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- >Waking up with a groan and stretch, you open your eyes.
- >Laying beside you, book open across her pillow, is Rose.
- >"I thought you'd never wake up."
- "Good morning to you too."
- >"I need to get back to Ponyville eventually."
- "Your sisters need to get used to you not being around."
- >"I think you're getting ahead of yourself."
- "A man is allowed to dream, isn't he?"
- >"Seriously though, Anon. What's the plan for today?"
- "Train leaves at noon. It's not even nine."
- >"No other plans, nothing you need from your apartment?"
- "I mean, I thought maybe breakfast with my marefriend seemed like a good idea."
- >"I think your marefriend would agree." Rose nods, closing her book. "Especially after waiting so long for her coltfriend to wake up."
- >Some days you just can't win, Anon.
- >Having retrieved some bagels, cream cheese and coffee from a shop down the street, you and Rose return to your room.
- "So which game were you planning on inviting your dad to? We only have so many left this season."
- >"Hmmm." Rose hums, munching on her breakfast. "This week is too soon, maybe the week after?"
- "Gonna be a good game. Playin' against Raiders." you say, stuffing more sea-salt bagel into your mouth.
- >"Worried?"
- "Nah, I wasn't lying when I boasted that we'd win the rest of our games. This team is incredible."
- >"Great, I'll write to them as soon as we get home."
- "Sounds like a plan."
- >"Obviously I'll be busy at work catching up, what will you be up to this weekend?"
- "Well, I have a few mares I owe explanations to, and I have a hoofball game tomorrow night."
- >"I'll try to make it, no parties afterwards though."
- "Ah well, the price I pay for whisking you away to Canterlot I suppose." you sigh dramatically.
- >"I'm sure you'll survive. I'll ask Lotus to go easy on you."
- "How kind."
- >Parting ways at the train station, you make a beeline for the Sparkledome.
- >You've got to check up on a few things and consider how to talk to the other three girls.
- >Rose took it pretty well, but she's a patient and wily mare.
- >Thinking about it, Lyra is the one you're most concerned about.
- >She's such a lighthearted pony, you should talk to her soon.
- >Maybe today.
- >You are so lost in thought, you nearly walk into the door.
- >Fumbling for your key, you let yourself in and make your way upstairs.
- >Kicking back on the balcony, you pour a glass of whiskey and pick up the stack of mail.
- >Several messages from your bank...
- >The loan was approved, and the money was sent to the Haymakers.
- >Celestia's contribution has also come and gone.
- >The first check from the Academy arrived, the bits will be available tomorrow.
- >This, this is why you kept your bank in Canterlot.
- >The local Ponyville bank is lovely- friendly ponies, excellent service- but all of this would've taken at least another week with them.
- >Maybe you'll open a local account anyways...
- >...anyways, a redundant letter from Celestia about the bits...
- >A letter from Gabe saying he has the keys...
- >Okay, good.
- >The rest is junk mail.
- >You grab some parchment and write letters to Wally and Jim, asking when they can start work.
- >Taking a sip of whiskey, you set the finished letters on the table, just as Twilight enters.
- >"Oh, Anon! I thought you were in Canterlot?"
- "Just got home an hour ago." you explain. "What's up?"
- >"You've got a letter from Cadence, just dropping it off."
- "Pull up a chair, I don't know if I really want to read that letter."
- >"Oh Anon, she's harmless."
- "Yeah yeah, she hasn't tried setting you up yet. Just you wait."
- >"Anon, please."
- "Maybe I'll write back and tell her that you're lonely out here in Ponyville."
- >"Anon."
- "That she needs to find you a nice suitor."
- >"Nope."
- "A prince for the princess."
- >"I'm fine."
- "That's what he will say."
- >"What?"
- "That you're one fiiiine mare."
- >"How much have you had to drink?"
- "This is the first." you chuckle. "You should know that I'm at my most dangerous when sober."
- >"You're terrible."
- "It's a cross I have to bear." you sigh dramatically, eliciting a giggle from Twilight. "So what have you been up to? I haven't seen you around much."
- >"Yeah, you left the same day I came back, but it's okay. I've just been doing boring princess stuff."
- "Paperwork?"
- >"Pretty much." she frowns, then perks up. "But while I was in Canterlot I got permission to start inquiries about the dam!"
- "I'll be pretty busy for a while, Twi-"
- >"Oh, that's fine. It just means we can start the preliminaries as soon as you're ready. If that's next month or next year, whenever."
- "Good to know." you nod, considering the dam project. "I guess it's good to know that I'll have work as soon as I want it."
- >"I can't wait! I'll finally get to work on a project with you!"
- "Oh, um." you furrow your brow. "Which of us will be in charge?"
- >Twilight looks at your face and bursts out laughing.
- >"Relax Anon." she reassures you. "The Princess told me all about how you get on your projects. You'll be in charge."
- "Oh thank God." you heave a sigh of relief.
- >"Aw, c'mon. I'm not that bad, am I?"
- "It's not you, it's me." you reassure her.
- >"Anon, you lived with me for how many months? I know that beneath that cool, casual exterior is the heart of a passionate obsessive."
- "I hate to admit it, but you're not wrong."
- >"I bet you've already got a list of possible plants for those gardens."
- "Nope." you smile.
- >"Then you've got someone you trust lined up to handle it, and you're not even going to worry about it."
- "Damn, you're good."
- >"It's just how you handled me telling you about forming a herd." Twilight says, inquisitively sniffing the bottle of bourbon in front of you. "Classic you."
- "I suppose that's fair." you say, mulling it over. "But you have to admit, it works pretty well."
- >"It would work better if you delegated a little more often. Speaking of your herd though, Fluttershy has a date set for a little get together at her place, you should go talk to her about it."
- "Oh right, the thing she was planning with Rarity." you nod in recollection. "I'll try to spin by this evening."
- >"Good plan. But we're getting together in an hour, so if you're going over there, you'd better get a move on."
- "Huh, alright." you say, sitting up. "Official business?"
- >"The Princess wants us to investigate a rumor that someone opened the mirror pool again."
- "Oh Christ, yeah. Have fun with that. I'll go see Flutters and keep myself scarce for the evening."
- >"We should do this more often, Anon."
- "As soon as we're less busy."
- >"We'll never be less busy."
- "I mean, I'm going to get to retire eventually."
- >"Go see Fluttershy."
- "Yes, ma'am."
- "Anypony home?" you ask, knocking on the door.
- >After a moment without an answer, you head around to the far side of Fluttershy's and find her diligently tending the remaining fall crops in her vegetable garden.
- >Pausing to admire from a distance, you eventually drop into a rarely used deck chair.
- >Reclining in leisure, you think back to that second date.
- >It really is a shame about the poor mare's anxieties... she can be a joy to be around when she isn't panicking.
- >But when she isn't by herself, she's usually panicking.
- >Therefore you allow her to continue undisturbed for quite some time.
- >Sadly, an errant sneeze disrupts the serenity of the situation, and poor Flutterbutter goes hooves-up on you.
- >Sniffling, you rise to your feet and set Fluttershy back on her hooves.
- >After sheepishly recovering, Shy invites you inside.
- "Twi says you wanted to schedule that party?"
- >"Oh yes, I stopped by the castle yesterday, but Twilight said you were out of town."
- "Yeah, I had some business in Canterlot to take care of." You explain. "Took Rose along, made a little trip out of it."
- >Fluttershy hums knowingly but says nothing.
- "And since you're polite enough not to ask, I won't leave you hanging. Rose and I are dating."
- >"Oh that's wonderful, Anon! Some of us were starting to wonder if you'd ever ask her."
- "Yeah, about that-" you start, before explaining the chat you had with Celestia.
- >Fluttershy, of course, is understanding.
- >She even promises to let Rarity know when the girls get together later today.
- >The two of you talk for so long, you nearly forget to ask about the date for the party.
- >You manage to cross reference calendars just before she has to leave.
- >Since you're already out and about, you decide to check in on your non-florist mares.
- >Lyra lives closest, but no one answers when you knock.
- >It is mid afternoon, after all.
- >Bonbon is definitely at work still.
- >Now that you think about it, you're pretty sure the Orchestra has a big concert in two weeks.
- >Their rehearsal schedule is probably ramping up.
- >Nodding to yourself, you turn and head across town.
- >Making your way to the Market, you pass by Bonbon's and confirm that Lyra is indeed at practice.
- >Noting the slight scowl on the mares face, you take the time to stop.
- "A minute, away from the stand, Bonbon?"
- >"Why?"
- "I have a question about Lyra, just want to avoid prying ears."
- >Her curiosity piqued, she puts out a sign that says 'back in five minutes'.
- >Stepping a good ten feet behind the row of vendors, you take a knee.
- >"Well, what do you need to know? How to let her down gently?" she growls.
- "No, not at all. Actually, I wanted to clarify something with you and get some feedback." you begin. "You see, humans and ponies date a little differently..."
- >A few minutes later, Bonbon is briefed on the situation.
- >You can only imagine how many more times you'll need to have that conversation.
- >"So what's your plan, Anon?"
- "I'm not sure. I'd like to take her on a real date, but with her rehearsal schedule-"
- >Bonbon smiles in understanding.
- >"Anon, she's not busy during the week. The soloist is just in town this weekend, that's why she's busy."
- "Hmmm, now that is useful information." you think aloud. "Well maybe this week sometime then. When is she home from rehearsal?"
- >"She'll be home around seven, if she doesn't stop for dinner with friends."
- "Good to know. Thanks Bonbon."
- >Making your way to the auditorium, you slip inside.
- >Quietly crossing the lobby, you mount the stairs and find your way into one of the private balconies.
- >You listen, but your eyes are focused on the musicians.
- >Spotting Lyra, you keep tabs on her section.
- >While waiting for somepony to leave so you could use them as a messenger, you make an observation.
- >There are no equipment cases on stage.
- >Which means that there's a locker room or something somewhere.
- >Getting to your feet, you quickly make your way downstairs.
- >Finding the doors to backstage locked, you go around the outside of the building.
- >Predictably, the back entrance is propped open with a music stand.
- >Letting yourself in, you reach into your back pocket as you search the halls.
- >Pulling out the simple card you had picked up after leaving Bonbon, you pause outside an office.
- >Stepping inside, you find a quill, and scribble a quick note asking Lyra to meet you for dinner after rehearsal.
- >Pausing, you sign it 'Love, Anon'.
- >That'll do nicely.
- >Sliding it into its envelope, you seal the flap and resume your search for the locker room.
- >Eventually finding the room you're looking for, you begin scanning the dozens of lockers.
- >It seems to take an eon, but you eventually find one with her name on it.
- >The lock keeps you from opening it, so you just wedge the note in the door.
- >Good enough.
- >Satisfied, you pause just offstage to listen for a minute, before making your way out.
- >Humming the melody from the rehearsal, the walk towards the spa goes quickly.
- >Stepping inside, a voice from the back greets you.
- >"Just one minute!"
- >You're going to guess... Lotus.
- >And you are correct!
- >Damn you're good.
- "Hey there, pretty pony." greet her, leaning across the counter.
- >Giving you a tired smile she leans across the counter to give you a peck on the cheek.
- "You look like you've had a long day."
- >"Aloe is sick." she explains shortly. "But I did appreciate the roses you sent."
- "Ah I s- wait what?"
- >Lotus glances at a vase on the counter then back at you.
- >Mirroring her motion, there is indeed a vase full of flowers.
- >Huh.
- "I'm afraid, my dear Lotus, that you and your sister are simply too pretty." you sigh dramatically. "I shall have to step up my game."
- >"They aren't from you?"
- "I've been in Canterlot on business."
- >"Oh."
- >The mare is clearly crestfallen.
- "Speaking of my trip to Canterlot, I had an... enlightening conversation with Celestia while I was there."
- >And so you launch, once more, into your explanation.
- >"So what does this mean for us?"
- "Well, it means that I'm sorry if it seems like I've been stringing you along." you answer. "And I was hoping we could start dating officially."
- >She gives you a devilish smile.
- >"I think we're past just dating already, stud."
- "Haha yeah, I guess knowing how y'all are now we sure moved fast."
- >Lotus moves in for a kiss, and you oblige her, albeit briefly.
- "As much as I'd like to stay, you're at work and another one of my mares is sick."
- >"Oh, you've asked her already?"
- "No, but I don't foresee her saying no." you smile as Lotus comes around the counter.
- >Kneeling down, you hug her one more time and promise to set up an evening together with her.
- >As she wanders back into the spa, you make your way back outside.
- >Thinking about Aloe, you return to the market.
- >Suddenly remembering Lyra, you buy another card.
- >You quickly jot down an invitation to meet you for dinner /tomorrow/.
- >Sneaking back into the Orchestra Hall, you swap out cards.
- >Now free for the rest of the day, you gather up some vegetables, some noodles, some vegetable stock...
- >That should do it.
- >Oh, and some bread.
- >Now you're set.
- >Walking quickly back across town, you knock on the door.
- >Getting no response, you let yourself in.
- >Quietly tiptoeing upstairs, you find Aloe asleep in her bed.
- >Perfect.
- >Back downstairs, you quickly and quietly go about putting together some soup.
- >It's a Fluttershy recipe, so it's a sure-fire success.
- >Not as fancy as Rarity, less apples than AJ.
- >Just right for a semi-competent home cook.
- >You set an egg timer and start warming up the oven.
- >With the soup simmering away on the stove, you pick the newspaper up off the table and kick back on the couch.
- >When the timer goes off, you pull yourself off the couch with a groan.
- >Refolding the paper, you move back into the kitchen.
- >A quick test of the soup vegetables shows they're just a tad undercooked still.
- >Perfect.
- >You set some butter on the counter to start softening.
- >Next, the bread goes in the oven to warm back up.
- >Lastly, you set the timer once more and go about setting the table.
- >With a few minutes to spare, the unlit fireplace calls to you.
- >Harnessing your inner boy scout, you manage to figure out it's a gas fireplace.
- >It's a good thing no one was around to see that.
- >With a fire lit, warmth begins to flood the room.
- >It's almost too warm for you, but if the hardest working spa pony you know took a day off, then she's quite sick.
- >Which means she'll be feverish.
- >So she'll feel cold all the time.
- >The timer calls your attention back to the kitchen again.
- >"Lotus?" you hear Aloe question from upstairs.
- >Timer must have woken her.
- >Quickly ladling out two bowls of soup, you retrieve the bread from the oven and set it on the counter to cool.
- >Quietly moving upstairs, you move to Aloe's door and peek inside.
- "No Lotus here, she's still at work." you say. "I hope I'm an adequate substitute."
- >"A-anon?" she moans from under the covers. "Oh, I look terrible."
- "Nah." you chide her. "You're still the pretty pony you always are."
- >Taking a seat at the foot of the bed, two blue eyes peek over the covers at you.
- >"What are you doing here?"
- "I wanted to talk to you, but dinner's getting cold downstairs. So let's talk there, okay?"
- >"Ughhh stairs..."
- "Got you covered." you nod.
- >Scooping her up along with her blankets, you carefully swaddle her before carrying Aloe downstairs.
- >Aloe sniffles as she looks at her soup and then back at you.
- "Go ahead. I'll be right there." you assure her.
- >As she tucks into her dinner, you cut two generous slices of bread, and carry them to the table.
- >"How did I get so lucky?"
- "Well I don't know if getting sick is what I'd call lucky."
- >Aloe just hums as she takes a bite from her bread.
- "Also, I wanted to talk to you about us."
- >"Us?" she squeaks through her mouthful of bread.
- >With a sigh you launch, yet again, into your by-now-well-rehearsed spiel.
- >Aloe finishes her meal as you explain yourself.
- >"You didn't need to apologize to me, Anon." Aloe says quietly. "I knew if you hadn't asked Lotus, you weren't going to ask me."
- "What?" you ask. "Why?"
- >"Lotus moves so much faster than me, it's just how she is."
- "Oh, so you let her be the wild child and then expect me to believe you're some naive good girl?"
- >She just looks at you with those big blue eyes and nods, the blanket draped over her threatening to fall off her head as she does.
- "Okay then." you agree.
- >Clearing the dishes, you proceed to pick the sick little mare up and carry her to the nearby loveseat.
- >Wedging yourself into the corner, you kick up your feet and pull the pile of pony and blankets against your chest.
- "So Aloe."
- >"Hmmm?" she responds as she pushes herself up against you.
- "How would you feel about dating?"
- >"I think I'd feel pretty good about that."
- "I'm glad you feel that way." you say, turning your head to look down at her.
- >Kissing her on the forehead, you sigh.
- "It's my goal to take all the prettiest mares for myself, you know."
- >"Really?" she asks drowsily.
- "No, but you certainly fit the bill." you chuckle.
- >The two of you sit like that, watching the fire for some time.
- >Between the fire, the blanket and Aloe, you are quite toasty.
- "You know, since I've got you here, maybe we could set up a real date." you offer. "One you can enjoy, when you aren't sick."
- >"That sounds nice."
- "I think 'not sick' is a good start."
- >Aloe sniffles, but can't hide a small smile.
- "I'm not made of bits, but I have a terrible weakness for cute mares that can be exploited."
- >Lotus furrows her brow, before mustering up the courage to speak.
- >"Take me to Canterlot?"
- >Looking down at Aloe, you lift a brow.
- "Word travels fast."
- >Aloe just returns your quizzical gaze.
- "I was there with Rose the past few days."
- >"Oh, no, it's not Rose..." she says in a small voice.
- "We can go to Canterlot, Aloe." you reassure her.
- >"No -I mean yes I want to go- but it really isn't Rose." she insists, pulling herself upright.
- >Leaning against your shoulder, she sighs.
- >"It's just that Lotus had a coltfriend who took her once and she made it seem so beautiful..."
- "Was there something in particular you wanted to see?"
- >"I don't really know. I've never been to Canterlot."
- "Well" you ponder aloud. "What does a perfect pink pony do in her time off?"
- >"Hmmm, this pink pony reads a lot." Aloe answers with a yawn. "and she likes to paint."
- "Paint?"
- >"Mhmm." she nods, pulling the covers tight. "I take classes sometimes."
- "Reading and painting." you muse. "I would have to agree that you're the quieter twin."
- >"Maybe you can come with me sometime?"
- "To paint? I'm afraid I lack any artistic spark."
- >"That isn't true. I saw the article in the newspaper about your last project."
- "They're just canals."
- >"Canals lined with benches and ornamental street lights and bordered by parks you also redesigned."
- "Okay, okay. I concede, I do have an eye for architecture. It's what I do after all."
- >"Vision is half of the painting." Aloe yawns. "Besides, you can't be any worse than Rainbow Dash."
- "When have you ever seen Rainbow Dash paint?"
- >"Rarity brought the whole little group to a class once."
- "You'd think someone with a rainbow mane would understand colors a little better."
- >"You have to be patient sometimes." she elaborates. "A long, delicate brush stroke takes a steady hoof moving rather slowly."
- "And Dash never does anything slowly."
- >"Mhm. Pinkie was almost as bad."
- "You know, that would have been fun to see."
- >"It was. Next time Rarity mentions that they're going, I'll let you know."
- "Sounds like a date."
- >After Aloe eventually fell back asleep, you returned her to her bed and slipped out into the dim light of early evening.
- >Considering that you had missed practice for your 'business trip', you decide to jog the distance across town to the castle.
- >It doesn't take long, and your heart rate is just starting to get pumping, so you decide to run all the way to the Haymaker Estate.
- >Or rather, the Anonymous Estate.
- >The papers were signed, after all.
- >An early autumn chill turns your breath visible as you pass through the fields at the edge of town.
- >Reaching the gate, you pause to catch your breath.
- "I am out of shape." you wheeze to yourself.
- >As your breathing normalizes, you amble around your property.
- >The leaves swish and crunch as you wade across the unkempt lawn.
- >Stopping to inspect a few gourds in the overgrown garden, you hear the soft beat of wings overhead.
- >A pegasus flies past, landing near the boathouse and stepping inside.
- >Your curiosity piqued, you slowly make your way across the lawn towards the wooded waterline.
- >As you come close to the door, you can hear quiet crying coming from inside.
- >Peering in, the pegasus is sitting looking into the river.
- "Hello? Are you alright?" you call out.
- >"Oh! Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't-" She stutters, jumping up to face the door.
- "No, it's fine. I just didn't expect to-"
- >"Nopony ever-" she stammers, backing up against the rotting railing as you approach.
- "Really, it's fine, just calm down. And be careful, I don't think that railing-"
- >With a crack, the railing gives out, sending both it and the pegasus into the cold waters below.
- >Rushing forward, you see the poor mare already wading ashore.
- >Hopping down from the deck, you toss your coat over her.
- "I was going to say, I don't think the railing is in very good shape anymore."
- >She just looks up at you with big sad eyes.
- "I'd invite you inside, but, well, it's kind of a mess. Why don't you come back to the castle with me?"
- >She mumbles something and looks away.
- "I'll take that as a yes." you say, leading the way across the grounds.
- >"Wait! No, I really can't!"
- "Sure you can! C'mon, before you get cold!"
- >"It's too late for that." she sighs, trudging along after you.
- >She finally catches up to you near the road, where you wait patiently.
- >Continuing forward, you look down at the shivering mare.
- "You look familiar, but I can't place you."
- >"I'm Cloudchaser's sister."
- "Oh, Flitter! I remember." you reply. "You joined us at the bonfire."
- >She nods silently.
- "You know, it was good to see you join in the dancing. You're pretty good at it."
- >"O-oh, thanks. But parties like that aren't really...I don't usually..."
- >Shaking your head, you lead the way down the lane.
- "So what have you been up to since then?"
- >"J-just avoiding m-my sister..." she answers, shivering.
- "Are you okay?" you say stopping. "Better get you inside before you catch a cold."
- >"Yeah, thanks for the coat, but I'll fly faster without it."
- >Ignoring her, you scoop her up and take off at a brisk walk.
- >If you could see her face, it would be plastered with wide-eyed confusion.
- "I'm not letting you off the hook that easy. Here, open that coat up." you instruct.
- >She does so, and you pull her up against you.
- >A decision you regret- the dripping pegasus is freezing cold -causing you to yelp a bit.
- >"I told you..."
- "I know, I know. I did it to myself." you grimace, breaking into a jog. "Seriously though. I'm sure you've done more than avoid Cloudchaser."
- >"Just writing some reports for work." she answers. "Really, I can just fly home-"
- "What, and explain to Cloudchaser that I pushed you into the river? I don't need that kind of trouble in my life."
- >Mentioning Cloudchaser seems to quiet her.
- >But not in the way you meant.
- >Nice job, Anon.
- >The last ten minutes of the run home are uncomfortably silent.
- >Making your way inside the castle, it's warmth is a relief.
- >Carrying her upstairs, you drop the confused mare in your bathroom.
- >Starting the tub running, you turn to her.
- "Wait right here." you say, leaving her standing awkwardly in your bathroom.
- >Going down the hall, you collect some mare-appropriate toiletries, and return.
- >In all honesty, you're starting to think that you should keep some around.
- >It would save you a lot of trips.
- >Anyways.
- >Returning to the room, you kneel down.
- "Hey, I'm sorry about earlier-"
- >"N-no! It's fine, we just had an argument and...well, you didn't know so..."
- "Maybe we can talk about it later." you offer, standing back up.
- >Leaving the items, you set out some fresh towels from the linen closet and back out of the room, closing the door behind you.
- >Now, time for you to take a hot shower...which will have to be in a guest room.
- >Ah well.
- >Showered and in a fresh change of clothes, you light the little fireplace in your suite.
- >Listening at the door, you can hear Flitter is still in the tub.
- >Berating herself for being an awkward dork.
- >You stifle a chuckle and head downstairs.
- >This situation, like most situations, calls for alcohol!
- >Finding some apple juice, you fill a small pot with it.
- >Adding some cloves and cinnamon, you let it come to a simmer.
- >You add a bit of apple brandy to a pitcher, then sample a bit of the juice.
- >Eh, give it another five minutes.
- >Ten minutes later, you make your way upstairs with your pitcher of spiced cider and two mugs.
- >The sound of the hair dryer tells you that Flitter should be out soon-ish.
- >Soon for a mare, at any rate.
- >Dropping into one of the large chairs in front of the fire, you lay your head back.
- >While not physically challenging, it has certainly been a day of constant activity.
- >It's a hard kind of exhaustion to describe.
- >You're tired, but content.
- >Still plenty of evening left though, and you slowly pull yourself upright as the bathroom door clicks open.
- >Flitter awkwardly steps out and mumbles a barely audible thank you.
- >You wave her over and pour two mugs.
- >She attempts once more to beg off, but you cut her off.
- "Come on. Have a drink and warm your bones." you offer, indicating the empty chair.
- >Flitter slowly climbs up into the seat, and takes the proffered mug.
- "So what were you doing out along the river so late?"
- >"It isn't that late, and I can take care of myself."
- "Says the mare that fell off the dock."
- >"You surprised me! It's not my fault!"
- "It's okay. The boathouse needs repairs anyways." you tease. "I'll just add the railing to the list."
- >"What list?"
- "The list of repairs."
- >"But who's fixing it?"
- "I am."
- >"Someone hired you to rebuild the Haymaker place?"
- "Yeah...me."
- >"I'm so lost."
- "I bought the old Haymaker house. Now it's my house, which is why I'm fixing it."
- >"Oooh. See, I was wondering why you were out there. No one is ever out there."
- "Except for you?"
- >"Exactly."
- "I can see how that would be pretty peaceful."
- >"It is! I like it even more in the Summer when it isn't so chilly out!"
- "If you don't mind my asking, why do you spend so much time out there?"
- >"Oh, um..." she falters. "Well, it's just that it's nice to get away from Cloudy sometimes."
- "Cloudy?"
- >"My sister."
- "Ah, I see." you nod sagely. "Why's that?"
- >"I'd... I don't really want to talk about it."
- "Alright." you agree, taking a long draught from your mug. "I know we've just met, but I'm here to listen if you ever want."
- >"Thanks." she mumbles.
- "And you can keep hanging out in my old boathouse. Just don't lean on the railings."
- >She only offers a weak smile in response.
- "You know you're far too pretty to be frowning like that."
- >Offering a more genuine smile, she tries her drink.
- >"Oh this is really good!"
- "Works best with fresh cider, so I usually only make it this time of year."
- >"But the Apples haven't pressed theirs yet."
- "I know. Picked this stuff up in Canterlot the other day. Higher elevation means an earlier harvest."
- >"Ohhh. But-" she asks, leaning in conspiratorially "does Applejack know you're getting apples from Canterlot?"
- >You can't help but burst out laughing.
- >It seems to break the sad spell, and Flitter smiles as she takes a long swig of her cider.
- >Refilling your own, you offer to top hers off only to find that it's empty.
- >That's the spirit.
- "So Flitter, I don't see you around much. What do you do for fun?"
- >"Oh, I read. And, well, that's about it. I went to some of Princess Twilight's science talks, but those were cancelled so I don't get out a whole lot anymore."
- "Ah, I remember her talking about those. Man, if I had the time I'd love to help her start those up again."
- >"You should! It was cool to learn from the princess, she's like a walking encyclopedia! It's just that, well..."
- "Twilight gets a little intense sometimes." you clarify with a knowing look.
- >"Mhm. She was talking about it once, how sometimes she misses being able to spend all her time researching science and magic."
- "She has a lot of responsibilities now. I'm friends with the other princesses too, it's a lot of work."
- >"Yeah." she sighs dejectedly.
- "What all did you guys talk about? It was a kind of short-lived program if I recall."
- >"Well, I skipped the one about magic, because, well, I'm a pegasus."
- "Can't blame you there."
- >"There was one about the weather, I spaced out a lot on that one..."
- "Again, pegasus."
- >"But we also talked about the Everfree! And astronomy!"
- "Ah yes, the good old Everf-"
- >"And we were planning to try to replicate Manedel's experiments with peas!"
- "I guess that explains-"
- >"She was even going to talk about how the Ponyville Dam would create electricity next!"
- "Oh really?" you say, leaning in.
- >"She thought that with your Canterlot project in the papers it might have gotten more ponies to come."
- "It didn't?"
- >Flitter sobers a little.
- >"There were only two of us who signed up. So she cancelled it. And all of the rest of them."
- "You know," you muse, sipping on your cider "I could still show you how the dam is going to work."
- >"Really?"
- "Yeah, follow me." you say, grabbing your mug and the pitcher of hot cider.
- >Making your way down into the basement, you lead the way into Twilight's lab.
- >"Alright, let's do some science!" you exclaim, downing your drink and slamming it on the workbench.
- >Flitter hovers over your shoulder, nursing her mug.
- "So what do you know about electricity?"
- >"I was always more of a biology pony..."
- "We can talk biology later~" you tease, bringing a fierce blush to Flitters cheeks.
- >You laugh as she sputters for a moment before focusing on the task at hand.
- "So we're going to make a simple electric motor to understand the concepts at work. See if you can find a D-cell battery while I scrounge up the rest of what we'll need!"
- >Flitter finishes her own drink and offers a salute before darting around the room in search of the portable power source.
- >When you've got everything assembled, you ask for the battery.
- >Flitter hands you two, and you observe she has also acquired a lab coat.
- >Cute.
- "Might be a bit overkill, but the coat looks good on you." you say. "So here's how this is going to work..."
- >Motioning her forward, you move to the other side of the bench.
- >You also refill both mugs.
- >Resting an arm on the table, you take a sip and start to talk her through the steps.
- >Coiling the wire.
- >Taping the uncoiled paperclips to the sides of the battery.
- >Taping the magnet to the top of the battery.
- >Taping the wood block base to the bottom of the battery.
- >Drinking more.
- >Uncoiling the ends of the wire to act as an axel of sorts.
- >Setting the coil on the paperclips.
- >With a bit of a wobble to it, the coil begins to spin.
- >Flitter clops her hooves together happily.
- "A toast to that!" you propose, raising your mug and downing its contents. "Now lemme explain what's going on here."
- >You wake up to a noise.
- >Not familiar, but not unfamiliar.
- >Opening your eyes, you find yourself sprawled out on the couch.
- >In the next room over, you spy Flitter in your bed.
- >Little whinnying snores escaping from her, lab coat crumpled at the bottom of the bed.
- >The clock says it's already noon, but you have nowhere to be until the hoofball game tonight.
- >You let her linger a while, taking the opportunity to get dressed.
- >The morning sun illuminates the room in a warm gold, and outside you can see the vibrant mix of quaint rooftops and autumn foliage.
- >It truly is the most beautiful time of year.
- >After showering, shaving and getting dressed, you find Flitter stirring in bed.
- >You have a few things to do yet today, and as adorable as Flitter may be, you can't wait for her forever.
- >"Oh, h-hey Anon." she stammers. "I uh, didn't mean to-"
- "Science is exhausting like that." you smile. "Sleep okay?"
- >"It was great!" she blurts out before covering her mouth with her hooves.
- "You weren't too bad yourself." you smirk.
- >The mortified look she gives you is priceless.
- >"W-we...you and I-"
- >Walking up to the furiously blushing mare, you give her a light boop on the muzzle.
- "No."
- >"Oh thank Celestia."
- "Ouch, my pride." you quip, clapping you hand to your chest.
- >"Oh! No, Anon, I didn't mean it like that! I just-"
- "Relax. I'm just messing with you."
- >"Oh! Oh."
- "How about we go get some breakfast?" you ask, before remembering the time. "Or, err, maybe lunch?"
- >"Brunch?"
- "Brunch it is."
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