The Black Caldron was surging that evening as patrons of all races clambered around each other in crowded booths and tables over mugs of frothy amber gold. The bar area was populated by those looking to slake their thirst and were welcomed to wallow with those looking to share their woes. Those few that couldn’t shake off the chills huddled to the middle of the room next to the hearth as they greedily drank their spirits. Somewhere in the pub, laughter swelled as a particularly good joke was shared amongst friends. With practiced ease, servers brought food and cups to their patrons as they danced through the chaos. Sitting in a corner booth, Lemon Hearts sat next to Twinkleshine and waved at Moondancer, beckoning her to them.

Moondancer was surprised to find that her friends had already laid claim to some seating but she wasn’t about to complain. She made her way over to the table with Minuette leading the way. Sparing a glance back at the entrance, creatures of all sorts settled in, awaiting a table to be available and looked on enviously as she bypassed the line. Meekly, Moondancer averted her gaze and looked back onwards while narrowly avoiding crashing into a passing waitress.

“Told you I’d get us a seat!” Lemon Hearts boasted. “Uncle Brew always pulls through for me.” Moondancer scooted into the booth next to an already seated Minuette, placing her bags beneath the table and unfastening her scarf, while Twinkleshine gave Lemon Hearts an unimpressed look.

“That’s because Uncle Brew likes to keep an eye on his favorite niece and keep her from getting into any trouble.” Twinkleshine teased.

“What? How? I never get into any trouble!” Lemon Hearts cried.

Minuette shared an amused glance with Twinkleshine.

“He’s probably just worried about you because you can go overboard so easily.” Twinkleshine said.

“When you’re tipsy you get just a teensy bit flirty with ponies,” Minuette interjected. “It’s honestly super cute because you’re not subtle, like at all.

“Don’t forget constantly tripping over her words. She’ll just forget what she was saying midway through her sentence.” Twinkleshine added.

“I know my limits! Besides, I’m merely a connoisseur of wine.” Lemon Hearts argued.

Moondancer snorted. “Well, that’s one way you can put it. I think alcoholic is more fitting, though.” Lemon Hearts head snapped to Moondancer and gaped like a fish.

“Besides,” Twinkleshine continued, “It’s why we’re so close to the bar in the first place. Nopony wants to mess with the barkeeps niece if she’s being watched like a hawk.”

“I am a prim and proper lady,” Lemon Hearts pouted.

Moondancer smirked as she popped open the menu in front of her. “Is that right?”

“I so am!” Lemon Hearts protested.

“So…you two order yet?” Moondancer asked.

“Nah, not yet. The old stallion wanted to give us a minute to settle in,” Twinkleshine said.

Minuette reached over the table and placed a comforting hoof over Lemon Heart’s. “Don’t worry Lemon Hearts, you’re still our friend; crippling addiction or not.”

Lemon Hearts pulled her hoof back and blew a raspberry at her friend. “Yeah, yeah. Just remember that the first round is on you.”

Minuette grinned. “I pity the stallion that you sink your hooves into. Just remember that they’ll expect you to put out if you really rack up the bill.”

“You wound me! I’m no mere gold digger. I just think a stallion should pamper his mare from time to time is all. It should just be a given without having to ask. Whether that’s getting flowers and chocolates, or spontaneously being surprised with a night out; it’s all in the same ballpark.”

“Oof, so high maintenance. You’re definitely going to have to raise your tail then if he pulls out all the stops like that,” Twinkleshine teased.

Lemon Hearts shrugged. “Not all of us have such low expectations of our suitors. I’m a busy mare and have certain criteria that need to be met when I’m being courted.”

“How’s that working out for ya?”

“…”

“You’re silence is speaking volumes.”

“S-shut up,” Lemon Hearts stuttered. “Like you’ve had any better luck with dating.”

“I’m not gonna be putting all these crazy expectations on somepony I just met. Going out to see a movie or a day out in the park is just fine with me.”

“It’s that wishy washy attitude you have that makes it impossible to have a serious relationship. You attract the ponies that don’t have any real goals or drive.” Lemon Hearts gave each of her friends a pointed look. “We’re not fillies anymore, so sorry that getting milkshakes at the local diner isn’t my ideal date. What you want is a real stallion and not some colt making his means of living by working at the grocer or retail store.”

“Ouch, my feelings.”

Moondancer looked on in amusement as the two mares continued to bicker just as though she had never left. How she had missed this feeling. Her friends were the rock in her life that kept her centered, but never did she want that to be taken for granted. It didn’t seem to Moondancer that they were under that impression at all after their reunion.

“So, did you miss it?” Minuette enquired.

“Hmm?” Moondancer asked, broken from her thoughts. “Miss what?”

“This, I mean. I’m not sure if it’s as interesting as your science project, but we did miss you Moonie.”

Moondancer leaned back into her seat and sighed. “I think I definitely needed this. Books alone can only keep me occupied for so long I suppose.”

“It’s nice to know we’re second to dusty old tomes then for occupying time.”

“Well, more like third if you want to be specific and run down the list.”

“Ah, yes. I guess mast–”

Moondancer gave a playful shove to MInuette’s shoulder. “I meant sleeping you dingus. To be honest though, I’ve put a hold on my research for the time being.”

“Can you even do that? Won’t the committees and all those ponies expect results? Isn’t that the point of grants?”

“Those blowhards know I produce results,” Moondancer rolled her eyes. “Besides, they wouldn’t dare rebuke me after all the work I put in; especially after I give them the nitty gritty details about certain enhancements those old badgers will be quite thankful to hear about.”

“Yeah, those blowhards!” Lemon Hearts chimed in.

“Yeah, what a bunch of bucking blowhards! Complete dicks the lot of them… Who are we talking about, Moondancer?” Twinklshine asked.

“Anyways! Glad to have you back Moonie. As you can see not much has changed since you’ve been gone.” Minuette said.

“Not everything. While you were doing all your science stuff I finally got around to getting a new fridge.” Twinkleshine said.

“What was wrong with the other one? You didn’t puke in it again did you?” Moondancer asked.

“No! How little do you think of me anyways?

“Well–”

“Shove off! It just kept going on the fritz and wouldn’t stay cool anymore. Didn’t do anything to it. Wouldn’t have been so bad but I just filled it up; a weeks’ worth of groceries just gone. The light was on so I thought it was fine, but nope. I don’t know all the techno jargon but this new one is cutting edge,” Twinkleshine bragged.

“Well how’s it hold up? Oh, does it make ice?” Lemon Hearts enquired.

“Does it make ice? Filly, you better believe it makes ice! It has its own water dispenser too; I’m no longer constrained to drinking tap water like you mere peasants,” Twinkleshine boasted.

The mares at the table all shared their enthusiasm for their friend’s newest appliance. Minuette and Lemon Hearts continued probing Twinkleshine for the details on the deal she made with the store, the material it was made out of, how much money she was going to save in power bills and so on. All the talk got Moondancer to ponder about her own shabby fridge.

How old was my fridge again? Must be going on ten years now at the very least; the rubber sealing is coming off and the handle on the door is barely holding on as is. Extra space would be nice but having ice and purified water on demand sounds enticing. Maybe I should start shopping around for a new one as well. Oh, I can invite Minuette to help look around for one and we can even make a day of it. We can try out that new restaurant that just opened up downtown and maybe hit a bookstore on the way back. She’ll love it since it also has its own bakery that specializes in… Why am I getting excited about a new refrigerator?

“Girls, I have some troubling news.” Moondancer interjected herself into the others conversation and the three ceased their chattering. “I think we’re old now.”

Looks of bemusement contorted on each of their faces after her words were processed.

“We are not old!” Lemon Hearts exclaimed.

“We’re eagerly discussing the pros and cons of a fridge. I’m pretty sure that meets the criteria for being old,” Moondancer said with a hint of amusement at their reactions. The nuisance of aging was there for her too, but was inconsequential when compared to the actual work that Moondancer dealt with every day.

“Come on it’s not that bad. Wanting to save some bits is hardly mutually exclusive to being old. In fact, I’ve been meaning to shop around for a new one myself.” Minuette said.

“You’re right, it’s just a fridge.” Twinkleshine chuckled. “It’s not like we’re some fuddy duddy’s that drink tea, read a book and then turn in early after we get home from work.”

“You’re kidding! You’ve never had one of those days?” Minuette asked. “When work really wears me out it’s nice to just cuddle up with a book on the couch. That and the back rubs I get really help a girl relax.”

“Yeah, yeah you’re coltfriend is the best. I’m sure Abacus is all broken up about it too; a real saint. I bet that nerd’s hooves never linger a second longer on your plot than is necessary either,” Twinkleshine said.

Minuette shrugged her shoulders and rested her head on a hoof. “Well I never said it’s exclusively beneficial, but I’m sure I’ll survive. His enthusiasm lets me know I’ve still got it, but more importantly that he wuvs me.”

Twinkleshine gagged. “Blech. So work’s been that busy then for you then?”

“Eh, you know how it is. Everypony puts off going to the dentist until after the holidays are over. It makes my days go by faster I guess, but it gets old real quick. What about you?”

Before she could answer however, a portly yellow unicorn stallion with a thick gray mustache, arrived in front of their table clutching a notepad with his magic.

“Sorry about the wait,” he began but stopped when his eyes scanned Moondancer, a smile breaking across his face. “Well, well if my eyes don’t deceive me. Hello there, Moondancer. I haven’t seen you with the girls in ages.”

“Good to see you again, Vintage Brew,” Moondancer began. “Yeah, I was—”

“Moonie was up in the Crystal Empire, Uncle Brew!” Lemon Hearts interrupted.

Vintage Brew smirked at his niece’s enthusiasm and chuckled. “The Crystal Empire? Now if that’s not a place worth sightseeing then I don’t know what is. Were you away on vacation or something?”

Moondancer cleared her throat and adjusted her glasses. “Quite the opposite in fact. I was researching the geo-magical biome that sheltered the empire within the inhospitable tundra environment and also the lasting beneficial applications of their crystalized arcane arts upon the common equine anatomy.”

Vintage Brew scrunched his face and looked as though she had lost him. “Who’s it, what now?”

“Uh… I was studying crystal magic and seeing if ponies could benefit just from visiting.” Moondancer said.

“Oh. Well what’s the verdict then? Should the missus and I take our next vacation there?”

“Well, currently I can confidently say that being exposed to the crystallization process is beneficial. Whether that has lasting effects outside of the empire is yet to be determined though.”

“Such as?”

“Well, while under the influence of the magic there are very minor rejuvenation effects always in place. So minor aches and pains would more than likely disappear overnight. Your stamina would also see a small boost as well-- it’s how the ponies were able to constantly mine with minimal food and sleep. Granted they were all earth ponies so their musculature and physiology is a tad different from us unicorns.”

“Sounds like the perfect place to start my new year’s resolution then. I could afford to lose a couple pounds don’t you girls think?” Vintage Brew chuckled as he patted his belly. “But, well, my body ain’t so young anymore.”

“Your wife definitely would notice the difference. It’d be like your honeymoon all over again.” Twinkleshine added.

Vintage Bew pounded a hoof on the table as he barked out a laugh, drawing the attention of the neighboring patrons. Lemon Hearts blushed while her face scrunched up in disgust as she tried to dismiss the thoughts of her relatives being intimate.

“Gross!” Lemon Hearts bellowed.

Vintage Brew’s laughter eventually petered out though as he wiped a tear from his eye. “Alright, alright. I’ve talked your ears off enough tonight. What can I get you girls this evening?”

Moondancer ordered some cider for herself while her companions asked for their predicted beverage of choice. They placed their orders one by one, but when it was Lemon Hearts turn, Vintage Brew noticed her downtrodden tone.

“What’s got ya down sweet heart? You were just in high spirits a moment ago.” Vintage Brew said.

“Uncle Brew, the girls and I aren’t… old, are we?’

Vintage Brew smirked. “Why of course not you silly filly. What’s got you thinking like that?

“Is it weird to be excited when talking about appliances? Like, a refrigerator for example.”

“Well that depends. When I was younger the washing machine I had at the time was, pardon my Prench, a piece of shit. The hunk of junk never worked right from the get go and always gave me a nasty shock when I turned it on, but it was the best price all: free.”

“What’s shit?” Twinkleshine asked.

“Ah, that? Something nice young ladies like yourselves shouldn’t say. That’s just one of the words I picked up from, Greg. Has a real oomph to it. Real colorful vocabulary on that one. Good listener too.” Vintage Brew said.

Lemon Hearts face was still crest fallen.

“Bah, ain’t nothing wrong with getting excited about all that then sweetheart. It don’t make you old, ya’ll are just real adults now.” Vintage Brew proudly declared.

“I don’t know.” Lemon Hearts said dejectedly.

“Now, look here young missy. I’m nearly pushing fifty-four on my end so take it from this old geezer when I say you’re all still in the prime of your youths. This just means you lot are in a place in your lives that you don’t have to settle for things, but have options instead. And that’s a great feeling you never want to lose. Ya understand?”

Lemon hearts sniffed, “Thank you, uncle Brew.”

“Anytime. I’ll have your drinks right out and let you girls enjoy the rest of your evening.” Vintage Brew merged right back into the chaos of the pub as he made his way back to the bar.

“He’s right!” Twinkleshine slammed a hoof onto the table. “I’m – we’re not old. We are just successful mares looking to upgrade our quality of life!”

“Exactly!” Lemon Hearts exclaimed.

The jovial mood once again returned to the group, the gloomy atmosphere dashed away as quickly as it arrived. It was a topic that began in mere jest but quickly soured their discussions with a dark overcast. It seemed to Moondancer that her compatriots were a bit too fixated on such trivial things but she wouldn’t begrudge them. Her obsessions were borderline neurotic at best so, normal was subjective she mused.

“Anyways, it’s not like I’m actively going to shop around for house junk. My savings were thankfully enough to take care of it.” Twinkleshine said.

“I’m surprised.”Minuette said.

“What about?”

“That you were able to save up anything. You tend to burn through your bits as quickly as you get them after all.” Minuette chided.

“Y-yeah, well even I have rainy day funds. I’m not a foal.”

“You couldn’t decide what to spend it on, could you?”

“Ugh. There was some concerts that I wanted to go to but that had to be canned.” Twinkleshine sighed. “Why does fun stuff cost bits?”

“I’m sure being able to eat fresh food also played a factor in your decision.”

After a pregnant pause Twinkleshine answered. “Maybe a little.”

“Aren’t you still having fun in your choir group? That’s a free concert right there.” Moondancer asked.

“Yippee,” Twinkleshine droned. “It’s an on and off thing with them. Right now we’re setting up gigs for the spring but practice has been non-existent. If not for work I’d be bored out of my mind.”

“What do you mean?” Moondancer asked.

“I’ve had to pull extra shifts for the past month since a couple of my guys got into an accident.”

“Oh. Sorry to hear that. Are they okay?” Lemon Hearts said.

“Yeah, they’re fine… sort of. Well, one of the companies that operate at the warehouses dumped a loaded container onto the unoccupied flatbeds that we have. But they can’t do that unless it’s in a designated loading area, so my guys are on break and this load drops onto the bed of their cart that they’re sitting on and the force launches them into the air. Both are earth ponies so they took the hard way down. One of them got lucky with just a broken leg, but the other had a fractured sternum.”

Lemon Hearts sucked in air through her clenched teeth. “Yikes.”

“Yeah, yikes. Now I’ve gotta fill in the gaps they left since they’re on leave.”

“C’mon, it’s not their fault.”

“Nah, I don’t blame them any. The problem is that they’ll be gone for a while if they even return. They’re sitting on a huge lawsuit and it’s sure to be an easy settlement from the company that donked them.”

“Surely it can’t be that hard to find replacements?”

“Yes, and no. I just give some of the others more hours since they’ve been asking for ‘em but I want a whole crew. Canterlot isn’t a great place to look for ponies that want to do heavy lifting. The pay is good but a lot of them see it as beneath them.”

“And the fact that you can die is also a factor,” Minuette said.

“Eh. How would I know the difference? I’d be dead!” Twinkleshine laughed. “I’ve actually been meaning to ask Greg tonight if he knew anypony that would want the job. He always hangs out with some minotaurs and they can do twice the amount of lifting an earth pony can.”

“Greg?” Moondancer asked. “There’s that name again. Why does it sound so familiar?”

“Oh, yeah! You’ve been away for some time but Greg was the new guy that Uncle Brew was talking about. He’s that alien that showed up a few years ago. The hooman, remember?” Lemon Hearts said.

Homo sapiens, if Moondancer recalled correctly, was the actual name of his species. Queer two legged creatures much like a minotaur yet their evolutionary cycle evolved from apes instead. At the time it was shocking to learn that a being existed beyond equestrian understanding.

“The human, you mean? After being gone for so long why would the alien be working at a pub? This sounds like a lame setup to a joke.”

Lemon Hearts shrugged. “I don’t know, uncle Brew just hired him since he seemed like a decent sort. He’s a bit of the private type though. Oh, he’s coming right now with our drinks. Why don’t you ask him yourself?”

Moondancer looked over to the bar and lo and behold there he was. The human all but furless except for the black hair atop his head. He was fitted with a white buttoned top, with its long sleeves rolled up to his elbows and black apron adorned over it, a pair of black pants and some type of brown shoes to insulate and protect his sensitive feet.

While unrelated to the average minotaur he certainly shared some key characteristics with them. He stood about a head smaller than a grown male while also displaying excellent musculature that his top fit snugly against. Greg had quite the imposing stature as creatures idling about quickly made to move out of his way while he balanced their drinks on a tray.

The human stood before the tables end right next to Moondancer allowing her to examine him up close. She noted that his skin, that she had at first thought to be smooth, was covered in many dark hairs that matted his arms and even the back of his neck. As it was, Moondancer was at level with his chest but had she been standing, her head would barely reach to his stomach; such was their difference in stature.

“Alright, I have got a glass of pinot noir here, a hurricane, a pint of beer, and a mug of hard cider,” Greg recited. Each of their faces lit up one by one, giving away exactly which beverage belonged to whom.

“Hi Greg!” Lemon Hearts cheerily said. “How have you been?”

The human’s lips curled into a painted smile as he placed the drinks next to their respective patrons. “Hello again, Lemon Hearts. I’m doing quite well thank you for asking. I see that you’ve brought along Minuette and Twinkleshine as well this evening.”

“Hiya, Greg,” Minutte said with her lips wrapped around the edge of her pint. She took deep gulps of her beer, sighing in satisfaction as she pulled back with a frothy foam mustache.

“Hey, Greg good to see ya,” Twinkleshine said as she stirred her drink. “I’ve got a quick question if you can spare a sec.”

The human rested the platter against his side. “Oh? Well, what can I help you with?”

Twinkleshine sipped at the colorful concoction. “You seem like a strong guy, you ever want to pick up some work over at the warehouses? It’d be unloading containers and the like for transport onto trains and carts. The pay’s good. There are hazards here and there but nothing a tough guy like you can’t handle.”

“Tempting, but I think I’ll pass. I don’t think that I am the right fit for such a precarious living nor do I think I am as strong as you believe.”

“Psh, so humble,” Lemon Hearts fluttered her eyes. “Uncle Brew tells me that you arm wrestle with the minotaurs all the time. Greg can really hold his own, girls. He even beat a few of them; so strong.”

Laying it on real thick there. Moondancer cocked an eyebrow and took a sip of her drink. The crisp taste welcome after being without for so long. What was that again about having standards?

“Thank you for your flattery. But still, I must decline. I could pass the word around with my pals and see if they’d be interested though. Would that be alright?” Greg asked.

“Ah, crud. Really? Well, if you change your mind give me a heads up. Just let your friends know then when you get a chance. I’d definitely owe you one,” Twinklshine said.

“I’ll most certainly do so.”

“Oh, oh!” Lemon Hearts began and let out an airy giggle. “Sorry, I’m such a ditz. This is our other friend, Moondancer!” Lemon Hearts stretched out her forelegs to present her in a grand display. “She’s the one that we told you about before. Equestria’s leading scientist, just like Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

Moondancer’s eyes widened as she was put on the spot and choked on her cider. Granted she had a small understanding about him from Twilight’s letters and published works but that was that and this was this. It was one thing to hear and read about an alien, but it a whole different matter to meet one.

“Umm… hello.” Moondancer’s voice cracked. She cleared her throat of the obtrusive liquid to the human’s amusement and continued. “Hello, Moondancer, my name is Greg.”

“I think you might have that one backwards there, chief,” Twinkleshine joked.

Moondancer’s face flooded red as she realized her mistake. “Moondancer! My name is Moondancer… Nice to meet you.”

“You too. Though I would’ve thought that everyone would be over the shock of meeting me by now. It’s kind of refreshing in a way.” Greg replied.

“Uh… yeah,” Moondancer led off.

She continued to flounder under his gaze when Minuette nudged her. “Wasn’t there something you wanted to ask him?”

Moondancer squinted her eyes at her friend. Oh, I’ll get you back for this. “So, a bar. What’s up with that? Heh, heh.”

“What about it?” Greg slowly asked.

“Yep… anyways, great to meet you.”

“Well…I’ll just give you girls a few to look over the menu and be back.”

“Thank you, Greg.” Lemon Hearts said.

Minuette reeled her head back and tipped her pint, chugging the last vestiges of her beer. She let out an audible sound of satisfaction and clanked the cup onto the table. “Keep ‘em coming, Greg.”

He nodded and retrieved the empty cup from her. With the tray still tucked underneath his arm Greg made his way back to the bar; Lemon Hearts eyes glued to his rear the entire time.

After it was clear the human was out of ear shot Moondancer ruffled her mane and groaned. “Why didn’t any of you tell me that the human was working here?! I wasn’t mentally prepared to converse with the scientific discovery of our generation just like that.”

Minuette patted Moondancer’s back. “There, there, Moonie.”

“I looked like a complete fool! Ugh. He was nice enough I suppose but I acted like a--”

“Like a complete spaz, you mean?” Twinkleshine jabbed.

Moondancer gave her a flat stare in return. “Yes.”

“Don’t be so hard on Moonie girls. She was obviously distracted by his exotic allure.” Lemon Hearts swooned.

“Here we go again,” Twinkleshine took a sip of her drink. “He’s not into you. I don’t know how dense you can be.”

“Greg’s an alien. I’m sure he just doesn’t understand the cultural differences of our species flirting styles.”

“Or he’s just too nice to let a mare know that she’s coming off way too strong. Besides, what was it you said earlier about dating and what not?”

“There are exceptions to the rule. He’s quite handsome if I do say so myself. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with a simple roll in the hay every now then is there?”

“I guess he’s cute. But I’d rather not mess with somepony that works at a place I frequent.”

“Psh. Well, what about you Moondancer? What do you think?”

Moondancer didn’t have much of an opinion on his appearance. The feeling of embarrassment still burned bright but even then there was something else within her that was stirring. She had read everything there was printed relating to the alien and conversed adamantly with Twilight over letters about him years ago. It was surreal to actually see what she had read so intently about, yet even the photographs she had glimpsed didn’t do it justice.

It was like looking at endless possibilities. Barriers that were once thought impossible to bypass became mere speedbumps; no longer walls. A groundbreaking discovery that should have pushed technological boundaries a generation. Yet, everything stayed very much the same. Nothing had changed.

Moondancer adjusted her glasses, “He’s polite.”

“…And?” Lemon Hearts swirled the wine in her levitated glass.

“But I don’t really know if I’d call him attractive. He’s certainly in good shape but beyond that I couldn’t say if he’s my type.”

“And what even is your type? Let me guess: hardcover, thick spine, and pages that go on for days?”

“I’m a busy mare. My…”

“Research, research, research,” Lemon Hearts sighed. “You’ll never get a special somepony with that attitude.”

“I’ve been doing just fine without one so I think I’ll manage. But how did you girls get so chummy with him anyways?”

“Oh, we’re more of acquaintances really. None of us were kidding when we said that Greg was reclusive. We’ll see him every now and then when he’s working his shift or if we ask him to lend a hoof in fixing something, but that guy is almost as bad as you when it comes to going out.”

Moondancer ignored the hermit jab and pressed on. “So he’s a repairstallion then?”

“Yeah, Greg is pretty good at fixing stuff and every so often somepony will ask him to help with one thing or another. He’s really funny about it though,” Twinkleshine said.

“How so?” Moondnacer asked.

“I had him install some new cabinets for me but he just refused to take any money I offered. Said that it was no charge since it was just a hobby of his. I couldn’t leave it at that so I made him a pie and we called it square.”

“Same here. I had to firmly make him stay for dinner after he took a look at my plumbing.” Minuette said.

“Wow, I didn’t know you and Abacus were into that type of play. But, to each their own.” Twinkleshine snickered.

Minutte rolled her eyes but Moondancer was flabbergasted; not at her friends poor joke but at the human. He had been gone from Equestria for years traveling the world and only now just resurfaced. It was preposterous for her to believe that he would be content to simply work at a pub and repair the occasional housewife’s garbage disposal. He was far too important for that.

She wanted to speak to him again but the human never returned to their table; the place was busy after all. In his place, a pegasus mare delivered Minuette’s drink and promptly took their dinner orders. The girls continued their small talk but Moondancer’s mind slowly began to wander. With how much bigger Greg was comparatively to every creature, it was easy enough to track him amidst the chaos.

A look never hurt anypony, she thought.

Moondancer snuck a glance wherever she could. Snuck because she would never hear the end of it from the girls if she was caught. Especially from Lemon Hearts who would jump at the chance to tease her about colts. The best way to go unnoticed seemed to be when she sipped at her cider by tilting her head back; obfuscating her eyes. While quite effective it also quickly put Moondancer on to her third drink.

“Really packing those away huh? Don’t want to turn into Lemon Hearts now,” Twinkleshine said.

“Hey!” Lemon Hearts pouted.

“I just missed hanging out with you girls," Moondancer said. "In such a social setting it is permissible to overindulge in spirits when celebrating is it not? Where I to be drinking alone at home, most would just deem me an alcoholic – like Lemon Hearts. Better to take advantage now while I have the chance.”

Lemon Hearts nodded her head along in solidarity at Moondancer’s explanation, missing the jab entirely, while the others seemed too just more or less go along with it. Moondancer wasn’t the biggest drinker by any means and even now could feel the slow creep of inebriation taking hold. Hopefully their food would arrive soon which would help soak up the alcohol in her system. Delicious and hearty; The Black Cauldron’s macaroni and five cheese blend got her stomach grumbling.

“Moondancer?” Lemon Hearts said.

“Mm?” Moondancer hummed.

“You were gone for such a long time.”

“Uh… yeah?”

“Did you make it back in time and have a nice Hearthswarming with your family at least?”

“Where did that come from?”

“Just curious is all. Weren’t you still in the Crystal Empire around that time? Working during the holidays is always so drab.”

She wasn’t kidding. Unfortunately Moondancer had to push her return trip back to a ludicrous degree with her train departing on Hearthswarming eve, thanks to a blizzard plaguing the region at the time—the shield only protecting so far. There was no place she’d rather be than home, and it was a miracle, but she somehow managed to make it back in time to celebrate the holidays with her family.

Truthfully they believed that she wouldn’t make it; thinking she meant to skip Hearthswarming all together as they had not talked for over half a year. All was forgiven when they saw her in the door way, shaking in the cold and covered in a light dusting of snow. For just a day Moondancer felt that she could let her mane down and the worries and woes of work could be forgotten. Everyone had their fill of food and drink as they reminisced about the past, recounting the highs and the lows, but never wallowing.

She treasured moments that she could surround herself with loved ones the most. It was of her own doing yet days like those felt rare. Too rare.

“Something wrong?” Minuette said.

“No,” Moondancer shook her head. “It was… nice.” She was finally reunited with her friends after being sequestered for so long. While every now and then though she would see the human walking about doing one thing or another, it was not the time for her inquisitive nature to take hold. It would be a mystery to unravel for another time.

There was a definite change in tone at the table that even the ever dense Lemon Hearts could notice. They were saved from it though with the arrival of their waitress levitating plates of steaming hot food. Moondancer was thankful for the small breather and hoped her friends would busy themselves with devouring the feasts before them. She dug into her dinner with gusto and relished the carnival of flavors that she sorely missed. The other mares followed suit, emulating her zest as metal utensils quickly clanked against porcelain. It was a meal well worth the wait.

The evening moon rose ever higher in the starry night sky as the four mares continued to band together in their drunken exuberance. Moondancer couldn’t remember the number of drinks that she had for she given up counting them what felt like hours ago. While they certainly all ate their fill, food could only help with the alcohol so much as they all pushed beyond their usual limits. Minuette clung to Moondancer as she cuddled against her side, listening intently while Lemon Hearts regaled to a starry eyed Twinkleshine the latest castle gossip.

“So as it turned out, it was Princess Luna’s possum, Tiberius, who was stealing Princess Celestia’s apple cakes all along. The little guy was easily able to make out like a bandit from the royal kitchens every night with none the wiser, but to be fair, possum’s sure do love apples.”

“That’s… it?” Twinkleshine asked.

“Well—and you didn’t hear this from me—Celestia takes the business of her cakes very seriously. These were zap apple cakes; quite the rare treat indeed. Why, she believed that her own sister was stealing and eating them herself and a small cold war of sorts had brewed.”

Minuette’s hold on Moondancer tightened through their friends thrilling tale. “They didn’t fight did they? Nopony got hurt, right? What happened?!”

“Relax. I think we’d have heard if it actually came to blows,” Moondancer patted her captor’s mane and the mare melted into her. Staying awake was becoming more difficult as time went on and the warmth her friend shared didn’t help the matter.

“No. The worst that had come of it was Luna insinuating that Celestia was fat, and she in return mentioning that Luna was acting like a foal. Just passing passive aggressive comments here and there. It was a cold war after all.”

“That’s terrible!” Minuette cried.

“Yeah, terribly boring. I’m fallin’ asleep over here.” Twinkleshine droned.

Minuette shushed the heckler and motioned for her to continue. “They’re okay now though, right?”

“They’re just fine now. Princess Luna gave him a stern taking to and the two apologized to one another for their uncouth behavior,” Lemon Hearts said.

“C’mon, you’ve gotta have something juicier than that,” Twinkleshine whined.

Lemon Hearts sloshed the wine in her glass to drive the tension, but spilled some on the table in doing so. She had a small giggle fit at the mess before her, chortling and snorting at her own clumsiness. “Weeeeell there was one more tidbit that I thought you’d enjoy. But I don’t know. It seems that my stories are not appreciated as much as I thought.”

Twinkleshine willed the small decanter on the table into the air and refilled her friends wine glass.

“Much better,” Lemon Hearts said after taking a sip. She leaned forward and glanced about to ensure no one was eavesdropping on the four of them. When she was satisfied that no one was, she continued in a hoarse whisper, “This next one is super-secret girls. But you all seem pretty tight lipped.”

“Hold on now, you don’t have to say anything if it can get you in trouble.” Moondancer protested.

Twinklshine’s face soured. “Shush!”

“No, no it’s fine,” Lemon Hearts said. “Nopony will ever know I said anything. Besides it’s nothing bad I can assure you, it’s more… scandalous. Prince Blueblood entertains many nobles from Canterlot but it seems that he took a particular liking to one such gentlestallion. Late in the night a passing maid had seen the two of them in the throes of passion before they entered Blueblood’s quarters. It was quite the little slumber party the two of them had as my source claims the sound of their lovemaking reverberated all the way into the hall.”

Twinkleshine hopped in her seat, “See, now you’ve got my attention!”

A lecherous grin appeared on Minuette followed by a chuckle that Moondancer could only describe as gross. “That’s hot. What else did she see?”

“Nothing else unfortunately,” Lemon Hearts exhaled. “Well, that’s not entirely true. The next day, after the two had long since left the room, she rushed to volunteer to tidy up the prince’s chamber. Lo and behold there were was the evidence of the night before in the form of balled up tissues and stained bedsheets.”

“Who was the other guy?” Twinkleshine probed.

“She couldn’t exactly make out who it was but I’m sure the servants will figure it out after they put their heads together. Maids love to talk after all.” Lemon Hearts giggled and took a swig of her drink.

“I bet… he’s a bottom.” Minuette said.

“Who?” Twinkleshine asked. “Blueblood?”

Minuette was glued onto Moondancer and rubbed their cheeks together, much to her friend’s annoyance. “Yeah. He’s probably a total power bottom. Oh he’s getting railed, but Blueblood lets the other guy know that he’s in charge; the poor colt screaming his name as he squirms and tries in vain to hold back his shot.”

“Well, we know who wears the pants in your relationship. Now I actually do feel bad for Abacus.”

Minuette’s breath grew heavy as she used a hoof to wipe some drool from her face. “You’re bucking right I do. When I get back home that stallion won’t know what hit him. I am a typhoon of hormones that’s raring to absolutely destroy his pelvis.”

Moondancer felt that she had indulged friend quite enough. “Okay, one: too much information. Two: you’ve really got to let go because I’ve got to pee and your squeezing isn’t helping.”

“Nooooo, don’t go,” Minuette mewled.

“Want us to come with,” Twinkleshine asked.

Moondancer pried herself from a pouting Minuette and stood from the table, “Nah, I’ll only be gone for a minute.”

Relishing her new found freedom she stretched her limbs, the lingering warmth from her friend rapidly dissipating. Finally limbered up she made her way to the restroom, stumbling past other patrons.

It was no easy feat. She could feel the effects of the alcohol coursing through her as the simple task of walking had become a challenge. Well, walking itself was the easy part, it was walking with balance that was hard. Her vision was unfocused and it felt like her head was spinning, yet still, nature called. An ornate clock hanging on the wall let her know that it was half past eleven after she rubbed her two remaining brain cells together; almost closing time. Every creature was still preoccupied with their drink and food or with the company of their friends that most probably didn’t even realize how late it had become, herself included.

With great difficulty she remembered in her drunken stupor that the restrooms were located on the other side of the pub. In a hallway next to the emergency exit lay her prize. Weaving between any obstacles in her way, Moondancer surprised herself by reaching her destination without making a fool of herself and bumping into anyone. She pushed the door open and entered, noting that a stall was fortunately unoccupied at the end.

The pungent scent of cleaning chemicals and flowers flew right at her causing her stomach to churn. Normally inoffensive, she could usually ignore the odor but it was impossible when her senses were this hypersensitive. Moondancer took a moment and steeled herself as she gagged, just barely pushing past the revulsion and urge to vomit. In one of the stalls someone could be heard spilling their guts.

It seems I wasn’t the only one that took offense. “You, uh, okay in there?” Moondancer inquired.

The retching ceased followed by laborious breathing. A strained voice hailed back, “I don’t know genius, what’s it sound like?”

“Sorry. I guess not then,” Moondancer muttered. The voice though became preoccupied with vomiting once again and ignored her.

Moondancer stood in front of her own stall and kicked the door open. She noted that it was relatively clean enough - clean being used rather loosely. Graffiti littered the walls but other than that it was quite sanitized. She made haste, not wanting to be in the putrid environment anymore then was absolutely necessary.

In a flash her business was taken care of. Moondancer washed her hooves at the sink and took a look in the mirror. She pushed her glasses aside and rubbed at her eyes to help them focus; she even splashed some water in her face hoping it would help. It didn’t; only accomplishing getting the front of her sweater soaked.

“Buck!” Moondancer growled as she patted herself with some paper towels. The damage was mitigated as they absorbed some of the water but they were thin and cheap; basically tissues. Now only slightly wet she rested her glasses back on her face and exited the restroom, muttering angrily under her breath.

“I’m telling ya, she’s fine…” a voice said. Before she could register the noise, Moondancer bumped right into two sturdy walls of muscle, knocking her onto her plot.

“Hey, watch where you’re going ya cunt!” one of them barked.

Moondancer picked herself up and eyed her new friends; a pair of female minotaurs. Despite being dressed in bulky winter wear, it was apparent that both of them were incredibly brawny as was typical of their species. The one on the left had drooping eyes, clearly having trouble focusing, but was relatively calm. Her compatriot was in much the same boat, but stood hunched forward with an accusatory hand pointing at Moondancer. It seemed that it was her grating voice that she had heard.

“Watch it yourself, you overgrown cow” Moondancer muttered. As soon as the words left her mouth Moondancer realized that she had made a grave mistake.

“What was that?” The minoataur’s nostrils flared as she popped her knuckles. “Wanna run that by me again?”

Foolishness on Moondancer’s part for letting her mouth get ahead of her like that but she wasn’t as helpless as the minotaur thought - quite the opposite in fact. Proficient in many of the arcane schools of advanced combat magic’s, she could easily subdue her aggressor. Moondancer gathered the magic within and let it charge into her horn, light growing in strength as it shined on as a beacon in the hall. If they wanted a fight, they’d get one. She readied a spell, waiting for her opponent to make the first move when the minotaur’s friend slapped the back of her compatriots head.

“Ow! What the tartarus was that for Minerva?” she asked, rubbing at the spot where she was struck.

“Astrid, are you stupid?” Minerva asked. “Stop getting all pissy with Aurora.”

Aurora? Moondancer thought. Muddled by her friend’s proclamation, Astrid squinted her eyes and leaned closer as she inspected the pony before her. The minotaur’s breath absolutely reeked of booze and inebriation but Moondancer stomached it as best as she could. Her magic was wound up and ready to strike at a moment’s notice, just waiting to be unleashed. After a minute of being uncomfortably close to one another though, Astrid stood stock straight, the anger leaving her face, replaced instead with shame.

“Oh gods, Aurora I almost knocked your head right off.” Asrtid weakly chuckled. “You know how I get when I’ve had too many.”

Moondancer let her magic wane. “I’m… what?”

“Astrid, you know the poor mare can’t handle her drink. Why do you always insist on egging her on?” Minerva chided.

“Bah, the little amount of booze that mare drank was nothing, besides, she looks fine. A little goofy with those glasses though.” Astrid said with a cheeky smile. “You didn’t throw up, did ya?”

You also probably weigh an extra two hundred pounds on your friend, but whatever. Seeing an opportunity to take advantage of their confusion and end this peacefully, Moondancer decided it was best to play along. “Uh… yes. I wasn’t feeling good. You know me!”

“You see! Should’ve said something. We could’ve held your mane back while you upchucked.” Minerva laughed. “You okay now though?”

“Just fine,” Moondacer said through a strained smile.

“Let’s head back then. Place is gonna close soon so we’ll get round or two and head out.”

Moondancer realized that she couldn’t leave the way she came. They would expect her to walk back to a table that she had no idea about and their other friends would see through the ruse if they interacted at all. She could toss them aside without a second thought, but why? Over some petty words said in haste? No, it would be better if she sequestered herself for a moment and let them forget about her in their drunken haze. “I’m feeling much better but I’m going to take a breather outside. Get some fresh air to help clear my head, you know?”

“Oh. Yeah, sure thing. Do you want one of us to come with?” Astrid asked.

Moondancer slowly inched her way to the exit behind her. “N-no, no. It’ll be just a moment and I’ll head right back. Promise.”

For a moment it seemed that she was straining herself to protest her supposed friend’s intentions of going out alone but in the end her lethargy won. “Well… okay. It’s cold enough to freeze my tits off out there though so don’t linger too long.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Moondancer pushed open the back exit and was hit by a small gust of wind. The air was crisp and the cold seeped into her very bones, amplified by her damp garment. Even the minotaurs winced despite their heavy clothes. Moondancer gave a small wave before she embarked into the elements outside.

A light hummed above the outside doorway and gave some manner of illumination in the late hour of the night. The door clasped behind Moondancer and she was once again, alone. Afraid that the two of them were still watching her through the glass on the door itself, she huddled against the wall and hid from any would be prying eyes.

One Celestia, two Celestia… she thought and continued until she reached thirty. Only then did she chance to precariously peek through the glass herself. Inside, the two minotaur’s were still where she left them saying something or another and just stood there in the hall.

Come on, leave already! It was only now did Moondancer realize that the real Aurora was still in the bathroom and could finish up at any moment. They would both be outraged to be sure and would most likely give chase to the one that had fooled them.

Such a predicament was avoided though. After what felt like an eternity the two of them left the hall and hopefully back to wherever it was they came from.

Moondancer sighed a breath of relief and white wispy air floated in front of her muzzle. Wow, way to let a drunk mare enter a back alley all by herself. Real great friends you’ve got there Aurora. At the very least they stayed behind for what, like a minute? Her respite was short lived as another gust of wind pelted at her frame, icy talons sinking into her, ripping Moondancer from her thoughts.

Buck its freezing! Now that the two meatheads are gone… she thought as she reached for the door handle only to find that it was nowhere to be found. Huh?

Moondancer wasn’t seeing things; the door it seemed was lacking any sort of handle.

“You’re kidding me!” she said in disbelief. It seemed that her grand exit was a one way trip with no way back inside. Moondancer in a frenzy nudged the door and rattled its frame to ultimately no avail. She whipped her head around and saw that the alley she was in was quite desolate. It was the back ends for the neighboring businesses to receive inventory and dump trash so it had little reason to be inviting.

Darkness loomed in every direction and was swallowed up into the walls, blending the environment into a mishmash of shapes and sizes indistinguishable from one another. Moondancer shivered as reality set in that she would have to walk all the way around the buildings to get back inside. Resigning herself to trudging through the cold she took a single step only for her ears to swivel towards the sound of clunking metal.

Moondancer’s head snapped for the source and focused on the shadows before her. From the darkness, something was there and crunched the snow beneath itself as it lumbered in her direction. The shape was impossible to pinpoint but she could tell that it was bipedal and tall. She charged her horn once again and stood firm while her pulse quickened. Whether it was a vagrant, an animal or who knows what else she would not be caught unawares.

“W-who goes there?!” She spouted.

Soon enough from the darkness, emerged not a foul beast, but the human Greg with a black metal cylinder tightly clasped in his hand. Adorned with a blue parka he certainly was dressed for the weather, but it was no wonder why she couldn’t make out his silhouette. His arms in the air he wandered closer to her and held them in front of himself in a placated manner.

“Woah, easy there. You’ll hurt someone with that thing you know. Primarily me,” Greg slowly said.

Moondancer let out a breath she didn’t even know that she was holding and released her magic. “I thought you were… well… You scared the hay out of me! What are you even doing out here?”

“I… work here? Someone’s has to take the trash out you know?”

“In pitch darkness?”

“I’ve got a flashlight right here,” Greg shook the metal tube in his hand. “Well… did have. The batteries died while I was taking care of the garbage.”

“Oh.”

Greg walked right on next to Moondancer and she found that her earlier assumption was correct. Her head barely reached his stomach as he towered over her. He slipped the flashlight into his back pocket and dug his hand into his front. He withdrew a slim, silver tin case and popped it open. Inside it was a few homemade wrapped cigarettes. Before he picked one out he glanced back to Moondancer.

“Sorry, I didn’t even offer. Want one?”

“Um, no I don’t smoke.”

“Yeah, it’s a terrible habit anyways. Do you mind if I…?” he trailed off.

“No… I don’t mind, I mean. Go ahead.”

“Thank you kindly.” Greg held one of the cigarettes between his lips and struck a match. Quickly, he held the flame clasped in his hand to the other paper end and sucked in air; cherry red, the cigarette lit up. After his lungs got their fill he slowly exhaled fluffy white smoke away from the two of them. The odor of the tobacco was pungent despite the care he took to shield it from Moondancer, but she held her tongue.

It seemed that he had a contemplative look etched onto his face but Moondancer waved it off as a trick of the light. “This is driving me crazy. I’m trying to recall your name. Wait a second, don’t tell me. Hmm,” he snapped his fingers. “Greg, right?”

Moondancer groaned. “Ugh, kill me now.”

He chuckled and took another drag of his cigarette. “Look, Moondancer was it? Come now, it wasn’t that bad.”

“Easy for you to say. I looked like a total sperg.”

“So? Take it from me, caring about what others think and say about you is overrated. I’m somewhat of an expert on the matter,” he said.

“Thanks, I guess? I can’t get the door open, can you help me?”

“Think nothing of it.” He moved to the door and nudged it with the tip of his shoe. “Yep, that’s closed alright. Shouldn’t be a problem for you though what with being a unicorn and all. Unless… you don’t know how to teleport?”

Moondancer scoffed. “I’ll have you know that I am quite familiar with self-spatial transport magic. I’m just not very coordinated at the moment. Chances are I’d end up teleporting into the door with my body stuck halfway between both sides.”

“Well that would certainly give anyone some pause,” Greg scratched his cheek before he continued. “Why not just use magic to push the door open from the inside then?”

Moondancer stared at him and blinked. They stood there in what was uncomfortable silence while internally she screamed her head off. He coughed into a balled fist and rubbed the back of his neck to help break the awkwardness but she held steady. Moondancer said not a word as she turned to the wall and thudded her head against it.

“You… didn’t think of that?” Greg asked.

Her only response was a groan as she continued to tap her head against the cool brick wall.

“One of Equestria’s leading scientists everyone.” He clapped his hands.

She couldn’t see him but she just knew he had a smug grin on his face. “You know it’s not very polite to laugh at a lady. A mare scorned and all that nonsense.”

“Maybe. They say that fresh air is supposed to clear one’s head but maybe it doesn’t work for everyone.”

“A tad late for that wouldn’t you say?” Without turning she waved at him.

He looked at the cigarette in his hand and shrugged. “Hey, I did ask after all. You said it was okay. No take backs!”

“Sorry, I didn’t realize that the alien was so keen on abiding by playground rules.” She looked over to him saw he stuck his tongue out.

“Them’s the brakes. I don’t make the rules I just follow them.”

Moondancer snorted.

“Okay miss grumpy, I apologize for my remark. Feel better?” Greg said sarcastically.

Moondancer shook her head. “Not really. I want to very much kick your shin.”

“And that would make you happy?”

“For that specific moment it would.”

“So vicious. I point out your mistake and suddenly I’m the bad guy?”

“You’re arguing with a mare so the answer is automatically yes. I don’t make the rules either, I just follow them.”

Greg chuckled, turned and rested his back against the wall next to Moondancer. “Truly a universal constant; can’t argue against that. So what is one of Equestria’s best and brightest doing mucking about in the cold like this?”

Despite his word choice Moondancer could feel that he hid no ill meaning behind them. In the initial reports she received it painted him as a more restrained individual. Yet, that politeness and modesty seemed to be extended only in public.

Moondancer turned towards him and rested her side against the wall. “I was trying to avoid some unsavory sorts-- minotaurs to be exact.”

“Oh, those guys. They’re a bunch of pricks but it’s in their culture to be obnoxious. Ignore them and they usually leave well enough alone. Test might and mettle against one another and all that junk for the respect of the clan.”

“Yes, that’s usually typical of warrior cultures and their like. From the way Lemon Hearts spun it I assumed you were downright in love with them.”

“Lemon Hearts doesn’t listen to even half the things I say since she’d rather molest me with her eyes.”

“You noticed that? Yeah she’s not very subtle about it is she?” Moondnancer giggled. “She thinks you’re just playing hard to get.”

“I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve already flat out told her no. Cute girl but man, even from how little I do interact with her, I can tell she would just be a pain in the ass after a while.”

“That’s not a very nice thing to say about one of my dearest, closest friends.” Moondancer tittered.

“Am I wrong?”

“Absolutely not. That mare is as high maintenance as they come.”

“Then I stand by what I said,” after another drag of his cigarette he continued. “But I think we got off topic there. Getting a good look at you, it doesn’t seem like you’re the sort to be looking for trouble with anyone really.”

Moondancer coughed into her hoof, “Well I may have instigated them just a teensy bit.”

“In what regard?”

“Um… in the sense that I called one of them a cow?”

“You fucking what?” he giggled.

“W-well she bumped into me and then had the nerve to call me names! I didn’t mean to walk into them but they should have watched where they were going.”

“Oh man, that was probably one of the worst things you could’ve said to her. I’m surprised they didn’t flatten you right then.”

“Psh, she wishes. The two of them mistook me for a friend of theirs though so they backed off. But if she even tried I would’ve turned her whole world upside down.”

“Truly ferocious.” Greg said.

“I-I could have! Besides she started it that, that…”

“Fucking bitch?”

“Yeah!” Moondancer’s head tilted. “I think? What’s that?”

“Words to describe someone who’s rude or downright insufferable.”

“That fuh-king bitch.”

“You’re getting there but you gotta say it with some oomph!”

Moondancer cleared her throat and tried again. “What a fucking bitch.”

“You’re almost there, but I didn’t know I was talking to a mouse here,” he pounded his chest. “You’ve got the words. Express it with some spirit!”

“Bitch. Fucking bitch,” Moondancer trotted in place and bucked her hind hooves. “That fucking bitch! Who does she think she is? I would’ve knocked you onto your plot you stupid meathead!”

“Yeah! That’s it.”

“Yeah!” Moondancer continued to prance until, in her uncoordinated state, she slipped on some ice that she swore wasn’t there before. Fast and hard she fell onto her belly into the wet snow. Moondancer didn’t mind as she could hardly feel the impact nor the cold at that point. Splayed out on the ground the urge to laugh overwhelmed her.

She should have felt embarrassed to have made such a spectacle of herself yet she didn’t care. The reunion with her friends, her encounter with the minotaurs and her talk with this strange being was too much for a single night. Moondancer’s everything just felt drained.

Greg cocked his eyebrow as he leaned over her. “Need a hand?”

“I do just fine with my hooves, but I could use some help getting up.”

“Yeah, yeah, your pony vernacular sure is a hoot.”

When she reached for his hand a squeak escaped her as he quite suddenly lifted her back upon her hooves. The sudden movement caused her head to spin and Moondancer sought purchase in his arm. Despite putting all her weight into him, his strength was unwavering as he stood firm.

“You okay? Nothing broken right?”

“Y-yeah, I’m fine,” Moondancer blushed. “Just got a little light headed there.”

“We’ve both dawdled enough. Think it’s time we headed on back in. Hold on, I’ve got the key.” He sifted through his pockets once more and produced a key ring.

“I think I needed that to be honest.”

Standing next to the door Greg sorted through the assortment of keys. “What, to be knocked onto your butt?”

“No. Maybe. I don’t know. I guess all of this. I… thank you.”

“For what?” Greg looked back to Moondancer.

“It’s nice to be able to just live in the moment from time to time.”

“Okay weirdo, let’s get you back inside where it’s warm.”

“Hey… about earlier.

“Hmm?”

“At the table what I was trying to ask was, why work here?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I figured you would have stayed with Twilight or Celestia and Luna after you couldn’t find what you were looking for out there. So why settle for this?” Moondancer waved her hoof around her.

“That’s tough to say, but if I had to pin it down, it would be because it was my choice. I will not be beholden or a burden to someone no matter how nicely it’s trussed up.”

“I guess if that makes you happy…” Moondancer said.

She looked over to him and saw that his grin was gone. His face was expressionless as he stared into the glass window. He inhaled the remainder of his cigarette and squashed the lit butt beneath his boot.

“We better get going, we’ll be closing soon.” Greg opened the door and held it open for her.

“Yeah,” Moondancer weakly replied. She walked inside and Greg followed suit.

“You should probably head back to your friends now. They’re got to be wondering what’s taking poor delicate Moondancer. I’ll escort you back to ward off any big bad minotaurs.”

Moondancer rolled her eyes, “Like I said before, I can handle myself.”

Greg began to make his way to her table and Moondancer followed closely behind him. “Yeah, exactly, I would ward them off from you. They have no idea the world of hurt they’d be in they crossed you. It’s a thankless job but I’ll make this sacrifice.”

Moondancer rolled her eyes. “What, a gentlecolt. Yeah, I’ll let them know that Greg refused to help a poor drunken pony in need as he left me out in the cold. Smoking his tobacco and berating a defenseless mare such as myself for his own sick amusement.”

That seemed to return a semblance of a smile on the man’s face.

“Alright I see your point but you could have left at any time with your magic. That other stuff was just an added bonus.”

“I’ll have to tell Lemon Hearts this. Just think, she’ll finally know what gets you your kicks.”

“Please, don’t give that girl any weird ideas.”

Moondancer giggled. “No promises.”

His larger build demanded that others moved out of his way as he passed them which made it easier on Moondancer. She could keep up well enough with Greg’s pace despite his size but noticed he took smaller steps with her in tow. She wasn’t joking about her drunken state and any faster than what they were going at and she’d more than likely have crashed into something already. Before they even arrived she could hear her friend’s conversation above the chatter around her.

“The- the best part about Abacus though. The best part,” Minuette slurred. “Is that he always knows when something’s bothering me. He just knows without me saying nothing and tries to cheer me up. He’ll make me breakfast for dinner and then he’ll give me all the cuddles I want.”

“Yeah, we know he’s wonderful!” Twinkleshine barked. “Abacus this, Abacus that. If he’s so great he should put a ring on it already! You are a catch and he needs to seal the deal!”

“Oooh, he’s just so dang shy. I’m sure he’s just looking for the perfect moment.”

“You two have been dating since high school and been living together for years. You’re already pretty much married! Might as well ask him yourself.”

“Twinkleshine, that’s not proper,” Lemon Hearts said disapprovingly. “A stallion must propose to the mare, silly. I agree with you Minuette, Abacus is just looking for the perfect moment that you two will remember for the rest of your lives! The shy types are always the most romantic.”

“No, you got that all wrong. They’re the most depraved. Prim and proper in the streets, freaks in the sheets!” Twinkleshine shouted.

“That’s not—Oh, Moondancer you’re back!” Lemon Hearts said, “And you brought Greg too. I was just thinking about you sweetie. You wouldn’t happen to be a mind reader would you?”

“Nope,” Greg said. “Just making sure your little friend Moondancer makes it back to her table safe and sound. We talked for a bit until she could clear her pretty little head up. Why, the poor girl can hardly walk straight. I just had to help this slovenly woman in need.”

Lemon Hearts cupped her cheeks. “Such a sweetheart!”

Moondancer glanced over to him and saw his smirk. She hated that cocky face he was making but the alternative was letting them know that she locked herself out like an idiot.

“You four okay to get back home, though? It’s already pretty late.”

“I wouldn’t mind an escort back home. You’d protect us from any dangers wouldn’t you? I’m sure I’d find some way to pay you back.” Lemon Hearts licked her lips.

“Hah, we’re fine. We can take care of ourselves I’ll have you know.” Twinkleshine slurred.

“You girls need anything else then?” Greg asked.

Minuette raised her cup in the air while she rested her cheek against the cool table surface. “Another round, please!”

“Yeah! Keep ‘em coming,” Twinkleshine said.

Moondancer could see the concern in his eyes and subtly shook her head when he looked her way. She could see that they had went overboard and were barely holding on as is. As much as she knew that the others would disagree it was time for them wrap up their evening and head on home. Greg nodded his head in what she had hoped was understanding.

“Uh… sure. Be back in a sec.” Greg said. He gave one last look to Moondancer and made his way back to the bar.

Moondancer plopped down on the cushioning and reclaimed her seat. Her drink had long since been forgotten about and had turned warm—not that she was in the mood to finish it anymore. Just as she was getting comfy again the sound of someone clearing their throat caught her attention.

Here we go, Moondancer thought.

“Well?” Lemon Hearts said.

“Well, what?” Moondancer said. She knew exactly what Lemon Hearts wanted to ask but would much rather try her best to avoid the discussion. Minuette was essentially asleep at the table while Twinkleshine seemed to be swaying in her seat as she stared off into the air, unawares to the world – Moondancer was trapped.

“So, how was your trip to the bathroom? You feeling any better?” Lemon Hearts sweetly asked.

“Yep. Much better now.”

“You were gone for quite some time…”

This doesn’t feel familiar. “Yep. I just can’t hold my alcohol as well as you it seems. Your years of experience has dwarfed my own.”

“Hilarious. But what do you think about Greg now that you’ve had a chance to ‘talk’?”

“He’s interesting I suppose. Not at all what I was expecting.”

“You can only learn so much from a book Moondancer. Sometimes the only way you can learn is with a more hooves on approach.”

“Yeah, I don’t think I’m really interested.”

“Oh, please. You didn’t sneak a peek at his frame and see just how toned he is?”

“Well…” Moondancer thought back to his display of strength and the memory made her face heat up. While that was well and good it was their banter that had her intrigued. There was not many that she found interesting enough to have an actual conversation with. He seemed to have a sense of humor that that she found refreshing, yet at the end there, it seemed that what she said greatly upset him. “I—uh.”

“Well what’s all this then?” Vintage Brew asked.

Thank Celestia, Moondancer thought. In the midst of her interrogation it seemedVintage Brew snuck up on them. There he looked on with a stern face with Greg standing beside him.

“Hey, Uncle Brew.” Lemon Hearts said.

“Lemon Hearts, we’re gonna be closing soon but it looks like your friends are in no condition to be walking anywhere. Especially this late at night!” Vintage Brew exclaimed. “Greg brought it to my attention that you and your friends were in a bad way over here and he was right from what I can see.”

“Greg… you tattled on me?” Lemon Hearts pouted while the man just shrugged.

“Don’t you go putting the blame on him, he’s a good lad. How are ya supposed to get home this late at night?”

“Well—I mean,” Lemon Hearts floundered under his gaze. “It’s not my fault they can’t hold their drink!”

“Don’t you take that tone with me young missy. You ought to take care when you know you’re drinking with light weights.”

“Bunch of horse apples,” Lemon Hearts muttered.

“What was that?” Vintage Brew cocked an eyebrow.

“N-nothing.”

Vinatge Brew sighed. “Whose home is the closest?”

“I believe mine is, Vintage Brew.” Moondancer said. She gave him directions on how to get there and he nodded his head.

“Definitely the closest then. Do you mind a little impromptu slumber party? I can escort you girls back but I’m still needed here to close up so I can only make the one trip.”

“I don’t mind but, uh, I think that might be a problem. Minuette might have fallen asleep already.”

On the table, Minuette splayed herself on as much surface as she could while she snoozed away. Moondancer tried shake her friend awake but to no avail.

“Aw ponyfeathers.” Vintage Brew looked back to Greg, “I know it would be asking a lot but, would you mind helping me take the girls home? I can carry the sleeping beauty but I’d be no good if some goons came up one us.”

Greg nodded, “Sure thing, Mr. Brew.”

“Thank you, lad. Sort the girls out while I get my coat, when I get back we’re leaving.”

Vintage Brew wasted no time as he retreated back into the pub, muttering under his breath the whole while. Moondancer looked over to Lemon Hearts who crossed her forelegs and continued to sulk. When their eyes met she could see the glint in her eye that told her that she was off the hook—for now at least. It was awkward to continue the conversation with Greg right next to them and not even Lemon hearts was that shameless.

“You’re such a meanie, Greg!” Lemon Hearts whined.

Greg rolled his eyes, “Hey, it may be Canterlot, but it’s late and your friends are in no shape to be walking home.”

“I agree with him,” Moondancer said. “It’s safer to just have you all spend the night at my home than wander about in the city with who knows prowling at this hour.”

“As much as I hate to admit it, I agree. We should have left a while ago honestly but we all got swept up with the mood,” Lemon Hearts moaned. “But regardless, I just wish my uncle didn’t have to get involved. I’m too old to be scolded like some filly.”

“So you’re not mad at me?” Greg asked.

Lemon Hearts crossed her hooves in front of her, “You’re not let off the hook that easy mister. I’m still mad even though you did do the right thing and will continue to be so for the remainder of this evening.”

“I think I can live with that. If you girls brought any bags with you best to pack them up now.”

Moondancer did as he advised and reached under the table for her saddle bags; a task made difficult with Minuette’s limp frame in the way. It also seemed that her hind hooves had somehow tangled with the straps, but with a little elbow grease, Moondancer pulled her pack free from the sleeping mare.

A quick once over the bag led her to discover that someone had spilled something on it. She pulled the pack close to her nose and could pick up the faintest odor of cheap beer. Great, she thought. Moondancer decided it was best to worry about it later instead and strapped the bags back on. She pulled her scarf straight and wrapped it around her neck all the while ignoring the smell of liquor. While she herself was ready it seemed that Lemon Hearts was having trouble coaxing Twinkleshine to get up.

“Twinkleshine, c’mon, it’s time to go. You’ve had enough already.” Lemon Hearts said as she strained to pull her friend out.

“Nu-hooo. Get your hooves off me. I’ll tell you when I’ve had enough!” Twinkleshine shouted.

Others in the pub were beginning to take note of the scene she was making. Some quietly laughed while others deemed it was a sign that it was time to wrap up their own outing. Whatever the case, it was embarrassing for Moondancer to have her friend throw a tantrum like a foal.

“A little help please?” Lemon Hearts pleaded.

“Twinkleshine, please stop being so difficult. You’re making a scene.” Moondancer asked.

Twinkleshine’s lip curled and her brow furrowed, “Up yours!”

“Should we pull her out still?” Greg asked.

Moondancer rubbed her head. “Not the best idea. When she gets like this it’s a huge pain in the flank to deal with her. Plus, she bites.”

Greg grimaced. “What do you want to do then?”

“Give me a moment to think.” Moondancer knew what she had to do but sorely wished that she didn’t have to do it. When Twinkleshine got like this however, there was no reasoning with her. “Can you carry her?”

“I’d rather not be bitten but I could haul her, yeah.”

Moondancer, one final time, focused her magic into her horn and took aim at Twinkleshine. Said mare ceased her flailing with Lemon Hearts when she noticed the pulsing lights and narrowed her eyes at its wielder.

“Oh you better not, Moondancer, or I’ll bop you so hard that—“

Moondancer shot her magic, directly impacting and dispersing into Twinkleshine’s face. The mare’s eyes slammed shut as her body went limp. Immediately Moondancer felt the fatigue from casting in her state. She planted a hoof firmly onto the table to steady herself before she fell. The room danced around her in blurry afterimages while her sense of balance just disappeared. Her stomach was doing somersaults and she gagged.

Greg hovered behind Moondancer and placed a hand upon her back. “You okay there?”

“Just… fine,” Moondancer mustered. “I need a moment to recover after that.”

“Sure, but what about her?” Greg pointed his thumb at Twinkleshine.

Moondancer refrained from losing her dinner and nodded. “Yeah, she’s fine too. I just put the stubborn mare to sleep.”

“It’s for the best.” Lemon Hearts said. “I’d rather not be here all night wrestling with her.”

“If you say so,” Greg said. He pulled the unconscious Twinkleshine out of the booth and in one quick motion hefted her atop his shoulder.

“She’s not too heavy right?” Moondancer asked.

Greg adjusted Twinkleshine’s frame, “Why, Moondancer, are you insinuating that one of your dearest and closest friends is fat?”

“Not at all. I only ask for the well-being of said friend.” Moondancer cocked an eyebrow. “Besides, I’m not one of those weirdo’s that gets off on verbal abuse like so many others.”

“Point taken.”

Lemon Hearts cleared her throat. “I don’t know. I for one think the mare could stand to lose a few pounds; not that I’d say it to her face.”

She didn’t get to continue her tirade as Vintage Brew returned. The stallion was adorned in a heavy green coat but what caught Moondancer’s eye was the wooden club that he carried on his side.

“W-what happened to the other one?!” he shouted. “I was gone for not even a minute.”

“It’ll be easier to deal with Twinkleshine this way, Uncle Brew. Besides, Greg can handle a silly few extra pounds.” Lemon Hearts sweetly said.

“Well, looks like you just volunteered to carry the other packs then since you’re so keen on making more work for the rest of us.”

“But it was--,”

“I don’t want to hear any bemoaning. C’mon, hop to it,” Vintage Brew stomped. He placed the club on the table and made to pull out Minuette. Lemon Hearts pouted but did as her uncle demanded, placing the bags upon her back.

“Ugh, Minuette spilled her stupid beer all over them! It’s gonna soak into my sweater.”

“Quit your bellyaching.” Vintage Brew said as he placed a slumbering Minuette over his own back. Satisfied that she was secure he levitated the wooden club over to Greg. “Alright lad, I’m not so young that I can swing this thing without making a fool of myself but I figure that you’re no stranger to one of these. Take it.”

Greg grasped the instrument with his free hand. The weapon was a little more than the half length of his arm but Moondancer had no doubt that it could cause serious damage if it came down to it. The man tested the balance of the club’s weight by waving it in the air a few times before strapping it to the waist of his pants.

“Everything settled then?” Vintage Brew asked.

They all voiced their affirmation.

“Good, then let’s head off.”

The stallion led the way out of the pub and the others followed suit. Once more Moondancer felt the lingering winter chills as the group left the front door. A look around showed that what was once a bustling business district mere hours ago was now all but deserted. City lamp posts offered what little light they could provide for its traveling denizens but the dark was ever present.

Occasionally they would pass by a small group here and there. Many of which seemed to have the same idea and were walking home themselves or were alternatively looking to keep the party going; traveling to the next bar or club at this hour.

It was odd to see Lemon Hearts so quiet but Moondancer surmised that she was probably afraid of upsetting her uncle anymore. Vintage Brew continued to lead the way with his niece glued next to him while Greg walked next to the straggling Moondancer.

“You okay there?” Greg asked.

“Hmm? Yeah, just fine,” Moondancer replied. “I guess I was more worn out than I initially thought.”

“Honestly, I thought you were about to succumb to a mana blackout.”

Moondancer nodded. “I almost did. I’m actually surprised you know the term.”

“I’ve seen it a few times before and it’s never pretty. Last guy I saw it happen to was trying to impress some ladies with his party trick; he was glued to the toilet all night after it went awry. Couldn’t cast magic for a day without whining about his head feeling like it was about to crack open.”

“That’s the typical reaction. Unicorns use their magic with their horn but if we don’t focus it correctly, there is the possibility that we can explode.”

“Wait, really?”

“No, not really,” Moondancer giggled. “Imagine pouring water into a funnel. It’ll go down properly if at the right pace, but if you just dump it in all at once you’ll cause a spill over. The problem is that the spill occurs within our bodies and it takes some time to absorb all that mana back properly. It’s an imbalance that throws us all out of whack causing nausea, headaches, vomiting, and so on.

“He didn’t put as fancy as that. He just said that it was like a magic hangover.”

“It pretty much is but you have no choice but to ride it out. No amount of liquid or food intake can help alleviate it.”

“You ever get one before?”

“Once… a long time ago.”

“It sounds like there’s a story there,” Greg nudged her side with his finger. “C’mon, share with the class. I even promise not to laugh—too much.”

Moondancer vividly remembered it: the birthday party, her humiliation, the night spent delving deeper into a spiraling drunken oblivion. Glass fragments littered the floor from broken picture frames. The pounding at her door as others attempted to help ease her pain. Wailing that continued well into the evening until finally the mana blackout occurred from a half-baked spell.

Greg cleared his throat, “Just got real quiet on me there.”

“Did I?” Moondancer looked away from him.

In front of her she could see Lemon Heart’s ears were perked up. The mare subtly peeked over her shoulder so as to not alert Greg, and looked into Moondancer’s eyes. It seemed that she had been eavesdropping on their conversation.

Moondancer shook her head, “Sorry…It’s just a touchy subject for me.”

“Hey, you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. Pretend I never even brought it up.”

“Sure.” Moondancer looked back to Lemon Hearts. The mare flashed Moondancer a reassuring smile and nodded before turning back her head in front of her.

Occasionally, Twinkleshine would murmur under her breath as she slept over Greg’s shoulder but the conversation came to a screeching halt. Moondancer was relieved that he had the tact to not press for further details about that night but she didn’t want to make him feel like he offended her. She pulled at her scarf in order to appear busy but Moondnacer could tell that she was only fooling herself.

“So…” Greg began.

“So… what?” Moondancer said.

“So what’s the deal with airline food?” he drawled.

“I don’t know. What’s airline food?”

“The beginning to a loaded question is what it is. It’s the start of a joke from my world. A very bad one at that but it’s not supposed to be funny. Its use is more of a way to… transition to another topic,” he sighed. “One of the things that I miss from my world is that everyone knows about these little jokes and references them in conversations all the time.”

“Oh, you mean memes?”

Greg gave her a skeptical look. “You know about memes? The internet isn’t even a thing here so how’s that possible?”

“I don’t know what the internet is but what you were describing was memes, otherwise known as a cultural identity. Similar to genes that make up your biology, memes mold an individual’s identity through a combination of one’s environment and the collection of ponies that inhabit that space.”

“Huh, never knew that,” Greg rubbed at his chin. “Well anyways, I was never really big on traveling before I got here. It was expensive and didn’t seem that interesting unless you were going to an ancient ruin or something. I figured most people did it as a status thing just to say that they had been there and to flaunt it at others.”

“Well, that’s still true of ponies here. Nobles and their like travel to parties that are hosted in other countries to rub it in their friend’s faces all the time. Travel though is made cheap, for the most part, because a good chunk of the population can already fly. Train and ship fare is then made cheaper to incentivize and entice travelers to use a service that would be otherwise slower than themselves. There’s a lot more to it than that but that’s the gist of it.”

“Should we expect this all to be on the mid-term, professor?”

Moondancer’s smile returned. “Sorry, sorry. Please continue.”

“Continuing from where I left off as I was so rudely interrupted,” Greg playfully said in mock anger. “When I first got here I kept making these little jokes and references, even if I knew that others would have no idea what I was talking about. It was a way to pretend that everything was still normal, ya know? I still do it every now and then but it’s mostly kept within the confines of my thoughts.”

“Why not share it anyways? Are you embarrassed by your own homeland’s culture?”

Greg waved his hand. “Nothing as silly as that. It’s just no fun to make a joke that the other person has no way of understanding; it makes me feel like an ass.”

“Implying that he already isn’t one,” Moondancer snickered.

“And just like that, the meme has performed its duty.”

Moondancer cocked her head. “What?”

“You were all down in the dumps just a moment ago, but it looks like all it took was a little meme magic to fix what ailed you.”

Now that he had mentioned it, Moondancer noticed that it was true. It seemed that somewhere in the midst of his small talk she lost that glum feeling that had briefly beset her.

“I –uh, thanks.”

He gave her a mock salute, “All in a day’s work, ma’am.”

“Alright, I think we’re here,” Vintage Brew interrupted. “I don’t have the foggiest which one it is though.”

“It’s that one right there, Uncle Brew.” Lemon Hearts pointed.

Moondancer trotted ahead of Greg to see a welcome sight indeed. Across the street, the house was clumped between two buildings and cast in perpetual shadows. The lawn was covered in snow but the occasional cluster of grass poked through. A dead, withered tree loomed on the right side of the home. Some sort of plant life had taken root on the roof where the tiles had gone missing. The chimney looked to be on the verge of collapsing yet somehow stood firm. It was good to be home.

Greg quickly caught to Moondancer’s side and surveyed the buildings. He let out a whistle and chuckled.

“Yikes, take a look at that one right there; what a dump. Now that’s the type of house you tell scary stories about to kids. I bet property values are probably taking a hit from that eyesore too.”

And just like that her admiration of the human took a nosedive. “That’s my home,” Moondancer grumbled.

Greg’s eyes widened as he sputtered out a response, “And what a lovely home it is I might add! Believe it or not, dump is actually a compliment where I come from. Some would say another word for it would be cozy even.”

Moondancer was astonished to see that he had a small blush on his face. It seemed that even the laid back human could feel embarrassment. “Uh huh.”

She foraged ahead of the group towards the dark front porch. Moondancer produced the key from her bags and opened the front door. It loudly creaked open in objection with a high pitched whine. Inside, it was pitch black, but she knew the interior like the back of her hoof. In a flash she got to the light switch and flicked them on, casting the dark out. When the others flocked inside, Moondancer was actually relieved that she had followed Minuette’s advice and tidied up.

As soon as she entered the doorway Lemon Hearts quickly made to dump all of their collected bags. “Finally! That junk was starting to get heavy.”

Greg and Vintage Brew looked around but withheld any comments about her décor. Greg, it seemed was taking extra care to not say anything at all. In a way, Moondancer found it endearing that he felt so torn up about he had said, but it was nothing she hadn’t heard already from so many of her neighbors.

“So where do ya want ‘em?” Vintage Brew asked.

Moondancer was too exhausted to care about etiquette and unfastened her bags, letting them fall wherever they may to the floor. “It’s big enough for both of them so just put those two on the couch. I’ll get them some blankets and have them sorted out.”

Vintage Brew and Greg went to unload their passengers onto the piece of furniture, one resting on each end. Moondancer wandered down to the hallway cabinet and pulled out a pair of thick winter quilts. When she was sure the others weren’t looking she smelled the fabric. Freshly washed that week but she was still anxious about any lingering odors.

Moondancer then went to rest one blanket over each of her sleeping friends. When they felt the quilts cover them, Minuette and Twinkleshine both nestled deeper into the cushions of the sofa.

“Alright then, it seems that’s a job well done.” Vintage Brew said.

“Thanks for the help, you two,” Moondancer lifted her glasses up and rubbed at her eyes. “Would you guys like some coffee or anything before you head out?”

“Thank you for the offer but its best we got out of your manes. Besides, we still gotta head back and finish closing up the pub before it gets too late.”

Greg scratched at his cheek unable to look her in the eye. “Yeah, what the boss said.”

Vintage Brew went over to Lemon Hearts and pulled her into a hug. “You take care now, little missy. And stay out of trouble.”

Lemon Hearts returned the hug. “I will; promise. I love you uncle Brew.”

“I love ya too Lemon Hearts.” he said. Slowly, he pulled away and turned towards Moondancer. “It was great to see you again, Moondancer. Come again to The Black Cauldron soon, ya hear?”

“I’ll be back, you can bet on it.” Moondancer said.

“Bye, Greg!” Lemon Hearts chirped.

“Yeah. Bye, Greg.” Moondancer droned.

“See you two later then.” Greg said.

Satisfied, Vintage Brew nodded and made to leave the house. Greg went to follow suit but lingered by the door frame.

“Hey, uh, Moondancer. Sorry about what I said. It’s actually a lovely home you got here.”

Moondancer sighed. “No harm done, apology accepted, yada yada.”

“Doesn’t really feel like I got let off the hook. Really instilling confidence here.”

“Greg, it’s late. I’m tired. I forgive you so please close the door so the cold will stop coming in.”

“C’mon, what’s the holdup lad?” Vintage Brew exclaimed. “I’m freezing my plot out here!”

“Gotta go. See you girls later.” He closed the door behind him leaving Moondancer and Lemon Hearts left to their own devices. Moondancer wouldn’t stand for any of that after her little interrogation at the pub.

“Well, good night,” Moondancer began. “The chair reclines back if you’d like to sleep more comfortably. If you need another quilt the cabinet is down the hall. You already know where the bathroom is.”

Moondancer began to walk to her bedroom before she was stopped by a hoof on her shoulder.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Lemon Hearts asked.

“To bed? It’s late and I feel a splitting headache coming on after what I did at the pub.” Moondancer explained.

“Come on, Moondancer, that chair is so uncomfortable,” she whined. “I had gotten all kinds of knots and cramps from the last time I slept on it. Honestly I thought you got rid of that horrid thing already.”

“Yeah, well, you’re not sharing my bed. You get all hoovesy in your sleep.”

“Pretty please,” Lemon Hearts begged. “I promise I’ll stay on my side this time. You won’t even know I’m there…”

It was late and Moondancer just didn’t have the energy to argue. “Fine. But I’m going straight to bed so I don’t want to hear a peep.”

Lemon Hearts jumped on Moondancer for a hug. “Thank you, Moonie.”

Moondancer grunted and already regretted her decision. She shrugged Lemon Hearts off and made one last checkup on the other two to see if they were okay. A cursory glance showed that they were peacefully slumbering away without a care in the world. With that out of the way Moondancer turned off the lights and led Lemon Hearts to the bedroom with her horn shining the way.

Moonlight poured through the window blinds and claimed what little domain it could. Furnishing in the room was sparse since she didn’t see a need to gussy it up. A single night stand with a lamp resting atop it was set next to the bedframe while a chest rested at the foot of the bed. In the corner of the room a tall wardrobe stood against the wall. The bed was messy and unmade but that was about the extent of the clutter in the room.

Moondancer flopped onto the bed without bothering to remove her sweater and rested on her back, relishing in the softness. Lemon Hearts seemed to have more tact as she pulled her sweater over her head and folded it neatly, placing it on the chest. She soon followed her friend’s example and took the other side of the mattress. With her magic, Moondancer pulled the blankets atop them both and placed her glasses atop the night stand; the light from her horn extinguishing.

“Good night, Lemon Hearts.”

Lemon Hearts yawned. “Night, Moonie.”

Moondancer closed her eyes and felt herself slowly drifting away. She awaited the moment when her friend would inevitably bug her for something or another, but she never did. Sleep had claimed them both.

Author's Note

Sorry for taking so long. This was honestly much longer than what I anticipated when I started this chapter. It got to a point where I was going to split this into separate chapters but it just didn't flow right even with the break in the middle there. Dialogue was especially difficult with juggling so many characters at once since I've never written for that many in a prolonged scene together.