I focused, horn glowing along its horizontal stripes at power gathered. The magic gathered at a singular point that became a flickering ball of flame. I smiled at that accomplishment. "You know." Twinkle looked over at me. "When I was a little child, I would wish, hope, that one day I could make some light, any light. Even the smallest mote would have pleased me."

I raised my hoof to either side of that hovering orb of fire. "And here I am, master of fire, holder of magic."

"David." She sat up fully. "On one hoof, congratulations. On the other, I can hear the hurt there." She leaned in to press her nose against my side. "Want to talk about it?"

"It's not hurt, exactly." I released the ball and it faded away with barely a noise. "Just thinking I had to run to another world to see that happen. Pretty sure, in most cases, that means it wasn't a very reasonable wish."

"But you did it." She pressed against me. "Even with an unreasonable wish. That looks like a thing to be proud of."

"I suppose." I smiled down at her. "Thanks for being here, Twinkle."

"I wouldn't be anywhere else." She nuzzled me. "Now, I have some ideas on how to spend our time together."

I chuckled softly. "I bet you do." I ran a hoof gently down her back, rubbing around where her tail met her bottom. "How long do we have to wait for Gallus?"

Twinkle turned her head sharply to glare at the closed door Gallus had gone down with Giselle. "Until they master it, or fail, I suppose. We don't have to sit right here and wait."

"What else do you suggest?" I leaned back against her small form. "You see Pinkie?"

"You call?" Pinkie sank down on my other side with a huge smile. "I was checking in on Maud. She found some pretty rocks that she says are super interesting, but you know me, a rock is kinda a rock." She shrugged at the memory. "But, I also ran into that griffon girl! Gabby's waiting her turn, but, apparently, only one griffon at a time in there."

"Oh, that's a shame." I shook my head. "She seemed really excited to try it."

"Well, she's still waiting, and I'm still here." Pinkie hopped to her feet. "So, what do you want to do?"

"I think I'm going to stay here for a little bit." I patted the ground. "I want Gallus to see us when he comes out. I'm also hoping to see Giselle did okay."

"Ooo, I know!" Pinkie bounced. "I'll go get a picnic basket and we can have a picnic!

Twinkle snickered from my other side. "This is hardly the proper place to be holding a picnic, Pinkie. This is a temple, whether or not it happens to be ours." She bumped against me. "Ask one of the guards if there's an open cafeteria or something of the like."

"Good idea." I waved one of them closer. "Where do you suggest we go to eat in here that isn't rude? Got a kitchen or something?"

"You don't eat in the kitchen," gruffed out the griffon as if shocked at the idea. "This way." He waved for all three of us to follow, marching through the hallways to a fair-sized room with some griffons already inside, eating. It smelled like meat was the primary offering. "Here. You can ask for food there." He pointed to what appeared to be a counter. "Enjoy yourself, as long as Gallus remains."

"Thanks." I trotted over to the counter, Pinkie bouncing alongside. "So, what do you have?"

"We have meat, we have bread, we have some fruit." The griffon at the counter gestured to a plate of apples. "Those are the best, though."

"I'll take some of those." I floated a few apples and some sliced meat to add to my plate. "I admit, surprised. I didn't think griffons would have a collection of apples of all things."

Pinkie tilted her head, her tray heavy with sweets that I hadn't even spotted as being on the menu. "Why not? Everycreature loves a nice apple."

Twinkle nodded at that. "As they say, an apple a day."

"Sure." I slid up onto a bench and took a crunchy bite of the apple. It was as good as the griffon had promised, sweet across my tongue. "But a griffon is two obligate carnivores pasted together. I didn't think the two together would make for something else." Both ponies looked confusedly at me. "So, what are they, if you know?"

Twinkle looked across me to Pinkie for help on that. Pinkie snorted out a giggle. "Griffons can eat whatever they want, they just prefer meat if you give them an option of the two." She curled a hoof at herself. "Just like ponies! If it fits in our mouth and we can chew it, we may give it a try."

"Well, that makes sense." I finished the apple and tossed the core aside. "But, why would a griffon even bother with apples?"

"Same reason anycreature else does." Pinkie nibbled at a slice of cake. "They taste good. And, sometimes, they're just what you need."

"And sometimes, they're just what you want." Twinkle floated one of my apples over and helped herself. "Mmm, good."

Things grew quiet a bit as we enjoyed our snacks companionably. "Pinkie." I looked to her. "A question."

"Shoot." Pinkie put her hooves together on the table in front of her. "I'm all ears." She turned an ear towards me for extra emphasis.

"I feel like both of the mares here have some interest in what I decide." I looked between Twinkle and Pinkie. "I'm in a poly relationship, you know that, right?"

"Yup."

"And that doesn't bother you?" I peered at Pinkie skeptically. "I figured you'd prefer I be with Maud alone, if anything."

Pinkie snorted at that. "Silly, do you think I forgot what you've been up to? You are clearly a young and wild kirin, ready to do the wild oat thing." She waved it all away. "I know that, and Maud understands. She isn't trying to own you. She's trying--" She paused a moment as if searching for the right word. "She's trying to be understood, and to have somepony that understands her."

"But she's still your sister." I looked to Pinkie. "You're okay with me sleeping with your sister?"

"It's not my business." Pinkie shrugged. "I'm not in charge of your love life. You are. You get to decide who you love, and who you sleep with. I can't tell you what to do." She reached over and patted my shoulder. "But I can tell you that you are a wonderful pony, and I'm happy to have you as a friend."

She inclined her head. "Still kinda impressed you found a lady griffon so fast though." She giggled as I colored. "

I smiled at the friendly worlds. "Thank you, but what about this." I pointed to Twinkle on my other side. "She'd like to be involved. Maud wants to be involved, and I'm already involved with Twilight and Spike. It's--" I rolled a hoof slowly. "--crowded? I didn't mean it to be, but it is, and I don't want anypony involved being hurt by this and I feel like it's pretty much my fault it's happening."

"Won't be me." Twinkle smiled with that positive energy of hers. "I already spoke to Twilight and Spike. You're the one we're waiting on."

"You talked to them?" I stared at Twinkle. "You talked to them about this?"

"Of course I did." She leaned against me. "I want to be part of your life. I don't want to just be the one you come to when you need a cuddle. I want to be the one you come to when you want to talk, or laugh, or share a meal." She pressed against me. "I want to be your partner, David. Not your pet, not your foal, and not your toy."

I was stunned and quiet a moment. "What did Spike and Twilight say?"

Twinkle hummed. "Well, Spike sounded like he was in complete agreement. He doesn't 'get' physical stuff, the real physical stuff, and Twilight isn't interested, but they both want this family of ours to be that, a loving family where we all care deeply about the happiness of the others. That's the important part."

"Yeah." I smiled at that. "That's the important part." I looked to Pinkie. "So, what do you think?"

"I think you're a very lucky pony." Pinkie leaned against me. "You have so many ponies who care about you, and who want to be there for you. I think that's great." She smiled. "And I think you're a very special pony, David. You're a kirin, but you aren't like any other kirin.

And there I was, a kirin trapped between two such caring ponies. "I don't even deserve this." I thought back. "I should have said no. I should have shoved her away."

Twinkle perked at that. "Who?"

"Giselle, when she visited me." I pantomimed with waving hooves. "I should have turned her down, and kept my first time for family, not her. I don't know her. I feel awful."

"Stop that." Twinkle pawed at me. "If--"

"--Wait," I cut in suddenly, looking to Pinkie. "What about Maud? She's not part of the family, but she is interested in me, how is that going to work?"

"Maud will be fine." Pinkie waved it off. "I'll talk to her, and I'm sure she'll understand." She smiled. "She's my sister, and I love her. I don't want her to be unhappy. I want her to be happy, and I think you can make her happy."

"You really think so?" I leaned against Pinkie. "I don't want to hurt her."

"I know." Pinkie patted me. "And I think you're a very special pony, David."

"So, what, we're just going to tell her to stop caring? That doesn't sound fair." I crossed my arms, frowning at the mess I felt I had made for myself. "Twinkle, do you know what Spike and Twilight think of Maud, that way? Do they hope she'll go away? Do they want her closer?"

Twinkle shook her head quickly. "I don't understand her, and I don't think they do either. Only you seem to connect with her." She shrugged softly. "But, you know, if Maud's alright with it, it can be just like it is. So long as you're upfront with her from the start. If you feel sure you like this family, let's make it work, then ask Maud if she wants to be involved, or not, and respect her answer."

Pinkie pointed a hoof at Twinkle. "That's the most mature answer I heard all night." She grabbed an apple to chomp. "Do that, and I'll not even be mad if she gets upset. It's the best answer I can think of, and it's honest. Be honest, and be good."

"Right." I sighed softly. "I guess I'll have to talk to Maud, then." I turned my head to look at the door where Gallus had gone. "After I talk to Gallus."

"Well, I don't think you'll have to wait long." Pinkie pointed. "Look."

The door was opening, and out stepped Giselle, followed by Gallus. Giselle looked tired, but triumphant. "I did it!" She spread her wings wide. We rushed out of the cafeteria, but with the company of many other griffons hurrying to see the news.

Gallus looked about as tired, but with a confident smile on his face. "Get that priest in here. It ain't official until he sees it too, yeah?"

Guards hurried off to see that done as the excitement in the room grew with each passing moment. Whispers spread about how Giselle had succeeded, or they were about to see Gallus burn somegriffon to ash. Either promised to be an interesting sight.

Author's Note

There was a lot of talking in this chapter as family relationships were discussed honestly. But then Giselle.

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