This Is Awkward

by TheKing2001

Rating: teen
Tags: Derpy Hooves, Sunset Shimmer, Profanity, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Roseluck, Main 6, Romance, Drama, Trixie
Length: 19439

Sunset never really had the time or the interest in dating ponies. She's the worst when it comes to talking about emotions. When she finally comes to the conclusion she likes Silverspeed, she freaks the heck out.

Sunset never really had the time or the interest in dating ponies. She's the worst when it comes to talking about emotions. When she finally comes to the conclusion she likes Silverspeed, she recruits her friends and a pony she hasn't talked to in years to help her figure out what to do.

When another pony admits he's interested in Silverspeed, Sunset has to decide whether to value Silverspeeds happiness or her own.

https://www.fimfiction.net/group/217456/sunsetverse

Published 2024-11-13 07:10:01 UTC
Last updated 2025-02-04 19:33:10 UTC

Ray is fucking adorable

Sunset stretched out her hindlegs under her dining room table with a bowl of cereal in front of her with a few marshmallows on her spoon, a newspaper unfolded in front of her set to the comics with Ray sitting in front of it reading with her.

“You enjoying yourself, Ray?” Sunset asked and gently stroked his scales with a loving smile. “Pretty good comics, right? They always were my favorite part of the morning newspaper.”

Ray stuck out his tongue and made a sound that Sunset swore was the reptile version of a laugh and she grinned widely at him, wagging her tail happily.

“Thanks for keeping me company, little guy. Maybe I’ll bring you those little snacks from Dr. Fauna you love so much. It’s nice to have somepony to spend time with,” Sunset continued to pet him affectionately with the tip of her hoof.

“What am we, chopped liver?” Trixie coughed into a hoof as the other five looked up from their own breakfast and Sunset blushed.

“I may have forgotten you five were here,” Sunset admitted and took a sip of her coffee.

“And Dinky,” Derpy added before glancing at her oldest daughter. “And Sparkler.”

“And Silver Spoon,” Silverspeed chimed in as she stirred a spoon inside her chocolate milk.

“Do you eat with that lizard everyday?” Roseluck asked and gave Ray a wary look.

“Of course. He’s part of my family. Family eats together and he occasionally sleeps on my chest with me. Where I go, Ray goes most of the time,” Sunset answered dismissively and smiled adoringly at Ray. “Isn’t he so cute?”

“He is, yeah,” Derpy stretched a hoof to pet him. Ray eyed her warily before he allowed her to pet his head. “Cute.”

“Can I get a lizard? They are cute,” Dinky propped her hooves on the table and smiled at Ray, flicking her tail back and forth. “He’s adorable.”

“We will see. It takes a lot to watch after a pet. Sunset can tell you.” Sunset nodded her agreement.

“You have to clean out Ray’s terrarium, make sure he gets enough heat and water, proper food. He likes rocks to sunbath on. And he occasionally likes water being poured over him. Makes him feel like he’s getting a shower. Dr. Fauna and Fluttershy are very helpful when it comes to taking care of my baby boy.”

“The way you talk about that creature reminds me of a way a mare talks to her son,” Roseluck shook her head with a smirk. “I don’t understand it.”

“Maybe because all you have is plants?” Shoeshine suggested with a grin and nudged her. “And as. You really need a pet.”

“This is gonna be another one of those discussions that turns into us all arguing and Derpy breaking it up, isn’t it?” Trixie interjected with a glare.

“No, of course not,” Silverspeed coughed into a hoof and Trixie levitated her waffle to her mouth with a satisfied nod. “So. What’s on agenda for this week, world saving team of bad ass mares?”

Derpy coughed and glared at her, pointing a hoof at the two fillies.

“Heh, right. Sorry,” Silverspeed rubbed the back of her head nervously with a wing. “Anyway uh what’s everypony doing this week?”

“Working.”

“Cleaning the house and setting up my flowers in the greenhouse with my sisters.”

“Making sure this one gets to school on time,” Derpy shot Dinky a look.

“I got nothing planned,” Sunset shrugged and glanced at Silverspeeds purple eyes. “We can hang out all week long. Trixie?”

“Sorry, but Trixie has to iron out details for her next tour across Equestria otherwise she would come along.”

“Oh,” Sunset sighed and gazed down dejectedly into her cereal as the other adult ponies shared a look.

“Hey,” Roseluck lifted her chin with a hoof. “Just because we’re busy doesn’t mean we don’t care about you. What about your friends from Canterlot? Surely you had some.”

“Heh, yeah about that. I never cared about friends back home. I always focused on video games or studies.”

“I see,” Shoeshine mused and tapped a hoof agaisnt the table. “Well, there has to be other ponies in Ponyville.”

“Berry Punch,” Sunset answered immediately and smiled. “We’ve been close ever since I bailed her out of the drunk tank in Canterlot that one time.”

“Anypony else? Who even lived in Canterlot when you did?” Trixie asked and Sunset frowned slightly.

“Uh Lyra, Minuette, Twinkleshine, Spike and his marefriend, Twilight Snarkle and Moondancer. Sea Swirl and Sparkler but she lives here as we all know.”

“Lyra is nice,” Dinky told her with a warm smile. “She gives me some extra candy occasionally when I see her picking up Liza from school.”

Derpy made a mental note to talk to Lyra about that as Sunset chewed on her lip nervously.

“Maybe start with Lyra. She’s a very nice mare in her own way. She won’t judge you for any past actions, Sunset,” Derpy rested a hoof on her shoulder. “Trust us. We would never lie to you to hurt you. We love you.”

“I know. I guess I’ll go see Lyra. Alone,” Sunset sighed and Silverspeed shook her head with a grin.

“Not alone. Remember, me and you hanging out this week?” Silverspeed reminded her and Sunset nodded as she glanced at her eyes and looked away quickly.

The other four shared a quick look of confusion and shrugged it off.

“First, we finish our weekly breakfast,” Trixie proclaimed with a shrug. “Trixie cherishes this time.”

“Are you sure we can’t just catch a movie?” Sunset asked hopefully and Silverspeed shrugged. Berry Punch had been apparently too busy with bottling the rest of this seasons wine to spend time with them but she did promise them each a bottle of wine once they were ready.

“Meh, no dice. We all agreed to see Lyra, remember?” Silverspeed reminded when and paused. “Or well, the two of us did. It’s kinda nice when my job is keeping you safe. It’s relaxing.”

“I’m not all paperwork, meetings and causing chaos. I used some time off to take a week long vacation. Clear schedule for nothing but video games, drinking, shameless mast- I mean uh nothing,” Sunset and Silverspeed both turned bright red. “Carrying on, let’s get this over with. Hopefully she’s not home.”

“She always is around this time. Usually playing music,” Silverspeed answered casually and Sunset shot her a look. “Right, not helping.”

Sunset trotted along with Silverspeed hovering next to her to a small two story mint green house with a window open as the twe listened briefly to the sounds of a lyre coming through the window.

“Before we go in there, what happened back in Canterlot? Why are you so nervous about seeing Lyra?” Silverspeed held out a foreleg to block Sunset from walking.

“It’s complicated between the two of us. I never was a bully. I was never mean to anypony or if I was, I never meant it. I always made myself available as Princess Celestia’s daughter. To anypony who needed help. I pride myself on being a mare of ponies who need me: homeless ponies, poor ponies. Anypony who my influence could help. But a lot of ponies thought I was too aloof to spend time with them,” Sunset answered and created a circle in the dirt with her hoof. “Anyway, during a class, I sat next to Minuette. I turned to talk to her and she teleported away. She teleported away from me to sit next to Twinkleshine. That hurt me. A lot. So after that, I vowed to not make any friends. To keep doing my work to help ponies. Making friends just seemed like it would hurt me so you five are really the first ponies I truly opened up to outside of Mom, Raven and Captain Spitfire.”

Silverspeed hovered quietly and lowered her foreleg, lowering her head slightly.

“I’m sorry for asking. If it makes you feel better, I’m not good at making friends either. You girls and a select few are the only ponies I trust. I have a mentor in the guard who taught me everything I know. I look up to him a lot. You know Spitfire?”

“It’s okay, you didn’t know. And yeah, she and I hang out a bit. She’s actually pretty chill when she’s not being Captain Spitfire. She knows how to have fun, believe me.”

Silverspeed didn’t entirely know what to say to that. While she never met the mare personally, she did see the Wonderbolt Captain briefly at her Westhoof graduation. And everypony said Spitfire was the most intimidating mare they had ever met.

“If you’re sure, we can go catch a movie or hang out at my place. I can cover for you and say we went but Lyra wasn’t here,” Silverspeed offered and Sunset shook her head.

“No, we made a promise and I intend that promise. Even if I’m not enthused about it. Might as well just face the music.” Silverspeed snickered and Sunset rolled her eyes, giving her a playful shove. “Shut up.”

“Yes boss,” Silverspeed tossed her a lazy salute followed by a large grin.

Sunset inhaled and knocked on a dark brown door with a lyre shaped engraving on the surface and the music stopped.

“Coming!” Lyra called out in her normal, soft spoken voice and Sunset gulped. She listened to soft trotting inside and the door opened. Sunset stared into wide bright gold eyes as Lyra blew some of her mane out of her face. “Sunset Shimmer?”

“Hi Lyra.”

“What uh, what brings you by? I swear I paid my taxes this year. Or well, I think I did,” Lyra muttered to herself and tapped a hoof against her chin.

“You did this year,” Sunset confirmed and Lyra sighed in relief. “As for your first question we uh wanted to know if you were down to hang out this week. We both got this week off and our other friends are busy soooo. You can say no obviously but-”

“Are you kidding? I’m so down to raise some Tartarus. As long as we’re done by three thirty today, at least. Just let me get my keys and we can hit the road.”

Lyra disappeared back inside and Sunset closed her jaw.

“I always did forget how easy going Lyra was,” Sunset commented and crossed her forelegs.

“And you were worried about meeting her,” Silverspeed teased with a smirk.

“Shush you.”

Not as crazy as I thought she was

Sunset counted some clouds above her as Lyra trotted next to her, talking her ear off about who knows what. The last topic Sunset remembered them being on was about her music.

“You still play, don’t you?” Lyra asked suddenly and Sunset presumed they were back on the music conversation.

“Guitar here and there, yeah. Not since I left Canterlot though, no.”

“I meant video games. You still play video games?” Lyra asked and Sunset nodded. “Epic.”

“Yeah I guess. How did you even know about that?” Sunset demanded and Lyra snorted as she rolled her eyes.

“Sunset, everypony in Canterlot knew you played video games religiously. You were late to class many times because of how late you stayed up playing games. I even saw you playing a video game in class on a hoof held one day.”

“Professor Cinch’s class on plants of ancient Equestria was boring,” Sunset muttered and Lyra was inclined to agree. She had spent most of that class asleep. “Now why are we asking about my gaming life again?”

“Indeed. And I’m asking because we can hit up the arcade down the street that I take Liza to occasionally,” Lyra answered and Sunset’s eyes widened slowly.

“There’s an arcade in Ponyville and nopony thought to tell me? When did this happen?” Sunset demanded and Silverspeed coughed into a hoof. “What?”

“Sunset, the arcade has been here since the day you moved to Ponyville,” Silverspeed reminded her and Sunset blushed.

“Oh.”

“How often do you get out of your office?” Lyra wondered aloud and Sunset hung her head as she scuffed her hoof in the dirt.

“Not as often as I’d like,” Sunset muttered and cracked her neck. “My job keeps me busy. Really fucking busy. I only really get out to see my friends and fix whatever chaos the world decided Ponyville needed for that day.”

“Well, you’re out now so,” Lyra wrapped a foreleg around Sunset’s neck and Sunset resisted the urge to levitate it off. “Have fun!”

“By spending bits at this place,” Silverspeed gestured at a multi colored building with a neon sign. “The Party Palace.”

“Just one question,” Lyra removed her foreleg. “What’s fucking mean?”

“It’s a alternative way of saying bucking in our group,” Silverspeed explained and Lyra nodded sagely.

“Gotchaaaa. I fucking love it.”

“The word or bucking?” Silverspeed gave her a confused look and Lyra smirked, bumping flanks with the pegasus.

“Both.”

Silverspeed sat in a corner booth, wincing at the bright flashing lights and loud sounds coming from all around her, a paper plate with a cheap cheese pizza slice in front of her.

“This is the worst fucking place in Equestria,” Silverspeed muttered to herself and hung a foreleg over the edge of her seat.

“What, it’s amazing here,” Lyra commented with a piece of pizza dangling in front of her muzzle with her magic. “Liza has fun here. If she wasn’t at school right now, I’d have brought her along.”

“Didn’t you say you’ve been to places like this before?” Sunset asked and glanced at Silverspeed. “I swear you have.”

“I went to a royal guard bar after graduation but it was nothing like this. This isn’t even a bar. Mostly it was just full of drunk soldiers and fights. The amount of stallions and mares that hit on me that night because of my uniform is insane,” Silverspeed shrugged and took a bite of her pizza and made a face. “Eugh.”

“I wanna see you in uniform, not just your armor,” Sunset commented and Silverspeed tilted her head at her.

“I mean, it’s usually reserved for ceremonies, inspection or funerals for royal guards or other important state figures but I guess we can make that a possibility? I don’t have any medals or anything so it’s not much. But it does look nice on me, especially on the flanks,” Silverspeed mused to herself and took a sip of water. “Why?”

Lyra raised an eyebrow slightly as she watched on, tilting her head slightly at Sunset before looking at Silverspeed.

“Interesting,” Lyra muttered to herself as the other two kept talking.

“I miss this arcade back in Canterlot that shut down. Never forget the After Hours arcade,” Sunset sighed sadly and shook her head.

“After Hours?” Silverspeed echoed and Sunset nodded. “That sounds like a BDSM club.”

Lyra snickered and Sunset shot Silverspeed an unimpressed look.

“Your sense of humor has gotten really dirty these past few months, what’s up with that?”

“I’m friends with Trixie,” Silverspeed retorted and Sunset paused.

“Touche.”

“Actually, After Hours reopened under a new name last month. It’s called The Joystick Joint now,” Lyra answered casually and stirred her straw around her drink as Sunset looked at her.

“See, now that is a dirty name,” Sunset told Silverspeed with a smirk. “Also, we’re going to Canterlot.”

“What, today?”

“No but later in the week. It’ll be fun. We can hit up Donut Joe’s again. It’s been a couple months since I last visited Canterlot,” Sunset said and paused. “That’s okay with you, right? You can always stay behind with Silver Spoon. I can go alone.”

“It’ll take some convincing, but I might be able to get Lucky Clover to look after Silver Spoon. Or Blossomforth. I don’t think having parents or siblings of her classmates look after her is wise after last month.”

Sunset shrugged and nodded. Even a month later, apparently most of the school kids still didn’t trust Silver Spoon because of how close she is to Diamond Tiara.

“I’m down. I’ve been in Canterlot a lot recently than I have home. Should be fun though. Wanna tag along Lyra?” Silverspeed suggested and Sunset watched warily.

Sunset had to admit, Lyra wasn’t so bad. The mare was pretty fun surprisingly and could hold her own against Sunset and Silverspeed in Mario Kart. That had automatically bumped her up in Sunset’s list of ponies she didn’t mind to be around.

“Maybe if Liza can come with. She’s never been to Canterlot, not even to see Twilight or the others. She might have fun,” Lyra answered and Sunset tensed up at Twilight’s name. “Heh, I mean the other one, not the one who shall not named.”

“Thanks. And I guess you can come with. I must say, this is going better than I expected,” Sunset confessed and Lyra smirked slightly.

“Oh? And just how did you expect this to go?” Lyra asked and twirled her glass around on the table.

“I dunno, you slamming the door in my face or something along those lines?” Sunset suggested and Lyra burst out laughing. “Don’t die on us.”

Lyra rested her head on the table and kept laughing as Sunset and Silverspeed both shared a confused look.

“Oh man,” Lyra wiped a tear from her eye and giggled. “That’s funny. I only slam doors in the face of those ponies who try to sell me random shit. I’ve actually never had a problem with you unlike some others. You’ve always been pretty chill in some ways.”

“I thought you would have hated me. I never really hung out with you or anypony else before.”

“Listen,” Lyra rolled her eyes and sat back up. “I don’t hate anypony, alright? Hate is such a negative emotion. So draining to hate. Sure, there’s ponies I dislike, but you were never on that list, believe it or not. I’ve always looked up to you. You’re a leader and a strong pony. My friends may not like you much, especially Moondancer, but me personally I am quite fond of you, even if you never really noticed me.”

Lyra stretched out a hoof and Sunset didn’t really know what to do so she gave Lyra her own hoof and Lyra squeezed it. Silverspeed stared silently and licked her lips and pushed down her jealously as she watched Lyra patted Sunset’s hoof.

“Really?” Sunset asked and Lyra nodded enthusiastically.

“Of course. I also heard what you did for Berry, paying to get her out of the drunk tank that one time. Minuette also respects you for it. I can see why your friends care about you as much as they do. Shoeshine brags about you every chance she gets. About how she’s proud to know Princess Celestia’s bad ass biological kid,” Lyra winked and Silverspeed opened her mouth.

Sunset subtly shook her head and shot her a warning look. Silverspeed closed her mouth and Sunset gave a relieved sigh.

“Thank you Lyra,” Sunset smiled at the mare and Lyra waved a hoof dismissively in the air.

“It’s a pleasure. Now come on, all this talking is boring me. Let’s go finish the last few games. I saw a shooter around here somewhere,” Lyra looked around as she stood up.

“I’m so gonna have a migraine from all these lights and loud ponies,” Silverspeed sighed to herself as she stood up to follow the other two.

She's way nicer than ponies say

Lyra shut her door, flopping down on her couch with a sigh. In her magic she held a picture she, Sunset and Silverspeed had taken before the three had gone to the separate houses. Sunset was in the middle with a foreleg wrapped around Silverspeed and Lyra's neck with a smile. Lyra was winking into the camera and Silverspeed was smiling widely. The mare had to squeeze into the booth and had to practically sit on Sunset just to be in the photo but Lyra had a feeling neither of them really minded.

"Did you have fun today?" Bon Bon poked her head in from the upstairs around the stairs railing. "I picked up Liza from school. Or well, Miss Cheerilee dropped her off at my shop."

"Heh, sorry about that. And yeah, we had we fun. Talked a lot with Sunset. She beat the two of us at a bunch of games. Where's my daughter at, by the way?" Lyra asked and looked around the room.

"Upstairs in bed. I read her a book and fed her. She's asleep and did her homework at my place," Bon Bon answered and and quietly snuck down the stairs. Bon Bon moved Lyra's hind legs and sat down.

"Thanks Bons."

"Anytime. What are friends for?" Bon Bon nudged and Lyra gave a nervous laugh.

"Yeah. Friends. Totally," Lyra glanced at her ceiling and sighed. "You should have been there, Bon Bon."

"Why?"

"Sunset is fun to be around. She's way nicer than ponies say. She tells good jokes, she's helpful. I've know Sunset almost my entire life. Ponies back home say she's mean, she's cruel and vindictive. Minuette, Twinkleshine, Lemon Hearts, Spike, Twilight, Moondancer. Almost all those ponies swore Sunset was bad news. Those ponies are wrong. Sunset is a kind hearted mare. I just wish I didn't spend so long without even trying to befriend her."

Lyra's mane hung over the couch end as she sighed again.

"Didn't you say she was a bully or something back when you were a kid?" Bon Bon gave Lyra a confused look. "Why befriend a pony like that?"

"She was never a bully, just distant and lonely. All she had her entire life was Princess Celestia, Raven and Spitfire. In comparison, I had my parents, countless friends over the years, even boyfriends and girlfriends. I have a daughter, for Celestia's sake. Sunset only recently got friends. That's a lonely road for a pony to walk alone," Lyra remarked and Bon Bon frowned down slightly at her lap.

"I can relate to Sunset. All I had was me. My parents were really uh not nice to me. I never had what you guys have. It must be nice. To have loving parents or loving family in general. But at least I have a best friend like you and an adorable filly like Liza," Bon Bon leaned forward and nuzzled Lyra.

"I hate this," Lyra muttered and Bon Bon raised an eyebrow. "Nothing. I'll tell you later."

Lyra wrapped her forelegs and Bon Bon, dragging a blanket overtop the two of them with her magic. Lyra nuzzled Bon Bon with a faint smile, flicking her tail back and forth.

"Oh!" Lyra exclaimed and Bon Bon jumped. "Those two were setting off my gaydar like fucking crazy today."

"I'm sorry, your what?"

"My gaydar," Lyra repeated and Bon Bon settled back on top of her again. "Whenever ponies around me are interested in each other that are the same gender, I automatically know. A certain individual is setting it off right now but uh don't worry about that. I swear, one or both of them likes each other. I can see them getting together by the end of the month or year."

"Uh huh. And what makes you think that exactly?" Bon Bon rested her face on Lyra's shoulder.

"Just how they were acting. I don't know if they know what they were doing, but they are flirty with each other. At one point to get our picture, Silverspeed practically had to sit on Sunset's lap just to get in the picture and neither of them seemed upset about it. Kinda like us right now."

Bon Bon turned a faint pink and nuzzled Lyra.

"Are you going to your house or staying here?" Lyra asked and traced a circle on Bon Bons back slowly.

"Here is fine by me. But we should go upstairs. The couch isn't great to sleep on."

Bon Bon flung the blanket over her back and started trotting up the steps as Lyra's eyes followed her.

"Well? Coming or not?" Bon Bon asked as she rested a hoof on the railing of the staircase.

"Coming. Just uh admiring the view. Outside, I mean. Definitely outside."

Lyra levitated the pictures she had placed on the coffee table into a nearby picture frame, placing it on the wall and smiling fondly at it.

Sunset and Silverspeed both waved bye to Lyra as the mint green unicorn trotted away to her house. Sunset was more than a bit surprised to realize she genuinely enjoyed Lyra's company.

"So you headed home?" Sunset asked and Silverspeed nodded before stretching her wings.

"Yeah, after I walk you home. Still gotta make sure you're safe first before I can relax myself," Silverspeed answered and cracked her neck. "I noticed you and Lyra had fun."

"Yeah, we did. I noticed you were too. I never realized how kind Lyra truly was until tonight. Maybe meeting more ponies isn't such a bad thing. Lyra is very nice."

"She is, yeah. Beautiful night out," Silverspeed commented and looked around as Sunset found herself staring at Silverspeed as the pegasus tucked a strand of her mane behind her ear.

"Yeah, it is," Sunset muttered and turned pink. "It's really a nice view."

The two started trotting again and Sunset stifled a yawn.

"You sure you wanna walk me home? I'm pretty sure your house is closer than mine," Sunset glanced at a house with dark windows.

"Yeah, I'm sure. This is my job, after all remember? I'm paid to do this. And besides, I enjoy your company," Silverspeed smiled warmly and Sunset felt weird inside in her stomach at the sight.

"Likewise," Sunset licked her dry lips and blew some mane out of her eyes. "Luna really did a bang up job tonight with the stars."

"You like being related to the goddess of the night?"

"Oh yeah, it's cool. I went from having only two family members to having nine," Sunset answered and leaned forward to hug Silverspeed. "You're one of those ponies." Silverspeed returned the hug happily as she wagged her tail slightly.

"Thanks Sunshim," Silverspeed nuzzled her. Silverspeed let her go and the two resumed walking for the next few minutes. Ponyville was quiet except for the occasional pony heading home that the two waved to.

"Well, this is me," Sunset stopped outside her door.

"Yeah, I know. It was fun. I look forward to traveling this week," Silverspeed and Sunset both stood on the doorstep. "I'll catch you tomorrow for coffee?"

"You know it," Sunset crossed her forelegs. "Goodnight, Silverspeed."

"Night Sunset."

The unicorn opened her door with her magic and trotted inside, glancing outside as Silverspeed flew away.

"Why do I feel so weird inside?" Sunset muttered as she flopped onto her bed.

I hate heights

Roseluck took a sip of her water as she and her sisters continued working on the garden.

“Can you hoof me those Marelachian tulips, Lily?” Daisy asked and Lily shoved the box over to the other mare. “Hey, thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” Lily answered dismissively and set down her scissors. “Hey, where are Sunset and Silverspeed going?”

“Canterlot,” Roseluck told the two and stretched out her forelegs. “Lucky Clover is watching Silver Spoon for the week. Blossomforth is sick and she couldn’t.”

“How long are we going to be hiding in here?” Flitter asked and frowned as she peered out through the blinds.

“Until Silverspeed leaves town for the next few days. I had to lie and say I was sick so I didn’t have to watch Silver Spoon. That filly is cruel. The last time I watched her, she was insulting my cooking,” Blossomforth said and closed her wings. “Would you shut those already? Is she on the train?”

“Getting their tickets now. I thought you and her were friends?” Flitter shot her a questioning look.

“We are. Oh Celestia, I lied to my friend!” Blossomforth covered her face with her wings and Flitter sighed, rolling her eyes.

“Thank Celestia we decided to not take Cherry Berry’s balloon,” Sunset commented as she paid for her ticket. “Two tickets, please. I hate heights. I don’t know how you can handle it.”

“I guess it’s easier because I was born with my wings. In Cloudsdale, you don’t have time to worry about stuff like that. I will admit, certain heights do make me worried,” Silverspeed answered as she accepted her ticket before shoving it into her saddlebags. “You sure you wanna sit with other ponies?”

“Of course. And besides, there’s no cabins available unfortunately according to the sign outside,” Sunset explained as she sat down at a window seat, tapping a hoof on the spot next to her. “Sit.”

Silverspeed tucked her legs under her and propped her head on the window sill.

“I love trains,” Sunset mused as she hoofed her tickets to the conductor pony. “Thanks sir.”

“Only been on a train once before now. This is a second for me. I’ve always been interested in them though,” Silverspeed admitted and Sunset settled against her and Silverspeed wrapped a wing around her. “Comfy?”

“Mhmmm. It’s about a five hour train ride so we might as well get comfy,” Sunset smirked and nuzzled Silverspeed. “I’m gonna rest. You can stay awake if you want.”

“Yeah,” Silverspeed coughed and turned pink. “I’ll stand watch if anypony tries anything.”

Sunset didn’t entirely think anypony would. She did have a large, intimidating looking pegasus at her side, after all.

Sunset curled closer and closed her eyes, passing out in the warm furry wings.

Silverspeed took a sip of her coffee she had managed to get off the snack cart that went through, making a face and shrugging before setting it down in her cup holder. Cheap coffee was always awful in her opinion. She much rather preferred Derpy’s coffee.

“Five minutes to Canterlot,” a pony called out over an intercom and Silverspeed shifted her weight as she glanced at the unicorn sleeping inside her wing. She decided to let the other mare sleep and rested her head against the train cars cushion.

Her second ever train ride was decent, she guessed. Kinda bumpy and loud. Most ponies were sleeping, a few were talking quietly. Most were ponies from Ponyville that Silverspeed recognized.

“Thirty seconds till we’re stopped. Makes sure to grab all your belongings from the train,” the same voice said again and Silverspeed sighed.

“Hey, wake up,” Silverspeed shook Sunset for a few seconds. “Sunsettttt. We’re here.” Silverspeed tensed slightly as the train slide to an abrupt stop.

“Ugh,” Sunset grumbled and rolled out from under the wing. “Joy. Did you sleep at all?”

“No.”

Sunset rolled her eyes as she stood up. And she thought Trixie was stubborn. The doors opened and the two stared at the large city before them.

Even though she was born here, the sight of Canterlot still took Sunset’s breath away. The large towering castle in the distance with the gold paint on the spires, the waterfall pouring over the side of the mountain, the crowds of ponies all mingling. Pegasi, unicorns, earth ponies.

The royal guards trotting around or standing guard at the castle gates.

“I never will get over this view,” Sunset muttered as she stepped off the train. “No matter how many times I see it, it still blows me away.”

“It’s beautiful,” Silverspeed agreed readily as she joined her. “You should see Cloudsdale one day. Rainbows everywhere, the weather factory jutting in the sky. It’s something else. Just makes me appreciate the simplicity of Ponyville more. Earth ponies truly are amazing.”

Sunset nodded in agreement and stretched out her legs.

“We need to find a hotel or a empty room in the castle before I can show you around properly. My mom doesn’t really know I’m here,” Sunset confessed. “I’d rather keep this on the down low.”

“Interesting.”

Silverspeed glanced around in slight confusion as they walked down through Canterlot. All around them, ponies either knelt down to bow or royal guards saluted Sunset.

“What is going on?” Silverspeed whispered in Sunset’s ear and the mare jumped slightly. “Sorry.”

“I’ll tell you at the castle or hotel. But castle is closer since I’m banned from one of the hotels that is nearby,” Sunset grumbled and rolled her eyes. “Actually fuck it, I’ll tell you now.”

“Okay because this is getting awkward,” Silver muttered as some more ponies bowed and two royal guards pulled open the castle gates, saluting after.

“Imagine how I feel. You’ve only been dealing with this for five minutes. I’ve been dealing with it my entire fucking life,” Sunset shot back and scowled. “Alright, as we know, I’m Princess Celestia’s daughter, blah blah blah. Which technically makes me a princess because of that said fact. So Canterlotians tend to bow or salute or wave a lot to me. Especially the upper class families like Twilight Snarkles or Moondancers. Lyra, Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine etc. Their families too.”

“I’ve never actually thought about it that way but it does make sense. Am I supposed to bow or salute now?”

Sunset snorted and shook her head before bumping her flank against the other mare.

“Nah, I’d rather you didn’t. It’s okay I guess for strangers to bow and all, but not my friends. I don’t really like the guards doing it either. I mean, I grew up with half of these stallions and mares. It feels awkward.”

“I can imagine. So how you plan on sneaking into the castle? I can personally tell you there’s hundreds of guards in there.”

“You’ll see,” Sunset grinned and Silverspeed groaned.

“This isn’t gonna end well.”

This won't end well

Sunset and Silverspeed trotted past a restaurant, missing the two ponies inside staring at them.

“Was that Sunset Shimmer?” Twilight asked as she set down her coffee cup.

“I believe so and her friend it looks like,” Moondancer mused as she rested her head on her hoof. “Interesting. I didn’t know the Princess was coming back to Canterlot.”

Twilight scoffed and levitated some bits out of her bag, placing them on the table.

“She’s not a princess, she’s a bully,” Twilight remarked and Moondancer gave her a flat look.

“Careful. That could be construed as treason talk,” Moondancer warned quietly and looked around. “Sunset is Princess Celestia’s kid. That makes her a princess by extension. We both read the same book about it. And she’s not really a bully, she’s very stern. There’s a difference.”

Moondancer paused her lecture to fix the collar of her sweater, pushing her glasses up with a hoof.

“Keep this conversation up and we’re both bound to get arrested. Or worse,” Moondancer sighed and took a bite of her donut. “I’m not too eager to end up in a cell again after the Twinkleshine incident where she slapped her cheating ex and I shot him in the chest. Thank the lord above that Princess Celestia bailed us out.”

Twilight winced and sipped her coffee. She had to agree that the jails aren’t a nice place.

“I think you mean thank the lord you didn’t kill him. Even Princess Celestia can’t help my marefriend out of a murder charge. Lucky she convinced him to not press assault charges,” Twilight frowned at Moondancer. “Even I don’t have enough sway as her other student to get you out of that.”

“I know,” Moondancer shrugged and rested her hoof on top of Twilight’s. “Let’s just stay away from her. Did the princess say anything about Princess Sunset coming?”

Twilight’s eye twitched slightly. While she didn’t hate Sunset, it sure seemed Sunset hated her wholeheartedly. Sunset had always been somewhat friendly with other ponies in her own special way. Twilight didn’t really know what she had done to Sunset and not even Celestia knew.

And apparently Sunset told Celestia everything. Allegedly.

“Where’s Spike at?” Moondancer asked and Twilight smirked. “Uh oh.”

“Mhm. Last time I saw him was sneaking into the castle to go see Lemon Hearts on her break,” Twilight answered with a grin and shook her head.

“They still doesn’t know we know they’re dating, do they?” Moondancer asked and smirked. “Oh boy.”

“Just wait till they find out. Those two could be way more subtle about it. Twinkleshine has commented on it a few times.”

“Oh, I one hundred percent agree. She’s lucky I trust her with Spike.”

Lemon Hearts levitated some cakes out of the oven, dropping them with a tired sigh onto the counter.

“Who even eats this much cake?” Lemon Hearts complained and wiped some sweat off her forehead with a hoof. “Somepony needs a diet. If it was my lemon bars, I’d understand their obsession.”

“Miss Lemon Hearts. We got a special request from two guests for you lemon bars,” a royal guard stuck his head in and Lemon Hearts perked up.

“Ooh finally. Who is it?”

“Sorry, I’m under specific orders to not say. Once they’re done, please deliver them to room seven fifty five.”

“But that’s just an empty storage room?” Lemon Hearts muttered in confusion and the yellow unicorn levitated some baking trays out. “How many they want?”

“Three,” the guard answered and Lemon Hearts raised her eyebrows.

“Damn,” Lemon Hearts whistled and started levitating more baking ingredients out of cupboards. “Do I knock or?”

“Yes. Just knock and then leave the goods on the doorstep. I will pick up any empty plates when they tell me they leave,” the guard answered and opened the door. “And be careful. There’s reports of a dragon sneaking around the castle. Nopony knows where Spike is or if it even is Spike. Come find one of us if you come across it.”

Lemon Hearts hid her smile behind a hoof and watched the earth pony trot through the double doors that marked the kitchen entrance.

“He’s gone,” Lemon Hearts announced and turned to see Spike climbing out of a cupboard. “You know, the whole point of sneaking into the castle to see me is to not get caught, right?”

“Yeah well I fell,” Spike answered and Lemon Hearts nuzzled him before kissing his forehead. “Aren’t you on your break?”

“I was supposed to but I got orders to bake something for guests. Which I didn’t know we were expecting anypony. They must be important if they have the ability to order the Royal Guard around. And they’re in a empty storage room. Weird, right?”

“Very weird,” Spike agreed and climbed onto a stool Lemon Hearts had levitated over. “Want help?”

“Yeah, of course. At least it’s not Twilight trying to help. Last time, she almost set the castle kitchen on fire.”

The two laughed before Lemon Hearts kissed his cheek.

“Love ya Spiky.”

“Love you too, Lemon.”

Lemon Hearts and Spike quietly trotted(walked in Spikes case)down the hall to avoid being heard on the floors below them, the dark purple light from Lemon Hearts horn being the main source of light.

“Who do you think is in there?” Spike asked and hugged Lemon Hearts leg. “What if it’s a monster?”

“I highly doubt a royal guard would work willingly with a monster,” Lemon Hearts retorted and rolled her eyes. “Now stop before you make me have nightmares.” Lemon Hearts shot him a pointed glare.

“Heh, sorry.”

The two approached the worn door and Spike set down the wrapped plates in front of it, Lemon Hearts knocking and the two took over around the corner, peering around the corner as the door opened and the two watched curiously.

“Huh,” Spike mused as Sunset’s amber hoof nudged the door open further and the mare stepped out properly.

“Silverspeed, we should have paper in there. We need to leave a thank you note. I’ve always freaking loved lemon bars. Lemon Hearts always did make great ones,” Sunset mused and Lemon Hearts blushed at the compliment. “I wish she didn’t hate me so much like her friends do. I may not like Twilight Sparkle, but I still wish her friends were nice to me. At least Lyra and I are good friends now.”

Lemon Hearts and Spike shared a confused look before peering around the corner again. Neither of them really hated Sunset if they were being honest. And they didn’t hear anything about Lyra becoming friends with Sunset recently.

The two made out a feminine voice and raised an eyebrow.

“Yes Silverspeed, I actually called her Twilight Sparkle, not Twilight Snarkle,” Sunset rolled her eyes and Spike snorted. Sunset’s head whipped to the left and narrowed her eyes as Spikes mouth was covered by Lemon Hearts yellow hoof. “It’s nothing. Thought i heard something. Might have been there castle staff or the sergeant heading back to the rest of the castle.”

The mare called Silverspeed said something and Sunset gave a giggle. An actual giggle and Lemon Hearts eyes widened.

Lemon Hearts glanced at her pulsing two blue and green heart cutie mark before glancing at Sunset.

“What’s wrong with your cutie mark and flank?” Spike whispered and Lemon Hearts shot him a glare.

“There is nothing wrong with my flank, dear,” Lemon hissed and narrowed her eyes. “My cutie mark pulses like this when somepony loves another pony. So Sunset i presumes like this Silverspeed. And based on how fast the hearts on my flank are pulsing, Silverspeed returns the gesture. Which makes it our responsibility to get them together. My cutie mark did the same thing before you even admitted to liking me, Spiky.”

Spike blushed and Lemon smirked at him.

“You knew and you just sat there as I did that awful, awkward confession? Could have made it easier on me,” Spike crossed his arms and Lemon Hearts hugged him, nuzzling his head spikes.

“It was also adorable. Now come on, let’s get back to the kitchen. We have dishes to do.”

Spike groaned before hugging her back and Lemon Hearts snickered. She may hate doing dishes too, but it was more tolerable with somepony else.

Sneaking in

Sunset poked her head out of a bush before waving her foreleg forward and Silverspeed trotted forward, staring up at the castle.

“And just how do you plan on sneaking up into the castle from here?” Silverspeed questioned and gestured with a wing. “All I see is a open window, a leaky pipe and a wall.”

“Just you wait and see. When I was a filly, this is how I snuck out of the castle. And occasionally snuck back in,” Sunset answered and gave the pipe an experimental tug with her hoof.

Sunset inhaled and jumped up, grabbing the pipe with her forelegs and hind legs, planting her hooves against the wall before placing a hoof on the window sill with a grunt.

“Uhm Sunset?”

“I got this,” Sunset brushed off Silverspeed as the pipe groaned and Sunset placed another hoof on the window sill. “Just a few more seconds and-”

The pipe broke and Sunset’s eyes widened as she flailed her forelegs around in the air before being caught by the other pony.

“That’s what I was trying to warn you about. The pipe was breaking,” Silverspeed muttered and fluttered her wings. “Why don’t we just fly up and boom, we’re in? Why are we even sneaking in the castle? This is literally your home.”

“Oh. I like being sneaky. And no offense, but the castle guards tend to be loose lipped, especially when it comes to royalty. They like to gossip. The whole castle staff does it seems. Not as much as Rarity, but pretty damn close.”

Silverspeed had a feeling this was the exact opposite of sneaky. And the pipe breaking had been pretty loud. She wouldn’t be surprised if a guard patrol wasn’t on their way right now to investigate.

“Sound came from over here.” The two froze and gave each other worried looks as Sunset’s horn glowed and Silverspeed looked around. Sunset could easily teleport away but Silverspeed was a tall pony. None of the bushes nearby could hide her.

Two guards trotted around the corner and Silverspeed held her breath as they trotted right past her.

The pair of stallions trotted up to the pipe, one tugging at it curiously before kicking the broke part on the ground.

“Huh, weird,” the earth pony muttered and stared up at the window. “Guess it just randomly broke. It is pretty windy out tonight.”

“We’ll let the maintenance crew know. This pipe has been damaged for who knows how long. Surprised it didn’t happen sooner,” the other earth pony guard commented and rested his spear against his shoulder. “Let’s get back to patrol.”

“Mhm.”

Sunset and Silverspeed watched the two trotted away back to patrolling the grounds. Silverspeed let out her breath and Sunset canceled her invisibility spell.

“Invisibility spell. Comes in handy,” Sunset winked and nodded at Silverspeeds wings. “Come on, fly us up.”

Double Cross trotted down the halls, occasionally peering into empty rooms as two other earth pony guards trotted up to him.

“Sir.” The pair slowed to a stop and saluted him.

“Onyx, Maverick. You two are supposed to go patrolling the northern side of the castle. What are you doing in here?” Double Cross narrowed his eyes slightly.

“Dropping off a work order in maintenance. We found a broken water pipe on the outside of the castle,” Maverick answered and the stallion brushed his mane out of his eyes. “Sir.”

Double Cross slowed to a stop and stated at the two guards.

“What floor and was there a window opened?”

“Seventh floor and yeah. There was an open window,” Onyx answered and glanced at Maverick who nodded.

“Let’s go. I have a faint idea of who is breaking into the castle,” Double Cross rolled his dark green eyes. “She’s been doing this years.”

“Should we get our hoofcuffs and magical inhibitors if she’s a unicorn, sergeant?” Maverick asked and Double Cross shook his head with a frown.

“No, she’s harmless for the most part. And besides, we can’t arrest this mare,” Double Cross answered and gestured forward. “You two, walk with me.”

“Why can’t we arrest her? We’re royal guards and castle guards. These badges and armor doesn’t mean nothing. If she’s breaking in, she’s a threat to the Princesses,” Onyx pointed out in confusion. “What makes her so special?”

“Because she is Princess Celestia’s daughter and this is her house.”

Double Cross and the other two guards followed behind him with flashlights, shining them into some empty rooms.

Double Cross paused and read a number on the door before knocking on it.

“Open up,” Double Cross sighed and the door slowly opened. “Sunset, you’re bad at this.”

Onyx and Maverick pushed their helmets up and their hoof cuffs made a clinking sound against their armor.

“Thought they would have promoted you by now sergeant,” Sunset shot back and opened the door fully, Silverspeed peering out the window curiously. “It’s been awhile.”

“Indeed. Silverspeed, nice to see you,” Double Cross peered around Sunset and Silverspeed trotted over with a large smile to hug him. “You should have mentioned you were visiting. These two privates back here wanted to arrest you for breaking in and entering till I had to explain who you were.”

The other two rubbed their heads nervously before putting their flashlights away, saluting her and Sunset smirked.

“Nice to meet you both. Sunset Shimmer, element of magic. Silverspeed, element of loyalty and royal guard. You don’t have to salute or bow to me. I’m no better than you,” Sunset levitated their hooves down. “And don’t even think about addressing me as Princess Sunset.”

“Yes ma’am- er Sunset,” Onyx corrected and she nodded.

“Double Cross is like a uncle to me. He trained me everything I knew and was drill sergeant back in basic training. Small world, huh?” Silverspeed chuckled and nuzzled him. “How are you doing?”

“Good and it’s nice to see you again kid. Element of harmony, huh? Knew you were going places,” Double Cross smiled at him. “I see you’re using your old hide out. Would you like us to get you anything from the kitchen? Lemon Hearts is working tonight.”

Sunset’s eyes lit up widely and she danced excitedly. Lemon Hearts was probably her favorite baker in the castle, though she never got an opportunity to tell her that.

“Yes please. A few sandwiches, drinks, two trays of Lemon Hearts lemon bars. And a large container of mint ice cream. Please and thank you. And please keep my presence here a secret. I don’t want my mom or aunt knowing I’m her. I don’t like giving orders, but this is one.”

“As you wish,” Double Cross bowed his head slightly. “Let’s go. Good soldiers follow orders.”

“Good soldiers follow orders,” the other two chorused and Silverspeed nodded.

“Thank you. And now the two of us have a gaming session to get back to.”

“Me beating your ass is more like it,” Silverspeed shot back and the two shared a laugh.

“We will see, won’t we?”

Silverspeed had a feeling she was going to be up all night.

What even is this place?

Sunset peered around both corners before gesturing forward with a foreleg and she started trotting away quietly to a door with Silverspeed mimicked her hoof steps.

“Stay quiet,” Sunset whispered as she grasped a door handle with her magic. “This area of the castle is abandoned, but there’s always the odd chance a guard or maintenance is over here.”

Silverspeed gave a silent nod and Sunset started turning the door, both jumping slightly at the loud creak it made. Sunset exhaled and kept opening it.

Sunset levitated Silverspeed into the air and dragged her in, kicking the door shut behind her.

“Looks like they still haven’t fixed that door,” Sunset muttered and rubbed the back of her head. “Anyway, what do ya think?”

Silverspeed looked around slowly at the room. A large queen sized bed with multiple pillows and red blankets on it was in the middle of the room, various rock band posters hung up on the walls, two guitars hung up on the walls with a red guitar sitting on a stand next to a couch with a fridge tucked in the corner.

An Pac Man arcade machine was resting against the wall next to a Mario one with Sunset’s name on the leaderboard. It didn’t escape Silverspeed that Sunset, Lyra and Celestia were the only names on it.

“What is this place?” Silverspeed breathed as Sunset smiled slightly, falling on her bed with a thud.

“My room away from my official bed room. I came here as a filly to escape the life of being Celestia’s daughter. I enlisted some Royal Guards to help drag some stuff in here. The arcade machines, the bed and the like.”

“It’s lovely,” Silverspeed approached a poster. “I heard you say you play guitar but I didn’t really believe it until now.”

“Heh, yeah. I wish I got to bring one to Ponyville. I used to hide out here as a kid all the time,” Sunset sighed wistfully and she propped her head up. “I miss back then. Simpler times being a kid.”

“Damn right,” Silverspeed agreed in a heart beat as Sunset levitated two beers out of the fridge and popped them both open, wrapping Silverspeeds wing around one. “Thanks.”

“Anytime.”

The two drank in silence before Sunset set hers down.

“Thanks for coming. It’s nice to have a friend here visiting Canterlot with me,” Sunset glanced at Silverspeed before sipping at her beer again.

“Hey, anytime. It’s nice to in the center of Equestria. After all, everything happens here,” Silverspeed gestured around and Sunset snorted.

“Canterlot is important and all, sure but it’s no Manehatten or Las Pegasus. Those are some nice cities. Only been to Manehatten for a bit. It wasn’t for me. Too many ponies, crammed on top of each other. Lady Liberty at night sure is a pretty sight. The Twin Towers are nice too. They light up at night,” Sunset muttered and stretched out on her bed. “Here’s the deal. You get the bed, I ride the couch.”

“Not a chance. You take the bed, I take the couch.”

“No way,” Sunset shot back. “You’re the guest in my house, being the castle. You sleep on the bed. I’m fine on the couch.”

“Or we can sleep together. We have before after my bad dreams,” Silverspeed fluttered over to the bed and Sunset hesitated. “Thank the lord that’s over.”

“Yeah, sure,” Sunset blushed and laid on her side with her hind legs crossed before levitated the blankets up before sliding under them. Silverspeed dropped carefully onto the bed as it squeaked and pressed her flanks against Sunset as the orange unicorn licked her lips nervously before draping a foreleg over Silverspeed.

“Warm,” Silverspeed mumbled and Sunset nuzzled the silver mare’s mane. “You’re very soft and comfy.”

“T-thanks, you are too,” Sunset muttered and rested her head on the other mares shoulder. “Goodnight, Silver.”

“Night Sunny.”

“What do you think Sunset is up to in Canterlot?” Roseluck asked as she laid across Derpy’s couch.

“Who knows?” Derpy shrugged and glanced at the mare. “Probably video games. She loves video games and plays them like there’s no freaking tomorrow. I heard she once played a game for ten hours straight, no bathroom or food.”

Roseluck snorted and her mane hung over the edge of the couch. She could easily believe Sunset doing something like that. Roseluck idly wondered what would happen if she and Button Mash ever met.

“Silverspeed is also missing, presumably in Canterlot. And I am willing to bet thirty bits Silverspeed went with Sunset, either in an official capacity or as a friend,” Roseluck paused and smirked. “Orrr-”

“Or what?”

“Maybe they’re seeing each other and this was a secret week long getaway to be alone,” Roseluck raised an eyebrow. “We all know Silverspeed is into her. Or well, I do. Sunset can easily be interested in her. They live together and spend the most time together. It makes sense.”

Derpy bit back a groan as she sat down on her chair, leaning back and propping her hind legs on the hoof rest. Roseluck had clearly been reading her trashy romance novels that Derpy didn’t really see the point of.

“I mean, maybe,” Derpy scrunched up her muzzle. “Or they could also just have gone as friends. I don’t think Sunset has shown an interest in anypony the entire time I’ve known her. Dating doesn’t really seem like a thing she would be interested in.”

“Ponies said the same thing about Berry yet she’s dating Minuette,” Roseluck shot back. “Speaking of which, my cousin is coming for a visit next month. The one you said you liked a little.”

“Oh cool,” Derpy fluttered her wings and Roseluck nodded. “Back to uh Sunset. You seriously think that’ll ever happen?”

“Who knows but I just hope I get to arrange the wedding,” Roseluck tapped her hooves together excitedly and Derpy rolled her eyes. “A wedding in Canterlot would be amazing. As long as I don’t end up in a drunk tank again, that is.”

Derpy snorted before nodding. That sounded fairly reasonable to her.

Author's Note

Let's go Lions! 💙🤍

Nopony can hide anything from Lemon Hearts

Lemon Hearts trotted down a somewhat dark hallway, her eyes and horn being the most visible part of her body in the darkness. Not even her yellow coat or three hearts on her flanks was able to be seen through the darkness.

“And take a left,” Lemon Hearts mumbled to herself. “Way darker in here than I remember.”

The clock in her room had read four am. She had opted to let Spike sleep as she continued her slow trot.

“There,” Lemon Hearts pressed her ear to the door she and Spike had seen Sunset step out of as she listened for any sound of a pony being awake. She gave a brief sigh of relief upon hearing nopony and slowly opened the door, wincing at the loud creak and she froze. “Sweet Celestia. Talk about out a loud door.”

Nopony inside the room moved and Lemon Hearts stepped inside fully, dimming her horn to not wake anypony up.

“Aw,” Lemon Hearts mumbled as she stared at Sunset sleeping in Silverspeeds hooves with the pegasus having her wings wrapped around her along with a hind leg resting over Sunset’s cutie mark. Sunset’s head was laying on Silverspeeds chest and the silver mare occasionally nuzzled the unicorn in her sleep. “That’s cute. Alright, now where did I put my flowers and tickets to the movies at?”

Lemon Hearts levitated some red and orange roses from her saddlebags back onto a small table along with two tickets she had gotten. Benefits of the owner of the Canterlot theater owing her a favor.

“Mhh,” Silverspeed yawned and shifted slightly and Lemon Hearts froze, glancing slowly as Silverspeed nuzzled Sunset. “You’re warm.”

Lemon Hearts guessed the other mare talked in her sleep since she didn’t do anything except kiss Sunset’s cheek. She had swore up and down to Spike that the two were dating. If they weren’t, they were soon. Her cutie mark never lied, after all. It’s what got Cadence to take her on as a part time student if you will.

Student was a way more official title than what she really had. She didn’t really have one if she was telling the truth. Associate worked. Friend, maybe? Ally? She had no clue.

“Sleep well you two,” Lemon Hearts whispered and watched Sunset hug Silverspeed tighter. “You two are gonna have the best day, I promise your sleeping selves that. Wow, this is actually kinda weird watching two ponies sleep without them knowing. Goodnight, I have my own partner to get back to.”

Lemon Hearts slowly shut the door, leaving the two sleeping mares.

Silverspeed yawned softly, shifting her weight against the soft, furry surface in her hooves.

“Mh,” Silverspeed purred quietly and hugged the furry mass tighter before opening her eyes at Sunset sleeping in her hooves and Silverspeed jumped. “Oh, sweet Celestia. Buck me to all nine layers of Tartarus.”

Sunset breathed out evenly and Silverspeed licked her dry lips, noting the marks from her kisses on Sunset’s forehead that Silverspeed was sure happened after the two fell asleep.

Sunset leaned forward to nuzzle her, resting her head under Silverspeeds chin, causing the silver mare to blush a bright pink. It was no secret to their friends that Sunset was the current pony of Silverspeeds affections. Anypony in Ponyville who paid enough attention could figure that out on their own.

Everypony except Sunset, of course.

“Why must life be so complicated?” Silverspeed wondered softly to herself. “Sunset, wake up.”

Silverspeed laid Sunset down against the pillow and untangled herself, smiling softly as Sunset hugged the pillow to herself and rubbing it against her cheek.

“Cold,” Sunset muttered and frowned. “Silvie.”

Silverspeed smiled wider and hesitated before kissing her forehead before nuzzling her gently.

“I’ll be right back,” Silverspeed whispered in her ear and tensed as the door creaked open, a yellow unicorn mare poking her head in. “Freeze, royal guard.”

“Woah!” Lemon Hearts froze and raised an hoof. “Easy, I’m castle staff. I brought off the food last night. I’m just here to drop off breakfast for you and Sunset. I went to school with her as a kid. I’m Lemon Hearts, friend of Lyra’s. Surely you know her if you know Sunset. Everypony in Ponyville knows Lyra.”

Silverspeed examined her before nodding.

“My name is Silverspeed. You can uh really bake. My apologies, I’m not stationed here. I’m at Ponyville, but you already know that,” Silverspeed shook hooves with Lemon Hearts. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. I brought breakfast from an bakery down the street Sunset likes. Saffron Stars place. You will tell Sunset you stumbled upon the place and managed to guess her favorites. Okay?” Lemon Hearts rested a hoof on her shoulder. “Do not mention me, at all. Got me?”

“Why are you helping me? You don’t even know me,” Silverspeed whispered and the two looked at the sleeping Sunset drooling on the sheets talking to herself.

“Consider this me having a vested interest in your relationship. My cutie mark tells me when somepony really likes somepony. And it went off as soon as I got near you two last night. I wasn’t always on good terms with Sunset. I’m still not. But she deserves happiness just as much as you or I do.”

Silverspeed slowly nodded and accepted the bag Lemon Hearts had been levitating in the air next to her.

“Wait,” Silverspeed said and Lemon Hearts froze as she looked back. “I know you. Sunset has talked about you here and there in passing. Along with somepony named Twinkleshine, Twilight Snarkle I think it was I met at the gala with Moondancer.”

“Uhm yeah. I helped plan that. That’s part of my job,” Lemon Hearts laughed nervously and shifted around. “I uh don’t really get many days off, to be honest.”

Silverspeed could relate. But she loved her job, so that didn’t bother her much. Especially since the view was nice.

“Ugh,” Sunset shifted and Lemon Hearts quickly slipped out the door as the amber unicorn sat up. “Silverspeed? What are you doing?”

“Oh uh just got back. I went out to get us breakfast,” Silverspeed explained hastily and lifted the brown paper back with her magic. “I got some strawberry flavored items and a few lemon muffins for me. If you’re hungry, of course.”

Sunset’s eyes light up and she levitated the contents onto a table.

“Silverspeed, you’re the fucking best.”

Silverspeed blushed and sat down on her haunches, holding out her forelegs.

“Well, you can always repay me with a hug?” Silverspeed suggested and Sunset jumped off the bed, trotting over to hug her and rested her head on her shoulder, nuzzling her neck. “You give good hugs.”

“I’ve got lots of experience.”

The two hugged and missed Lemon Hearts watching with a grin through the cracked open door.

This is boring

Lemon Hearts stood in front of her mirror, pulling random hats and other forms of clothing from her closet, tossing them around her room desperately as Spike and Twilight watched with raised eyebrows.

“Why are we doing this again?” Spike asked as Lemon Hearts paused to look at him.

“Because my cutie mark says so and besides, I want to. Have I ever stopped you from wanting to do something you wanted, Spikey? Like that time I stood in line for six hours with you for that comic book signing,” Lemon Hearts said pointedly and Spike sheepishly looked away. “I can still feel the ache in my hooves from that day.”

“Okay, you got me. So we’re just gonna follow Sunset and this other mare around Canterlot all day?” Spike raised an eyebrow and his marefriend nodded. “Oh, this is gonna be a long day.”

“It will be with that attitude,” Lemon Hearts chided as she pulled out a sun hat and sunglasses. “Aha! Here we are.”

Twilight wisely decided to keep her mouth shut and she examined the sunglasses closer.

“Well you two have fun. I have uh of lots of studying to do with Moondancer. She wants to try out a new spell today,” Twilight hoofed back the sunglasses and Spike raised an eyebrow slightly. “I’m not gonna pretend to understand your obsession with hooking ponies up, especially Sunset and this random mare. But I do trust your cutie mark, it got me and Moondancer together after all.”

Lemon Hearts smirked slightly at her and the yellow unicorn placed her hat on, the sunglasses following after and she struck a pose with one foreleg ahead of the other.

“Well?” Lemon Hearts asked impatiently, glancing at the two. “How do I look?”

“You look we-” Spike started and Twilight nudged him with a hoof. “Really good. Cute.”

“Aw thanks Spiky,” Lemon Hearts giggled and nuzzled him before kissing his cheek. “I think you deserve a treat for that compliment.”

“Okay, I’m leaving now,” Twilight blushed and looked away. “Ew.”

“I meant gems Twilight. I didn’t mean that,” Lemon Hearts turned a light pink and shot a glare at her fellow unicorn. “We’ve never even talked about that stuff.”

“I really don’t want to know about that aspect of my sons life,” Twilight told her and flicked her eyes at Spike. “Please and thank you. Moondancer already has no filter and over shares a lot. She’s like Lyra. As if one Lyra wasn’t wild enough, we got two.”

Lemon Hearts snorted and shifted her weight. Moondancer did have a tendency to say whatever was on her mind, for better or worse. It was mainly a thing she did when she was uncomfortable and either in public or with ponies she doesn’t know that well. Or she just didn’t care. One of those three, Lemon Hearts assumed. Or all three, she wasn’t entirely sure yet.

“Come along Spike, me and you have a date following some ponies,” Lemon Hearts announced and Spike bit back a groan as Twilight stifled a laugh.

This won’t end well, Spike thought to himself as he stepped out of his marefriends front door into the bright sunlight. Not well at all.

“This is so boring,” Lemon Hearts declared as she propped her head up on the table of the cafe she and Spike had chosen to sit at, the pair watching Sunset and Silverspeed standing at a pretzel stand talking. “I mean, what the buck? No wing on back, no hoof holding when they stop to sit, no flirting. Hell, they haven’t even kissed once. What in the buck man?”

Spike stared hard at his marefriend with a raised eyebrow as she glanced at him before narrowing her eyes.

“What are you looking at?” Lemon Hearts snapped and Spike snickered. “What?”

“You’ve cursed twice in a matter of thirty seconds. You and Twinkleshine never curse. Even Minuette occasionally let’s out a curse word on accident. It’s just funny to me, that’s all Lemon.”

“Not a word,” Lemon Hearts warned and Spike snickered. “I’m serious, Spike. I have a reputation to maintain. If word gets out, my head will be on a platter. And you’ll be single, so can it. Where are they at now?”

“Down the street,” Spike commented and pointed. “They’re sitting at that table with their lunch. Looks like hay burgers, two different pops and their pretzels we watched them buy.”

“Do you think they know we know that they’re there?” Sunset asked casually as she took a sip of her pop, Silverspeed and Sunset watching the dragon and unicorn talking to each other.

“Nah,” Silverspeed smirked and bit into her burger. “That’s actually pretty good. Not as good as home, but damn close. And anything is better than mess hall food.”

Sunset had no clue if she was right or not, but based off rumors she heard from some Royal Guards who had occasionally looked after her as a filly (and chased her down the halls. Sunset was naturally a wild child, as a kid and an adult.)

“Hey, here they come,” Silverspeed commented and nudged Sunset with a wing tip. “Why, I ain’t got a damn clue.”

“Oh boy, here we go.”

Sunset rolled her eyes and smirked slightly to herself as she and Silverspeed went back to talking as Lemon Hearts trotted past before she did a double take.

“Sunset Shimmer?” Lemon Hearts asked and covered her mouth with a hoof. That was almost convincing, Sunset mused. “Holy, it’s been a while since we’ve ran into each other. Heard a lot about you from Lyra, Minuette, Berry and Derpy recently. How have ya been? Spike, say hello.”

“Hello,” Spike waved a claw and Sunset smiled at him.

“Guess who know who wears the pants in that relationship,” Silverspeed whispered and Sunset bit back a grin.

“Please, sit,” Sunset levitated two chairs out.

“We can’t, we were just walking by,” Lemon waved a hoof and Sunset grinned wider.

“Oh, but I insist,” Sunset hung a foreleg on her chair casually and Silverspeed hid a smile behind her cup. “Sit.”

Lemon Hearts and Spike both shared a long look before they complied, each taking a seat across from the two.

“This is Silverspeed, one of the newest members of the Royal Guard and my personal guardsmare. As well as a close friend,” Sunset smiled warmly at the mare and Silverspeed coughed into her hoof before turning pink. “Element of loyalty as well. So what’s with the uh sunglasses and sun hat get up?”

“Oh you know, it’s for the heat and all,” Lemon Hearts answered and waved a hoof around as Spike resisted the urge to facepalm.

“It’s fifty degrees out and we have snow forecasted tomorrow night,” Spike deadpanned and Lemon Hearts glared at him.

“Not helping mister,” Lemon Hearts growled as she narrowed her eyes and Sunset snorted. “Anyway, I like how it looks. And the sun was in my eyes.”

“Relatable,” Silverspeed mused and tossed some of her lunch into her mouth. “Damn sun. Uh, no offense meant Sunset.”

“None taken.”

“So, nice to run into you,” Spike started and gently tapped Lemon Hearts. “You two enjoy whatever this is. We have dinner with my Mom and the Princess.”

Sunset raised an eyebrow, sharing a look with Silverspeed as the two said goodbye, watching Lemon Hearts drag Spike away.

“They’re up to something,” Sunset noted as Silverspeed took a lazy sip of her drink.

“Oh, absolutely.”

Off to Ponyville

Celestia propped her head up with a hoof as she levitated another grape to her mouth, idly reading the newspaper in front of her, her eyes scanning the pages half heartedly.

“Oh, this article by the Canterlot Daily is interesting,” Celestia cleared her throat, Luna and Lemon Hearts looking up at her as Lemon Hearts refilled their coffee mugs. “Princess Celestia’s prized daughter seen having lunch with a mystery mare at a expensive restaurant in Canterlot. Even made the second page.”

“Fascinating,” Luna remarked and smirked slightly at her sister. “You should go check an article on the fourth page. It’s very good.” Celestia raised an eyebrow slightly, but complied as she read.

“Princess Celestia: Ruler of Equestria or Ruler of the baked goods aisle?” Celestia glanced at Luna and rolled her eyes as she gave a dry laugh. “Haha, very funny.”

“We found it hilarious,” Luna shot back and stifled a giggle behind a hoof.

Lemon Hearts wisely decided to stay quiet as she levitated some plates onto a cart. Somethings were best to not speak up about.

“Oh, hey there’s another about our niece,” Luna noted and she levitated the paper up. “Daughter of Princess Celestia and niece to Princess Luna dating a fellow element of harmony?”

“I highly doubt that. Sunset has never really showed an interest in any stallion or mare,” Celestia commented and Lemon snorted. “What was what about?”

“N-nothing,” Lemon scuffed a hoof against the crystal floor anxiously. “Nothing at all.”

The two alicorns stared at her long enough to make the yellow unicorn mare sweat slightly. There was nothing more paranoid than having two immortal rulers of Equestria staring you down.

“You know something,” Luna remarked and folded her paper. “And you also knew Sunset was here even when we didn’t and we live here.”

“Okay, maybe I knew something,” Lemon Hearts chewed on her lower lip. “And Spike. And Twilight. And Moondancer. And a few other royal guards. I may also know a little bit about Sunset’s potential love life.”

“Do tell,” Celestia crossed her forelegs on the table. “Please?”

A chair was pulled out with a golden glow and Lemon Hearts sat down nervously. It wasn’t often the hired help in the castle often was allowed to sit at a table with the two royal sisters.

“Alright, so it’s like this, alright?” Lemon Hearts tapped a hoof on the table. Celestia wagged a hoof in the air for her to continue. “My cutie mark does this thing when I’m around ponies who love each other. It’s actually quite annoying, to be honest-”

“Today, please,” Luna cut her off and Celestia glared at her sister.

“Shut up, Luna,” Celestia rolled her eyes and Lemon Hearts gasped as Celestia turned to her. “Feel free to tell my baby sister to shut up whenever you want.”

Luna grumbled and looked away, something about being only two years younger or something.

“I uh can’t do that,” Lemon Hearts stammered and gulped, licking her lips. “Anyway, I do some side work for Princess Cadence. She uses me occasionally for help here and there.”

“I’ve heard glowing reviews from her personally about your performance. Carry on,” Celestia said and slid a plate of blueberry danishs to Lemon Hearts.

“Thank you, your majesties. Anyway, as soon Sunset and Silverspeed came near me, I immediately knew they were into each other. I’ve been spending the last three days shadowing them with Spike, gathering their interests to see if they would make a move on each other but they haven’t. It’s annoying!” Lemon Hearts flung her forelegs up, angrily munching on her danish. “Huh, not bad.”

“That would be my fault. I never really talked to her about dating much. I do remember trying to hook you, her, Twinkleshine and Minuette up,” Celestia said casually and made eye contact with Lemon Hearts. “I also remember hearing a rumor about a wild foursome between you mares, though I could never confirm it. I do not judge who my little ponies love, so you aren’t in any trouble.”

“Thank the gods for that,” Lemon Hearts sighed in relief and Celestia giggled. “I thought for sure you’d kill me or us all. I’m sorry, Princess. Sunset specifically requested I keep her being here quiet. It was originally to keep the media away from her and Silverspeed, but apparently that failed.”

“You have nothing to apologize, my little pony,” Celestia reassured her and Luna nodded her agreement. “Which is why I am asked you to go with Sunset to Ponyville today when she and Silverspeed heads home.”

“I’m sorry?” Lemon Hearts raised an eyebrow slowly. “All due respect, your majesty but I can’t. My post is here in your kitchen.”

“Not always,” Luna corrected and rested a hoof on the table. “Thou are much more than just a aide and a baker. Thee play a pivotal role in the castle.”

Lemon Hearts blushed slightly and made a circle with her hoof.

“You can say no,” Celestia looked at her. “But you are talented, Lemon Hearts. And I trust you to make my daughter happy. And I’ve met Silverspeed multiple times. I trust her with my daughter. So please, consider going to Ponyville with her and Spike. The Crown will pay for your hotel room and food. If needed, I’ll send a royal guard to protect you.”

Lemon Hearts sat silently as she licked the blueberry off her lips. It was almost as good as lemon. Almost.

“I’ll go to Ponyville,” Lemon Hearts decided and shrugged. “With Spike. He should be enough. And besides, Lyra lives in Ponyville. She should have a spare room so the Crown should save a few bits.”

“Thank you, Lemon Hearts,” Celestia bowed her head respectfully and Lemon Hearts smiled at her.

“As you wish.”

“This is such a cute little town,” Lemon Hearts gushed as she stood in the center of Ponyville looking around. “I mean, Canterlot is busy and all, but this is a refreshing change of pace, right Spiky?”

“It’s unique, that’s for damn sure,” Spike agreed and Lemon Hearts shot him a look. “What?”

“No cursing.”

“Oh, come on,” Spike whined and hugged her leg. “I can’t curse, but you allow me to do other grown up stuff like kiss you. I’m twenty, remember?”

“Fair, but I don’t like cussing. You know this,” Lemon Hearts reminded him and Spike opened his mouth. “The other day was an accident. Don’t start, lover boy. And keep this up, you won’t be getting any goodnight kisses.”

Spike shivered slightly and Lemon Hearts hugged him back with a smile, rubbing his back with a hoof.

“But maybe not. Let’s go find Lyra. She will be over the moon,” Lemon Hearts winked. “And you get to meet Liza. She’s a hoofful.”

“Oh boy.”

“She’s a wonderful little ball of energy.”

Little ball is an understatement, Lemon Hearts mused internally as she levitated Spike onto her back.

She just hoped she would at least get some sleep today.

Mi casa es something

Lyra stretched out her couch, lazily using her magic to pluck the strings on her lyre sitting on it’s stand across the room.

“Sounds beautiful, momma,” Liza called out from her room and Lyra smiled.

“It’s beautiful because I’m the best,” Lyra called back with a shrug when somepony knocked on the front door softly. Huh, I’m not expecting anypony. Most ponies she knew in town knew where to find the spare key she hid inside the potted plant on her porch. “Coming!”

Lyra rolled off the couch, stumbling on her legs before making her way to the door.

“Liza, stay in your room!” Lyra called out and levitated a knife to the door before opening to reveal Lemon Hearts and Spike. Lyra raised and eyebrow and quietly levitated the knife back to the kitchen. “Holy shit. You guys shoulda told me you were coming. I’d have met you at the train station. Liza!”

“Yeah mom?” Liza called back as Lyra hugged Lemon Hearts and Spike.

“Come say hi to Aunt Lemon Hearts and Uncle Spike!” Lyra said as Lemon Hearts and Spike both choked on air with blushes as a light blue blur raced down the stairs.

“Hi!” Liza hugged Lemon Hearts leg as Lyra shut her front door. “Did you and Spike finally get married?”

“You need to slow way down, kiddo,” Lemon Hearts chuckled as she rubbed her mane and shot Lyra a look. “She’s not the only one who does around here.”

“Heh, sorry,” Lyra muttered and grinned. “So, what’s with the visit? First time visiting Ponyville, let’s get some drinks in us, eh? Well, not in the kid, obviously, but you get my drift.”

“Yeah, maybe. We gotta talk,” Lemon Hearts looked around and shrugged as Lyra nodded slowly.

“Hey Liza, why don’t you show Spike your toy train set you got as an early Hearths Warming gift from Vinyl, eh?” Lyra suggested and Liza opened her mouth to argue before Lyra gave her a look.

“Yeah sure. It’s really cool. She even supplied me with batteries!” Liza exclaimed happily as she wagged her tall excitedly. “Come on! Mom has been playing with me and it all day. She suggested I invite Noi over to play sometime with it.”

Lyra and Lemon Hearts watched the two head to Liza’s room as they both sat on the couch, Lyra unlocked a cabinet and levitating a bottle of wine out along with two glasses, Lemon Hearts sitting in what she deemed a normal position with her legs tucked under her as Lyra sat up straight, her hindlegs swaying over the edge of the couch.

“Your favorite,” Lyra explained and showed the bottle before pouring each glass half full. “What’s going on? You only showed up to my house in Canterlot unannounced when something went wrong, so who’s hurt?”

Lemon Hearts swirled her wine glass before taking a small sip, savoring the taste of blackberries as she sighed.

“Nopony is hurt,” Lemon Hearts admitted and Lyra gave a relieved sigh. “But I am here doing something for the princess. Are you okay with me and Spike using the spare room? I know this is super last minute and I’m really sorry about this.”

“Are you kidding? You can drop by anytime,” Lyra rolled a hoof in the air before downing her wine. “Mi casa es something, something whatever they say. Now spill the tea, sista. What’s going on?”

“First off, slow down with the wine,” Lemon Hearts warned with a eye roll. “Just because you have the best tolerance of us all doesn’t mean anything. So I take it you and Sunset reconnected recently, correct?”

“Yeah. It was a good time. She had a letter dropped off about hanging out at the arcade Friday with Liza. Something about her paying?” Lyra rubbed her chin slowly. “She’s okay.”

“So I kinda wanna set her up with this pony she knows,” Lemon Hearts started and Lyra tilted her head to the side.

“You mean Silverspeed, her guard.”

“Yeah, how you know?” Lemon Hearts raised an eyebrow suspiciously. Lyra.

“They were acting a bit odd when I last saw them. And I kinda put things together pretty quick. You gotta realize, Sunset has never once dated in the entire time we’ve known her. That time she may or may not have been into that other guard isn’t important, that never went anywhere at all.”

“Thank Celestia for that one. Thanks for this, Lyra. Seriously, we owe you one big time,” Lemon Hearts rested a hoof on the table as Lyra rolled her eyes.

“Hey, no problem. But just between the two of us,” Lyra leaned forward to her ear. “Don’t try to fuck Spike here. The walls are thin and I don’t want to hear you two going at it like they do on the nature channel.”

“I swear, nothing will happen. We’ve never even done that. Heck, I don’t think Spike even knows what sex is. Twilight is very strict on what he knows, even though he’s an adult. She’s super overprotective,” Lemon Hearts complained and stretched out her hind legs. “I should probably unpack. Love you, LyLy.”

“I hate that name. Love you too.”

The two hugged for a brief moment before separating, Lemon Hearts dragging hers and Spike’s suitcase into a room as Lyra eyed the wine glass Lemon Hearts had left behind.

“Meh, might as well,” Lyra muttered and took a long sip. “Surprisingly pretty good.”

Silver Spoon stared out the window of her foal sitters house, her tail anxiously swishing back and forth as she listened to her older sister talking to Lucky Clover.

“She was a very well behaved little angel,” Lucky Clover reassured Silverspeed as he stirred a spoon in his hot chocolate mug. “She’s welcome any time. She did a good job of helping with Aurora Blossom as well. You know how wild foals can get. Silver Spoon helped a lot with her.”

“Good, I’m glad. I am pretty worried for her. Silver seems to have, like no friends other than Diamond Tiara and we know how I feel about her,” Silverspeed rolled her eyes and shrugged on her saddlebags. “Hey, kiddo! Ready to get on home? I’m looking forward to sleeping in my own bed, I don’t know about you.”

“Yeah, I am,” Silver Spoon admitted and slid off the couch to hug her sister. “This place is nice and all, but it’s nothing like home.”

“Agreed. I owe you big time, Lucky. I’ll see you around,” Silverspeed nodded at her friend and the stallion waved. “Come on, we can stop for ice cream while you tell me about your week, deal?”

“Deal.”

Back to work I guess

“Do you care to tell me why you need seventeen cumulonimbus and ten nimbostratus clouds, Trixie?” Raindrops gave her unicorn friend a wary look as Trixie gave her a confused one.

“Say that again, but in Ponish so I can understand you,” Trixie deadpanned with a bored stare.

“Oh dear Celestia. Okay, why do you need so many rain causing clouds?” Raindrops rolled her eyes and hovered before flailing her hooves around. “I mean, I get two or three, but twenty seven? What in Tartarus are you up to?”

“Preparing for my magic show next month, duh?” Trixie retorted and turned around. “Hey, you!”

Rainbowshine paused pushing the cloud, looking around before resting a hoof against her chest in confusion.

“Me?” Rainbowshine inquired and Trixie nodded impatiently.

“Yes, you. Be careful where you put those. I don’t want my wagon being flooded. Tie or shove them into that open tree,” Trixie pointed with a hoof. “Where did you find this pony, anyway Raindrops?”

“Rainbowshine is an experienced weathermare. You can trust her to do her job well,” Raindrops pointed out tiredly. “You still have yet to tell me what you’re gonna do with these. Rainbow is gonna kill us when she finds out we stole them.”

“We didn’t steal them,” Trixie explained as Raindrops raised an eyebrow and Rainbowshine tilted her head curiously as she shoved the cloud into the tree. “We just borrowed without asking.”

“That sounds a lot like stealing,’ Rainbowshine muttered to herself as she caught the cloud Raindrops kicked her way. “Thanks.”

“As for your questions, these clouds are to scare the audience during some tricks that require thunder. The rain is just a necessary side effect, unfortunately,” Trixie shrugged as she donned her hat. “Will these be ready in two months?” Raindrops decided to not tell her that only cumulonimbus clouds made thunder.

Rainbowshine nodded as she floated on her back, idly flapping her wings to keep herself aloft.

“Yeah, they’ll be fine. Hell, the weather factory has a whole room full of stuff like clouds and snow flakes months in advance of winter. We should be getting our second snowfall soon.”

Oh joy, Trixie thought to herself as she stifled a groan. Winter was not something Trixie was fond of. Her wagon wasn’t that well insulated to keep the cold out and she wasn’t too fond of freezing another winter. That time she got stuck in Manehatten accidentally was the worst.

Trixie mentally made a note to stock up on extra blankets and hot chocolate sometime later today.

“We really have to get back to work, I guess,” Raindrops tapped Trixie on the shoulder. “Unless you need us for anything else. Rainbow is probably looking for us.”

“Nah, you’re good. Thanks.”

Trixie watched as the two flew away with a groan.

“Trixie hates winter.”

Trixie idly wondered if her burning hatred was enough to keep her wagon warm as the blue unicorn tightened her cape around herself.

Derpy rested her head on the counter of the post office, lazily counting the amount of ponies walking by, almost missing the be above the doorway ringing.

“Hey Sunset,” Derpy waved a wing as she forced herself to sit up. “How was Canterlot?”

“Fine,” Sunset answered and flicked her mane aside. “Roseluck told me I’d find you here. Kinda bored myself. Today is my last day off before I go back to work. Wanna get lunch on me?”

Derpy hesitated before glancing at the clock. It was almost her lunch time and she did have only four hours left till her shift ended.

“Yeah, sure. I’m pretty hungry. I was gonna skip my lunch, but as you can see,” Derpy chuckled dryly and gestured about the empty post office. “It’s deader than ever in here today.”

“I noticed,” Sunset commented and levitated the open sign to closed. “Thirty minutes, right?” Derpy nodded as she hung up her hat on a hook on the wall. “More than enough time. Some pretty weird things happened in Canterlot and you give good advice.”

“Oh?” Derpy tilted her head and Sunset shrugged.

“Yeah. Running into old classmates is awkward, but it’s even more awkward when they try to seemingly befriend you. Believe me, I’ll tell you all about it,” Sunset opened the door for her friend. “After you.”

Derpy gave a grateful nod and slipped through the opening, Sunset locking the door behind her as she let it shut.

“It’s pretty out,” Derpy remarked as the two trotted down the street, Sunset glancing around. “I always forget the sun sets later this time of year.”

“Same.”

Sunset shivered slightly and her horn glowed for a brief second as she cast her heat spell over her and Derpy. She didn’t think Derpy necessarily needed it due to being a pegasus and all, but sharing is caring or so they claim.

“I heard one of Lyra’s friends came in on last nights train with you and Silver,” Derpy commented and glanced at Sunset. “I’m gonna go out on a limb here and assume that’s what you wanted to talk about?”

Sunset nodded wordlessly. She hadn’t necessarily seen Lemon Hearts on the train with her, but she could have easily gotten a private car for and presumably Spike.

“Yeah,” Sunset confirmed as she and Derpy approached Cinnamon Clovers restaurant. “I can’t tell you how much how I missed Cinnamon’s cooking. He can make a damn good soup.”

“Got that right. Are you sure you want tof eat here? This place is expensive,” Derpy scuffed a hoof anxiously on the stone steps. “There’s a reason Dinky and Sparkler don’t go here. This type of place isn’t meant for ponies like me.”

“Ponies like you?” Sunset echoed and Derpy traced a hoof gently over her eye. “Hey. You belong here just as much as me. And if anypony gives you grief, I’ll put them in place in five seconds flat. Now come on.”

Derpy hesitated before nodding as she and Derpy trotted inside, Sunset holding open the door for her pegasus friend.

“Hey Cinnamon,” Sunset waved to a tan earth pony cleaning a table. “Got any room for me and my friend here?”

“Of course, madames. Take a seat anywhere,” Cinnamon spoke with a faint Prench accent. “Welcome.” Derpy looked around curiously as she followed Sunset.

“It’s very brown and white in here,” Derpy noted as the two sat down. A bit too upper class for her liking, but she wasn’t gonna say anything.

“Yeah, it is. Cinnamon really likes the color brown, for some odd reason. But hey, more power to him. He moved here from Pranch. Something about expanding his culture,” Sunset waved a hoof around. “Just get my friend here the usual I get, minus the wine.”

Derpy licked her lips slowly and shrugged. She wouldn’t have necessarily been opposed to having a glass of wine, but she did have to get back to work after this.

“So, what’s got you worried about this friend of Lyra’s?” Derpy asked and she sniffed the air as the two started to smell various spices. “That does smell pretty good.”

“Just wait till you try it,” Sunset winked with a smirk. “Obviously it’s not as good as your home cooked meals. Nothing can hold a candle to that.”

“I heard that.” Derpy and Sunset looked at each other before snickering. “But I’ll let it slide, yes?”

“Thanks!” Sunset called back and turned back to Derpy. “Seriously, I can see you having a small restaurant yourself one day. Hell, I’d hoof you the bits just to see it become a reality.”

“Maybe one day. But for now, the post office is my life. And you,” Derpy poked Sunset in the chest with a wing tip. “Are stalling, so spill.”

Sunset could never hide anything from Derpy. Nopony in their friend group could. Sunset personally assumed it was a mother thing. Celestia was the same way with her.

“So entertain me for minute. Lemon Hearts is dating Spike. Her cutie mark does this weird thing when she’s around ponies who like each other. You following me so far?” Derpy nodded slowly. “Epic. Which is scary for me.”

“How so?” Derpy asked as Cinnamon set down two bowls in front of them with bread. “Oh, thank you sir.”

“Quite welcome miss,” Cinnamon adjusted his black tie and nodded at them. “Enjoy.”

“Because,”Sunset inhaled and looked around the room. “I think I like Silverspeed and not just the friend type of way.”

“And that’s bad because?” Derpy took a sip of her soup. “Wow.”

“I don’t know. I don’t do the whole dating thing. I pick a partner, I sleep with them and I slip out before they wake up in the morning. But I will agree that maybe a little bit of stability in my life wouldn’t be a bad thing. Though I will miss my random hook ups if anything serious does happen,” Sunset pushed her spoon around. “What do you think?”

“If you think there’s something there, I’d say go for it. I’ve only seen Silverspeed date two or three ponies before I met you. None were mares so maybe this could be her experimenting?” Derpy suggested and looked at her bowl. “Though there is that rumor of her and Trixie sleeping together at the Gala so maybe that was her experimenting for you?”

“Yeah maybe. It’s kinda scary though. I don’t know how you managed a marriage and all.”

“Believe me, I don’t either. But I suppose I can try to help get you two together. Roseluck should have some good advice too.”

“Yeah, true. She does the whole romance thing way more than I do.”

Derpy nodded in agreement before they each individually returned to eating, occasionally making small talk.

This should be interesting, Derpy thought.

Celestia have mercy on my soul

Roseluck stretched out on her floral themed couch, reading a romance novel as Sunset watched her with an uncomfortable smile from her chair Roseluck had sat her down in.

“How exactly is this helping?” Sunset broke the silence and Roseluck looked at her.

“What are you talking about?” Roseluck peered over her book. “I was getting to the good part.”

Sunset rolled her eyes and resisted the urge to face hoof.

“You’re supposed to helping me figure out my feelings and all about romance, remember?” Sunset questioned and waved a foreleg around. “How is this helping?”

Roseluck looked around for her bookmark, shoving the floral themed cardboard in between the pages before setting it on the coffee table next to her mug of coffee. She’d have to get back to that later.

“My apologies, I thought you said you wanted to read romance novels together. So,” Roseluck crossed her hindlegs over another and grinned at Sunset. “Who’s caught your eye? The cute stallion down at the coffee shop? That weathermare I caught flirting with you last week?”

“No,” Sunset looked around. “It’s uh Silverspeed, I think.”

Roseluck screamed and Sunset jumped, shoving her hooves over her ears as some decorations on the walls rattled.

“Roseluck! Shut up!” Daisy shouted down the stairs from her room as Roseluck closed her mouth. “Thank Celestia.”

Sunset could still feel her ears ringing as Roseluck opened her mouth and Sunset hastily activated her horn, a bubble forming around Roseluck’s head.

“I’m gonna unrelease the bubble. If you scream, I’m teleporting you all the way to Tartarus. Capiche?” Sunset asked and Roseluck nodded. “Okay, good.”

Sunset canceled her spell and Roseluck took a deep breath.

“You and Silverspeed?” Roseluck questioned and Sunset nodded slowly. “What makes you think you’re into her?”

“She’s nice, good at following orders. She always helps me and other ponies at a drop of a hat. Especially you,” Sunset pointed at Roseluck and the earth pony agreed with that internally. Silverspeed was always offering her aid around town. “She’s pretty as well. Oh, and she has nice flanks. Sleeping with her is always nice because she gives good wing hugs. Reminds me of my Mom’s hugs. Silverspeed has a very soft coat, smells nice too. Her wings are very soft.”

Roseluck turned a faint pink as she coughed into her hoof.

“When you say sleeping with her, do you care to clarify what that means?” Roseluck asked and Sunset looked at her.

“Not the kind you’re thinking of. Like this,” Sunset hopped off the chair and approached Roseluck, climbing over her and Roseluck froze as Sunset laid down next to her, draping one foreleg over hers and a hindleg ontop of her cutie mark. “Like this, ya get me? And then we just sleep. Nothing else.”

“Y-yeah,” Roseluck mumbled as she felt Sunset breathing on her neck. “This feels nice.” Roseluck gave Sunset a nuzzle and sighed contently. “Okay, I can see why you two would like this. This is comfy.”

“Yeah,” Sunset agreed as Lily trotted in and paused, staring at the two with wide eyes. “Oh, hey Lily.”

“Hi? Am I interrupting something?” Lily’s eyes flicked between the two. “Aren’t you a bit old for my sister?”

Roseluck and Sunset both turned a bright shade of red as Sunset shifted away from the earth pcc 7thony.

“I am not that old,” Sunset retorted defensively as she nuzzled Roseluck. “And besides, it wasn’t what it looked like. Roseluck is helping me figure out some stuff.”

Lily raised an eyebrow slightly as she looked between the two curiously.

“Can I have one too?” Lily asked suddenly and she received two confused looks.

“Come again?” Sunset asked and Lily shrugged.

“Can I,” Lily pointed a hoof at her chest. “Have a hug too?” Sunset and Roseluck both exchanged a confused look before Sunset held open her forelegs.

Lily trotted over and sat down, wrapping her forelegs around Sunset’s barrel, resting her head on Sunset’s shoulder. Sunset gave Roseluck a confused look and she shrugged.

“I have no clue,” Roseluck whispered and Sunset nodded slightly before hugging Lily back.

“Warm,” Lily muttered and nuzzled Sunset before the two stopped hugging. “Thanks!”

The two watched Lily trot into the kitchen, Sunset and Roseluck both sharing a confused look.

“What was that about?” Sunset finally asked and Roseluck tapped a hoof anxiously on the couch.

“I have no clue. Excuse me for a second and then we can talk about you and your love interest,” Roseluck promised and jumped off her couch. “I gotta talk to my sister.”

“You’re all good, I’ll be here.”

Lily hummed a song to herself as she went about making her favorite tea of lemon ginger, her hind leg tapping impatiently.

“What was that all about?” Lily turned her head to see Roseluck standing at the door. “I mean, you almost never hug anypony other than me or Daisy. What’s up?”

“Nothing is wrong,” Lily told her and got down a mug.

“Don’t lie to me. I like to think I can read my own sister better than that,” Roseluck retorted as she stepped forward and rested a hoof on Lily’s shoulder. “If you’re not gonna talk to me, at least talk to Daisy.”

“So I asked somepony out. Noteworthy,” Lily clarified as she started pouring her tea into a mug, hesitating before getting a second mug down for her sister and filling it as Roseluck stared with wide eyes. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m capable of falling for ponies too. He said no.”

“What, why?” Roseluck accepted the tea and took a sip. “You’re an amazing pony and an even better sister.”

“Just not his type apparently. I guess I’m just not as attractive as you are with your more streamlined body or Daisy with her roundness. That’s okay, I guess,” Lily forced a weak smile on her face. “Out there, to them you’re a hero. Me and Daisy, we’re just the mares next door. And we’re okay with that. It would be nice if they,” Lily gestured out the kitchen window towards Ponyville. “Didn’t remind us all the time. But it comes with the territory of having a hero baby sister who we are both damn proud of.”

“Shut up about the not attractive comment. Lily, you’re gorgeous as hell,” Roseluck gestured with a hoof around Lily’s body. “I mean, sheesh. You’re a beautiful mare and screw Noteworthy for not realizing that. I can promise I will find you somepony.”

“We will see,” Lily muttered skeptically and turned to the window. “What does Sunset need?”

“Help asking out Silverspeed,” Roseluck answered and Lily smirked slightly. “I know, right? I kinda saw it coming.”

“Yeah, same.”

Roseluck shifted her hooves and took another sip of her tea.

“Anyway, I’ll talk to you tonight. You can come with us to find Trixie, Shoeshine and Derpy if you wish,” Roseluck offered and Lily shook her head. “Okay. I’ll be back tonight.”

After I talk to Noteworthy, Roseluck added in her head.

Author's Note

Getting over some pretty bad food poisioning so expect more chapters lmao. Just laying in bed being lazy is quite helpful, ngl.

Oddly effective

“So what exactly do you need me to do?” Silverspeed asked in confusion as she adjusted her helmet and Roseluck smirked slightly at her and the two stood in front of a music store.

“Just act like you’re here for a routine inspection. Health code or something like that,” Roseluck waved a hoof and Silverspeed stared at her. “What?”

“A routine health inspection. At a music shop.”

“Yeah,” Roseluck answered and Silverspeed continued to stare at her.

“Do you realize how ridiculous this sounds?” Silverspeed deadpanned and gestured with a hoof. “It’s a music store. It’s not a restaurant or anything else. I can’t just waltz in there and order an inspection.”

“But you can because they allow ponies to test out their instruments,” Roseluck countered and nudged a rock with her hoof. “Which means you can legally do a random inspection without prior warning of according to the law. Sunset looked it up.”

Silverspeed anxiously chewed on the inside of her mouth. Last time she herself had heard, that did check out. And she did have jurisdiction Equestria wide, which did include Ponyville after all. And Silverspeed always did like appearing unannounced for things like this.

“I’m in,” Silverspeed announced and Roseluck gave her a grateful look.

“Good because Noteworthy broke my sisters heart. Me and him are gonna talk alone while you check things out. And after that you and Sunset are having dinner. Alone,” Roseluck added and Silverspeed tilted her head in confusion.

“Why?”

“Just trust me.”

“Hmph. And you should have started with him hurting Lily. Nopony hurts my friends,” Silverspeed rested a hoof on Roseluck’s shoulder. “Don’t go too far, Rose. I’m not here.”

Silverspeed pushed open the front doors of the store, trotting in what with she hoped was a confidence stride as Roseluck followed and everypony inside looked at the two briefly.

“Alright everypony that isn’t an employee, kindly vacate the premise!” Silverspeed shouted and the other customers turned back to her. “Where’s the owner?”

Noteworthy waved her over to the counter and Silverspeed stared at him with the most stern look she could come up with on the spot and she trotted over to him.

“Random health inspection. I need access to all locked rooms, breakroom and any storage facilities. You have the right to refuse, in which I will return with a warrant to search the premise. I’d also like to remind you that if I have to come back with a warrant, I won’t be a very happy pony and I will make things ten times worse you,” Silverspeed leaned against the counter and the customers stared at her with wide eyes, including Cheerilee, Octavia, Lyra, Lemon Hearts and a few others she recognized as some friends of hers.”So what will it be? I’ll also shut you down until I return with my warrant.”

Noteworthy nervously licked his lips and glanced at his calendar before shrugging.

“Let me get you the keys to all the rooms on the property. Celestial Song, can you occupy the kind mare on her inspection?” Noteworthy requested and the dark blue mare nodded. “Thank you.”

“Thanks,” Silverspeed picked her hoof cuffs up and hung them back on her belt. “Everypony except my ridelaong and employees gotta leave for the time being. So we can work undisturbed. Thanks.”

“What about us?” Octavia asked and stood next to Lyra. “Lyra and I are related to him. Doesn’t family at least get a pass?”

“Sorry, no,” Silverspeed shook her head. “You can wait outside and are free to return back inside once I’m done. It’ll take however long it takes till I’m certain this place is up to code.”

Roseluck watched in surprise as Silverspeed trotted away with a pair of keys in her mouth. She, along with all her friends knew Silverspeed could act as intimidating and authoritative as she wanted. It was another thing entirely to see it in action. Roseluck would be lying if she didn’t admit that she herself was a bit shaken as were the other ponies filing out the front door, Lyra glancing back at Silverspeed curiously.

“What is this about?” Lyra paused next to Roseluck. “Will I at least be able to finish shopping after? I’m getting my lyre tuned and Liza a harmonica.”

“I’m sure you can unless Silverspeed finds something,” Roseluck answered and crossed her forelegs as she stared at Noteworthy. “Now if you’ll excuse me.”

Oh boy, Lyra thought as she watched Roseluck scowl at Noteworthy. Looks like I know who I’ll be praying for tonight.

“Do you need help with anything?” Noteworthy asked Roseluck as the cream colored pony rested her forelegs on the counter.

“I think it’s you’ll who will be needing help by the time this conversation is done,” Roseluck replied with a frown and flicked her mane. “You know who I am, I’m here with my friends kids a few times a week. You had a run in with my sister, Lily early today.”

“Oh boy,” Noteworthy sighed and Roseluck raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Oh boy is right. Now before I say anything, I know Lily’s side. What’s yours? And if it’s not one I decide is good enough, may Celestia have mercy on your soul,” Roseluck warned him and Noteworthy resisted the urge to point out Roseluck was one of the least threatening ponies he knew. Roseluck was one of the most least intimidating ponies he knew. Octavia scared him more anypony he knew.

“The only thing you need to know is now is not the best time for me,” Noteworthy answered and Roseluck blocked his exit with a stomp of her hoof.

“No.”

“Fine,” Noteworthy allowed and sat down on his chair behind his desk. “I don’t have any issue with Lily-”

“I’d also like to remind you that she is my sister as we know and you broke her heart so forgive me for not being entirely happy talking to you.”

“If I could talk without being interrupted, that would be great,” Noteworthy shot her a dirty look. “I don’t know anything about Lily. Therefore, I naturally turned her down.”

“Gee, ask her out to dinner?” Roseluck replied sarcastically and trotted in a circle. “See, ponies like you are the problem around here. All of you act like just because myself or Derpy or Shoeshine are Elements of Harmony means our family or friends aren’t important. And you’re dead wrong. I don’t see you being a prick to Sparkler or Daisy or Screw Loose. Celestia have mercy on you if you messed with Sparkler or Screw Loose. Derpy and Shoeshine would bury you so fast. So you’re gonna A: apologize as an example to the rest of Ponyville for being part of acting like our families aren’t as good as us because they aren’t the elements and B: go out to dinner with Lily and for your sake, if she say she isn’t impressed of given the world that night, I will personally pay you a visit with Daisy and we’re gonna have another talk. You get me so far?”

“Y-yeah of course. And for the record, never believed any of your friends or family was lesser than you. It wasn’t their fault got kidnapped by Nightmare Moon. And if I recall, Lily did go with you guys during the dragon thing,” Noteworthy rubbed a hoof against his chin. “I’ll go visit her, why not?”

“Thank you,” Roseluck smiled slightly at him. “I’m not entirely fond of dealing with my sister sad, either of them, so you have a lot riding on this. And she likes lilies. Obviously.”

“Obviously,” Noteworthy muttered as Silverspeed trotted up to him. “Well?”

“Congrats, everything checks out. I’ll be bringing you over a copy of my official statement later this week. Have a good day,” Silverspeed told him and jerked her head to the door. “Let’s move.”

That was oddly effective, Roseluck thought to herself as she followed Silverspeed outside, silently thinking. “I’m sorry.” Silverspeed gave her a confused look as she stepped around Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.

“What for?”

“I used you, our friendship and your position of authority to get revenge just to make his day bad. For that, I’m truly sorry,” Roseluck turned to face her and scuffed a hoof against the ground. “You don’t gotta forgive me, but at least be my friend still.”

“You do realize that if I really didn’t want to, I wouldn’t have gone in there, right? You didn’t use me or our friendship,” Silverspeed corrected and tilted her head. “So I won’t be forgiving you because you have nothing to say sorry for.”

“Are you sure? This certainly seems like using you. From where I’m standing at least.”

“Yeah I’m sure. And I have dinner with that mare next week on Monday so there’s that,” Silverspeed shrugged and Roseluck paled. “Come on, I gotta pick my sister up from school. We can walk and talk along the way.”

Sunset is gonna absolutely murder me, Roseluck thought.

Trixie comes up with the worst ideas(sometimes)

Lyra, Bon Bon and Octavia both sat on the mint green unicorns couch as Liza sat in between the two, talking as the three adults listened, Bon Bon pushing her hoof around a bowl of M & Ms for a blue one.

“So how was your day?” Liza asked and stretched out next to her mom. “I got to build a sand castle with Rumble.”

“It was unique,” Octavia decided on and set her tea down. “How much do you know about Silver Spoons big sister?”

“I know she’s very large,” Liza answered and Bon Bon snorted. “She’s a hero. She protects all of Ponyville Miss Cheerilee says.”

“That is true,” Bon Bon commented and ate another candy. “This is probably a family matter. I’ll stay quiet. Sorry.”

“You’re fine,” Lyra placed a hoof on her leg. “And Miss Cheerilee is right. Silverspeed does protect us because that’s what the Royal Guard does. They protect ponies and dragons like Spike.”

“Until she decided to bully her way around our cousins shop,” Octavia corrected with a frown. “You know bloody well as I do that is how it went down.”

“It’s really not,” Lyra shot back and glared at her. “It’s called a random health inspection. Random being the key word. If she warned ponies ahead of time, they could cover up any potential illegal acts they do.”

Bon Bon and Liza’s heads swiveled between the two arguing sisters, Lyra waving her hooves in the air and Octavia started using some words that Bon Bon vaguely made out to be Equestrian.

“What weird language is Aunt Octavia speaking?” Liza wondered aloud and Bon Bon herself was wondering what the word daft meant.

“No clue.”

Octavia inhaled and Bon Bon watched warily. The two were either done or Octavia was just getting air to continue whatever they were arguing about now when a scroll appeared above Lyra’s head and fell, impaling itself on her horn as her eyes rolled up to look at it and Bon Bon pushed down a laugh.

“What in Equestria?” Lyra levitated the scroll off her horn.

“It’s a scroll. Ponies write on them,” Octavia replied sarcastically and Lyra whapped her upside the head with it. “Did you serious just hit me?”

“You, silence, so I can read,” Lyra answered and whapped her again. “Huh. Interesting.”

“What’s it say?” Bon Bon asked and Lyra turned it to her. “Huh, interesting. Why do they want me to come with you to Trixie’s?”

“Not sure,” Lyra admitted and scratched her head. “Octavia, can you and Vinyl watch Liza? Apparently we’ve been asked to go meet Trixie and a couple other ponies. We can grab Lemon Hearts and Spike on the way.”

“Oh yeah sure. I can teach my adorable niece how to properly clean up for dinner,” Octavia nuzzled Liza and the filly gulped.

“Save me,” Liza begged as Octavia hugged her and she flailed a hoof as Lyra snickered.

“Vinyl will keep her in check, don’t worry,” Lyra patted her on the head. “If I come to get her and she is wearing another annoying dress or her tail is decorated in bows again, we are fighting Tavi.”

Oh boy, Bon Bon thought as she rolled her eyes. Octavia didn’t look entirely afraid of Lyra’s threat as she waved.

“Why are we going to see Trixie again? I don’t even really know her.”

“Something about Sunset and setting her up with a date. But I imagine knowing Trixie, it’ll go south somewhere. Most likely right at the start.”

Bon Bon had a grudging feeling Lyra had a point. Most plans Trixie created tend to blow up around her, sometimes quite literally.

Bon Bon had very quickly learned to not be around when Trixie was plotting something, primarily for hers and Lyra’s safety. And Liza’s too. Especially Liza.

Bon Bon had quickly accepted the role as protector of the filly. Not quite guardian, she wasn’t entirely Lyra swung the same way as she did. After all, the gorgeous mint green unicorn did have a foal.

Bon Bon being interested was the main reason she had lied about her age when she was sixteen and joined up with the guard to get out of her small home town.

A blue wagon appeared as the two continued their trot. Trixie was relaxing on the steps with a glass of whiskey with a half empty bottle.

It was a well known fact around Ponyville and maybe even beyond that Trixie was a lover of whiskey. Poor Berry Punch barely kept supply with Trixie in town.

The two did have a good friendship. Alcohol bringing ponies together yet again. Bon Bon preferred candy.

Trixie glanced up and her expression brightened considerably as her horn glowed pink and two more glasses levitated out of her wagon.

“Ah, excellent timing!” Trixie cheered. “Trixie needed a drinking buddy. Sit, sit.”

Lyra and Bon Bon shared a long glance.

“You took me away from my daughter time to get drunk?” Lyra frowned and Bon Bon subconsciously noted the annoyance in her tone. It was pretty rare for Lyra to get upset. When she did, most knew they fucked up immediately. “Why?”

“Trixie needs you two to help her plan Sunset’s perfect date, which is quite important to moi. And seeing how you two,” Trixie nodded at the two. “Are dating, you can give Trixie invaluable advice.”

Bon Bon choked.

“I’m sorry?” Bon Bon slammed her hoof against her chest repeatedly. “We’re not dating.”

She wouldn’t necessarily mind if they were, not that she really knew how to go about that whole asking somepony out thing.

“I don’t even know where to begin,” Lyra mumbled and sat down on the steps, shifting around till she was more comfortable. “So what’s the plan?”

“Trixie, being the great and powerful love advisor has this in the bag. We make them run into one another at a restaurant and boom, dating,” Trixie pumped a hoof in the air. “Or love potion. Trixie has never made one, but she can always send for Zecora. Or make Silverspeed wear something revealing. Sex sells, after all.”

“Are you trying to set them up as a relationship or get them doing like they do in the Discovery Magazine?” Bon Bon tilted her head to the left.

“Both, I guess. Comes with the territory of being together, does it not?” Trixie raised an eyebrow.

“I guess?”

“Excellent!” Trixie poured another set of shots, Trixie having drank all three she had previously poured. “Now let’s take a shot. Getting drunk with good company such as Trixie is enjoyable for all, is it not?”

“Ah what the hell,” Bon Bon shrugged and Trixie cheered loudly and she swayed before Lyra nudged her up.

Bon Bon took a shot, tossing her head back. Her throat started burning and tears welled up in her eyes as Trixie giggled.

Never again, Bon Bon decided. Never again would she drink that alcohol with Trixie again.