Oddly in Tune
Chapter 1: A Fallen Stallion and a Solo Lyre
“Off Beat!” the sandy yellow-coated stallion yelled over the rain. “I know you're in there! Open this Luna forsaken door!” He pounded on the door again. The sound of the door’s lock turning caused the cold, soaking stallion to laugh in relief.
After a cautious look through a crack in the door, and seeing who was outside, Beat flung it open. “Flam, what in Tartarus is going on?!” Beat looked over his friend, and was shocked at his condition. Flam looked like he had been on the road for days.
Water dripping from his mane and coat, Flam apologized through his chattering teeth, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know where else to go.”
“Don’t stand there in the rain, come in!” Beat motioned for the soggy pony to enter. “Where’s that brother of yours?”
“Gone,” Flam almost sobbed. “He left me! My own brother left me in the middle of the road!” Flam’s coat started to steam from the comparative heat of Beat’s home, adding to his miserable appearance. “He just kept going!”
Beat ran towards the back of the house and levitated a couple of towels from his bathroom. By the time he got back to the den, Flam had sunk to his knees. “Let me dry you off. You look like you went through the Everfree Forest with timber wolves after your flank. What happened?”
“I…” Flam toppled over with a soggy flop.
“Oh Celestia, please don’t let him be dead.” Dropping the towels, Beat lifted Flam from the floor with his magic. He put his hooves on Flam’s neck. “Pulse is good and steady, breathing is good, but he’s too cold,” he commented to himself. He checked his friend over for major injuries and found none. Flam’s clothing was ripped in several spots, and he had his fair share of scrapes and bruises, but none of the wounds appeared as if they would require medical attention. “Maybe I should have said you looked like you were flung from a cart, because that’s what it looks like.”
“Beat, what’s going on?” Bon-Bon walked down the stairs. She gasped, as took in the scene, “What happened?!”
“I’m not sure myself. He passed out before he could tell me much of anything.” Beat softly put Flam back on the floor, and started drying him off again.
Bon-Bon put her shoulder against Beat’s, and looked over Flam with concern. “Is he alright?”
Beat nodded. “I think so. I couldn’t find any major wounds on him. He’s just exhausted, cold, and scuffed up.” He levitated Flam to the couch. “He said something about Flim ‘just leaving him,’ but I have no clue what he was talking about. He was almost hysterical.” Beat lifted Flam’s head, and gently tucked a pillow under it. “I’ll be right back, keep an eye on him.”
Bon-Bon looked over the unconscious stallion with an odd mixture of emotions. While she was sad to see any pony hurt, her memories of what Flam and his brother had tried to pull on the Apples made it difficult for her to have any sympathy for him. She wondered if this was not some kind of karma. She chided herself for such a though, and brushed Flam’s disheveled mane from his face. “Rotten to the core or not, no pony deserves a night like the one that you’ve had.”
“He’s really not all that bad of a guy, you just have to get him away from that brother of his to see it,” Beat said as he returned, carrying a couple of blankets. He placed them over Flam, and tucked the edges around him to ensure his friend stayed warm. “Out like a light, but he seems to be fine.”
“Should we look for his brother?” Bon-Bon looked to Beat, with concern.
After thinking about it for a moment, Beat shook his head. “No, we have no clue where to even start to look. Flim can take care of himself. Besides, from what I can gather from what Flam said, they must have had some kind of falling out. It may be good for the both of them to spend some time away from each other.”
Bon-Bon turned towards the door. “I should go. You’re going to have a busy…” She glanced over her shoulder at the magical aura that was holding her tail and keeping her from leaving. She turned her amused expression to Beat. “Excuse me? Just when did you get so grabby?”
Beat stepped in front of her, barring her way to the door, and kissed her cheek softly. “You’re not going out in that storm tonight. It’s not one of the controlled ones from the pegasi. It’s from the Everfree Forest, and could be dangerous. I don’t want you getting hurt.” He kissed her a little more fiercely, on the lips. “Please, stay with me.”
She sighed at his overprotectiveness, but smiled nonetheless. “There wouldn’t be any ulterior motives involved with you wanting me to stay, would there?”
He returned a smile of his own. “I enjoy holding you at night, I’ll admit that.” He hugged her close, and added, “And seeing you in the morning, that’s always an added bonus.”
“I look horrible in the mornings.” She leaned her head against him. “My mane is always a disaster.”
He kissed the tip of her ear, making it flick back, and causing her to giggle at the tickling sensation. “You know I love to help you brush it out, almost as much as I like brushing your tail. Have I ever mentioned how much I like your tail?”
“It’s come up in conversation once or twice,” she responded, as she reluctantly removed herself from his embrace. “Alright, I’ll stay. You’re going to have to behave yourself tonight. There is another guest to consider.” She pointed towards the sleep Flam.
“I’ll keep my hooves to myself. Well, I will hold you. I can’t stop myself from that. But I won’t do anything more.” He leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “Though I’m going to be sorely tempted.”
*****
Flam slowly raised his head and took a long, appreciative sniff. The smell of cooking was what had brought him from his sleep. His stomach growled at the proximity of real food. After being on the road with nothing but wild grass to munch on, the aromas were enough to make him salivate.
He sat up and took a moment to get his bearings. He did not recognize the room, especially since it seemed to spin slightly. He muttered to himself, “Well, I know I’m still alive. I’m feeling too miserable to be dead.” He looked towards the kitchen, just as Bon-Bon stuck her head into the room.
“I’m glad to see you’re awake.” Bon-Bon started to walk towards him, but stopped short as Flam frantically tried to leave his spot on the couch.
“Mam, I sincerely apologize. I thought this was the domicile of a friend of mine.” He tried to bow courteously, but had to put a hoof on the couch to steady himself and prevent his complete collapse to the floor. “I thank you for your kindness, and will repay you when I am able. I will not bother you any further.” He started to head towards the door and stumbled. Beat’s magic caught him before he could fall.
“You’re in the right spot Flam.” He gently lifted the weakened stallion and placed him back on the couch. “This is my special somepony, Bon-Bon. She and I were just cooking breakfast. Would you care for some?”
Flam put his chin on the back of the couch, praying the room would stop moving on its own accord. “You have no idea how much that thought appeals to me.” Shortly thereafter, Beat brought him a plate of eggs, hay bacon, and toast. Flam tried to be polite, but he wolfed down his food faster than he had intended, and much faster than manners would dictate.
Bon-Bon watched the spectacle with admiration. “I don’t think anypony has eaten my eggs that quickly.” She took the plate from Flam and set it aside. “You must have been starving.”
“I have to admit, I was a little famished, but the eggs were quite good. I would have enjoyed them even without my demanding stomach.” He smiled appreciatively at her. “Thank you.”
Beat, still eating from his plate, grinned. “Confession time, my traveling salespony friend, how did you end up on my doorstep alone, soaking wet, and nearly in hypothermia?” He put his fork down, as he probed further. “You and Flim get in a tussle over some mare?”
Flam snorted without humor. “Nothing so benign I’m afraid. We were fighting over the scams that we have been running, particularly the one with the Apples.” Having eaten, some of his strength came back and he sat up. He also noticed the room was not trying to throw him anymore. “After getting back on the road for a while and having time to think about it, what nearly happened with the Apples really started to bother me.”
Bon-Bon firmly nodded. “As well it should.”
Beat winced at her tone. “Bon-Bon, give him a break.”
Flam waved his friend’s shielding words off. “I don’t deserve one. My brother and I were supposed to use that contraption of ours to help ponies harvest and process their apple crops, not rob them blind.” He reached up to adjust his hat, only to mutter darkly when he discovered it missing. “Right, my hat’s gone. I should have remembered that, like I should have remembered you opening the door for me last night.”
Beat pointed out, “You still haven’t explained how you ended up here.”
Flam sheepishly grinned. “Sorry, I just feel kind of odd without my hat. Anyway, I’ll get back to my sad story. I suggested to my brother that we should quit trying to pull stunts with ponies we were supposed to be helping and go back to running an honest business. He and I exchanged words, some of them rather sharp.”
Beat could tell that Flam was not telling the whole story. However, since Flam was being genuine with what he was telling he decided not to press for more details. “I wondered when your conscience would overtake your brother’s influence on you.” Beat crossed his forelegs over his chest, as he regarded his friend.
Flam gave him a wounded, small smile. “You don’t have to wonder any more. I said if he wasn’t willing to run an honest business, he could let me off the machine right there and then. Flim’s response was to call me something I will not say in front of the lady, and try to knock some sense into me.” Flam rubbed his cheek with a hoof, remembering the blow. “I did not take that well, and we fought.”
Bon-Bon’s eyes widened. “While you were still on the automation and it was moving?”
Flam nodded. “I ended up falling off, losing my hat, and nearly got run over by one of the back wheels. That lamprey of a brother of mine saw that I wasn’t badly hurt, and kept right on riding down the road. I’ve been walking for two days to get back here. The wild storm from that dark looking forest caught me last night, and this was the only place I could think of to come for help.”
“Flam, I’m sorry.” Beat patted his shoulder in sympathy. “You can crash here, till you can get your hooves back under you.”
“I appreciate it, but you’ve given me more hospitality than I deserve.” Flam slowly got off the couch and paused for a moment to check his equilibrium. He smiled in satisfaction, after he was sure the room was not going to start spinning again. “I will ask one more favor before I go, would you be as so kind as to tell me where I could get another hat?” Flam’s bravado was impressive, but his legs still shook slightly as he stood.
Beat nodded to Bon-Bon knowingly, after she shot him a worried look. “The only place in town I would recommend would be Carousel Boutique.” He knew one thing about Flam that Bon-Bon did not; Flam was stubborn as a mule. They were just going to have to let this play out, for better or worse.
“Thank you.” Flam shook hooves with Beat and tipped an imaginary hat to Bon-Bon. “Thank you, dear lady, for the breakfast. It was the best I have had in quite a while.”
He started to go, and Bon-Bon informed him, “Beat cooked the hay bacon and toast.”
As Flam turned his head to say something in return, his legs betrayed him, and he almost ended up on the floor. He sighed heavily, as Beat lifted him and placed him back on the couch with levitation magic. “Guess I’m still a little road weary.”
Beat smiled; glad his friend was feeling well enough to kid around. “Stay here and rest. You’ve had a rough couple of days, and nearly had a case of hypothermia. After I get off work, I’ll take you to Carousel Boutique, and you can place your order for a hat.”
Flam lay back down. “Sounds like a plan to me.” As soon as he finished speaking, he fell back to sleep.
Bon-Bon and Beat stepped outside, leaving Flam to his rest. Beat pulled the door to, and shook his head. “I knew that brother of his was going to get him into trouble.” He brushed his dark green mane back from his eyes harshly, half in irritation at it and half at Flim’s treatment of Flam.
“I have to get going. Lyra will be wondering where I am, if I don’t get there to open up the shop on time.”
Beat gave her a dirty grin. “Oh, she’d know alright. You wouldn’t hear the end of it from her either.” He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. “Tell her that I said hello, and remind her it’s about time she had that lyre of hers tuned up again.”
Bon-Bon grinned. “I’ll do that.”
He added a quick nuzzle. “We’re still on for tomorrow, right?”
She kissed his nose, and then turned away before Beat got more amorous. “Of course, wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
*****
Bon-Bon looked into the kitchen at Lyra, concerned for her friend. Lyra was bagging the assortment of candies well enough, but it was evident her mind was not on the task. Her typically fast combination of magic and hooves was off pace, and her eyes wandered around the kitchen time to time. She felt compelled to ask, “Lyra, you alright?”
Lyra turned to her and shrugged. “I’m fine. My mind’s just wandering today, I guess.”
“Come here, and sit down.” Bon-Bon patted the floor beside where she was sitting behind the store’s counter. “There are more than enough candies on display or in bags, and there are no deliveries to make, so take a break.”
Lyra shook her head. “You don’t pay me to sit around and gab.”
Bon-Bon mock threatened, “I won’t pay you at all, if you don’t get over here. I swear, most days you do more work that I do.”
Lyra rolled her eyes and grinned. “Alright boss, since you put it that way.” She finished the bag she was working on, and made her way over to sit at the indicated spot.
Bon-Bon nudged her. “Alright, spill it. What’s got you so distracted?”
Lyra huffed, blowing air through her cheeks. “I got a letter from mom yesterday. She was asking the typical stuff, how life was, how my lyre playing was going, how things were here. All the typical stuff moms ask.” Lyra leaned against the countertop and sighed. “She also wanted to know how I was doing on a personal level. Well, really she wanted to know if I had a coltfriend again yet.”
Bon-Bon impishly asked, “Well, do you?”
Lyra put her chin on the counter. “Nope, not that I’ve been particularly looking for one either.” She cut her eyes over to Bon-Bon. “It’s kind of hard to find a coltfriend when half the town is convinced you and I have something going on.”
Bon-Bon laughed. “They have to know about me and Beat.”
Lyra sadly grinned. “Evidently you two have a very open relationship, and include me time to time in your fun.”
Bon-Bon face hooved, knowing that Lyra probably was not exaggerating the stories around town. Ponyville was a small community, and gossip tended to be quick to spread and be wild in its content. “No offense, but I’m really not into mares. Beat may like the idea of you and me and him rolling in the hay, but no thanks.”
“Great, not even mares will take a look at me.”
Bon-Bon was unprepared for the almost lifeless tone with which Lyra had uttered her words. “Your mom hit a sore spot didn’t she?”
“You have no idea.”
“When was the last time you got out and had a good time?” Bon-Bon poked Lyra in the ribs. “And don’t lie to me. I’ll know if you do.”
Lyra almost grunted, “Three months.”
Bon-Bon’s indrawn breath hissed through her teeth. “It’s as bad as I thought.”
The store’s bell chimed, ending their conversation. Lyra quickly sat up and greeted their customer, “Welcome to Sweetie Drop’s Chocolates and Candies. How may we help you?”
Flam looked over to Bon-Bon. “I thought your name was Bon-Bon?”
“My real name is Sweetie Drops, but my friends call me Bon-Bon.”
Flam graciously bowed to her. “Then I am flattered to know that you consider me a friend.”
Bon-Bon could not help but smile at him. “What are you doing here? You should be resting.”
“I do not do well sitting idle for too long. It drives me up the wall, to sit and not do anything.” He patted his newly acquired saddlebags. “After a quick stop at the bank, and getting a couple of things from the market, I learned that you were the owner of this lovely shop.” He looked around, taking the storefront in, and nodding in approval. “I have to say, the ponies that I talked to spoke highly of you and your shop.”
Lyra leaned to Bon-Bon and softly asked, “Who is this guy, and why does he seem to know you?”
Bon-Bon quickly made the introductions between Flam and Lyra. “He’s hit a rough spot in the road, and Beat helped him out last night during the storm, while I was visiting.”
Flam slumped at Bon-Bon’s words. “It’s more like I hit the road and dug a rough spot in it. I even had to get rid of my shirt and vest, they were torn so badly from the fall.”
Lyra blinked. “You’re not kidding are you?” Flam explained his situation, and Lyra pointed at him with a hoof. “I thought I had seen you before. You seem like an alright stallion, what was all that with the Apples then?”
Flam grimaced. “A ghastly mistake is what it was. I take responsibility for my own part in what happened, and I feel terrible for it. I intend to make it up to the Apples, one way or another. I just haven’t figured out how quite yet.”
Lyra cautioned him, “You need to be a little careful in town. Ponies didn’t take kindly to a showmare’s antics while she was in town a while back. They vandalized her traveling wagon and made her life miserable while she was in town, until she left.”
Flam sighed heavily. “Thanks for the warning. Unfortunately, I’m used to such things. However, thanks to my losing my clothes and my hat, most ponies in town don’t seem to recognize me. I hope it stays that way until I can show that I’m a better pony than most would think of me, particularly if I’m going to be staying in town. I would hate for ponies to cross the street after just seeing me.”
Bon-Bon smirked. “I think most ponies’ minds were on the cider, not on you and your brother. You won’t need a disguise to walk around town. We’ve had some strange things happen in this town, and some wild characters come through. If you make things right, I’m sure everything will blow over.”
Flam smiled at the possibility. “I hope so, or life could get interesting.” He reached into his saddlebags, and withdrew an envelope. He slid it across the counter to Bon-Bon. “Just a little something to thank you for this morning’s meal, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your kindness.” Before Bon-Bon could form a proper response, Flam started to head out the door. “Thanks again, and it was nice to meet you Lyra.”
Bon-Bon shook her head. “He’s energetic, I’ll give him that.” She opened the envelope and was shocked to find a gift certificate to The Grazing Meadow café.
Lyra leaned over and saw what Bon-Bon was holding. “You did well, one breakfast for a meal at one of the nicest places in town. Horte Cuisine is cute too. I just wish he’d lighten up. It’s hard to flirt with a stallion when they’re being so proper.”
Bon-Bon started to smile, as a thought came to her. I’ll have to talk to Beat, but I think he’ll agree with my little plan. Bon-Bon patted Lyra on the back. “He’s not the only one that needs to lighten up. You free tomorrow night?”
*****
“Flam, what the hay are you doing?” Beat looked into his kitchen, and looked at the disaster that had once been the top of his table. Flam had dozens of papers and flyers spread out, covering every square inch of the tabletop. Circles and underscores marked a good number of the papers, along with exes over passages on others.
“I’m looking for a job. I’m alright on bits for a while, but if I’m going to stay here long term I will need a way to support myself.” He poked a hoof at a slightly higher stack of papers. “It’s amazing to me how many of these ‘jobs’ are clearly scams.” He laughed self-depreciatively, “I should know, after watching dear brother work his magic.”
Beat pointed toward the couch. “You should be resting! You nearly got yourself into some serious trouble last night.”
“I know, but I can’t rest with something like this over my head.” Flam looked up from the blanket of papers. “By the way, I owe you some stationary. I sent a letter to my dad telling him not to worry about me, and that I would get in touch once I got everything settled down. I also sent one to my brother, though not as nicely worded, saying the same.”
Beat stared at his friend, concerned Flam was treating the matter so trivially. “Don’t you think you need to be going a bit more than just sending letters if you’re to fix things with your family?”
“Quite honestly, I don’t give a flying parasprite and a minotaur’s tail about my brother at this point. My dad has wanted nothing out of me for years beyond new ideas for his business and bits, so he is not high on my list of ponies either. I’m considering never contacting them again, and waiting to see if they are willing to make any effort to contact me.”
Beat could tell that Flam would not budge on the topic, and shifted back to his first concern for his friend. “You need to lie down, you’ve pushed too much as it is.”
Flam barely acknowledged Beat’s concern. “No, what I need to be doing is getting a hat.” As Beat started to say something in rebuttal, Flam smoothly added, “If you indulge me by helping me get a good hat, I promise I’ll rest for the remainder of the evening.”
Beat could not help but chuckle, knowing he was not going to turn Flam from his objective. “Alright then, to Carousel Boutique it is.”
On their way to the boutique, Beat noticed that Flam was still a little wobbly on his hooves. “Flam, you collapse in front of Rarity and you’re on your own. She can fuss over you. I’ve caught you enough here lately.”
“I can live with that.” Flam glanced his way and smirked. “I’ve just overworked my legs a little over the last couple of days, my friend, nothing more. I got use to riding around all over Equestria, not hoofing it. I just need to get back into shape.”
Beat opened the door, and waved Flam past. “Customers first.”
“Why thank you.” Flam stepped in and flinched when he saw who was working the shop. He had not placed Rarity’s name with her face. Now that he saw her, he wondered if coming to the shop had been such a good idea.
Rarity turned to greet the two stallions. “Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where every garment is sleek, chic, and ma… Oh, it’s you.” She gave Flam a sneer, which entered her voice as she asked, “How may I help you?”
Flam extended a hoof. “You can help me by accepting my apology for putting you and your friends through as much trouble as I did the other day. It would ease my mind quite a bit.” He looked her right in the eye as he apologized, and readied himself for a possibility bitter response.
His sincere tone and demeanor touched Rarity. “It would quite uncouth for me not to accept such an apology.” She took his hoof and shook it. “I feel just awful for using the tone that I have with you. I didn’t even give you a chance to say anything.”
Flam shook his head. “You shouldn’t feel bad at all. I haven’t been the best of ponies lately. I hope to make up for that soon.” He pointed to the top of his head. “However, before I begin making amends for my transgressions, I have need of a new hat. I feel rather exposed without one. My friend here informs me that you are the best in Ponyville for such articles of clothing.”
Beat added, with a teasing tone to his voice, “Not a great big hat Rarity.”
Rarity gave Beat a look that made him choke back a laugh before it started. “We’ll let this stallion be the judge of what kind of hat he would like.” She smiled at Flam. “If I recall correctly, you were wearing a boater the last time I saw you. Would you like something of that style?”
Flam thought for moment, and then replied, “No, I think I would like something different. I’m starting over. I think a new kind of hat is what is called for. Besides, the rest of the outfit that went with that hat is gone.”
Rarity’s curiosity demanded she ask. “What exactly happened?”
Flam told Rarity the story of how he came to be back in Ponyville. Rarity listened intently, while measuring Flam for his hat, and taking notes of what colors she thought would work with his mane and coat. As the pair discussed various hat types, colors, and styles, Flam finished his tale.
Rarity took and patted one of his hooves in sympathy. “You poor thing, abandoned by your own brother, that’s just horrible.”
“I’d like to think he actually did me a favor. It wasn’t the nicest of breaks, but it was a quick one.” Flam nosed around in his saddlebag for his bits. “How much do you need up front for your work?”
Rarity put on her most charming smile. “I require absolutely nothing.”
“Don’t hoof me that.” He offered a healthy sum of bits to her. “I know you by reputation. You’re far too skilled a designer not to require partial payment upfront. At least let me pay for the materials.”
Rarity fanned herself with a hoof. “Flattery will get you nowhere. I never require a sum up front, no matter what the order.”
Flam glanced over at Beat, who nodded in affirmation of Rarity’s statement. He turned his attention back to Rarity. “Alright, but you should consider starting the practice.”
“You’re such a dear, you think somepony would take advantage of little old me?” Rarity fluttered her eyes at him in jest.
Flam’s face darkened a little, as he contemplated some of the swindles he and his brother had tried to pull. “Due to your generosity, somepony without scruples very well could. Take it from me.”
Rarity smile waned, as she considered his words. “Maybe you’re right, I’ll think about it.”
Beat noted the change in the atmosphere, and quickly stepped in. “What about an outfit too?” he asked Flam. “The clothes make the stallion.”
Flam laughed. “For the jobs I’m thinking of, clothes would just be a problem. No more show boating for me, thank you.” He turned to Rarity. “But if a formal occasion comes up, I’ll know just where to come.”
“You can come by and pick your hat up in the morning. I should have it ready by then.” Rarity glanced over her notes. “Are you sure this is all that you want? I can do more, if you would like.”
“No, thank you, but I appreciate the off.” Flam’s eyes brightened, as he had a thought on another matter. “You can do one thing for me though. I need some guidance on how I could do something for the Apples to make up for the trouble my brother and I caused them.”
Rarity thought for a moment. “Well, right at the end of Cider Season, their cider making machine starting having a bit of trouble. You could see if you could do something about helping them with that.”
Flam’s smile at hearing her suggestion was the healthiest he had had in a long time. “That’s appropriate. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea.” He tipped his, at that point, still non-existent hat at her. “Thank you for your time, and for the idea. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Beat and Flam made their way out of the Boutique, and started to head back to Beat’s place. Flam and ran a hoof over his moustache. “My friend, I think I’ve inadvertently lied to you.”
Beat glanced at Flam, trying to guess his thoughts. “How so?”
“There is one more thing I would like to accomplish, before we head back. I need a shave and a manecut.” He reached up and roughed up his mane so that it stood straight up, then struck a ridiculous, overly proud pose. “I have to look my best for any interviews that may crop up.”
“You’re going to get rid of that marvelous moustache of yours?” Beat joked.
“I despise this coffee strainer. The only reason I grew this thing is so that ponies could tell Flim and me apart.” He put his hooves to his face, and made as if he was going to pull the moustache from his face. “Since I no longer have to worry about that, I want this irritation gone. If I could get a good enough grip, I’d tear it off.”
Beat laughed, and led the way to Sharp Shear’s barbershop.
*****
Bon-Bon knocked on Beat’s door, and waited for him to open it.
It only took a couple of moments for Beat to answer. He smiled when he saw who it was at his door. “What a wonderful surprise. I thought it was one of the Filly Scout girls.” He nuzzled her. “Your coming over to visit is much better than any box of cookies.”
She playfully caught his face in her hooves. “You obviously have not had their chocolate mint cookies.” She lightly bopped his nose. “I can’t compare to those.”
He teasingly thought aloud, “I could put one of the cookies on you, and then take turns nibbling it and you to see which is better.” He kissed her nose, as Bon-Bon blushed. “Unless they are truly magnificent cookies, I know what, or in this case who, I’d rather have as a dessert.”
Flam’s voice advised, from the couch, “Interesting notion, but I don’t think cookies are what you should be reaching for when it comes to topping after dinner treats. I understand ice crème, when used correctly, can provide quite delicious results.”
Bon-Bon’s blush deepened. She leaned past Beat, and scolded Flam, “You hush! And here I thought you were a gentlecolt.”
“You wound me, my dear mare. I was merely discussing desserts.” Flam could not quite keep his determinedly restrained laughter from his voice. “I didn’t suggest he place a cherry in your navel, pour syrup on your belly, and put whipped crème on your… ”
Beat quickly closed the door, with a flash of magic, before Flam could finish. The sound of Flam’s laughter could still be heard through the door. The pair blushed deeply at their own internally worded endings to Flam’s sentence. Beat bit his bottom lip, to prevent himself from saying something.
Bon-bon narrowed her eyes at him. “Go ahead, say it.”
Beat quickly shook his head. “Nope, I like my tail right where it is.”
She poked him in the chest. “You better tell me, or I’ll have your tail for certain.”
He slowly grinned. “I like the idea myself.” He held up both hooves, as if weighing two things against each other. “Now the question is chocolate or butterscotch?”
She rubbed her hooves over her forelegs, as if scrubbing them, at the thought. “Have you any idea how hard it is to get chocolate or butterscotch out of your coat?”
“I think it would be worth it. The more effort means a better reward for a job well done.” His grin became devilish. “Just how would you know how hard it is to get syrup out of your coat? Did you have some kinky coltfriend you haven’t told me about?”
She laughed and hit him on the shoulder. “You doof, think about it, I make candy for a living.”
He folded his ears back in embarrassment at not realizing such a simple fact. “Oh, yeah, that does make sense.”
She leaned in close, and whispered, “I tell you what, you listen to what I have to propose, and I’ll think about the whipped crème and cherry.”
Beat’s ears perked up. “You have my undivided attention.”
“I want to make our night out tomorrow a group thing. Lyra is feeling down, and I want to cheer her up a little. Your friend seems like a nice enough stallion, even if he has a bit of a history, and needs a little pick-me-up too. A night out would do them both some good.”
He raised an eyebrow at her. “Are you trying to hook them up?”
Bon-Bon shrugged. “Not really, but if it happens, it happens.” She looked at the door, as if trying to see Flam through it. “Is there any reason that I shouldn’t invite him?”
Beat snorted, completely confident in his friend. “He’s harmless, and polite as can be, most of the time anyway. I‘ve never heard a bad word said against him when it comes to his treatment of mares. His business practices, on the other hoof, that’s a completely different story. I’ll talk to him about it, but he may not come. He’s wound up tight over looking for a job. You should see what he’s done to my kitchen table.”
Bon-Bon leaned against him. “They both have odd pasts and family troubles. Maybe they would be good for each other, if they can put up with each other’s baggage.”
He turned slightly and put his cheek on the top of her head. “You put up with me, so anything is possible.”