The crowd turned to see the newcomer who just yelled above the rabble.

"Figure I'd come and see what this lame-ass party was all about!" Said the fifth and final member of our group, as if he were the life of the party, much to our disappointment.

He grabbed a handful of food off the table, without bothering to use a plate, dropping bits and making a mess on the floor; then ate what was in his hand, and emphasising each motion of his jaw with a loud smacking sound; all while not giving a care to the fact that everyone in the room was watching him.

He always did love attention, in any form.

I looked over at Princess Twilight with a pained and apologetic expression, and she gave me a sympathetic smile and gestured with a quick nod of her head for me to engage socially with our most exuberant member.

I almost couldn't hold back rolling my eyes. I took a breath, worked up a friendly smile, and put my best foot forward. "Heya Brad, glad to see you ma-" he brushed passed me and went right towards Kylie.

Brad was... well, a Brad. The worst sort of stereotypical dude-bro. Blonde hair and blue eyes. A very good-looking, punch-able, symmetrical face, broad shoulders, ripped muscles with bulging veins, and he never wasted an opportunity to show off. He'd be a pretty handsome, cool dude... if he wasn't such a prick. He was a large part of why everyone had to go their separate ways, and also the reason why we gather once every few years.

But we all felt bad for him, since he had the worst introduction to Equestria than any of us.

He ended up in the southern desert near Klugetown. I say 'near', as in, he nearly died from wandering lost in the desert, until some Klugetown desert nomads happened to find him. Rough neighborhood that place. And Brad was caged then added to a menagerie like an animal.

When the news reached the Princess, she immediately organized a rescue mission. She sent one Unicorn. A powerful mage called Starlight Glimmer to safely extract him. Brad was going to be sold for parts when he failed to be much of an attraction.

And we hated each other's guts.

My only guess was, that we were polar opposites destined to always butt heads. Maybe Brad was just too used to being an Alpha male. Maybe it was because I was taller than him by a tiny margin, and that triggered a 'little man' complex in him.

Twilight Sparkle tried helping us through our issues, but eventually Brad had had enough and stormed out during one of the sessions. We never had another meeting like that again.

Or perhaps it was because I was the de facto leader of our little group. And he has some control issues. The list could go on and on. But the truth is, I simply didn't know what the root of the problem was; and neither of us could be in the same room long enough to sort it out.

Why was I the leader? Good question. I guess it's because I'm the oldest of the group. I was the only one who finished college and had a degree. So, I guess that makes me somewhat qualified. I don't really like being in charge, but if it means seeing these other wonderful people again, then I figured I could manage.

Kylie seemed hesitant, but gave Brad a less energetic hug than the rest of us.

Brad was purposely crowding her, having to look straight down at her tiny person.

That got my blood pressure to rise.

Maybe to everyone else it was nothing. But to me, it was like Brad was marking his territory.

I didn't care if they ever became a thing, so long as he treated her with a modicum of respect... actually, I take that back, I cared a lot.

Kylie was a sweet girl, and I knew a guy like Brad would make her miserable.

"Hey babe, why aren't you answering my letters; don't you like me any more?" Brad started. "I thought we made a connection after that last letter you sent me, you know the one I'm talking about; the one with the pic of you in that skimpy little..." He reached out to rub her arm, but Kylie shushed him.

"Brad, stoooop; hat's supposed to be a secret!" She whined.

Brad smiled smugly, then looked over at Krystal, who was watching him with her arms crossed.

Brad looked her up and down, like he was checking her out, then as if it weren't obvious enough what he was doing, he licked his teeth at her while putting on a shit-eating grin.

All the little nonverbals were triggering me. God, I hated his guts. But he hadn't done anything the girls weren't too uncomfortable with, yet.

They were grown adults too, and I had to remind myself that if Brad stepped out of line, I had to trust them to correct him.

Brad went in for a hug, and possibly to cop a feel. "Whoa, Krystal, long time, no see." But he didn't get the chance, only to be blocked by the wing of a Pegasus.

"Hi there, I'm Star Hunter." Krystal's stallion extended his wing in greeting.

I couldn't help but grin at that. I knew right then, Krystal was in good hooves... and wings. Especially considering how many stallions acted like "trophy wives" in a herd. Star Hunter was a more aggressive and protective type. I liked him even more for that.

"Yeah I don't care, pony boy." Brad didn't even bother looking at him.

I saw Cashmere mouth that confusing insult to Long Haul.

"You got a lot of nerve, pal," Peach Fuzz came forward, sizing him up; despite the fact she had to practically look up at the ceiling to do it.

Brad extended his arms outward, like he couldn't understand what he did wrong. "Krystal, what's going on here, you got these two walking glue-sticks speaking for you?" He ignored the crowd's gasp at the major insult. "I thought you were all about that 'strong, independent woman' life," he placed his hands on his hips. "What's the matter, girl; cat got your tongue?"

Krystal barely restrained her disgust. "I told you last time, Brad; if you want to talk to me, you need to quit acting like a jackass first."

I looked around, making sure she didn't offend any Donkeys or Mules that may be present in the crowd.

The coast was clear.

The Pony world wasn't perfect. Racial biases and slurs were just as commonplace as they were back on Earth.

"And I don't appreciate the way you're speaking to my herd-mates." Krystal finished.

Brad scoffed in disgust. "You're sleeping with these farm animals!?"

Sadly, I was right there with him on that front. But I recognized my own hypocrisy.

Sex for the sake of pleasure, and a romantic relationship with a Pony, were two very separate things in my mind. One was a temporary bandage to help get through another week, month, or year without true companionship.

The other felt like I'd given up on everything that was taken from me.

I knew it was bound to happen eventually, for all of us. It was my fault for keeping myself unavailable. Brad's fault was being an insufferable ass-hat. Kylie still seemed too innocent, and I was a bad friend for wanting to keep her that way for selfish reasons. Travis... well, I imagine he couldn't be happier.

As for Krystal... I figure she just beat me to the punch, being part of a pony herd.

I've met some fine mares in Canterlot and abroad. A few I've taken into my bed, or I to theirs.

But now wasn't the time reminisce. Something was about to go down.

Krystal crossed her arms, and put on a smug smile. "As a matter of fact, I am; because they actually care about me," she lovingly smiled down at Star Hunter and Peach Fuzz.

Brad turned his nose up. "Guess that explains why you were so loose when I fucked you a couple years back."

My hackles raised at that. I didn't know that happened. And from the looks of it, Krystal regretted it even more than I felt angry about it.

Sex with a Pony was one thing, but sleeping with the enemy was downright traitorous.

But I knew, there was no way I could've competed with Brad's looks, or his confidence. I couldn't blame her for that. But I could be angry at her for sleeping with literally the worst human being on the planet, regardless of the circumstances.

That touched a nerve with her. "At least Star doesn't have a tiny, baby-dick like you, asshole." Krystal lifted her pinkie finger for everyone to get the picture.

Brad shrugged. "Eh, they got potions for that sort of thing here, you sure he ain't juicing?"

"It wouldn't matter because he's better than you, they both are!" She fired back at him. "They know how to make me happy!"

"All I hear is you admitting what a total slut you are." Brad relaxed his posture.

He had Krystal good and riled up, and now she was embarrassing herself. It was about time I stepped in. Maybe I let it go on for too long. It was hard for me to judge when to stop these arguments. I viewed it as a good thing to let these negative emotions out. And also, it allowed Krystal a chance to pick and choose her battles.

The Princess and her Ponies understood that Human problems should be dealt with by Humans, in our own Human way. We were a paradoxical amalgamation to her, a species who desired both peace and happiness, while sowing chaos and destruction within ourselves. Even our tiny group wasn't spared showcasing the best and worst of what Humanity had to offer.

Krystal scoffed in offense. "Fuck you, dick!" She insulted.

Brad calmly shot back. "You sure did, horse fucker."

"Two pump, chump!"

"Whore."

Kylie tried to keep the peace. "You guys, please don't fight!"

Oop, I got lost in my thoughts and didn't catch the name-calling in time before they happened. "Aright you two that's enough!" I shouted over both of them, while placing myself between them. "I was hoping things would be better, but they're just as bad as they were five years ago." I announced.

Brad tried acting cool. Probably feeling like he won this battle."Hey, man, you know, she's the one who-"

"Hey, enough!" I interrupted him, and Brad crossed his arms while licking his lips at me. He let out a chuckle, but I wasn't taking the bait this time.

"I hope you two got that out of your systems." I looked between them. "Now, let's all start acting a little civil towards each other." I stared down Brad as I spoke, trying to emphasized my point.

Brad lifted up his arms in surrender. "Alright, alright, I'll admit, I'm being an 'asshole' on purpose." He made air quotes at that. "But You know, I wouldn't be acting like this at all; if any of you would've sent letters to me on a regular bases, or said 'hi' to me, when I haven't seen any of you for awhile..." He pouted playfully, looking over at Kylie. "It hurt my feelings."

Isn't that what I tried to do, before he brushed me off?

And what about Kylie?

She's been doing more than just sending 'well wishes'. But I guess he valued those more than the apparent scandalous pictures of herself to him.

Of course, my more pessimistic mind told me he just didn't care about here at all. Which wasn't far from the truth.

I tried not to sigh. I'd have preferred if Kylie didn't play his games, but the girl was just too good natured. Either that, or she was afraid of making him mad.

Kylie, ever the people pleaser, re-greeted him. "Hi Bradley, I'm glad you could make it." She spoke a bit like Fluttershy, with a hint of being smitten with him.

Kylie may as well have done a somersault kick to my stomach by indulging him in his games.

Brad leaned over to look passed me. "Hi baby." He smiled with a shit-eating grin.

I didn't need to see Travis or Krystal rolling their eyes in tandem with mine.

Kylie was infatuated with Brad in the beginning. This I knew. Poor girl, she never stood a chance. Pretty, young, and naive; against a man like that...

It was inevitable that she would get her heart broken. It was just a matter of time. But, until then, there wasn't anything I could do.

Believe me, I tried to ward her away from him. But predictably, she did the complete opposite as naive young girls do, especially the ones who think they've got the world all figured out.

The Friendship Council's impulsive need to intervene in friendship problems was too much for them to ignore any longer.

Applejack came forward. "Hey, ya'll; the cider's here, why don't we have a drink and relax."

"Yeah, c'mon silly monkeys, let's all 'hang out', get it?" Pinkie tittered.

Everycreature dispersed, and the party resumed anew, now that the tension was over.

I didn't get much time to enjoy the party, or to really connect with my friends, until I caught Brad eyeing my art piece.

Brad put his face close enough to my statue to breathe on it. Maybe I was being a bit defensive, given I hated the guy; but you'd think even a guy like him would have the forethought to keep a respectable distance.

Who am I kidding, its Brad. The guy who has to dominate everything!

I decided to put those feeling aside, and tried giving him the benefit of the doubt.

Maybe the time away from us gave him some perspective.

"What you think?" I asked, while walking up next to him. Heck, I actually felt eager to hear what he had to say. But that little voice in my mind was reminding me how much I was gonna regret that decision.

He took a bit longer to reply than I expected. His eyes darted between myself and the statue, before a devious grin spread across his face.

"Damn dude, what's next for you, knitting? Face painting at carnivals?" He laughed. "When are you gonna get a real man's job?" He said.

I wanted to wipe that smug look off his face. Then he started poking and thumping at my work with his fingers.

Are you kidding me?!

That's the number one rule of all Art!

Don't. Touch!

"What's with the girl?" He asked, eyeing my work with a look of scrutiny that bordered on disgust. Or maybe that was just how I interpreted it.

"The girl represents all of us." I explained laconically, knowing he was going to turn the discussion around on its head.

"So are you calling me a girl?" Brad got up in my face, bowing up to me, while I deadpanned look at him.

I knew his humor. He was gonna think this was funny. Or, at least, thats what he'll say it is.

Everything was "just a joke" to him.

But as a fellow man, I knew it was his way of "checking me". Everything about him was a play for dominance.

Brad and I stood chest to chest.

The tension in the room was palpable, but I didn't feel it. This happened too often in the past, and I was used to it; not always from Brad.

He laughed in my face. "Haha! I'm just fuckin' with you man, you gotta lighten up." He slapped my shoulder.

I couldn't wait for this night to be over.

Author's Note

I've really put on some pounds since making Ponyville my home. What can I say? I just can't say no to Pinkie's baking. But I've been fixing that, and progress has been slow, but steady.