"Excuse me!" She said covering her mouth but cracked a smile as she saw Frost trying to hold back laughter.

"I-it's fine, so I guess you're enjoying your breakfast then?" Frost managed to ask.

"Only the best cereal and orange juice I've ever had! I mean it's all so fresh, at least the juice and milk are," She replied making Frost smile.

"That's because it is fresh, just got them yesterday. Got the milk from the Apple family and the Orange family comes to visit at least once every two weeks. In case you're wondering the Oranges are an extended part of the Apple family," Frost explained which Rie was glad she already met one of the Apples to where it made sense to her.

"That's good to know but I do have a question for you, and you don't have to answer this if you don't want to," She said making Frost give a little sigh.

"Yes, no matter which kind of bat pony you are you can still eat normal pony food. But I'm gonna guess it's like your kind and eating meat, fruits and blood are how we get our main nutrients," Frost said making Rie nod in understanding. "A-and hey, don't be afraid to ask questions like that. I mean you are partly here to learn about us right?"

"Also to make friends and if those kinds of questions make you uncomfortable then I won't push," She replied giving the mare a little smile.

"Thanks, nice to know and I will admit that there are certain things I don't like to talk about. But to change the subject are you about done?" Frost asked making Rie gulp down the rest of her milk.

"Yup, would you like me to help with the dishes? I mean since you were kind of forced to take me in and..." She started before Frost spoke up.

"I would have gladly offered you a place at my home especially after getting to know you. Now you can feel free to help me some other time but for now, I'll take care of the dishes. We'll talk about the chore list later okay?" Frost asked loading up the bowls and cups making Rie give a nod.

"Um, well thanks for the reassurances there and I'm looking forward to helping you out around here." She said and in part, she was looking forward to it as a way to pay the mare back for her kindness.

"It is no trouble and I mean what I said," Frost said rinsing the dishes. "Though I would like to know a little more about your world if you don't mind telling me?"

"Ask away," She replied.

"Oh, uh, well you mentioned that where you are from there are multiple vampiric races and I was wondering about how they are?" Frost asked making Rie give a little sigh.

"I only know a little bit about them as like I said I've never really met one before here. But what I do know is that most don't leave their homeworld. Before you ask I think it's mostly due to how other planets atmospheres filter light," She replied leaning back in her chair.

"Why is that?" Frost asked.

"To be honest with how most planets filter light and thus filter the different radiations it could kill them if they aren't careful. It burns them to put it simply," She answered sighing.

"Oh, that is horrible! But you said if they're not careful and are there ones who are more like me?" Frost asked.

"There are ways for the ones who want to visit other worlds to do so, either they wear special suits or have some kind of protection spells on them. Also, yes there are some like your kind who can't see during the day and that's just what bothers them," She answered locking eyes with the mare who nodded.

"Thanks for answering that question," Frost said putting up the dishes.

"So that's it? You don't have any follow-ups or anything?" She asked making Frost give a little laugh.

"I'll get around to my other questions eventually but for right now how about that tour?" Frost replied making Rie shake her head.

"Yeah, but aren't you tired?" She couldn't help but ask only for Frost to chuckle.

"Nah, bat ponies only really need sleep every three days and I had just got sleep yesterday," Frost replied as the mare started to walk towards the living room making Rie follow.

"That's pretty cool but must be a pain if you ever get drunk," She said as Frost stopped at a table that had a pair of large sunglasses.

"Sometimes but at least if I get drunk a day or two before I need sleep again then I won't get a hangover," Frost stated as she put the sunglasses on.

"Right, because you would have the time to sober up and already work through or around the other stuff," She said giving the mare a little smile.

"Yup but it doesn't mean I can't blackout and that's annoying," Frost said making Rie nod rubbing her shoulder which made Frost give what she knew was a curious look.

"Let's just say I don't like to get too drunk because of my ability. Not to mention I don't know how it'll affect me right now," She said sighing.

"Well maybe you can tell me what happened sometime, but I won't push," Frost said giving Rie a little smile which she returned.

"Thanks, but how about that tour for right now?" She asked.

"Right, just let me know if you want to take a break or just want to go into a shop," Frost said putting on satchel which Rie didn't even see her grab.

"Lead the way then," She said letting the mare go first.

Once outside and while Frost was locking her door Rie looked over the town which was nicely sized, and now that it was mid-morning she saw all the colorful ponies walking about. She felt Frost give her a tap making her look at the mare and nodded. They walked side by side as they made their way into the town.

"Hey, Frost?" She started making the mare turn to look at her. "What's on the list first?"

"Well, I figured we head to the town's square and on the way I could show you a few of the main neighborhood streets," Frost replied before speaking up again. "Again, you don't need to worry as ponies may be a bit hesitant and may stay back and whisper but they won't do anything."

"So you keep saying, and it's not that I don't believe you but it can be hard to speak for everyone," She said making Frost nod.

"If that happens don't do anything I'll handle it but I doubt it will come to that," Frost said smiling at her.

"You know I can handle myself," She said making Frost give a little laugh.

"Again, I have no doubt you could but remember you are here on a peaceful mission. So even if you defend yourself when you're still this new and if ponies see you beat up one of them then they might never trust you," Frost said making Rie smile.

"Yeah, that is one thing that they do teach us but there are some worlds where if you don't defend yourself then you won't get very far," She said and she could see that Frost understood what she was asking.

"Heh, well now that you know just try to stick by me until ponies around town get to know you. Also, this is Trot Lane a popular street to raise foals on," Frost said making Rie realize that they had entered into town.

She could see why this street was mostly filled with families as the houses were all two stories tall and from what she guessed they all must at least have three bedrooms. Which as she was looking around she saw fillies and colts playing and hardly any of them paid them any attention. But the parents that were out watching their kids kept a close eye on her as they walked down the street.

"Alright, this is a nice little neighborhood and I get your point you know," She said making Frost roll her eyes.

"That's not really why I brought you down this street, it's just that this is the easiest way to get into town from my house. Besides, other than that I like to play a few games with the kids here," Frost said just as a ball rolled over to her.

"Oh hey, Frost!" A yellow filly with red mane and tail came up to them, to top it off the filly had a big bow. "Who's your friend?"

"Well, this is Rie she's here to make some friends," Frost answered making the little fillies eyes light up.

"Oh, so you're the one my sis was talking about! Names Applebloom and ya couldn't come to a better place to make friends ya know!" Applebloom said giving her a big smile.

"It's good to meet you, and yeah I've been told that," She said returning the smile.

"It's true, but what are ya'll doing?" Applebloom asked.

"Gotta give her a tour so I can't stop and play right now," Frost said. Though as the mare said that she started kicking the ball up in the air showing off her skill by doing a few tricks before giving the ball back to the filly.

"Alright, maybe later?" Applebloom asked making Frost nod with a big smile. "Oh, and you're invited to! I know Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle would love to meet ya!"

"I would really like that," She replied giving a warm smile as Applebloom nodded before running off to join a group of fillies and colts.

"Just the filly I was hoping to bump into and wait until you meet the other two. Those three are really something," Frost said as they started walking again.

"I see, and I am looking forward to meeting them," She said raising an eyebrow at Frost making the mare give a chuckle.

"Hey, did it at least put you a little at ease?" Frost asked.

"Yes, but what about the whole 'That's not the reason why I brought us this way!' line that you said?" She asked making Frost shake her head.

"Alright, that was partially true but I was hoping to run into one of the CMC," Frost replied making Rie raise her eyebrow out of curiosity.

"CMC?" She asked.

"The Cutie Mark Crusaders, the main group is made of three fillies who when they got their Cutie Marks they were similar. The only difference between their Cutie Marks are the center," Frost explained.

"So the three fillies are Applebloom and her two friends she mentioned?" She asked making Frost nod. "Also, the way you said that their Cutie Marks are similar, is it that rare?"

"At the same time, yes it is. Especially with how similar they are, I mean ponies who work in the same field may have similarities between their marks but not like those fillies." Frost answered. "Oh and by the way we're almost to the square, that is the main reason why I wanted to come down this street."

"Okay, so I'm gonna say that this is one of the main roads here but I kind of thought that I would be getting a little bit more information on the town," She said.

"What, do you want me to go into the history of each house?" Frost asked with a joking smile making Rie roll her eyes.

"Maybe..." She replied returning the smile.

"Alright then, over there that house..." Frost gave a laugh as Rie playfully bumped into her. "Ok, ok, so I may not be the best tour guide but at least we seem to be having fun, right?"

"Hey since you're asking I think that makes you a good tour guide, even if we've only gone down one street... AH!" She was saying before something pink was suddenly in front of her making her fall to the ground.

"Oh my goodness! I didn't mean to scare you like that!" Pinkie said though both of the mares seemed to be holding back laughter that was until Rie herself started cracking up.

"I-it's fine, j-just didn't expect for you to literally be right in front of me," She managed to say getting up and dusting herself off.

"So, Pinkie what do ya need?" Frost asked making the pink mare gasp.

"Right, well you see I don't know what you like to drink Rie! So I was wondering what you would like, also do you like cupcakes, muffins, cake, or pie better? Also what kind would you like?" Pinkie started to ramble off and looked like she was about to go on before Rie spoke up.

"Um, well other than juice and milk and of course water, I don't really know what you guys offer in drinks, as for that second question I'm more of a chocolate brownie person." She replied and as she looked at Pinkie she was surprised to see the mare reach into her mane and pull out a notepad.

"Right, so different kinds of juices and chocolate brownies!" Pinkie said and just like that the mare was gone.

"I'm not even gonna think about how she just disappeared like that or how she kept a notepad in her mane," She said making Frost give another little chuckle.

"At least you didn't have to be told that. You'll find that mare can do things that no other Earth Pony can and if you do try to figure it out you'll just get a major headache," Frost explained.

"Figured that, and now that's done how about we continue on?" She asked making them continue.

Frost led her to the town square which had an open market, a fountain in the center, and Frost made sure to point out the Town Hall. As she looked around she saw that many of the stalls were selling stuff that she could recognize but there were things she had no clue what they were. But one stall, in particular, caught her eye and made her wander over to it.

"Figure with the way you reacted to my kitchen you would want to check out Skillets stall," Frost remarked as she followed.

"Will ya look at that, who's your friend there Frost?" A somewhat gruff voice asked from under one of the tables. Though it didn't take long before the stallion popped up and looking at him Rie could definitely tell he was on the worn and elderly side.

"You wanna introduce yourself?" Frost asked giving her a little bump.

"Right, the name's Rie and you must be Skillet?" She spoked up giving the stallion a little wave as he looked her over.

"Haven't seen your kind before, but as long as you have Bits you could be a blade of grass and I would sell to ya. So what are ya waiting for? Give a little looksie and see if anything tickles your fancy," Skillet said while walking back to a rocking chair and taking a seat. "Also, everything ya see is personally made by me, don't trust those franchise ones all that much."

"Huh, well don't blame you there they don't put much stock in detail and quality. I know someone from where I from who makes his own pans, and every now and again he'll give me a few." She said stepping closer to a table, and she could tell each pot and pan were definitely crafted by someone extremely experienced.

Each pan or pot must have been designed with where Skillet must have gone in order to get the metal in mind. On each one were little figures of different species but if she hadn't known about the other races she might have been thought they were animals. Granted there were some figures she didn't know but wondered if they were animals or just other citizens of that country.

"That one your eyes keep going to is made out of Draconic Iron. Before the whole treaty between our countries getting that metal was extremely difficult making it very valuable. If ya couldn't tell by the name it comes from the Dragon homeland which if ya didn't know is extremely hot thanks to all them volcanos and lava pools," Skillet spoke up.

"Huh, well I like that you put so much detail in your work, shows how much you still care about it. But what makes that kind of metal so valuable other than being hard to get?" She asked.

"Used to be hard to get, but the reason is that not only is it guarantee not to burn but because of all the heat in the Dragon land it's much stronger than your average iron. Not to mention it can cook without a heat source, part of the magic in that area is all we could figure on how it does it." Skillet replied getting out of his chair which seemed to surprise Frost.

"So, what does a pan like this cost now?" She asked planning on asking Frost why the mare seemed so surprised of him getting out of his chair.

"Well, before we talk price let me tell ya that a pan like this is perfect for a meat eater like you," That did surprise her. "Eh, don't be surprised I've been around a bit to be able to identify a creature who prefers meat. Now as for the price before the treaty, a pan like this would cost between four to six hundred Bits."

"Woah, I mean I had heard of pans that cost that much but never really thought I see one," Frost said making Skillet give a chuckle.

"But now these pans are now forty Bits on a good day," Skillet said though she was a tad bit confused over what Bits were exactly.

"That's not that bad actually, so do you want it Rie?" Frost asked making her jump a bit.

"Huh? Oh no, I couldn't ask you to pay for something like that..." She started before Skillet spoke up.

"Now before either one of ya protests, I'm just gonna give to ya. Why? Because I can already tell you're gonna be a good customer not to mention I like Frost enough to know she has good intuition. Only if the wife had half as much of it..." Skillet muttered the last part to where only Frost seemed to know what he said.

"Are you sure? I don't really like getting things without at least earning it," She said making Skillet give a solid hardy laugh.

"Figured as much, then how about when you're settled in ya come and help me out at my stall? After all, I may still be able to make them but I am getting to the point where I can barely come and open up." Skillet stated.

"Just like that, you're offering me a job? Also, how do you know I would be moving here?" She really couldn't help but ask.

"Yes, I really am offering ya a job. As for why you have an appreciation that is rare not to mention like I said you're hanging out with Frost which will put you up high on anypony's list. As for you living here, that was just a lucky guess but what do ya say? A little work for that pan?" Skillet asked reaching out a hoof.

"Sounds like a fair trade to me, so deal!" She said reaching out and shaking Skillets hoof which didn't seem to surprise the old stallion.

"Alright, you start the beginning of the week," Skillet said before making her lean over the table so he could whisper in her ear. "Despite what she says she likes her meat just a little undercooked, and just treat her well okay?"

"Got it, thanks for the advice!" She said giving Skillet a warm smile making the stallion nod. But the way he said that made her think that he had more to say.

"Now get going, gotta help the others behind ya," Skillet said as he went back to his rocker. "Don't forget your pan either!"

"Right, and again thanks!" She said as both she and Frost started to walk off.

"So, what advice did he give you?" Frost asked once they were far enough away.

"Just to make sure I treat you right, not that I hadn't planned on returning your kindness and friendship in full," She replied which seemed to make Frost smile grow warmer.

"Well, just remember you don't have to do anything other than be a friend and that's payment enough. But thanks for the offer though," Frost said making Rie roll her eyes.

"Please, I'm a guest in your house so I plan on pulling my weight. Like I told Skillet, I don't like getting things for free. Have to earn it," She said.

"Yeah, yeah I understand just don't overdo it okay? Oh, and do you want me to put that in my bag?" Frost asked.

"I could carry it, but since you're offering then yeah," She said as Frost opened up her bag. "Alright, what's next on the tour?"

"Well..." Before Frost could say anything more the smell of food cooking filled the air making Rie's stomach growl. "How about we head over to Restaurant Row?"

"Um, y-yeah that sounds good guess time got away from us?" She said looking at the clock tower in the town square to see it was around eleven. "Hey, you wouldn't know what time we ate breakfast do you?"

"Oh, well between six and seven didn't really pay attention. Why?" Frost asked.

"Hmm, wonder if my appetite has increased with the whole two body thing? Never had to have lunch so soon after eating breakfast, a snack or two sure but it's just interesting to know that I may need a bit more food than what I'm used to." She replied making Frost nod.

"Well, what we waiting for? Let's go get something then!" Frost said taking off making her run to keep up.

Author's Note

Hmm, Skillet has some good insight on certain things and this job opportunity may have more to it than selling pots and pans...
But anyway hope you enjoyed and remember to smile, smile, smile!