Rarity and Atchmon trotted back into the middle of town; being silent the whole trip.

Neither could meet the other's gaze, and whenever one caught the other looking, they both looked away immediately.

The awkwardness of Zecora's inquiry into their relationship followed them the whole way.

'Grrrgle'

Atchmon winced in embarrassment, hoping Rarity didn't notice his stomach protests.

'Are you kidding me! Did that breakfast spoil me, or somethin'? I could go most of the day, before I felt really hungry. Now I feel like I gotta eat every few minutes!' Atchmon exasperated his thoughts.

'Maybe Rarity really was just hungry all those times, and not always eating her emotions as I thought she was; back when we were in the forest? I guess my horse-body just needs more food, more often?'

Rarity stopped and gestured at a nearby building. "Would you like to get a pizza?" She offered.

Atchmon perked up in an instant, and looked the restaurant over.

Parmesan Primavera's Pizzaria was emblazoned with white filigree on the glass door. A big novelty pizzia-pie was drizzling melted cheeze above the shop.

Just the word 'pizza' triggered hundreds of memories flashing before his eyes.

Strings of melted cheese stretched far beyond what physics deemed should be impossible. Sweet, savory tomato sauce. All those wonderfully flame broiled veggies, and meat.

Atchmon felt himself grow lighter, as if he were floating, and beckoned over by the scent of dough and melted cheese. "Ooh that sounds good... can we?" He cooed.

"Of course, my treat!" Rarity opened the door for him with magic, smiling at the entranced Stallion as he trotted in without a second thought.

He looked behind the counter at the brick oven, which already had a couple pies inside. His heart beat in excitement at the anticipation of the meal to come.

Rarity found them a booth to sit at, and floated them both a menu; while Atchmon took his seat.

He had to shimmy his rump in, just like the booths at home, but managed a comfortable position with some effort. The gap between the booth and the table was wider than the ones at home; which he barely fit. The positioning took into account the forward lean he naturally had when sitting like a dog.

Or a pony, he should think.

'Hmm, I can bend my head down far enough to eat off the table.' He observed.

In his excitement, Atchmon picked up the menu --which was already set for them to flip through-- and flipped it open without a thought; until he realized what he'd done, then the menu leaned and slipped out of his hooves like a see-saw, before landing on the table.

'Huh? Don't think about grabbing stuff, and I can; think about it, and it's like whatever I'm holding becomes aware I'm not actually holding it... kinda like Toy Story rules; I guess.' He thought curiously.

A yellow-white teenaged filly in an unfashionable red visor and a checkered red apron--smeared with dough--approached their table.

Her coat had a yellow tinge to it, like dough, and her mane and tail were white. Rarity knew of her. Niece to the owner of the establishment, Parmesean Primovera, Rarity couldn't help but feel a bit threatened by the pie artist's looks.

Great color combination with nary a flaw on her.

Even her privates at least matched her coat, unlike Rarity's.

Sure, she was just a service worker, but if rumors were true, she was apprenticing to one day own and run a branch of her Aunt's business.

Looks, wealth, and smarts. This teen-mare would one day have it all.

Rarity never would've thought of her as competition, but now that she had a stallion involved in her life; she felt a little threatened by the nubile young mare.

"Hi, I'm Mozz, what can I get you two to drink?" She asked brightly, pronoucing her name like 'motts'. Her name tag was labeled with Mozz O.

Rarity took the lead. It was simply her being a gentlemare, but she wasn't so controlling that she would deny Atchmon the freedom of making his own decisions.

Not at all because she felt threatened by a younger, more attractive rival, nor did she feel self conscious because of her green coat; and had to overcompensate by showing a strong hoof.

Nope. Not at all.

"I'll have a Dr. Tuber, Atchmon do you know what you might like?"

"I dunno, I don't really have anything to compare them to... I think?"

Atchmon had a hard time deciphering the blend of normal and backwards English-ish letters and horse hieroglyphics, but found the "Beverages".

"Moun-tain- dew?" Atchmon carefully read on the page, and couldn't help looking perplexed at the familiar drink.

"That's just tap water, darling; lots of resturants will always say it's a special kind of water, when it's simply not." Rarity informed.

"But it does come from a mountain, so it's not a complete lie." Mozz shrugged.

"Oh." He nodded and let a chuff escape him at the funny, yet wrongness of it.

The words got easier to make out as he named them aloud, while Rairy explained them.

Dr. Tuber.

"Hard to explain. Bit of cherry with lots of other root-based flavors."

Yoke-a-cola. He already knew it was the closest thing to coke in his world. 'Wonder if they still put crack in it, or if the recipe changed like in my world?' He chuckled to himself.

Boopsi.

"A lot like yoke-a-cola." Rarity said.

"It's nothing like it." Argued Mozz.

"I'm guessing that's your favorite, huh?" Atchmon teased.

"Guilty." Mozz sang and shrugged with a giggle.

Rarity's muzzle scrunched. She really didn't like how familiar Mozz was getting with her stallion.

Moonkiss. Blueberry flavored soda. Could be interesting.

Smush. Orange-flavored.

Sassparilla. Rarity said Root-based again... probably the same as saying rootbeer?

Rarity felt her timple twitching as she bit her lip watching her stallion struggle with making a decision. Looking at it like he could intimidate it into giving up an answer.

A shameful thought flashed in her mind. It was there and gone like the speed of light. She made a comparison, thinking he was acting just like any unintelligent himbo that could barely read, or make a decision without a strong mare ordering for him.

But more distracting was how the waitress was eyeing her stallion.

She was torn between wanting to help him with the menu, and snapping at the young fresh-out-of-her-teens filly.

Rarity's cheeks flushed with fury as the young mare bit her lip and not-so-subtly looked side-long beneath the table. No doubt looking to get a glimpse of Atchmon's sheath and ball-cleavage.

Rarity was about to call her out on the immature and inappropriate behavior, before Atchmon put down the menu.

"Meh, guess I'll have the same," he smiled up at the waitress, not noticing she was sneaking a peak at his crotch; instead thinking she was about to attempt to help him with the menu. "And whatever you think is good for a pizza, I jus' want one with lots'a cheese." He added to Rarity.

"Two Dr. Tubers, and we'll be having a Large Supreme with extra cheese, thank you," Rarity ordered for them and watched as the waitress jot down her notes and took their menus.

Rarity could've sworn she saw a snide look on the mare, directed at her, just before she walked away.

For a moment it made Rarity more self-conscious of her sickly green coat, now made even more garish by her newly regrown white spot. She ducked her head and hid herself out of embarrassment, and took stock of her surroundings. She doubted anyone recognized her with the bonnet on and sunglasses.

But it was obvious what the teenaged waitress thought of her. ''I bet that mare doesnt allow her trophy stallion any treats, like soda; thats why he doesnt know the flavors; she doesnt want her himbo boyfriend getting fat and sluggish in the sack.' How did a mangey, freshly dipped, flea-bitten mare with an ugly coat, unshorn legs and cracked hooves end up with a stallion like that?' Rarity nastily thought of herself.

The answer was obviously Bits.

Lots, and lots, of Bits.

Rarity was aware of rich-pony stereotypes. And although the 'pie artesian' was correct to assume she had wealth enough to bag a good-looking stallion, she still didn't like the implication that she would purposely mistreat him.

While Rarity was battling her angsts. Atchmon was curiously looking all around the pizza shop with innocent fascination. Completely oblivious to the one having a moment of inner turmoil.

The walls were decorated with many knickknacks that were mostly pizzeria-themed with the restaurant.

He looked across the table at the unicorn mare with him, and smiled genuinely, getting one in return.

Rarity felt those doubts melt away.

'The only pony that matters in this room is him, I shouldn't care what others think of me; so long as Atchmon is happy, I'm happy. Though I do wish to be rid of this coloration with all haste. Speaking of... his bay coat is quite fetching, it suits his breed well... whatever Harmony decided he should be.'

Atchmon tried to avoid eye contact, until he could come up with something to say. It looked to him that Rarity expected him to say something, but nothing came to mind. It was embarrassing having her take care of him. That was supposed to be his responsibility as a man! He just hoped she didn't think of him as a loser for not having anything to pay for their meal.

While he was looking away. Rarity stole a chance to look at his chest.

She examined his short, thick neck and bulky physique. 'Hmm... hard to pin down. Though he's a rather large breed, his size isn't enough to be a Draft, or Clydesdale, more like a Thoroughbred, or a Mustang; maybe a mix of both; but there's something else, something... primal about him.' Rarity pondered, until another comparison thought flashed in her mind. 'My goodness he's got a body like a stallzonian war horse.'

In little time as a moment, her thoughts and eyes drifted downward, landing on Atchmon's breast.

A memory flashed in Rarity's mind, remembering what his chest looked like before the change. She knew most male mammals, even some stallions, had teats; but it was a little off-putting to her, seeing them so openly.

Despite her shame, she liked him better as a pony. And was embarrassed to admit, she--like the majority of other mares--desired large-chested stallions.

There were a number of reasons, but the main point was that the larger surface area, and the larger fatty pads also on their breast, would be more comfortable on the mare's back during mating.

Other than being more attractive; it was especially great for cuddling.

It was unmarely, but stallions weren't the only ones that wanted the affection that came with snuggling into their mate's floof.

The only downside was that a bigger stallion might be heavier than a mare's legs and back can handle; and that's why most mares preferred a smaller, more submissive stallion. Mainly so they wouldn't embarrass themselves for failing to 'hold it up' as the slang term goes.

Rarity couldn't help but roam her gaze over every rising muscular mound on Atchmon's chest and shoulders.

His was big and broad, enough to make the booth look too small for him; but those mounds of fat and muscle were what Rarity found especially attractive.

It was as if Harmony molded his body to be her own ideal mate.

She liked tall stallions. Check.
A shiny coat with a unique color. Double check.
Dark and broody, without the attitude. Check, check, and Check!

Actually, that last bit was from her hooligan phase every filly was going through at the time; but there was a present, unspoken desire among grown mares that they secretly wanted a broody goth-colt with big, breeding-stud-sized balls.

Rarity's face relaxed into a subtle perverted grin at the lewd thoughts; lost in her own world. Shamelessly casting her guilt aside, knowing she wouldn't mind having a colt like that for herself now that she's more matured and successful. It was entirely within her league to court a stallion like that. Like Atchmon.

Rarity let her immaturity get the better of her. 'He might even be JTRHNMR,'
she thought with a lewd grin slowly broadening on her face.

Atchmon was through with looking around at the decorations, and returned his attention to Rarity; finding her looking like she was thinking of something funny.

"What'chu thinkin' about?" He asked.

Rarity's head snapped to attention, a pang of dread in her chest, and half-expecting to get called out for staring at his chest.

The moment passed, and she watched Atchmon still patiently waiting for her answer.

Atchmon fidgetted with his hooves on the table. "You were starin' a hole through me... S'there somethin' on your mind?" He asked again bashfully.

Rarity felt so ridiculous. 'Of course he wouldn't be offended of my looking at his chest. He's practically had it bare and on display since I've known him; if he was ever embarrassed of my looking, he would say so.'

Rarity smiled. "I was wondering how you've been adjusting to being a Pony so far?" She asked brightly, casting aside any doubt about their relationship.

"Good, for the most part," he answered. "Sometimes I can almost forget I'm not... 'me' anymore, but other times there's a little reminder every now and again." He finished by looking at his hoof.

"You've had yourself a little adventure today haven't you; what'd you think of Ponyville, is it anything like you'd thought it'd be?" She asked, genuinely looking forward to his opinion.

Atchmon shrugged, and shook his head while looking out the window into the cobblestone road; more stores sat across the street, with ponies busy shopping and enjoying a meal at other eateries.

"I wasn't sure what to expect, I was afraid it was gonna be like some 'medieval village' with mud and pony poop everywhere," he chuckled, looking back at Rarity, only to see a very grumpy, disapproving face; he balked.

"Heh-eh, but I'm really impressed that it's so much cleaner than my hometown; brighter colors too... the ponies here are nice." He corrected, then scrunched his muzzle as he remembered too late why that group of construction mares were so friendly.

Rarity smiled, but it faded as his words turned pensive.

"Used to think no place could be better than home; I've been to cities and other places, but I never felt like I went anywhere; they all had the same stores, the same restaurant chains; and the people weren't any better; worse, actually."

He sighed. "But it was still enough to make me realize, I was living in shi- hol- uh--um- poverty," he stammered, then looked down in shame. "I've heard so many jokes about 'trailer homes', and here I was thinkin' they were the best houses to live in; and everyone else was stupid for thinkin' they weren't." Atchmon laughed despite himself.

Rarity could only assume those homes were like wagons or wagon-trailers. She knew only so much about them, having lived in one with her parents for a short time. She vaguely remembered the community of like-minded wagoneers. Believing Ponies should return to their ancient, nomadic lifestyle; but it was a bit hypocritical of them to encorporate some incredibly elaborate modern advancements to their wagons. Many were just as flourished as a luxury cloudominium.

Rarity got a little lost in her thoughts, and returned to listen to the one across from her.

Atchmon interpreted a look of pity on Rarity's face, and got self-conscience about over-sharing. "Yeah, so, anyway, what I'm tryin' to say is; this is the first time I felt like I've actually been someplace new; and it's pretty here." He mumbled at the end; feeling insecure in his masculinity from using a 'girly' word.

Atchmon sat straighter. "So what's the word on what you're doin'; get all your runnin' around done?" He asked.

Rarity leaned back "Yes, but just for Ponyville; we have to leave for Canterlot tomorrow morning."

"Oh yeah, we do?" He hinted with a grin.

"Yes 'we' do; I'm not going to leave you home alone for a second day in a row." She said with a small stab of guilt piercing her chest for doing that in the first place.

Mozz came back with their drinks. "Here you go, and here you go!" She emphasized at the stallion, giving him a flirtatious wink; which made Rarity's cheeks flush with envy.

'I swear she's doing that on purpose just to antagonize me in front of him... no, calm down Rarity; there's nothing going on, she was just being friendly... a little too friendly.' Rarity thought suspiciously.

Atchmon watched with a combination of perplexed fascination as the fellow Earth-pony used a tray that was hanging around neck with their drinks. She set the tray on the table, the edge was tapered allowing the drinks to effortlessly slide off with a push of a hoof.

Rarity used her magic to take their drinks, and unwrap the straws for both of them.

There's an unspoken expectation of Unicorns to help where they can. But knowing when to help, and when not to was tricky around Earthies. There was some truth to stereotypes, and having lived in an Earth Pony village has taught Rarity that Earth Ponies were prideful as Griffons, and stubborn as mules. Sometimes it was best to wait for them to approach others for help.

Atchmon took a modest test sip. 'Mmm, this is a lot like cherry-flavored root beer; alright, I guess not everything will be a straightforward variant of what I already know.'

"Do you like it?" Rarity asked, getting a nod back along with some slurps.

Atchmon smiled genuinely, feeling a bit excited about an upcoming trip. "What all do we need to do there on the trip?"

Rarity sighed. "I'm afraid it'll be a terribly short, boring business trip; and I'd hate to have you with me, if I can't keep my promise to show you around."

Atchmon waved his hooves on the table. "Nah, don't worry about me, you do whatever needs done; I can wait until you get all your ducks-in-a-row."

Rarity smiled at the country-ism.

"How's all that going; need my help with anything?" He asked.

Rarity took a breath to steady herself, knowing she was deep in the red.

The fashion industry was cutthroat, requiring artists like herself to plan months or even years ahead of schedule.

Being 'in-fashion' meant she was already behind. Plus there was her tastes for the finer things to consider. She never once sacrificed a chance to satiate her expensive tastes.

Rarity always spared no expense.

Her original plan was to buy up properties to expand her business, then bring in new talent to keep her stores stocked; taking only a small percentage of the profits for her business and herself.

New artists get their names out into the market, which meant she didn't have to work as hard to fill her stores, allowing her to lower prices so the less fortunate can afford clothing, and it gave her passive income to support herself and her fashion empire.

It was a win-win for all, but now everything she had built was in jeopardy.

Rarity felt a pinching sensation in her brain. Her little self was kicking her in the temple and shouting: 'If you tell him you're broke, that stallion is going to dump you for another mare who will support him!'

Mozz brought came back with a large tray next. "Pizza Time!" She sang as she placed the pie on the table.

Atchmon never saw anything so beautiful in his entire life.

The cheese had just the right consistency of brown, with the vegetables having a nice char on some of them.

The aroma of sweet tomato sauce, melted cheeze and dough made his mouth water in anticipation.

It was a pizza just like back home, only much more well done. An option he didn't know even existed; asking for a pizza to be 'well done' only meant it'd be 'done well' in terms of quality.

He never realized how undercooked many of the pizza chains did their pies, until asking it to be well done; from then on he always needed it to be done that way. So it actually seemed cooked.

This wasn't the case here. Atchmon could practically smell the pride and care that was put into the craft.

Rarity was giddy to see the reaction of his first bite. Taking a bit of undeserved pride for bringing him the meal.

She served them both a slice with her magic, taking care to minimize contact so that none of her ambiant magic affected the taste.

Only an Earth pony could truly know the difference, Rarity knew Applejack was one of those ponies-- who believed it affected the quality of her apples-- but she wasnt going to take that chance on Atchmon; plus she felt he deserved a totally unspoiled bite from his second equestrian meal.

Atchmon wasted no time in cupping the slice in his rigid hoof, and taking a bite of the tip, before a chunch of melted cheese could grow too long and slide off.

"Mmmnohmmnohmmhmnomhmhmonm."

Rarity couldn't help but grin proudly at the combination of noms and pleased chuckles from the stallion across from her.

"Pretty good, huh? That one's my second favorite," Mozz said.

Atchmon was in nirvana, enjoying the taste of a well deserved treat. 'This just made it all worth it.' His thoughts mellowed into a trance; until he realized something was missing as he chewed thoughtfully.

Rarity watched as Atchmon examined his slice; and his shoulders slumped a little.

"Oh... there's not any meat." He said in disappointment.

Mozz looked taken aback. "Did you say-"

"Beets! He said beets, they're his favorite." Rarity was quick to correct. "Sorry darling, I'll remember them next time."

"Oh, ya know; most ponies don't think beets belong on a pizza, but I dont mind them," said Mozz, swaying her tail.

"Oh, that's good... me too, apparently," Atchmon offered with an awkward smile.

"It's nice to have something so sweet and ripe to break up all those bitter greens; speaking of, can I get you some desert for later?"

Rarity's cheeks flushed with rage. 'Is she flirting with him, right in front of me!? The nerve of her! I caught that sweet and ripe comment, you flat flanked filly. And that bitter green part is supposed to be referring to me, right!? Just you wait until I get my pure white coat back, you stallion stealing tart." Rarity seethed in her seat; thinking about plans to buy out the resturant just so she can terminate Mozz.

"Um, Rare, can we get some desert?"

The pounding in Rarity's ears quieted almost instantly. "Sure dear, anything you want." Rarity felt her teeth bared like fangs behind her pleasant smile at the waitress.

Rarity didn't hear what he picked for desert, after Mozz made a suggestion for him.

The pounding in her head was deafening as she watched this lower class young mare act as though she were better.

Mozz tried to strike up a conversation, her flanks continuing to sway excitedly. Seeing Atchmon enjoy the company of the young filly over Rarity's own, hurt more than any insult or micro-aggression she might endure from the filly.

But this was love. And love was a battlefield. A battle Rarity was about to lose at the risk of herself.

Rarity's annoyance spiked. Mozz was oblivious to the fact her swaying was causing her tail hair to nearly brush and swipe at Rarity's shoulder.

Rarity interpreted Mozz was doing it on purpose. That, coupled with Mozz's rump facing in her direction, was a huge disrespect among mares. Especially the higher elite.

You never do that!

"Can you please leave us to enjoy our meal; we were having a conversation!" Rarity snapped.

Atchmon and Mozz balked fearfully at her outburst.

"Right, sorry, I get carried away sometimes; I'll... bring that desert whenever you're ready." Mozz said before quickly shuffling away.

Rarity's cheek heated from embarrassment, and looked down at her slice in shame. 'Now I feel bad, she really was just oblivious; and I ruined Atchmon's meal. Have I just been interpreting slight the whole time; is this who I am? A jealous High Horse? Who am I to apply high society conduct on an innocent Earth filly service worker.'

Rarity temporarily forgot the Earth Ponies of ponyville are heavily immersed in old tradition. To face away is to protect. Always flank to flank, facing opposite ways. Earth Stallions working the fields still do this when casually conversing with each other on a break.

She doubted such a gesture went that far.
So Rarity accepted the filly simply got too smitten, and probably didn't think her stance was an issue.

This was just a local pizza joint, afterall; not the posh, hoity toity eatery like at Canterlot's resturant row.

Rarity dared to look Atchmon in the eyes. She could tell he was avoiding the question in the air; but her attitude didn't spoil his appetite at all.

He was already finished his second slice, and reached for a third.

'He's so handsome when he eats.' She thought as Atchmon--unhandsomely--struggled to lap up an extra long stringy line of cheese that refused to break away from the main slice. Unknowingly showing off his neck and chest. Rarity had to hold back a swoon.

Rarity had to take a sip of her soda to keep from feeling so thirsty.
'If I was her age... no, when I was her age, I never ceased talking up the stallions; should I really hold it against her? I mean just look at him, even I must admit he's quite the catch.' Rarity thought, while her little mind-selves restrained the alpha mare in her. The part of herself that wanted to scream 'prize stallion', 'himbo', and 'breeding stud'.

"So... what was that all about?" He managed to say inbetween chews.

Rarity clammed up.

"Rare, you don't need to take care of me, you dont have to help me at all; especially if I'm jus' bein' a bum."

Rarity couldn't believe it. 'He thinks I snapped because of him?'

"I-I'll help where I can, but I'm not sure how useful I can be; you don't need to spend your money on me, I'll get a job, and you can hook a wagon to me and have me haul stuff around for you... that's pretty much all I'm good for; far as I know."

Rarity was dumbfounded. "Darling no," she emphasized, and reached with a hoof to stop him. "I'm sorry I snapped, but I assure you it has nothing to do with you; directly." She added.

"So... what was it?"

"No reason," she lied, avoiding eye contact.

"So you were rude to that waitress for no reason?" He questioned, finishing his third slice and sucking down over half of his soda.

'Damn stallion logic!' Rarity's cheeks heated. More out of embarrassment at being cornered with this battle of wits.

Rarity took a breath to steady herself.
"Really, it was nothing; I just got... a wee bit, mmh, jealous of you talking to that filly." She struggled to say.

"Jealous?" He questioned with a raised brow. "Rare, you know she was just talking me up for a bigger tip, right?"

"Huh?" Rarity looked confused.

Atchmon explained. "Yeah, when I was bussing tables at this restaurant I worked at, all the girls there did the same thing; one of them told me she purposely opens up her shirt to show off her breasts, then she stands around talking to guys; they probably gave her a five-dollar bill every couple of minutes."

Rarity stared at him in disbelief.

"Sorry for her, but I ain't got a Bit to my name, right?" He asked in confirmation. A small pit of dread filled his stomach. He was sure that's what they called their monies. And the confession kinda hurt his pride.

'I've just been given an out, and I'm taking it.' Rarity laughed nervously. "Ha. Ha. Right."

"Are you gonna eat that?" He asked, geasuring with his snout at the last slice of pizza.

Rarity looked down. 'He ate six slices before I've bit into my first one, when did that happen?!'
"Wha- hey!" She laid her ears at him, before snatching the last slice.

Atchmon chuckled. "Sorry, those cucumber sandwiches were a teaser." He rubbed his tummy. "I think, I'm ready for that desert now." He looked expectantly over at the counter; where Mozz was conversing with her coworker.

Mozz caught the message and brought a large portion of chocolate lava cake. Only, the cake was in the form of a volcano with a candy dragon wrapped around the mantle, and hot fudge literally flowing from its mouth and into the crater.

"Oh wow!" He sounded impressed. Though if Atchmon was being honest, it looked more like it was barfing into it, with a goofy looking face. Oh well, that's confection art for you.

'How did they do that!?'

Mozz left without a word, which Rarity felt was cold, but understood why.

She felt guilty. 'I'll make it up to her later.
'

Before she knew it, Atchmon already took his first bite, straight from the top of the piping hot fudge-cano.

"Darling you really should-" she tried to warn him.

"Hah-ah!" He tried to blow off his tongue while the scalding chocolate fudge burned his tongue and cheeks. Then sucked down the last few drops of his soda to cool off his mouth and the bite.

"-blow on that first." Rarity cringed at seeing Atchmon struggling, and offered him some of her drink to help.

"Gah, thanks!" He gasped after taking a panic sip of her soda.

Rarity saw it visibly lower significantly in volume after his one sip; before she'd barely even had a sip of it herself. "Well at least this will give me time to finish my slices, and force you to save me more than just a bite." She teased.

Atchmon belched loudly and smiled sheepishly. "Can I get a refill." He asked. Mozz later came by with a pitcher. "Thanks."

"I'll take one as well." Rarity said, moving her glass for a refill. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Mozz replied autonomously.

Rarity felt the bits in her pouch sprout wings and fly away. 'That's right, Atchmon doesn't know drinks aren't free in my world; but in his world its standard practice; more often I wonder if his world is the better of the two?'

Ding-ding

An orange pony wearing a helmet, came in the store on a scooter. Then kicked the scooter out, flipping it, and had it land resting it on her withers.

"Hey Mozz, I needed to come tell you I can't deliver today because of crusading duties." Said Scootaloo.

"That's okay, Scoots, it's been slow today anyway; but will you be available to work through Hearts and Hooves day and the two weeks after?" Mozz asked.

"Oh right, that's coming up isn't it; I think so, but you know it'll probably be my first time 'working in those conditions', if ya know what I mean?" She hinted.

"Yes, I know; but if we power through it together, it's our most profitable time of the summer; lot's of lonely, emotional mares are going to eat their feelings, and not to mention herds aren't going to want to cook for themselves." Mozz explained.

"Well, if you pay by the pie instead of just the delivery..." Scootaloo lead her on.

"You drive a hard bargain, kid; fine, how's 2 Bits a pie sound to you?"

"Mmm..." Scootaloo pretended to consider the offer.

"Okay, fine; 2 Bits and you get to keep a pie after your shift is up."

"Deal!"

They shook hooves on it.

Rarity turned around and waved. "Oh Scootaloo, come here, darling; you're just the pony I need right now."

Scootaloo looked suspicious, until she recognized who was waving her over. "Hey Rarity; wow you're green, Sweetie told me everything." She greeted cheerily.

"I hope she didn't tell you everything..." Rarity emphasized.

"Oh, uhm, was she not supposed to?" Scootaloo balked then smiled sheepishly.

Rarity looked and snorted in horsey disappointment. "No she wasn't."

Scootaloo's eyes darted to the stallion sitting across the table. "Ooh is this him, is he the guy we're helping?" She bounced excitedly, then looked side-long to see if he didn't have his cutie mark. "Oh so it's true!"

Rarity didn't miss the sudden change in subject. She was going to give Sweetie an earful when she gets home from school.

"Hey." Atchmon whined and unconsciously used his tail to cover up his exposed blank flank, and to hide his indecency from the immature filly.

"This is Atchmon, Atchmon this is one of Sweetie Belle's friends, Scootaloo." She introduced them.

"Hey big guy, wow, Sweetie made it sound like you were a Lion, but you're not nearly old enough to be called that." Scootaloo cocked her head in confusion.

"Scootaloo," Rarity warned, feeling a bit selfconscious about her green coat again.

"Oops, sorry; so what did you call me over for?" Scootaloo asked.

"Will you tell Sweetie Belle to meet me at the boutique, after school; I need to ask her a few things, if you don't mind?"

"No, not at all, but I also double as a messenger service; so..." Scootaloo held out foreleg expectantly, while Rarity gave her a knowing smile and dropped a Bit in her hoof.

"Thank you!" She sang.

"So Sweetie already conveyed to you about Atchmon's situation?" Rarity questioned.

Scootaloo looked unsure, but chose her words carefully. "Uhh... she said he was a grown stallion without a cutie mark, and we were going to get together later to help him out?" She suggested.

"That's wonderful, why don't you deliver my message to Sweetie Belle and she can pick him up at the boutique once we're done."

"Sure thing, see ya later Achiemon!" Scootaloo whipped her scooter around and rolled out the door quick as a flash.

Atchmon was more than a bit overwelmed with the interaction. "So that's one of Sweetie's friends?"

"Mmhmm." Rarity said between bites of pizza.

"So, Canterlot trip, getting my cutie mark, Twilight talks, getting a job; sounds like I'm gonna be a busy pony." Atchmon chuckled.

"As busy as you'd like to be, darling; don't feel obligated into doing what others think you should do, just do what you want and what you think is right." Rarity started on her last slice.

Atchmon admired her chewing. The way her cheeks puffed out was always so cute. "And what if what I want, is to impress you?" He asked carefully.

Rarity stopped chewing and took a hard swallow, nearly choked, before washing it down with soda. "I suppose we should talk about us, shouldn't we."

Atchmon swallowed his nervousness. "I just want to prove myself to you, but I don't want to cling to you either; I guess I'm afraid the day will come when you eventually kick me out, and I'm jus' preppin' for the worst."

Her cheeks blushed. 'Such initiative!' She thought. "Darling, I have doubts and fears too, I was afraid that, once you saw that I could barely call myself nobility--much less a Princess-- you wouldn't want to be around me at all... but, I realize that was just me thinking of you as any other stallion." She explained. "But I promise, once my shops are in order, I can support us both; but I'm not certain that I'm ready for such commitment." Rarity looked down at her plate and ate the last of her feelings.

Atchmon was listening, but he heard an imaginary 'with you' there at the end. "I kinda get what you mean; when I was gonna k- hmph," he sighed and took a drink. "Kidnap you... I thought all my dreams were gonna come true, I was gonna be rich and I'd finally be in a relationship with a beautiful woman; but it was weird."

Rarity felt uncomfortable talking about this; but the ending intrigued her to ask. "Weird how, exactly?"

Atchmon shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I- nah, forget it, it's too weird."

Rarity scoffed playfully. "Oh come on, you already made it passed the hard part of that sentence; tell me, I promise I won't judge."

"Fine... Whenever I thought of who I was with... it was you, but not you-you as you are now; it was the Human you." Atchmon tapped his hoof-tips together nervously on the table.

Rarity looked bewildered at that.

"I guess, I took the long way around in sayin' it, but Rare, when we're all caught up on what we need to do; I'd like to give us a chance; if you want to too, that is." He needed to eat his feelings too, but the only thing left was the chocolate dragon-fire cake; which didn't steam anymore, which was a good enough sign for him.

Atchmon leaned over and paused mid-bite, as a fork entered his vision to stop him.

His mouth was open and centimeters away from the chocolaty peak. His eyes awkwardly darted between the disapproving look on Rarity to the glossy brown shine of the aromic sweet.

"Didn't I say to leave me a piece of that?" She sassed with a raised brow.

"Eh, hehe, of course, I was just testing out how best to attack it." Atchmon reared back and scratched the back of his head.

"Now, as to your previous proposal, I..." Rarity started to say.

Atchmon's eyes grew larger as he waited with baited breath.

"Agree, I'd like that very much, Atchmon; but there's nothing that says we can't play at being a couple in the meantime, right?" She dove the fork into the cake, decapitating the dragon's head; giving Atchmon the best portion with all the gooey, delicious fudge-soaked cake.

He accepted it, nearly making a mess of fudge on his chest.

It was the best restaurant desert he ever ate.

After they finished, Rarity paid for their meal, plus a generous 'sorry for being rude' tip for being a Harsh Whinny.

Author's Note

*JTRHNMR
Just the right height, no mounting required.

If you were looking forward to the part where I grovel and ask for forgiveness for taking so long; I ain't doing it here, not ever.

This last year fucking SUCKED. My mom died. People are shit. And most of them can kiss my ass. House is barely keeping together. I need to move on to greener pastures.

Cept for you guys & gals, you're so cool, and smart, 'n shit.

This is one that I could've lasted forever. There for awhile I found it so boring, I almost wanted to cut it out entirely. But I had to remind myself this is a very character driven story, so all the ups, downs, internal feelings are what make this story. And I hope it's a large part of why ya'll stuck with it for so long.

Next chapter features Twilight with a little Applejack. Then the next after that will be mostly CMC followed up with more Applejack. Stay tuned!

the cake is not a lie, it's a symbol.