Last Stop on the Mail Route

I peer out of the bathroom door, mostly dried off, towel around my waist. It barely went lower than my knee; the shower might have been Alicorn size, but these towels were not.

Derpy seemed to have no complaints about it, the way I felt her swat my butt with her tail as I'm half-leant out the door. Cheeky.

Ignoring her, I squint at the bed... good, Dinky was still asleep; I could tell by her ever-comical snoring. I quickly creep-sneak-hop across the room, rifling through my bag as I pull out fresh clothes.

Derpy trails out soon after, once I've gotten some new, not soaked pants on.

"...I'm jealous of how quickly you dry off." Derpy hums, pausing in the middle of the room. She's enjoying the free show of me dressing up again. "I need a new hair-dryer."

"This going to be a thing -- you watching me dress and undress?" I throw the playful accusation her way, before slipping a fresh shirt on. Oh -- right, sock. Might as well get my leg on, too.

"If I'm anywhere nearby when you do, yes please." She smiles. I liked this confidence she had about her; that she was getting comfortable.

"So; since we snacked during the Fair, go for Dinner in a bit?" I offer.

"Anon..." She says slowly.

"Nowhere fancy. A... Hayburger, or something. I want to see if it's better in Canterlot." I try to excuse.

"Hayburger doesn't have anything you'd like to eat on it's menu." She sighs, smiling. "...Wander the side streets, see what we see?" She counter-offers.

"Deal." I smile. Is she paying attention to what I like to eat? That's actually really sweet. "Though, we have some time to kil-- er, waste. Unless we want an early dinner?" I lean against the back of the chair.

"Actually... can you do that thing again with your fingers again, on my back? It felt... really good, and helped with my cramps." She asks softly, throwing me a half-lidded stare.

"Massage?" I inquire. I've got my leg half-screwed on, sat against the arm rest if the chair. "Sure; little different than scrubbing you down, but I get your drift."

I watch as she hops up onto the bed; there's so much room, she can mantle the opposite side and not even disturb Dinky, whose still curled up on he pile of pillows that I had set her down in.

She curls up, patting beside herself on the bed; before putting a hoof to her lips, and making a soft 'Shh'.

No longer hopping, I slowly step over beside the bed, crossing the room quietly. I ease myself down onto the bed beside her, as Derpy crawls overtop my lap, exposing her back to me. She hums softly as my fingers meet her back, and I start working her over.

It isn't the best angle, but I can make it work. I find she particularly enjoys me digging my thumbs into places she'd have difficulty scratching herself.

"Did you know there isn't a spot on the human body that can't be scratched?" I muse quietly, letting my eyes do a little... wandering. She's got a solid back arch.

"Hoh... consider me jealous." She coos, sinking further into the affections.

This continues for several minutes, until I've basically got a melted version of Derpy draped over my lap, her eyes closed.

"I'm... getting really tired." She mutters, stifling a yawn by trying to keep her mouth closed; all she gets is a cute noise for her efforts. "If I... took a nap, would you wake me up in a few? Or if Dinky wakes up?" She asks softly.

I lean, planting a tender kiss on her lightly-damp fur. I had gotten most of the water out when I was drying her -- but it'd been hard to focus past the kisses she kept giving me. Looks like I missed a spot or two; but I don't think she minds. It's her fault, anyways.

"Sure thing." I smile, muttering it into her fur. She hums, content.

I'm not sure quite when she actually passes out; she doesn't start snoring like Dinky does, so I'm a little dissapointed. That would've been funny.

What she does do, however, is shift in her sleep. It's hard to continue a massage when a fully grown mare, dead asleep, climbs on top of your chest, pushing you to the bed with her full weight.

I'm now flat on my back, legs dangling off the side of the bed, while Derpy snoozes softly on top of me. In arms reach is Dinky, snoozing herself.

I check to see if she's being playful, poking at her side. She chuffs in my face, wriggling.

...

Can't beat 'em, join 'em. I wouldn't mind a nap myself. Wasnt terribly tired, but Derpy's sleepiness was ebbing onto me.

Softly stroking Derpy's back, I relent for a short slumber, head back, eyes shut.

I'm home. Well, old home. Earth. Sat in the woods behind my old house. It's autumn, the trees a soft, hazy gold and orange. Calm, quiet, nippy day. I'm bundled in a heavy jacket and a scarf.

I'm knelt in front of a rabbit, knees in the grass; it's watching me with wild eyes, back leg stuck in a snare trap, little chest heaving and hefting.

There's a knife in my hands. My knife.

My small, little hands.

I can hear my father behind me; but his words are hazy, out of focus. Most of the forest is.

It's me, and the rabbit. I remember this. I was... ten. Eleven? Almost two decades ago.

There's a soft crunch of leaves on my other side, as something familiar and blue sits down beside me.

It's Luna. She looks... smaller. Younger. She glances between me, and the rabbit. I had a feeling that, since few things slept during the day, nappers were vulnerable to her wandering from her own dreams.

"...We see what you meant, when you said creatures of your land lacked the... sapience, they have in our world." She muses aloud. Still with the royal accent, though with the voice of a filly. "You dream often of memories, and little of fantasy."

I only nod. I'm watching the rabbit try to pull its leg loose again. My cheeks are cold.

"...If your kind eats such creatures, why do you hesitate?" She asks.

"...Dad said I can try hunting with his gun, if I can prove I can kill a rabbit." I respond. My voice feels, and sounds so... foreign. So young. Proof that I can take a life, close, before I take one through a scope.

She nods in understanding.
"A right of passage. Understandable." Luna falls silent, scooting closer. I think there's a semblance of morbid curiosity she has when exploring memories. She's from a... darker time, in Equestrian history.

My little hands carefully grip the knife. It's too big. It's hard to hold.

I hold the rabbit down feeling it squirm. It's tired. I can hear my father encouraging me. Luna watches, quiet.

The tip of the knife presses to its chest, digging in just past the fur, my fathers hand guiding mine. I hesitate a moment, watching the rabbits face.

Then I feel my father grip my shoulder -- and I push, hard and sudden. It slips right in.

The rabbit makes a muffled noise, and begins to slow in its wriggling. Soon, it's still.

I can feel my father patting my back, praising me.

I can feel Luna's gaze turn to my face, curious; it slowly drifts to look behind me, brow furrowed.

I start to feel that weight on my neck, like that last dream. But it only tingles this time. It doesn't hold me.

Luna looks to my face again, watching me with confusion.

My father has gone silent. I'm not even sure if he, or the forest is still there.

I've dropped the knife, the rabbit pulled closely to my chest, wrapped in my arms.

Tears pour down my little cheeks, wetting the now-still rabbits fur as I sniffle.

I can feel something pressing against my head. Feels like hooves. Little hooves. I'm holding something fluffy.

I open my eyes. I've got Dinky held against my chest with an arm over her back. She's grinning widely, poking at my face with hooves.

Derpy is curled up on my stomach, snoozing quietly.

"Good morning, Mister Muss." Dinky grins.

I rub my eyes, groaning.
"...Hey, Dinkster. When did you get up?"

"I was watching you and Mom for a bit, and then you looked real sad. So I came over to check on you, and you grabbed me up." She smiles, smooshing my cheeks with her hooves. She's curious about my teeth, but with a little less reservation than Derpy, outright poking the healed scar tissue around my exposed teeth.

"Do you eat meat?" Dinky asks.

"Not very often, but sometimes." I nod. Wish it was more often, honestly.

"Ever eat a pony?"

Not yet, I huff to myself, glancing at Derpy.
"Nope."

"Are you going to?"

"...Maybe. Still thinking about it."

"Can I pick who you do eat, if you do want to eat a Pony?"

"Depends. Who?"

"Diamond Tiara. She's a meanie filly at my school."

"...No, don't think I can eat fillies from your school." I tsk, shaking my head.

"Boo." Dinky pouts, letting my face go.

"Why is she mean?" I ask.

"She likes to make fun of me and the others for not having cutie marks, and calls us blank flanks." Dinky explains, poking at my adam's apple. I scrunch my neck in response, getting a giggle out of her.

"You tell your teacher?"

"Yeah, but Diamond just waits until she's not around. And her friend Silver Spoon helps."

"Is it just name-calling, or just she get physical?" I prod. Honestly, bullying never crossed my mind.

Dinky shrugs, now poking my ear.

"Shrugging isn't an answer, Dinky."

"...Sometimes." Dinky says, quieter.

I purse my lips. Hrm.

Obviously I can't just waltz in and actually... do anything about it. And there's not much I can do to relay any change...

Would I get in trouble for teaching a filly self-defense?

"Aren't there like, four of you, to her two?" I ask, confused.

I watch as Dinky's face twists in thought. It's like a lightbulb just went off in her head. Uh oh. Hope that little moment of clarity doesn't backfire.

My personal wonderings, tucked away for later, are interrupted by Derpy stirring, lifting her head to look at the sudden increase in noise. Her mane dried at a funny angle, giving her some serious bedhead.

"Morning, Mom!" Dinky beams, clambering down me to hop on her moms back. Derpy groans on the impact, smacking her lips.

"...It better not be." Derpy grumbles, squinting for the window; my own gaze following.

Longer shadows draping over the other buildings, slight orange glow to the days light. Evening. Perfect; didn't oversleep.

Derpy sighs in relief, putting her head back down on my leg.
"You were supposed to wake me when she got up." She says aloud.

"Just woke up myself. You proved just too cuddly -- sorry." I hum, reaching down to scratch at whatever I can reach.

Think that's an ear. Yeah, that's the noise she makes when I get her ear.

"Ready to go for Dinner, Dinkster?" I goad; the fillys head bobbles up and down, practically launching off me to bounce across the bed.

"And how about you?" I ask softer, towards the sleepy mass of grey fur occupying my lap.

"...No chance I could ask you to carry me again...?" She huffs playfully, eyes still closed.

She makes an adorable, alarmed squeak, eyes flashing open as I sit up, digging my arms under her back and lifting her up against my chest, bridal-style.

"Sure. If you can live with the stares, I'll even carry you to meet the Princess." I tease.

My joke sets a chain-reaction in her mind, as she slides out from sleepy, and into in-denial shock again. Her face thumps against my chest, and she groans.
"...I still can't believe that's happening tomorrow."

"She's a lot more casual than you think. It'll be a good time. Think of it like... we're visiting one of my friends." I try offering. No dice.

"...A friend who rules the entire nation." She mumbles into my chest, huffing.
"I'm too hungry for this. Are we good to go?"

"...I kind of need to pee, before we go." I whisper.

"...Hurry up. And wash your hooves. Hands. All of it." She mumbles, that playful streak starting to kick back in.

I'd asked the Clerk for any recommendations. Apparently, there was a really good sandwich place just around the corner that a lot of the staff liked to swing by, for lunch. Derpy liked the sound of that; Dinky was sold when the clerk told her they had coloring pages to draw on.

I let her know the offer still stood, but Derpy relented to walking alongside me, joking I could carry her on the way back.

Now I felt obligated to make that happen.

She still looked tired, but she looked... content. There was a soft smile that didn't leave her face, even though her eyelids were drooping. Any time we paused to look around the various streets, she'd lean against my leg, sighing softly. I think so far, the trip was going pretty damn well.

Away from the Fair, it was much quieter. With only a few Ponies out and about on their evening tasks, this was a rare, peaceful side of Canterlot that I hadn't seen yet. Certainly made things more enjoyable, not having to push through the days crowds for a bite to eat.

Compared to Derpy, Dinky was reloaded on energy and raring to go, bounding around and staring into storefronts.

"Dinky, don't run so far ahead." Derpy calls out softly. It gets Dinky to freeze up for a moment, but she's readily distracted again.

"I've got her, Derpy. You take it easy." I assure her, reaching down to nudge one of her ears.

She leans against me, huffing.
"...Thanks Anon. I can't imagine this day having gone as smoothly without you being here."

"Whatever keeps that pretty smile on that pretty face." A little cheesy, but I was feeling the mood.

"Found it!" Dinky shouts, spinning in place to face us -- she's jabbing a hoof at a store a few shops up, with a very blatant sandwich-shaped sign.

Dinky hops in place as we catch up, giving me a chance to read the front.

"Sal Pimento's Sandwichery." I read. It's difficult to imagine a Pony named Sal. Mustache, for sure. The storefront did look very... Italian, in styling. Quaint. Homey. I liked it; colorful green overhang, with soft-colored wood.

"Doesn't look terribly busy." Derpy adds -- the door jingles as Dinky holds it open for us. Theres a good few other groups in there; definitely more filled tables than empty.

What good manners, that little Filly. That, or she's trying to rush us inside. Probably the latter, the way she just keeps hopping in place, holding the door with her butt. The door jingles every time she bounces, drawing a few eyes. Woops.

Stepping inside, there's a very comfortable atmosphere here. A fair amount of regulars, is the feeling I get. There's jokes, and conversations that filter between tables. Half of them look related, too. Wonder if this was a Little-Italy type situation; a little speckle of distant culture, slapped in Canterlot. I don't even get more than a few curious glances, before they're right back to minding their business.

Booths line the walls, with tables taking up the middle. Plenty of paintings hang above the booths, mostly family portraits or some cultural references I'm not aware of. They kept the color theme in here, too. Definitely a Little Italy; they had a bakery back there, too.

We politely make our way to the front, where -- I can only guess to be Sal, judging by the heftier weight, and a mustache -- greets us warmly.

If the food was good, no way I wasn't coming back here.

Dinky got a grilled cheese, and specified "Leave the crust on, I'm a big Filly". That got a laugh.

Derpy had an appetite, apparently; she sprung for a sizable salad-sub. A salad, jammed in a sub. Lightly toasted.

When it was my turn, Sal motioned for my attention, and pointed near the end of the menu they had displayed at the top.

They had a non-Pony species subsection.

It had fish. They had a fried fish sandwich.

It takes everything I have not to fall to my knees in the middle of the store. Sal informs me "Of course we serve fish; I got a cousin datin' a Griffon, course we got fish!". I was sold.

Orders settled, we got our sides and drinks. Derpy wouldn't let me pay this time, accusing me of covering far too much already; and instead bought my sandwich for me, too. Sweet thing.

We find ourselves an empty table, all the booths being taken, with a number in hand, and a kids drawing paper, crayons included, in hoof. Well, in magic horn magic grasp, but same difference. We had about three orders ahead of us, so we had some time to k--waste. I was getting faster on catching that one.

Derpy settles into her seat, sighing softly; she almost lays her head on the table, until Dinky scoots her little chair right up beside her mom, grinning; the Filly can barely see over the table.

I sit across from them, so we've got some space between us to actually put our food. The chair ain't too bad, but Derpy pouts at me for it; I think she was planning to lean on me.

"Can't have you falling back asleep before we get our food." I tease, leaning my elbows on the table.

"I'm going to sleep really good tonight." Deepy nods, stifling a yawn with her wing.

Dinky has her tongue stuck out the side of her mouth, squinting over the edge of the table. She's got a yellow crayon in her magical grasp, and is going crazy with it across the coloring page. Sun? Yellow. Sky? Yellow. Grass? Yellow.

Live your little yellow dreams, little filly.

"You seemed excited to find they had fish." Derpy brings up, curious. "You're an omnivore, right? I feel like we've covered this, but I just like asking."

"Asking about my teeth." I grin.

She doesn't even deny it, throwing me a little look.

"Yeah. I just don't get a chance for those type of 'meals' very often in Ponyville. Pretty much an only-pony population, and Fluttershy gets mopey whenever I try to bring up fishing. Apparently she has fish-friends." I sigh, head in my hand. Each day, I weigh the impact of upsetting Fluttershy to actually getting to eat fish.

Each day, I'm getting closer to picking fish.

"...I should get a fishing rod while I'm here. There's a river not too far into the Everfree from my house." I muse aloud.

"Have you been fishing before?" Derpy inquires, watching my scratch my chin in thought.

Dinky has now covered nearly half the page in yellow. Oh -- she's reaching for... red. House? Red. Clouds? Red. She knew what she wanted.

"A few times, yeah. I kind of dabbled in outdoors stuff. Fishing, Camping... Hunting." I say the last one quieter. Tolerant of fish, sure, but Hunting was still a pretty foreign, if threatening concept to Ponies.

"What was it like, back in your... old world, the forests?" Derpy asks, her cautiously empathetic approach still visible despite her tired state. "You didn't have Pegasi for the weather; was your whole world like a... big Everfree?"

"Uh... yeah, kinda. It's called Earth. Whole world is, like you put it, like the Everfree. But a little less magical. And the monsters didn't get quite so big." I simplify, huffing in amusement at the thought of trying to tangle with sentient deer during hunting season, or a giant, blue bear. "No control of the weather, some plants aren't good to eat and can even be dangerous, and a fair amount of animals there were bigger than me. Not that I ran into too many of them, thankfully."

I heard that Fluttershy knew a bear... but where was the limit?

Hearing that Deer were another sentient race threw me for a pretty good loop. Haven't seen one yet, though. They were apparently pretty reclusive. Were Moose the same? Were they like the Bear, or like the Deer? Confusing stuff, all around.

"How weird was it? For you, getting used to Equestria? Dinky told me how you explained to her, that your kind is the only Sapient species, even though we share a lot of species." Derpy continues. Dinky glances up from her page, nodding vehemently before reaching for... blue. One, single blue rabbit. Masterful.

Dinky always had a load of questions for me whenever she came over; not surprised she'd repeat it to Derpy. Honestly, probably saved me a lot of repeated explanations.

"Wasn't that hard, honestly. Just kind of weird, getting used to things that were considered 'Just Animals', now having full conversations with me. My diet was the weirdest one; figuring out how to get what I need vitamins-wise and all that. Twilight was a big help." I explain.

"Do you miss it at all? If you could go back... would you?" Derpy asks, softer now. Not as heavy-hitting if a question as it used to be, thanks to... recent events.

"I miss some parts, sure; like anyone misses anything that's gone. Honestly, though... doing pretty good here. No small thanks to a pair of some-ponies." I smile, reaching an upturned hand across the table, letting it sit on the surface.

I expected her hoof to reach out in turn; instead, Derpy lays her face in my palm, humming softly to the obligatory chin scratches.

She gets very physically endearing when she's tired; something that is duly noted for my own very honest reasons, later.

It doesn't take much longer for for our food to be ready; once Dinky shows off her masterpiece, grinning proudly to a quiet round of applause from Derpy and myself, I hear Sal call our number.

"I've got it." I grunt, scooting out of my seat, and crossing the crowd. I shift around a purple-colored stallion moving the other direction, their own food in glowing horn, as I'm approaching the counter. Our order is being stacked onto a tray, Sal giving me a wide, bemoustached grin.

"Never served a something like you's, before. You mind if we's add you's to the Non-Pony species list?" He starts as I lean down, sliding our tray towards me, before pointing at their little sub-menu I'd ordered from. Damn, it smells good.

"Sure; H-U-M-A-N, Human. If any others get stuck here like I did, I'll let them know about Sal's." I grin back--noticing our tray seems a little extra loaded. Who ordered fries?

"Human? You's got it. Oh, an' we's included some extra hay-fries for you's an' you's Marefriend." Sal points out, noticing my confusion. "Don't often see other species steppin' up like that, so good on you's. I gots this cousin, Celestia bless his soul, swept off his hooves by this Beautiful Hippogriff girl, who got left with a little one herself; best thing that's ever happened to him, I swear on my mother." Sal elaborates, waving his hooves through the air while he talks. And I thought I used my hands alot when I spoke; I had nothing on Sal's movements.

Yeah, definitely coming back here next time I'm in Canterlot. I can't help but pause for a moment to chat with Sal; he speak and acts like they took an Italian stereotype, shoved him into a pony body, and made sure he kept the mustache. I don't catch a glance of his Cutie-Mark, but I have a few guesses.

Oh, scratch that. He just turned to yell something to another staff member, and I caught a glimpse; it's a heart. That'll teach me to assume.

It's pretty hard not to get looped into chatting with Sal; he's a very social guy--or stallion, with a natural strength for conversation. Thankfully, he shoos me back to my table so I "Don't keeps you's Marefriend waitin', the Filly's getting antsy.".

Stepping around and between tables and Ponies, I get back to our table, tray intact. Dinky's eyes are ready to pop out of her little head the moment she locks on to my return, and I can tell she's barely restraining herself from grabbing up her food with her horn.

Obviously, since I learn from my experiences, I quickly serve the Filly her food first the moment I reach the table, lest I subject another one of my shirts to a Dinky-Caliber event.

Derpy seems a little more awake, though she's looking into the crowd, squinting. Even setting her food in front of her doesn't pull her attention.

Curious, I try my best to follow her gaze, matching her nose-point while I put my own food in front of myself.

Dinky is already digging in; it's between one of two tables, I think. One with four Ponies, two mares and two stallions, and...

I squint slightly. It's that Purple-colored stallion I passed earlier. He's sat at a table with a Mare, another Unicorn, and a Filly who looks to be probably half Dinky's age; and looks quite a bit like her, just mixed in with the mares off-blue colors.

...I glance between Dinky, and the Stallion. Several times. Each time I do, the resemblance makes itself more and more clear.

Same Mane color, same fur color. Both Unicorns.

I glance at Derpy. She looks... uncomfortable? A little angry. Her face has a few emotions on it, and I don't think even she can decide which one she's supposed to feel right now.

I think I can put two and two together.

I lean over, tapping the part of the table directly in front of Derpy to get her attention. She glances at me quickly, before looking back at the table. Then she double-takes, blinking several in realization that I'm back; that the food is here, that I'm getting her attention.

"O-Oh. Sorry, Anon, I..." She mumbles, glancing over towards the Unicorn again.

"So what's the game plan?" I whisper, trying not to draw Dinky's attention as she ravishes her meal.

"Huh?" Derpy mutters, looking back to me, confused.

"That who I think it is?" I ask softly. She hasn't explained the situation, but it's not a terribly unfamiliar one. I grew up with sisters; I've been subjected to enough TV dramas to pick up on the signs.

"It's... uh..." She glances to Dinky. Yeah, that about confirms it. I upturn my hand, palm up again. This time, she gives me her hoof; she looks conflicted.

"So how do you wanna play this? We taking our food to go?" I offer, trying to keep her from slipping focus again. I squeeze her hoof softly, smiling.

"W-why would we-- huh?" She searches my face, confused.

"I don't want you sitting through anything you're not comfortable with, whether I know what's going on or not. Your call, if we stay here, or take our food to the park, or the hotel, or if I throw a chair at the guy; doesn't matter to me. What do you need right now?" I affirm carefully. I want her to be comfortable, whatever the situation is. If we need to go, then we go.

That last offer seems to break her from her stupor a little, turning to stare at me, giving me an odd look until she sees I'm still smiling. She looks down at the hand I'm reaching out with, holding her hoof, tenderly stroking her fur with my thumb.

She looks back across the restaurant, to the table. It's a mixture of... wistful resentment. A slow, quiet sighs escapes her lips, as she looks at them.

Then she looks to Dinky. A smile forms on her face, as she reaches to ruffle Dinky's messy little mane. The Filly pauses her devouring, grinning with food-peppered teeth at her mom, before getting back to it.

Then she looks at me.

And that smile. That wide, sad smile that crinkled those little freckles, and puts a dimple in her cheek. It sits so quietly on her face, humming softly.

"...No. No, I'm alright. We... are alright. Thank you, Anon." She says quietly, clearing her throat and sitting a little straighter. Attagirl.

We stare, for what feels like a long, long moment. It doesn't matter which way they point, I know those brimming, golden eyes are just staring right at me.

She finally pulls her hoof back, shifting in her seat. I lean back in my own chair, looking back to my own food. Not cold, thankfully; I think that moment felt longer than it was.

"...But no throwing chairs." She giggles weakly, the smile still stuck to her face. "Wait, who ordered Hayfries?"

"Oh, Sal gave us those; thought we made a cute couple or something. Told me how he has a cousin or two doing similar... dating practices, with a Hippogriff. Very pro inter-species, this place." I explain, happy to see her doing alright.

"Sal?" Derpy tilts her head.

"Yeah. He's a memorable guy. Reminds me of home. The guy who took our order." I repeat.

"...What's the name of the Clerk, back at the Hotel?" She asks, raising an eyebrow. Oh, buzz off, bubblebutt, like you know it either.

"...I think it's the mustache, honestly." I muse, scratching my chin.

"Would you prefer if I had a mustache?" Derpy teases, holding a hayfry over her top lip.

"Would you prefer if I had one?" I counter, putting my finger over my own.

She motions for me to lean forward, to which I oblige, before she puts a hoof on my cheek, rotating my face, turning it this way and that.

"...I think you'd look good with one." She hums approvingly, letting me go with a little pat.

We don't worry about the other table. We've got everything we need right here; Dinky, grinning, grabs a fry to join in, the three of us laughing over hay-fry mustaches.

I can see that same stallion glance over a few times as we laugh. But Derpy doesn't pay it any mind; so I don't either. The three of us, at this table -- that's what matters.