Ballpen

I leaned my elbows on the counter. Inhaled the aroma of fresh coffee and fresh bun, pleasantly caressing my nose. The coffee, by the way, was not Equestrian but imported, from somewhere in the kingdoms neighboring Equestria, I did not remember the name, although Alyatara mentioned it.

The streets were still morning deserted. Although not dark - twenty minutes ago the sun had risen and was slowly crawling towards its zenith in Equestrian style. A few more minutes - and the streets would be filled with ponies hurrying to work.

I stuffed my mouth with the soft, sweet dough, chewed it and washed it down with scalding hot coffee from a thermos. I unfolded the newspaper I had bought on the way.

My interest in local politics began after my talking with Alyatara on the beach. Well, not exactly interest. It's just that if you're going to spend the rest of your life in a new world, you need to know what's going on within its borders.

The rest of life... No, that's wrong. A new life. Without any rest.

And then what? I have already become convinced that nothing ends with death… Who knows what awaits us, humans, with the end of the Equestrian path? Maybe we will continue to be thrown from life to life, from one strange world to another, ad infinitum, until we forget who we are, where we began this chain of rebirths…

Is our earthly life really the first?

A chill ran down my spine.

I shook my head, fighting off a sudden attack of philosophizing.

No, damn it. There's a thermos of hot coffee, there's a bun that smells of cinnamon and pastry. There's Alyatara's mane tickling my nose when I wake up.

This is reality. Let's think about this, and not fill my heads with existential questions.

I turned my gaze to the title.

"ZEBRICA'S DEMANDS GO BEYOND REASONABLE LIMITS"

"Despite the presence of the Princess of Friendship herself, the summit taking place on the Storm Islands has not yet yielded positive results. The delegation of the Farasian Kingdom continues to refuse constructive dialogue, insisting time and again on absurd, illogical proposals. Unfortunately, it can be stated that the zebras are determined to stand in the way of progress and global pan-Equian cooperation.

Yes, the demand to refute the ridiculous rumors spread by human invaders about Zebrica having some kind of "megaspells" intended for the mass destruction of Equestrian cities is understandable and acceptable. However, the desire to grant zebra merchants unprecedented tax breaks in Equestria, which even our allies do not enjoy, is truly ridiculous.

And the claims regarding a defensive alliance between Abyssinia and Equestria sound even more absurd and can only cause bewilderment. The royal couple of Abyssinia has the right to decide for themselves with which of their neighbors and partners to conclude a mutual defense agreement.

Of course, the fears of the zebras are completely far-fetched. Yes, the conflict between Abyssinia and the Diamond Kingdom has been dragging on, fading and flaring up, for much longer than the confrontation with the yeti that has just recently come to an end, and certain provisions of the treaty can indeed be interpreted as obliging Equestria to enter the war on the Zebrican Continent. But it should be absolutely obvious to any sapient sapient, forgive us for some tautology, that in its entire history Equestria has never sought external expansion. And it is absolutely ridiculous to assume, as the official Zebrat apparently does, that the accession to the Throne of Friendship, the preemptive strike on the Storm Islands, and the transfer of power in Griffonstone, Klugetown, and the Storm Kingdom to the ponies and pony supporters are signs of a rejection of this wise, centuries-tested, peaceful policy!

And is this alliance as strong as the Farasi princes apparently believe? Undoubtedly, the gratitude of the famously responsive and friendly inhabitants of Griffonstone for the return of the ancient relic of their people will remain imprinted for centuries and more than justifies the growing friction with the Arimasp tribes. But most of our readers undoubtedly understand that behind the young king stands the figure of his mentor, Mr. Graff, a historian and public figure well known in the academic circles of Austraeoh. And information about Graff's repeated visits during the so-called "archaeological expeditions" to the territory of Alemane and Zebrica cast doubt on his purely friendly feelings towards Equestria. With his majesty Gallus's hold on many of Griffonland's great packs not as strong as the Department of Friendship would apparently like, and many of them less than loyal to Equestria, will Old Graff one day decide that Zebrica's wealth and power outweigh one ancient idol in the political scales?

Her ladyship's position is even more precarious. She rules over a people who were defeated in bloody battle by her own compatriots only a few years ago. And even her position as one of the deposed king's companions does not make the common yeti see her as a ruler in her own right, rather than a traitor and a puppet of the occupiers. Is it any wonder that under Duchess Tempest, Storm Islands politics has been reduced to skillful (less patriotic individuals might use the word "frenzied") maneuvering between Equestria and Zebrica in an attempt to enlist the help of both sides in negotiations?

However, there is no need to worry in vain, we want to warn our readers. Let us not forget that Her Highness Twilight Sparkle does not bear by chance her title of Princess of Friendship. Before we claim that the rejection of a reasonable policy of non-interference in the affairs of barbarian peoples was premature - let us remember that this title was bestowed upon her by the Sun Princess herself, whose authority protected Equestria from savage raids for ten centuries in a row!

Of course, what some prejudiced readers might consider the formation of a hostile alliance around our borders is only the elements of a well-thought-out plan, which is too subtle and precise to be grasped by our modest reasoning. Sooner or later, the well-thought-out policy of the Throne of Friendship and the Elements of Harmony will be crowned with success. And we will see how our country will lead the peoples of Equus to new heights and achievements."

I yawned. I understood that I didn't understand anything. I had heard some names and titles before, but... You have to read that with a geographic atlas in your hands, for starters.

Keys jingled behind me and I heard Steel’s and Remy's voices talking to each other.

“Hello everypony!”

“Good day, Mr. Komarov!” Steel responded cheerfully. “What are the tasks for today?”

“Everything is the same, turning, filling and assembly. Just don't mix up the all-weather ink, I signed them separately. Remy, I put about twenty named cases in the dryer, keep an eye on them, okay?”

“It will be done!” the ponies responded in chorus.

I returned to reading, keeping one eye on the door.

"ASTRONOMICAL EXPEDITION LEAVES CANTERLOT."

"Two airships equipped with the latest telescopes, radiostations and sympathetic communication artifacts have left the docks of Canterlot. Under the leadership of the professors of the royal observatory Bright Star and Sparkling Night, they will head: one to the middle of the Luna Ocean, the second to the border of Alemane and Komonia.

The main objective of the expedition is to conduct synchronous astronomical observations from remote points of Equus. By measuring stellar parallactic shifts on the sphere of fixed stars, the researchers intend to determine the distance to them for the first time in history. In addition, scientists will engage in natural science, equilogical and ethnographic research in the lands they will cross.

Interest in this bold experiment is especially great in connection with the recent dissemination in the press of the marginal hypothesis of "infinitely distant suns." Let us recall that its supporters claim that the set of fixed stars in the sky of Equus is nothing more than accumulations of hot gas, the alchemical reaction of solar combustion in which is maintained without the involvement of supernatural forces, solely due to the colossal internal pressures and temperatures in the depths of giant gas balls, which seem to us to be those of the heavenly stars that are not subject to magical movement across the sky.

Of course, readers of our publication who are not strangers to natural philosophy have already realized that this hypothesis smacks of the ravings of a madpony. All calculations of the School of Gifted Unicorns show that even if the said reaction were possible, the volume of gas required for its ignition would significantly exceed the entire Equian system in size, and tens of thousands of times in mass! But even if we assume that such gigantic volumes of matter can exist in the Universe, the distance from which they would look like star-like points, and not miniature disks, is absurdly large. We will even refrain from citing these figures in our respected publication, so that a long tail of zeros does not take up several of the following lines.

As for the rumors being circulated by some Canterlot journalists that this is supposedly how the Sun is done in the human world, and what's more, that human civilization has reproduced the said reaction to create the most deadly weapon of their world, concentrated solar flame, we won't even bother to comment on them.

"And we would like to ask, together with our esteemed readers, who benefits from the dissemination of these absurd statements? Who is interested in giving a false importance to a handful of human settlers? Who would like to covertly cast a shadow on the sun itself, gradually leading the citizens of Manehattan to the idea that its light can be equated with a deadly poisonous flame with impunity? Enough equivocation, let's ask directly - who would want to discredit the name of Princess Celestia? Perhaps the Department of Friendship should look for answers to these questions, and not seek out mythical Hive spies and enemies of Harmony among honest ponies?"

I restrained the VHS with an effort of will.

The only thing I understood is that someone really wants to use the fact of human’s appearing in local political games. Eh.

And here is politics, motherfuckers...

The front door swung open, and a whirlwind of aquamarine rushed into the shop, spreading the scent of coffee and fresh chamomile donuts.

“Evgeniy!”

“Hello, hello,” I stood up, carefully checked to make sure we weren’t visible from the work areas, and quickly kissed Alyatara on the lips.

“Why are you up so early today?” she asked, hanging her scarf on the coat rack.

“Yes, I wanted to varnish the personalized batch since yesterday and forgot. And the first customers should come for them in the evening.”

“A-a-a, I see. Well, okay, I'll go do coloring. Steel! Are the blanks ready?”

"Since yesterday!" the earth pony responded through the buzzing of his incisor.

The door opened again.

“The Stylomechs of Alyatara welcome you, filly!”

The golden pegasus who entered the shop measured me with her gaze.

She was dressed in something like a uniform dark blue jacket, with an adjustment for a pony cut. On the lapel of the fur collar were pinned badges in the shape of silver wings. The shoulders were crowned with epaulettes with a large silver horseshoe. On the chest, half hidden from view, were stripes in the shape of a golden lightning bolt and something like medal straps. The cutie mark, not hidden by the short jacket, seemed to depict a tongue of flame.

"Human Komarov from Stylomechs of Alyatara?" she asked. Her voice was low for a pony, sharp and demanding.

“Exactly,” I bowed slightly. “It’s nice to see our small business becoming known in Manehattan.”

The mare's gaze ran over the stylomechs displayed on the display case.

"I saw one of those stuff last week at the weather brigade commander's of Manehattan," she said. "How much does it cost?"

“It’s just…” I fell silent, feeling a light push on my shoulder.

“For you, it’s free, Lieutenant Colonel,” Aliatara said firmly.

Pegasus shook her head.

“I can't accept such expensive gifts, pony.”

Alyatara stepped out from behind the counter.

“Ma'am, in that case, allow me to make you a deal. The Stylomechs of Alyatara are willing to offer you this stylomech, and in exchange, you allow us to write on this sign "Wonderbolt’s Supplier."

Something resembling a smile appeared on the pegasus's face.

“You should talk to my deputy chief of logistics. Do you have business cards?”

"Of course, Lieutenant Colonel," Alyatara snatched one from its holder and handed it to the pegasus. She grabbed it with her hoof and dropped it into her jacket pocket.

"If you'll pay attention," the unicorn said, "we have models for all-weather writing. They continue to write in frosts down to fifteen degrees. And we can also put your unit's insignia on them for free, ma'am."

The pegasus looked thoughtfully at the stylomech.

"Interesting," she said. "I'll have Lieutenant Cavert Feather contact you. How much is this thing worth, anyway?"

“As I said, free for you, ma'am. And if your squadron decides to make a bulk order, twenty bits apiece, including paint.”

"Thank you, pony. But I still insist on payment," the pegasus put the coins on the counter with a decisive movement.

“It is an honor for us to serve the heroes of Equestria,” Alyatara bowed.

“Goodbye, pony.”

I turned my gaze from the closed door to Alyatara.

“Do you know her?”

“Do I know her? - Alyatara turned her whole body towards me. - Do I know her? This is Spitfire!”

“Spit… who?”

“Lieutenant Colonel Spitfire! Commander of the Wonderbolts! She's a hero of the Storm War and one of the best flyers among the pegasi! She's almost as famous as the Elements of Harmony!”

I shook my head.

“Hm. I see. And yet, twenty bits apiece... Isn't that too cool?”

“Too cool?” Alyatara jumped up. “Evgeny, you have no idea how lucky we are! Might you as well call "too cool" the discount to the princess herself?! If we announce that we are doing business with the Wonderbolts, all of Manehattan will line up to see us!”

“With the Wanderbolts?” I heard an admiring gasp behind me.

Steel's eyes looked the size of the largest cog in his uncle's toolbox. Even his mane seemed to stand on end with excitement.

"Mister, did I hear right?" he asked in a half-whisper. "Did you just say that Spitfire came into our shop?"

Alyatara just nodded.

“I... I... What the muffin?” the earth pony gave himself a hearty slap on the forehead with his hoof.

I just raised an eyebrow. What kind of madness is going on here?

"I twice saved up my breakfast money and went to the Derby!" the pony said, almost with tears in his eyes. "I learned the entire team by heart, main and reserve! I have posters of all the commanders at home, from Firefly to Spitfire herself! And you mean to tell me I missed the chance to ask her for an autograph?"

“Don’t be upset,” Aliatara patted Steel on the shoulder. “I’m sure if we’re lucky enough to sign an official contract with the Wonderbolts, she’ll show up here again.”

Steel responded with a pretty good VHS.

“That's unlikely. I bet she flew here for one day on business, and tomorrow she'll be heading back to the Academy. Or guarding the borders of Equestria. Or patrolling the Storm Islands. Or doing some other Wonderbolt stuff.”

The cello purred softly in time with some wild raver rhythms. Surprisingly, both went well together. Manehattan quietly rustled outside the window, getting ready for sleep.

The tart taste of herbal tea in a thin porcelain cup. The soft weight of Alyatara on my lap.

The unicorn lay along the sofa, her chest and stomach resting on my legs. In front of her, a second cup of tea hovered in a green glow.

My left hand was on her back, and I was lazily scratching Alyatara's withers and scruff. She was squinting blissfully, sipping her tea in small sips.

It was good.

A red light was slowly moving outside the window. It must have been the tail lights of a night airship. The ship was gliding right over the rooftops, skirting the city from the southwest. That meant it was coming from somewhere in Equestria.

Alyatara levitated the cup somewhere on the table. She moved along the sofa, turned over on her back, exposing her belly to my caresses. I smiled. I put the cup right on the floor, freeing my other hand, and my touches became more insistent…

“Mr-r-r-m,” the pony muttered, closing her eyes. “I’ll completely forget about drawing with you…”

“A good sleep and good sex are better for your health,” I said instructively.

Alyatara giggled.

“I have never heard of a pony whose special talent was sound sleep. Not to mention…”

I imagined the picture of this cutiemark. And I couldn't help but snort too.

It’s a good thing the cup was already on the floor – otherwise I would have splashed not only the sofa, but also Alyatara.

I shifted my position slightly, feeling my legs starting to go numb (I need to get into the habit of doing morning exercises again! With this sedentary job, I'll soon grow a belly and seducing a pony won't be so easy!). The sofa rocked, resting against the edge of the table. With a light rustle, a letter which Alyatara had taken out of the mailbox that evening flew off.

“Oh my! I forgot about it!”

“Forget it until tomorrow,” I whispered to her. “It’s probably some piece of paper from the weather crew.”

“Probably,” the envelope lit up, slid across the floor towards us and soared up to Alyatara’s eyes.

She read the address carefully and suddenly sat up abruptly.

“What's wrong?..”

“This is from New Haysey,” she said, turning the envelope so that the postmark was seeing me. “From mine.”

The paper rustled as it was torn. Alyatara bent over the letter.

“Everything okay?” I asked. I could have looked over her shoulder, I could read Equestrian pretty well, but still – someone else’s correspondence, and family at that…

“ Mmm …” she muttered vaguely. She cast a narrowed glance at the switch, lit up the horn – but apparently it was too far for her telekinesis skill.

I winced, got up from the sofa and turned on the lamp.

“Thank you,” the pony said absently, her face looking thoughtful and tense.

Finally she finished reading. She returned the letter to the table, still with the same uncertain expression.

“So what do they write?” I asked, moving closer to her and hugging her shoulders.

Alyatara was silent.

“Oh, nothing. It’s just…”

“Well?”

Now her face looked guilty.

“Anyway, Mom wants to know what my plans are for Hearts and Hooves Day. And if I want to come visit them again.”

“Hearts and Hooves Day? That's your version of Lover's Day, right?”

“Yeah.”

“What's the catch?”

The unicorn sighed.

“If I refuse, she will definitely decide that you and I are not just neighbors and companions. And if I go, we will not be able to spend it together.”

“And they…” I began, perplexed.

Alyatara raised her pitiful eyes to me.

“I accidentally blurted out that we work together and rent an apartment. Well, and... It seems to me that my mother suspected something. Even though at that moment there was nothing to suspect!”

I chuckled.

“Oh, come on, whatever. Go ahead, especially if it's for just a day or two. We'll manage.”

She rose indignantly.

“Firstly, you will have another wave of sales on the holiday, and I will let you down! And secondly, by the way, I also want to celebrate Hearts and Hooves Day with my very special somehuman!”

I smiled, looking into her eyes.

“That's so nice to hear.”

“Thank you,” she muttered. “But that doesn’t solve the problem.”

“Oh well. We'll celebrate later. Like back then, on New Year's.”

The pony grinned.

“Just like then?”

My hand slid down her furry back.

“Just like then, nothing is stopping us now…”

• M-r-r, - Alyatara leaned towards me. The kiss did not stop for a long time. But when I was ready to move from words to deeds, she pulled away.

"It's still somehow unfair to the guys. And I wanted to celebrate the holiday with you," she said sadly.

I chuckled.

“Well, if you want, I’ll go with you myself,” escaped my lips.

And only when Alyatara’s eyes widened I realize that I had said too much.

“You... I... You really...”

“I... Well, listen, generally speaking...”

We looked at each other and laughed. As it happened, we both now had the same stupid - and confused - look.

The unicorn snuggled up to me.

“Are you serious?” she asked quietly. “You know, well... Celestia knows, I don't want to say that you're an episode for me or anything... But you know, when you go to a family reunion together, it's serious! We... well, don't we just go too far right off the bat? What do you think?”

I chuckled.

“Do they even know that I’m human?”

Alyatara sighed.

“Just not a pony.”

“That doesn't make it any better.

Ah, hay, we’ll figure it out.”

“We'll figure it out, of course,” Alyatara responded, and I realized that I'd said the last phrase out loud. “Oh, listen! I'll just write back that we have a ton of work on Hearts and Hooves Day! That's the honest truth, by the way!”

Smiling, I stroked her horn with my finger.

“Cunning.”

Alyatara shuddered.

“What is it?” I pulled my hand away.

She opened her eyes slightly.

“You didn't know?”

“About what?”

She blushed slightly.

“Give me your ear! The horn of a unicorn is...” she switched to a whisper.

I found myself smiling widely.

“Is that so?” I said slowly, leaning towards her face. “I think I should check this out…”