So it was that Skyline directed Night and Arrow towards a home in Canterlot. They were outside the castle, in the city proper. "Now, be polite. I'm not a soldier out here, just another pony." He nuzzled either, rubbing cheek left and right on them. "Just like you. And we're visiting another pony. He isn't a soldier right now either. Not a guard, just a friend, inviting us to hang out."

"Got it." Night Wind held up a hoof. "No disturbing anyone, no crying, no bothering people."

Skyline squished his son with a wing. "Crying is okay. If you feel like you want to."

Night suddenly pounced Skyline, hugging him tight. "You are the best dad," he got out in a little whisper as he released Skyline.

Skyline laughed gently, petting over Night's head. "I love you too." He turned to lead them up to the door. "Alright, here we are." He knocked softly with a hoof.

Sure rolled her eyes. "Don't be such a pansy. Won't catch me crying." She walked forward and rang the doorbell firmly.

"Hey!" Skyline gave her a light shove. "I mean it. Behave yourself."

The door swung open, letting Pointed Thought out. He glanced over Skyline and his foals. "Hey, Sky." He reached over to nudge him. He waved inside with a welcoming smile. "Come on in! Everypony's eager to meet all of you."

Skyline swallowed thickly. "Thanks." He took a deep breath, stepping inside, then giving himself a moment to adjust his senses. It smelled of roast pork, and the crackle of the oven told him it was likely still cooking. "Smells delicious!"

Sure Arrow's nose twitched, catching that scent too. "What is it?"

Night tromped past them, suddenly the one with the least reservations. "Yummies." He paused on reaching the living room. Within, several ponies were peering at him. "Oh, um, hi?"

Pointed came up beside Night Wind, waving a hoof over the rest of his family. "Hey, everypony. I'd like you to meet Skyline, his kids, Night Wind and Sure Arrow." He pointed at each with their name to be clear who was who. "They're the ponies I said would be joining us for our cooking and fun."

Skyline gave the assembled ponies a polite bow. "Pleased to meet you all." He stepped to Pointed's side, eyes darting about. "What are we cooking today?"

"Bacon-wrapped potatoes." Pointed nodded with a soft rumble of future satisfaction. "A nice big side of greens, tossed with a variety of nuts and veggies."

Skyline twitched his ears. "You're cooking the bacon for us, aren't you?" He smiled at the thoughtfulness. "Smells great already."

Sure approached the two ponies that matched her and her brother about for age. "Hey." She sat down by them, carefully taking their measure. "So, we're going to cook today?"

One of the foals leaned in close. "Well, the grownups are." He pointed towards the larger ponies having their larger conversations. "We're just here to hang out and stuff." They sniffed at Sure lightly. "What's it like? Being a bat pony."

Sure laughed at the question. "What's it like being a unicorn?"

The child put a hoof to his cheek, giving that return question due thought. "Well, I can do this!" He grabbed a doll from across the room and floated it over to rest beside them. "Ta da!" His horn was clearly working properly. "But it's really only useful for toys and little things."

Night Wind crawled closer, but not into the center of their attention. "And teleporting. I heard you can teleport."

The youngster shuffled in place. "I don't know how to do that. That's really big magic, and I'm still learning how to do any."

The other huffed softly. "We're not wizards! So, what can bat ponies do?"

Sure Arrow spread her wings wide. "We can fly. We can see with our eyes closed." She gave out a little squeak, giving her a map of the room with its echo. "We can hear good, and we have sharp teef." She flashed those fangs of hers. "Good for fruit and meat, and we like both."

The first filly grimaced at that. "Gross. Meats are gross." She looked aside. "I'd rather have a pear."

Sure huffed gently. "Well, there's a difference there." She reached out to lightly poke the filly. "Pears are good too. I prefer softer fruits."

The second laughed softly. "All we've got is apples, pears, and carrots. And you have to peel them, but we have a few oranges."

Night Wind closed his eyes, moving his head back and forth to 'see' around the room with little clicks of his tongue against his teeth. "An orange sounds good."

The second hurried off and returned with several oranges floating beside them. "Here you go!" He put one in front of Sure and another by Night and one for himself. "Enjoy!"

Sure reached for the orange, tearing into it eagerly. "So good." She flicked her tongue out to grab the juicy bits, tongue stained orange by their flavor.

Night Wind was more reserved in his eating, though no less appreciative of the taste. He peeled it entirely first, then ate each slice on its own, not making much of a mess at all. "Oranges are neat. They cut themselves into slices just for us. Why do they do that? Very polite for a fruit."

The second foal laughed at that. "It does make them easy to eat. But, hey, you're right. They are pretty nice. I wouldn't want to spend my life as an orange, but, hey, if they can make me happy, that's great."

The first blew a raspberry. "You fed all the oranges we had left to other ponies." She crossed her arms with a huff. "They do seem to be liking them though." She spent a moment, watching the bat pony foals enjoy their oranges. "Guess it's okay."

Sure nudged the first. "Not my fault you didn't want any."

The second had been busy peeling his own orange. He then began popping slices into his mouth one at a time. He savored the flavor with a smile and closed eyes. "Watching you two enjoy them is making me like them more." He paused suddenly and broke off another slice to offer to the first. "Here."

She brightened, her magic grabbing the offered slice. "Thank you." She popped it into her mouth and chewed happily. "Okay, yeah, I like oranges." She smiled at the first foal. "You are a genius."

The second foal beamed at the praise. "Oh, you're just saying that."

Sure playfully flicked the tip of her ear. "It's nice to meet you two."

Skyline smiled from where the adults were, though his eyes were on his playing children. "They seem to be getting along."

Pointed threw an arm over Skyline trying to gently turn him towards the other adults. "I told you they would. But this is as much about you getting to meet new ponies too." He gestured with a wing at his family. "Everyone, this is Skyline."

The unicorn mother rose, giving him a bow of respect. "We're honored to have you in our home, Mr. Skyline."

Skyline dipped his head at the mare that looked like she was in her older middle ages. "Pleasure. You're Pointed's mother?"

"That I am." She sat up proudly at that. "And I hear he's been a very good little guard." She gave Pointed a proud smile. "His father would be so proud."

Skyline's own face spread in a wide smile. "I agree with you there. He's done very well. It is a pleasure to serve alongside him."

Pointed squeezed Skyline with that entrapping arm. "Aw. But yeah, we're in the same squad and he's a blast to work with." He glanced at the foals and back. "Um, and he's flexible. He's those kids' mom, if you can believe it."

The other mare in the room finally rose. "I wasn't sure I could. I'm still not." She stepped closer. "You obviously love them very deeply. I can see you keeping a caring eye on them, but that doesn't mean much." She put a hoof up, both of her ears high. "I am Pointed Thought's sister, and I would be happy to make your acquaintance."

Skyline did another polite bow. "Nice to meet you." With a rush of flames, Skyline became, well, still Skyline, but her female version. It was a subtle transformation, becoming a little smaller and rounder. "I am their mother." She motioned at Night Wind and Sure Arrow.

Pointed rubbed his chin with a hoof. "Still can't believe you do that." He gestured with a hoof. "Think she'd let me turn into a changeling?"

The unicorn mare looked over Skyline curiously. "You're a queen changeling? But, why are you here, doing all this?"

Skyline shied back half a step. "Queen? No. There's only one of those, I think? I'm not her. She's not, um, easy to get along with." She squirmed, thinking of Queen Chrysalis. "I'm just another changeling, an infiltrator, um, but I became a night guard." With a rush, she became a he, returning to his usual default bat pony form. "And a bat pony. I like it here, with ponies."

Pointed folded his forelegs across his chest. "Yeah, they don't seem too big on changing anything, other than a little tiny bit at a time."

Pointed's mom reached out to pat at Skyline's shoulder. "Well, wherever you're from, it's clear you're loved now. I'll say it again, welcome! I have no problems even with a changeling, if they're polite, which you and your family are. Now, let's check dinner." She trotted towards the stove with a hummed tune.

The unicorn sister finally tilted her head back and forth. "Well, as long as you aren't here to invade or something, I'm happy to have you. Invade elsewhere, if you must." She snickered at the idea. "Maybe our neighbor? They're practically begging for a good invasion."

Pointed laughed at the idea. "Skyline's not gonna invade anypony, unless Luna asks him to, which I doubt she would." He squeezed reassuringly at Skyline. "Hey, want a drink? We got some good stuff."

Skyline found himself leaning into Pointed. "That'd be nice." He sighed softly. "Things are good here. Not that they aren't back home, but..." He flicked his ears at the sound of his children playing. The foals were tussling and laughing, clearly having a good time in their wrestles. "Yeah, a drink would be good. Um, are these safe for foals?"

"Hay no." Pointed released Skyline, heading into the kitchen and returning with a few mugs filled with frothy stuff within. "These are for adults only." He passed one to his sister and one to Skyline. "Enjoy."

Skyline licked at the stuff with a little flick of his tongue. It was a rich flavor, one that flowed down his throat easily. "Hm, what is this?"

Pointed's mother came back with several heavy trays wobbling in her magic. "Food's about ready. I'll be setting the table."

Pointed nodded even as his sister went to help. "It's a mead. Honey beer, basically. It's good!" He tilted back his own mug, savoring the drink with a rumbling purr of satisfaction.

Skyline took a long sip of his own. "It is good. A bit sweet, but that's nice too." He stood beside Pointed, shoulder to shoulder, just enjoying being there with his friend and his family. "Thank you, for inviting me." He swatted Pointed's tail with his own. "This is nice."

"You're welcome." Pointed gazed into Skyline's eyes, smiling warmly. "I've wanted to invite you for a while, but I wasn't sure if you'd want to come."

"Hm? Why wouldn't I?" Skyline leaned in and touched noses with Pointed. "We are friends. It's nice, letting the foals play, and just hang out, with each other." He flicked an ear. "Um, if you don't mind too much that I will be called to be a ladybat again."

Pointed found himself gazing into those deep eyes of Skyline. "Of course I don't. It's what you do." He glanced down, then away. "Yeah, um, I guess we should join the others." He moved for the table, set up by his mother. "What a great spread, mom. You've outdone yourself."

His sister let out a long whistle. "This is incredible. Bacon-wrapped potatoes with bread and greens, along with roasted carrots. Mom, it looks delicious."

The unicorn mare settled down by her colt. "I knew you were bringing guests. We can't be poor hosts. Children!" She whistled for all the foals, and got all their attention quickly. "Food time!" She waved over the table, summoning them in a great rush of little hooves.

Author's Note

I think, at this point, Pointed is in love with Skyline, specifically, regardless of current gender.

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