Cloudsdale is looking a little gray.

You hadn’t noticed it earlier, but now that Windy is carrying you through the sky again, you see that many of the clouds that make up Cloudsdale are becoming darker. They hang lower in the skies, their white fluffiness slowly changing to heavy grays. There’s an earthy scent on the air.

As Windy places you down onto the clouds again, a small electrical jolt runs up your legs, causing the fur on your coat to poof up slightly.

“What’s going on?” you ask as you smooth your fur out.

“That,” Windy says as she lands next to you, “is a sign that we’re in for a thunderstorm tonight. Remember? I told you that you’d know when Cloudsdale is in for a good ol’ thunderstorm.”

You poke a nearby lump of cloud, only to have a small spark of static shock you. “Isn’t that… I don’t know… dangerous?”

“Not really,” Windy chirps. “You might get a few small zaps here and there, and your fur and mane might be a little more frizzy later, but that’s about it. The same magic that allows us pegasi to walk on clouds protects us from the majority of the static build up.”

“Am… am I safe?” you ask nervously.

“Yes, champ.” Windy smiles. “Even though it’s artificial, the same spell that lets you walk on clouds protects you. You’ll be fine.” She ruffles your mane playfully before heading off down the street. “Come on, champ! Food awaits!”

Stomach gurgling hungrily, you hurry after her.

While it was weird at first, you begin to enjoy the weird tingling sensation that comes with each step. You can feel the static building up in your fur, your coat hair standing on end. At one point you saunter over to Windy and—using your newly acquired static powers for ~~evil~~ good—give her a quick zap on the rump.

She proceeds to bury your head in a nearby cloudbank.

By the time you reach the restaurant, normal storm clouds are beginning to gather in the skies both above and below the main cloud islands of the city. The scent of a storm on the air is growing stronger as Windy ushers you inside the building.

The inside of the restaurant is surprisingly spacious, with high, lofty ceilings. There’s a second floor that’s more like a balcony wrapping around the circumference of the circular room. In the center of the room, a large pool rests. Glints of silver, green, blue, and red can be seen in the water as fish swim around. A massive birdbath-style fountain sits on a platform in the middle of the pool. Water cascades out of the top and down into different bowls that are attached to the pillar at various levels. Many pegasi are relaxing in the fountain’s pools. They paddle about happily, or just hang out along the edges and gossip with their friends. Waiters and waitresses flutter from pool to pool, bring drinks to those who have ordered them.

As you stare around with wide eyes, Windy giggles.

“Welcome to the Aquatic Volary,” she says.

“It’s so… fancy,” you breathe. It looks like one of those fancy restaurants your parents take you to whenever one of them gets a raise or something. Usually you have to dress up and be on your best behavior.

You suddenly feel underdressed.

“Oh, it’s not fancy!” Windy says with a laugh, “although I can see why you’d think that. No, this is one of the more casual restaurants in Cloudsdale. We pegasi are really relaxed when it comes to our food. Now, come on, champ.” She slips her forelegs around your barrel and picks you up into the air. “We seat ourselves.”

While she flutters through the air, you peer around for an available table. You see a couple on the main floor, but they are back in the corners and along the walls, so you ignore them. If you’re going to be eating here, you want to be as close to the sights as possible. Instead, you point to the upper level, and Windy nods in agreement.

As Windy rises into the air, you barely have time to glance around before a sharp whistle suddenly sounds out, followed by a cry of ‘Oi! Windy!”

Windy pulls up and looks around, only to do a double take in midair. A grin spreads across her muzzle before she turns and zips off towards a table located near the back edge of the balcony, where a familiar mare is waving up at you both. “Freefall!”

“Hey, Winds. Wasn’t expecting to see you here.” Freefall grins as Windy touches down next to the table. She has a simple purple bandana around her neck, and her slicked-back mane has a new yellow streak running through it. A pair of flight goggles rest on her forehead.

She’s not alone at the table either. Three batpony mares are seated as well, each one wearing a purple bandana somewhere on their bodies. One even has a black shirt on with the pegasus skull and wings displayed on the back. They all smile warmly and wave at you as well.

“Grabbing a bite to eat, eh?” Freefall asks.

“Yeah,” Windy says. “We were out and about today, so I figured I’d show this little guy some of the best food Cloudsdale has to offer.” She drapes a wing over your shoulder, which the new mares’ attention to shift to you. One of the batpony’s giggles before whispering hurriedly in her neighbor’s ear.

“Hey, I remember you,” Freefall says as she studies you. “How it going, colt? Really liking the new style you’ve got there.”

“T-thanks,” you say as you drag a hoof over your mane, a faint heat touching your cheeks. “Just got it today, actually. My first time.”

“No kidding, really?” Freefall hums. She stares at you for a few more seconds before nodding. “Yeah, gotta say. It’s certainly a good look for you. Did you get that done at Dyed and Feathered?”

“Yes, that’s where we went,” you say, a little of your confidence returning. Now that you’re talking with her, Freefall isn’t as intimidating as she seemed at first. It also helps that the batponies have been all smiles the whole time as well.

“I can tell,” Freefall laughs. “Plume Painter certainly knows her stuff. I go to her all the time for my beautifications.” She flares her wings slightly, and you see that her feathers are all still dyed various colors, although unlike the other night, they aren’t as prominent without the black light.

“She’s a master with those dyes of hers,” Freefalls says as she folds her wings again. “Anyways, didn’t mean to keep you talking and standing. You’re probably hungry.” Using a hind hoof, she pushes a couple of empty chairs away from the table. “Why don’t you two pull up a seat and join us?”

This causes both you and Windy to blink.

“Are you sure?” Windy asks. “We can go find our own table. I don’t want to intrude on anything.”

“It’s fine. I don’t think my flockmates mind, do you?” Freefall asks, turning to the batponies.

“Of course not,” the one nearest to her says. She gives you a wave. “Hi, I’m New Moon, but you can call me Moonie.” Her short mane was a shocking blue color, and a lock of it fell in front of one of her purple eyes.

“The more the merrier, right?” another one says, this one with a curly yellow mane. She winks at Windy, her pink eyes sparkling with mischief. “The name’s Lily Breeze. It’ll be nice to have somepony else to gossip with over drinks!”

“I don’t mind if they stay,” the third batpony says. “So long as the little cuties sits next to me.” She bats her pink eyes at you, all while twirling a lock of her long, red mane. “Hi, hon. You can call me Velvet.”

You blush at the sudden attention, only to jump slightly when you feel a wing brush over your back.

“What do you say, champ? Want to eat with some celebrities?” Windy asks. “We can go find another table if you’re uncomfortable,” she adds in a whisper. You see her eyes flick towards Velvet.

“It’s fine,” you say with a smile. “I’ve had worse from my mom’s coworkers.” Turning, you clamber up into the chair next to Velvet, who immediately wraps a leathery wing around you and starts fawning over your mane.

Windy smiles as well before moving to sit down in the seat next to Freefall, who motions to a nearby waitress. She flutters over with a notepad at the ready. “What can I get for you all?”

“A Dragon’s Breath for me,” Freefall order, before slowly moving around the table, pointing at New Moon first. “A Cherry Whirlwind for her, a Mango Updraft for the yellow one, a Melon Nimbus for the one snuggling the colt, a glass of…”

She trails off, giving you a weird look before glancing at Windy. “Wait… he said it was his first dye job. As in his initiation?”

Windy nods her head.

“In that case…” Freefall grins. “The colt will have a Thunderball Blitz, extra buzz and a cherry and Windy here will have a Thunderball Blitz, extra buzz and no cherry.”

“Coming right up!” the waitress chirps before flying off.

You watch her go for a moment before noticing that Freefall is staring at you.

“So, it’s your initiation day, huh?” she asks playfully.

“Um, I think so?” you say with uncertainty. Everypony keeps saying that, but you aren’t quite sure what it means.

Upon seeing your confusion, Windy speaks up. “An initiation day is just a fancy way of saying the first day a pegasi gets their mane and wings dyed for the first time. Typically, it’s a day long event where a group of friends all getting together and have their manes and feathers done at the same time. This is usually followed by all of them going out for food and drinks while showing off their new look. Granted, we’re not exactly doing that, but I figured I’d treat you a little all the same.” She motions towards Freefall. “This was just an unexpected bonus.”

“A very gorgeous looking unexpected bonus,” Freefall sniffs.

“A very modest one as well,” New Moon mutters to you.

Freefall places a hoof over her heart. “Ouch, babe… you wound me.”

“Oh, shush,” New Moon chides, but leans over and kisses Freefall on the cheek all the same. “You know I love you, you big dork.”

As the two of them giggle and nuzzle each other, Velvet continues to play with your mane. She uses the tips of her wings to toy with the newly-dyed strands. “An interesting choice,” she purrs. “What made you pick these colors?”

You relax slightly, the feeling of her combing through your hair with her wing fingers somewhat familiar and calming. “They, uh… they kind of remind me of my parents.”

This causes Velvet to squeal, and she squeezes you tighter in her forelegs. “Eeeeeeeeeee! That’s adorable and precious!” You feel her cheek smoosh against the back of your head, and she nuzzles you enthusiastically. She stops suddenly and turns to the others. “I want one!”

“Give it a few months, and we’ll have one,” Lily says, placing a hoof on her stomach.

“But I want one now!” Velvet whines, her head falling back down onto your mane.

Windy perks up. “Oh! You’re pregnant?”

“Yes’m,” New Moon says, placing a hoof on her own stomach as well. “Both of us, in fact. We’re hoping to pop at the same time, but we’ll just have to see.”

“Well, congratulations!” Windy chirps. “Oh, I remember finding out I was pregnant with Rainbow. I couldn’t sit still, I was so excited!”

“Yeah, this one kept fluttering around the house like a mad beast,” Lily says, nudging Velvet with a hoof. “Not even the one who was pregnant, and she was the most excited.”

Velvet shrugs before nuzzling your head again for the umpteenth time. “What can I say? Foals are adorable!”

“That they are… that they are,” Windy agrees, giving you a look at causes your face to darken in a blush. Luckily, you are saved by the waitress returning with your drinks.

“Alright, here we are!” she says as she begins passing out the different glasses. “Dragon’s Breath, Cherry Whirlwind, Mango Updraft, Melon Nimbus, and two Thunderball Blitz, extra buzz, and one with no cherry.” After making sure everypony got the correct drink, the waitress straightens up and looks around. “Are we ready to order?”

“Eh, we’re here for the drinks, love,” Freefall says, holding up her glass, which is filled with a glowing red liquid that was smoking slightly. Cherries float in the bottom of the glass.

“Hear, hear!” Lily says, holding up a fizzy orangish-yellow drink.

The waitress cocks her head to the side. “Sooo… no food?”

“Actually…” Windy beings. As she places her order, you study the glass sitting in front of you. It’s a weird looking drink, the liquid inside starting out blue at the bottom, but slowly changing to a dark, stormy gray at the surface. A cherry sits atop the ice cubes, and tiny sparks pop out of the glass like carbonation.

“So, what do you think?” Windy asks as the waitress flies off.

“It looks… interesting?” you offer.

“Well, go ahead, drink it!” Freefall says. You notice she’s watching you intently, as are the others.

Reaching out, you carefully pick up the glass. As you do, a slightly tingle runs up your leg.

“Now, remember, don’t eat the cherry,” Windy says, picking up her own glass. “Just hold it in your teeth, okay?”

Confused, you just nod your head in understanding.

“Alright, on three,” Windy says. “One… two… three!”

The moment the liquid hits your lips, a shock of electricity runs down your neck. A tangy, almost metallic taste, washes over your tongue, and you can feel sparks dancing around your mouth like that weird candy your dad’s cousin Vinyl gave you one Nightmare Night. The feeling is strange, but enjoyable, and you guzzle a few more mouthfuls before lowering the glass, the cherry held carefully in your teeth.

Unsure what to do with it, you turn to ask Windy, only for muzzle to suddenly press into yours. The moment her lips press up against you, a stronger burst of static races through your body. Her tongue snakes quickly into your mouth, running over your teeth before quickly stealing the cherry. She pulls away, the fruit now held in between her teeth, and gives you a large grin.

You sit there in stunned silence, your mane standing on end. Your lips are still tingling horrible, and your tongue feels a little numb. It’s like that one time you licked a battery for a dare.

“Well,” Windy asks from around the cherry. “Did you like it?” Her mane is in a similar state as yours, and the fluffy fur on her chest is all puffed up.

You’re silent for a moment before answering. “I don’t know…” As you trail off, Windy’s grin fades and her ears fall back against her head. “...I’m going to have to try another one, just to be sure. Only this time, you get the one with the cherry.” you finish.

Windy’s smile returns. She rolls the cherry around her tongue, giving you a seductive look, before letting it fall into her mouth. “Fine with me,” she says as she chews it.

Laughter breaks out around the table.

“Got to give it to the colt,” Freefalls coos. “He knows what he wants!”

The waitress brings another round of drinks, and slowly conversation breaks out. Freefall and New Moon chat about what it’s like being in the Shadowbolts. Windy counters by explaining her daughter’s role in the fighting back the Changelings. While they are talking, Velvet continues to play with your mane, with Lily joining in after a while.

“You say you got these colors because they remind you of your parents?” she asks, toying with the pink stripe.

“Uh-huh,” you say as you finished off your second drink.

“Well, you know who this stripe reminds me of?” Lily asks Velvet, slowly dragging her wingtip down the color in question. “Scarlet.”

“Oh my Luna! It does!” Velvet gasps. “It’s the same color and everything!”

Caught off guard, you tilt your head back and glance up at the pair. “Wait… you know mom?”

They blink, staring down at you blankly.

“Wait, what!?” Velvet yelps.

“You’re Scarlet’s son?!” Lily adds in.

“Uh, y-yes?” you say nervously. Suddenly, you are pulled out of Velvet’s lap and into Lily’s, who proceeds to squeeze the stuffings out of you.

“H’ohmygosh!” she squeals. “We haven’t seen her in, like, ages! I should have known you were her son! You have her eyes and everything!”

Another pair of hooves grab you, and you’re suddenly back in Velvet’s lap.

“Did she finally get into the Lunar Guard like she said she would?” she asks.

“Y-y-yes,” you stammer out as she shakes you back and forth.

She squeezes your cheeks with her hooves. “Oh my sweet Luna, tell us everything!”

Much to Windy’s amusement, you are forced to answer all of Lily and Velvet’s questions concerning your mom. They come thick and fast, with you barely able to answer one question before the next one is being answered. Hay, sometimes you don’t even have time to answer!

This continues for a while, until a strong, delicious aroma hits your nose moments before the waitress suddenly puts a plate down in front of you. You stare down at the dish with wide eyes, your mouth already watering from the smell alone.

Long strips of pinkish meat—dusted with ground black pepper and salt—lay spread out atop a mound of brown rice. Small cubes of mozzarella cheese and pineapples are sprinkled around the edges of the dish, as well as some freshly sliced lemons. A couple strands of thyme rest over it all.

“Here you are!” the waitress chirps. “Freshly steamed blue-nosed dragontrout! Enjoy!”

“Oooh! Dragontrout? That’s a real classy dish!” Velvet says, her chin perched atop your head.

You glance up at Windy, only to see that she had a dish as well. She smiles at you before motioning towards the food. “Tuck in, champ! If you like anchovies, I think you’re going to love this.”

Eagerly, you pick up your knife and fork and tuck into the dish. An explosion of flavor hits your tongue on the first bite, and you moan happily. You’re pretty sure your parents are going to have to figure out where to get fish from now on. This stuff is too delicious for you to never have it again!

Chomping down on another mouthful, you chew happily, all while listening to the others continue to talk about this and that. Off in the distance, thunder rumbles softly, a promissory note of the storm yet to come.

~ ~ ~ ~ > > < < ~ ~ ~ ~

Sitting on the futon, you stare out the water-soaked bedroom window. It had started raining shortly after you and Windy had left the restaurant, and by the time you managed to get to her house, it was coming down in sheets.

Propped up against the wall, you watch the rain with idle interest, a hoof placed on top of your full stomach. Luckily, it isn’t painfully full, but instead just full enough to be comfortable. You had almost asked for desert, but had decided against it at the last minute.

You could probably convince Windy to make some more of her crepes in the morning to make up for it.

The lights in your room are out, and every few seconds, a flash of lightning would like up the darkness. The burst of light is quickly followed by a boom of thunder that seems to shake the whole house. As you watch, a surge of tiny sparks race across the parts of the house that are clouds. Windy assured you that they were perfectly safe, and sure enough, when you experimentally touched them with your hoof, all you got was a small zap for your trouble.

You’ve received stronger static shocks from your mom in the winter time.

Another fork of lightning dances across the sky, and another explosion of thunder rocks the house. You watch as another wave of sparks travel around the room, almost like tiny relay racers. Smiling, you start rooting for the underdogs, only to get distracted as the sound of approaching hoofsteps come from the hallway.

A moment later, Windy appears in the doorway.

You blink in surprise.

A pair of flight goggles rest over her eyes, and she has a weird kind of harness on around her withers and barrel. She smiles and holds out a second pair of goggles. “We’ve done it the normal way…

“...now, let me show you the pegasi way.”

Author's Note

Sorry about the delayed update, guys. Ironically, I've been feeling under the weather the last few days. As such, there might be a few more typos that got through in between sniffles.