//------------------------------//
// Sunday Surprise 
// Story: To Call the Moon My Own 
// by That_Random_Pony 
//------------------------------//


Tony didn't sleep a wink, but he was still ready for his day of jobs. It was at least five in the morning when he tip-toed out of the library. He walked through the empty streets of Ponyville, heading straight over to the greenhouse. Rose had given him a copy of the key, which he used now to unlock the door. The solar enchantment was welcomed by his uncovered face, and the heat made it all the better. He did as the girls instructed and moved the pots one place down their usual positions. 

Next came the water, and from the look of it they sprouted greatly from the refreshing liquid. The next part was very, very weird, but it was his job now. He grabbed a stool and sat slowly, leaning forward and breathing in the fragrance of the flowers. 

"Uh, hi?" he said. Of course there wasn't an answer, but he felt uncomfortable without one. "Um, I'm Tony. You're uh… a very beautiful flower."

He glanced to the others, and started walking around to spread his words.

"Y'know, my mother and my old caretaker used to have gardens of their own," he smiled. "I was too young to help my mother, but with Eishla it was really fun"

"I'd plant a seed, and she'd use her rites to help them grow. Her garden was nothing like this, but she had lots of roses, lilacs, some lavender, and she even had some lotus flowers." The plants swayed a bit from his heavy footsteps. "There has to be fifty different kinds of flowers here, and you all make the room smell great. Those winter flowers are new, too. I thought flowers could only grow in spring and summer."

He went over to the rainbow stumps and looked closely. A black leaf was jutting out, but it's tip looked silver. 

"But then again, I always thought magic was just superstitious," he laughed softly. "I'm heading over to Sugarcube Corner, after this. I took this job because I'm alright with plants and stuff, and baking's gonna be a mess for me."

The flowers quietly basked in the magic sunlight, unable to answer him. He sighed deeply, then broke up laughing for a few minutes.

"And I'm, talking to a plant," he chuckled. "Well, a bunch of plants, so I guess it's different?"

The door opened, and in walked a sleepy Rose. "Morning… Tony," she yawned. "Coffee?"

He shook his head. "Didn't sleep. Still not tired," he shrugged. She raised a brow as he walked past her, waving as he left the greenhouse.

The sun's morning light was much dimmer than the full on thing. The ripples of red, orange, and a bit of purple made the cloudy sky a beautiful, natural canvas of colors. He smiled lightly, whether the image made him do it or he just felt it. On his approach to Sugarcube Corner, he spotted somepony at the front, dressed in black. Tony slowed down, taking cover behind a nearby shop. The pony looked both ways before pulling on the handle, then cartwheeling around to check the windows.

While the burglar was distracted, Tony quietly ran across the street to get closer. The pony tried climbing in through the second story window, but the windows were all sealed tightly. Tony made a break for it, dashing right at the unaware burglar. He leaped high, and to his surprise, the pony's tail started twitching. She did a full 360°, just as he grabbed the pony and pinned him down.

"Hi, Tony!" Pinkie giggled. "You're up early! Were you checking the safety cautions I set up? They're un-sneakable to get through!"

Tony tried to process it, but he wanted to leave the headache for later. "You were just making sure no pony snuck in?" he asked, letting go of her forehoof.

"Yup!" she chirped, tossing the latex suit and night-vision goggles to the side. "So now that you're up, wanna help me open up?"

He shrugged, following her in after she unlocked the door. The tables for ponies to eat were on the small side, but he guessed this place was mainly for fillies and colts. But there was a fair amount of adult-sized tables. Pinkie used her tail to flick on the lights, then hopped behind the counter and pulled an "Open" sign from underneath.

"Here! You go out and put it on the door, then come back here and I'll show you where the magic happens!" she laughed, zooming to the kitchen, then back. "Well, not real magic, Twilight knows more about that so I guess you could ask her, but I need you here so go put the sign on and I can show you how to bake, just like Baking Buddies!"

She had her hooves thrown up exaggeratedly as she panted. "You're a morning pony, aren't you, Pinkie?" he chuckled.

"Um, duh?" she giggled. "Why else would I wake up super-duper early to check to make sure it's safe?"

"I get it, Pinkie," he smiled. She zoomed back into the kitchen, and he hooked the sign onto the door.

He shivered slightly as he passed the frozen goods display and went into the kitchen. Pinkie was already humming to herself as she balanced pots and pans on her head while searching for ingredients. She tossed the pans side by side in a perfect row, then the ingredients, and finally her cooking utensils. She popped up behind him and grabbed a carton of eggs, milk, and some water. 

"Okay! We've got a cake to deliver for a colt's birthday in Manehatten," she chirped. "It's a special one! Firework Madness!"

Tony raised a brow. "Firework madness?" he questioned. She reached into her hair and pulled out a box of fireworks. "Wha…"

"I ordered these from Princess Luna a month or two ago!" she smiled. "I was gonna use it for your pa-…I mean, we got the order a month ago, and we have to get it done by this Friday!"

"So, what are the fireworks for again?" She pulled a chalkboard from nowhere, and a piece of chalk from… somewhere. 

"First!" She drew milk, eggs, flour, and the two of them with smiley faces. "We make the batter! And then!" She drew a bottle, which he assumed to be a potoon, and the fireworks. "We enchant the fireworks so they fit at the tippy-top of these candles!" She showed him multicolored candles, seven in all. "When they light them, a bunch of tiny fireworks go all over the place and it's gonna be super-duper-luperly amazing!"

He looked over her drawings, then took a glance over the baking instructions. "We need to make the potion, right?" he asked.

"Yepperooni!" she giggled. "You can mix it while I get the batter started!"

"Alright," he said. She tossed him the magic mixes and the baking potion recipes. "Whoa, seventeen different ingredients?"

"Yep! I'm sure you can do it!" she smiled. "Granny Pie always said the best way to learn is to do it yourself! How hard can it be?"

1 Hour Later

"AHHHHH!" 

Pinkie covered her head as batter splashed down on her. Tony was taking cover behind the overturned fridge, while tentacles of cake batter splattered the walls with gooey flour. He shot a small beam of energy to cut off a tentacle, and cook the ends so it couldn't reattach. Pinkie slid under the falling piece of cake and ate it as she jumped behind the fridge beside Tony.

"Tasty!" The tentacles grabbed Tony's neck, but he chopped the piece off. "I told you not to put it in the batter!"

"It wasn't finished and I tripped over your tail because you were waving it around!" Tony exclaimed. The tentacles wrapped around his arms and neck and pulled him over.

"Nooooo!" Pinkie yelled as she grabbed hold of his legs. The batter around his pants made her slip. "Tony!"

He was pulled into the bowl, barely getting a breath of air as he was pulled into the batter. This, is where he drew the line.

Aw come on! I mean, for Pinkie whatever, but me?! I'm done! Damn it, I already have a headache!

Pinkie sniffled at the loss of her friend, ducking under another whip of the tentacle. Her eyes widened when small streaks of blue started burning through it, overcooking some of it. Tony intended to make it explode, but instead the heat of his energy cooked it, with him in it. He dug his way out, panting from his lack of oxygen. He rolled off the table and hit the floor, a piece falling into his mouth. Throwing caution to the wind, he bit down and chewed on it.

"Not bad," he said through his mouthful of cake. Pinkie helped him up, and the two stared at the kitchen.

Everything, literally, was covered in cake batter. The cake itself was burnt in some spots, but the rest looked fine. The baked tentacles actually created a spiral look above the main piece. 

"Maybe if we cut a hole in the middle, and put the candles on the ring, we could make it better than a regular one," Tony suggested.

Pinkie inspected the messy center, using her hoof to measure it and picture the shape. "Hey, yeah!" she squeed. "And the fireworks could blow up all around it! Eeeeee! This is gonna be the best cake since the Cakes sent me to the annual baking contest!"

Tony turned on the sink, washing off some of the batter and using it to wash the mop. "Well, better start cleaning before anypony gets here," he chuckled.

"Pinkie? Tony?" The two froze, then peered into the store to see Carrot Top and Cup Cake looking around. 

They hid and quietly panicked. "What are we gonna do?!" Pinkie silently shouted. "They're gonna see this mess, and my soap cannon needs a few minutes to help clean!"

Tony disregarded it and devised a plan instantly. "Just keep them distracted, and I'll clean up the kitchen!" he whispered. "Go, go!"

Pinkie hopped out of her spot and trotted nervously over to the couple. "Morning, you two!" she smiled. "What brings you by today?"

"Pinkie, it's Sunday," Cup reminded her. 

"Oh yeah!" Pinkie giggled as she sheepishly rubbed the back of her head. 

"I need to get a few things from the pantry, Cup," Carrot told her. "Just give me a-"

"Wait!" Pinkie exclaimed as she blocked his path.

"What's wrong?" Carrot asked. Pinkie looked between the two quickly, improvising something.

"Uhhh, I wanted to show you both a new trick!" She grabbed three tennis balls from her hair and started juggling them. "Neat, huh?!"

They chuckled at her antics, but glanced behind her when they saw a blue flash coming from the kitchen. "Pinkie, what was that?" Cup asked.

"What was what?!" she laughed nervously. "Look, look!"

She used her tongue to help juggle two more, which was a strange sight to the two. "That's nice, Pinkie. Maybe you could show Pumpkin and Pound," Carrot said. "Did ya get started on the Firework Madness, yet?"

"Ythup!" Pinkie said, flicking her tongue up to keep the juggling up. "Thonthy'th 'n th' bvack!" 

"Let's see how he's doin' then," Carrot smiled. He trotted past Pinkie, who tossed herself past him and blocked his path. "Pinkie, what's goin' on?"

"Nothing!" she smiled. "Tony's just um… he's uh-"

"Almost done!" Pinkie glanced into the kitchen, which was cleaned spotless of their earlier batter. 

Pinkie walked in with the couple and her jaw fell to the floor. "Well I'll be!" Carrot chirped.

Aside from getting the candles in place, and cleaning the battlefield, he had put the frosting over the spiral and single layer perfectly. As per order, the Mare-Do-Well plastic candle was just above the name "Clover Leaf." Tony was even able to trace the twirled cake-pillars with blue and green, along with same colored stars. 

"It's amazing!" Cup exclaimed. "Are your cakes like this?"

"Where I'm from, we don't usually have much sugar," he said. "I've never eaten cake until I was ten. I saw a cake designed like this on Earth - minus the spiral."

They marveled at his decorations, Pinkie still trying to figure out how he did it. Maybe he had a faster soap and wash cannon! Or did he use his super speed to clean it with the mop? But the mop had batter on it too, so how did he clean everything up.

"I just need help putting the filling," he laughed sheepishly. "Forgot to put the chocolate cremé!"

"No worries," Cup said. "We wouldn't be reknowned bakers if we didn't know how to fix up a cake!"

"You two can hold the front while Cup and I get to it," Carrot smiled. 

They nodded, and soon they were at the front of the store again. "How'd you clean it all up?!" Pinkie finally asked. 

Tony's face looked greener than usual, and he put his mouth over his hand as he burped. "Y'know how my energy baked the first one?" he asked. "And how I said Loki'irians didn't eat much sugar?"

She nodded, then put the pieces together. "Oh, you ate it all! I knew I smelled more cake than that!" she giggled, then gasped as Tony ran past her and into the bathroom. "Oh… you ate it all."

She laughed weakly and turned to the pony earliest. It was some time before Tony came back out, looking a bit pale. She saw him swaying a couple of times, but he kept on both feet.

"You okay?" she smiled nervously.

He nodded, swallowing the vomit creeping into his throat. "Just don't… ugh, offer me anything sugary… ever," he laughed. 

"You mean, most of the time?" she asked a bit seriously. 

"Yeah," he nodded, understanding her reasons. "Only on special occasions."

"Good! Maybe you can try something tomorrow for Lyra!" she chirped. 

"What is it?" 

"Fudge-filled, vanilla cream-topped, sugar-coated, cherry-syrup dunked, velvet-cake!" Tony's face turned green at the thought, and he ran back to the restroom. "Maaaaybe we'll hold that off for a while."

"Hey Pinks," Rainbow greeted as she walked up. "Tony here?"

"Yeah, he's got a tummy-ache!" she giggled. "What can I getcha?"

"Actually, I wanted to know if you still have those small party cannons," Rainbow said. Pinkie pulled one out from her tail (because her mane would be too obvious!) and put it on the table. 

"This one?" Rainbow nodded, yelping when the instant-party-weapon fell to the floor. 

"Jeez, this thing weighs a ton!" Rainbow exclaimed. "And you carry bigger ones?!"

Pinkie giggled. "Earth-pony! Never underestimate one!" she laughed madly. "So you girls are getting the… the y'know ready?"

Rainbow nodded. "I don't get why we're getting it ready if we don't even know when-"

"Shhh!" Pinkie hushed loudly, putting her hooves over Rainbow's mouth. "They'll hear you!"

"Who?" Rainbow asked, raising a brow.

Pinkie pulled her closer and looked all around, getting scared as she watched. "They'll hear you!" 

The cyan mare gently brushed her friend's hoof away, explaining her behavior with it being Pinkie. "Ookay, so are you gonna ask?" 

"Yep!" She leaned closer again. "But not in front of them!" 

Her friend shrugged as she turned to drag the miniature cannon out of the store, getting a few funny glances. Tony stepped out of the bathroom looking even paler, but he was able to stand up behind the counter.

"Oops?" He gave a deadpan to Pinkie, then rubbed his head.

"Just two seasons and it's back to the Acres," he reminded himself, chuckling right after. 

The day went by without too many incidents. The customers would order from either of them, they would give them already prepared pastries or have one of the Cakes bake them for pickup. A few familiar faces stopped by, like Applejack, Derpy, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and Mayor Mare for her coffee. The twins were able to sneak downstairs, but Tony spotted them quick enough to bring them upstairs. They were always amazed by his looks, and he learned to tolerate their little bites. 

They didn't break skin, and since he'd had a sword shoved through his stomach, he could bear it. What never ceased to amaze him though was the fact that they could use their appendages at such an early stage in their life. 

Pumpkin usually beamed a stuffed animal at him when he was giving too much attention to Pound, or the colt would fly on to his shoulders and start nibbling on his ear. They reminded him of the more gifted Signa, whose rites spontaneously activated throughout their childhood. But their little outbursts couldn't level a hilltop or blow apart a tree. 

The toddlers were fine with him, and he really liked taking care of them. When naptime came, he put them to sleep with another Kital song, which seemed to catch the attention of the ponies downstairs. After tucking them in and coming back down, he could hear small whispers about how lovely the music sounded, and some even murmured how it could get somepony far. He hoped it might be Fluttershy one day.

                                                                                      



The last customer of the day waved goodbye to Carrot and Cup, who smiled behind the counter. Tony and Pinkie were in the kitchen, putting the last of the cream on top of the fresh batch of cupcakes. When they heard the final bell for the day, they brought the baked-goods to the display racks under the counter and left them to keep fresh. 

"Quittin' time's always at 10 on the dot," Carrot told Tony. "Think you can do it?"

Tony nodded. "Wouldn't try if I couldn't," he smiled. 

"See you tomorrow, Baking Buddy!" Pinkie giggled as she hopped upstairs. His new bosses smiled as he made his way outside. 

The sun was just passing over the far trees of Whitetail Woods. As always, there were very few ponies up and about at this time. Most were heading home from a long day at work, while in the marketplace many of the vendors were packing up their goods. Tony saw a mare struggling to take down her stand, and he went over to help out. He took down the wooden boards that made her little shop and put them onto a small wagon. 

"You carry all your stuff around on that?" he asked. She nodded with a nervous smile.

"I don't really have much money," she sighed. "And no pony seems to want what I have."

"Mind if I look?" 

"If you'd like," she nodded. Tony carefully set her bag onto the wagon and untied the string.

The trinkets in her bag looked very… ceremonial. Traditional, even. As he looked at each of the antiques, he could see the meaning and representation of some. Eishla had taught him several of Earth's cultures, including many tribes in Africa. There were some masks that he'd seen in traditional dances and rituals. One meant "Long Life" and another read "Peace." She had many other cultured trinkets, and even a few gems he hadn't seen at Mirror's stand. 

"These are very nice," Tony commented. "Are you interested in foreign culture?"

The mare nodded. "It's… not exactly normal for a mare to be into Zebrecan culture," she nervously said. "My father gave me most of these… and with my job loss I can't-"

"Wait wait wait," Tony interrupted. "Your father gave you these?"

She nodded sadly. "I can't afford to keep my home, and I've barely gotten by on meals a foal would have and-" 

Tink!

She looked at the small bag Tony had dropped onto the wagon. "Open it," he smiled.

She did so hesitantly, her hooves nervously pulling on the string. A long gasp drew out when she saw the amount of bits in it. The bag felt heavy, and it was certainly full! She glanced to Tony, then to the bag, and back to Tony.

"But, I don't even know you," she said, still stunned.

He held out his hand. "My name's Tony," he laughed. 

She giggled softly, then put her hoof in his hand and shook it. "Violet Sunshine," she nodded. 

"There's 3250 bits in there exactly," he told her. "I'm gonna try and find somepony who can buy some of this, but on one condition."

She stared with her jaw dropped, still shocked that a complete stranger was helping her.

"You must keep five of these," Tony said. "Their from your father, and selling them all is disrespectful."

She closed her jaw, and nodded softly. "It was my only option," she muttered. 

"But you didn't have to sell them all," he resolutely said. "Do what you need with these bits, and I promise I'll find some way to help you."

She turned back up to smile at him. "Thank you," she whispered. Tony smiled softly and slung the bag over his shoulder. "What are you doing?"

"Well I can't show others if I don't have the items," he smirked. "Don't worry, I'm not stealing them. Just stop by the library in a week or two. I should find somepony that'll buy these by then."

"Good. Thank you," she smiled. "See you then."

Tony waved her off as he continued his walk to the library. He got closer to the big tree, then unlocked the front door and went in. Spike was downstairs; he could smell him in there. Aside from Twilight's, there was a third scent. He set the bag down carefully on the couch and went into the back, raising a brow from seeing Spike talking to an owl.

"Spike?" The dragon baby turned to Tony and waved.

"Hey Tony," he nodded. "How was your first day?"

"It was… the usual," he smirked. "Is that your pet?"

"Hoo."

"You," Spike said.

"Hoo."

"You!"

"Hoo."

"Yo-! You know what, forget it," Spike grumbled. "Tony, this is Owliscious."

"Hoo."

Tony chuckled and raised his arm, which Owliscious complied to by perching on his forearm. "Hey there," Tony said. "Is he Twilight's pet?"

"Nah. He helps whenever she has one of her all-nighters," Spike said. 

"Is that what she's doing right now?" Spike shook his head. "Reading since she woke up?"

"Yup," Spike laughed. "She got a new shipment an hour after you left, and she's on her fifth one."

Tony scratched Owliscious behind his ear, getting some satisfied hoots. "Maybe I'll read 'em later," Tony said. "This little guy's pretty cute."

"Yeah, yeah," Spike grumbled, yawning right after. "Just watch it with him."

"Hoo."

"Not listening!" Spike called from the living room. Tony followed up the stairs and went to his room.

Owliscious flew to the platform and watched him from the rail. He changed into a pair of sweatpants and a thermal shirt Twilight helped enchant. Owliscious hooted and flapped his wings to fly after Tony. He landed on the man's shoulder and wobbled as Tony went down the stairs. 

He sat down on the couch and opened the bag again, looking over the unique artifacts. They were all in near-perfect condition. The only thing marring them was a miniscule coat of dust and fading colors from time in storage. Maybe she worked in a museum? Or a history teacher? But Cherileee didn't have helpers, and if Violet was, there was no way she could have fired her. 

"What do you think?" Tony asked as he held up an owl sculpture. 

Owliscious tilted his head. "Hoo." Tony chuckled some as he placed the sculpture next to several others on the floor.

Owliscious hooted and flew over to the window. "Well, it was worth a shot," he laughed. 

Knock-knock!

Tony put the bag down and walked over to the door. His hand reached for the knob, but the smell made him snicker. Running up the stairs, he went into his room and out onto the platform, spotting a cloaked pony at the front door.

My turn

He flew down quietly behind her. Using his rite to keep him airborne, he came closer as she knocked on the door again. It took all his will to keep from snickering, but he managed. He rose his arms, took a deep breath, then grabbed her suddenly.

"HEY!" he practically shouted in her ear.

Luna tried spinning around and jumping back, causing her to hit the back of her head and fall to her rump. "That was cheating!" she laughed. "You're lucky to have that nose!"

Tony clutched his sides as he fell to the floor laughing. "Hey, I hit my face!" he forced through his chuckles. "You got off easy!"

Luna rubbed the back of her head and giggled. She wanted this to be a surprise, but her scent was her giveaway. 

"Let's go iniside," Tony snickered. "It's freezing out here."

He went to turn the knob, but it was locked. He turned to Luna who was looking at him with her hooves crossed and a smirk across her lips. "What's wrong?" she quipped. "Is the door locked?"

"Don't mock me," he retorted playfully. "Come on, up here."

They flew back up to the platform and went inside. Tony closed the curtains so he wouldn't be freezing when he, or they, went to sleep. He gave his marefriend a loving hug and kiss.

"So what brings you here?" he asked. 

"Oh, I was in Equestria," she said with a wave of her hoof. "Night court was empty, and most of the guards retired early. We still have until sun up, so I was wondering if you wanted to do anything?"

Tony smiled and gave her a peck on her cheek. "I'm flattered," he chuckled. "I'm probably gonna fall asleep in the middle of the day if I don't take a nap soon. But it'll be worth it."

She smiled and nuzzled him. "I hope so," she said. "So has anything interesting happened since the Gala?"

"Hmm, well, I got a job at Sugarcube Corner," he shrugged. "Oh, and I'm helping the Flower sisters with their garden."

"It's no wonder you smell like a bakery," she quipped. "But are you sure working with Pinkamena was the best choice?"

"Eh, she is kinda… Pinkie," he chuckled. "But I think I can handle it. And the pay is good, so that too."

"You're courting a princess," she reminded him playfully. "You can ask me."

Tony shook his head softly. "I'd rather work for it than be given it," he smiled. "No offense. But I really don't like sitting around here all day. Especially since I read every one of these books twice."

"Twice?" Luna asked, a little bit of doubt in her voice.

"Yeah," he sighed. "It's no fun being able to remember the books word by word."

"But it's also useful," she told him. He chuckled and stood up from his bed.

"Would you like to go for a walk, Princess Luna?" he bowed. She rolled her eyes and crossed her hooves to curtsie.

"I'd be honored, Prince Tony," she replied with the same mock-formality. They laughed as Tony held the door open for his marefriend to go through.

They went as quietly as possible down the stairs, making sure to keep Twilight and Spike asleep. He slipped on his navy-blue hoodie and grabbed his set of keys. 

"What are these?" Luna whispered. Tony glanced back to her, some of the Zebrecan artifacts still out of their bag. "Zebrecan?"

"Oh yeah," he said. "There was this mare I met in the markets. She was having a hard time selling these. She lost her job and she's barely getting by. I promised to find somepony that would buy some of these from her."

Luna examined some of the strange, foreign sculptures and masks. "I think I know where these could be useful," Luna hummed. "There's a museum in Canterlot. We've actually tried opening a Zebrecan museum for years, but we have so little artifacts."

"Couldn't you buy them?" Tony questioned.

"No," Luna replied. "Zebras are very fond of their homeland sculptures and arts. They don't often put them for sale."

Tony nodded, then turned back to the masks she was looking at. "Could the money help her?" he asked.

Luna studied the pieces with an attention to detail. "If you cleaned them and maybe touched up the paint, these would be worth thousands of bits each," she told him.

"Thousands?!" he exclaimed. 

Luna nodded, giggling at his surprise. "Per item. What was this mare's name?"

"Violet Sunshine." Luna put the objects back in the bag and went to him.

"I'll send word to the museum director," she smiled. "If she knows about Zebrecan culture, I'm sure they could use somepony like her."

Tony smiled wider. "Great. Guess that takes care of that," he chuckled. Tony opened the front door and waved for Luna to come. "Now, how about that walk?"

Luna smiled and trotted out the door, brushing her tail against the underside of his chin. It was all the invitation he needed to pull the door shut and follow. She leaned against his shoulder, since she could no longer lay her head on it. As long as she was next to him, it mattered not. Though he grew, he could still wrap his arm around her. 

He glanced up to the night sky, marveling once again at the beauty of her night. Not once did he ever think he would be with the being that made his favorite time of day. And he much less expected her to be a pony. Still, he'd heard of Loki'irians falling in love with different races. There was even one incident where a Signa female fell in love with a soldier, who actually loved her back. The Arthanian lived on Loki'ir until it's short life ended, but it's spouse remembered it with pride. 

Many humans were xenophobic, those who were not being considered abnormal. It was an opinion, which annoyed him when it was made a big deal. Dan was really open-minded, so of course it didn't bother him. Tony was surprised, but a mare like Luna shouldn't be second-guessed.

Their walk took them to the outskirts of Ponyville. The cool night air felt worse against the man than his mare, but a little cold didn't get in the way of her. In fact, it reminded him of their date in Canterlot. Neighton Park, the cool grass beneath them, the night sky fully decorated with the stars and moon. Luna seemed to be thinking the same thing, since she sat down and pulled him with her. She took him off balance, making him land on his back. Luna laughed a bit and moved over him, letting her ethereal, night-like mane drape over and around his face

The fall left him short-of-breath, but he was distracted by her deep-teal eyes. "I think I forgot to tell you," he chuckled softly. "You have really beautiful eyes."

His smile grew when he saw her cheeks tint red. "Is that all?" she giggled, inching her muzzle closer.

"You're beautiful," he smiled. "You're smart. You're amazing. You're loving. You're laugh is amazing. You have a cute smile. And…" He could feel her warm breath teasing his lips, and he knew how intentional it was from her grin. "…you're mine."

Her grin widened into a smile and she laughed. She closed the distance and locked lips, laying down above him to be closer. That warm breath that stood apart from his own, and the feather-like feel of her lips was the only thing registering in his mind. For Luna, his unusually soft lips were the only thing mattering to her. Unlike the last time, she felt his tongue prod at her lips. Opening eagerly, she mingled her tongue with his.

It was a bit difficult and awkward kissing her from that angle. Instead of the roof of her mouth when their tongues slipped past, he'd feel her flat teeth and the underside of her tongue. He rose a brow when he heard Luna moan softly, her tongue relenting a bit. Running his tongue under hers, he got the same lovely moan. 

Ah, her sweet spot

His teasing ended when Luna pulled back slightly, panting lightly as she did. "No stallion… ever… does that," she panted with a smile. "I think you might be the second pony to find it."

Oh yeah, you can read minds.

On occasion.

Tony laughed with her and gave her a shorter, but meaningful kiss. "So who was the first?" 

"A mare named Watchful Eye," she said, running her hooves through his ragged hair. 

Tony's eyebrows nearly went into his hair. "You've been with a mare?" he asked a bit doubtfully. She nodded with a smirk.

"Two-thousand years of sexual-freedom, and I'd never get curious about mares?" Luna giggled. "That's like saying Celestia didn't have her own herd."

Sighing with a bit of shock, he shook his head with a grin. "How was it?" he asked. Luna tilted her head and blushed with both embarrasment and confusion.

"It doesn't bother you?" Tony shook his head.

"I've heard of Loki'irian lesbians… and gays," he shrugged. "So who was she?"

Luna thought back to the loveliest mare she'd been with. "She was one of Celestia's guards," she smiled. "Very young, but sharp as a dragon's fang. She was one of the less-serious mares, but she did know when to act properly.

"I had been swapping between stallions and mares for some time," she laughed. "They were both unique experiences. But there was something about her that I could never put my hoof on. She wasn't like most mares at the time, but she wasn't like stallions either. One night, I just happened to bump into her during heat season. She was in heat, as was I, and we… had a little fun."

Tony grinned when he saw the blush return to her cheeks. "I see," he snickered. Luna nudged him hard, only making him laugh louder.

"We saw each other regularly, since her guard position was just outside my chambers. We'd talk, laugh… make love." The last part came out sadder than the rest of it. "She was so loving, and I saw her whenever I could… and even now I have a drawing of the two of us."

Tony rolled over and sat up, frowning at Luna's depressed mood. "She sounded wonderful," he said softly. She nodded softly, lowering her gaze to the ground. "What happened?"

She took a moment to collect herself before answering. "What happens to all of my previous lovers," she sighed. "I outlasted time, while they suffered to nature."

He would have facepalmed if Luna wasn't as glum as she was. Though he'd never understand that sort of pain, knowing whoever you want to spend the rest of your life with will die long before you, he had thought about what it would be like when Dan's time came. To a human, Loki'irians could live between 200 and 300 years. By the time he was truly fifty, Dan would have probably died from old age. And though he could live that long… his friends would be gone… except for Luna, Celestia, and Cadence. And even further through time… he'd pass on, meaning-

"I know one day it'll be the same with you," she whispered. "And the Elements, and one day Cadence. But I don't want to think about that."

"Me neither," he said. Luna laughed half-heartedly, nuzzling his cheek gingerly. "We'll be together until that day comes. Don't worry Luna."

Laying beside one another, Tony wrapped his fingers around Luna's hoof. She held his a bit oddly, which still confused him. They gazed quietly towards the stars, his gaze straying to the moon. He didn't want to bring it up, but the thought was gnawing at him. 

"It doesn't bother me," she giggled. He chuckled softly and tilted his head towards her.

"What gave me away?" he asked. 

"It's not hard to tell when you're thinking," Luna smirked. "It's just what that was concerning me."

"But you were there for a thousand years," Tony emphasised. "Doesn't it bother you, even just a little? I know I's never want to look at it again."

Luna shook her head. "I was on the moon, Tony. The sight I hated the most… was looking across the emptiness and seeing the Earth." Thinking back to it, she shuddered silently, but it didn't to unnoticed.

"Remember when I said I was afraid of heights?" Luna nodded, and Tony chuckled nervously. "Wanna know why?"

"Only if you're willing to share," she said with the same sarcastic grin he loved.

"It was during my first few days here," Tony said, patting the dirt. "On Earth. My family and all other Loki'irians were used to higher gravity, and when we came here we couldn't take a step without jumping by accident. My second week here, I was running regularly, but I forgot about jumping."

"Did you fall or jump off a cliff?" Luna laughed softly.

He shook his head and smiled. "I wasn't that stupid, you know," he laughed. "I jumped and went over a couple of buildings before I fell down one of the local reservoirs. It was drought season and most of the water was gone."

Luna looked at him with concern, but he only smiled back. "I knew how to swim when I was six, Luna," he laughed. "But not from that high. So, ever since that day I never wanted to be anywhere above the roof of a house."

"But not with Nyla?" Luna asked. 

"When me and Nyla fly, our energies link so drastically I can literally feel her heart, sense her mood, and we move like one," Tony smiled. "She gave me the courage to ride her, but it was her Nera'ak courage that did so."

"But not anymore." Tony smiled and planted a kiss on her hoof.

"Thanks to you, Luna." They gazed back to the moon, embracing each other under it's beams.

"I love you, Luna."

She nuzzled his cheek once more, and he did his best to return the gesture. "I love you too, Tony."