> Rarity and Spike > by Ponyess > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Moving with Pinkie Pie: 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was my birthday, yesterday. It had been a blast, mainly since Pinkie Pie followed me to my new address and helped me decorating my new home. I had managed to get my hands on a small apartment. It may be small, but at least it is mine. She did not come alone, she brought a few gifts with her, a small set of Holograms she had acquired for me and prepared, as she thought I would enjoy them. It had taken her a full week to prepare them, but she knew the date, so there was no real problem there. I know, three Holograms doesn’t sound like all that much, right? In this case, it is Rarity, Spike and Sweetie Belle. They are all Anthro in the style she knew I would like. It is strange to the point of scary, just how much she knew of me, how well she knows me. It is just no point in threaten, she is way too kind a soul and too good a friend. She will never use what she knows about me against me for any reason whatsoever. It just isn’t in her to do such a thing. At least I know that much of her. As it turned out, Rarity and Spike look and act as anyone age twenty one would. It is almost as if Sweetie Belle was their little daughter, maybe about age five, or somewhere there about. Rarity, Spike and Sweetie Belle has their own bed in a room of their own, naturally. It isn’t as if they sleep with me in my bed, it isn’t what she had intended them to be to me in the first place. Apparently Spike had chosen the right side, leaving the left side for Rarity, while it was natural for Sweetie Belle to take the top bed, over the two of them. I guess this reinforced the view of them as a family of their own. If Sweetie Belle is Rarity’s Daughter or sister isn’t important, Rarity had been raising her as her daughter, now Spike would help her in this endeavour, as a Loving Spouse and father would. Guess I can’t help finding them incredibly adorable on my end. Naturally, Spike still does act as Rarity’s assistant in most everything, when it is appropriate that is. We have the bed rooms to the right, with only a shared wardrobe between them, entered from the door in the living room, while accessed from the respective bedroom, when choosing clothes or garments in the morning. The girls’ room is the first on the left, even if it is holding the facilities for the entire family, including the once for Spike, the male Anthro Dragon. The next door leads to the shower. The kitchen is in the corner, bordering the dining room, were we share our meals, any and every time when we are together at home. We have a small office with a desk on which the computer is available. A large screen just beyond the desk top and the keyboard hidden under the desk Rarity has a small room where she sometimes works on creating our personal garments and clothes, true to her nature. I have managed to acquire just enough materials for her to start working, when she is in the mood for it. In the living room, we have a sofa with a table before it and the TV on the far wall. On each side of the screen, there is a door to the large balcony. I intend to grow some vegetables there and have a few potted plants for decorative and relaxing purposes. --- --- --- > A Festive Home Coming: 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Here we are, your new home, Hitomi!” Pinkie Pie declared as we finally approached the door of my new apartment. “With you by my side, I never need a map or any other help finding my way to where I am going. I sometimes wish I had as good a memory, although I guess I feel blessed to be capable to forget certain things from time to time!” I responded. “I’m so excited!” Spike expressed as he walked up to the door, inserted the key into the lock and opened the door. “So am I!” Sweetie Belle confessed as she followed Spike into the small room. “The plans for the apartment look great and the building is new, I know I am going to love it here!” I responded. “You sure will, I am going to make sure of it. I want all my friends to enjoy themselves. This place definitely is right for you, Hitomi!” Pinkie responded. “From what I have seen, this certainly is a place where I could live and work!” Rarity responded. “Pinkie Pie, I hope you don’t mind sharing the bed with me since the bed in the other room already has all three of them in it. On the other rubbery hoof, the more the merrier is what you used to say, right?”I teased my guest. “If you don’t mind, since I didn’t want to impose on you. I’m glad you like me enough to share your bed with me. There is a hotel in town, but since you wanted me in your bed, I accept your offer!” Pinkie Pie responded with an ever-widening grin. “Since you are my guest, I certainly wouldn’t mind if you share the bed with me. There may be a hotel in town, but it isn’t that good, is it? Besides, Sweetie Belle is the one who may need her sleep the most too!” I responded. “I’ll just check my work room, just in case to see what I have to work with!” Rarity declared as she slipped of and into the small room. “Then I follow you, Rarity!” Spike concluded. “You can as well see the room and inventories right away since we are going to be working there from time to time!” Rarity responded in kind. “Exactly!” Spike put forth as he cast a glance at Rarity and the luxury Blood Ruby in the form of a Heart he once gave her, after quite some effort and patience on his part, crafting it. As Rarity opened the door to the room, light was cast on the interior from outside, the room had been kept in the dark, hiding the equipment and fabrics set aside for her most precious works. “While Rarity and Spike are going over their inventories, I’ll fix us something to eat, you can neither work not enjoy yourself on an empty stomach, I know that much!” Pinkie interjected, before anyone could even consider stopping her. “Please do. They probably wouldn’t mind something of a bite, once they get back, I certainly do like something right now. See if you could find some juice or cider too, while you are at it, will you. Five glasses would also be great!” I put forth. “Will do!” Pinkie Pie responded as she slid the door aside as she entered the kitchen. She soon found both glasses and plates where she had expected them to be. She then placed the requested glasses on a plate on top of the once intended for us to place our pastries. “Tea for me!” Rarity exclaimed from the other room. “Sure thing!” Pinkie Pie responded in a bemused tone of voice as she found the juice and cider in pitchers by the side of the Muffins in the fridge. She pulled out the pitchers and muffins with right and left hands, placed them on the side behind her, before she moved out with everything stacked high in her customary fashion, from years of experience. She even managed to close the door to the kitchen behind her with her left hind hoof on her way out, balancing everything on her right hand, walking the few remaining steps to the table in the living room, where she deposited each item in turn, before siting down by my side. “That is mighty impressive, Pinkie Pie!” I complimented her performance, bringing everything to the table without even considering to ask for the slightest assistance on the way. “Thanks. I couldn’t do any less for you. Besides, I guess it is an occupational hazard, pulling stunts like that?” she responded as she spread out the glasses and plates for all to have theirs, before pouring me a glass of juice and cider for herself. “Eficient work habits doesn’t leave you on the off hours, I take it. I still enjoy seeing it each and every time!” I added. “It goes well with my element too. I can serve more Ponies, while entertaining with tricks of this kind while I am at it. I guess I can’t even think, not to perform the stunt, even when I am not at work!” Pinkie Pie teased. “This certainly is you, Pinkie Pie. I wouldn’t have you any other way, either!” I pointed out. “I couldn’t be different, if I wanted to, not that I regret it. Ever since the day when Rainbow Dash performed her first Rainboom. She certainly did set me on the path I had been meant to take!” she explained, thinking back to the one day that forever did change her life. --- --- --- > A comfortable Moment among Friends: 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I had found a reassuring stack of fabrics stacked in a shelf, much like the one I used to have back in Ponyville. I had also found a selection for threads for sewing and other applications, aside from a small selection of items of a more decorative nature. Naturally, the basic equipment for my work had been placed on the other side of the room that had been set aside for my work. Now I can creat suits to my heart’s content. Including the one I was to prepare for Hitomi. Apparently, Spike had followed me in the hopes to help me inspect the materials, aside from familiarising himself with what we were to work with. I couldn’t complain. Once we had inspected the contents of the room, finding them adequate, I filed out with Spike in tow. I could always send him off to acquire further supplies, when ever I was in need of them later. Today isn’t a day for work. “I noticed that my original equipment is installed, along with the supplies for a few days work. I’ll just have to send Spike off for more by the morning, but that is all for later. Right now, a cup of tea is more pressing on my side!” I declared. “Certainly!” Pinkie Pie responded and eagerly pouring up the tea in my glass with a wide smile all over her face. In my Anthro form, I pick the glass in my right hand, rather then levitating it with magic in the Unicorn fashion. I can still perform, but it is almost always easier and more convenient to use my hands, when ever it is possible. I have learned that overuse of magic can lead to certain less then conveneitn side effects. I know numerous good uses for my magic. Saving it for when I truely do need it is good. Some of my work still does require magic to acquire the ideal result. I had found a reassuring stack of fabrics stacked in a shelf, much like the one I used to have back in Ponyville. I had also found a selection for threads for sewing and other applications, aside from a small selection of items of a more decorative nature. Naturally, the basic equipment for my work had been placed on the other side of the room that had been set aside for my work. Now I can creat suits to my heart’s content. Including the one I was to prepare for Hitomi. Apparently, Spike had followed me in the hopes to help me inspect the materials, aside from familiarising himself with what we were to work with. I couldn’t complain. Once we had inspected the contents of the room, finding them adequate, I filed out with Spike in tow. I could always send him off to acquire further supplies, when ever I was in need of them later. Today isn’t a day for work. “I noticed that my original equipment is installed, along with the supplies for a few days work. I’ll just have to send Spike off for more by the morning, but that is all for later. Right now, a cup of tea is more pressing on my side!” I declared. “Certainly!” Pinkie Pie responded and eagerly pouring up the tea in my glass with a wide smile all over her face. In my Anthro form, I pick the glass in my right hand, rather then levitating it with magic in the Unicorn fashion. I can still perform, but it is almost always easier and more convenient to use my hands, when ever it is possible. I have learned that overuse of magic can lead to certain less then conveneitn side effects. I know numerous good uses for my magic. Saving it for when I truely do need it is good. Some of my work still does require magic to acquire the ideal result. “I notice you haven’t forgotten how to prepare tea for a classy Unicorn, Pinkie Pie!” I complimented as I put the glass back on the table after a quiet sip of tea. “Steaming hot, just like you always liked it. Actual forgetting is something I never did learn, maybe it isn’t entertaining enough? I can faign it for commical effect on stage on an instant’s notice, though!” she commented. “You certainly are fun and funny, when you want to, Pinkie Pie. Is this where you said we are to live now?” Sweetie Belle pondered. “Yes, Sweetie. This is where I told you you would live. Even if I go back to where I live, you are not going to be alone. Even if you don’t know my friend, Hitomi, We all know you know both Rarity and Spike. Besides, they will all three be taking care of you as well!” Pinkie Pie responded. “May I have a Muffin, Hitomi?” Sweetie Belle then asked. “Yes, Sweetie. You sure may. Pinkie Pie baked them earlier, for all of us to enjoy them. I am sure she left tons more of them for us to enjoy for days to come!” Hitomi responded. “Spike looks so funny in his new form. I recall him as a real Dragon, but I guess there is no room for Draggons in this community? Only now, he looks almost as a regular Pony, only with these strange pads where I have my hooves. I guess the tail still does look real, it reminds me of the old Spike I used to know when he lived with Twilight Sparkle and came over to help us in the Boutique. Back then I knew she was a sister, now she feels more like a Mother!” Sweetie Belle thought, looking from Rarity to Spike and back, several times over. “I look almost the same as a dog, when I followed Twilight Sparkle to Canterlot High. The experience did make me appreciate what I have right here so much more. For one, I am no longer a mere pet. Even as assistant, I gained more respect, than I ever could have as a Dog. I don’t mind helping out, maybe it is in part what Twilight Sparkle taught me. I guess it is like moving out, like all foals move out from their parents’ home to find their own life. Of all the Ponies I could move over here with, I simply can’t express my gratitude to Pinkie Pie, but I know she doesn’t need it. I can already see it in her eyes. Back home, I fear she would have gone ballistic, like the time she helped Cranky Doodle Donkey to reunite with his love Matilad!” Spike rambled. “It’s these little moments I live for!” Pinkie Pie responded with a sly grin on her face, shoing she clearly recalled the moment. “That is going ballistic, alright!” Hitomi teased. “Just too bad you couldn’t be there!” Spike exclaimed. --- --- --- > A New Home in a Different Time: 4 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I had followed Pinkie Pie to the home of one of her friends. Naturally, both Spike and Rarity had followed me. Only now, it feels as if Spike is more of a father-figure and Rarity my mother. Maybe part of this lies in them both being adults, not quite looking like the Ponies, where we all came from. Walking on my hind hooves felt a bit strange for about a day, maybe that is caused by my age, rather than the shift in perspective. So many things have changed for me, I can’t quite put a finger to it, which is part of what is strange. Back in Ponyville, Cheerilee was our teacher, but since I am no longer there, who is to teach me now? Will I find friends, like the old friends I used to call the Cutie Mark Crusaders, back in Ponyville? Maybe I knew Spike always had had a crash on Rarity, from the day he arrived at Ponyville with Twilight Sparkle, but it never did die or fade, in part due to Spike giving her the fire ruby in the form of a heart. He certainly did help her, more than he could have been expected to, but he still did it, all the same. Should I have felt jealous, well, I guess that is too late now. He still does act as the assistant, but now taking up more of a father’s place in our lives. Besides, Hitomi is a nice girl, as strange as her name sounds, what does it mean or does it say anything about her at all? Apparently, Hitomi had prepared our rooms for us and supplied us with private belongings. I even have a room of my own. She had provided me with both a bed and a desk. It isn’t the kind of desk I am used to from Cheerielee’s school, but a more Human type Office desk, by the looks of it. Each and every time Hitomi pronounces her name as she presented herself, it makes me think of a bird singing, like with Flutter Shy, I am not sure why, but I guess it is something in how she pronounced every syllable as she spoke. Everything is strange and new to me. Not just the name, but the furniture and everything else as well. She is so cheerful, kind of as if she was singing or trying to cheer us up? I don’t know if I am bothered or grateful just yet. I hope I will get used to it all. The one thing I feel I could truly recognise is my bed. That would be convenient since it may help me sleep better at night. If I couldn’t sleep, I would be cranky in no time, I know as much. I am not new to wearing clothes since Rarity, who will henceforth be referred to as Mom is a Fashionista. I had been given a wardrobe in my room, but it is empty for now, short of a set of panties, tops and skirts, in case I wanted to go out. Mom will make me all the garments I may want and need, once she gets going and she can establish herself in our new home. A few stylish ensembles would be nice to have, I think. Maybe it is how she raised me since she has raised me for most of my life as far as I can recall. Maybe that would make her my mother on an emotional level, even if we can act as sisters as well, from time to time. For now, I still don’t really wear anything indoors at home, unless we have guests, that is. When I go out I will wear the panties, top and skirt, though. With luck, I will have a few pairs of stylish boots to wear when I go out, too. Apparently, Pinkie Pie had left us a mountain of Muffins, which feels very much like her. Besides, we could live on these pastries an entire week, for all I care. We do need to eat, after all. Hitomi couldn’t prepare for all three of us moving in, could she? Of course, Hitomi will still sleep alone in her bed in her very own bed room, I don’t mind. It is still her home, even if we moved in to life with her. I had noticed that Rarity and Spike got a room together, where they will sleep. They would keep their clothes in there as well. Although Rarity has another room, where she is going to create her fashions, including the clothes for me, herself, Spike and Hitomi. She does need a room, where she can work, after all. --- --- --- > A New Home in a Different Time: 5 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apparently, I had moved in with Rarity and Sweetie Belle. This was just adding even more pressure to an already awkward situation. I don’t say that I have anything against the girl named Hitomi who owns our home. I doubt Pinkie Pie would have taken us here, if she hadn’t been the nice, kind and caring girl I had found her to be. The first part in my situation, not only am I now adult, but in an Anthro form, which puts me on par with Rarity and Hitomi. Both Rarity and Sweetie belle are Anthro right along with me, while Sweetie Belle still is the little foal I remembered her to be. Maybe I shouldn’t regret my situation, this is my best chance to actually see Rarity. I had been her assistant, just as I had been assisting Twilight Sparkle in her library. As a Dragon, I guess I just never had any real chance on either of the Mares. My age would have been a temporary setback since I would have grown up, well before they would be too old for me, or at least I imagine so, until I learn differently. The first day at Hitomi’s place had gone fairly well. She had served us quite nice meals I could enjoy by the side of Rarity, while Hitomi and Sweetie Belle had been right there, with us and enjoyed the meals as well. As I examined the room set aside as Rarity’s workshop, I found it acceptable, at least for a temporary solution. I surely had found the company of Rarity enjoyable during the day, even if she had reacted differently to me, compared with what I had been used to in Ponyville. Maybe I should have expected it. We are no longer in Ponyville and I am no longer a Baby dragon, even if all the important Attributes still are where I recalled them. I am still male as well, that would have been just a little bit more than awkward, if I had not. Oh well, the day had come to an end as the sun slowly started to set. This is when certain emotions started to stir in me, I knew we are to share a single bed all night. How could I not be affected emotionally? “You think we have time for a little bit late night snuggle, Rarity?” I suggested. “That sounds like an excellent suggestion. I know you have been longing for this since the day you came into my Boutiquue, riding on Twilight Sparkle. Since we are both Adults and share the same bed, should be a perfect way to end the day!” she responded. “I never could let go of the spark, as much as I may have wanted, on occasion since you never really gave me enough to hold on to, but I guess I can see why. I will still be by your side through thick and thin. Yet, the bed would be cold and lonely, if you don’t have any Pony by your side!” I pondered. “Then I will be your only Mistress, from now on. My bed was just as cold and lonely as yours. I still do need the warmth just as much as before, if not more, Spikie Wikie!” she responded, slowly placing her lips on mine. “Sounds about right, dear Rarity. I know I will enjoy this Royally. Now I just need to ascertain that you never have a reason to regret it!” I responded, moving just enough to place a tentative kiss on her lips. “I think I can enjoy getting used to this, just as I know you will do everything towards that end, dear Spikie Wikie!” she returned, answering my kiss. “I am torn between staying up all night, just enjoying cuddling you and allowing you to sleep, in favour of a new day. On second thought, maybe you need to create your very own suits as my Mistress, aside from the CEO of your Entreprice. As you said way back, it is all in the presentation. We need a Company Uniform in order to win your new customers to be and to give them the image of what you want for us to be!” I suggested. “I think we can slip in a bit more of cuddling in. I like the idea of a Corporate Uniform, I just need to make it Chick and Snappy. It needs to chow-case us as fashion savvy and intelligent corporates, as opposed to the common ruffian corporates and the blind fashionista followers!” she put forth, placing a warming kiss on my lips and both her hands on my cheeks. I realised, Pinkie Pie truly knew what she was doing, placing us together with Hitomi. I guess she did have a knack for making Ponies happy, but it certainly didn’t exclude Dragons like myself, for which I was eternally grateful. This is where I had dreamt of being, even if I never had pictured myself in a situation quite like it. I am not a seer or prophet, that was more on Pinkie’s table. “If I can keep you happy and inspire you, I will be happy. Defining your Enterprise through the Uniform seems like the way to go. The image you just painted up sounds just right to me!” I responded, looking deeply into her blue eyes. “I never knew Ponyville to be such a backwater as the Unicorns of Canterlot wanted to make it out to be, but we are moving up your business several levels, right here and now, by the sound of it!” I pondered. “No, it never was. That would be how they wanted it to look, for their own comfort over the truth of the matter. Ponyville was founded by Earth Ponies, they just can’t get used to Earth Ponies being anything but farmers. If not for us, what would Canterlot have been, considering!” she pointed out. “We have the rest of forever to deal with their problems, if we like to. Right now, we are sharing a bed, let’s make the most out of it?” I suggested. --- --- --- > A Morning, Fresh as Daisies: 6 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was used to prepare my breakfast for myself. There had never been anyone, doing it for me or sharing the meal with me. I guess I will have to get used to the changes. My home had been empty, but I guess I had grown used to it, as much as I may have missed that special comfort of a special someone by my side, someone to share my life with. Now I had found myself in the middle of a family of my own. Maybe I could get used to it. I had to, it is after all what I had been desiring, what I wanted, even if it came a bit sudden. As I woke up, I slipped out of the old panties, before I walked over to the wardrobe and picked up a pair of fresh undies, a top and a skirt. As I tossed the skirt and the top on the top of my bed, just to step right into my panties. With the panties on, I went over to my bed and fetched the skirt, stepping into it, picked up the top and allowed it to slide down, stopping in place. I gave it a few tentative tugs in order to make sure it had found its rightful place. Looking around, then slipped the quilt back into the neat order, thus leaving my bed made. It isn’t all that fancy a bed, just a nice wooden bed, large enough for me. I like the light pink bed linen I had chosen for myself. Just plain and simple, nothing fancy. I love the neat, clean and simple. A wooden bed on a wooden floor. The minimal night-stand, just large enough for my needs, which is not all that much. I had chosen a darker green wallpaper, giving the feel of being in a deep beech forest at early spring, while the leaves were still at their freshest, but tight enough to keep most of the sun out. Simple, but to the point. I had no windows in my bed room, I had chosen to leave it in this fashion. I don’t like the sun to dictate when I am to go up or when I am free to sleep. Sleeping in, when I need to or like to do it, not when the sun choose not to show up. It is my life and I like it this way. My bed room is on the top floor, just the way I like it. I had chosen a room where there is room for just the one single bed, as opposed to the one for a double bed. The rooms are built in pairs with a wardrobe between them. I have the girls’ room on the right by the stairs, while the shower is to the left. It is a small concession to comfort. Easy access on the top floor. Now I slowly walked down the flight of stairs, finding myself in the living room. From there I went to the kitchen in order to prepare a simple meal for myself. Only once there it hit me, I had a family to serve. They were bound to be hungry as they woke up any time now. I started to pour water in the boiler, heating it up to prepare for tea. Once the boiler is going, I pick up the kettle and pour fresh tea leaves into the pot, while I wait for the water. As the water finally does boil, just about a minute later, I pour up to the line, before I put the boiler back and walk to the table with the kettle. I carry cups, spoons, juice and sugar to the table, placing a cup before each seat, leaving a spoon for each, while I leave the kettle on the table and the sugar by my seat. “Would she want a salad with the tea?” I pondered, looking around in a distracted fashion. Of course I couldn’t serve Spike Gems, they are way too expensive around here, as much as he may enjoy them. Unless I could get the Gems cheaper, maybe flawed Gems would still be Gems to him? In the end, I chose to carry a bowl for salad to each seat. I placed a large glass at Sweetie Belle’s seat as well. Then I chose small plates on which to place Muffins. Since I met Pinkie Pie, she had taught me to enjoy her Muffins, now I can’t go an entire day without them. She is one of these Ponies who leaves her mark on you and makes a very deep impression on each and every Pony, or Girl she comes into contact with. This is when I finally did notice that the sun was shining in through the window, only to cast its bright, white light onto the table where I had just prepared for the breakfast for me and what was to become my family. They may not have been born in this world, or even intended to be in the flesh, but they are my family nonetheless. If they are Equines or Dragons, why would that bother me? People have considered Dogs and Cats part of their family for centuries, for all I know. Thinking of it, Rarity could most likely outsmart the majority of my old friends and produce clothes to a standard you don’t find in the stores. Maybe that later detail had swayed me in the first place. Yet, now they are my family. Just as I considered what I was to slip into the salad, I was disrupted and distracted by a pair of hooves moving down the flight of stairs. I had expected it since I knew she was bound to come down for her breakfast, just that I had not been prepared for it to be at this specific instant. About half way down the stairs, I realised, just how endearing the little noises she made were to me. Guess I had been poorly prepared for this realisation as well. Maybe it is part of why she had caught me off guard. “Good morning, Hitomi. What a lovely morning!” she put forth as she saw the light spreading out over the table. “Good morning, Rarity. Yes, it certainly does look like it. I trust you have slept well in your new room and bed the entire night!” I responded in a polite manner and curiosity on my voice as I smiled back at her. “I agree, it looks like a very nice morning from what I can see. I did sleep very well, thank you for asking. Hope you did as well!” she responded. “Yeah, I did. Speaking of sleeping, I have noticed that Spike seems to have very special feelings for you. Maybe you could give him a special treat? Even if he doesn’t have any interest in the more girly stuff, as he would express it, I think he could enjoy the thought and the implications!” I suggested. “Since you put it that way, yes, he certainly has special feelings for me. He finally does have a chance to express them openly. Special treat?” she responded as she st down on her seat, pouring up a cup of tea for herself. “From what I understood, he has nurtured these feelings since the first time he saw you as he followed your friend Twilight Sparkle to Ponyville, while you were hoofing the decorations for the celebrations. Since he is an Adult now, you are less distant and since both of you are in Anthropomorphic form, there is little to nothing preventing you to express your feelings now, as opposed to what was the case in Ponyville!” I stumbled. “I enjoy sharing bed with him, he is very sweet. Back then, there was nothing we could truly do together. He could never raise above the level of Assistant and Friend. Now he can share my bead, at the very least. I think I will enjoy his company on whole new levels. If you explain what you had in mind, when you suggested I could give him a special treat?” she continued. “Since you still do recall the treat I take it Pinkie Pie gave you, I had in mind something similar for him, just tailored to our desires and his body. I think I may have just what you need. If it is anything you need that I do not have, I could enquire if it could be available, where I bought the items for you?” I responded. “Thanks, after lunch seems like a good time, for what I think you suggested!” she confirmed. --- --- ---