Midnight

While Midnight and I walk at a casual pace, Starla bolts for the garage door at full gallop. Her mane and tail lash wildly behind her, looking like flames licking at her form. Her target is an old Chevy pickup that's pulled up to the open bay in the darkness, the metallic sea green paint only visible thanks to the shop lights that extend their reach outside.

"I guess it's a good thing she didn't go hog wild on the lasagna we made. Sure hope she stretched before this run, though," Midnight jokes in a hushed voice.

"At least you only ruined this touching moment for me and not Starla," I say, flicking her ear.

Teddy is hardly able to get out of the driver's seat of his truck before he's mobbed by Starla. She rears up and leaps into his open arms, her forelegs placed on either shoulder before they tightly embrace.

All good things must come to an end at some point, but Starla's stay feels very short in retrospect – the last three days seem like a blur, with today being a complete whirlwind trying to fit every little bit into each available minute. Dinner came early with the knowledge of Teddy's arrival sometime tonight, ensuring Starla and Midnight could tag team the aforementioned lasagna before she had to leave.

They hit a grand slam once again – and I ate too much again. Even though there were bound to be leftovers, I couldn't help myself. I made sure to jot down her recipe because if Midnight doesn't make it again, I will.

But with the nerves of trying to impress Starla the first night eased away, Midnight had more fun with tonight's cooking exercise. While I don't expect to see her follow in Starla's footsteps, I won't be shocked to find her helping out in the kitchen – or even single-handedly tackling a meal once in a while.

Teddy's laughter brings me back to the present as Starla peppers his face with fleeting kisses. Figuring it best to give them as much privacy in this cute moment as we can, I halt in my tracks, placing an arm in front of Midnight in order for her to do the same.

"Alright, if they start undressing, I'm getting the fuck out of here," Midnight murmurs to me.

"Starla isn't wearing any clothes, dumbass."

"You know what I mean. Shut up."

"If I was gone for three days, you'd be just like Starla over there greeting Teddy. Maybe even mushier," I tease.

"Nah – you'd be bawling your eyes out like a little bitch after the first day, though," Midnight shoots back.

"Aw, that sounds like some juicy deflection there. Choosing to avoid what I said by insulting me," I prod at her.

Midnight wastes no time in bringing one of her hooves into direct contact with my shin. I clench my jaw and wince at the sharp jolt of pain, while Midnight does her best to muffle a sadistic cackle. "Play stupid games, win stupid prizes," she antagonizes me.

"You're a fucking sadist, Mid."

"You knew this already – and yet you still push buttons. Must I repeat the line again?"

Looking back toward our reunited friends, Teddy and Starla have separated now – and judging by their amusement, have seen at least the tail end of the antics between me and Midnight. "I see not much has changed since I left, eh?" Teddy quips.

Midnight struck me hard enough to require bending over and rubbing my shin as it continues to smart. "Of course not," I scoff in defiance. "Welcome back to the middle of nowhere."

"Thanks – and it is good to be back. Long trip to only stay a couple of days, but that still felt like too long away from home." Even as he speaks, Teddy absentmindedly pets Starla's mane, much to her delight.

"I think in our corner, it was the perfect amount of time for a good sleepover. And I have to say, you've got one hell of a chef standing beside you," I remark, my eyes falling back to Starla.

Teddy laughs at the compliment, hugging Starla close to his side. "That she is – got to sample some of her finest work, huh?"

"Yeah, I packed away too much lasagna tonight," I admit, patting my stomach with a hand. "Starla tag-teamed with Midnight two out of the three nights to put food on the table for us all."

"And with any luck, some of my knowledge has rubbed off on Midnight, and she can hone her own skills in cooking," Starla chimes in.

"I'm certainly not opposed to the idea. I didn't expect it to be near as enjoyable as I found it," Midnight replies. "Luckily I have someone I can ask questions if I feel a little lost in the future."

"Speaking of learning something new – I hate to badger you with questions since this was sorta a personal trip for you—"

"Oh hell, John," Teddy interrupts, waving off the rest of what I had to say. "I was searching for the latest behind-the-scenes news and info on bio-ponies for the both of us – and I did find out a few interesting tidbits."

However, before he can continue the thought, Teddy has to pause for a large yawn. "I'll continue to talk while we gather up Starla's things. That last leg of driving really kicked my ass."

"Hey, can't fault you for that. You covered a lot of miles in only a few days."

"I got all my stuff packed up early today – it's just a matter of carrying the bags out to the truck," Starla says. "I figured you were gonna be tired tonight."

"I should have expected that – but nonetheless, thanks, Star," Teddy says, clearing his throat as his eyes hone in on me again. "Well then, let me start off by saying I didn't bring Midnight up at all, nor any mention of bio-ponies that I know to exist. So you can have that peace of mind that she's still a secret to the world as a whole. Hell, on my end, only one of those guys knows I have Starla – and that's because he helped me get her out."

"I... guess I hadn't thought about you possibly bringing up Midnight in your meetings, Teddy," I admit. "Regardless, I appreciate the continued secrecy – but you still found something out about her?"

"It's not definitive – more of a read-between–the-lines sort of thing – but Starla and Midnight may have more in common than just being bio-ponies." While it comes out as a rather passive, innocuous comment, the cryptic nature and possible significance bring a hushed, tense silence over the garage as everyone's attention is fixated upon him.

"Do you mean... is there actual relation between them? What do you mean by 'they may have more in common'?" While I'm the one asking the question, both Starla and Midnight exchange glances of uncertainty before focusing on Teddy for a response once again.

"I'll boil it down to what I know, and let you draw your own conclusions" Teddy starts, crossing his arms over his chest. "The work, time, and funds companies like mine have to put into making these bio-ponies a reality is staggering. It's all based on the hope of being able to sell them down the roads and the fleeting promise of a windfall when or if that happens. But until that time comes, when funds start drying up – well, other companies have interest in what's been developed thus far, and what they can do to further the development based on their own ideas."

"Your company has been selling off how-tos in genetically engineering more of us," Midnight laments in a low, unhappy voice.

"Former company – and believe me, it doesn't make me feel good to know this is getting spread like a plague," Teddy answers her with a deep frown on his face. "It's all sort of trickled down from the bigwigs who made these deals – all that money with no return, I guess they were feeling the squeeze. In the last two years since I met up with my friends, there have supposedly been two hush-hush deals – one with a company across the pond in Europe, and one here – somewhere in the Southwest. Our neck of the woods."

"You think the place that Midnight is from – they might have bought... er, what would they buy?" Starla asks, cocking her head as confusion sets in.

"Hard to say for sure. Could be as simple as the processes used to make ponies, or genetic material – maybe even a whole living specimen," Teddy says, throwing up his hands. "And there's no way to be certain the deal is tied to where Midnight came from – after all, I didn't get a name with the rumor, and Midnight, you aren't even sure where you came from, are you?"

Midnight shakes her head. "My best guess would be EquisCo which is fairly close, but I never saw or heard a name while I was in there – it's just a guess."

"Right. So what I'm left with is two mares in front of me here with remarkably similar build, bone structure, and facial features – and the fact that the company I worked with where Starla originated sold at least some of their research to a place here in the Southwest – where Midnight was found. From there, it depends on how much or how little you want to lean into coincidence."

"So we actually are kinda sisters!" Starla exclaims, trotting in place with a beaming smile.

Midnight flashes back her own grin, but it appears half-hearted. She's not feeling the same amount of enthusiasm with this information, and while I'd like to know what's on her mind, I hold my tongue.

Teddy doesn't appear to notice Midnight's lukewarm reception, as his eyes are on Starla as he chuckles. "Yeah, I guess you could look at it that way. And it makes a bit more sense to me now how what seems like a late startup company could be coming up with advanced specimens all the way out here in the middle of nowhere."

With that out of the way, Teddy motions to Starla to head up the stairs for her bags. I scoot ahead of the line that forms, reaching the top of the stairs to hold the door open for Star and Teddy. As Midnight reaches the landing, I block her path forward with my leg, startling her.

"What?"

"Are you okay?" I mumble in a hushed voice.

"I'm fine. What's the problem here?" she asks, genuinely confused by my actions.

"I dunno, just compared to Starla with the news, you—"

"John, I'm fine," she reaffirms her stance. "I'll discuss it with you later, okay?"

It's not a real answer, but I trust her enough to be satisfied. Good timing to drop the short interaction anyway, for Teddy and Starla are already walking back toward the door.

Suddenly in the way of their egress, Midnight turns and leaps from the landing, flaring out her wings to glide. Teddy stops in his tracks forcing Starla to poke her head out from between him and the doorframe for the holdup. It's perfect timing as Midnight touches down on solid concrete with hardly a sound.

"Wow, I think that's the first time I've gotten to see Midnight use her wings," Teddy comments.

Starla just giggles in response as she starts to make her way down the steps. "That's nothing – I got to see her use them to legitimately fly two days ago," she brags.

"Yeah well... I got em, may as well use em, right?" Midnight tries her best to breathe an air of confidence, though it's clear she's taken aback by the sudden spotlight.

There isn't a whole lot of chitchat as everyone ambles back to the garage door. In a way, it's bittersweet – one more day would have been nice, and yet that probably wouldn't have felt like enough. In opposition of that, I'll be kinda glad to be back to a party of two in the household. It was never particularly rowdy, but it will certainly be more peaceful with one less with us.

Reaching his truck, Teddy heaves the first bag he is carrying into the back, shortly followed by the second back as Starla hands it off to him, releasing the handle from between her teeth.

Starla takes the free moment to step toward Midnight and hook a foreleg around her neck. "I really enjoyed staying with you – both of you," she cheers, particularly as Midnight returns the hug. "We should really do this again sometime."

"Heck, maybe we could have Midnight over some time," Teddy suggests.

"I would like to do it again too – and I'm not opposed to the idea, Teddy," Middie answers, smiling as she speaks up.

Meanwhile, I take a moment to hunker down a bit in order to give Starla a proper hug. "It was great having you – glad we all got to have fun."

The creak of worn hinges announces that the passenger door is open, and Starla pulls away with a final bright smile before hopping into the truck. Once she's situated, Teddy closes the door and then steps over to me. "Let me know if you ever need anything – I can't tell you how much I appreciate you hosting Starla while I was away," he gushes.

"Ah, it was a pleasure having her with us," I reply bashfully, putting my hand out in the assumption of a handshake.

But Teddy takes one look at my hand and shakes his head. "Nah, that ain't gonna do, friend," he says before wrapping his arms around me in a bear hug. Surprised at first, I nonetheless return the gesture with a pat on the back for good measure.

When he releases me, Teddy turns toward Midnight with a smirk on his face. "I won't hug you unless you want me to."

"I'll pass, but thanks for the offer," Midnight says, finishing off with a surprisingly warm chuckle.

Teddy nods and salutes her before making his way around to the driver's side of his pickup. He emits another loud yawn just as he pries open his door.

"Make sure you get some sleep – sounds like you need it."

"I'll wait till I get home," he shoots back with a laugh, then drops from sight as he gets in his truck. Through the tinted windows, I can make out his silhouette in the dim light – but Starla's creamy white coat makes her easy to spot as she waves goodbye. Once the truck starts up, I can make out Teddy waving – but Starla suddenly turns and motions to him...

The passenger window rolls down enough for Starla to pop her head out. "I haven't forgotten about our discussion, Midnight – once I get home and situated I'll see what I have. One way or another, I'll get you set up!"

"I— sure, thanks," Midnight sputters back as her eyes widen. "Take care, we'll talk later!"

I'm sure it's by design, but I have no idea what that cryptic exchange was all about. The window rolls up once again before I can try asking Star, and Teddy's truck hangs a 180, rumbling out of sight.

Just like that, it's Midnight and me again. Which reminds me...

"Hey, you said you were gonna talk earlier, and now that those two are off – spill it. What's eating you about Teddy's bit of info?"

"I will start off by saying I'm fine yet again," Midnight sighs, turning to face me. "I guess it is sorta neat Starla and I might actually sort of be sisters – but it feels a little shitty, too."

"How so?"

"It's... hard to explain," she replies, hesitating while she attempts to conjure up an explanation. "I thought this whole time that at the very least, I was... created from scratch I guess. Before everything else was done to me. But if Teddy is right, then I'm just a copy of shit developed by someone else and pawned off to the highest bidder. Does that make sense?"

"It does – even if you're wrong," I reply, patting her on the head until she looks at me.

"What did I say that was wrong?"

"You realize humans are just copies of other humans that fucked, right? Same as most any other animal?"

"Such an elegant way with words," Midnight jokes with a laugh.

"But I'm not wrong. Long story short, we can sit here and split hairs about genes and DNA – but look at you. Even if you happen to originate from someone's purchase of research second-hand, you're unique."

Midnight shakes her head as she chuckles lightly – yet she abruptly cuts those actions short as she rears up to place a foreleg on each of my shoulders and hugs me. "That was really stupid sounding, but thanks. I think I needed that."

"Don't mention it. I like giving you a hard time, but it's because I enjoy your company. When it comes down to it – I got your back."

"I know. But it's still good to hear."

When Midnight steps away and back to all fours, her mood is noticeably lighter – until she emits a yawn of her own.

"Hey, don't be doing that. Yawns are contagious."

"It's been a wild few days – maybe we need to catch up on some sleep," she suggests.

"Yeah, probably. Getting back to normalcy is gonna be a little odd. Just me and you again."

"I like the sound of that – even better if we get the engine block and start making headway on rebuilding the Chrysler's engine."

"Ah, and here I thought you might have forgotten all about that," I joke.

"Hah. Never."