<<>>

“Okay, breathe. Remember all those exercises”

And the breathing exercises that Princess Celestia and Cadence had taught her over the years to help her with her anxiety attacks as well as magical control helped, for a minute or two before her nerves returned. And with it her frantic planning and checking, rechecking and triple checking of any and everything.

“Okay I need to find somepony to manage the library while Spike and I are in Canterlot.” It was the height of illogical, which Twilight was well aware of, but OCD wasn’t a particularly logical disorder.

However before Twilight could again have Spike go over everything, and further stress the baby dragon and herself out, the door opened and a familiar giant came in with an odd pouch-like sling around his neck. Which derailed her OCD and made Spike give a sigh of relief.

“Hey Twi.” Steel said, “Figured I’d introduce you to someone. And probably let Spike here take a break?”

Spike gave Twilight a pleading looked which made her nod distractedly.

“Yes!” Spike cheered before he scampered out of the library.

“... That drake’s crush is so painfully obvious it hurts.” Steel commented dryly.

Twilight just nodded as her mind puzzled out Steel’s comment and introduce “someone” as well as complaining about not getting any advice from Princess Celestia. Though she understood, the Princess is a busy mare after all, and didn’t feel neglected by the fact she hadn’t responded. She might’ve actually forgotten after a particularly stressful day.

“It’s fine.” Twilight said with a faint blush, “Don’t think about the kiss. Don’t think about the kiss. Don’t think about- argh!”

She really wanted to dislike Steel but Twilight knew it was her own fault, it wasn’t his fault that she found intelligence attractive. Or that when her emotions are frazzled like they were That Day she was more impulsive than she ever allowed. Or the fact that he stole her first kiss or the fact that she fantasized about him or…

“Okay there filly! Get ahold of yourself!” Twilight took a second to collect herself, “Who do you want to introduce?” She asked finally.

“My new pet. Snowball say hello!” Steel said with a grin.

Then the cutest kitten wearing a little eyepatch popped its head out of the pouch and mewed before it started to look around curiously. Twilight giggled and trotted closer to scritch the kitten as she dawwed over the adorable kitten.

“So cute!” Twilight said with a smile.

“Yeah? Fluttershy found her a few weeks back outside of the Everfree in rough shape.” Steel said, “She was in rough shape but Fluttershy did all she could. I’m actually designing a kitten-sized prosthetic for her. Actually do you have any books on Sabercats? I’d like to know what to expect when she gets bigger.”

“Saber… cat....?” Twilight took a closer look at Snowball and could see the beginnings of a Saber cat’s most iconic feature, “Steel… you do realize that Saber cats aren’t native to Equestria right? And are as dangerous as a Manticore despite lacking venom right?”

Steel just shrugged, “I’m a sucker for cute things and she looked like she needed somepony to take care of her.”

Twilight just shook her head in bewilderment as she went to find the necessary books. While the sucker for cute things was new she didn’t know why she was surprised by him being kind to an animal clearly in need. But a part of her dreaded when Snowball started growing, as the largest Sabercat on record was around two hundred and fifty pounds. And it was speculated that they could get bigger if the hunting was exceptionally good.

Then something Steel said finally registered.

“Kitten-sized?” Twilight paused and looked at him curiously.

“Yeah. Her right paw was infected or something real bad. And Fluttershy had to amputate.” Steel said pulling the kitten out of her pouch revealing she was indeed down one limb, “She’s a little trooper though. Whenever I’m working outside I would see her trying to chase some butterflies. She knows she can’t catch them but still doesn’t stop her from trying.”

Twilight was in full control of herself so instead of kissing him full on the lips she instead kissed his cheek with a smile.

“What was that for?” Steel asked, clearly not minding at all but genuinely curious.

“For being a kind pony. I don’t think anypony else would go out of his way to help a Sabercat kitten, they are known ponykillers after all.” Twilight explained, “Well other than Fluttershy of course.”

“Of course.” Steel echoed with a chuckle, “She’s certainly one of a kind our shy pegasus.” He added with some fondness.

Twilight nodded in agreement, “Yes she is. So did you have anything else in mind when you visited? Or did you just want to introduce Snowball?”

“Um… oh! Yeah.” Steel scratched the back of his head, “Just… wanting to help you out. I haven’t known you long but I can tell you’re the type to overthink things and overlook things.”

“Oh?” Twilight just raised a brow, “You’re not wrong.”

“Yeah. I’m thinking about talking to the others too. Well maybe not Rainbow Dash.” Steel said, “I don’t think she likes me.”

Twilight grimaced at that as she recalled hearing Rainbow’s ignorant and very unflattering opinion of the stallion before her. Having spoken to him at length she could easily disagree with everything everypony believes about him. He didn’t have some sort of disorder like autism or aspergers, because if he did then so did she.

Maybe some sort of psychological tic of some sort given his sometimes erratic body language? But that could easily be attributed to his eccentricity so it might be nothing.

He is clearly very intelligent if all those schematics in his house were an indicator, though Twilight wasn’t sure if he was a savant or not.

Perverse? Maybe, but not nearly as bad as Rainbow believed. After the kiss Steel’s body naturally reacted. And instead of trying to push things further, like a raging rut-hungry stallion would, he freaked and apologized profusely before explaining that his libedio was more active then normal.

The fact that he could control it (eight times out of ten) and when he did have an ‘incident’ he quickly excused himself told Twilight that Steel was surprisingly reserved.

“I’m sure she’ll get over it if she actually sat down and talked to you.” Twilight said, “Though given how stubborn she is? I have no idea when that’ll actually happen. But before we get off topic why do you bring this up?”

“Okay. You’ve been Celestia’s student for a long time right?” Twilight nodded, “So you’re probably over the moon excited to spend time with her right?” She nodded once more, “Okay. But seeing as she’s hosting the Gala wouldn’t she have to greet everypony and socialize with everpony? I’m not entirely sure she could make one-on-one time with you during the gala.”

Twilight blinked and opened her mouth to retort but… Steel had a very good point. Actually she sometimes forgot that Princess Celestia had more duties than being her teacher.

“... Well horseapples…” Steel just snickered.

“But perhaps you could send a letter regarding the prosthetics.” Steel said, “And after talking about that you and her could just talk hmm?”

“That… is a wonderful idea!” Twilight said, giving him another kiss on the cheek, “I’ll go write a letter right away!”

And with that she galloped off to her room.

Steel just laughed before he went to search for the books he requested.

<<>>

“Whatcha doing here partner?” Applejack asked, “Pretty sure there’s nothing broken.”

“Just introducing my new pet Snowball.” *mew* “And I thought it’d be nice if I helped everypony with some pre-gala jitters or something.”

“Well that’s mighty kind of you partner. And yer Snowball is right adorable.” *pleased purr* “But I’m not all that jittery honestly. Though I’m wondering what sorta vittles fancy folk might find pleasing.”

Steel just gave Applejack a deadpan expression, which made Applejack narrow her eyes in return. Silently daring him to say something.

He dared.

“Jackie, your family makes the best apple-related foods I’ve ever eaten and I’m sure the nobles would agree if they ate your food as well.” Steel said, “And I’m going to say this as a friend. But… you’re going to bring food to sell… to a gala that’s already got catering. I’m sorry to say but that logic is very questionable. However I do have an idea that just came to me!”

“Oh yeah… and what’s that idea partner?” Applejack asked, through her eyes threatened a good wrassle if what Steel suggested wasn’t good.

“Okay. Well all the nobles are going to follow Celestia’s lead right?” Applejack nodded, “Well how about you use that? Bring something that appeals to Celestia like… an Apple cake or something along with anything else you bring food-wise.”

“And the nobles will follow suit and try everything else…” Applejack finished, “That’s pretty smart for a big lug! I’m sure granny knows a recipe or three for an apple cake! Thanks sugarcube!”

Applejack gave him a quick kiss before she trotted off quickly, knowing without having to look that Steel was watching her flank.

And just to tease the big lug she put some strut in her trot and gave the big lug another peak.

“Landsakes look at me now. Teasing stallions like I’m back in school.”

<<>>

“Pinks. This is a Noble party.” Steel said as Snowball popped her head out of her pouch and mewed while waving at the perky pink pony.

“I know!” Pinkie said with a giggle, “But if I can’t liven things up then I demand a dance as well as you sing Lulu a song!~”

“Wait. What?”

“You heard me! It’s a date!~” Pinkie chirped before giving Steel a big ole kiss on the lips before bouncing off.

“Goddamn…” *mew* “I don’t understand that mare either Snowball.”

Pinkie just giggled as she bounced away.

<<>>

“Ah! Hello darling! And who is that cutie?” Rarity asked only to start cooing when a small kitten poked its head out of a pouch.

“This is Snowball. I adopted her yesterday.” Steel said with a smile, “Just thought I’d stop by and see how you’re doing. Everypony else is pretty jittery about the gala after all.”

“Oh, I’m fine darling. Perhaps a little stressed but nothing a soothing cup of tea won’t fix.” Rarity answered, “Actually perhaps you can try on your suit for me? I want to see if I got everything right.”

“Sure. But you know this wasn’t necessary don’t you?” Steel asked.

Rarity just shushed him and motioned him to go to the changing room. Steel grunted and took out Snowball and sat her on the floor. Rarity aww’d and started fussing over the kitten even more.

“You be a good girl for Rarity okay?” He said to the kitten, “She’s my best friend so don’t give her any trouble.”

Trotted off to get changed, Rarity focused on Snowball.

“Well Steel did a commendable job but how about I make you a proper eyepatch hmm?” Rarity asked getting a mew in return.

Giggling she took the kitten and went into her workstation where she grabbed some faux-leather, a needle and some thread, and got to work.

A few minutes later Rarity finished the eyepatch and now proceeded to pamper the kitten and play with her.

“Err… Rares?” Steel called from the changing room, “While it does look good isn’t it a little… much?”

“Posh! Darling I just want everypony to see you at your best!” Rarity said, “Plus I want to see you strut your stuff you stupid sexy stallion you.”

“If you’re sure…” Steel said as he finally stepped out.

“Oh… mommy likes~”

She wasn’t entirely sure why she thought a white suit would work for Steel but it did, in fact it worked very well. Giving him a visual “No Bucks Given” air that Rarity found rather appealing.

“... If I had a single glove it’d be perfect…” Steel muttered.

“I must say Steel you look…” Was it getting hot in here? “... Very handsome…”

“Thank you. And I’m honestly impressed.” Steel said, “But… are the pants necessary? Also did you weave some sort of magic into it?”

“They complete the ensemble Steel.” Rarity answered, “And yes actually. I forget the technical name for the enchantment but I call it Modesty charm myself. Don’t want to make the noble stallions feel like foals with your… gifts now do you?”

Steel blinked owlishly, clearly not expecting that comment, making Rarity giggle.

“Now give me a little trot. I want to see if I got everything right.” And nothing more.

Steel did as Rarity asked, but didn’t look like he believed her for a second. In fact even Snowball looked like she didn’t believe her words either!

Author's Note

Was going to do a Fluttershy pov but I wasn’t entirely sure how to go about it. So it might appear in the next one.