The rest of the day was uneventful, and as the sun went down, Spleens pulled the caravan off the road onto a small flat topped hill. As Near Miss prepared that night's dinner, Long took to the sky to survey their surroundings. After she had determined that their campsite was safe and that they were alone, Long slowly glided to a landing in front of a somewhat nervous looking Spleens. "You ok there buddy?" Long asked as she sat on her haunches.

"Huh?" Spleens muttered before noticing Long sitting next to her, "Yeah I'm fine, it's just that this is the first time I've ever been away from other changelings, and I'm trying to figure out the least awkward way to ask to feed on some emotions."

"Oh ok, I gotcha," Long said before pouncing on Spleens, locking her in a four legged and two winged hug. "Spleens, I really appreciate how much you've already helped Me and Near, [sic] and how you are just the sweetest, cutest bug-horse I've ever met." As Long made each point, she gave an extra little squeeze. Once she had finished speaking though, her thoughts drifted to the last changeling she was this close to, and the way she had appreciated that.

"Thanks Long," Spleens said, pushing away as she started tasting large amounts of lust emanating from the thestral, "I think I'm good for now."

After a final quick squeeze, Long backed off, "Well just remember, all you have to do is ask," she said as Near trotted over carrying three medium sized bowls and a fourth larger bowl.

"Who wants some spicy mixed veggie curry?" Near asked as she set one bowl of curry in front of each of them, and placed the larger bowl of rice in the middle. Long Shot, hungry from having done nothing since noon, practically threw several spoonfuls of rice into her bowl before attacking her dinner in a most impressive display of thestral dining manners. Spleens, on the other hand, was far more polite, waiting for Long and Near to serve themselves first, before she spooned some rice into her own bowl, making sure there was plenty left for her pony companions. Near ate at a relaxed pace, as she had already eaten some while cooking.

As Near and Spleens took their first bites, Long slammed her now empty bowl on the ground before announcing, "That was great, is there any more?"

Near, her mouth full, just pointed at the gently simmering pot still sitting on their two burner camping stove. As Long went to refill her bowl, Spleens told Near, "Near, this is really good. Also," She looked down at her bowl, "Thanks for making enough for me to have some too. I know I don't need it to survive, but it's really nice to be included anyway."

"I had guessed as much, and since I was already making enough for bat-butt, making a bit more was not a problem, especially for such a sweet changeling," Near said before giving Spleens a brief hug, but the moment was somewhat ruined by Long choosing said moment to release a loud and long fart. The moment was ruined entirely when said fart collided with the still burning stove, becoming a column of flame leading to a most unfortunate place on an already sore lunar pegasus. Luckily for Long, Near was quick with her fire extinguishing spell, so only the very end of Long's tail was burnt.

Spleens did not find the incident funny at all, and definitely did not have to hold a hoof to her mouth to keep herself from laughing.

Author's Note

Fart jokes? In this story? It's more likely than you think.