apes here. Go back to the jungle where you belong!”

Anon, holding his arms up to shield himself from the seemingly endless stream of marbles being sent at him, was too stunned by her words to really feel the anger he knew he should be exibiting. Instead of lashing out, he shook his head sadly at the mare and then turned back to Velvet. He smiled sadly at her, she frowned at him. Anon helped her to her hooves and lead Velvet to the next car, using himself as a shield against the marble missiling maniac on the other side of the train car.

After finding new seats in the next car, which thankfully was completely empty, Anon went about checking Velvet for any more injuries. Suddenly the train lurched forward and Anon found himself uncomfortably close to Velvet. His lips nearly touching hers. The two acutely aware of how close they were to each other. His heart pounded in his chest and Anon could swear he heard a giant's footsteps in the distance. With half-lidded eyes fixed on her lips, Anon moved forward to kiss Velvet, and, for a moment, it seemed like Velvet might reciprocate. Velvet, however, pulled away before their lips had more than grazed each other.

Anon looked up at Velvet, wondering why she pulled away. She hid her muzzle behind her hooved, blushing deeply and looking at him both emberrassed and sad. Anon sighed and sat down next to her. He pulled her to his side, holding her warm shoulders against his chest. They both shared a smile and turned their gaze out to the rising moon and the passing landscape. The sun had long since set behind them and let the moon bathe the land in her soothing luminance.

Anon, unknowingly, began idly stroking Velvet's chest fur with the hand he had wrapped around her shoulders, scraping the tops of his nails through her fur gently, he teased her flesh at the the hem of her dress. Velvet cooed and Anon felt a shiver run through her. When he looked down to see what was happening her quickly pulled his hand away.

“Oh! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that,” he nervously held his hand, which was now shaking, away from her body.

Velvet smiled contentedly and looked into his eyes. She shook her head slowly and used her hoof to place his hand back on her neck, prompting him to continue his ministrations. She leaned further into him and he could feel her warmth radiating like like the sun that had flooded the other car minutes ago.

Anon sighed, relieved, and continued to move his fingertips through her fur. He heard her sigh again and, now that he had permission and was aware of what he was doing, put more effort into massaging her neck. The more pressure he put into his touch the more she leaned into it. Anon slid his hand up to her ear and gently rolled the soft flesh between his digits.

Velvet nearly collapsed at the feeling of Anon’s fingers caressing her ear. A goofy grin plastered on her face the likes of which she had never shown before. “Oooh, yeah,” she whispered softly, “Oh! Just like that!”

Anon, upon hearing her words, turned red from stem to stern. He felt the heat of his blush in his cheeks and burning his ears. He wondered –because his mind decided to take the plunge into the gutter– if these might be the same sounds she made during sex. She cooed and moaned lightly, which was diving Anon crazy and giving him a pleasantly painful pitched tent. He wanted to stop, if only to spare himself the growing embarrassment. He couldn’t bring himself to, however. Velvet looked as though she was having the massage of a lifetime. How could he stop this and deny her? He couldn’t.

The remainder of the train ride consisted of Anon massaging Velvet. Her shoulders, ears, neck, the exposed portion of her back. Needless to say, Velvet was on cloud nine. Anon, however, was in hell; flustered, red-faced, and excruciatingly aroused. Many times he wondered if she was doing this to him on purpose, many times he asked her as such. But, each time she only winked at him or stuck her tongue out at him.

Author's Note

Much thanks to Enigmatic Otaku for helping me with this chapter and getting me back into the groove of non-technical writing. I hope you all enjoy this chapter and I look forward to your comments and suggestions.