PART 1 PASTEBIN: http://pastebin.com/ACSQ11iw

SYNOPSIS
Lyra's paying your rent and giving you hot pony sex, but while you may be in love, she's still going out with Bonbon. The time is coming you'll have to do something about that.

LAST TIME...
Home sick, you felt a little abandoned by Lyra, but fulfilled your chores like the good roommate and secret lover that you are (even extinguishing a Level 30 Elite Flaming Papa Smurf the Parrot). With a bit of cold-cure soup, you recovered enough to go out, accepted Derpy's invitation to the Hearth's Warming play, and accepted Bonbon's job offer to help out at her candy shop.

INVENTORY:
AEIOU Survey - academic research about your ponyfucking habits
Sex Stamina Spice - do not mix with cold cure
Thermos of Cold Cure Soup - keeps you warm and healthy

[CONT'D]

>>1708267
NOTE: I've retconned the ending parts of Part 1 to give you options to explore and interact. Go forth!

"I'll let you two get back to your plans for the day." Lyra and Bonbon wave goodbye and continue towards Whitetail Road, on the far edge of Ponyville.

Although Zecora's concoction has inured you to the cold, you can still feel a dull pain. You slurp more cold-cure soup from your thermos; as long as you have soup you can spend more time in town.

You can visit the nearby post office or Town Hall. You can fill and mail out the AEIOU survey or get some details about Hearth's Warming Eve.

If you're curious about Bonbon's store, the Candy Bag, it's on the market street leading away from the town center. Maybe you can learn a little bit about the job offer from Bonbon's coworkers.

You can also revisit the site of your epic snowball fight in Riverside Park on the edge of town. Who knows who you might find?

If there's some other place you'd like to go, please specify.

[And Go. I'll just guesstimate the soup levels, so don't feel too intimidated about traveling.]

...

Okay, here's your agenda:
1. check out Riverside Park
2. visit Bonbon's Candy Bag

RIVERSIDE PARK
It seems that the snowball fighting has escalated from yesterday's shenanigans, with at least a dozen foals involved with no clear teams picked out. A few chaperones and parents look on with muted concern, except for Berry Punch, the local oenophile.

Out by the namesake river, you can see the frozen pond. There's a handful of ice skating ponies here, but Pinkie Pie stands out amongst them. It's strange seeing her renowned exuberance and energy channeled into such focused grace.

To the pond, or check out the snowball fight?

...

Quickly leaving the zone of collateral damage, you take the path towards the pond. It's not very long before Pinkie Pie notices you and grinds to a stop, kicking up ice.

"My arch-nemesis! We meet again." She has a hard expression for all of a second before busting out laughing. "You look TERRIBLE! What are you doing out here with a cold? Does Lyra know you're out of the house?"

Her giggling makes her wobble a bit on the ice as she walks up to you on her toepicks. "So, whatcha come out here for, Anon? A rematch?"

...

You shake your head and tell her you're still recovering from yesterday, and she seems to beam with pride at this knowledge. And when you ask her about any cold cures she may know about, she is DEFINITELY proud.

"Haha, no one topples the Snow Queen without paying the price! But now that you ask, I can't really offer you anything for a cold, that just comes and goes. But you can still treat the symptoms! Mostly by eating lots of good, warm and healthy food. Food always makes me feel good. You know what I like to eat when I'm sick? SPICY food! You can't taste it as well because you're all stuffed up, but then it hits you and you'll clear up quite a bit. Hey, hey, you wanna try wasabi snooters? That stuff will make you breathe. And then there's my special Hotterpeno™ Cupcakes, my very own recipe! Pour some hot sauce over the a normal cupcake and BAM, you'll have smoke coming out of your ears. I could make some right now if I were at Sugarcube Corner. In fact, we could go to Sugarcube Corner right now, but I need to wait here for Rainbow Dash. We were going to make snowcones. With real snow!"

"...Did you get all that, Anon?"

...

You tilt your head and consider Pinkie's advice for a bit, but you tell her you can't afford to stand around in the cold while waiting.

"Hey, I understand. Sorry I couldn't help—oh, wait! I need to ask you a favor." Pinkie clambers after you on her toepicks. "I'm making a special order for Hearth's Warming Eve, but we're out of special Ice Crystal Sugar to get it done. You're friends with Lyra, right?"

You nod.

"And Lyra's going out with Bonbon."

You nod.

"Okay! So, if you ever see Lyra, or Bonbon, ask Bonbon to make a new batch of Ice Crystal Sugar and have it delivered to Sugarcube Corner, stat!"

>mission get

Well, it was a good thing she asked you for that favor, since you're headed to Bonbon's store anyways!
Nervously creeping past the snowball warzone, you take a drink of cold-cure from your thermos for the trip back into town.

BONBON'S CANDY BAG
Bonbon's store is less of a bakery and more of a combined confectionery and ice cream parlor, and while both establishments do compete for sweets, their distinct specialties attract different crowds. For easily deductible reasons, Bonbon's Candy Bag is the preferred hangout for "mature" ponies. It's certainly a calm atmosphere, and the scent of warm hot chocolate sets you at ease.

Even with the slightly off-tune screeching of the redheaded filly in the middle of the parlor. She wears an apron and sings while dutifully mopping up a spill on the floor. "Who can take a thunrithe, thprinkle it with dew~"

Behind the counter is a stallion expertly mixing up another shake and sliding it across the bar to a customer. He takes notice of you. "Hey, you're that... uh, that guy."

...

First off, you ask if Bonbon is in. At this, the barrister shakes his head. You internally curse yourself, as you should have known this; you just saw Bonbon going out with Lyra earlier this afternoon.

Second, you introduce yourself and tell him that Bonbon had offered you a job here, and this really gets his attention. He invites you to have a seat right over there, and he pours out a nice warm cup of hot chocolate for you.

The redheaded filly in the apron passes behind you. "...wrap it in a thigh, thoak it in the thun and make a thtrawberry lemon pie~"

"Name's Cherry Cola, I'm Bonbon's second-in-command and uncontested barrister. So you're Anon, huh?" He raises an eyebrow at you. "Now that I see you up close, I don't see what makes humans so special..."

...

>>1709833
>>1709900
Well, I can't say no to TWO dubs.

You wiggle your fingers and display the wondrous angles made possible by your bone structure. Mr. Cola looks the least bit nonplussed. "Yeah, I've seen those on minotaurs. And?"

You put on your best Adam Jensen impression. "Are you always this nice, or do you actually like me?" Cola guffaws quite heartily in response.

"Ah, sun above, just testing you. If Lyra hasn't kicked you out already, I can assume you're an okay guy."

You sigh and shake your head. "If you're looking to test me, I just bumped into Pinkie Pie earlier. Mentioned she needed more Ice Crystal Sugar for a special order, and that this was the place to get it."

"Ah, that one. I'll relay it to the staff in the back." He pulls out a pencil between his teeth and makes a note, then passes it through to the kitchen. "What, were you expecting to help make that stuff? Sorry, that's a specialty recipe. Just because the boss lady herself made you an offer doesn't mean you don't start on the bottom of the totem pole."

"And where would that be?"

He nods towards the redheaded filly across the floor. She's delivering shakes to customers seated at a booth. "Right under her."

...

"Is this because I don't have a cutie mark?"
"If you did, it'd be the first thing you showed me. I hear enough from Lyra about you people to know you don't have them. And if you were a serious confectioner, you'd have already applied here personally."

"So I take it that kid's my new boss?"
"Yes and no. Orders come from the customers, and from top brass." Cola brushes his hoof off against his chest. "But Twist can show you the ropes for serving and deliveries."

"I'm a little under the weather right now, but after Bonbon made that offer to me today I—wait, did you already know about that?"
"She's been considering it ever since you moved in. It's genuinely bothering her how you've been... well, not my place to talk about it. Point is, once you're well again, we can get you started on training."

Cola kicks up a glass and towels it down idly. "So, you go rest up, unless you want to stick around for another treat. First hot chocolate of the day's on the house, but you'll have to pay for anything else. And don't get any of the other customers sick."

...

We'll go with this one: heading to Town Hall!

You take the hot chocolate to go and turn to leave. A few steps out into the street, you pause to take a sip of the warm beverage. You won't need to refuel on soup for this leg of the journey.

You feel a slight tugging at your leg, and look down to see Twist, still in her apron and carrying a small pink-and-white banded package. "Um, exthcuthe me thir, but before you leave would you be interethted in a free thample of my Thuper Thweet Thnow Mintth? It'th a holiday thpecial."

Despite the hard sale, she seems a little sad for some reason.

...

>>1710952
"I don't see why your classmates couldn't give it a try. These are great."
"Well, Diamond Tiara'th not playing fair. Herth are made with Thap Apple jam, and only her dad would be rich enough to have a thtockpile to latht into winter. Tho naturally, they all wantth a tathte of that inthtead of boring old mintth. Ath if that weren't enough, Thilver Thpoon thaid thhe thaw me kithing Thnailth, which ith ridiculouth, I don't even like Thnailth, but that made one of the other girlth mad at me becauthe the'th got a cruthh on him tho the told her friendth not to try my mintth and then it jutht thnowballed from there! I wathn't even popular to begin with, and I jutht wanted to prove thomething. Apple Bloom wath trying to help me but the'th tho buthy building the new thetth for the play."

Twist's voice rises and falls with alternating anger and sadness. God, why are kids such assholes to each other? You shake your head as you try to process all the lisping.

"Okay, Twist, look. Don't let anyone—anypony tell you these mints are anything but divine. I'm actually headed to Town Hall right now, I'll take a box over there and hand them out."

Twist gasps, her glasses sliding down over nose again. "You'd do that?"

"Bonbon offered me a job in the store. I figured it's not too soon to start helping out."

"Thankth, mithter!" And with that she seizes your leg in a little hug. You try not to spill your hot chocolate. Before you continue on to Town Hall, you introduce yourself to Twist and make a new friend.

>Box of Thuper Thweet Mintth get

[CONT'D]

TOWN HALL
Back in the center of town, the rounded structure of the civic center makes it seem smaller than it really is. You're stopped at the entrance by a security guard, and you fast-talk an explanation that you have a delivery from Bonbon's Candy Bag (good thing you took that box). Directly inside is the auditorium, which is festooned in brightly colored decorations and lined with simply-illustrated historic scenes depicting the traditions of Hearth's Warming.

On one end of the stage you see a group of foals being directed by the schoolteacher, Cheerilee. They aren't in costume, but by the sound of it they're practicing for the play. Diamond Tiara isn't part of the dramatics, but she zealously guards her table of "Ginger Zaps" in the backstage.

On the other end of the stage is the unceremonious rhythm of power tools and the delicate protestations of Rarity the unicorn as she attempts to explain the finer points of design to Apple Bloom.

...

>>1711638
You decide to approach Cheerilee first so you can make a big scene of the mints.

"Oh, hello, Mister Anon. I didn't know you were volunteering to help with the play?"
"Actually, Miss Cheerilee, I'm here to make a special delivery on behalf of Bonbon's Candy Bag. These special holiday mints are for all the children to enjoy, free of charge." You get down on one knee and present the box, opening it up to the wonderment of the gathered schoolchildren. No sooner do you do this than Diamond Tiara's big pink ass upstages you.

"There's no need to spoil our special treats so early. We still have plenty of Ginger Zaps in the back!" And she snatches the box away from you and puts on the "sweetest" and most "endearing" "smile" you've seen. "We can save these for a special occasion. Say, the night of the play?"
"Wonderful idea, Diamond Tiara. Although, I would like to try just one—"
"I'm in charge of catering, Miss Cheerilee. Don't you worry, I'll save some for you!"

This is going badly. What do?

...

>>1711878
You decide to place what little reputation you have on the line as you step in to scold Diamond Tiara.

"Look, little miss, but I was specifically instructed to hand these out to all of the foals here. My employer won't be happy to hear you kept us from sharing our holiday cheer... You said you were in charge of the catering, and I think it's in your best interest to maintain a good relationship with the professionals. Isn't that right, Miss Cheerilee?" You turn to the fuchsia mare, and she nods sagely.

Diamond Tiara doesn't look at all fazed as she strides back towards the crowd. "Alright, then. Here, take one, each of you. But only if you really want one." She stares down each of the foals quite readily. Despite Cheerilee excitedly snatching up two mints for herself, the students all seem petrified by some intangible sway Tiara has over them. You figure there's some kind of blackmail going on here, but you don't have the time to sort it out.

"I'll take one!" A voice cracks out from within the group, and an orange pegasus steps forward. Tiara tries to pull back, but the tomboyish filly quickly steals a wafer. "Come on, Sweetie!"
"Um... I really like mint!" Another filly, this one a unicorn, pulls a mint towards herself with a glow of her horn. "Mmm."
At this, the rest of the children ease up and swarm Tiara, and soon the box is as empty as Tiara's pride.

"Anon, do send my thanks to Bonbon for these. They're delish." Cheerilee hungrily licks crumbs off her hooves and snout.
"Don't thank me. These were Twist's creations. She wanted to do catering for your stage crew, but I guess that didn't work out."

[cont'd]

>>1712081
With the little ones' snack attack satisfied (and DT summarily shown up as they each sing the praises of these wonder mints). You can see Rarity and Apple Bloom getting their share of the sweets from Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.

"Ah, Anon! I was hoping I'd get to speak with you." The Mayor has been observing the general proceedings and chooses this time to approach you. "I understand this would be your first Hearth's Warming ever. It's so nice to see you getting involved! Is it true you're working for Bonbon?"

"Just—XYZZY—started. Excuse me." You blow your nose and retrieve your thermos, downing another gulp of soup. It's almost empty. "Sorry, bit of a cold, running around in this weather. You were saying, ma'am?"

"You've already settled quite nicely into the community. I don't suppose you'll be moving into your own home soon?"

Care to talk about your life plans?

...

>>1712267
"My first priority is paying Lyra back for the help she's given me."

"Ah, you two have become good friends, I gather. I thought she took a gamble, accepting Ponyville's first human into her home, but you certainly seem to be worth the trouble. No doubt you'll be at her wedding." The Mayor chuckles, and you try your best to smile despite this reminder.
"Aside from what I left behind, yeah, Lyra's the only family I've got out here. I definitely want to be there for her, whatever happens." Hell, she's your secret lover.

"Well, if you really do want to learn what it's like to live among ponies, you just come talk to me and I might be able to find an opening for you to fill. I want to make sure everyp—everyone in my town is getting along."

Press further, or conclude your business here? You don't have enough soup left to travel anyplace else (unless you want to risk it; always up to you).

...

>>1712508
"Well, before I go, there is the matter of the play. Derpy invited me to come watch..."
"Oh, yes, well, the festivities are open to all members of the community, though civil servants, including postal workers, get special front-row seating, for themselves plus guests. Most of us use that for family, but Derpy's only ever used it for close friends like Ms. Harvest..." The Mayor ponders this for a second. "I'll have a word with her next time I see her to get that cleared up."

Satisfied with the sweet deal you're getting, you can confidently march out of Town Hall and finally, after a long afternoon, trudge up the path to Lyra's doorstep. Your doorstep.

On the way home you empty the thermos into your mouth. This serving wasn't as big as the others, and you hurry home as you can feel the cold cure starting to wear out. Your fingers fumble with the cold metal keys (and these are damn big keys, seeing as ponies don't have hands), but you drop them in the snow. Fatigue is setting into your bones, and you nearly stumble over onto your ass when you catch on something.

"Whoa! Anon, watch yourself! Did you spend the whole afternoon out? Oh sweet sun you look awful..." Lyra cradles you in her forelegs for a moment before magicking the door open with her unicorn power. She guides you towards the couch, and soon you are exactly where you started: feverish and miserable.

Except this time Lyra's home with you.

[PART 2 END]