Taking the Heat

The restaurant in question, called The Cozy Cove, looked like a decent establishment with a casual atmosphere. Rarity had suggested a much fancier place called the Golden Apple, but Twilight made the point that most places like that only catered to a pony's diet, which was mostly indigestible for a human. Thankfully he was an omnivore, which meant his natural diet wasn't totally dissimilar. Meat on the other hand was something very hard to get in a country that was primarily herbivorous, save for some embassies or the occasional fishery. This one was pretty nice because it actually did have fish on the menu. So far he's had to get his protein from beans and eggs. He'd kill for a hamburger or steak, but unfortunately most livestock from his world were sentient here, as well as most other kinds of animals he enjoyed eating. As much as he would miss it, he refused to even contemplate consuming something that was capable of speaking to him. It would be just as bad as cannibalism as far as he was concerned. The only thing that would probably pass were chickens since they weren't sentient as far as anyone knew, however there wasn't really a market for them in that way. The only option there was to buy and raise them himself for that purpose.

As they all approached the restaurant, they could make out the forms of Rarity, Apple Jack and Barb talking to each other at an outdoor table. Soon as they saw them, they waved them over to come sit. Anon taking a seat at the long end of the table so as to not accidentally touch anyone.

"Howdy! Y'all doing well?" Apple Jack asked.

Anon shrugged, "Well enough. Got into a bit of a scuffle with a griffon picking a fight with little flutters on the way here, but we resolved that easily enough."

"How dreadful!" Rarity gasped, looking worried for her friend, "That brute didn't hurt you, did she darling?"

Fluttershy shook her head, "I was so scared, but Anon came in to help me." She smiled a little but then frowned, "Those I do wish it didn't come down to such violence…"

"Same." Anon replied, "But I didn't know if she was going to attack you or not. I've never met a griffon before, but stories of them in my world have always depicted them as ferocious predators. I didn't know what else to do."

"I'd say you acted right proper." Applejack said with an approving nod, "Way I see it, anypony who would be nasty to little ol' Fluttershy here deserves a good whacking." Nods of approval went around while Fluttershy herself tried to will herself invisible.

A waiter not long after came up to take our orders, "Vhat would you all have Madamozelles?" She asked in the most outrageous attempt at a french accent.

"I'm afraid we're still waiting for the rest of our party." Rarity replied, "Give us another ten minutes if you would, dearie."

The waiter nodded, and moved off to another table. Soon as she was gone. Rarity frowned, "Quite peculiar. While Rainbow Dash has a penchant for being late to these sorts of things, Twilight is usually quite punctual."

"Well, things have been a bit difficult for her lately." Anon replied, before sighing. Ever since she touched him, he couldn't help but feel responsible for the lavender mare's current state of constant discomfort. Neither he nor Barb were able to convince her that satisfying her biological urges was a natural and healthy thing. She was just too headstrong for her own good, and wouldn't listen to anyone once she's decided a course of action for herself. The only pony who could probably reason with her with guaranteed success was probably Celestia herself, but when he brought these concerns to the princess' attention, she explained that this was a lesson that Twilight needed to learn and reach for herself. Largely he agreed, but he just hated to see the mare suffer and know it was because of him.

"That's an understatement." Barb scoffed, "All she needs is a good dicking and she'll be more than fine. Honestly that would be so much easier than having to take a cold shower every couple of hours and apply special medicated cream that only gives her mild relief."

"It's her choice." Anon shrugged, "Ya gotta respect people's wishes, ya dig? I'd like to help, but the only thing that will really help her is the thing she doesn't want." It would also be very immoral in his mind to force it. Honestly he cared more about his partner's enjoyment than his own, and since he would be taking care of a lot of ponies first-times, he wanted to take extra care that they were all good and memorable experiences. Acceptance and trust was required for that, and Twilight was far from the right mental state to properly engage anyway.

He fully accepted that it also might not happen between them. He didn't need to lay every mare afterall. He considered her a friend, and while friends with benefits were good, it wasn't his prerogative to require that of her.

"She does always tend to take the hard way…" Barb sighed.

The other mare's just sort of looked at them like they were speaking in tongues. "I'm afraid I don't follow." Apple Jack responded, "What exactly is up with Twi? She has been a bit twitchy lately now that ya mention it."

"It's a bit difficult to explain." Anon began, "You all know about my touch and the mechanics or reproduction at this point. Twilight touched me when I first arrived, but she is having a bit of a negative reaction to her previously repressed instincts."

"What kind of negative reaction?" Rarity asked with concern.

Hmm, how to put it in terms that wouldn't confuse them? "The simplest way to explain it is to say she's trying to ignore her body's needs. Her instincts are trying to tell her to mate, or at the very least satisfy her sexual libedo, but she refuses to relieve them in any way. Think of it as having a really bad itch, but you're trying very hard not to scratch it, and it doesn't go away."

"That's Terrible!" Pinkie gasped, "So that's why she was so cranky when I went to go see her."

"Suppose that explains her loopiness," AppleJack put her hoof to her chin, "but why the heck doesn't she just… 'scratch' that itch of hers?"

Anon sighed, "She doesn't like the idea of being lost in pleasure. I'll admit, it's pretty intense, but it's also a perfectly natural thing your body is supposed to do."

"And it's really fun." Barb giggled, "I take every moment I can to have sex with Anon. Strongly recommend it."

"Oh believe me dearie, I intend to find out." Rarity smiled at Anon as she fluttered her eyes at him, "Considering his very low prices, I might ask for his services repeatedly for the next few years."

It's a good thing Anon didn't have anything to drink, because he would do a spit take, drink, and spit take again. The statement still got him really red and Rarity and the gals just giggled at him getting flustered. Before long, the waiter came again and Rarity eventually relented by starting the round of orders.

Many of them ordered things like hay fries, daffodil sandwiches, and even rubies for Barb, while Anon ordered the fried and cooked fish sticks with potato fries. Weird that he had to specify the cooked and potato part, but that's what you get for having a very different diet than the species whose country you currently resided in. At the very least they had some catering to the occasional non-herbivorous species that would occasionally come into Equestria. The civil ones at least.

He was munching on a fry and engaging in pleasant discussion with the girls when he looked to the other empty seat at the table. Rarity said she could sometimes be late to these things, but they were already half an hour into their lunch, "Has Rainbow Dash ever been known to bail completely on these sorts of things?"

"Not really." Apple Jack replied, "Sure I mean she's lazy, arrogant, and barely understands the meaning of responsibility." The farm pony gripped, "But she always shows up in the end when it matters, even if it is fashionably late."

"Indeed." Rarity nodded, "Why, she's probably on her way here right as we speak."

"Good to know, because I have something important I need to- urk!" Unfortunately right as he spoke, Pinkie's tail started twitching uncontrollably followed by a rainbow streak that flew through their table straight towards Anon. Before he knew it, a pair of hooves punched him right in the gut at breakneck speed, winding him as he flew through a wall. The mare's all gasped as suddenly his form found himself landed in the remains of a fish tank. Ponies that were inside screamed at the sudden commotion and rushed around as Anon clutched his chest with gasps for breath.

If it was the old him, an impact like that would have blown him apart into raining chunks, but thanks to both his increased durability, and Enchanted robes, the damage ended at the breath being knocked out of him. Before he could process what just happened, he looked to see a seething Rainbow Dash, "You bucking put my friend in jail?!" She screamed at him.

Oh… shit. His mind whirled as he tried to get his bearings to stand. "Wait a moment, this is a big misunderstanding!"

This seemed to enrage her more, because as soon as he said it, she barreled into him again at blinding speeds, and they found themselves outside again though the other side of the wall. Thankfully he managed to brace himself this time though, and caught her hooves with his arms. After a few seconds of air time, he landed on the ground with an ungraceful roll, but quickly picked himself back up with a defensive posture.

"I knew you were nothing but trouble! You're going to pay for what you did!" Rainbow shouted as she flew circles around him, quickly jabbing him in the chest, back, and legs. Seems in her rage she knew it wasn't a good idea to touch any exposed part of him, and unfortunately nothing he did seemed to counter her attacks. The mare was too fast, leaving only a blur of rainbow in her wake as she repeatedly struck him. His defense might have been ridiculously high, but those hooves hurt like hell! "Can't you- fuck! Can't you just listen to what I have to say?"

She responded with another hoof aimed at his stomach, but before it could reach him, he was suddenly enveloped in a blue magical bubble. "What the?!" Dash yelled before turning to see the unicorn mare dressed in a maid attire appear to Anon's aid. She said nothing as she stood by her lord. Her icy blue eyes bore into the pegasus, face free of any expression. It was enough to make the pegasus freeze in place.

Anon felt a chill go down his spine, "Don't kill her." He requested compulsively, because from how Rosey gazed at Rainbow Dash, he felt she very much wanted to do just that.

The mare didn't reply at first, but released some of the tension when she looked over at him, "Are you alright, my Lord?"

"Just some scratches." Anon replied as he dusted himself off, "She seems to be mad about that griffon."

"I had guessed that. I apologize for not adequately protecting you this time, my lord." She said, looking deeply remorseful.

"It's fine. We'll worry about that later. First let's try to cool her down." He reasoned. Hopefully Rosey had means of defending against her speed. He was regretting not having any combat skills, or at the very least practiced learning magic that might even the odds a bit in his favor.

It wasn't long before Rainbow broke from her stupor and looked at Rosey with a scowl, "You! You're the mare in a maid dress that helped this bozo send my friend to the slammer!"

"I did." Rosey regarded her coolly, "Did you ever stop to wonder why before coming to attack my lord?"

"Shut up! I heard all I needed from the townsponies about how you and this hairless monkey attacked Gilda out of nowhere!"

"Did you miss the part where she was about ready to attack Fluttershy?" Anon asked with an annoyed expression.

"Liar!" Rainbow Dash shouted.

"Dashie stop! No he's not!" The sound of Fluttershy's voice came in as she ran towards them with the other girls. She was crying while the other mares looked confused and dismayed.

Rainbow Dash flinched at what she just heard, "W-what?" She asked shakily, touching down to the ground as she turned to the yellow pegasus.

"Please, no more Dashie! No more fighting! I-its sniff it's not his fault. I, I-I wasn't looking where I was going, and I bumped into her and she looked ready to attack and… I'm so sorry."

"S-shy… I don't… She tried to attack you?" Rainbow's face was a conflicted mix of emotion. She didn't want to believe it, she didn't when Anon said it, but she knew that the timid yellow pegasus wouldn't lie to her, "Why would she do that?"

"Because she's a big meanie!" Pinkie interjected, "I saw the whole thing! Anon was only trying to protect Fluttershy!"

"But… I… That's ridiculous! Gilda wouldn't attack anypony, not without reason…" The cyan pegasus faltered.

"Yet she did, or would have if I had not intervened." Rosie added. "The griffon was quick to use her claws against my lord when he intervened, and you even quicker with your hooves." The glare she gave Rainbow Dash made the offending mare grimace, but she held her ground.

"Honestly, I don't consider myself blameless in this situation." Anon scratched the back of his head, "I might have escalated things a bit at the beginning, but in my defense I felt it to be the best decision considering my very limited knowledge of griffons, and that I saw a friend I knew to be in danger. Doesn't make it better, but she was clearly the aggressor."

"They are making a fair bit of sense, sugarcube." Applejack nodded, "They didn't tell us that this griffon was one of your friends, but I trust they're telling the truth."

Rainbow Dash wanted to tell the farm pony off and explain all the reasons she was wrong, but she couldn't find the words to refute. Besides Gilda, these were also her friends. She knew the griffon longer than most of them, but the bonds forged by saving the world together weren't shallow. That both friendships seemed to be at odds deeply strained her loyal senses. "But why though… That's not the Gilda I know."

Anon shrugged, "That's something to ask her. She's only spending a day there if I'm correct." He turned to Rosey for confirmation, which she gave with a nod. "So… Can you please hold off a bit on the beat down? I'd rather not have to resort to using my hands."

The mare grumbled, but she conceded, "Fine! But just know that I'm watching you, and your little maid too!"

"Alright with me." He shrugged, "So are we all on the same page?"

"Not exactly." Rosey frowned at Dash, "While I'm sure Sir Anonymous will probably waver the assault charges given his whole attitude on this matter." She watched as Dash flinched, "Property damage is something that is more difficult to overlook." She pointed to the restaurant that had two gaping holes in its walls, causing Dash to cringe.

"Yeah… fair. I can pay for all that." She grumbled something about 'wonderbolt savings', but relented nonetheless.

Rosey rubbed the bridge of her nose as she felt an oncoming migraine, "Honestly, there's been nothing but trouble since I arrived in this town." Can't a mare protect her charge in peace?

"So… uh… still want to have lunch?" Anon asked, scratching the back of his head?"

~~~

"That probably could have gone better." Barb sighed as she walked alongside Anon, munching on some rubies he got for her. The rest of the girls walked or flew just behind them. They didn't look all that pleased.

"It's not my fault the manager in that place was such a stick in the mud." Rainbow scoffed as she flew up to them, keeping scrutinizing eyes on Anon and Rosie.

"You did put two me-shaped holes in her restaurant." Anon deadpanned, "She has a right to be pissed." He was still kinda still upset about that as well, but he was willing to let it go considering the circumstances.

"He does kinda have a point." Applejack frowned. She wanted to give Dash an earful after the stunt she pulled, but it would seem that the manager of the restaurant beat her to it.

"She didn't have to ban all of us though!" Rainbow interjected. "I'm already paying for all the damages."

"I thought it was a bit overboard." Rarity added, slightly put out, "But she is within her right to refuse service. Unfortunately I don't know any other places that cater to… what was your diet type again, dear?" She asked Anon.

"Omnivore." He explained.

"Right." A curious mix between a plant and meat based diet. A very rare one too if what Twilight said was accurate. Rarity was accepting of predatory races as long as they were respectful and didn't eat ponies, but the thought still made her shiver a bit from time to time. "There are not many places that cater to such a distinct appetite, unfortunately."

The man shrugged, "I can get by. The consideration for me was very much appreciated though." He said sincerely.

Rarity smiled as her thoughts drifted. He was an odd one, but at least he was proving to be quite the gentleman. Anon didn't even retaliate when Rainbow Dash went in to attack him out of nowhere, which to her spoke a lot about his self control as she herself would not have so easily overlooked something like that. Then there was his generosity to consider. As a reproductive officer of Equestria, his going rates from what Twilight explained to her were practically a steal! It won't be long now before I get my own little princess. She giggled.

They all casually chatted a bit until the familiar treehouse came into view. Anon went to knock on the door, but Barb casually opened it and strolled on in. Shrugging since she could do whatever she wants in her own home, he entered himself, while the rest followed after.

"Yo Twi? Did you forget about lunch?" Barb asked. There was no response. "Twilight?"

Looking around, they could see several books strewn around with notes all over the place, "Were these always here?" Anon asked since he remembered this place being pretty tidy this morning. Picking up one, he could make out several iterations of circular patterns with strange runes.

"Must have made a magical breakthrough or something." Barb shrugged, "She can forget her own name sometimes when she really gets into it."

That explains her absence, however… "Where is she though?"

"Oh oh oh!" Pinkie bounced, "Maybe she went somewhere really cold!"

Everyone turned to her with a raised brow, "Er, what makes you say that, sugarcube?" Applejack asked, looking dubious.

Without any warning her motor mouth began moving at full blast without any pause in between, "So, before Anon and Rosie kicked the flank out of Gilda and sent her to jail, I came over here and was trying to tell Twilight about how mean she was being, but Twilight suggested that I might have been acting jealous, which is totally ridiculous and not in the funny way. Anyway, I noticed that she was scribbling on all of these circles and asked her what she was doing, and she told me that she was trying to find a spell that counters the heat, which is really weird since it's nice out today, but I guess she really needed to cool off."

Anon couldn't help but facepalm. "I don't think she was talking about that kinda heat, Pinkie."

"What do you mean by that?" Rarity asked.

"You'd have to touch him to find out." Barb said with some smugness. It however disappeared when the pink menace replied, "Okay!" Before bouncing towards Anon, much to his and Barb's horror.

"Pinkie no!" He yelled, bracing himself for impact when her hoof stopped millimeters from his face.

"Aww." She deflated, "But I want to know what it means."

"Later Pinkie." When we can get a reinforced bomb shelter. He felt his heartbeat going a mile a minute."Now is not the right time."

Barb took a breath of relief, "Yeah, the last thing we need right now is a hyperactive sex crazed pink maniac."

"Guys, I think I hear something." Rainbow interjected, pointing a hoof to the entrance of the basement level. We all turned and heard what sounded like tiny muttering beyond the door.

Walking over, he gave a tentative knock, "Twilight?" The muttering stopped. He waited a few seconds for a response but none came, "Twilight, It's me, I'm coming down." Frowning, the human cautiously opened the door and led the way down into the lab. The place was an absolute mess of books and papers strewn all over the place with various technical science devices all in use.

"I recommend not touching that, Ms. Pie." Rosey said to Pinkie who was about to poke at a boiling beaker of an unknown pink solution. The party pony was reaching for it, but stopped and shrugged when the maid advised her against it.

"I don't see her." Rarity said, looking around.

"Well where in tarnation is she then?" Applejack asked with some frustration in her voice.

Anon scratched his chin, "Rosie, analysis."

"All evidence indicates that she is likely hiding from us, sir." She replied.

He hit a fist against his palm, and the atmospere in the room completely changed, "I knew it! This calls for a search and rescue operation." His eyes shifted back and forth between the group, "We'll need to do a sweep of the town. This is not going to be easy, and will require everyone's cooperation. Everyone will form up in groups of two. Applejack and Rainbow, you two will be team Tomboy. I want you to keep a lookout for our purple friend by covering a visual of the land and sky." Something in his commanding tone made them stand straighter and salute to him. "Rarity and Fluttershy," He continued, "you'll be team Queen. I'll need you two to collect information on Twilight between the townsponies and animals on whether they've seen her whereabouts and point us in the right direction." Both also nodded, Rarity looking quite pleased with their team name. "Pinkie and Barb, you're team Joker. You guys are the wild cards of the group. When things get desperate, you're the ones we'll need to rely on. Can you two do that?"

"You can count on us." Pinkie nodded her head vigorously, before pulling Barb closer to her."

"Sir…" Rosey tried to say, but Anon was already continuing.

"Rosie and I will be team Brain. Obviously because we are the brains of this operation. Using the collected data attained by all of you, we will pinpoint target 'purple smart.' Remember, Twilight is a smart cookie who will be difficult to find if she doesn't want to be found. I expect you to report within the next few hours. What are you waiting for?! It's now or never!"

All of them immediately stood to attention, saluted, and bolted out the door. A moment passed.

"... You do realize that she is still down here with us, right?" Rosie asked.

He shrugged, "Obviously. Considering how much those girls have overreacted today, I thought it best to have them somewhere else." Sometimes all it took was a confident tone for people to do what you tell them to, even when it didn't make any sense.

"... Very wise." Rosie nodded, looking a bit impressed at his management of the situation. There were very few ponies she knew that could create such convincing misdirection.

Anon craned his head to look at a corner of the room, "You can come out Twilight. I can see your tail."

In a spot behind some boxes, he heard a little squeak before the tail disappeared followed by a shuffling sound. Did she really think I didn't notice? Anon asked himself. Walking in that direction, he found a shaking box that seemed too small for the mare. Did she shrink herself, or something? He frowned.

With only one thing left to do, he opened the box… only to find the most adorable ball of purple fluff he had ever seen. His eyes widened and he gaped as he looked down at the purple filly huddled inside of the box with her eyes closed. It took all of his willpower to keep himself composed, "Twilight? Is that you?"

"M-my name is Twilight Sparkle! Please don't eat me!?" She begged, still shaking.

Did she lose her memory? Anon questioned. That would make this far more problematic than he initially thought, "Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you." He tried to say in his most reassuring voice, "I'm a friend of Princess Celestia, so you need not be afraid." Considering how much Twilight idolized the wielder of the sun, this seemed like the best approach.

Her ears perked at that as she dared to open an eye to look at him, "Y-you are?"

"You may be able to trust him, Ms. Sparkle." Rosie added, catching on to the matter rather quickly.

The little filly suddenly sighed in relief at the sight of the mare, "Ms. Rosie!" Apparently Twilight still remembered her, "What's going on here? Where am I?"

‘Oh boy… why do I have a feeling that this is going to be a big pain in my neck?’

Author's Note

Howdy folks! Been a while huh? I'll be honest, I forgot this fic for a while, but after finding it and my notes again, decided to get back into it. I'll try not to make you wait another year for the next chapter.