We Bare Men

The party began anew for a second time.

I spent time socializing with some of Travis' circle of entrepreneurs.

It was obvious they were trying to pick my brain for new ideas from the human world, and they almost succeeded, after they buttered me up by complimenting my sculpture; but I couldn't think of anything at that moment; besides, that was Travis' field.

I didn't mind, so long as they didn't monopolize my time away from the others.

I still had to see how they were doing, and 'be the dad', I chuckled inwardly.

Travis and I managed to find a table we could converse at privately.

"Amazing work, Trev." Travis complimented. "How's the art scene treating you anyway?" He asked.

I thanked him. "It's been incredible, you wouldn't believe how easy it is to peddle my work, I've even got a few collectors wanting to bid for exclusive rights to my creations. "

Travis toasted to my success. "I'm guessing they think putting Bits into the art-culture of a soon-to-be-extict alien species is something worth investing; which makes sense, because once were gone, their value will skyrocket."

We clinked our glasses together. "Right on the money as always!" I laughed. "A few squiggly lines on a blank canvas, and I just made my year!" We laughed heartedly and toasted again despite ourselves.

It was insane how easily success came to us, eventually we had to beg Princess Twilight to stop paying the monthly stimulus she felt she owed us for our unfortunate circumstances, which she was the root cause.

Well, all but one of us.

I looked around to find Brad just to make sure he wasn't causing some poor unfortunate soul some grief.

I spied him hanging around Kylie, while she struggled to socialize with anyone else, with him creating an invisible bubble that everyone else tried to avoid.

I remembered him bragging about what a 'sweet gig' it was to never have to work again.

We all needed a way to cope, so none of us would belittle his choice to live his best life on the Crown's Coffers. While the rest needed to keep busy, and find new happiness.

But, as Humans from a vastly more developed country, there were unspoken rules against those who were not productive members of society; and we've all voiced our displeasure for his continued choice to live on the Princess' dime.

It didn't reflect well on the rest of us, but we all more than made up for it with our own unique contributions to Equestrian society.

"So, what do you think of Krystal's herd?" Travis asked, snapping me from my thoughts.

Wow, bud; going right for the jugular.

"I like 'em, they seem like good Ponies." I decided to keep it simple.

Travis was waiting for more, but I honestly didn't have much else to say; since my gut was a good judge of character.

"Does it still bother you?" He asked. "Having relations with Ponies?"

I looked surprised at him. I forgot how long it had been since the last discussion on this particular subject. They must think I'm still of the same opinion I was all those years ago.

I may have been a little vocal with my disgust in the past. "Oh no, I've been over that for awhile now; it doesn't bother me like it used to." I hoped to have assuage his worries.

Travis seemed to relax. "So does that mean you've met someone too?"

I hung my head in mild shame and embarrassment. Even knowing the others were also in relationships with Equestrians, I still felt like a freak.

Travis assured me. "I'm not judging, I mean, just look at me; I'm the last person who should judge anyone based on who they're attracted to."

I looked surprised at him. "It's not like that Trav, it's just uh... different for me, you know?" I shrugged, and took comfort looking at my daughter, now immortalized as a bronze statue made by my hands.

It was his turn to look surprised. "I'm sorry Trevor, I'm just so used to prejudice and bigotry back in our world; I forget that you had a family." He regarded my work. "You did an amazing job, it looks just like her."

My heart swelled with renewed pride. "Thank you, I know I come off as uneasy around you; but I've never had an issue with your orientation, or your choice of uh... partners." I said carefully. It was still uncomfortable for me to speak about that sort of thing with Travis. "It's just how I was raised, I try not to show it, if I can't help it."

Travis smiled gratefully. "I know back home my peers would say that I shouldn't care what others think; but it means a lot to me that you and the girls approved of my boyfriends; and you don't know how grateful I am for you, it's really nice having a 'normal' human guy-friend to- uh... What'd the jockey's call it...? Shoot the shit with!" He grinned and I chuckled while nodding in agreement.

I looked around and found the rest of Travis' herd conversing with Krystal and her herd.

"I'm just happy that you're happy, that's all that really matters." I toasted to that.

Travis toasted with me. "And are you happy, Trev?" He asked, catching me off-guard.

I paused, and looked over at Krystal. She must've sensed I was watching her, as she met my eyes.

I was expressionless, until she looked away in shame.

I was far from happy. Even excluding the fact Krstal went to Brad first, regardless, I still would not feel whole until I got my family back.

I decided to change the subject. "So how'd you meet your hermates anyway?" I gestured over towards them.

Travis seemed to regard me with pity, but acquiesced. "Cashmere came on as my assistant a little over a year ago, it was at Princess Cadence's request; we were coming up with all kinds of new ideas to help Equestria advance--not only technologically, but economically as well--which brought us to figure out how best we could improve the country's infrastructure; needless to say, things started to become overwhelming, and I needed help with the workload." He took a sip of cider.

I smiled deviously. "So you slept with your secretary?"

Travis nearly did a spit take, and I laughed, slapping my knee.

"No!" He denied with too much guilt. "I didn't view him as a romantic partner until after I met Long Haul."

"Where'd you meet him at?" I half laughed while I also took a drink.

"In a bathroom stall," he replied.

I nearly choked. He got me good. "No you didn't!" I laughed uproariously.

"In a colt-cuddlers club," he teased thoughtfully.

"Yep, I'm gonna need to get drunk for this story." I looked around for another bottle.

"Nothing happened," he pishawed. "It was karaoke night, you wouldn't know it since he's so shy; but he has an amazing singing voice, somewhere between the ruggedness of Toby Kieth, with a hint of Prince." He sighed, looking lovestruck. "There were times I could've sworn he was singing to me." He breathed a twitterpated sigh.

I grinned deviously. "And you thought it would be a good idea to follow him into the bathroom and suck his dick; I'm guessing he didn't follow through?"

Travis wasn't deterred and spoke coyly. "It may have crossed my mind, but I honestly didn't know he was in there; no, we ran into each other and he looked kinda afraid of me." He sipped his cider. "I told him I thought he was a beautiful singer, then he kinda looked bashful and said 'you're beautiful' and galloped away; he seemed so embarrassed." He shrugged nonchalantly.

I look shocked. "He just ran off after giving a compliment like that?" I asked in disbelief. But I could totally see it happening. "When did you see him again?"

Travis grabbed us another bottle. "That was my first night out since throwing myself into my work, so I couldn't just let him get away; I went to that club the same time and day the next week, then the week after that; until I was going there every minute I could spare, and I kept that up for months."

I took both ciders and opened them for us, handing one back to him.

"It was starting to interfere with my work, and it was at that point, Cashmere let me know how disappointed he was in me; not because I was chasing a feeling, but that I wasn't living up to his expectations."

"Wow, he's a presumptuous one." I said.

Tavis waved it off. "He was totally right though, I was getting obsessed with finding Long Haul again; Cashmere told me he believed in my work, and how important it was to Equestria... and he said how important I was to him."

"And that was just after a few months of working together?" I asked skeptically. "Equestrians sure are fast, ain't they?"

Travis smiled. "It wasn't like that, well, not at first. You see, Cashmere is originally from the Crystal Empire from the time before it reappeared."

My brow raised at that. "I thought it was odd that Cadence sent him your way and not Twilight, but now it makes even less sense." I commented and took a sip of my new bottle.

Travis nodded. "She had her reasons." He explained. "Cashmere isn't even his real name, it's actually Calcite."

I leaned over the table as Travis revealed more of the conspiracy. "Why change his name?"

Travis breathed a heavy sigh. "The Crystal Empire a thousand years ago wasn't so accepting of homosexuality as the other Pony Tribes of the time, much less a Unicorn."

I nodded along. We knew most of the abridged history of Equestria from Princess Twilight and her friends. But there were still inklings of their prejudice that'd appear every now and again.

Even just passively learning, I knew that the Pegasus Legion of ancient Equestria was a mirror to our own Roman Empire, including the sexploitations of males which could rival Alexander the Great. Every member of the Legion mated with one another, gender meant nothing.

Unicorns viewed homisexuality as a deviance, and something only the uppercrust libertines of their society would indulge.

But the Earth Ponies absolutely abhorred it, but they had their reasons at the time.

They were being fucked over by both other tribes.

The pegasi brought rain to water crops, but they could also blot out the sun, and starve the other two; and they had flight, which meant they didn't need to really settle in one place, which meant they got the bigger share of food for their service.

The Unicorn's could move the Sun, and magic away the clouds, but there was no magic that could bring the rain they needed, and even with the social hierarchy of a lower class to provide laborers, they were still grazing the land for food and hadn't developed farming practices.

Earth Ponys were harassed, bullied, and viewed as inferior by the other two, for without the sun or rain, their tribe would starve.

Earth Ponies were all but labeled as slaves, and were forced to be subservient beneath the other two, the reason being their lack of magic or flight, but the other tribes didn't view strength, endurance, or growing food for three tribes as a respectable trait.

And with the addition of two extra societies to feed, the Earth Ponies needed more laborers to tend larger fields. Which meant they needed to breed more foals to help and replace those that were too old, weak, or sickly.

Mares at the time were pregnant their entire lives. A gay mare could still help produce offspring, even if by force; but a gay stallion were gelded as both punishment and serving as an example.

I looked over at Cashmere, seeing the Unicorn in a new light.

The Crystal Empire primarily consisted of Earth Ponies. Canterlot was Unicorns, and Cloudsdale was obviously Pegasi. Ponyville served as a melting pot for all three tribes.

These days it was normal for an Earth Pony, even an Earth Pony couple to randomly birth a new Pegasi or Unicorn.

However, there was a dark reason for that.

The Pegasi and Unicorns felt entitled to breeding rights. Given they were so "superior" to Earth Ponies.

Earth Ponies quickly formed clans to protect their purebred bloodline. Applejack I knew was of one such clan. The Apple family was one of the largest, so it didn't matter that she was gay with Rainbow Dash, or her brother was marrying a Unicorn; they still had Applebloom who last I heard was seeing a stallion from a clan who mainly worked a rock quarry; but I didn't know any more than that.

I heard a cousin of theirs was a broodmare, and has produced 23 foals, and is about to have her 24th later this year.

But that is a wholesome example, compared to the rape of their Tribe. An attempted cultural extermination.

I suspected Cashmere was a product of such atrocity.

Foals born during that time with mixed pedigree were considered abominations, and hated simply for existing. They were blamed for bringing the Windigos, and were often thought to be inferior to either tribe in their blood... that was the true history of Equestria and not the watered-down Disney version they tell these days...

I may be a bit of a history buff; something about being a dad makes you really care about dark history and war stories.

I felt sorry for Cashmere. "Poor guy, I can't imagine how hard that must've been for him; pretty much hated by everyone just for existing..."

Travis sighed. "Yeah, we kinda have that in common; I always hated how my peers in the African community talked about slavery and oppression like they actually lived during those times, and experienced all that hate; even though we went to prep-school, most of them were lazy, and blame everything on white people, no offense."

"None taken." I shrugged.

Travis continued. "I used to think I had it worse, being gay and black; always having to hide who I was, always so alone and isolated; and here was this guy who really lived through it, and did the same thing just to survive... it made me realize how good I had it back in our world, and how much I missed it" Tavis took a long swig of his cider.
"One day, I asked him to join me for a drink, we bonded over our pasts, then one thing lead to another and..." He made a mock surprised face, before covering it with a lewd sip of his cider.

I nearly burst out laughing, and offered to clink our bottles together, which he accepted and we toasted to his first lay in Equestria. Using the bottom of the bottles, of course.

"So when did Long Dong come back into the picture?" I asked jokingly.

Travis tried to hide his blush. "Well, of course, once you stop looking for something, that's when it will usually turn up."

I nodded. "Naturally."

Travis sighed. "It was hard adjusting to Equestria, I don't need to tell you about all the attention I get from the mares."

I nodded again. I knew all too well the constant doting for attention, the offers of courtship, and physical gratification from mares.

He continued. "Women back home would take one look at me and know I was a sissy; but the mares here just think I'm 'cute', so it doesn't stop them from propositioning me on a regular basis."

I couldn't disagree.. Travis was a cute little fem-boy, and I knew being called a 'sissy' was a term of endearment for him. He was a good kid, and charismatic in a way I wanted to match.

I never thought of him that way. Sure, I could see it, and it made sense; but it didn't do anything for me, I figured that was what people meant by 'not being my type'. But... he made me wonder, if...

I realized something he said.

I got a little protective. "Princess Twilight didn't do that to you, did she?" I said with an edge of suspicion in my voice.

Travis waved me off. "No-no, she's been nothing but kind and cordial around me; I appreciate that she was so 'straight' with her feelings towards me." He chuckled and looked her way in admiration. "I feel kinda bad about turning down her offer for a date, she seemed really disappointed."

The Princess sat at a table with her aging friends, laughing and having a good time while sharing old stories.

I chuckled. "Well, you didn't hear it from me, but I'm pretty sure she thinks you'll come around, and play for the other team."

Travis gave it a mock thought. "Hmph, maybe one day... but I'm happy with my coltfriends; I don't want them to get jealous and plan a coup against her." He chuckled.

He continued his story. "So anyway, I got back to work with a kick in my step, after having a great night with Cashmere; I was expecting some freight to come in for our work, and I bet you can guess who was pulling the wagon with our delivery." He hinted.

"Longus Dongus." I slurred a bit. Damn, when did I become such a lightweight? Oh yeah... after years in AA, I should probably slow down.

Travis scoffed a laugh. "Yeah, we were both shocked to have run into each other; but I was feeling ten feet tall, and told him I wanted to see him again that very night.. I may have made it sound like he didn't have a choice." He chuckled at the memory, looking lost in the past. "We met up at the club again and had a great time, I was pushing to take things further, but he wasn't ready; so we settled for a hayburger, and grape snow cones; he dropped me off early at my place before we kissed at my doorstep." Travi

"Ooh, first date kiss, you're such a slut." I cooed jokingly.

"You don't know the half of it!" He stated proudly.

We shared a laugh.

"We took things slow, at first," Travis hinted.

A question came to my mind. "So what did Cashmere think of the big guy; when did you introduce them to each other?"

Travis grinned sheepishly. "You know, growing up Human made having multiple partners a challenge."

I agreed. It was interesting to learn how the Ponies juggled multiple partners, without the fear of evoking a lover's jealous wrath.

"I was both excited to have two new boyfriends, and terrified of losing them both." Travis gazed over at his herd. "I told Cashmere about Long Haul first; I figured he deserved to know, since we were already bedfellows." He sighed contentedly. "The only thing he asked was 'when do I get to meet him'."

I smiled at that. I remembered being head-over-heels for my wife. "So how does all that work out, with all of you being... I mean, isn't there a Lead Stallion, or something?"

Travis nodded. "It's not much different from a traditional pony herd, so since I initiated the relationship with them first; they see me as the Lead; but we're equal partners, the herd structure isn't a set of strict rules, they're more like guidelines." He explained, then leaned over conspiratorially. "Though Cashmere is more dominant than either of us, I really like that about him."

I had to pry and get a little protective again. "He doesn't boss you around, or anything; does he?" I asked.

"No, no, I meant that as a lover, he's more dominate." Travis explained. "He relies on us to correct him when it comes to navigating the modern world."

"Oh, okay." I nodded.

"When we all met together, Cashmere started 'inspecting' him," Tavis chuckled. "I think it was a layover from his past, stallions acted differently back then; Cashmere would size him up, and smell him; it was all super uncomfortable."

"I'm surprised the big guy didn't run away again." I chuckled.

"Oh, he tried; but Cashie used his magic to keep him from going anywhere; I had to beg him to stop and apologized to Lon-Lon." Travis tittered.

I chuckled. This was turning out great. I was glad Travis was doing well in life. His story made me want to get out there myself.

"Hey," Travis got my attention, his tone changed, letting me know this was something serious. He scooted closer to me, and I leaned in to hear whatever secret he wanted to tell. "So, I know this is really last minute, but I wanted to ask you first, if it would be okay if I proposed to my coltfriends?"

I was confused at first. "Propose, you mean..." He check to make sure no one was watching, then reached into his formal jacket and pulled out a pair of rings. One was for a Unicorn's horn, and the other was a necklace with a ring attached.

There were too many diamonds and sparkles for my inebriated mind to count.

"Oh my gosh dude, yes, yes you should, everyone is here, yes, do it; go go go!" I egged him on.

I was crossing the threshold of buzzed to silly-drunk. I got up and pulled him out of his chair.

"Hold on a minute, that's not all!" He waved me off, while nervously looking around.

No one important saw us.

"Why, what's the hold up?" I asked.

He fidgeted with his hands, while looking nervous. "This is a huge step for me, and if I'm being honest, I never expected to ever get married, and all I can think about is; what if they say no, and-"

I placed my hands on his shoulders, getting his attention; and spoke sincerely. "Listen to me, Trav, I'm proud of you, and what you're doing is important; I don't know what the future holds for us; but one thing I do know, is that you are going to be the one the people in this world will read about in history books. The rest of us would be lucky to be a footnote. I can tell those two make you happy; you're gonna do great." I said with finality.

Travis nodded, looking more confident. "Wait, one other thing." He said.

I looked on with interest.

"I was hoping that, maybe, you'd be my best man?" He asked.

My emotions welled. Not all of it from the alcohol. "I'd be honored." I said with a nod. "Now get out there, and ask those studs to marry you!"

I wasn't sure if Travis cringed or was still making a nervous face.

I went over and grabbed a microphone for Travis, and told the DJ to stop the music for a minute.

"What's going on?" Krystal asked.

"You're about to see," I said with a grin.

Travis thumped on the microphone, getting the room's attention. "Uh..." He blanched as everyone's attention was on him.

I gave him an encouraging thumbs up and enthusiastic nods.

Travis cleared his throat, his voice cracking, before he found his confidence again. "Hey-o, Hello; I- ah... Okay-whew- I had a whole speech planned, but it never got passed the 'make a great speech' stage, so I'll try not to take up too much of your time," he joked, getting a chuckle from the crowd.

Good, he's getting his nervousness under control by interacting with the crowd.

"Uh, Lon-lon, Cashmere; would you come up here with me?" his lovers looked at each other, before trotting to stand beside their human. Long Haul kept his shoulders hunched, and head low, like he was trying to hide from the crowd; whereas Cashmere kept his head held high like a proper Unicorn.

Travis damped the nervous sweat beading on his head. "A wise man once said, that to succeed in life, you need someone who can go all the way with you; and I want you two to go all the way with me- I mean- Uh-" Travis realized too late how that sounded.

I facepalmed. The rest of the crowd shifted uncomfortably. But his lover's wore poker faces.

Travis searched for his rings. "Sorry that came out wrong, w- what I'm trying to say is-"

My heart went out to the kid, he was drowning out there.

Finally, Travis huffed; and turned to his lovers; speaking from the heart. "You two are the best thing to ever happen to me, and I want to spend the rest of my life with both of you," Long Haul gasped while covering his mouth with a hoof, while Cashmere remained stock still.

There was a tension in the room, as Travis got on one knee. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the box.

"Cashmere, Lon-lon, will you marry m-"

"YES!" Long Haul threw his hooves in the air, before sweeping Travis up and giving him a big smooch on the lips. Cashmere stepped forward and gave Travis a more chast peck on the lips while nodding his head as teardrops sparkled in his eyes.

The crowd went wild and congratulated the newly engaged fiancées.

Krystal, I could tell, got emotional and clapped her hands. We shared a look.

I wasn't sure what to make of it, but I think we both knew, neither one of us was ready for the next step.

Predictably, Brad chose that moment to ruin everything.

He stood up on a chair, then used that to jump onto a tall platform with a Pony sculpture.

"Here comes the fags, all dressed in drag!" He sang above the crowd while hanging off the sculpture. "Here comes the- whoah!" The sculpture he was hanging on listed to the side with him.

Rainbow Dash tried to save it and the stupid Human who was about to fall, but she wasn't the spry young mare she used to be; her efforts went in vain as the scene unfolded.

A good thing too. It probably would've broken the old mare's back had she caught it.

Brad fell off, then rolled out if the way of the sculpture, before it could fall on him, while it toppled a pillar, which then fell atop of my bronze statue; smashing it to large chunks, and causing irreparable damage.

Once the screams of the crowd died down, everyone was expressing concerns for everyone else; Princess Twilight, myself, Krystal, Star Hunter, Peach Fuzz, and the other elements went around to check if everyone was okay.

The guards and some castle staff came to help rope off the damage, and to corral the guests.

Once the excitement was completely over, I went to see the ruin that was my legacy.

I stood over the broken pieces, assessing the damage.

"Can you fix it?" Kylie asked as she gave me a hug.

I reached down and touched the tiny outstretched hand of the little girl. The upper half of her body was separated from the rest, and the bronze Ponies were either bent or broken out of shape.

"It's okay, I still have the molds..."

I felt hollow, until Brad had to open his mouth.

Brad walked around the carnage. "Oh man, did you see that, I almost died!" He laughed. "Damn dude, your shit got smashed all to hell, sorry man..."

If I wasn't fighting to control my anger, I could've sworn he actually sounded remorseful there at the end.

"Thank goodness nopony was hurt." Princess Twilight came to check on us. "Oh Trevor, I'm so sorry for your work."

I was about to address her, until Brad again had to be the center of attention.

"Yo Princess, why wasn't that bolted down or something, huh!?" Brad walked up to Princess Twilight.

"Bradly don't!" Kylie rushed over to his side, and wrapped her arms around him.

I silently wished she hadn't. She was hanging off him like one of those girlfriends who's job it is to make sure their boo doesn't end up in jail for assault.

Brad, of course, made like she was the only thing holding him back.

My anger was starting to crest.

"Knock it off, Brad; it was an accident, which you caused." Krystal stood beside the Princess.

The Princess kept her head up, showing she wasn't intimated. "I apologize for ruining your night, I'll see to it that all the decorations are properly secured, in case someone else decides to climb on something they obviously shouldn't."

My hatred all but vanished. Bless you Twilight. She purposely avoided using 'anypony', and subtly pointed out what an ass Brad was.

And from the way he scoffed. He must've caught it too.

The party was officially over.