Chapters Visage yawned and looked himself over in his mirror. He had bags under his eyes because he didn't get any sleep. Even after twenty years of his life, he's still afraid of thunder. And there was one helluva storm last night. It all sounded so close too. But instead of try to sleep, he decided he'd get out today and be a little more active then he normally would be. So, he brushed his teeth, had a shower, and packed his saddle bags.
"Ugh... I'm already regretting getting up this morning..." Visage whined.
He double checked all the rooms to make sure the lights were off before putting out the fireplace, which he had forgot about last night. Yet it still burned away.
"Where to first, though..." He asked himself just before his stomach grumbled. "Ah yes, food. Right."
Visage began trotting towards his favorite breakfast diner, The Titanboa. Which was a very appropriate name with it's style and shape. That and the original owner happens to have been an archaeologist that was obsessed with the behemoth that was the titanboa. Pushing the doors open and trotting in, the smell of waffles attacked his senses.
"Mornin' Visage. How can I help ya?" The stallion asked.
"Uhm... I'll have whatever today's special is, if you don't mind." Visage said, trotting up to the counter.
"Pancake and three syrup special up front!" The stallion shouted out behind him, all the while looking at Visage.
"You know, you're the only pony that knows to keep your eyes on me, Spade."
"Yeah well you're a good guy. Oh, and that actually reminds me. There's somepony new in town who doesn't have the money for the overpriced houses here. Now this is just a suggestion, but you being the nice, kind, friendly, understanding pony you are, you could totally bunk with them till they get a job to make the money they need."
"I wouldn't mind if I wasn't invisible. Last thing I'd want is to go home to somepony thinking I'm breaking in." Visage said, sifting through his saddle bags for his bits.
"Well it was just a suggestion," Spade said as a plate of the pancake special was set on the counter. "That'll be 12 bits. You get a drink with it too."
"I'll just take a water." Visage said simply, counting up 12 bits and placing them on the counter while Spade reached under it and hoofed Visage a bottle of water.
"Let me know if you like the three syrup combo and have a good day, pal." Spade said, taking the bits and waving Visage off.
"Oh, you know I'll try." He said back, tossing the water bottle into his bags and picking up the plate with a hoof. Turning around, he observed the booths that lined the wall. They were all packed. Save for one in the back with a lone mare that Visage didn't recognize."Oh well, she won't even notice me." He thought to himself.
Visage silently trotted over to the booth and slipped in the other side, placing his plate down. However, the mare did notice.
"Hi." She said simply while reading today's newspaper.
"Uh... Hi. Sorry if I'm disturbing you. This was the only booth without 4 other ponies." Visage conveyed, pulling the water bottle out of his bags and placing that beside his food.
"No I don't mind. The names Clover. What's yours?" The mare asked, all the while not taking her eyes off the newspaper.
"Visage, nice to meet you." He responded simply.
The suddenly, the mare's eyes darted up at Visage, like his name set her off or something. "You mean the Visage that's invisible unless you make eye contact?" She asked, doing exactly that.
"Uh. Yeah. I didn't know I had a reputation to me."
She looked over his figure that covered hers eyes with a hoof. "I've just looked at you and memorised what you look like. I'll tell you what I seen even though I can't see." She said.
"O...kay?" Was all Visage could say, confused. "Go ahead. Doubt you'll get anything though."
"Don't be so quick to assume. You have an almost jet black mane and dark gray coat. Oh, and green eyes. AND you're an eathpony." Clover said, matter of factly.
Sure, it was impressive that she got it, but surely it was a coincidence.
"You'd be right... But why?" He asked.
"But why what?" Clover asked, removing her hoof from her eyes to look at Visage.
"Why would you care to try to guess..?"
"Because I know how to get rid of your little issue. That and I can see straight through it." She answered, smiling confidently.
"Yeah, right. I'd be 'forever at your service' if you could fix this, blah blah blah all that mumbo jumbo. I appreciate you trying to be nice but I doubt you can do anything. Also, I don't believe you can 'see straight through it'." Visage said, a little annoyed, oddly.
"We literally just met so you don't have any reason to believe me, I get that. Buuuut it would be nice if there was even a Smidge of trust?" Clover asked him, with hopeful eyes.
"Why are you even trying to help? Like you said, we literally just met." Visage said, finally remembering his breakfast and digging in with a fork.
"I have my reasons. That and I heard you talking to the stallion up there who suggested we bunk together till I get my own house." She replied simply.
"Seriously..? That's what this is about? Whatever. 102 on the east side of town. Extra key's under the welcome mat." Visage stuffed the pancakes into his mouth and got up to leave. He's just told this random mare where his house and spare key was, and he wasn't sure why. Maybe perhaps part of him wanted to believe the unbelievable things she said?
"I... What? Really? I thought I was gonna have to work for it... Huh..." Clover said, sitting back in the booth with a baffled look.
Chewing up and gulping down the delicious waffles, Visage took a quick swig of water before saying, "If you really do mean what you said about helping, I expect you be at my place by 9pm. Sharp. Not later." Visage said plainly, trotting towards the door.
The newly excited mare hops out of her see and scurries after him. "Wait! How about I join you today? so we can get to know each other and so we don't feel super uncomfortable as strangers sleeping in the same house." The mare suggested, catching up and trotting beside him.
"All I'm doing is shopping. Its almost 11am actually, so I'm gonna be running around town a lot..." He said, half hoping she'd go, but half hoping she'd stay. He was conflicted in other words.
"Oh come on! Time will fly if you have somepony to chat with! I'll help you with what you gotta do." She chimed, with a skip in her step.
"You're pretty insistent on helping me... And I still don't understand why."
"Like I said," Clover began while humming for a second, "I have my reasons."
"Riiight... Well you can come along as long as you promise to behave." Visage said, as he thought to himself, "This mare, Clover... There's just something about her... I mean yeah, she's kinda... Good looking, but there's something else about her..."
"I'll try. So where to first?" She asked, looking over to Visage for a moment.
Visage pondered it for a second before saying, "I guess we can hit the markets first. There's a good couple of things I need and I'd rather get it before it gets too busy out."
"Okay, what do we need from there?" Clover asked, emphasizing the we .
Visage pulled a little list out of his saddle bag and ripped it in half, passing half over to Clover.
"I need everything on that list. But can I trust you to get all that without running off with the bits I'll give you?"
"Don't worry about me trying to run away, I won't. You have my word." She responded, looking at the list of foods.
Visage tossed her a sack of bits, which Clover graciously caught with her mouth.
"Mphkay I'll go gepth tha shtuff." Clover said muffled with the bag in her mouth, to which Visage couldn't help but let out a little chuckle at her jumbled words.
"Kinda cute." Visage thought to himself as Clover trotted in the direction to some stands.
Visage went about his shopping all the while thinking about Clover, who we just couldn't get off his mind. "I'd be lying to myself if I said I wasn't a little interested in Clover... She's a little weird but that adds to the cute factor... And I like the weirdness... Sh- ...Wait what the hell? you two met a little over an hour ago! There's no way in tartarus you're into her like that already!" He shouted out... Internally.
He was suddenly shaken out of his thoughts by that very mare trotting up beside him with all the stuff from the list.we need!"
Ok, maybe she was serious about 'seeing through' Visage's little curse because he wasn't even facing her, she just knew he was there.
"Oh, uh good. I've got everything too. There was a lot more then I thought there would be so it's probably best if we drop this off at my place. There's a few more places I wanna go afterwards." Visage said turning the direction of his home. "Let's go."
It was a mostly quiet trip across town. Neither Clover or Visage had anything to say. Mainly because they were both internally monologuing. Sooner then later, though, they reached their destination. Taking his key out of his bag, Visage inserted it into the lock, twisted it, and pushed the door open, natural sunlight flooding inside.
"Kitchen is down the hall and to the right." Visage said simply, closing the door once the two of them were inside.
"Ok, I'll go see what I can do." Clover replied as she trotted towards said kitchen.
Visage took off his saddle bags and tossed them to the side, but couldn't help but catch a glimpse at Clover's behind. "Damn, dude, stop it. Celesita only knows how stupid you are to already be into this mare after just meeting earlier. Get a hold of yourself." He thought internally.
"Hey, uh, after we pack these away I want to hit the flea market for somethings I've been looking for. After that, want to go out and grab some lunch? Those pancakes weren't enough." Visage said as he began packing things away, not even noticing the mare stopped in her tracks.
"You want to... Like... Go on a lunch date?" She asked quietly.
"What? That's not wha-"
"Yeah, sure! That'd be nice!" Clover squeaked cutely, cutting Visage off.
Visage froze still before saying in his head, "Ohhh crap... Did I accidently make it come off as asking her to a... Date? That's not what I meant at all! ...though maybe that wouldn't be so bad..." He sighed and couldn't help but let a little smile appear onto his face. He was admittedly ok with his question coming off as a date plan. After a moment of silence, he gave in to the idea. Though it probably wasn't a good one. "Well... Where should we go then?" He asked, nervously.
"I don't know... I haven't been around town that much." Clover replied, packing the rest of the groceries that she had hauled back.
"Okay... I'll figure something out then." He said, scrunching the grocery bags into a ball and tossing it onto the island.
Meanwhile, Clover was freaking out in her head. "We JUST met and he's already asking me out? I mean yeah, he's pretty handsome but why would he want to go out with me? And why am I so happy about it? Ugh sooo many questions but no time to get answers! But wait... I've never been on a date before... I don't know what to do... Oh this is going to be a disaster isn't it? Damn it Clover! Never prepared for anything!"
Fortunately, Visage noticed her growing worried expression and decided to speak up. "Hey Clover, you ok? You look a little worried."
At hearing his words, Clover began to hyperventilate. And she wasn't exactly too sure why...
With her rapid breathing increasing, Visage himself began to worry. It was time to step in and help. He's dealt with a few of these in his life, so he knew what it was and how to help.
"Hey hey hey, Clover, look at me," He said, panicked. And Clover did just that, "Breath through you nose and try to calm down a bit," He continued, and Clover obeyed by placing a hoof to her mouth as extra measure. It did help her somewhat, but not completely.
"There we go... Are you ok? What was that about?" Visage asked, still with a hint of worry in his words.
"I... I don't know... I haven't lost it like that in years..." She answered, not knowing of a tear that had formed in her eye.
"You know what? Screw the flea market. You need some time to calm down. Come on," Visage said, leading her out to the living room.
"Huh? No no I'm fine we can st-"
Visage cut Clover off and said, "No, it's fine. You need to relax and ease up a bit. Besides, I'd rather stay here instead." He gestured to Clover to sit down on the couch, which she did. "Do you prefer tea or coffee?" He asked her.
"Um. Tea, Please and thank you." She responded, quietly, her breathe still a little shaky. She had a horrible record of hyperventilating every other day only a few years ago. She did manage to get past it eventually though.
Visage trotted back to the kitchen and put on some water. He then leaned up against the little kitchen window that led to the living room.
"Hey Clover, you ok over there?" Visage asked the uneasy looking mare.
"Yeah, yeah I'll be fine... For now..." She replied, mumbling the last part.
"Might I ask why your name is Clover? I mean, you don't exactly look the part. Aside from your eyes."
"Yeah, I know. I am lucky though. Sometimes. Usually..." She said, finally with her shaky breathing back under control.
Visage looked at her flank to see what her cutie mark was, "A clover. Yeah, that figures." He thought in his head. "So... Mind telling me about how exactly you can quote on quote 'see through' my little 'curse'?"
"I don't exactly know how. I just know that you weren't the only one with the same problem. An old friend of mine went through the same thing, yet I could still see her fine." Clover explained.
"Ah... Well what about how you knew about me?" Visage questioned.
"Somepony moved into the city that was from here and wouldn't shut up about a certain Visage. So I came to investigate." Clover replied, all the while Visage was making a cup of tea for his guest.
"And to offer me help? I'm not convinced that that's all you came to town for." Visage stated as he finished stirring up the cup of tea before trotting out to the living room.
"Well... The pony that wouldn't stop talking about you claimed to be your ex."
"What?" Visage asked back almost immediately. "Their name?"
"It was like... Pearl or something. She said you up and left her for no reason, though..."
"That little... I did leave her, but that's because she was going at it with some rich prick that was passing by behind my back." Visage spat out, flopping down onto the couch and placing the mug of tea on the table.
"Oh... Well she had a lot to say about you... A lot of nice things." Clover said, unsure.
"...Like what?" Visage asked cautiously. If that evil little mare pearl ever turned up in town again he'd have a nice long talk with her for what she did to him in the past.
"A lot of rather graphic things..." Clover answered, simply. A moment of awkward silence passed between them.
"She was probably trying to make it sound like my fault... We went through so many precautions to make sure she didn't forget I existed, so that sure wasn't the reason she ran off to some other stallion without a second thought."
"If that's the case then she was trying real hard to make everypony feel sorry for her and to hate you..." Clover said, "Oh, and thanks for the tea." She said as she picked up the mug to take a sip.
"Hey, no problem. Kinda glad you didn't ask for coffee because I don't have any. Tea's more my thing." Visage said, laying back on the couch. "Oh and uh... If I'm gonna be completely honest... When I asked you if you wanted to go for lunch, I didn't mean for it to sound like I was asking you out for a date..."
"O-oh... I uh... Sor-"
"But I'm kinda glad you thought that's what I meant." Visage said, interrupting clover.
"Really..?" Clover asked shyly.
"Yeah! I'd be lying if I were to say that the thought didn't cross my mind a few times before that..." He said, beginning to feel a little nervous and shy himself with his confession.
Clover was silent upon hearing his words. When Visage looked over to the mare, she had a gentle blush on her face. Which was just adorable to Visage.
"Can... Can I ask you for a favor? It's a huge one and I completely understand if you refuse..." Clover said, taking another sip of her tea. Which was delicious.
"Ask away, I'm all ears." Visage said, eyeing the mare curiously.
"This may just sound like a huuuge excuse, but do you think that maybe... We could... Sleep together?.."
"...Wat?" Was all Visage could manage. We was baffled by the request, but Clover was quick to finish what she was saying,
"It's just that... Everytime I had a bit of an episode, I would usually wake up in the middle of the night with another one... I was thinking that maybe we we slept in the same bed, it would be safer cause if that DID happen, you'd probably notice it and be able to help me again..? Maybe?" Clover finished, avoiding eye contact because of her bizarre request.
Visage sat there with wide unsure eyes. He wasn't sure what to say let alone do. Here he was, sitting beside a gorgeous mare who had just asked to sleep with him IN HIS BED because of some hyperventilation episode... Eh, whatever. What's the worst that can happen?
Visage eventually decided to try to answer her question, which just came out as a bunch of mumbo jumbo. "Uhm... I mean, it depends? I guess it kinda makes sense, but really? If it doesn't bother you, then I guess... We could give that a shot?"
The two silently agreed and just sat there in a long awkward silence. Neither daring to speak up.
"Smooth, dude. You just agreed to letting a random mare sleep with ya. Good job?" Visage thought to himself.
"I don't know what to think anymore... The smart thing would be to just leave and go home, right? ...right..?" Clover thought to herself.
With a silent sigh, Visage continued in his head, "Why do I feel so stressed all of the sudden? Should I NOT let her sleep with me? Sure, I just met this mare today because of my ex pearl... Clover's pretty good looking though, so why am I complaining?"
Meanwhile, Clover was also still talking to herself mentally. "Just breath, Clover, breath... You're just sleeping in his bed for one night, just one. After that you'll get a job, buy a house, and maybe, just maybe get into some sort of relationship with Visage... Just maybe....Ugh, why does this all make me feel so stressed?!"
After a little while longer of silence passed by, Visage and Clover looked at each other expectadly at the same time before Clover spoke up and simply said,
"...Stress sex?"
"Yep, let's go." Visage said, getting up and signaling Clover to follow him. To which she did, leaving a now cold tea behind.
To Be Continued?
Author's Note
Yeah... This is a thing... A friend wanted me to write something like this, so here it is. Tadda! He just said to go at it however I want so I am.
Also, to anyone who might have read and enjoyed this, should I write a little bonus chapter about the last happenings of this chapter? Just curious. If not now, there definitely will be clop later on in the story too. (EDIT: Never mind this paragraph because said 'bonus chapter' won't happen.)
So yeah, enjoy? Possibly? Potentially?
Author's Note
This little chapter does affect the story, but if you don't like dark stuff, then you can wait for chapter 3 which will be out before the 11th.
I was going to wait till the 11th to drop this chapter with the other but decided to do it now so yeah.
Enjoy? Maybe?
Nightmares
Cold. That's all Clover could feel in the dark. She felt as if she was being watched from above, below, in front, behind, beside... From everywhere. A faint clicking could be heard from farther within the light consuming darkness. Something was here with her...
"He-Hello?" Clover asked with a shaky voice through the darkness. "Is somepony there?"
There was no answer besides the strange clicking sounding closer.
"This isn't funny! Whoever you are, show yourself!" She shouted out.
No response.
"I'm serious!"
The clicking was back, but even closer. What sounded like sharp talons falling upon the floor in a walking motion could be heard slowly inching it's way closer to Clover.
Then suddenly, a gravely and low voice made itself know from all around the scared mare.
"ÇÕMĘ" The voice said, "ÇÕMĘ ŤÕ ÙŠ"
The clicking was now closer.
"WĘ WĮŁĽ ŠPÃŔË ŸØÚ"
"From what?! Who are you?!" Clover shouted out, frantically looking around her.
"FŘÔM ŸØÙŔŠËŁF" The voice said. The clicking was now only a few feet away, yet Clover couldn't see through the thick darkness.
"Wh-what if I say no? What will happen?" Clover asked, facing the direction of the sound.
"ŸÓŪ" The clicking went to her left.
"WĮĹĽ" The clicking sound was now behind her.
"ĐĪÊ" The voice said from in her right ear. Long, sharp claws creeped their way into Clovers vision from behind her. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her side as if she was stabbed. She screamed out in pain before her eyes shot open. It was a nightmare. Looking around her surroundings while shaking violently, she recognised where she was. It was Visage's bed... Looking to her side, he was nowhere to be seen. And something about the room was off. It was darker then it should have been. The walls looked all worn and corroded.
That's when shuffling could be heard from under the bed... That familiar eerie clicking was back.
"GÌVĘ ŸÔÚŘŠËĽF ŤØ ÛŚ" The low voice from before said.
"Leave me alone! Why is this happening to me?!" Clover yelled out, tossing the blankets over herself to hide from the outside.
Suddenly, the bed shifted to the right a bit. Something else was on it. She began hearing whispering around her as she felt a sharp claw trace its way up her figure to her neck as it pushed itself into her neck, almost hard enough to draw blood. She closed her eyes tight as she felt the blanket being lifted from her body. Soon after, the cold air had enveloped her body and the whispering and clicking faded, as well as the sharp claw and shifted weight on the bed disappeared.
Clover waited a moment before hesitantly opening her eyes. Her hooves were covering her face, she she still couldn't see. Upon moving her hooves, she came face to face with a horrifying creature. But she couldn't scream. Or blink. Or even move for that matter. She was paralyzed and facing a horrid beast. It's face looked like a horribly mangled version of her own, with long, eroded fangs and slitted blood red eyes. It's body was that of various creatures if they were put through a blender. Blood and black goop dripped from it's half missing mouth and it's claws were easily 8 inches in length that were drenched in blood.
"ŸØÙ'ŘÈ MĮÑÉ" The beast said, it's mouth not even moving.
Several needle like appendages raised from it's back and moved towards various points on Clovers body. All simultaneously, they stabbed into her, eliciting a agonizing blood curdling scream from her as she shot up and was awoken from the hellish nightmare.
"CLOVER!" A welcome voice yelled out.
Opening her eyes while shaking violently and sobbing, light flooded her vision. Her eyes darted towards the voice and she seen Visage, with a very worried and cornered look on his face.
Without a second thought, she grappled onto Visage and held him in a tight embrace. "Help me..." Was all she could say.
Visage held the mare close to him and shushed her hoping to silence her noisy crying. "It's ok, I'm here." He said, "You must of had a fucking horrible nightmare..."
Aside from Clovers sobbing, the two sat there in silence, Visage rocking them back in forth trying to comfort the terrified mare.
It was early in the morning so the light was leaking in and shining on the two, which did provide some comfort for Clover. She's had nightmares like this before, but no where near as bad as this one. She would always be so paranoid and she'd cry for hours after waking, but right now? She felt safe wrapped around in Visage's hooves. She then broke the silence.
"I'm sorry..." She mumbled.
"For what?" Visage asked.
"For... This..." She answered.
"You have nothing to be sorry for... In fact, I should be sorry for not waking up sooner to shake you out of it..." Visage said, tightening his grip on the mare. He felt bad for her and wanted to help, but didn't know how...
"But I-"
"Clover, listen... You don't need to apologize for anything. I'm just glad I was here to get you out of that before it got any worse. Now hush it and try to relax a bit." Visage said, laying down with clover and holding her close for comfort. "I'm not letting go until I know you're ok."
Her shaking eventually began to slow down and she managed to stifle her crying, all the while keeping her eyes locked on Visage as she eased into the little snuggle he was providing.
"Vi-Visage?" She asked, her voice a little shaky.
"Hmm?" He hummed, looking down into Clovers beautiful green eyes.
"Th-ank you... You don't know how much this really helps..." She said, nuzzling her head into his neck to which Visage just smiled and said,
"Don't mention it. I'm always be here to help you."
His words brought a smile to Clovers face as she slowly drifted off into an undisturbed slumber of nothing but happy happenings. All involving Visage and herself.
To Be Continued.
Author's Note
A sensitive topic pops up in here so just a little heads up.
I was a tad late to releasing this because it turns out I'm not good with due dates! I have nothing to say other then I do hope you enjoy.
Anyways, Do try to enjoy! I worked hard!
A 'Normal' Date
Hours ticked by as Visage lied there awake with a snoozing Clover in his hooves. Sure, it felt like an eternity while doing so, but it was an eternity he didn't mind. He hasn't felt this cozy and comfortable in his bed in forever. But right now he was in a bit of a pickle. He was thirsty. But he didn't want to wake Clover when trying to get up. That and he was just really enjoying the snuggle.
"As much as I'm lovin' this, I'm dying of thirst over here... I'm sure she wouldn't mind if I snuck away for a few minutes?" Visage thought to himself. And with that, as carefully and quietly as he could, he began trying to wiggle out of the mares grip, which just tightened as he squirmed about.
"Nooo don't leave me," The mare mumbled in her sleep, "I'm gonna miss you."
Visage doubled his efforts as soon as he felt the mare's grip loosen a bit. But again, to no avail.
"Please stay or I'll... K..... Is..s y...ou... Visage..." She again mumbled in her sleep. Visage couldn't make out what the last part was, aside from his name, as her mumbling got much quieter. But he nodded it off as an adorable little threat from and adorable little mare. He was just about to slip free when suddenly she muttered, "I warned you..!" She then unconsciously pulled Visage down and locked lips, kissing him. If he wasn't baffled at her straightforwardness before, he sure was now.
"Mmph!" Was all he could get out through the sudden kiss. He'd be lying to himself if he said he didn't enjoy it though. As he began to lean into it, closing his eyes, Clovers eye fluttered open tiredly. She jumped back and way, severing their little moment.
She covered her face with her hooves to hide her embarrassment at what she knew she just did. "OhmycelestiaI'msosorryIdidn'tmeantodothatIwasjusthavingadreamandthen-"
"It's fine. It was actually kinda nice." Visage said simply, smiling.
"It was? I mean, are you sure?" Clover asked, slightly uncovering her face and looking at visage.
"Sure! Now, how about we go grab some lunch before we get sidetracked like we did yesterday?I'm starving and want to know exactly how you can help me with my little invisibility thing."
Clover thought for a moment before saying, "Yeah, I guess... But are you sure you still want help with that?"
"Yep! It's harder to live a life then you may think when you're like me." Visage answered, pulling himself out of the bed.
"Wait a second," Clover said, jumping off the bed and landing on Visages back. "Still tired... Carry me?" She asked.
"I suppose I can. I'm not carrying you around outside though." Visage said as he began trying trotting out of the room. "Is there anything you want before we leave?"
"Nope. My manes a mess but I don't really care all that much so I'm ready to go." She responded, stretching out her limbs while laying on Visages back.
The walk from the house to the middle of town was quiet between the two. Neither had anything to say so they both lost themselves in thought. Soon, they made it to Visages favorite restaurant.
"Here we are." Visage said, looking up at the sign. Some good and some bad memories were made here. This was where we met his exmarefriend Pearl. But it's also where SHE broke up with HIM. Not the other way around.
"Foreign Delights... I wonder what they have?" Clover questioned trotting to the double doors and pushing them open, Visage following close behind.
Upon entering, a wave of smells attacked their noses. The one that stood out the most was the smell of... Meat. A smell Clover definitely wasn't familiar with, but Visage was accustomed to it as he's been here at least a hundred times. And in all honesty, he's even considered trying some of the gryphon dishes.
"Oh wow... That's strong..." Clover said, trying to adjust to the concoction of smells.
"It tastes better then it smells, believe me. I've been coming here every now and then for lunch for years. I've had almost everything on the menu... Almost."
"Then maybe you can recommend something to me?" Clover asked, looking back at Visage.
"Sure, but we need to get a table or booth first. You pick."
Looking ahead and scanning the interior, Clover spotted a small two pony booth in the corner that was relatively far away from anypony else. "Over there," She said, pointing to it with a hoof, "That looks like a good spot."
Surprise surprise. That's the exact table Visage met his exmarefriend... Oh well, it's just a table. "Okay, lead the way." Visage replied. "Oh wait! You head over there and I'll go ask for the VIP menu! I got a membership here awhile ago and there is some good stuff on that menu." He said, spinning around and trotting away.
Left to her own devices, Clover trotted over to the table she picked out and sat down. On it was already a small tray of condiments and some silverware as well as a drink menu, which she picked up and looked through.
Meanwhile somepony else in the restaurant was looking Clovers way. The stallion trotted over to her table and spoke out, "What's a mare like you doing here all alone? I think you could use some company." He said with slurred words.
"No thanks. And I'm not here alone." Clover said, keeping her eyes on the drink menu.
"Yeah, right. I didn't see you come in with anypony else." The stallion said, "So how about we ditch this overrated place and I'll cook you something at my place?"
"Again, no thanks... Please leave me be."
"What's going on over here?" A voice came from behind the stallion.
"Back off pri-" The stallion began to say as he turned around and ways met eye to eye with Visage. "What do you want, kid? I'm busy here."
"Firstly, I'm older then you. Secondly, you're drunk. Go home Jackal." Visage said, pushing past the stallion.
"No can do. I'm picking up this mare right now." Jackal responded.
Visage stopped in his tracks and faced the drunken stallion again. "No you aren't. She's here with me, so do us both a favor and go home."
"Yeah? And why would a piece of ass like that be with you? She'd probably run off anyways. Like that one chick you were with at one point." Jackal said, pushing Visage away and eyeing Clover, who was very uncomfortable at the moment.
"Excuse me?" Visage questioned, pulling Jackal back and once again facing him directly, "She ran off with your 'cousin'. You're a good guy Jack, so don't make me beat you down... Again..."
Jackal took this a threat. Because it kinda was. He then said, "Yeah? Then show me what you got, kid!" He exclaimed as he throw a hoof at visage.
Visage was just barely able to dodge the punch before looking away from Jackal so the drunken pony couldn't see him. Visage then bucked him straight in the face. Which... Kinda knocked Jackal out. He was a weak stallion even though he always acts tough and what not. Perks of being invisible: Nopony will see you coming if you want to beat them up. Shrugging it off like its normal, Visage trotted to the table that a confused and uncomfortable Clover was.
"What... Just happened? That went by pretty fast..." Clover said, unsure of what else she could say.
"Don't worry about it. I've had to put him down like that a dozen times before. He an honest and good guy, but when he's drunk he's a total fuckboy. When he's sober he'll be pleading for your forgiveness." Visage said simply before hoofing Clover a menu out of nowhere. "Anyways, take a look at what they got. If anything catches your eye that you want just say the word.
"Uhm... Okay? Maybe I should have just stayed in bed and slept today... I'm not sure what to think of what just went down. "
Looking through the new menu, there were a few things that interested Clover. What she found disturbing is that half of what she was considering getting were all meats. "I'll get... The... Um... Huh. I don't know." Clover said, skimming through the menu again.
"You can try out the Romarnian Seared Salad." Visage replied simply. "I had it last time I was here and it was good."
"Seared? So like... Burnt?" Clover questioned.
Looking at the drink menu and not even the food menu, Visage says, "It's better then it may sound. It actually has a nice smokey flavor that oddly works with it."
"Um... Ok, I guess I'll have that." Clover said. Suddenly, a flash of light appeared on the table. When it disappeared, there was a bowl of... Charred salad... That did like strangely good. "Wha..?"
"Oh yeah, this place is pretty much run by magic. It's like the restaurant hears what you want and gives it to you. Well I think I'm gonna get the Romarnian Seared Salad as well... And just water to drink." Visage said. A flash of light appeared again and when it faded, Visage had a bowl of the food as well as a tall glass of water in front of him.
"Huh... Cool. I think? I guess I'll get water too." Water then appeared in front of Clover. Pretty convenient system. Instantaneous service.
"Now... How exactly can you help me with my uh... Problem?" Visage asked Clover as he picked up a fork and began to feast upon the seared salad.
"Well there's actually a ring you can get made that can do whatever you want it to." Clover began, "It's easier to use as a unicorn because it does use magic and it has to be physically touching you, but with a little effort and time you could be able to use one." Clover explained before she speared the salad with her fork and tried it... It was dry and smokey, but decent.
"...And how do I get such a ring?"
"You can get one made. I know somepony who could." Clover answered through mouthful.
"Who, where, and when can we find them to get one?" Visage asked, taking a sip of water to wash down the greens.
"A friend of mine in Vanhoover. Not sure when we could go, though. That'd be up to you. But there is one little problem..."
"And what would that be?" Visage asked, curiously.
"Last time I checked he was trying to hook up with your ex. Knowing him, it has probably worked by now."
Thinking for a moment, Visage decided on what to say. "Oh well. All we need is the ring then we'd be out of there. At least, I will be."
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" Clover questioned, averting her eyes from her salad up to Visage.
"Well, I assumed you'd want to stay in the city with your friends... Which I'd totally understand. You don't have any friends here so yeah." Visage said, not noticing Clovers hurt look. She thought she would be able to stay here... With him...
"But... I like it here!"
"It's not that great here... We get storms every other day and it's rarely ever dry here." Visage said, taking another bite of his food.
"Well I found you so... That's good enough for me..." Clover mumbled, remembering back to something she was told years ago.
[About 7 years ago]
"Clover honey, don't let anypony do that to you ever again!" A mare exclaimed, laying in a hospital bed.
"B-B-But I thought he loved me... Then he cheated on me with my best friend!" A young Clover exclaimed, balling her eyes out on the side of the bed.
"Shhh shh shhh. It's okay, honey." The mare said. It was Clovers mother, Frosty. "Listen to me, Clover... Next time somepony steals your heart away, don't just let them throw it away! If you really love them, and they really love you, you'll never be sad like this a day in your life! Believe me. When I met your father, we just kind of... Clicked. One day you'll find a pony, mare or stallion, that you love and that you know you can't let go of. So when that day comes, show them what you're all about the leave and you lose your shot. That stallion you were with? I had a bad feeling about him the whole time." Frosty said, finishing her speech.
"But... Nopony will be able to love me with my nightmare disorder..." The young Clover said, tears falling from her cheeks.
"Nonsense! You'll meet somepony that will comfort you and care for you when you have nightmares. I just know it!" Frosty exclaimed, pulling her crying daughter into a motherly hug.
"A-A-Are you sure?" Clover asked, sniffling and hugging her mother back.
"Yes, Clover. I'm positive. And... If I'm still around when that happens, I expect you to bring them to me for a visit sometime."
"Don't say that, mom. You'll get through this!"
"But if I don't... Promise me to still come visit me when you meet the pony you deserve?" Frosty asked, holding back her own tears.
"I promise! But I won't even need to cause you'll make it! You have to!" Clover exclaimed, hugging her mother tighter.
"I'm very sorry Miss Clover, but visiting hours have been up for nearly an hour... We can't let you stay any longer." A mare said from the doorway behind Clover.
"Go show the world you mean business!" Frosty cheered, releasing her daughter from the embrace.
"I-I'll try..." Clover said, pulling herself up and trotted to the door.
"That's my girl! Goodnight, my lucky little Clover. I love you!" Frosty said just before Clover exited the room.
The nurse waved Clover away and began closing the door all before she just manage to hear the nurse say something before Clover was outside of earshot.
"Frosty, I'm so sorry... It turns out you're already on the 4th stage..."
[Current day]
Being snapped back to reality by Visage, Clover shook her head and and felt the familiar feeling of tears welling up in her eyes.
"Clover? Are you alright? You blanked out there for a second." Visage said, with a concerned look and tone.
"Um, y-yeah! I'm fine! Never been better!" She said, obviously lying to Visage... And herself.
"It looks like you're about to lose it... Are you sure?" Visage questioned. "You can tell me about... Whatever it was..."
There was something in the back of Clovers mind that was telling her to just shake it off and ignore it... But she couldn't bring herself to it... She couldn't take the stress it was putting upon her, so as tears began to fall, she sunk down in her seat and began to tell Visage everything...
"Well... I'm having bad memories... It all started when I broke up with somepony..."
[An unknowable number of hours later]
"I... I'm so sorry... I honestly don't know what to say... That's all so horrible..." Visage himself was about ready to join in and cry with Clover. So many bad things has happened to Clover and he hated to think about it all. He just wanted to see Clover happy right now above everything else.
"And that last night that I seen my mom... She passed the next day... I was so broken for the longest time... And I still can't forget the last thing she called me... She said I was her lucky little Clover... But I'm everything except lucky..." Clover said, in a low and almost whispering voice. Since her and Visage were sitting at a booth, Visage took to getting up and sitting beside Clover to try to comfort her the best he could.
"Clover... Forget all the help I needed... To me, it seems like I should help you instead." Visage said, holding the mare close to his side.
"W-what? No, I don't need help... But you still do..."
"Hush," Visage said, putting his hoof to Clovers chin and making her look at him. "I care for you and your wellbeing. I will not let you leave my sight until if fix everything for you."
"But that was all years ago... It doesn't affect me anymore..." Clover said, lying. Which Visage seen right through.
"Don't lie to me, please... I want- no NEED to help! As a friend... And as your stallionfriend."
"Wha-" Clover immediately was about to question his words, but was cut of by Visage pressing his lips against hers, holding her in a loving kiss.
Instead of protesting, Clover simply leaned into the kiss and held the stallion with her eyes closed tight. What felt like a short eternity passed by before the two had to break apart for some breathe.
"W-why did you do that?" Clover questioned, a deep blush on her face. Half hopping he'd just kiss her again.
Visage held the mare closer to his side and smiled. "Because I felt that yo- that we both needed it... That we wanted it... U-um... I just hope it wasn't too forward..."
"And I thought I was too forward with things." Clover said jokingly as she was already feeling better while the shared a laugh.
"Well... We can go for a walk. We still have a few hours of daylig-" Visage was cut off by a rather serious sounding Clover.
"I meant between us... I mean... We already did it the night we met to get rid of stress... Then we slept in bed together... Then I kissed you in my sleep... Then... You kissed me just now..."
"O-Oh... Yeah... How about we go back home and talk about how things will work there? Just so we're a little more... Comfortable..." Visage suggested, to which Clover nodded and gave him a little nuzzle.
Getting up out of the booth, Visage waited for Clover before he began to trot off.
"Uh, what about paying for the food?" She asked.
"Oh! Yeah! I'm pals with the manager here. He thought we were already a thing so he said whatever we get was on him. Nice guy." Visage said simply.
"Huh... You know everypony here don't you?"
"I only know the ponies of my favorite places and from the market here. So yeah, basically. It is a pretty small town." Visage replied as he opened the doors and held them for Clover to exit.
Once they were both outside, Visage smiled devilishly and grabbed Clover, throwing her into the air and onto his back, all the while with her yelping in surprise.
Without saying a word, Visage began trotting home with the mare on his back.
"I can walk, you know!" She exclaimed.
"Yeah, but I know you'd rather ride me."
Clover began snickering and Visage wasn't sure why... Wait...
"Oh! That's not what I meant! Don't be dirty like that! Beside... We haven't done that..." Visage said.
"Oh, but we can." She cooed into his ear.
They share one intimate kiss and this is what happens afterwards?
Though the thought wasn't half bad... With practically no resistance, Visage gave into his desires then said, "We better double time it home then, huh?"
Clover giggled and hummed in agreement. "Heh... I can get used to this." She thought to herself. Tonight was gonna be a good night.
To be continued