Warm...

So warm and soft!

Eff woke up slowly with a yawn only to get a muzzle full of fluffy fur. After a few moments, he blinked and looked around. Oh... right. He was curled up with Zei. Eff Stop usually had an empty bed, but he had the occasional partner so he still remembered what it was like to wake up with another warm body. He let out a happy sigh and curled up against him again.

A few hours later he was woken up by the feel of claws gently raking up and down his back. He opened one eye, slightly annoyed.

“About time we should get going, hmm pony? Not that I mind curling up with you. Who knew somebody so moody could be such a cuddler.” He snickered and moved to the edge of the cart.

“It’s not that I’m moody, it’s just that during my college years, everyone was more impressed by the other races and species. Earth Ponies are boring; they aren't the ‘in’ thing right now, so all the mares, hens, and ’lings flock to other species. Just before I graduated, it was pegasi that was the new hotness, so I just didn't bother. The guys wanted them, the girls wanted them. I didn't see the point in competing in a battle I couldn't win,” Eff commented as he hooked into the harness and started to pull the cart.

“Oho! So the moody pony is, shall we say, equal opportunity?”

“Eh, it’s not that! I mean – my default setting is straight, but I like to be open-minded. I didn't kick you out of my cart, did I?”

The conversation just kept going as they continued to walk down the long road, warped by the permafrost it was built upon. Then there followed a long comfortable silence. It was Eff who eventually spoke up once more.

“So… Temporalist, huh?”

“Yup!”

“So how does that work?”

“Oh, it’s actually pretty amazing, actually. When Destined recognized that he was an Alicorn of Time and Space, he realized that there was no way he could monitor the infinite because, while he was an immortal, he was still a finite being. So his movement started up among those who could understand the underlying proofs and theories to grasp the concepts of time. Most are historians because it’s easy to see potential variants of time as they occur in the past. Seeing multiple instance in the present is a little harder because it is constantly updated and spiraling apart and coming together. I am actually one of the few that can see into the future – only a few weeks at a time and I can’t really choose what I want to see – nobody can. We are just tasked to monitor the time-line as it goes by. Destined is the one that takes care of the big problems, and only if they are caused by an outside influence.” Zei nodded a few time as he spoke as if confirming his own words.

“So, are you visualizing all of this in your mind right now?” Eff Stop asked.

“Oh, no! I understand the proofs and the theories, but no mortal’s mind is strong enough to visualize the time matrix even in their dreams. Instead, Destined made visualizing crystals for us. We focus on them and it reveals what we are trying to see. At best, I can only see five to ten potential variants on the present and future, and only a few weeks out. There are some that can see months out. And of course Destined can see everything and all instances of everything. It’s actually quite confusing!” Zei laughed nervous before he calmed back down. “What about you? You asked me about what I believe, so what about you? Oh! Oh! Lemme guess! You aren't a fighter... so most likely not a follower of Shining... and you tend to be a night owl... so maybe you are a Lunarist? Am I right?” The diamond dog bounced in the cart slightly.

Eff Stop just laughed. “Buck, no! I have read enough to realize that they are just actors – they follow greater rules, rules of logic and reason. The only things that can be believed are things that can be tested, demonstrated, and replicated. The unicorn does not lift up the apple because they will it to happen. They expend a portion of their magical reserves to impart an acceleration on an object. As long as it’s equal to or greater than the acceleration of gravity, the apple moves and floats around. This is a fact of science, not belief.” Eff Stop looked back at Zei. “This is one of the reasons why I left Equestria proper. Too many people want to praise the sun or praise the moon just because it exists. Or they want to be friends with anybody, not because they want to but because a purple princess tells them it will make them harmonious. If you do something because your self-proclaimed leader tells you to, then you aren't a good pony – you just don’t want to get somebody stronger than you mad. All of the other beliefs are like this. The only other group I have any respect for are the Temporalists. They just sit back and watch and observe. They don't try to change you because you refuse to fit inside their neat little package!” He huffed, now a great deal more irritated than he was a few moments ago.

There was another long silence before Zei spoke up quietly.

“What made you so angry against the other beliefs?”

“I... I don't want to talk about it.” Eff Stop just trotted on and Zei knew that he shouldn't push the issue. The rest of the day was marked with silence mixed with small spots of light conversation. Neither of them wanted to get into any serious conversations. Zei didn't want to anger Eff Stop.. .and Eff Stop didn't want to offend Zei.

When dinner came around, they started to talk again. The pair was resting next to a small campfire near the cart when the diamond dog shifted the conversation with the subtlety of a brick through a window.

“So... I couldn't help but notice that you were letting out a happy nicker in your sleep when I was curled around you. You happen to like my fluff?” The shameless Zei waggled his eyebrows as the earth pony rolled his eyes.

“Yes... like I said – I wouldn't kick you out of my bed.” Eff poked the dying fire with the stick a few times. He dropped the stick when he felt a pair of hands dig into his back and scratch parts that he couldn't reach. He let out a low groan, leaning against the diamond dog.

“You are always so tense.”

“Am I? We have only been traveling for a few days.”

“And in those few days you are tense all the time. When I started curling up with you, I thought you would launch yourself out of the cart!”

“I just happen to have a need for attention.”

“Attention you say? How about we turn in for the night and I can give you all the attention you need.”

Eff Stop facehoofed. “If you were a pony, you would be named Lead Pipe.”

Zei rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah – I’m not subtle, but I’m also not hearing a no.”

Eff Stop looked at Zei for a few moments before he dumped water onto the fire and jumped into the cart eagerly. The Diamond Dog just laughed.

“Oh, Eff Stop... let’s see if I can work that tension out of you.”

Author's Note

Two chapters in one day insane right?
I'll have the next chapter, up in a few days. since its my first clop chapter I want to make sure I dont half ass it.