**Dodger Docket, Points of Interest South and Southeast, Equestria**
**Before Sunrise, 003 Summer CC**
**Silly the Colt**

I thought waking while wrapped in warm and soft fillies was good. I think I found something better: waking between two parents to find I was sleep-nursing. You get all that fuzziness from the fur, warmth on the outside from the body hear, and that groggy bliss from the sleep; but you also get that happy feeling of fullness in your belly as well as a face full of that soft and squishy place that only comes from this.

"B-b-b-b-b-b!" Thank you, mom.

"Huh? Wha-?" She jerks a bit in languid stupor to look back at me for a second of unfocused unrecognition and then lays back down. ". Mac~"

Some voice I don't recognize mumbles something nearby, <<"-uckiest bucking mare on the bucking planet.">> And continues a little more before going back into her own sleep.

Where am I? Why are there other voices here?

Feels like we're moving, so I guess we're still on the train.

Looking around, it looks like we're on the lower part of a bunch bed in a little room. Both the upper and lower tiers of the bed wrap around the room somewhat in a C-shape and ponies are flopped out all around the place.

I don't know if it's normal for ponies to have an aversion to 'personal space' or if ponies get squeezed together because of the types of tickets we bought. I don't know how much money mom and dad spent on the trip or how the economy works at all.

Speaking of the trip. yeah, I think it's pretty obvious where the Pear Butter and Bright Macintosh would be going. I'm glad those fillies were so cooperative; I was able to run a bunch of tests on them. Now, I have an arsenal to use on that Grand Pear.

I only remember that he's their antagonist. I don't know remember what he does or even what he looks like. But he doesn't sound like some big magical threat, so I think some cute foalish shenanigans would be effective.

And before they got off the train, those fillies added a few ideas to my list of ideas -more tools for the ol' toolbox. I made sure to compensate them for their efforts: hugs, additional belly rubs, and they were super stoked to get feathers for their manes.

It is nice to know I have a renewable source of currency growing from my body, though. Don't they realize that stuff is like skin flakes or dander? Apparently not. When Stormy showed me about preening, she just put the leftovers in a rubbish bin. I didn't think -or have the ability- to ask, but maybe it would have been smart to keep those for pillows or writing utensils? I don't know. I'm pretty sure she collected some of mine and mom some of Spitfire's, though.

I didn't really think of it at the time, but I am gathering that there are a lot of rules to pony life; and I don't know any of it.

I should spend time in Kevin's books today. Actually, I should do that everyday until I learn the material. *yawn* Maybe when I'm not so comfy. Ah~ these pillows are the stuff of dreams. I wonder if I scratch a pony's ear, would the hind leg shake?

**Dodger Docket, Points of Interest South and Southeast, Equestria**
**Sunrise, 003 Summer CC**
**Lignite "Jet" Clover Pie**

The Dodger Docket is one of the trains that goes south from Canterlot. Some of the southern suburbs of Canterlot are the first stops. The train crosses three provincial borders. The first junction in St. Moois will go north into the Prairies towards Chicoltgo, Whinnyapolis, and Cloudsdale.

At the next, Dodge Junction, we could continue out West towards the coast or onward South to Appleloosa and Dodge City to the southwest. The rails don't continue on to New Horseleans over the Macintosh Hills yet.

There is another junction in Appleloosa that will go deep south beyond the mountains and points that Equestria only considers territories. I hear there are a lot of jungles and dangerous forests thataways.

If we were to go all the way from Canterlot to Dodge City, it could take several days. It's a little over half a day or a full night to the little town of Ponyville, and you can see that place from the Canterhorn.

There are a few little towns around the base of the Canterhorn and into the Prairies surrounding it. Most of those don't need an entire dedicated train into the city, because they are within walking distance. Although, I would not be enthusiastic about walking up and down that mountain on a daily basis. I think there are some small shuttles into the lowest shelf on the north side where the Canterhorn Transfer Station is located.

I think the northern shelf has a pretty good view from the Station. You can see Cloudsdale usually. That pegasus city is a strange one, because it is not stationary the way nature-pony or unicorn settlements tend to stay where you put them. There is also a chain of lakes going north and northeast. And on very clear days, you can see outlines of the highest peaks of the Crystal Mountains on the horizon.

Usually, trains do not do this to the less populated areas in the deserts near the Appaloosan Mountains. We'll go to a junction, a passenger will get off there while we return, then the passenger will catch the next train onwards.

The Mid-provincial Inter-Land-Ferry comes from the more populated east coast, so it was more continuous. The passengers get off just as often for different stops, but getting off is more of a want than a requirement. The Dodger Docket consists of more trains making smaller bumps with the passenger loads getting on and off more often to switch; getting off is a prerequisite in order to progress.

We only go as far as St. Moois before dropping our transferring passengers and returning back to Canterlot with a new group of ponies.

There is an adjacent rail line which the cargo and industrial trains use to ship items.

Ah~ it's a nice day for that nice smooth clickety-clack of the train. I am to help Pearl Box in the back today. The conductor on the train today, Smooth Coupling, asked me to help in the back. The reason is not quite the usual one.

As I enter the last passenger car, Pearl greets me with her uniquely nacreous lustre, "Morning, Jet." Her white coat with hints of blue in her undercoat and a gentle pink in her mane always seems to make my heart feel at peace. Compared to my darker palette.

"Good morning, Pearl," I say.

She nods towards some passengers reminding me to focus on the job. Does she know? Well, I suppose I'm not subtle as it takes considerable effort to tear my eyes off her towards my next job, but she doesn't exactly let me know that she knows. Or that she likes it. Or that she wants me to do something about it. Some mares.

Stallions and mare relations are easier. They all want a chase but just don't come out and say it, and mares will do what it takes to get one. Sure, there can be love and friendship, but sometimes it really is as simple as, 'Put foal in me? Check box: yes or no.'

But to get mares? They can be all over the place on what they want from another mare.

Oh! There they are. A little family looks like they're having a nice start to their morning. The stallion looks pretty tired but quite content with remnants of breakfast nearby.

They have a little one. A colt? Wow. They look rather young. To have a colt right away is quite the blessing. He seems to be. dancing on the stallion's back -a massage?- while she giggles at the colt and brushes her stallion.

I'm glad for them; that's everymare's dream start her herd right there. I really wish I had something like that.

Maybe I should ask my sister-in-law, Cloudy, for some advice? It has been a little bit since I last visited.

The mare and stallion are in the middle of a hushed conversation, "-of it came back out during this train trip, but the stuff you gave me back in Baltimare stayed. I can still feel it sloshing when I shake real good."

He replies to her, "Ah. don't really know what that means, Buttercup."

She smirks, "It means Ah should stop by Ponyville General before Ah go see daddy. He'll want me to start workin' right away, and Ah'd rather confirm early."

Confused, he says, "Ah still don't really know what yer sayin'. Y'u seem healthier'n Ah've ever seen, but Ah trust y'u."

She nuzzles just behind his jaw, "Good." Geeze, mare, you are technically in public right now. You know?

"H- hello," I greet and interrupt the couple. "My name is Lignite Pie, but my friends call me Jet. I'm told you might need some extra help with your foal this morning?"

"Good mornin', Jet," she says and gives him a nuzzle-nudge.

"Mornin', Ma'am," he says seemingly a little embarrassed.

"Mah name's Pear Butter," she adds, "and, yes, we could use yer services if y'u don't mind. We were hopin' to get some time in the Hot Car this mornin'."

Ah. That makes some more sense. She might have an out-of-season situation going on.

"Sure," I start, "But," and I lower my voice just for the two of them, "The conductor asked me to pass along a message, 'Can you please reduce the intensity while on the train?' She said the rocking could be bad. No pony wants to derail, after all."

I don't think I should need to mention the report from the Mid-provincial Inter-Land-Ferry. They intended to mention something to the couple, but the crew was more busy sanitizing the Hot Car than usual; and these two were either using the facilities or sleeping. It would have been rude to interrupt them at either point; but if things really were becoming dangerous, somepony would have done so. I think the crew was more likely surprised at anypony using the Hot Car like a honeymoon than anything.

I'm not even sure I believe the reports, anyway. A stallion might be able to spend half a day sleeping, but there is no way he could spend the whole other half bucking. That's just not a thing they can do... unfortunately.

She looks disappointed, and he notices. After thinking for a moment, he says to his mare, "If we aimed towards the front and back of the train instead of the sides, it should be fine," and looks to me, "Right?"

She perks up, "Oh! Parallel instead of perpen- perpun- perp. right angle off the direction the train tracks?" He nods, and they both look to me.

"Uh~" What kind of a question is that? I mean, I know us nature-ponies are strong, but, "Well, I suppose that would be better, but that's-"

She takes her colt off her stallion's back who says, "Thank you," as he's lifted. "Thank y'u kindly, Jet. This here is Silly."

I start, "Thank you for your consider- wait. What?" She must have it really bad. Luckily, they won't be gone too long.

As the couple get up and start to head back, the colt says, "Mom."

She turns back and nuzzles him reassuringly, "We'll be back soon, Silly."

He returns it and asks, "Book?"

"Oh! Sure," she says and fetches it from her saddlebags. After placing it next to him, she gives him a kiss saying, "Be good. Okay?"

He replies, "Thank you," and the couple darn near run to the Hot Car giggling the whole way heedless of the rest of the mares in the passenger car staring with various expressions of curiosity and no shortages of pining.

I'm not sure how long I was staring at the rear door before I come back to my senses. Those two are nothing like what my dam raised me and my sisters like. Cloudy and the rest of the in-laws really took to that way of life. I'm not quite that level of reserved, but I'm also nowhere near the other extreme like one of our aunts.

The colt is sitting upright on the bench looking at me with his forehooves out.

I gasp for him and coo, "Aw, look at you~" I get close to take a few introductory sniffs and let him get comfortable with a new pony. He wraps my muzzle in a hug, and I get a face of foal barrel and belly.

Mm~ I can smell that strong sire of his and that knock-out dam. I wonder where they're go- no! Get ahold of yourself, Jet. You're a Pie. Not some mare-of-the-night.

My breath must tickle, because his giggles trill as he nuzzles me back.

I say, "I'm Jet." I wait a moment and repeat, "Jet." He looks into my eyes and blinks. "Can you say, 'Jet?'"
<<"Dyur-i.">>

"Jit," he says.
<<"Dury.">>

Almost I correct him, "Jet."
<<"Dyur-i.">>

"Jet."

"Very good, Silly!" I praise him, "Jet."

He repeats, "Jet," and stops the hug, he says, "Thank you," and goes back to his book. "Book."

I come up onto the seat with him and lay down, "Do you want me to read to you?" I reach over for it, and he watches me quite intently. "What do we have here?"

I was not expecting this. "Biology? History? Magic?" I look up from the text at him and ask, "Do you even know what you're reading?" He just looks at me. Right. Why am I even asking him? I look around for Pearl Box. She's bringing a snack to a small group of young mares.

After getting her attention, she comes over, "Hey, Jet. Oh~ and who is this little guy?"

I say, "This is Silly-"

"-Silly," he says. "Book."

I continue with Pearl, "Do we have any foal books around?"

As she thinks, a filly already came over with a book in tow, "I have one." She must have heard me.

I look over to her dam who gives me a wink, 'It's okay with me.' Pearl gives me a nod as well and returns to her duties.

"Alright, little lady. Come on up," I say, and she places the book in my hooves. Now I have a filly and a colt snuggled all over my forelegs. "This here is Silly, and my name is Jet." She looks only a little older than Silly.

"I'm Amethyst Star," she says. To him, she gives a shy, "Hello, Silly."

He looks from her eyes up to her horn several times before saying, "Silly. Thank you." I don't know how many unicorns he's seen, but I don't think it's many.

"Silly?" I ask, "Can you say, 'Amethyst Star?' Amethyst Star."
<<"'Jzueh-li Jzusol-li.'">>

She asks, "Is he learning?"

I nod, "Yup."

"Are you his dam?" She wonders.

I shake my head, "No. His parents are in the Hot Car right now. I'm helping, because I'm a train pony."

"Dam likes going there," she says, "but I can't."

I admit, "I think everypony likes going there, but you need to be older." I look at Silly. He looks like he's thinking about her name, but I don't know if he's getting it. So, I try again, "Silly, can you say, 'Amethyst Star?'"
<<"'Jzueh-li Jzusol-li.'">>

He concentrates and says, "Sparkler."
<<"Sulhi.">>

She giggles, "'Sparkler'?"

"That's~ kinda close. He'll get it eventually." I ask, "How about we try this book?" I open it up to the title page. "The Filly Who Forgot to Take a Bath."

Amethyst says, "I read this one with my dam. It's good." To Silly she says, "There's pictures."

He doesn't really seem to know what she's saying; but he still smiles, and I clear my throat.

***The Filly Who Forgot to Take a Bath***

Once there was a little pony filly
Who forgot to take a bath before bed
The reason for this was really silly
For she danced all day with fun in her head

She played outside with all her filly friends
Running around made them hot and thirsty
Her sire said come in for food at day's end
'Wipe your hooves and why is your coat sweaty?'

'We flew and jumped and ran and rolled around,'
She said and ate because she was hungry
When everyfilly finished they made no sound
Sleepily they did groggily agree

In the morning, dam made the filly a path
Where she played as she washed in the watery bath

**Silly the Colt**

Neither of them finished the book. I don't really know who this mare and filly are, but they fell asleep. It's a deep one, too. I've tried wiggling out a few times, and they didn't react at all. I might have nodded off, too. It's hard being a foal, sometimes.

No pony seems too worried, though. Oddly enough, everypony has at least one ear aimed towards the train's caboose. There's no mistaking the sounds; Mom's really giving it to him. He's singing praises about it from what I can deduce. Probably for the best I don't know what words are being used.

I don't know if they made Big Mac or if they have to wait until a certain time of the year and have just been practicing. If they've just been practicing, then -hoh boy!- I don't want to be anywhere near when it really happens. Who knows? Maybe those two could get a tectonic plate to shift if they really put their backs into it!

Even I can tell mom and dad have been tired and sore but neither have any remorse about it, and they keep smiling and nuzzling with no signs of wanting to slow down. Also, she keeps leading him to that different train car somewhere in the back.

I gave dad a massage earlier. Maybe I should give him another? I tried scratching his ear. That was funny. Ponies' hind leg will shake if you find the right spot to scratch! That's almost as useful as rubbing bellies.

Now, let's see what I can learn... I looked at most of that part on general magicks. There was that part about mares.

Mares are dominant. Deal with it.

Okay, I read that part the subject headings the other day. Sounds good.

Mares are generally smaller but are stronger, faster, can be more aggressive and libidinous; ovulate about every 3-6 weeks but estrus is usually once a year, twice maximum. Conception most likely during spring estrus but not guaranteed.

I suppose that means a birthday can be any time of the year. If they only occurred as a result of specific breeding season, then there would also be a 'birthday season.' There might still be one with a greater quantity of conceptions and births concentrated around a specific timeframe. This would make it a lot easier to memorize somepony's birthday: it's either during the larger birthday cluster or it's not.

I wonder how they are both smaller and stronger. Do their muscles, sinews, and bones form tighter? I should look into a medical book when I learn more words. It would be interesting to see what kind of knowledge ponies have of their endocrine systems. Perhaps the female hormones act in ways I would have considered masculine from Before. That would seem to jive with Kevin's observation of concupiscence and territorial behaviours.

Outside of what I've heard from mom and dad in the bedroom, I haven't really seen any of that. Maybe the adults have a culture of being more straight-laced in public? Back in Baltimare, those ponies in the apartment next door didn't seem offended by mom and dad's love-chorus. Then again, I never saw ponies giving in to carnal urges out in public anywhere either.

It's also quite possible those two are just young and full of energy.

Population dynamics are a major reason for the mare-stallion dynamic; perpetuating the species is a driving force in culture and societal dynamics. I am not sure why there is such a chromosomal disparity. From all records I have found, the issue goes back to the earliest days of pony iniquity. This has generally resulted in a species-wide acceptance in mating choices.

In the herd, mares provide, protect, birth, lead, and initiate. They are not allowed to force stallions anymore, if you want access to a mare's stallion or any in her herd you need to ask her and her herdsmares first. Harmony, love, and friendship are all requirements of a successful herd which requires communication.

Access? What? Kevin! Come on. Explain yourself. I'm going to have to write that guy when I figure out how to do that. You're supposed to be one of the smart ones. Why would anypony want access to somepony else's herdmates? What, do they just pass each other around town like a hot potato?

I am pretty sure marriage exists, if the Show was accurate about that one princess... What'e-her-name... Christmas? Cantankerous? Calamari? No~ but I think I'm getting closer... Pink? Princess Pink.

What's the difference between marriage and a herd? If this mare-stallion ratio thing has been going on for a long time, then there must be a fair amount of legislation on the matter.

Stallions are expected to be the nurturer of the family. Cooperativeness and willingness to support the herd are more attractive traits in the male. Stallion has the last word on whether to accept anypony into the herd, but don't reject mares without a good reason. It communicates, 'I don't think you're worthy of reproduction.' Stallions don't usually remain unherded too long after 'come of age.'

Wait. 'Coming of age?' When is that? What is the age? Kevin, you dirty jerk. Leaving that out. That's important information right there!

Nuts.

*bing, bong* Some pony gets on the speaker, <<"We'll be coming in to Ponyville Station in about ten minutes. Please be ready if you need to disembark.">>

There are societal and litigated rules against reducing male fertility; stalliongasm is well known, but sharing any knowledge about maregasm with stallions is strictly restricted with the only exception being 'stallions who are actually able to induce one.' Communicating this knowledge about it and them being generally unable to make it happen would cause stallions to feel inadequate or underperform. This is a punishable offense -usually a fine at the least but punitive measures for repeat offenses can get intense; rare cases of gelding are only allowed for health reasons and
absolutely require crown approval. Do not ever strike a stallion in the dangly bits. Gelding, for example, requires a genuine medical purpose and approval from the crown.

That's... well, he doesn't include that word in his Vocabulary section. So, I guess I won't accidentally let that slip. They really take their reproduction seriously. Don't they?

When I hit puberty, I'm going to have to ask dad lots of questions, because he seems to be 'in the know.' Seems that everymare is brought up to be happy just to have a stallion. But what bloke wants to be caught not going above and beyond? What guy wants to be accused of never getting his mare to sing like dad's doing to mom right now...

Okay, I'll be honest. I'm pretty sure mom's the one making all that happen. Dad's just doing his best to keep up. But a 'W' is a 'W.' No pony can take that away from you, dad.

I think I've had my fill of that subject for a little while. What else did Kevin write about pony society?

Regarding Education, Apprenticeships, and Careers.

That sounds useful!

The door opens in the back. Mom and dad come right over to me. Huh, so ponies walk like that afterwards, too.

"Silly," mom says as she notices the mare and filly with me. They're still sleeping, but I think the filly's mother is coming over, too.

**Mid-morning 003 Summer CC**
**Pear Butter**

I was not expecting us to get to Ponyville so fast. We couldn't have been in there very long. Twenty minutes, maybe. I know it's not quite preferred, but Mac and I are going to have to go back to our more covert meetings once we get back to our farms. So, I had to make sure my stallion had all his needs met. Not sure when I'll be able to satisfy him before our next date -the date I plan to propose.

And he's all on board, too!

"Silly," I say as I approach him in the passenger car. Seems he made a friend of the mare, Jet, and found another one closer to his age. They're both napping, though, while he's got his book open with a wing over the filly. I heard stories that colts can be easier than fillies. I am still not convinced; I've seen some of his antics.

A mare comes over as I start taking in the scene, "Hello, I'm Charoite Star. My filly, Amethyst, heard your colt mention 'books,' so she brought one over. Ms. Jet read to them, and then they napped the rest of the morning away." Morning? What time is it? Mac and I weren't wrapped up that long. Were we? "Anyway, we're visiting some family in Ponyville. Are you getting off here, too?"

"We sure are," I answer, and her filly yawns in the beginning stages of waking up.

"Hi, dam," she says groggily. "Hi, Silly."

He looks up from his book, "Sparky. Mom."
<<"Jsurl-li. Mem.>>

Charoite asks, "'Sparky'?"

The filly says, "He's still learning, dam." She whispers to him, "But you can call me, 'Sparky.'"

Her dam chuckles to herself but lets her girl know, "Silly lives in Ponyville, Amethyst, so maybe you'll get to play again later. But it's time to get ready to get off the train now. Come on." To me she says, "Thank you, for letting her spend time with him. We're related to the Strawberries if you would like us to watch him at some point."

"Ah'm~ Pear Butter. We're over on A Perfect Pear Orchard next to Sweet Apple Acres." She smiles her thanks and brings her filly back over to get her ready. Oh, boy. When the Strawberries hear that I have a colt... and that I was returning with Bright Mac... this is getting pretty real.

Author's Note

Long notes have been moved over to a blog post.

They're in Ponyville now! What will that mean for our hero?

*edited, 2025-01-10, Cloudy Quarts to be Lignite "Jet" Clover Pie's sister-in-law instead of sister, because Ignatious is a Pie by birth. Cloudy isn't. Thank you, Cold Philosophy for pointing out that continuity error.