Pick me?

‘Pling’

The same noise at every self-checkout.

Luna looked at our cart of assorted foodstuffs curiously, “Carl, what does a drink called ‘monster’ taste like?”

I held up the can toward her just as confused, “I’m not even sure what it is supposed to taste like. All I know is it keeps me awake and probably gives me some kind of cancer.”

Banter was our current ploy to avoid the constant uncomfortable staring, it’s not every day alien royalty shows up in a Nevada Walmart.

“You’re a curious creature.”

“That’s why you keep me around is it not.”

A little voice interrupted our back and forth, “Mommy, She’s so fluffy!”

The little girl came running, just the right age for all things pink, fluffy, or cute. Luna just smiled watching the kid. Stopping in front of Luna she stared in awe.

Luna couldn’t help herself kneeling down and hugging her, “Hello little one, do you need something?”

She squealed in delight as Luna played with her while I finished off checking out.

“Oh my god. I’m uh.” The little girl’s father stood mortified as she was sent back to her father, with a feather in her hair.

Luna waved him off as we started to leave, “This happens all the time, do not worry yourself .”

“You know you should probably stop doing that.”

“When fillies and colts stop escaping their parents I might.”

“So, never.”

She just smiled at me as she unruffled her fur, Hopping into the truck.

“He is right, you should probably stop giving away powerful potion reagents to small children Princess.”

“Jesus, Shadow! You need some fucking bells so I can keep track of you.”
Luna chuckled at my startlement, “Now, now, Carl, that would defeat the point but Lt.ShadowSpear what brings you out of hiding?”

The large bat pony Removed a missive from his saddle bag and started to read.

Dear sister.

I wish to speak with you shortly as the infrastructure to place ‘phone calls’ has been built, however, I require Carl’s ‘phone number’.

Awaiting your reply, Princess of the Sun and your sister, Celestia.

I started the car as Shadow escaped the confines of the metal box. That was terse, I wonder if all of their correspondence is that formal.

Luna surprised me, “What has you so puzzled?”

The car lurched as I pulled from the parking lot still not used to the power.

“Oh, I know. Yes, she is always that terse and formal. Holdover from so long dealing with royals.”

“I see…”

“You sound unconvinced,” She tapped my leg, “Bit for your thoughts?”

I coughed awkwardly, “She was never that sharp with me, this a history thing?”

“Probably,” She mumbled, looking away.

“Hey, I get it my brother and I don’t talk so at least you can still chat at least.”

She perked up at that, “How did that come about?”

“Nothing cataclysmic,” I joked, “But for real. We had a falling out honestly petty bullshit but it’s how it is now. Haven’t talked in years now.”

“You’re avoiding the question again.”

I grimaced, “Yeah yeah, You are worse than my therapist. Back on my parent's farm, we were working. Splitting wood specifically and a prank went too far, almost crushed my hand in the hydraulics.”

She fiddled with the radio, and spoke softly, “Bodily harm is not ‘Petty bullshit’ as I see it.”

Quietly singing along to the radio she looked beautiful, Relaxed, and regal.

Rumble strips ripped me from my unprofessional thoughts.

Luna’s wings flared, slapping the seat, “Carl! What was that?”

“Shit! Sorry, got lost in thought.”

Google Maps interrupted the radio, “Your destination is on the left.”

Pulling into the only hotel in a thirty-mile radius we made our way through the quickly filling parking lot. The outside dinged and the curtains visibly stained from the outside.

Luna scoffed, “This place looks-”

I finished her statement, “Terrible, I know but it’s what’s available.”

“Nothing to it but to…” She caught herself quoting me.

“Ha! Let's go ya parrot.”

Luna took mock offense as we exited the car, “You know calling a pegasus a bird is offensive right?”

I walked backward through the parking lot shrugging my shoulders, “I guess I’ll just be offensive then I’ll blame my Irish roots.” I turned around just in time to almost slam my face into the doors as Luna laughed at me.

“Be careful monkey man.”

“Hey now, Professional time now.”

“Fine.”

The desert nights getting chilly, and we were greeted by warm air through the entrance.

The desk attendant sat mouth agape barely able to coherently greet us, “Um, Hello welcome to the Rolled Royal, how can I help you?

I tapped the side of my head, “Well you can’t help me, I keep hallucinating this blue pony following me around, but a room for two would be nice. I may as well be kind to the imagination you see.”

The attendant laughed, “Well I would try but our only open rooms are singles, I can get you two but it’s going to cost extra.”

I went to answer but Luna cut me off, “One room is fine we will make it work.”

I looked at her incredulously, “Oh?”

“You’ll live.”

“Fine, floor it is again.”

The attendant took our information and we were set to escape to the room. Getting stopped for questions every few steps, we took a while to get there.

Pushing open the door she complained, “Finally! Enough of the jostling and bouncing I feel like I’m on a boat now that we have stopped.”

I dropped my bags, sitting on the edge of the bed in the cold room, “You get used to it, cars are an acquired taste.”

She hopped on the bed the whole thing sinking, the mattress the cheapest around it seemed.

“You’re not sleeping on the floor.”

“Oh?”

“I can feel you shivering through the bed. I know you say the cold doesn’t bother you but that is extreme.”

“So Where am I sleeping? I’m not kicking you out of bed.”

“That, you are not.” I pulled him further onto the bed, Protecting him from the chilly room's air with my wings.

He stuttered, “Um. Hi. This is odd.”

“No more odd than when it’s your dreams.”

“That’s different.”

“Is it really?”

“It’s unprofessional.”

“And you’ve been soooo professional thus far, mhmm, that’s not it either.”

“Fine, let me go so I can actually get ready for bed.”

“Are you going to sleep on the floor?”

“No.”

“Good.”

I released him from his feathery prison, his lithe and muscular form standing in the dim light.

“Is this some pony thing I’m unaware of or are you just weird?” He joked on his way into the bathroom.

Am I weird, or just unfortunate circumstances? Making the best of a misfortune? I’m sure of no interest on his part, it’s simply an Idle fantasy.

“Luna, if you think any harder I’ll hear your thoughts,” He laughed as he shuffled under the sheets uncomfortably.

“I just don’t want you driving tired again, It’s-”

“Scary enough without the drifting between the lines you’ve told me.”

I worked my way under the covers without another word.

“I have duties to attend to,” I excused.

“Good night.”