The demon's life in Ponyville

Grabbing a purple roll of cloth, Seltzer hands it over to Rarity. She begins to sew various gems into the fabric, whistling, to which the demon nods and smiles.

As Seltzer thinks about yesterday and how it almost ended badly, he jumps ahead to this morning and thinks on how he has decided to help Rarity out on the idea he should open up to these ponies now.

“Hmm, don't think that this really, er, means anything. I'm only doing this since you're a good friend, Rarity!” He huffed out with a visible blush after she was curious about his visit earlier.

Now back to the present, he is enjoying his time with the seamstress pony. So far, work has been rather good with Rarity and him asking each other things, getting to know one another better.

“Mhmm, that's why I started wearing this type of clothing. It helps slightly in getting humans to trust me better… somehow.” He says with a slight snicker.

“These humans sure sound gullible, darling.” Rarity replies and begins to sew the next dress project she's working on.

“Tell me about it. Some still don't even know of the existence of us demons!”

“You make me want to see these humans one time. You did say they vary in looks, right? Perhaps there's a charming specimen there?” She teases him.

Seltzer instantly slumps down, feeling depressed hearing that. “Yeah, maybe you would. I-It might even be a good thing!” He says with a fake-smile.

Rarity momentarily pauses her sewing to lay a hoof on his knee. “Seltzer, dear. Relax. Don't be sad. I was only teasing you.”

“How can I be sure?” He glumly states.

Rarity huffs in annoyance and stands on her hindhooves. Supporting herself on his shoulders, she leans in and to his utter surprise she kisses him.

“Rarity…” Is all that goes through his thoughts. He blushes lightly and begins kissing her back. His hands begin to rub all through her mane and she responds by moaning into his mouth, prompting him to press closer.

Pulling away reluctantly, Selzter stares at her and she stares back, both of their faces flushed red. “Now have I persuaded you that I won't do that?” She says softly with a warm smile etched on her muzzle.

“Dunno,” He says with a smirk. “Maybe if I heard you say it?”

“Fine!” She pouts briefly. “I shan't leave my special demon's side.” Now she gives a look at him to continue.

“E-Er, I won't leave my precious Rarity's side either!” He manages to say, face feeling like its burning hot in embarrassment.

“That's better. Now come on darling. We have much work yet to do.”

“As you wish, Rares.” He replies which has her giggling.

Following her orders, the two soon have her work done. “Look at that. We appear to have some free time now.”

“We do? … Hmph, finally.” Seltzer grumbles.

“Now, now, darling, it wasn't that bad.”

“Says the pony who's used to this stuff. My poor hands hurt like a bitch!”

“Ah, ah, ah. Language, dear.”

Seltzer gasps and looks away as his face turns red. “… Sorry.”

“That's better. Now Come along. We shall take a break.” She says with a sway in her step, heading out the room.

Seltzer watches her leave and shakes his head. “Buck, why is it always women that scare me? I can go toe-to-toe against horrifying demons yet females scare me? To make it worse, this time its a freakin' pony for Christ's sake!! I swear it makes me feel like I'm in some kind of… what's that stuff humans watch on TV? … Aha! Anime! Yeah, I really feel like I'm in one sometime.” He thinks and realizes what he just thought. “Great, now I'm starting to use their words. Bucking fantastic.” He says after a pause, signing.

Rarity has already packed up their lunch by the time he came down. “You sure took your sweet time, dear.” She states with a scowl.

“Yeah, yeah. I was thinking… 'bout things as usual.”

“You spend too much time inside that head of yours, darling.”

“Its to be expected when I have to deal with y'all.” He thinks before chuckling and speaking. “May I ask why you packed up a picnic lunch?” He questions her with a raised brow.

Opening her door to outside, she turns to look at him with a 'seriously?' gaze. “Isn't it obvious? We're going to a picnic with my friends!” She cheerfully states.

On the outside, Seltzer nods and smiles, but inside he groans. “Yay, I can spend time with Butter Silent, Skittles (Wouldn't mind having some of those. Note to self; ask around for that), Hyper Active pone, Stubbornjack, and the one nerd to rival myself in reading, princess Purple Smart. Bucking lovely…”

Its not until he sees the look on Rarity's face that he realizes that he just said all that out loud. “Um… They'reallgreatfriends?! … Rarity?” He replies very quickly, nervously taking a step backwards.

She only humphs in response and he relaxes. “Whew! That was close.” Wiping his head free of sweat, he walks out and closes the door. Giving a few waves to a few ponies out and about, he smiles when he sees them wave back and he soon catches up with Rarity.

“Well at least you picked a good day for this.” Gazing at the sky, he sees no clouds in sight and a few pegasus ponies fly around.

“Maybe… I am destined to be here. Humans can defend for themselves now. It won't be long till I'm not needed anymore.” He begins thinking. “Then again, I know there is at least one demon lord still around. If I can, I should let my adviser know I plan on staying here, at least for a while. I'll also need to build a device to bridge these two universes so I can freely warp between the two. My birthworld and a world I truly feel at home in. Maybe this demon was destined for a peaceful life for once. Am I… allowed that? Just this once, can't I be a little selfish by asking for a personal wish?”

The two have already arrived at the picnic site and the mane six are staring at Seltzer with various looks etched on their faces since he's still stuck thinking about his life, which is freaking them out.

As he was walking around in circles, FlutterShy tried to get his attention. “U-Um, excuse me. Mr. Ridley- Eeep!” She squeaks out because he ended up tripping over her body.

Slamming face first into the ground, Seltzer is snapped out of his thoughts. “H-Huh?” Giving a look around at the ponies, he sheepishly smiles and rubs his head. “Oops. Sorry about that. Got caught up thinking again, heheh.”

“Darling, really,” Rarity begins. “You need to stop with that. You'll end up hurting somepony soon!”

“She's right. The odds of bumping into another pony is fairly high when you're deep in thought. Given your stature it could indeed hurt somepony.” Twilight adds.

He begins to ponder on that which makes Rarity clear her throat. He blushes seeing he did it again. “I'm… sorry?” He meekly says to her.

A few minutes have passed and the mane six have been discussing their day along with Rarity finally telling them of Ridley's actual name, whereupon a certain demon is shivering in fright.

“I don't think my ears will ever recover.” He thinks back to a few minutes ago where Rarity begin screaming in her prissy high-pitched voice and promptly shivers once more.

“Women… er, mares.” He finishes the thought and bites into his sandwich. He gives a few chews and finds whatever was between the bread isn't giving way between bites.

Opening his mouth, he pulls out a few strands of hay and rubs it between his fingers. He stares and then gives a deadpan stare at Rarity.

“What's wrong, dear? Don't you like hay?” She asks between her delicate bites of her own sandwich.

Doing an aside glance, Seltzer pulls all the hay out and is left with lettuce between two slabs of bread. “No.” Is all he says. Taking a bite, he shrugs from the bland taste. It could always be worse he supposes.

“Excuse a lady for not knowing what your kind eats.” She replies with head held high.

“Er, Rarity?” The Butter Ball says. “Do you not s-see his large canines or his fangs? They are kind of a dead-giveaway that he can't process stuff like grass or hay.”

Taking another bite, a few seconds pass before he notices its quiet and got dark all of a sudden. Risking a glance upwards he sees six set of eyes that are close to his own peering at him. Blinking twice rapidly, he says with a slight edge to his voice, “… Why are y'all staring at me like that?” and sets his meal down.

“By Celestia, you're right, Fluttershy! Those are different from our teeth.” Purple Smart says.

“Ohohoh, I know! He's a vampony!” Pinkie Pie responds with after opening his mouth up wide to observe his teeth better, eliciting a “Hey!” from him.

“Darling there's no such thing as vamponies. Don't be ridiculous.” Squiggle Tail responds.

“He does like to wear all black with cloaks or capes like vamponies though.” Rainbow Dash says, making everypony share a collective 'ohhhh' save for Fluttershy for obvious reasons and he knows why. Thoughts about Flutterbat briefly surface and her annoying tendency to bother him that night.

Seltzer frowns. “Can y'all stop staring? You're making me nervous.”

“But how do we know you're not a vampony then?” Rainbow urges him to continue.

“Because vampires or as you call them here vamponies, don't exist. We demons have fangs and large canines for a reason.” He states simply, keeping a part of his diet secret.

“… Y-You… eat meat. Don't y-y-you?” Yellow Quiet says. He tilts his head and his eyes widen in fear as he stares at her, making her hide behind her mane.

Nothing is said for a bit and it makes him uneasy. “This isn't good. They're all gonna freak out! Urgh, goddamnit Flutters!!” He angrily thinks.

“You d-don't eat ponies… do you d-dear?” Rarity nervously asks with a gulp.

“Wha- no!! I don't eat ponies or anything that can speak and think for itself!!” He shouts disgusted and furious at them.

The mane six all let out a sigh of relief though remain a little wary of him, except for Rarity. She has finished her meal and takes a seat beside the demon.

“Don't you worry none, my sweet Seltzy. I know you wouldn't ever hurt or eat any of us!” She lightly taps his cheek with a hoof, a coy smile present on her muzzle.

“Rarity~! Don't s-say that in front of the others.” He whines, feeling his face burn red which prompts everypony to laugh.

“Interesting. We need to have study sessions soon Rid-, I mean Seltzer. It'd be fascinating to learn about your eating habits now!” Twilight Sparkle says, rearing back and clopping her forehooves together once.

“Just as long as you return my darling Seltzer back to me afterwards, Twilight. You can have your meetings with him.” Rarity then squeezes his cheeks together.

“Hey! That looks like fun!” Pinkie Pie joins in with the face squeezing, both oblivious to his suffering.

“Why? Why me?” His thoughts bounce between that and wondering if Celestia would come for his head if he froze her personal student in a block of ice.

The rest of the picnic passes in relative peace, the six ponies and demon spending time talking about their upcoming plans.

Helping the six pack up, Seltzer cheerfully smiles to them. “Barring the face squeezing and horrible hay-sandwich,” which ears him a jab from Rarity. “I would say this was an enjoyable time.”

“Hay yeah!” The prismatic, cyan pony does a flip in the air and lays a hoof on his shoulder while flying. “You're pretty cool to hang out with after all. Also, thanks for helping me with the clouds this morning.”

“Don't mention it.” He states with a far-off gaze in his eyes. He felt good helping Dash but wished his near-phobia of lightning didn't affect him sometimes.

The area is cleaned up and the six begin to say their goodbyes for now. Eyes widening, Seltzer whirls around with a scowl on his face. “What… was that? I know I sensed multiple energy signatures just now. They felt normal, but why'd they just vanish?! … Hrmm. I don't like this.” He thinks to himself.

Hearing a rustle, he snaps his head to his left and gazes at a tree, noticing a few leaves dropping down. Gathering energy in his right palm and magic in his left, he advances forward slowly, ignoring the calls the mane six are shouting after him.

Something leaps out and he raises both hands. He almost releases the beams and barely manages to stop after seeing it was only a few birds that fly away.

“Huh? What are you doing, Seltzer?” Twilight says after catching up to him.

“… Nothing, Twilight. Just thought I seen something.” He states with a shrug.

Trotting back with him, Rarity joins the two as Flutters, Rainbow and Pinkie headed off their separate ways.

“So Seltzer and Rarity,” Twilight beguns, catching their attention. “I did say I wanted to study his eating habits, but would you be able to be at his side, Rarity?”

“Why yes, of course dear. But why would you even ask?” She ponders.

“To also observe the love you two share with one another. I would also like to see the compatibility between you two during a rutting session.” She says, which ends up making Seltzer facevault.

“…”

“TWILIGHT!!” He gets up quickly, fuming. “That's not something you should watch us do or e-even talk a-about! Rarity may be my lover and I wouldn't mind doing that, but not if you… are… there…” He finishes slowly seeing Rarity raise a frying pan she magicked from her home because he just said that out loud and a few other ponies in the area happened to hear.

“Oh crap.”

*Kwang!!*

One frying pan with a human-like face dented into it later, the three arrive at Carousel Boutique with a slightly dazed demon. “Here's our stop. I would love to chat more, but work must be done!” Rarity tells Twilight and gives her a hug.

“No biggie, Rarity. You two stop by tomorrow and we can work from there.” Twilight says. She's released from the hug and begins to trot to her palace.

“Later, princess Twilight. Take care.” Seltzer shouts after her.

Turning to the white pony, he scratches behind her ear. “So what now, Rares?”

“Ooh, right there.” She moans and leans into his hand more. “We have more work to do and as much as I love those hands of yours, we really shouldn't put it off until later.”

“Wait, who said I was gonna be helping? I already did so earlier!”

“Fine,” she says while adjusting her mane and a smirk forms. “You can go back home if you wish. I won't keep you here, dear.”

The two stare at each other until he signs. “Damnit, Rarity. You're lucky I don't want to leave your side.”

“Just as I thought.”

“Shut it.” He then chuckles and strokes her mane as the two head inside. “Besides, your little sister is simply adorable. Her voice cracks only add extra adorableness. Shame she burns your food though.” He snickers out.

“You think that's funny? Then guess what?” A devilish smile forms on her face and Ridley feels uneasy.

“What?”

“Sweetie Belle and I will have a sleepover at your house in a couple days. She'll be doing the cooking since all I have to do is say the word.”

“That's harsh, Rarity.”

“You're a demon. You'll live.”

“No, I mean you'll order your sister to cook?” He then facepalms and groans. “What am I saying? Of course she'll gladly do so! You -are- sisters after all…”

“Now you see it my way darling.” She then giggles from his torment.

“Easy for you to say. Like I want my food burnt beyond extra crispy. I tested a cupcake she made before and well… I think it might just make for some decent armor. … I don't even wanna know how that's possible.” He replies to her and laughs.

Prepping himself, Seltzer starts helping Rarity with her work. At one point he decided to give it a try and ended up having his shirt start getting dragged into the sowing machine. Needless to say, Rarity was lightly blushing from then on since he was shirtless and didn't have time to grab another from his house.

But things were going dire elsewhere in the village. Specific ponies were being ponynapped from their homes and replaced. The Changelings have infiltrated the peaceful village and nabbed Twilight, Rainbow, Pinkie, Flutters and AppleJack. Rarity was the only one spared. They couldn't risk taking her while the demon was around.

As he was finishing up a dress with Rarity, a Changeling disguised as Twilight knocked on the door. Holding a finger up to let her know he's gonna check the door, he sees the fake-Twilight ask if he could come with her for a second to look over this spell inside one of her books.

“Sure, why not? I could use a break.”

Telling Rarity he won't be gone long, he left with the Changeling and never saw the two that crept inside Carousel Boutique.

They captured Rarity with ease and her final thought before she passed out was to hope Seltzer would find her.

The Twilight-Changeling kept Seltzer busy. It kept grabbing more of the real Twilight's books and talking about what spells were in them. While he gladly helped, Seltzer couldn't help but think she should have no trouble knowing these spells being the Element of Magic and all. It was also weird how she keeps calling him Ridley. Didn't he tell her and the rest his real name a few hours ago?

30 minutes later, the Changeling lets him free and he heads back to Carousel Boutique. As suspected, Seltzer never caught on to their plan. He remained blissfully unaware his friends have been replaced.

After finishing the work he had left, Seltzer asked to spend the night with the Rarity-Changeling. Nodding yes, the two retreated to bed and begin to fall asleep.

Until the fake-Rarity suddenly opened its eyes and gazed at the sleeping and helpless form of Seltzer.

“This would almost be perfect but our queen warned us about him. He'll awaken if I try anything funny and our plan will unravel in minutes.” The Rarity-changeling thinks. His horn lights softly and he sends a message to his queen, letting her know stage one of her plan is completed.

Shutting his eyes, the Rarity-Changeling soon relaxes into a slumber for the big day tomorrow.