Tabitha was given a building. It belonged to her family, but they're gone and it's hers. She can handle this! What's this odd email? Where does she want to go? She wants to stay with her apartments. Take with her? Her apartments. Stupid spam.
Tabitha was given a building. It belonged to her family, but they're gone and it's hers. She can handle this! What's this odd email? Where does she want to go? She wants to stay with her apartments. Take with her? Her apartments. Stupid spam.
Tabitha sat down heavily on her chair. It was a comfortable chair with the faint scent of leather.
It was also the last gift of her mother, bless her heart, if one didn't count the whole building Tabitha was in. The thing had been in the family. With her, that made three generations. She had plenty of hobbies and interests, but as a job? She'd manage and own that building and afford a decent life doing it.
Outside a nearby window, the noises of the city drifted in. People were walking, cars were honking. She glanced out at the evening sky, the sun largely withdrawn, but the light of the city made 'true' darkness a thing for bathrooms with the lights off.
A little jingle alerted her that her computer had finished warming up and she casually pulled up Chrome to see what's up in the world.
She had mail. She always had mail. Google filtered most of the junk out, but there was plenty more. Stuff that didn't quite qualify as 'junk' but rated as so low priority that she opened them and closed them almost as quickly. "I could add five inches? Wow, that would be some trick." She reported that one bit of spam that got through.
There was another she was ready to report, but it grabbed her, and she wasn't even sure why.
Hello, Tabitha. If you could go anywhere, where would you go? If you could take anything with you, what would you take? I do not seek your money, and I already have your email.
Tabitha raised a brow at the message. There was something casually threatening about it, but it was mostly laughable stupid. She hit reply.
Hello, Mister No Name.
Nice to hear from you, but who are you, and why are you bothering me? Is this a robot? Beep Boop, uninstall me from whatever database you use. Where would I go? I'd stay with my apartments, duh. That answers the second question, come to think. My apartments have what I need, except clients.
She hit send almost angrily. It was true, she was missing people staying at her apartments. There were some, before, but she had lost them and had to replace them, in a hurry. She had plans to do just that. Without people living there, besides herself, she'd lose the place, and that'd suck.
No sooner than she had hit send, a reply came. It still had no name or from address, but it threaded properly so she knew it was the same person. She glanced left and right before pulling the blinds down. That was kind of creepy.
With building trepidation, she clicked the message.
If I made sure you had your apartments, but gained clients ready to pay for the privilege of living there, would you accept?
"Who are you!?" she shouted at the computer ineffectively. She shoved to her feet, her chair sliding away from the violent motion. Was someone razzing on her? Maybe it was one of the guys she calls over to fix things, like when the heaters or her computer busts. They were probably watching her freak out and laughing all the while.
She wouldn't give them the satisfaction.
She pulled her chair over and settled into the comfy material, taking a breath before she hit reply.
Look, whoever this is, it stopped being funny. Fine, whatever. Send those residents since you have so many. Prove you--
The world shifted violently. She moved, but so did her apartment. Just as promised, she never left them. They landed together in a new city, the noises changing. Was that a horse-drawn carriage she heard?
Her computer was still on, but reported its connection to the internet had been severed.
What happened? Tabitha crept towards the window she had just covered and peeked around the blinds to the outside world to see horses. Little horses. They came in all colors, some larger than others, some were flying, some had horns, unicorns. None of them seemed to find this odd at all. They all had marks on the--
Tabitha recoiled, breathing in harsh gasps. That wasn't earth!
Shit...
She had to lock the front door at least and make a safe place. She ran for the elevator, which still worked.
She rode it down, tapping a shoe and fidgeting. For all she knew, the horses were streaming into her apartments!
The elevator made a soft ding as it arrived and the doors slid open to reveal one of those horses. It looked up at her. It was smiling. Could horses smile? That one was...
"Oh, hello," spoke the horse in a friendly tone. "I hope I'm not bothering." She had light beige fur and her mane and tail were light blue and white colored. She wore a bright flower in that mane along with an ascot around her neck. "Do you know where the owner of this residence is?"
Oh god! They knew she was there, and were coming to kill her. "Oh, uh..."
"I was hoping I could move in," explained the horse. "I'm being rude." The doors of the elevator began to slide shut but she thrust a hoof in the way and stopped it. "I'm Coco Pommel, nice to meet you, miss...?"
That the horse wasn't at all surprised to see her, a human, confused her. "Tabitha Lawrence, but Tabby is fine."
"Nice to meet you." Coco bowed her head. "Do you live here?"
"I... actually kind of own it," admitted Tabitha, unsure if she'd be mauled or not.
"Oh, that's terrific! I'd like a room, please. I'll be living in the city long-term, so I'll need an apartment with a lease, if that's alright." She looked quite happy. Why, Tabitha would say she looked the opposite of ready to inflict murder on her. "You'll want first and last month's rent upfront, I imagine?"
Tabitha nodded as her higher functions did a casual reset. Fortunately, seeing someone in was second nature, horse or not. "That's right. Do you have a floor preference? Any damage to the room has to be covered by you, but we do appliances. No noise past sundown to be polite to your neighbors..." She went on and on, going over the basic rules that kept her building running smoothly. Coco just nodded along without objections.
"I'd rather not be on the ground floor, other than that..."
"You got it." She fished out a key she had from the third floor. "Here you go."
The horse paid with golden coins. Golden coins she passed up in a bag that Coco held in a hoof to settle in Tabitha's hands. She started rebooting again, mouth agape.
"You're the nicest pegasus I've met today," reported Coco as she entered the elevator.
Pegasus? Tabitha stepped free of the elevator and the doors closed, carrying Coco off to her new room. As the doors slid shut, Coco's eyes went wide. A piercing scream was only audible for a moment before they were closed and the elevator was gone.
Tabitha blinked in confusion. Had she done something wrong? She was in a world of talking horses. Talking horses that happened to carry around more gold than she ever saw in one place... She tucked the bag under an arm and approached the front door cautiously.
Other horses marched past, a few glancing at her building and 'For Rent' signs, but most just trotted past without worrying much about it one way or the other. Wherever she was, the building didn't stand out too much.
That was good...
"Evening," said one of the unicorns as he strolled past, wearing an outfit that would fit an old timey city dweller. It was very seventies.
"Um hello." She wriggled her fingers at him and he moved right along to wherever he was going.
Tabitha closed the door and considered locking it, but...
She looked at the bag of gold coins. The horse had handed, er, hoofed? She gave it to her without even a second thought. Did they use these coins like dollars? How much was one worth? If it covered two months of rent, she should be able to live a little while off of it and maybe get...
She was alone. Everyone she knew to get repairs from, gone.
The elevator dinged softly and Tabitha turned to see Coco peeking her head out. "I... must seem so rude. I've heard of humans, but actually seeing one, and you were a pegasus before! How'd you do that?" She stepped from the elevator slowly. "I'm sorry if I scared you."
She's sorry? Tabitha quirked a smile at the whole situation. "Wait, you did say that. I wasn't trying to hide or anything. I'm a human from birth, just like you're a horse, right?"
"Pony," corrected Coco. "Nice to meet you, again. The key works, so... You really do own this?"
"It was mine before I was born, in the family for three generations." Tabitha nodded at the hor--pony slowly. Coco had a nice voice, and she sounded concerned and kind. If she had to meet any ponies, Coco seemed like a good sort. "I have a few questions, besides screaming into a pillow."
"That wouldn't be much of a question." Coco smiled lightly. "If I can help, ask."
"So... how much is this?" Tabitha hefted out the bag. "Where are we? What are you? Just... how... fucked am I?" She sagged down, overwhelmed with the impossibility of the situation. She felt a presence and looked up to Coco gently patting her shoulder and patiently waiting. "S-sorry. Thanks. I'm alright, really."
She forced her way to her feet. Freaking out wasn't helping, and she was scaring the one... friend? She knew Coco, who seemed nice enough.
Coco sat down and pointed to the dropped bag. "That's two months of rent, as agreed on. I assumed average prices, which may have been wrong."
"No, that's fine." Tabitha shook her head slowly. "Look, I need to catch my breath. Why don't you enjoy your room, and we'll meet up later."
Coco smiled a little. "I have a lot to move in, so I'll be busy with that, but we're neighbors now, besides you being the landlord. If you have questions, I'll do my best." She trotted right out the door, going after the things that would go into her apartment in theory.
Tabitha grew curious. She opened the door and slipped outside, even if one hand remained on the knob, ready to retreat. "Hey you!" she called out to the pony without wing or horn.
He looked at her. "Yeah?"
"What am I?"
The pony blinked with obvious confusion. "You're a pegasus mare. Is this a trick question?"
"N-no, just checking." The answer did little to appease him, but he had places to go, and he moved on, shaking his head.
The ponies really saw her as one of their own. She was a pegasus, to them, but it had stopped working for Coco. Why?
She had arrived in a new world, and there were so many questions in need of answers. Perhaps it was time to start with the basics. She needed to fill her fridge. She had a bag of coins. How... hard could it be?
Tabitha went back to her room and fetched her backpack and purse. The latter was a convenient place to stuff her new bag of coins, at least enough that she hoped would secured dinner. Some of the coins had writing on them, numbers. She guessed that meant those coins were worth more than others, so she only had to take a few of the ones that had the biggest number instead of walking around jingling all over the place.
She emerged onto the street, as ready as she felt she ever would be. She was knee-deep in equines, or it was more like belly to chest deep depending on who you compared to and how you did that comparing.
Despite that, none of them attacked her, or even seemed to think she was unusual, or anything but a pegasus, she guessed. What kind of bird-horse would walk around instead of flying? She wondered over that as she walked down the street, eyes scanning for anything that looked like a grocery store.
It came into view easily enough. Like the rest of the cities, it looked old fashioned, but it was clearly a grocers. There were big bins laid out front with watermelon and, what was that, corn? A big pile of corn kernels. Did these horses buy that? She pushed open the swinging doors as she entered, to be assaulted by a variety of plant scents.
She saw basically anything she wanted, so long as that 'anything' wasn't processed, wasn't meat, and... wait.
Tabitha picked up a package wrapped suspiciously in what appeared to be plastic, with loud advertisements as to how delicious and good its contents were. The ponies did have some processed food, just not a lot.
"Can I help you?" asked an elderly female voice. Tabitha spun to see an older horse, er, pony looking at her. "A young thing like yourself shouldn't eat that garbage." She pointed a hoof at the bundle she could see now that Tabitha had turned. "You can cook much tastier yourself, and for less too."
Tabitha was more of a TV dinner gal, honestly. She never got good at cooking and didn't want to spend the time. "Um, thanks." She put down the package rather than argue with a wrinkly old horse.
Did they even have TV dinners? Did they have TV? They had electricity, or her place would be very dark.
"You look a little lost," spoke the old pony, not giving up despite Tabitha putting down the package.
"Uh... Just looking for things."
"Like?"
Tabitha raised a brow. Who was this old bat and why was she prying? She gave an answer she was sure would scare off the old horse, "I'm looking for the burgers and I don't see them."
"Oh, the oat burgers are over here." She pointed even as she reached in and somehow held a package against the flat of her hoof in clear defiance of physics. "I like these quite a bit."
There they were. They were burgers, and yet, not. They were formed like burgers and frozen to preserve them, but Tabitha could see the little seeds and debris that made it wheat instead of meat. What did it even taste like? She became mildly curious. Even she could make a burger if she wanted to.
She reached and accepted the package. "Thanks... So, if you don't mind my asking, why are you being so helpful?"
"I work here," reported the older horse with a smile. "You looked lost, miss. Pardon if my hunch was off the mark. Figured a pegasus wouldn't mind a wing-mare if need be."
She was a little lost... but she wasn't a pegasus. "Well, alright then. Real talk then, do you have any meat?"
She blinked at that. "We've got a little, but you'll want to hit up a griffon deli if you want a selection. Do be mindful, we ponies don't need much meat at all. Shoot, could just as well live a life without it with no harm done."
They had griffons? Of course, why not... Talking horses, griffons... Probably dragons and centaurs and minotaurs too! Little pixies and...
"You alright?" She looked Tabitha over with concern. "Are you new to the city? I know that look. I bet you're from some small town."
Small town? "Actually, I'm from another city." One that wasn't filled with ponies, but she didn't mention that part. She grabbed some veggies to fill a cart they provided. "Show me that meat."
"If you insist..."
She soon had what she figured would do fine for testing and eating. It was time to pay for it all. As she rolled up to the register, that old horse circled around and sat behind the register with that same little smile. "You're getting enough for a little while. Weekly shopping trip?"
Honesty seemed the best call there. "I'm not used to food from here--"
"Manehattan," provided the old horse.
"Right." Manhattan, but horsier and old timier? Why not. "So I'm trying out different things to see what I can stick with."
"Ain't no harm in trying new things." She began counting up all the things there, punching buttons in her old-fashioned register. "If you have the time, I suggest getting around. We have all sorts of exotic food places. A little Saddle Arabian food or Neighponese cuisine might intrigue you." She pushed a final button that seemed too small for her big hoof, but it worked fine, none of the ones around it disturbed for the motion. "That'll be eight bits total."
Tabitha fished one of the coins from her purse and set it down silently, trusting the horse to furnish change or ask for more if needed.
Her eyes widened and she whistled. "Do ya have anything smaller, miss?"
That was too large? She took it back and looked at the number, fifty. She owed eight, right? She jingled through her collection until she found a ten and placed it down.
"That'll do." She scooped up the coin easily and tucked it in her register and replaced it with two smaller coins that had no numbers at all. Single bit coins. Heh, bitcoins. Tabitha smiled at her internal humor as she plucked them up and put them away. At least it looked like she was safe from starvation for a while. "You have a nice day, and if you need anything, you just come back here. Young mare, I may be prying a little, but you look like a lost filly, and I have a weak spot for that. So even if it gets real scary, you come running to Grannie Orange and I'll help ya out."
Tabitha was already stuffing her purchases away in her backpack, making it bulge with food. "Thanks, Miss Orange." She assumed that was a last name, and the horse didn't argue it. She headed out the door, down one cart, and up one backpack full of edibles. Well, mostly edible? She hoped horse food didn't upset her stomach at all.
She quickly made her way back home. Despite being a horse city from the, uh, early 1900s, it worked much the same for basic motions. She scooted across with the crowd when the light was green, and she tried not to bump or jostle anyone. They seemed to carve her a little more space than she actually took. She considered that as she went. Was that the size of the horse they saw? She wasn't that much larger, she figured, just, well, four-legged. If she was moving on all fours, she'd take up about that much space.
There was her building and she sighed with relief as it came into view. She practically danced up the steps, glad to be home.
That feeling of elation faded somewhat as she opened the door to find a line of four ponies just in front of the building office.
They turned, male and female alike, to look at the pegasus they saw. "The owner's not in," reported a stallion that was second in line. "We're waiting for them."
Tabitha clenched her teeth. Shoot, more residents! Wait, that was good. They'd give her more bits. Sure, she was in a scary new world full of things she didn't understand, but her building, that was looking up! "One moment!" She hurried right past them and threw open the office door. "Let me just put this down and I'll be right with you."
They made appreciative noises that the owner had apparently turned up even as they complained at having to wait, but none of them left.
She quickly made her way back to her room and threw her backpack aside, planning to properly put it all away later. She grabbed her set of keys, all of them, and back down she went.
"Sorry to keep you all waiting. Thanks for forming a line, so, you first." She pointed at the mare at the front of the line, and so the interview began.
She went down the basic rules, and the mare didn't seem to mind them or find them unusual. Oddly, she knew what a stereo was. What time was Tabitha in?! She didn't know, but by the end, the mare was eager to move in. "First floor please," asked the earth pony. "If you have rooms left."
Left? That would be the first room she rented on that floor in quite a while. She produced a key and handed it over to the mare, who held it in a hoof despite how ridiculous that looked. Her eyes widened as whatever magic hid Tabitha collapsed for her.
"Don't freak out!" said Tabitha hastily. "I'm just the building owner. I won't hurt you if you don't hurt me."
"R-right..." She raised a brow before shaking her head. "Thank you..."
She checked in the two stallions next, getting much the same reaction. One of them became interested in a different way. The pegasus stallion blinked softly. "I was going... to ask you out. I guess that's off the table?" The way he said it implied he would go right on ahead if allowed.
She gave a wry smile. Males of any species... "It's not a good idea to date your landlord. Things get complicated."
"I guess that's true." He trotted off towards his top-floor apartment. He had asked specifically if he could enter through the roof, being a bird-horse. She would have to unlock that door, but she supposed that wasn't very unusual in a land of bird-horses.
The last pony entered and settled before her, watching her with piercing eyes and a shaggy pair of brows. "Greetings."
"Greetings?" Most of the horses she met didn't speak quite like that. "You're looking for a place?"
"Correct. I require a place of residence exactly twenty feet from the ground." He held up a hoof for emphasis.
"Second floor's the closest you'll get," explained Tabitha as she looked over the unicorn curiously.
"Excellent, is this sufficient?" He levitated over a bag of coins.
A little familiar with the coins and their numbers, she quickly counted up what he had given her. It was a lot, too much. "This covers the first and last month and about four months in the middle." It was also heavy, despite the coins being high-denomination. "Are you paying in advance?"
"That will be optimal," agreed the unicorn. "Do you accept?"
Tabitha set the bag aside. "Right right, here." She fished out some keys to a second floor room and handed them over.
She wasn't the only one that changed.
The unicorn swelled into a beast with huge jaws, clawed hands, but that same set of piercing eyes. "Thank you." He moved to turn as if nothing had happened.
"W-wait!" Tabitha called out, shaking a little. She looked over the bleached white fur her newest tenant. "You, um, I assumed you were a unicorn."
"I presumed you were a pegasus. We have both been educated today. On the fourteenth day of each month, I will be occupied from sunset to sunrise. It will not produce undue noise, but I must not be disturbed. I will pay promptly. Thank you." And off he went, trundling along on his tree-trunk wide legs. He was no horse, but he seemed... harmless?
Tabitha sank back in her office's chair, letting out the breath she didn't know she was holding. Whatever hid her worked both ways. What was going on?
Tabitha relaxed into her new, crazy role in life. She found that pony food, or most of it, was alright. She only had to run to the bathroom once, and she only felt ill one morning that she couldn't easily place on the food or just a passing illness, so she avoided it, and everything seemed... alright. Her computer worked, so long as no online functions were needed, so she played some games when she was between manning the office.
She heard a soft thump at the window and glanced to see the pegasus had landed on her balcony. He knocked with a soft clopping of his hoof on the glass door. "Sorry to bother you, um, Tabitha?"
Tabitha pushed to her feet and approached curiously. Was she about to be hit on gracelessly again? "What's up, bird-horse?"
"Razz Berry," he corrected as he colored. "Just making sure you're alright. I heard some odd sounds so I came to look."
Tabitha glanced over her shoulder at the paused game and back at Razz. "As you can probably see, I'm fine. How did you hear that from far away?" He started to turn new colors and she realized she had caught him. "Why were you listening to me?"
Razz put up his hooves defensively. "I was just worried about you! It's not any kind of weird stalking, I swear." He lowered the hooves and tapped at the glass. "Can I come in?"
She strongly considered denying him, but she opened the door despite those feelings. "You ever play a video game?"
"The magic games?" he asked as he trotted inside with a growing smile. "Is that what the sound is?"
"I guess it's magic if you don't know what it is, and only a few people know that." She closed the doors. "I have a few two-player games, want to try?"
His eyes went wide. "I'd love to, um, Tabby."
She got the idea half his excitement had nothing to do with the game directly, but she moved back to her chair, got comfy, and loaded up a simple rhythm game for them to play. She handed over one of her gamepads, unsure how he'd handle it with hooves, but curious to see it work.
He looked at it curiously. "Small buttons." He turned it this way and that a moment before his wings unfolded and came in to act as assistants as he started manipulating it with excited hoof presses and wing squeezes. Soon they were both making their avatars dance around in a very musical battle against each other. While eager, she had experience on her side, and she knocked his warrior down with a digital cry as the music came to a dramatic halt.
He whistled softly as he put the gamepad down. "This must have cost you quite a few bits. The graphics are amazing, and the sound is fantastic."
"I have others."
If his eyes could actually pop out of his head. "Your magic can do more than one game?! I never saw one that could manage that, even the expensive ones... Where'd you get it?" He tilted his head. "Are there more um, what you are there?"
He really didn't seem to be bothered by the fact that she was notably not a pony. She was unashamedly human and comfortable with it, and he just ate it up. It was charming in a way. "Actually, yes. You can call this human magic, and you wouldn't be far off."
"Is that what you are?"
He looked so curious, it was adorable. "Yes, I'm a human." She leaned towards him suddenly. "Rawr."
He wasn't scared, he just smiled. "If humans are all like you, they seem alright. Wanna play an--"
His words were cut off by a dull thump from below. Either someone fell, no, there was another thump. It came regularly, like someone was stomping or playing a stereo really loudly. Either way was a violation of the rules.
Tabitha pushed to her feet with a grunt. "I have to see what that is, and stop it. I'll talk later, alright?"
He nodded and she saw him to the balcony where he took off. She flicked the lock back into place and stormed out into the hallway.
The thumping could be felt as she went down and seemed to come from the second floor. She only had one resident there... She winced at the idea of having to deal with the white-furred monster that lived with her as she walked down the hallway. She tried to look at the bright side. "I'm a monster as far as the ponies see, and they put up with me. I should wear just as brave a face."
With a false smile and equally false bravery, she knocked on his door.
The thumping stopped.
There was a quiet moment before the door creaked open an inch. Snow and frost gusted out in a sudden flurry, spreading snow into the hallway and over Tabitha's shoes as she shivered at the sudden drop in temperature.
The tenant was there, glaring at her with one eye visible. "I told you," he boomed in his authoritative way. "I am not to be bothered on the fourteenth day of any month. This is ver--"
"You're making noise and bothering everyone!" she shouted back at him with an authority born of being a born landlady. "What's with all the banging?"
His expression turned from stern anger to befuddlement. "You could hear it?"
The door suddenly tore open away from his clawed hand, revealing a snow covered landscape that spread far more inside than any apartment should allow. A terrific roar came from the frozen place as a huge six-legged beast crested a hill, dropping spittle and staring at her tenant balefully.
He put a hand in her way. "You would do well to stay back." He advanced towards the beast, returning its display of teeth with his own as his claws went wide, ready to fight.
The beast came down on... the beast. It was black on white, making it a confusing mess as they wrestled, clawed, and bit. Neither bled. There was no red, but terrible jagged wounds were formed that refused to ooze life essence. The tenant picked up the creature and hurled it down at the ground. Something broke, and it yelped with pain before rolling over, glaring, and running away.
Tabitha stared at the whole exchange with her mouth open a little. The horses were one thing. Compared to them... Yeah, she could handle the horses, ultimately... "What..."
"I apologize. I must have formed things incorrectly. I will fix it and the sound will cease. Please do not bother me again." He grabbed the door and slammed it shut, leaving some snow in the hallway.
Should she yell? Should she complain? She slowly turned away from the door, taking a slow breath.
There was no more sound that evening, and Tabitha left it alone at that. She returned to her room, shaken. What was going on in her precious building?
Instead of pushing inside, she turned away. She had to know... She walked away to the next door and threw it open, just to expose an endless field of stars that seemed to stretch out forever beyond, ignoring all geometry of the building itself. The faint rushing of air around her hinted that she truly stood before a void, and it seemed a miracle that she hadn't been sucked out into it.
With a shaking hand, she slowly closed that door. Just as she got halfway there, a squid like monster swam through the darkness and seemed to notice her. It paused and turned before darting at her with terrific speed.
She yelped in fright and slammed the door shut. It thumped softly from the other side once, but the void was gone, and so was the creature. She was safe, for the moment...
Tabitha leaned back against the wall and heaved for breath.
"Are you alright?" It was Coco, looking concerned. "I was just going to see what all that noise was."
"No no no no! Everything's fine." She laughed with hysterical notes before she noticed and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "Look, everything's nice and quiet now."
Coco tilted her head as if listening a quiet moment before she nodded. "Thank you for that. I'm trying to design a new set of clothes and some quiet to concentrate goes a long way. I don't mean to be a bother."
"You're a designer?" Tabitha looked over the pony curiously. "Clothes you said?" Clothes designing felt so delightfully mundane compared to what else she'd seen that evening, she attached right to it. "May I see?"
"Oh, sure..." She seemed disarmed at the query. "I'm afraid none of it is really made for bipeds. I've had a minotaur client before, but most are ponies, and a few griffons."
Of course, minotaurs. She grinned wryly as her past thought proved all too correct. "Lead the way. I'm sure it's charming."
She followed along behind Coco as she led the way back to her room. "I notice you wear a lot of clothing. Is that a personal decision or a, um, what you are decision? You know, society?"
"Society says I have to cover up," admitted Tabitha with a smile. "I get to decide what I wear. Today felt like a jeans day." She patted her weathered jeans. "So here we are."
She turned and regarded them curiously. She reached out a hoof and felt a little. "The pattern is familiar but so tight and precise. How can a pony stitch it so well?"
"I don't know a pony could... But even humans don't, we have machines."
"Oh!" She smiled with understanding. "Your pants are made with a sewing machine. That makes sense." She opened her door and led her inside, showing a room overflowing with books, not fashion. She had some pony mannequins, ponyquins? She had some of those with fabric on them in the suggestion of clothes to come but not done yet. "I'd like to see a, what was that, human? A human sewing machine. I wonder how it's similar or not." She pointed at her dummies. "Here they are."
"Still in the planning stage?" Tabitha raised a brow as she looked them over. There wasn't enough there to really give a solid idea of what Coco was aiming for.
Coco let out a loud sigh just as the door they had just entered opened with a bang. A light pink pony stormed in with a little smile and a bolt of fabric floating beside her.
"Coco," she demanded. "I need you to get to work. Make a whole line with this." She set the bolt down then gestured at the dolls, ripping them clean without thought with her magic. "Forget everything. This will win us the competition for sure."
"But..."
"Now!"
"Yes, Miss Polomare..." Coco's head hung, clearly whipped, but she got to work.
Tabitha blinked softly. "Uh..."
That was when Polomare noticed her and blinked. "Hello there. I'm sorry, but she can't talk to friends right now. She has to finish this work for me, tonight."
"Tonight?"
"Tonight..." Polomare glared daggers at Coco, then smiled at Tabitha. "Fly along now. She'll be available tomorrow perhaps."
Tabitha remembered she was still a pegasus as far as any pony that didn't live there was concerned, like this rude pink pony. She considered challenging her, but standing up for her tenants was a big leap. They were barely friends. "Hey, Coco. We'll talk later, alright? Be well."
Tabitha roused the next day to the sound of her computer playing a spirited jazz song she had stashed. It was a good thing she had some music stored away, considering how hard it would be to get them now.
She cooked a few eggs with sliced pepper and the other half of an onion she hadn't used the night before. She hadn't much interest in cooking before, but that world... If nothing else, it encouraged her to at least make the basics. She sprinkled some seasoning over it and tasted before dropping the whole thing onto a plate and retreating with a tall glass of orange juice.
It was one of the healthier breakfasts she'd had in a month. "Look at me, mom, cooking like it's the 1990s." Her mom wasn't there, and yet she was. Dead people got to be everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Even in a world full of talking ponies? She preferred to think so, that her parents were both there, watching her fuck up in interesting ways.
She smiled a bit at the thought. Her dad would have said something biting, but witty. She always hated to smile at his jokes, but he made her do it anyway. She missed him...
A soft knock came from the door and she put away her mostly cleaned plate. "One moment."
She approached and leaned in to use the peephole and saw it was Razz Berry, grinning widely at the door.
Tabitha rolled her eyes before she opened it. "It's early in the morning, Razz, and I get the idea you're getting all the wrong kind of thoughts."
His eyes darted around as if caught with the cookie jar. "What? I just wanted to invite my new friend to do something fun."
She raised a brow.
"Really!" He produced two tickets from... a pocket? He just pulled them out like it was normal. "Do you like music?"
She reached for them and he didn't stop her from taking them. The Grateful Mares? "Huh..." She considered over it, glancing between the tickets and the hopeful face of the stallion. "You realize everyone else will see a pegasus, right, one that can't fly."
"I won't fly either," he promised while crossing his heart. "Please? It'll be fun. You look stressed out."
Did she? She let out a little breath as she handed the tickets back. "Alright, we'll give it a try, but keep your hooves to yourself. We're not a 'thing', just friends, right?"
"Right." Razz tucked the tickets away. "I'll see you later!" With a dart and flapping of those wings, he was gone.
She started to close the door but changed her mind, instead emerging. She was the manager of that building, and that meant certain responsibilities, even if her house was infested with terrible creatures from the beyond.
Tabitha frowned at the memories, but pressed on. She started taking notes in a pad of each imperfection she saw. She had a lot of rent money, and fixing the place up would draw more tenants. Besides, wherever a pony, or thing pretending to be a pony, was staying seemed to be safe from eldritch horrors. It was a triple win.
By the time lunch came around, she had filled the first paper with things that needed doing. "Trick is," she said to herself. "I don't know who to call..." Did they have phones? She picked up the phone in the lobby, hoping that the same magic that had hooked the building up with electricity was still in effect.
She let out a sigh of relief as she was greeted with a familiar buzzing that waited for her to dial. But who did she call? She didn't have the pony equivalent of a yellow pages, and no internet, so...
So she dialed 0.
Nothing happened, just the soft beep, then nothing but buzzing.
Tabitha frowned at the device . What had gone wrong? She turned it around, looking to see if it was obviously broken, but it looked intact. What she did see was the little switch she never used. She switched it over to rotary mode and tried one more time.
It rang.
"Operator speaking," came a friendly female voice.
Tabitha pumped an arm in triumph. "Yes! I'm looking for a repair man that can--"
"Repair what?"
"Someone who can fix things?" She raised a brow at the confusion. "I own an apartment building and I need things fixed."
"Oh! I'd be happy to connect you. If you give me your address, I'll have a Yellow Pages sent to you."
They had a Yellow Pages?! "Please, uh." She moved to the front door, phone dangling along with her. She was glad it had a long cord. She could see the street sign. "I'm on the corner of Wheatley and Gallop." She winced a bit at the horsiness of it all. "Grey for the first two floors, hard to miss."
"I'll have it sent right over, ma'am. I'm connecting you now. Is there anything else you need?"
"No, thank you." Tabitha had a hard time imagining a pony was on the other end of the line.
"Have a great day then, bye." There was a soft click, then ringing.
Someone picked up. "Hello?"
"Hello, I'm hoping you do repairs?"
"We fix all kinds of things. Whattaya got?"
Tabitha settled in the basic chair in the lobby. "Great, I have a list. Let's start with the obvious. The roof needs work to avoid water damage the next time it rains."
There were some papers shuffling around. "That's tomorrow. It'll cost extra for a rush job."
He knew when it would rain next?! "How do you know that?"
"Eh?" He sounded like the question itself was crazy. "I checked the weather report, of course. You ready to pay?"
"Y-yeah." She nodded though that wouldn't be seen through the phone. "It has to be done. Come ready to go and bring the statement with you." She rattled off her address again and described the building.
"I've been past there," said the stallion on the line. "Roof that big, that fast, at least a hundred and twenty bits."
She quietly sagged with relief. She could cover that without too much pain. "I'll be ready to pay. Come over when you're ready."
"On my way." There was another click, and the line was dead.
Tabitha hung up her phone. "Thanks, mom." It had been her insistence that the building keep its old copper lines and the phone right there.
"Good afternoon." Her mysterious bipedal tenant was walking past, coming from the elevators and heading out the door.
She considered challenging him, and lost that fight. "So, about last night?"
He stopped and looked at her over a shoulder, his smoldering eyes burning through her. "I trust there were no more noises after our meeting."
"N-no! All quiet. Can w--"
"I will be more careful in the coming months. Take care." He moved right on past without paying her any additional mind.
She watched him go and shook her head. She wouldn't be getting answers, at least not that day.
"Excuse me." A pegasus was wondering in with a unicorn and a regular pony behind him. The regular pony was a mare. "Is the owner in?"
Tabitha smiled. "Ah, are you the repair man?" She recognized the voice.
"Repair is what we do." He pulled out a sheaf of paper and offered it to her. "Here's that bill you asked for. Nice to meet you, miss...?"
"Tabitha, but friends call me Tabby."
"We'll start with Tabitha." He turned to his workers. "Let's get up there and show Tabitha what we're made of. This place looks like we'll be getting a lot of work if we show the right stuff."
The mare nodded and looked to Tabitha. "You can rest easy. We'll have it looking like new before the sun sets."
The unicorn moved right for the elevator and pushed the button. "At least this building has a working elevator. Not all of us have wings."
The pegasus followed after him. "Yeah yeah. Don't blame me for being born right. Heavy? Go get the supplies and meet us up top while we do a full survey."
"Roger that," said the mare, apparently Heavy. She trotted out the door as they went up, leaving Tabitha holding the bill.
She looked at the bill and saw a lot of line notes of this costing so many bits and that costing that many bits. It all seemed reasonable and she produced the coins needed.
As Heavy came past, she took the payment with a smile, tucking it in a pocket even as her back was burdened with tiles and things. "Thanks!" Off she went to join her friends with barely a delay for the process.
Tabitha pushed to her feet and shook her head. "It may be horse land, but at least the service is good."
"Excuse me."
She had been greeted that way a lot recently. She turned to see a geeky looking unicorn stallion peering at her through thick glasses. "Excuse me, um, miss? Do you know where the owner of this building is?"
Tabitha hiked a thumb at herself. "Talking. Are you looking for a room to stay in?"
"I'm actually from the city of Manehattan. We need to go over some paperwork if you have the time?"
Tabitha's blood ran cold. She had no deed to the land under her building, or really any proof she owned the building at all, just a patch of dirt in another world. What should she do?! What could she do?! "Oh, uh, this way..." She led him towards the office as she internally sweated. There was no avoiding it. She couldn't very well pick up the building and run with it.
He settled down across from her at her desk. "We have it on record that you inherited your land, is this correct?"
Tabitha was caught off-guard. How did he even know about that. "Yeah?"
"From your mother, Clear Days. Also correct?"
That was not her mother's name, not by far. "Yeah...?"
He pushed forward a paper with a glowing horn. "The inheritance papers are in order, but you haven't signed the deed. Just a formality. We'd also like to go over property taxes and their proper payment. You'd be far from the first land owner, especially through these means, that doesn't know the process."
She sagged a little and quickly scribed her full name on the paper.
"Easy Glider?" he asked as he took the paper back.
That wasn't her name, but maybe it was her... pony name? "Tabitha's just fine." She forced a smile. "So, how much do I owe and how do I pay it?"
"Nothing just yet." He smiled as he pulled the deed in half, tucking a carbon copy away and setting the original where she could have it. "It's due at the end of the year. Just swing by town hall and they'll get you straightened out. It'll be five hundred bits a year, at the estimated value of the land and building. I trust this won't be a problem?"
Even if she kept the tenants she had, she should be able to handle that. If she got the building half full... "I'll get that taken care of, no problem. Thank you for taking the time."
He smiled gently. "It's so nice to see a pony that appreciates the work we do. We're not against land owners, promise." He hopped down from his chair. "You have a nice day, Miss Glider."
"Tabitha."
"Yes, right, Tabitha. Good day." He trotted right out.
Tabitha was just checking in a new resident with a smile. They were a nice and normal pony, and remained as such after being given their keys, a fact that she was grateful for.
The mare gasped in surprise, but didn't flee, and Tabitha sent her off to her new room.
"Changelings these days..." muttered the mare as she went.
Tabitha left her office just as the door opened and Coco Pomell entered, looking down and guilty. "Hey, Coco, what has you down?" She had yet to see a pony looking that out of sorts.
Coco glanced up at her biped landlord as her ears spun back. "N-nothing, I'm just being stupid. This... is how you make it in the fashion business."
Tabitha only became more curious. "Does this involve that bossy horse from before?"
"You can call me a horse if you like, but using it like that is a little... offensive, and she isn't here to defend herself."
She looked like Tabitha had just said a naughty word, so Tabitha shook her head. "I didn't mean anything by it, sorry. For real though, want to talk about it?"
Coco glanced around the lobby. "Not... here." She led the way to the elevator, then to her room after it arrived. She was silent as she walked, fretfully glancing at her landlord but not saying a thing. It was only when they were inside her apartment and the door was closed and locked that she let out her breath. "Alright, so, you know Suri Polomare, right?"
"We met once," said Tabitha as she rolled a hand. "I can't say she charmed me at the time. What about her?"
"She's my 'in' to the fashion scene. She got us both into a contest, and she won today."
"So, that's good news, right?" Tabitha didn't understand what the problem was, but she wanted her first pony friend to not be so obviously broken and torn.
"It would be..." She sighed. "We didn't win entirely based on skill. The fabric she brought in for me to use came from another designer in that same contest who didn't know we'd make entire outfits out of it." Coco sank to the floor, head resting on a hoof. "I feel awful. The look on her face..."
It became much clearer. "Oh." It wasn't an open and shut case. "So, how important is this contest?"
"Extremely." Coco looked up towards the ceiling. "It could make or break us."
Tabitha looked over Coco, taking in her distraught face. "I may be being presumptuous, but it looks like you're being broken, contest won or not."
Coco flinched as if struck and flopped. "You're not wrong..." She pulled free a little trophy and set it on the ground. "I won't... I've not been completely honest."
"Oh?"
"The other designer. She didn't technically lose. She was just told she did, and she left without claiming her prize, so we could take it instead of second place." Coco sank miserably as if she could melt through the floor. "I'm a terrible pony."
Tabitha stood in the awkward silence a moment before she fixed on that abandoned trophy. "It's not too late."
"Hmm?"
"You have the trophy. Go find this other designer and do what you pretty obviously feel is right."
Coco sat up, blinking her puffy eyes. "You... You're right. She gave us that fabric out of the generosity of her heart. The least I can do is tell her the truth and give her what she rightfully earned." She rose to her hooves and plucked up the statue with her magic, tucking it away. "T-thank you. We've barely become friends and here you are... I owe you." She flashed a smile, then ran right out the door, leaving it open.
Tabitha had done well, but she felt like she just tipped a boulder over an edge. She got the idea that Coco would have come down even if she wasn't there, but she still smiled for taking part in that situation. She left Coco's apartment and locked the door behind her. It wouldn't do to leave it flapping in the breeze.
Another pony came soaring in that didn't mind flapping in a breeze. Razz flashed a huge smile. "Are ya ready for tonight? We're gonna blow the roof off!"
She had forgotten his tickets, but his presence was reminder enough. "Is there a dress code?"
He blinked at her. "Dress how you want to dress. A lot of ponies don't wear anything, but those that do often go with tie die." His eyes went from her feet to her head. "If you don't have tie die, nothing's just as good."
She felt a flush of anger before realizing that nudity was pretty normal among the ponies. Maybe he meant nothing by it. Either way... "I have something that'll work." It wasn't a bad time to set things straight though. "One thing, asking a human to show up anywhere naked isn't a good idea. We're very protective of that. Unless we're taking a bath or something, expect clothes."
He used a wing to pull at the sack that hung around his neck. "I don't get it, but I didn't mean anything, sorry. I mean, how do y--" He had the sense to abort that question. "Meet you in the lobby at six?"
"At six," she confirmed even as she headed for her own room to get ready. She got dressed in a shirt that read 'Rocking Hard' and some colorful armbands that she figured would fit in well with the ponies. Would they even see her clothes, or just the pegasus she was supposed to be?
Perhaps that pegasus would be wearing her outfit and she smiled at the idea of a pegasus with her choice in fashion. It was adorable in her eyes. "I almost wish I could see what they see." Not that she needed to be a pegasus. Being a human was grand, but it was like... "It's like wearing a hat you can't see but everyone else can." Speaking of hats, she put on a black cap and adjusted it a little before she grabbed her purse and slung it into place.
She descended to the lobby and emerged to find Razz Berry sitting there waiting for her. "How long have you been here?" He turned colors. Had he been there the entire time? "You said six."
"Yeah, but I was already ready." He turned for the exit. "Come on. Nice shirt. It's not as colorful as some, but you'll fit in just fine." He marched at a light trot out in the evening street and hung a right. "Have you ever been to a concert before? The Grateful Mares are very popular. I've been to one of their shows before, and I even have two of their records if you want to listen to them later." He didn't allow a moment silence between them, talking regularly as they wove through the sea of pony bodies.
"I think you'll like them. They're really cool, play well, and sing great songs."
Tabitha shook her head as she went ahead. One advantage of being something else to others was that there was always a little room around her for the pony she wasn't. It kept the crowd back. "So, are they all mares?"
"The name gave it away, huh?" He smiled as he crossed the street.
Another pony, a filly with a big smile, pressed in close to Tabitha. "Are you headed to the concert too?! This is my first and I'm so excited!"
"Once you go mare, none can compare," spoke Razz with a sage nod, but he kept moving.
Tabitha chuckled softly. "I've never seen this band before, but I've been to a concert before." She examined the young-looking pony. "So, what's your name?"
"Sugar Pop," reported the earth pony filly with a big smile that wouldn't die. "Nice to meet you, Miss...?"
"Tabitha."
"Tabitha." The filly nodded then looked ahead to Razz. "Hey, you see them before?"
"Yeah. You're in for a show." They arrived at the venue, a large thing that looked like Madison Square Garden. There was a line, but they were on the shorter of the two they could see. Sugar settled in just behind them.
Tabitha became curious. "Already got your ticket, I guess?"
"Yep!" She produced her ticket from whatever space ponies held things and waved it excitedly before a passing pony grabbed it in their mouth and walked right along, stealing the filly's ticket without a pause. "Hey! Hey!" She tried to follow her thief, but she couldn't make much headway through the crowd.
Tabitha felt a rising fury. It was bad enough stealing anything from anybody, but a little kid? That was seriously wrong. She shoved forward and ponies squeaked and complained even when she didn't touch them. She was pushing close enough that the pony she 'should' have been was running them over and they were reacting.
Complaints or not, she was making good time and she drew out some mace from her purse as she closed in on the thief. "Give that back right now..." She was pretty sure it was a stallion, but she couldn't be sure. It was a thick crowd, and her knowledge of ponies was still growing. She hopped forward and landed on one pony's back. They squeaked and turned red even as she slid down the other side and rushed for the thief. "Stop!"
The pony looked over... her... shoulder at Tabitha, eyes went wide, then narrowed. She tried to go faster, and it became an all-out chase.
The thief ducked into an alley and Tabitha charged after without thinking about it, at least until she was slammed into a brick wall. The mare she had been following snarled at her as she pressed Tabitha tight to the wall, but her stance was wrong. Tabitha was being pushed at the belly instead of neck, perhaps due to the illusion.
Even as the thief said something about making a mistake, Tabitha raised the pepper spray and depressed the trigger. With a hiss of an angry snake, she sprayed the big pony eyes in front of her.
The assailant reeled back as her eyes went red almost instantly and she wailed in pain. "What'd you do?! What is this!?" She collapsed, hooving at her face and incapacitated. Tabitha crouched down and quickly retrieving the fallen ticket.
"Don't steal, especially from kids, god." She turned and left the thief writhing in pain, and wondering how goats got involved in the affair.
Tabitha pushed back through the crowd. She wasn't in a specific rush that time and swam through it more sedately until she found the little filly next to Razz. She was sniffling and crying and Razz was trying to comfort her, but that all went away when Tabitha emerged with the girl's ticket.
"My ticket!" She rushed up and grabbed it, then hugged Tabitha tightly. "You're a hero!"
Razz smiled at the exchange. "I was worried about you. When did you become a vigilante? You coulda been hurt, but I'm glad it worked out."
Tabitha gently stroked the filly's mane before they parted. "I'm alright. That wasn't the smartest thing I ever did, but I couldn't just stand there and let them get away with that. The nerve..."
Razz nodded at that. "You're very brave."
"She sure is." They all turned to see a somewhat scraggly mare standing there. Despite her rough appearance, everyone around seemed to recognize her and stared with wide eyes. "Security told me what was going on. Seems we got a hero among us."
Razz raised a shaking hoof at Tabitha. "She stopped the thief and got the ticket back."
The mare looked over Tabitha's pegasus form, missing much of her human outline. "Righteous. Can I see your ticket?"
Razz quickly produced the two tickets for himself and Tabitha. She took it and the little filly's, then tore them right in half. Even as they fell, she produced a new set. "You had the wrong tickets, dudes and dudettes. Enjoy the show, and keep it real." She rose a hoof like she was giving a peace sign, then wandered off.
Tabitha watched the pony wander off and looked to Sugar and Razz, both shaking and giggling with excitement. She could guess what just happened. "Was that one of the Grateful Mares?"
Razz giggled a moment before he cleared his throat. "You, I mean, I guess you wouldn't. Yes! Yes! Look!" He presented the VIP tickets with backstage access. "The best tickets in the house!" He jumped forward and glomped her, and the girl was moments behind.
Tabitha smiled awkwardly. She'd never been a hero before, or been rewarded like that, or... been hugged by two people that still rated close to strangers. She couldn't really be angry at the little girl, but it pushed on just a bit too far for her to accept from Razz and she pushed both back. "Let's enjoy the show, front and back."
The show itself was a spectacle. Ponies grooved and danced energetically to the rock tunes put out by the mares up on the stage. Even Tabitha couldn't argue that the music seemed well done and performed as they played and sang together. It wasn't human music, but it was similar enough that she started to get into the rhythm of it and started to sway in place.
"Miss?" It was Sugar, smiling up at her. "You can wave your wings. It's alright."
Most pegasi were doing just that, and she was, in theory, one of those. She didn't actually have wings though. How did she make those limbs she didn't have move? She shook her head at the little filly. "I'm alright, promise."
"Like the music?" came from the other way at Razz leaned in. "They really lay a smooth groove, right?"
They did, and they were close enough to easily see it. The din of the crowd was almost entirely behind them. Tabitha smiled almost in spite of herself. The concert hadn't been her idea, but... "I'm glad you brought me out here." It was everything she really needed to remember she wasn't in a bad place, just a bizarre one.
There was some ruckus behind them as some ponies got carried away with their revelry. Security guards descended on them swiftly and they were escorted away. It seemed that the show hall had some standards, which Tabitha was alright with. Their smooth rock didn't really need a mosh pit.
When the performance entered a break, a pony came towards them with half-glasses tinted a bright purple. She smiled at all three of them. "You can go back now. The break's for about half an hour."
Razz and Sugar were both eager to go, and Tabitha went on for the ride. She didn't know these ponies, so they weren't her idols, but that didn't stop her from getting a little excited as she went. They were stars, even if it was a world of horses.
They entered the back where the titular mares were seated in comfortable-looking pillows and chatting quietly. That conversation faded as they approached and the mare they saw outside smiled up at them from where she sprawled. "Righteous. Welcome to the chill-out."
One of the other mares tipped a rather ornate pipe she had hanging from her lips casually. "You're the one that put the smack down on that perp outside, right?" The first nodded. "Wicked. What's your name, filly?"
The other two with Tabitha looked ready to burst, but didn't butt in on the conversation as much as they clearly wanted to. "Tabitha," she offered with a smile. "I just kinda did what came to mind and worried about it later." They all had to look of grungy musicians, but they seemed nice enough. "Nice to meet you."
One who hadn't spoken yet sat up and looked over Tabitha's pony form. "She's acting like she ain't never saw us before tonight. She's either playing it cool, or..."
"She hadn't," volunteered Razz, getting in on the chat. "I brought her here to hear some good music."
"Good taste," complimented the first. "Hey, little filly." She was looking at Sugar. "Come here."
Sugar stepped forward with a little shaking, smiling ever so wide. "Yes?"
The mare offered a hoof. "Keep it cool, alright?"
The filly giggled nervously before she raised her own hoof and they met with a loud clop. "I'm your biggest fan!"
The Grateful Mare smiled gently. "Biggest? Afraid they come a bit larger, but I can tell you're real. Keep a hold of this." She took off her own glasses and handed it out with a hoof.
Sugar drew a sharp breath before she accepted the glasses. She ran off giggling and squealing, her night made complete.
Tabitha could see the piercing green eyes of the singer as they met gazes.
"Now that it's just adults in here... There's something off about you, Tabitha."
Tabitha flinched faintly, but Razz practically jumped. Horses were bad at keeping secrets. She shook her head. "How so?"
"Hard to place," admitted the mare as she looked to her band-mates. "Any of you get it?"
"Drinks are, like, here." Another mare approached with a dreamy look to her face and a little smile.
"You're the best, Tree," spoke one of the ponies as they accepted their mugs.
The pony with the half glasses peeked around the corner. "Show's about to wind up, time for the VIPs to get back."
The mystery seemed it would remain just that, which was alright by Tabitha. She wasn't sure how ready that world was to greet the human that walked among them just yet.
When the show was over, she casually moved for the exit. Razz was stunned at the idea. "You don't want to hang out more? Come on, they were cool, and they dug you."
"Perhaps, but at least one of them got a bit too curious for my liking. If they want to stay at my building, that's fine, but I'm not in any hurry to go telling people outside that." Tabitha waved a few fingers before she departed, alone.
She knew the way home, at least. Her general sense for city geography hadn't failed her, even in horse city, and she made her way there unerringly. As she reached for the handle to the front door, she saw the reflection of the mare she fought before and ducked out of the way just in time for a sack to strike at empty air.
"Stand still! Damn pegasus." Her horn glowed a brilliant blue as her eyes narrowed.
Tabitha was ready to spring again, but was she? As the pony came closer, she didn't move. Her muscles refused to obey her.
The unicorn easily slipped the sack over her and pulled the string tight. "That's mor--Oof!" Tabitha's sack fell, her with it.
"Hey, watch where you're going!"
"You are in the way," spoke a stern and familiar voice. It was her monster on floor 2.
"You haven't even started to see in the way!" barked the unicorn.
"You were warned." Tabitha heard the unicorn complain, then a body hit the ground roughly. Something broke. Her monster liked breaking things by throwing them. "Miss Tabitha, are you well?"
She was pulled free of her sack and set back on her feet by the monster. She could move a little, whatever had been done to her fading slowly. "Y-yeah, she did..." She stopped as she looked around, but the unicorn was gone. "Crap, where'd she go?"
"I did not care. You are well." He moved past Tabitha and into the building without other pauses or looking back.
Tabitha let out a sigh and proceeded inside herself, closing the door securely behind herself. Pony land had its dark sides, it seemed. Where there was a city, there would be low-lifes. She saw a pony in front of the office she didn't recognize and went there instead of her room. "Hey, can I help you?"
The pony turned with neither horn nor wings. He smiled. "Are you the owner of the building?"
"I am, what's up?"
He actually glanced up before answering, "Oh, we have a bit of an overflow at the convention and we were wondering--"
"These are apartments, not hotel suites," cut in Tabitha. "What convention?" She felt a bit curious.
"Manehatten Bipedcon!" he reported with a proud smile. "And I know, but we've already tried the local hotels. I know you wouldn't be offering the usual hotel amenities, but if ponies are ready to pay and you have empty rooms?"
She was being offered money. She'd have to get someone in to clean up the rooms afterwards, but that would be considerably less than she could ring from them... "How long is it?"
"Three days, starting Friday."
That was just the next day. "Last minute huh? That'll be extra. Hundred and Twenty-five bits a night, and they need to know this isn't a hotel. We don't have room service, but they get a sink, kitchen, and all the comforts of home, which includes cleaning it yourself." That would put her solidly ahead for each pony that accepted.
It was only after he left that the thought came to her. Would ponies staying temporarily break her illusion? Would they banish the creatures from beyond? She drew in a soft hiss of breath as she ascended to her room. There was no such thing as free money, even if she had to remind herself of that once in a while.
She settled in for sleep, and was totally wound down. She even clicked off her light when the knocking came.
Tabitha sighed and wandered to the door in her pajamas to see Razz standing on the other side, grinning like a loon.
She sighed once more and opened it for him.
"Tabby! They really get to partying after the show's over. I told you to... Are you alright?" He quieted as he saw her looking tired and ready to sleep, not to mention grumpy to see him. "Is this a bad time? I thought you had fun..."
"No! No... I did." She reached for his head and pet him like any animal, an act that seemed to draw a perking of his ears. "I was just heading to bed. I have to get ready to take the overflow for some convention."
"Which one?" he asked, seeming to get right over his worry. "I'll help if I can."
That made Tabitha curious. "Razz, what do you do for a living?"
He froze.
"Razz?"
He glanced away and back at her, squirming.
"Razz..." She leaned forward. "You had money, where'd it come from?"
"My savings," he mumbled miserably.
"So you don't have a job?"
"I... Can I help you?" He smiled brightly.
Tabitha did not return the gesture. "Is this why you've been so friendly to me?"
"W-what? No! I swear! No!" He shook his hooves and wings in contrary signals. "Please, no!" He liked that word. "I... just like you."
"You said you liked me when I was a pegasus. Then I wasn't, and you kept on liking me." She raised a brow. "You'll forgive me for being suspicious."
"What con?" he asked, diverting the topic.
She sighed softly. "Manehattan Bipedcon?"
His eyes widened. "That's this weekend, isn't it?"
"Yeah? Why?"
"Ask for tickets!"
Tabitha's eyes narrowed a little. "I'm not trying to go to a..." Then it became clear. "You're a pervert for bipeds."
Razz went a bright red.
"I am not your fetish!" shouted Tabitha sternly.
"It's not that! I mean, not just that..."
"Just that? Look, leave me alone." She slammed the door right in his hurt face.
Tabitha awoke the next day. She made a quick breakfast, wishing she had access to her older, faster, food. Even if the food she made herself seemed healthier for her, there was the convenience factor.
Dressed, fed, and awake, Tabitha went hurriedly to the elevator to find a pony also waiting for it. It was Coco. "Oh, hello." She looked happier. "She took it very well."
"Got things straightened out then?"
"More than that," said Coco with building happiness. "She gave me a new job, which means I don't work for Polomare anymore. She's gone off with her friends, though I do hope to see her again. She's a much nicer peer than Polomare could hope to be."
Tabitha had never met the other pony, but that seemed an easy task. She stepped into the elevator with Coco and they both rode to the first floor. Coco trotted out the door as Tabitha headed for the office.
There were many sheets of paper that looked like they were shoved under the door the night before. She browsed them quickly and found many names, each more whimsical than the last. They had arrival and departure dates and she sighed at them. She would make money, but she'd have to earn it. "This isn't a damn hotel," she grumbled to herself, but she had no one to blame. She saw the money, and she took it. She only had herself to point a finger at.
At the bottom of the list, probably first shoved under the door, were two sponsor-level tickets to the event with a little note.
Thanks for making your building available for our con goers to use. We can't offer anything, as a con, except these tickets. You deserve more, but please accept them and know you made a lot of ponies of many races happy.
Keeping it Upright, Manehattan Bipedcon
The letter had a stationery that showed all three types of pony standing upright and waving behind the words. She squinted as she imagined if people had cons where they ran around on all fours. That would be... curious. She set the paper and its tickets aside on her desk and fished out keys to go with each paper to plan for the future.
Plans had to be advanced... She moved out to the phone in the lobby and quickly called the repair crew. "Hello there. Look, I'm going to have temporary tenants, so I want the fixes to the visible things pushed to the top of the list."
"That'll be extra..."
Tabitha sighed, but it's not as if she hadn't used the exact same line. "Get on it."
"You got it. We'll be over in about an hour and get to work."
She hung up and nodded, that was one thing she felt confident in. The work done for the roof was solid and they all seemed dependable people.
The front door pushed open as Razz entered. He saw her and cringed. He edged around her. "I'd leave, um, miss, but I used the last of my money moving in here..."
The statement confused Tabitha a little. "How'd you end up with those tickets?"
He fidgeted in place, clearly hiding something.
Tabitha huffed. "Start being honest."
"Alright, fine... Some, uh, friends got them for me."
She offered him a hand and he quickly closed the distance and nuzzled it.
"Sorry," he said, muffled by the hand. "I... I'm not a pervert."
He really was like a big talking dog at times, or so Tabitha thought. "Look, it was the middle of the night." She waved back to the office. "I have over two dozen people that'll be here today. It was bad timing all around, but if you don't have a job, how do you plan to pay for next month?"
He glanced away and back up at her. "I was looking for a job. I could help out around here? I mean, I have wings, you, um, don't. Not ones that work anyway. I'll clean windows and clear gutters and..."
She leaned forward a little, looming over him. "What happened at your last job?" There was a lot that could be told about a person from how they went from employed to not, and he started to look quite guilty. "Did you slack off?"
"No!" He waved his wings in a sharp negative. "I was one of the best workers he had!"
"And yet, here you are, not working for him." He looked all the more miserable. "Truth."
"Truth," he sighed out. "I... let my friends do something they shouldn't, They kinda, um, took some things that didn't belong to them..."
It was all coming to a stark sort of relief. "Was one of them a unicorn, female, could paralyze?"
He blinked at that and rolled his ears back. "Wh-- I mean yes! Yes... truth, right?"
"Right..." She put a hand to the side of her head. "Your 'friend' tried to kill or kidnap me last night, not to mention stealing a ticket from a little girl." He sagged in place, looking quite miserable. "I'm alright." He perked a bit at that. "But that's beside the point. Why do you have 'friends' like that? It sounds like they cost you, and keep right on costing you, a lot."
He sat up tall even if he was silent a moment.
The front door pulled open and admitted the trio from the repair company. On seeing her, Heavy approached first. "Hey! We're going to go right down the list. You seem like an honest sort, and we hope we've proven reliable, so we'll give you bills as each thing is done. You have thirty days to pay, alright?"
Thirty days? She could work with that. "Go ahead. Thanks for taking this on with such short notice."
"It'll be on the bill," she reported cheerfully as they went off to get working on the building.
Tabitha looked back to see Razz smiling at her. "Hey. You have a lot of rooms that need cleaning. Can I do that?"
"We haven't finished this." She let it go though. There were too many things that needed doing. "Start with the first floor and we'll see how it turns before we consider the second, alright." She escorted him to the keys and gave him a door key to all the rooms except the one being lived in. "Dust, clean stains, keep it simple. I'm not asking for repair jobs. If you see something that looks like it needs fixing, let me know which room and what."
He gave a sharp salute with a wing. "I'll get it done before you even realize I'm gone." He dashed away before she could respond.
"You appear troubled." It was the monster from the second floor, gazing at her with his piercing eyes. "Did you find a troubling intersection?"
He knew? Of course he knew. "Look, can you tell me anything about this place? I mean, the building I grew up with didn't have spells on it or eldritch horrors behind random doors." A dangling thought bothered her. What if the repair ponies or Razz wandered into those horrors?
He nodded slowly. "You are unaware of what you guard? During the daylight hours, you are safe in part. When the sun hides, so should you. Do your duty as caretaker and harm shall avoid you." He turned to leave, offering no more answers no matter how loudly she asked them and was soon gone.
Tabitha let out a little sigh. It was clearly day, so the repair crew and Razz were probably safe, that was good. She owned a house of horrors, that was less good. There was still the question if the temp... Ah! She hurried to the office and got to drafting.
For each paper, she wrote up a quick and temporary agreement that required their signature. She'd make them as official as possible to make things move the way they had to. Having even one of them snapped up by a creature beyond comprehension would look bad for her and the building.
A soft clopping at the door made her look up to see a bright purple pony with a green unicorn and pegasus. They all came in and explained they were going to the con and would be staying together.
She found the paper for one of them, but it didn't have the other two... "I'll need you all to sign this, one under the other." She slid the paper to them, waiting to see if it worked.
The unicorn signed first, then gasped.
The pegasus tilted their head at the unicorn before signing and joining in the gaping at Tabitha.
The regular pony was last, shaking their head. "It's rude to stare." With a scribble, their name was added, only for the pen to fall to the desk. "Oh wow..."
Tabitha held up her hands. "Before you freak out--"
"Wow? Did you say wow?" asked the pegasus as she soared right over the desk. "Leave it to the con to get a real biped to run the overflow hotel! We really won out." She extended a hoof. "Nice to meet you, miss...?"
"Tabitha," she offered, having to shake hooves with each of them. They weren't horrified. They were delighted. One of them wanted to take a picture, but the picture just showed a pegasus with them. This made them sad, but it was Tabitha's first real chance to see her pegasus self.
Her wings were tucked in tight and she smiled the pony way. She wanted to know more about her pony side, but there was work to do. "Mind if I keep this?" They didn't care, since it didn't show the mythical human they were with.
No sooner did she send them off did the next pony come. She got many excited squeals, some cries of being a faker, and at least two marriage proposals. There was no doubt which convention they were all going to, as none of them left unhappy to see a human among them, even if some were convinced it was an illusion, magical or not.
Razz poked his head in. "First floor's cleared." He returned all the keys dutifully. "Should I start on the second?"
"Is this where the human's hiding?" asked a pony, head shoved right over Razz's and frowning as he saw a pegasus, not a human.
Tabitha waved a pen at the new pony. "Only temporary residents get to see that. Are you staying with us?"
"I have a room, thanks..." He wandered off with a pout, but it did prove one thing.
Tabitha imagined bits raining from the sky a moment. She would fill all her rooms for a few days, collecting half a month's rent for a few day's stay.
"Tabby?" Razz was still looking at her. He blushed. "S-sorry! Tabitha. Miss Tabitha."
She wanted to be angry at him, no, furious on some levels, but she just couldn't manage it on seeing his worried expression. "You're fine, Razz. I need you to double time it. You have permission to clean out the entire building, minus the occupied rooms. In fact, I have payment..."
"What? I mean, I don't need anything. Staying here is enough..." He shuffled awkwardly.
"That's not how it works." She slid a paper across the desk, a ticket attached. "You do the work, you get paid. I just have one condition."
His eyes lit up as he saw what the ticket was exactly. "Yeah?"
"No more of those 'friends' of yours. They're not friends. They're trouble."
He winced as if stung. "They are my friends... I knew them since I was a colt."
"Maybe as kids," She pulled the paper back. "You grew up, they went a different way. Do you really want a friend that'd steal from a little child like that?"
"Well, no..." He turned for the door. "Look, I'll get to cleaning, alright. See you later Tab-- Miss Tabitha."
It was evening. Tabitha leaned back in her chair with a weary sigh. She'd had to hire on a few other ponies to keep the mess down, and since they would be poking around the building, she'd had them sign papers, and they had ranged from curious to one being terrified. When that one left, she tore his contract apart.
In the end, she had her crew, which happened to include Razz.
"The con-goers seem happy," reported Razz as he stepped in. "Most are just going out for food." He glanced at the paper and the ticket that still laid on the table. "You know... They're my friends. If this is my payment for my work, I want it. Asking me to... leave them isn't what a boss should do."
Tabitha sat up at that. She felt angry, very angry, but he wasn't... entirely wrong. "No... As someone who is getting to know you, I can tell you I think they're bad news."
"Noted and received." He sat up tall. "Now I will accept my payment and see you in the morning." He reached a wing for the paper and the ticket.
She caught his wingtip, which made him blush intensely. "Before you go, there is one thing I can insist on, as your boss and your landlady. They are not allowed here, in this building. I don't want or need outright criminals here."
He squirmed faintly. "I-I suppose you can do that." He got the paper away and started giggling as he read it. "Sponsor level..." His thoughts took a sudden jump from track to track. "Why aren't you going?"
"Be a human at Biped con? Look, I don't really suggest being a pony at pony con."
"There's a pony con?"
She smiled a little. "Never been myself, but I've heard about it. Thousands on thousands of people, all eager about magical ponies that can talk."
He shook his head firmly. "I'm sure it wouldn't be so bad. We have some minotaurs and young dragons there, and they're bipeds."
"And I assume they're 'normal'."
"Sort of...?" Razz perked an ear. "I mean, everyone knows they exist, but you can go your life without actually seeing one." He waved the ticket in a wing. "Here's my chance to see one! Maybe both?"
Tabitha put a hand on her chest. "I don't know about them, but being gawked at like a rare animal is not what makes me happy. I guess they like it enough, or they wouldn't be there. That's why I'm not going."
Razz reared up, his hooves resting on the edge of the desk. "That's a bad reason! You can tell me things as a friend, fine, that goes two ways. Come on and let's have some fun."
She reached and gently tapped his nose, enough to make him withdraw. "It's been a long day. Even if I thought it was a great idea, I'm exhausted. I'm going to go straight to bed-con. You have fun if you're up for it, alright?" She pushed to her feet and began closing up the office.
Razz let her go, standing in the lobby as she retreated. He tucked the ticket away. "Suit yourself, miss having no fun." Snubbing the Grateful Mares and letting the convention go? He didn't understand mares. Or, uh, whatever. She was a mare on two legs. A... pretty mare, in her bizarre way. Mares didn't have... She had...
She wasn't really a mare at all.
He didn't care. He almost wanted to care, but he didn't. He grunted softly as he shook himself out. She was like a bad habit he couldn't quit.
He trotted out of the building.
"Yo, Razzy." A unicorn approached with a big bandage right around her barrel. "When are you going to move out of that loser pad?"
Why did both sides of his friends want him to leave the other? "Can we not talk about that right now?" His eyes were drawn to that bandage. "What happened to you?"
"Your new marefriend happened to me." She wrinkled her snout.
Razz tried to imagine Tabitha getting violent. She wouldn't do that, right? "How'd it happen?"
"I wandered up to her place to, you know, talk with her, see what's up with my boy Razzy and she just snaps." The unicorn blew a big bubble of gum in emphasis. "Never got thrown so far in my life. Doc says I broke a rib doing it, all thanks to your, uh, whatever she is."
He blinked softly, but went quiet. There wasn't much he could say, other than, "I hope it gets better soon."
"That's all you're gonna say?" She huffed and partially turned from him. "I got this for you, moron. Shoot, I haven't even got a thank you for those tickets I went and got for you. Some friend you are. I bet she didn't even like them."
"S-she liked it just fine." He glanced away from her. "Look, I gotta go."
"Go where?" She circled around in front of Razz. "You look ready to run."
"I am, but not away. I'm going to a fun place, by myself."
"You're not taking me?" She frowned a little. "And after I got you those tickets? I thought favors ran both ways, Razzy boy."
Razz considered getting the other ticket for his friend, but... it would be a betrayal. As much as his friends hated each other, he wouldn't be their weapon. "I only have the one."
"Let me have it then. Where's it to?"
"Biped Con, you wouldn't want to go anyway," he assured. He felt safe in that guess, and he wanted to keep that ticket!
She didn't, but watching him squirm was fun, still... "I would, but I'm still healing up. You go have fun." He looked quite relieved. "Don't get too happy about me getting my flank kicked." She spat out her gum and trotted off, lost to the crowd quickly.
He watched her go before he let out a breath. He tried to put the whole troubling thing out of his head and rushed to the convention. He showed his ticket and was given a badge, then reared up onto his hind legs to awkwardly advance into the hall as others were trying, though many more had grown tired of trying that and were walking around normally.
He stopped in on some later panels, said hello to people, and talked about things. If he didn't have work the next day, he'd chalk it up to a well-spent evening.
"Hey," said one of his new friends. "Are you going to be there for the Humanway demo?"
"I don't usually play... what is that?"
"You don't know? It doesn't matter, there'll be a real human there! He may be some kind of stunt for Humanway, but he looks real. He has a tag on that says Ponyfinder, get it? He's like the opposite of a Humanway player."
"He?" Razz lifted a brow and the fellow nerd nodded. Razz made up his mind quickly. He didn't want 'his' Tabitha to meet a male human. He couldn't be sure they wouldn't hit it right off or some kind of pheromones would have them going at it. Did humans have those? That would explain why being around Tabitha made him feel so dreamy...
"You alright? You look distracted."
"Oh! Sorry." He smiled at his new friend. "Afraid I have to work tomorrow, so I won't be there." He turned for the exit. "Speaking of which, I should get some sleep in. I'll be collecting my swag and heading home."
"Aw, have fun!" The geeky pony waved emphatically as Razz trotted away.
Razz returned home with a bag of goodies, including a plush figure of an upright pony, one of the con's mascots. He didn't want to go, but he didn't want to stay, or go back, at least not if Tabitha might come looking for him. Keeping her away from the male human felt too important. If he lost her that way...
He shook his head violently. "We aren't colt and marefriend. I don't 'own' her." His words sounded empty to himself even as he reminded himself of the bitter fight going on between his friends. He wanted her... "I'm not a pervert." He wouldn't ever hurt her! He would go just as fast as she wanted to go. He would even... leave, if she asked.
Stepping into his room, he kicked the door shut and stopped in front of the tall mirror, gazing at the reflection of himself. He was a strange pegasus... Even those at the con wanted to see, but what he was doing... "She doesn't even like me that way," he muttered to himself as he set the bag aside and sighed loudly. "I'm thinking impossible things like marriage, and all she sees is a tenant that needs help. How can she be attracted to a loser?" He grunted before he suddenly swung his hoof forward, smashing the mirror in the violent blow.
Just as soon as he had done it, he regretted it. If she saw it... He had lashed out for no good reason. With a soft grunt, he gathered up the bits of glass and hurried it out of the building into the nearest dumpster.
"You look troubled."
He spun in place to see the monster of the second floor.
"Your eyes shine with an anger only a male could know."
"How would you know?" Sure, it seemed to speak with a male voice, but deciding the rest matched...
"Astute," spoke the monster. "You're the first to question that. I am untroubled, however. Did the caretaker evict you?"
"W-what? No! Did she say she was going to?" His sweat ran cold at the thought.
"No. It was merely conjecture. Equine male, you pursue a female, but she is not equine."
"I know that..." How could he not? She was no pony.
"Her ways are not your ways. Will you ask her to come to your side of things, or will you join her?"
"She's bossing me around!" Being lectured by the creature, monster or not, was grating.
"She is a female. In you she sees a wounded young, lost but savable, so she acts. Others would have evicted you before now. More the fool is she for trying to fix problems that are not hers." The monster started to walk right past Razz.
He wouldn't accept that and quickly scurried in the way. "Wait! Please."
"You are in the way."
The words sent a dread chill through Razz's body. That monster was, well, a monster. He shouldn't challenge it, but... "Please..."
The beast let out a slow sigh. "As a favor to the caretaker, we will speak briefly longer. Ask."
"I don't want to be her foal... I want to be her equal, and..."
"You wish to woo her despite your incredibly poor position. You have some bravery, or is that desperation?"
"Whatever it is, what do I have to do?"
He raised a long finger. "First, you should make your own decisions." They stared at one another for a quiet moment. "I thought you would ignore that. Very well, fix yourself. Mend the breaks in you so she doesn't have to. Become that peer you wish to be. You should not need her." It moved past Razz. He made a feeble attempt to stop him, but the beast shoved him back firmly, though gently. "We will meet again." Then it, or he, or maybe even she? The monster left.
Razz crashed to his haunches, head full of the ideas given to him by the full day and the conversation he had just ended. "Be what I want to be..."
Tabitha looked over some sheets of paper the repair crew had given her. They'd been busy, and confused. "Leave those wires alone," she decided.
The pegasus tilted his head a bit. "They don't seem to do anything! Are you certain, ma'am?"
They were the remnants of wires that helped get the building internet. If they ever regained access, said wires would need to be replaced... "They're not hurting anything, right?"
"Well, no, not exactly."
"Pretend they aren't there. The rest of this looks good. Thank you all for being on top of it." She surrendered her signature and some bits for their work. They were expensive, but proving worth it. She hadn't felt so good about her building in a while. "Come back after the con's over so we can get to work on the internals."
"Yes ma'am!" The pegasus grabbed the bits and the signed paper with two swipes of his wings before dashing off.
"Look, look, there she is!" exclaimed a unicorn tenant. Her friends came to look, but they only saw a mildly bemused pegasus. "What? Don't you see her?"
"See what?" asked an earth pony mare as she rolled her eyes. "Sorry to bother you, ma'am."
Tabitha nodded at the pony even as the unicorn looked all the more harried. "But... she's right there."
"The pegasus?"
A male unicorn shook his head. "Really sorry to bother you."
The female clopped her hoof on the floor. "Look! I don't know how they do it, but if you stay here, you can see it." She marched towards Tabitha. "I can see it."
Tabitha held up a hand. "Hold it right there. You don't need to prove anything, just enjoy what you have."
She snorted. "But I want them to see it!" She reached out to poke Tabitha, but she hopped back, knocking her chair back and avoiding any contact. "Hold still. Look, if I touch your human parts then..."
She was grabbed by the earth pony. "That's enough of that. We love you, and that means we don't want you arrested. That'd be a sucky way to remember Bipedcon."
The unicorn stallion tipped his hat that looked like a minotaur's head, with his horn serving as an awkward horn. "We'll get out of your way, Miss. Thanks."
They left, one of them complaining. but they were gone. Tabitha got her seat back in place and settled down in time for a new sort of pony to enter. She had long limbs, taller than those around her. She had a regal stance and aura to her, and her eyes were... angular? It was as if her eyes were made of gems, and the rest of her seemed faintly shimmering as well. "Hello," she said. "I require lodging. You are the caretaker, are you not?"
That word... Only one other person had used it to describe her. "I'm the owner, yes. Are you with the con? We're all out of rooms."
"I am not with any convention you are aware of." She raised a fine brow at Tabitha. "Let us dispense with frivolities. You are the Caretaker. I would rather us be allies. I require lodging."
Tabitha tensed. She was speaking to another monster, even if the word was patently unfair. She knew she was speaking to no pony, despite how equine she appeared. "I wasn't lying. I rented all my rooms for the weekend."
"The week's end? I was informed this is a place of enduring residence. Was I misinformed? You are the Caretaker, are you not?" She approached a step. "I require lodging. This is not optional. Ah..." She suddenly relaxed. "You wish for payment, perhaps more than first intended. Very shrewd... Very well, procure me lodging and I will grant any one boon, if it is within my means to grant."
Was she just bribed with a literal wish? Tabitha stood up, shaking a little. "You wouldn't want to be here if I skimped on rental agreements, I imagine."
"This is true."
"Then know that I am speaking the truth. Seriously, we're all booked up."
"The situation doesn't change." She leaned forward, her slender neck holding her head close. "Find me lodging."
The pony, or what pretended to be a pony, had that unnerving glare of something beyond even that world of magic. Saying an outright no would have consequences, the sort she didn't want. "Look, what if you stayed with me for a few days, then we'll get you settled into a room of your own?"
The monster suddenly smiled. "This is acceptable, caretaker. We will share lodgings then. You will find I am an agreeable sort, so long as the basics are seen to. I imagine you do not have the food I require. Give me the access to our shared room and I will begin bringing it in."
Tabitha fished out a second key to her own apartment. She hadn't needed two keys since her parents... She gave the key to the stranger, and things changed.
She was standing on two legs. She had pointed ears and was... shapely. She was an elf, the kind of elf that people drew lusty art about in their blogs. She had icy eyes that still shone like gems. She was roommates with a real elf. "Ah, a human," spoke the elf. "This is quite a pleasure. Our people can get along quite well." She didn't seem surprised that Tabitha had changed, only what she had turned into. "We will speak later. Ah, I'm being rude. My name translates roughly to Spring Breeze. You may address me as Spring, as befits a person who shares lodging. I hope we will become good allies."
Spring left as Tabitha sank into her chair, rattled, but not entirely in a bad way. "I'm roomies with an elf, and she's stacked." If Tabitha was going to be suddenly living with someone, she could think of far worse than a seemingly polite and eye-pleasing elf of all things.
Tabitha thought back to the pony she first saw. Was that what ponies would think was an enchanting figure? Something exotic but with all the right shapes to make the heart flutter? Not that Tabitha swung that way! She shook her head violently. She wasn't a carpet muncher! Well, she... wasn't much of anything really. She wasn't a virgin, but she never really got into any of that for very long...
"Oh god, I'm considering going gay for an elf..."
"Tabby?" Razz poked his head in, reminding her that there were males that found her captivating. Equine males. "Can I take the day off?"
Tabitha blinked out of her distraction. "What for?"
"I want to find a job."
The confusion only deepened. "You're taking a day off work to find work?"
"Look, this... You're doing it to be nice, and I appreciate it, but I should find a real job." He flashed a bright smile. "I'll stand on my own hooves."
She returned the gesture, feeling lighter in her chest. "Go then. Spread those wings of yours and soar. God, listen to me, being so flowery. Seriously, go, and get a job you'll be happy with. Just don't let your 'friends' drag you down, alright?"
He backed away, ready to flee. "I'll get something good, you'll see!"
Tabitha frowned faintly at where Razz once stood. The way he said that sounded like he wanted to impress her. She'd be happy if he had a job to pay his way without her doing it, but impressed? That'd be harder...
She put a few fingers to her temples as it struck her plainly. He still lusted for her, in all the right and wrong ways. "He's a horse!" she complained to the empty room, and her words seemed just as empty in a sense. The fact that he was a pony didn't change much. His poor attitude and place in life meant more, but he was trying to fix that. She smiled a little, wishing him luck. Was she attracted to him at all?
She shook her head more slowly. Fair or not, she hadn't even looked at horses that way. If he was literally... as hung as a horse, that would... "What am I even thinking?" She banished all such thoughts of the mating habits of humans and equines and rose from her chair.
Tabitha emerged to see Spring moving with a heavy-looking satchel full of unknown things. She had it on her back and was waiting for the elevator. Idling, Spring noticed Tabitha entering. "Hail, Caretaker. I will be mindful to not damage your possessions."
That was good, or so Tabitha quickly decided as she looked over the elf. Damn she was a looker. "I have a guest room I usually just stuff whatever into. Take that for now."
"Agreeable." She stepped into the elevator and was soon gone from sight.
Tabitha stepped out into the fresh air of the street. It was early afternoon and she stretched out wide, relieved that she was handling things as well as she was, and just in need for a good --
"Watch it." A pony glared at her despite standing some distance away and walking past her with some grumbling.
How had Tabitha bothered them from so far away? The answer came to her easily. Her wings, fake as they were, must have stretched with the rest of her. "Ah ha." She got an idea and marched down to the nearest pony department store.
It was like watching an old time documentary with so many old things offered as new and exciting, except the one thing she wanted. "Excuse me." She stopped a mare from rushing past. "I'm looking for the camcorders."
"What?"
"You know, you hold them up and they record what someone's doing?"
"You mean cameras?" She smiled hopefully. "We have a selection of cameras. The newest ones even have an automatic focus! They're really quite remarkable. Would you like to see them?"
That would have to do. "Sure, show me those."
"Just this way." The mare got to trotting with a smile. "Now, for a pegasus, you'll probably want something rugged and wind resistant. We have just the thing..."
Tabitha was not a pegasus! She wondered a moment if there really was an Easy Glider, and if they would be annoyed at this human taking over their life and building. "I'll be mostly taking pictures from the ground, on a tripod if you have one."
"Ah, alright." The salesmare reached with her magic and plucked a particular model off a row of others. "You may want to look at this, ma'am. Assuming good light, it practically takes care of the rest on its own!"
So could her smartphone, in theory, but she wanted a pony device, not a human one. "Fascinating. How much would such a wondrous device set back someone?"
The enthusiasm of the salesmare dimmed faintly. "If price is a concern, we may want to start with--"
"I don't care how rich I get, I want to know how much I'm spending. I have bits."
"Oh, well." She forced a smile. "This one goes for a thousand bits." She must have seen Tabitha's reaction to the price. "We do have great layaway options available."
That would be a heavy hit on her bits. "How does layaway work?" That was from before her time. She had a credit card... that was almost assuredly no good in horse land.
"Oh, that's easy! You pay at least ten percent up front, then once you pay off the value of the item, you can come pick it up. Paying up front means there'll be one put away just for you, waiting for you to have the full amount paid."
"There's no fee for that?"
The salesmare seemed surprised at the idea. "That's not a bad idea, but no. We just do it for the good of our customers. Still, if you don't pay at least five percent a month, we reserve the right to cancel the layaway and set the item back out. You lose the funds you paid in that case, ma'am."
Firm, but fair. Considering she heard no mention of fees or interest, she didn't see the downside to it, besides not having the camera right away. "I'll take it, on layaway. I'll pay about a third now, three hundred bits. I'll have more after the weekend's over."
"Of course, ma'am, just this way." The salesmare guided Tabitha over to a department that seemed devoted to layaways, and the form-filling began.
Tabitha sat down at her chair, confident and pleased. The camera would soon be hers, and she would have an unfettered view of herself, as the ponies saw her.
Beep, or so her computer produced.
She wiggled her mouse to wake up the screen and quickly saw she had an email. She hurriedly checked, but the computer reported to be offline despite the arrival of the correspondence.
It was a reply to the thread with the same force that had brought her and her building into that crazy world.
"Is that you, Caretaker?" Spring poked her head around the corner. "Ah, it is. If we are to share living space, we should endeavor to know one another and be polite to one another's doings."
Tabitha flashed a smile, eyes glancing between the comely elf and her screen. She wanted to see that email. "Let's do that, but let me check this first."
"What matter of magic device is that? I suppose it would make sense that any Caretaker would possess such magic devices. I will leave you to your sorceries. Knock on my door when you are ready to speak." Spring folded an arm to put a hand over her heart, even if she missed by a few inches thanks to her shape.
Tabitha found herself thinking impure thoughts again as her new roommate departed. Shaking her head vigorously, she turned her attention back to the computer and pulled up that email.
Good day.
I have been good to my word, and you have adjusted quite well. I'm proud of you.
Tabitha developed a quick smirk. As if she needed the approval of some magical creeper? Still, the fact that it, whatever it was, was still watching her was somewhat worrying. She drew the blinds and resumed reading.
No need for that. You are an actor in my play, but have no fear. I don't use strings. Puppets are dreadfully boring. I will set the stage and populate it with actors, but only the rare one will have even the hint of a string. You're much more fascinating with your approximation of free-will to cling to.
She scowled at the words. They could be taken as a threat, and she wasn't sure how else to accept it. The idea of her... everything, being some mad thing's device like that? She considered abandoning the email entirely, but she wanted to know if it had anything productive to say.
Good, you're still there. Don't get worked up. It's not as if you can control who comes or leaves your life. Make the best of it. Your situation is quite fascinating. Either way you turn, bestiality.
She raised a brow.
Don't give that look. The elf is just as inhuman as any horse, she just has a shape you recognize more easily. The words you understand that spill from her lips thinly hide just how unlike you she is. Is that bad? Is a fur pelt bad? Speaking of that, eager to explore your own pelt? I'm excited to see what you do with that knowledge. Go on, she's waiting for you, and you have so much to learn.
The letter ended there, though it had adapted itself to her reactions. She didn't like that. She didn't like whoever or whatever was sending those messages! But... they had also kind of saved her, and her building. Sure, she might have pulled out of the nosedive and found some clients, or she might not have. Either way, it had provided her with an overabundance. Yet, it had... kind of taken away everything else.
She sighed as she pushed to her feet. It was right about one thing, Spring was waiting for her.
Tabitha wandered down the hallway and knocked lightly on what had been her guest room. "All done."
There was silence a moment, then the door swung open with a gust of fresh air and the scent of pollen. The world before her was like a thick forest and its queen stood before her. "I'm glad you came," said Spring with a nod. "I've made things comfortable while you were busy."
Tabitha glanced around with wide eyes, taking in the stretching forest vistas that seemed much larger than her room should have ever supported. "Uh... So... Wh--"
"Come, enter. We have so much to discuss." She stepped to the side and waved inwards.
Tabitha advanced on uncertain feet. "What'd you do to my guest room?"
"It is mine for now, so I made myself at home." She gestured with a wide hand. "Welcome. I trust the forest does not bother you much? I am told humans enjoy the sights of it, even if they hide in their cities."
She did... sorta. It was enchanting, and terrifying all at once. "What about my stuff?"
"Your possessions are safe. It would be impolite to cause them harm during my stay." She closed the door behind Tabitha and they were surrounded by forest. There was only the barest hint of the door, with the forest going in all directions. "This has been a trying journey for me. The equine creatures here seem to enjoy their cities as much as any human."
"Th-that's true, I think. At least this is a city." She had no idea what other pony towns or hamlets there were, heck... "Humans don't always live in cities. Some live practically by themselves."
"But not you," spoke Spring with authority. "You are quite comfortable in this city." She offered a hand to Tabitha. "Teach me, show me. I need to become used to this place."
Tabitha took the offered hand and found the skin smooth and warm. She moved to shake it, but the elf wasn't shaking. What should she do?! "I'm a little new to, uh, elf greetings. What do I do?"
"Since we are to be bound as living partners." Spring tugged at Tabitha and they were kissing. It was a chaste kiss, and didn't last long, but that didn't stop it from overwhelming Tabitha. The elf clasped her hand firmly, then stood back, withdrawing her hand. "Am I your first living partner?"
She had had boyfriends before, but that was different... "Not quite like this. Just to be sure, we're, you know, just sharing space for a while, right?"
Spring seemed confused. "You... Did I misread the signs?" She stepped into Tabitha's personal space. "It is easy to forget you are a Caretaker, human or not. You would have us be distant?"
Tabitha blinked in confusion. "No! I mean, not distant, just... shouldn't we be friends?"
"Friends?" Spring seemed just as confused. "A human concept, of course. We are allies, sworn to come to one another's aid. Distant, not interfering with one another's lives or business." She raised a brow. "Or perhaps you would rather be a pet? Are you a human that knows your place?" She set a delicate hand on Tabitha's chest. "I would treat you well and gently."
That was going the wrong way! "No thank you! I'm quite fine owning myself." She danced back away from the hand and bumped into the door, the reminder that she wasn't standing in a 'true' forest.
"I thought you had offered the rarest of relation," explained Spring.
"Which is...?" Tabitha imagined almost any answer she got would be worrying, but she had to know.
Spring shook her head with disbelief. "Are we truly so different? How do humans manage this without blood? This explains much... The rarest relation is that of those bound together. Two become one. It is most often done by breeding pairs, but not always." She raised a brow at Tabitha. "You didn't wish that?"
She had accidentally proposed to an elf?! "I, ah, no offense, please don't take offense. You're a very pretty, I mean, you're pretty. We should get to know each other before we even consider that, right?"
"That is the only relation that shares living space."
"Among elves," argued Tabitha. "You're not home, or with other elves. We can make up our own rules."
The very idea of it, of making up their own rules, it seemed repugnant to Spring as her face twisted a moment before she took a slow breath. "It's my mistake. You're a human, one that consorts with the equines. Of course you don't understand."
"W-what? I'm not married to them!"
"I never said you were." Spring looked mildly confused a moment. "This is another equine thing. Caretaker, I don't comprehend you. I understand your words, but the meaning behind them is lost. Our relation remains woefully undefined, but I would entreat that you instruct me. If I am to live among them, I would do it properly."
Her dreams, whimsical as they had been, of a hot elf babe were shattered. There was no way she'd find happiness with Spring, not like that. She was harder to grasp than the horses by far. Razz, as broken as he was, was easy to grasp. "That's fine. Maybe we'll both learn something from it. For now, I'm going to head back to my part of the apartment. Maybe we'll have dinner later, together?"
"I will bring a proper dish," promised Spring as she seemed to relax. "We are as mentor and student. This I can understand."
Tabitha left her elven roomie to her work, whatever that was. Shaking a little, she moved to her balcony.
With a loud thump, Razz landed beside her. "Great news!"
Tabitha jumped back in surprise. "Wha?! Razz? Don't do that."
"Sorry." His ears splayed apart and he looked genuinely sorry. "I got a new job. It's thanks to you!"
Tabitha was pleased, but... "Thanks to me?"
"I pictured you in my head, and you guided me through it. Whenever I felt unsure, you were there, and I got through the hard bits when I thought they weren't going to take me. I start Monday!"
She'd been used as a sort of conscience? She supposed there were worse things. "That's great. What's the job?"
He spread his fore hooves as he reared back on his hind legs. "I start as a cleaner for a hotel. One of them saw me working here and I got the job."
Tabitha smiled at that. "Oh, that's wonderful. Do they pay well?"
"Mmhmm." Razz bobbed his head quickly. "Thank you so much!"
"And you know how you're going to keep that job, right?"
"I'll never be late and I'll work hard."
"And you won't do your 'friends' any favors related to it," said Tabitha firmly. "I'm not your boss, so it's not like that. As a friend, your friend, please. I don't want anything from you but you to be happy."
He licked his lips even as he nodded. "R-right, no favors."
She felt ready to lecture him, but that wasn't... what he needed. "Look, forget me."
"W-what?"
"Pretend I'm not here. This is about you. You want to do better, so be better. Your 'friends' won't help with that."
"I guess not..."
"Speaking of which, you keep using plural, but I only met the one."
He perked at that. "Oh that's right! You never met Copper Trap. He's got a mind like a trap and he's super clever. You should meet."
That sounded better than the thugging mare. "I'd be delighted to, if you want that. Maybe after the convention?"
"Oh that's right!" He spread his wings wide. "I'll see you later!" He launched from the balcony and was gone, to the convention, or so she assumed.
Tabitha's dreams were... troubling. She was back on Earth, she knew that much with the cars going past and the blimp in the air, but...
She came out of the shower, fresh and frisky. "Are you here, hon?" She had called out, to her romantic partner of course. Dream logic demanded it, and so it was.
"Right here," Razz had called back, tail wagging eagerly. "Today promises to be a crazy day." He didn't go into details, but he didn't have to. She knew what he meant thanks to dream logic. "You're looking good!"
She was also entirely undressed, a fact that she only just noticed, and cared not one whit about. Damn dream logic. She settled beside Razz and kissed his cheek.
"Who's hungry?" asked a third voice. Spring bounced out from behind that counter from where she hadn't been before, but had appeared. Again, dream logic. She set down a bowl of mac and cheese that was certainly no elven fare, or breakfast food.
A new voice spoke. "Do humans always have such interesting dreams?"
Tabitha looked behind her to see a dark blue po--horse. She was definitely large enough to qualify as a horse. She lowered her horn and the dream logic melted away and she knew she was dreaming.
With a fierce blush, Tabitha raced off to get dressed.
The horse was just behind her without moving. "It seems being garbed is also a human peculiarity. Greetings. I am Princess Luna."
"H-hey." She turned to face the intruder. "Why are you in my dream?" She wasn't like the others, still enjoying a nice and dreamy breakfast. "Did you say princess?"
"We did," agreed Luna. "You have done naught wrong, so please don't fear us."
The horse wasn't making a move to attack, and she was acting nice enough. "Alright, so... what brings you here?"
"Curiosity. I have only visited the dreams of humans a few times prior, and yours is delightfully ordered in comparison."
She thought of the two outside. That was ordered?
"Honey?" called out her dreamy elf friend. "Are you done in there?"
Luna extended a wing and banished the dream. They were standing on nothing, but it hardly seemed to matter. "May we speak with you? If you would have us gone, we will take our leave."
"At least you asked," she grumbled out as she considered the princess. Compared to the elf, she was practically a pillar of cordiality. "What's on your mind?"
"Currently, yours, but also the place you reside in." She gave a soft tsk as she looked around, the halls of the apartment building becoming clear. "I will be in the area shortly. I would stop by to see this place that baffles us so completely."
Tabitha looked around her home, or at least the vision of her home as brought to life by her own memories.
Luna approached a dream door and her horn glowed as it opened, revealing a familiar starscape in which an octopus dwelled. It made a surprised noise as it fixed its dreadful attention on Luna.
She raised a brow. "I would see any place that would harbor such unfortunate presences in our kingdom, and there is the little--" She kept talking even as she closed the door with her magic long before the creature arrived, ignoring it entirely it seemed. "--matter of your proper immigration. We are curious how such a creature came to be in possession of real estate so easily."
Tabitha felt a new chill grip her. Would that royal horse see her evicted from their land and her building stripped away? She took a cautious step back, but Luna advanced with her.
"Hold there, potential friend. We have heard little issue with your building. If you are a good and proper neighbor, I would not be the monster that-- I must go. Be ready to receive me, and we will speak. I look forward to meeting you in person." She faded away with a soft pop, simply not being there anymore.
Tabitha woke up.
She opened her eyes and saw two other eyes looking down at her. Spring's eyes.
"You awaken, good. There is a matter we must speak of and I will not tolerate it being ignored a moment longer."
Tabitha sat up carefully to not crash into her new roomie, even if her bedroom had been violated. There were too many things going on! "What matter is that? What time is it?" With the door closed and the blind drawn, she couldn't get a good and quick accounting of it.
"You have a promise out of me, Caretaker. Do you mean to hold it over me, waiting to spring at an inopportune time? If we were to become bound, it would matter little, but we're not."
"Promise?" Tabitha was bleary and still clawing to full functionality.
Spring had no such problem, peering at her with bright eyes. "A boon. I swore to you a boon. Any one thing if it is within my means."
That hadn't been a joke? Just... what could Spring do? She asked as much as she slid to her feet. "So what can you do? I mean, what are your, uh, means?"
She smiled, seemingly pleased at the question. "That is an intelligent question." She crossed her arms under her chest. "I have served under a great wizard whose name you couldn't hope to pronounce. Translated, his name comes to Cosmic Life Bright."
"That's great." Tabitha rose up and started getting dressed for the day. She doubted she would get any additional sleep. "So what can you do?"
"I am constantly reminded of our differences..." Spring sighed out. "Very well. I can place an arrow accurately from up to four hundred meters away. I can scout through forests without being seen. I can also cast spells. Healing a disease, child's play. I can turn the fury of nature on someone, or even pervert the natural shell of a person. He was a master of living spells, and I learned well, so you can count on me to cast any such spell." She gestured at Tabitha. "Do you envy my beauty? You are always looking. I could enhance that, if you like."
Tabitha went a bright red. She'd been noticed?! Well, if she hadn't, her response likely gave it away. "I-I'm fine being human, thanks." She wasn't ugly! Why the--
"Perhaps you find more kinship with the equines?" She raised a brow. "It would be a lowering, but if you wished it, fine. I can put you on all fours, or perhaps you'd just like a tail and scent to draw their bestial urgings."
The way she said that sounded like an insult, and her expression wasn't much better as she sneered at the idea even as she looked ready to do just that if Tabitha selected it. "Just name your boon and let's be over with it. I will not owe anyone anything for long, least not a human, Caretaker or no."
Tabitha waved a hand at her 'guest'. "Alright, enough. I get what you can do, now let me consider it. I'll let you know as soon as I know."
"Make the choice quickly, please..." She drew a slow breath then let it free in a sigh. "I have prepared breakfast, mentor. Shall we eat and begin instructions?"
The sharp turn left Tabitha reeling. Were they really going to go from that to friendly le--Spring was already walking out like nothing had happened. They really were... Tabitha followed after with a soft grumbling for a new scent to strike her nose. It was a bit nutty and a little like pine needles.
Spring gestured at a wood tray topped with something green and brown that emitted the scent. It didn't smell bad, if Tabitha was honest with herself, but she had no idea what it was.
She fetched two plates and offered one to Spring, which was accepted, thank god. Tabitha cut out a piece of the gooey breakfast food and went at it with a fork. Spring had cutlery too, but they were all made of wood, not metal.
Spring was also watching her eat as she did so more slowly and sedately. "How do you stand to eat with metal like that? Metal is for killing, not eating."
Tabitha felt the urge to hotly defend her right to use metal cutlery, but remembered that she was a teacher, in theory. How did she get that job?! "It's not uncommon for humans, ponies, and many other sapient species I imagine to use metal if they have a good amount of it around to use. While I see you prefer wood, and that's fine, questioning someone on their choice of cutlery is a challenge, even if you find it distasteful."
"I see..." She took another bite. "Do you favor this food?"
It was... It was new. New and good. "I've never had it before," she admitted with a soft shrug. "Still, it tastes good. I feel like I'm eating a pine tree, without the hard bits."
"That is not far from the truth." Spring nodded. "There are other additives. Pine alone would not sustain, especially the robust demands of the human body."
"Do elves need different things?" She raised a brow. She figured most living things needed about the same thing, it was just a matter of digestion.
"We elves--" she said, her voice tilting as if speaking of an obviously superior thing. "--require more than base materials. We are magical creatures, so we must take in a certain amount of magic and for ideal health, the right variety and amount."
Tabitha glanced down at her food and across at her shapely breakfast-mate. "This has magic in it?" It didn't taste like magic, but what did magic taste like exactly? She didn't know...
"Of course. Have no fear, Caretaker. It should cause no harm to your constitution. You will harmlessly... pass most of it."
Most? "Most?" Her thoughts and words ran concurrently.
"There are tales of humans that have come to live among the elves, becoming more attuned to nature and our ways. This takes quite a while. Again, have no fear." She pointed with a wooden fork over at the computer. "What does that artifact do exactly?"
That was a loaded question.
Tabitha spent the rest of the breakfast explaining the extreme basics of what a computer could do before they were both sated and the day could begin.
"I have things to do." Spring strode from the room purposefully, leaving the apartment.
Tabitha cleaned the plates and left things clean before she went out herself, just to practically trip over a pony.
"Miss Tabitha!" It was a surprised Coco. "A pleasure to see you."
Tabitha smiled. Of everyone she had met, Coco had been one of the easier to deal with and the least demanding. "Hey there. Off to your new job?" A lot of her pony friends had new jobs as she thought about it.
"That isn't until next week," assured Coco as she smiled, walking along with Tabitha towards the elevator. "Thank you."
"For?"
"For... everything. This building is lovely, and you've been a good friend, so thank you."
Tabitha felt a little blush forming as she smiled. It was a good kind of blush. "You're a good friend too." She'd find out how good when it came time to pay rent promptly. "Getting used to ponies has been quite a trek."
"We're not that bad, I hope?" She stepped into the elevator with Tabitha. "I haven't been a problem, have I? I'm sorry if so."
"No no!" Tabitha shook her head at the worried-looking Coco. "You're fine, honest. It's still a bit..."
"Hasn't this always been your, um, I'm prying." She stepped out of the elevator without further questions and trotted away, keeping her questions to herself.
It was a delightfully normal day. At least, as normal as any day living in a world of colorful talking horses could be. She checked them in and out even though she wasn't running a hotel. She answered their questions as best as she could, and she kept her crew of cleaners and repair ponies running around getting things done.
With each check out, she secured a bag of bits that made the whole experience worth the effort. The con wasn't over, but a small portion of them weren't staying the whole weekend. It wasn't up to her to decide how they spent their time, just to collect the bits.
"I... uh..."
That was Razz's voice. Confused and curious, Tabitha emerged from her office to see Razz peering up at her elf roomie, gawking at her openly.
Spring seemed far less than amused by it. "We are both residents at this place, show some decorum."
Tabitha frowned at the exchange. Did Razz really go ga ga over anything with two legs.
Razz shook his head fiercely. "You should visit the convention, they'd go nuts over you."
"Whatever this 'convention' is, I would appear as one of your kind, beast." Her hands glowed with magic as she seemed to force the illusion back into place, becoming the tall and slender crystalline pony from before. "Does your interest remain, animal?"
Razz glanced away from her and spotted Tabitha. "Oh, uh, no, I mean..."
Tabitha raised a brow as she approached. "It's alright, Razz. I bet you think she's still hot."
"Uh..."
Spring looked equally confused. "I am neither warm nor cold. You have kept this place at a hospitable temperature."
Razz coughed into a hoof. "To be perfectly honest, uh, Miss...?"
"You may address me as Spring."
"Right, Spring. You're physically, um, nice, either way, but I can't quite wrap my head around your attitude... No offense."
Spring took offense. There was no hiding that. "Beast." She stormed off into the elevators, leaving them behind.
When it closed, Tabitha shook her head. "Meet my new roommate."
Razz pointed after the departed elf/crystal pony. "Her?! Why?"
"We were full, which we're not anymore. I should get her into her own room."
Razz turned his attention fully on Tabitha. "Oh, uh, cause I mean... If you wanted a roomie..."
She certainly didn't need one to cover rent, doing that herself... "Razz..."
He coughed into a hoof. "Just checking. I should get moving, but if you need me, just call." He trotted off with a wagging tail.
Tabitha decided he seemed healthy for the moment, even if he was still a hopeless romantic. She let out a breath and stepped from her comfortable building. She had to come out sometimes, and she wanted to do a little shopping. Besides, she had been paid, so she could put some more down on the camera.
Bright of spirits and light in steps, she power walked down the street. The other ponies saw a pegasus marching along and thought nothing of it, and that was alright with her.
"Brave enough to step outside?" asked a familiar voice as a unicorn drew up beside her, blowing a wad of gum. "We should talk."
Tabitha tensed, but kept walking towards the grocery. "Yeah?"
"Easy. I ain't gonna do nothing, promise." She glanced away and back at Tabitha. "I just wanna know why you're trying to take my boy Razzy away."
Alright, she just wanted to talk. Talking Tabitha could do. "He's not your or anyone's 'boy', and I'm telling him not to associate with thieves and muggers."
She crashed against Tabitha, knocking her a step aside and wobbling. "Hey! I'm more than that, thank you kindly." She spat out her gum. "Me and Razzy go way back, and he didn't forget that, no matter what pretty words you're spinning."
Tabitha righted herself with a little scowl even as a hand dipped to hold her mace discretely. What she did with her hands seemed hidden if she kept it subtle. Ponies usually didn't walk on what they were holding, so she guessed her image didn't either. "The way I see it, you took that ticket from that girl, then you tried to mug me."
"Tried nothin'. Not my fault you have some interestin'... people... in that building of yours." Her wings flared a moment. "So what's your angle?"
"Angle?" Tabitha raised a brow, closing her hand tighter around her measure of safety.
"You hot on him, or you need a worker? I'm wagering it's not the latter, since he's already working for not-you." She leaned in. "We unicorns handle competition."
We? Ah right, the disguise... "I'm just trying to help him. Even if he leaves tomorrow, he'll be better off."
"Yeah? Well stop. What are you, his mother?" The enraged unicorn moved in front of Tabitha, cutting her off. "Stay out of his business. Last warning."
She felt the urge to hotly argue that, and to yell at this horse that was threatening her. Spraying those big eyes of her would also be nice, but her mace only had so much, and that was far from an emergency, yet. "Razz Berry, which is his full name, not 'Razzy', is an adult. He can choose who he wants to be with or not."
The unicorn tilted her head a bit. "He can, can't he. Just don't you forget that." She turned away from Tabtiha and trotted into the crowd, lost to the sight of the rattled human.
"What a bitch," she muttered to herself, even if that was the wrong title for a cranky female horse.
Tabitha arrived at the grocery store and stocked up on a few supplies. She had a fairly good idea of what she liked or didn't like, at least from there.
"You look like you need a saddlebag," noted the wrinkly minder of the register. "Are you sure you'll be alright with those bags?"
Considering it, Tabitha realized ponies didn't have fingers to hold the handles of bags. Why did they even have handles? As if to answer her silent question, she saw a pony walking past with the handle in his mouth as if it belonged there. "Oh... I'm fine, I promise. Thanks."
"Think nothing of it, dearie. You take care now." Grannie Orange grinned with teeth that were as false as she was old, though they seemed to be of quality make at least.
Quietly, Tabitha made a note to remember her backpack next time, but she could hold the bag in her hands well enough. That made her wonder what she looked like to the others. Was the bag in her mouth? Was she holding the bags in her hooves and balancing on her hindlegs?
That was all the more reason for her to get to the department store and set down those bags at the layaway section.
The stallion at the counter was surprised to see her, but pleasantly so. "Back already? My my! Here to put down another payment, or start a new layaway? I do have to warn about that. Some ponies get carried away and end up losing everything. Stick to one thing until it's in your hooves."
Tabitha smiled at that. She wasn't used to purveyors of credit giving solid advice. "I wouldn't dream of it. Let me just put some more down on that camera."
"I'd be glad to help with that." His horn glowed as a heavy book lifted from below and he leafed through it with a hoof. "Here's your account. Three hundred down to start, quite respectable. How much are we putting in today?"
Tabitha went through some numbers in her head to figure how much she could safely spend. "Another two hundred." The stallion was impressed all over again as she fished out the coins and surrendered them.
He made a note and tucked the coins away. "I hope you don't take offense, ma'am, but did you win something? It's not often clients come into such a windfall, but not enough to buy things outright."
"In a sense, I did." She smiled as she said that. "I own an apartment building that was used for overflow for a convention, so I have a short term but significant flow of money coming in."
"Huh, first time I heard that." He shook his head as the book floated away. "But that's good news, ma'am! You're already halfway to owning the camera, and you're not even close to one month out. You scarcely seem to need the layaway system at all." He looked her over, his eyes moving to pony parts she did not have. "May I ask which building?"
Tabitha hefted up her bags. "I'm on the corner of Wheatley and Gallop. Why?"
"I have a friend, more of a cousin really," admitted the unicorn as he rubbed behind his head. "He needs a place in the city, and if you have vacancies?"
Tabitha exploded into a fresh smile. "Of course! After this weekend's over, I'll have plenty of rooms available. Is he also a unicorn?"
"He's an earth pony." The unicorn looked embarrassed. "I'm actually the only unicorn in my family. Is that a problem?"
"No! No, of course not." Horse breeding was strange... "Send him over and we'll get him sorted right out, or stop on by if you want a peek at it."
"I may just take you up on that. Thank you, ma'am, and you have a great day."
She walked out of the store and glanced at the sign. "Steers and Roebucks," it read boldly and she had to roll her eyes. It was as if the horse world was powered by puns.
Payment made, groceries secured, and day completed, she headed home. Victorious, she whistled on the way, only to feel an odd tremble run out from the note.
A pony burst out of a building beside her. "A perfect day!" he sang out as if continuing a song she didn't hear.
Another tipped his hat as he passed. "A perfect day!"
Other ponies got into it, singing, dancing, and just prancing past. More disturbing than their impromptu dance number was the fact that it seemed to be missing a part, and that part was her. Every time it made sense for her to speak, the song hung awkwardly a moment before it pressed on despite her lack of participation.
One pony, an earth pony, stepped in front of her. "You may be strange but you've found a home!"
Did they knew what she really was? She hurried past the pony as the music faded behind her. Without her, the number seemed to stop as quickly as it started. None of the ponies between her and home questioned or challenged her. Heck, they didn't act like anything had happened at all.
Tabitha arrived at home and threw her bags to the side as she let out a breath, glad she had survived... whatever that was.
Tabitha forced a smile as she regarded her troublesome roomie. "Spring, I have good news for you."
"Oh?" Her tone implied she didn't believe that. "You've decided on your boon?"
"Not that." Tabitha waved it off as she gestured out of the apartment. "Some of the rooms have opened up, so you can have a full apartment to yourself."
"That's very nice..." Spring approached Tabitha, coiled as a feline about to pounce. "But we have unfinished business. Very well, since you clearly intend to hoard this thing as any dwarf would a scrap of gold, I will make this plain. Decide your boon, now, or I will determine my own best use of my talents for your benefit and be done with it."
Tabitha tried to retreat, but found there was little place to go as she bumped up against a wall. Spring was glaring at her, waiting for an answer. She had to decide, quickly. She could have Spring zap that menacing unicorn, but that was hardly her style. She wasn't sick, so curing that was right out. She could ask to be stronger, or faster, or... It all felt so impossible, and yet the glaring face of the elf made it quite imminent. She had to decide, and quickly.
"I see you're considering it now." Spring folded her arms under her chest. "Good. We shan't leave this spot until you're done, or my patience has run through. You have been a passable mentor, it would be a shame for this to come between us."
Mentor? Mentor... "What about if..." Tabitha rolled a hand as she glanced around her room as if something would appear to help her. "I'm teaching you how humans and ponies work. You can show me the elf way?"
"That is a fine trade," agreed Spring with a nod. "But it does not address the boon promised for my lodging." A wicked smile split her face suddenly. "The way you leer at me, perhaps you're a man inside?"
"W-what? No! I like being a woman just fine." She waved her hands frantically, trying to banish the idea.
"And you like being a human, and you like being plain, and..." Spring rolled a hand with exasperation. She advanced, slamming a hand on either side of Tabitha, trapping her as Spring leaned forward towards her. "You are not so satisfied with life as to find everything 'good enough'." Her face suddenly changed, a smile appearing and understanding seeming to dawn.
"Of course... I am a fool." She leaned in all the closer, chest touching the smaller woman's. "You're worried about the tales. You've heard of what happens when you take favors from fair folk. You fret that I will pervert your words and meaning and leave you wishing you had never asked for anything at all."
That hadn't been entirely what she was worried about, but since Spring brought it up, it seemed frighteningly accurate to Tabitha. "A little?"
"Very well then." She stood straight up and took a cleansing breath. "I rescind my anger, but my promise remains the same. Since you have not, and will not, select, it falls on me to decide. I will not pervert your words or meaning, as you have given me precious little to work with. I know humans favor family life. You are an unwed female, past her prime for childbearing."
"Hey!"
"I state only fact, not opinions." Spring raised a brow as if Tabitha were a fool for not seeing that. "You are a Caretaker, so you hurt not for material wealth, and a purpose has been given... Tell me, who is your favored person?"
No matter what she said, she felt it would be the wrong answer. There were so many ways for it all to go wrong, and she felt surrounded by mines that would go off if she took the slightest step. "Can I have one more day?"
"I gave proper warning before, and still you are no closer. No, I have to decide myself. There's that winged one? He looked at me with much the same unhealthy look you gave, though it turned to proper respect quickly... again much like yourself. Do you like him?" She raised a brow. "His dander is in this very room. If you were trying to be subtle about it, you've failed, though I imagine a human simply didn't consider the finer parts of tracking."
She knew about Razz? Of course she did. She probably knew all the ponies she talked to in the building, which included--
"Or are you drawn to females? I am not one to judge. I was willing to become your partner, it would be foolish of me to cast blame now. There is that light-colored horse. Coco? An unfortunate name. If she were more brown it would be sensible. Do you find yourself drawn to her?" She raised a brow. "It's only sensible a caretaker would be chosen that finds the locals appealing. I should be less surprised, and that is entirely my own fault."
She leaned forward, coming close again and even touching. "I can feel your breath hastening every time I close in on you. Do you like the contours of females? Maybe that's why you're unwed." She smirked faintly. "A woman cannot beget children with another... not without some help." Her hand pressed to Tabitha's belly, holding her despite her attempt to get away. "I'm not held to those rules."
"Let go of me!" Tabitha gave a terrific and panicked shove at the elf and won a foot of clearance, which was enough to dance away, heaving with building terror. "Look, just... go. I'll show you your room. I don't want anything!"
Spring turned to face Tabitha. "A boon, once given, is sacred and unflinching. I will give it and not be known as a liar and wretch. Very well, since you steadfastly refuse to select one, I will assume either would please you. Horse lover--" she spat the word even as she smiled, as if amused to be in the presence of any non-horse that found horses attractive. "You are advised to remain still."
"And if I don't want to?" she asked even as she backed away from the dangerous fae. There were no good endings, only a variety of bad ones. "Look, alright, make me a bit stronger and we'll call it even!"
"It's too late to make requests now, and that entreaty sounds false besides. What would a Caretaker need that for? I've seen you work. If you won't stay still, then you'll have to sleep for thi--"
Tabitha stopped hearing Spring. She couldn't hear. She crashed to the floor, subdued by glowing fingers and subtle motions of the body. She was quite asleep.
Spring collected her prize carefully. "Foolish human... You don't even know what will make you happy. I tried to be hospitable, but you've spurned me at every turn." She turned with the sleeping form and made her way towards her room. "Now you'll have to settle for my 'kindness'." Sure, she may be evicted and sent home, but propriety had a higher priority, and there were lessons to be dispensed.
Razz emerged from the hotel. He had worked hard and well, and even had some bits to show for it. Life was looking up! He smiled as he trotted towards home, whistling along the way.
"Hey, man." It was a familiar voice. Trap was approaching him. He was an earth pony, the other leg of their tripod of pony tribes. "I heard you got a new gig. What's the happs?"
"Hey Trap!" He reached with a wing and hugged the stallion. They had been friends for a long time. "I'm a cleaner slash bellhop for a hotel."
"Oh?" Trap raised a brow curiously. "You liking it?"
"It's work, and I'm still getting used to it," confided Razz as he walked along. "It pays well, and it's good to be working again."
"Good to hear." He glanced off and back at Razz. "I think this one will work."
Razz smiled brightly. "Another invention? What's this one do?"
"Don't say it like that!" He nudged Razz, but was smiling. "This one's the real deal. You know how ponies can sometimes get gunk in their hooves that's hard to clean out?"
"Sure? Who hasn't had that once in a while?"
Trap pulled out a strange thing that looked like a spring-powered pick. "This'll clean your hoof right out without any risk of being poked or cut."
Razz blinked softly. "If that works, it could make money, Trap. Have you tested it?"
"On myself a few times," he admitted. "But I'm just one pony. You up for being a test subject?"
Letting that sharp pick anywhere near his sensitive hooves didn't appeal to him, but letting down Trap seemed even worse. "Let's get to my place and we'll give it a spin. At least I'll be sitting down."
"Hey, sure. I haven't seen your new place yet. I heard it's not bad."
"From Bubbles?" He imagined the unicorn mare, always chewing that gum of hers.
"Yeah. You see the bandage she's sporting?"
Razz grew a fierce red. It wasn't directly his fault, but that didn't make him feel much better. "Yeah..."
"She said your landlady did that." Trap laughed at it. "Man, if she can do that, you've got the most awesome landlady around. I'm guessing she likes you fine."
Razz blinked at that. "You're not mad at her?"
"With Bubbles? Probably deserved it." Trap leaned in and whispered, "Don't tell her I said that." He chuckled as his voice returned to normal. "I love her, and you, but you're a worker, and I'm a dreamer. She's..."
Razz went red for a whole new reason. "Don't come down on her. She's trying!"
"Look, she's paid for my food and rent a few times... I ain't have any right to say she's... doing it wrong. I just want all of us to not need that, alright?" He lifted the pick high in a hoof. "Now if this works..."
They retreated to Razz's place, where he hopped up onto his sofa and pushed a hoof out. "Let's start it out slow."
"First step is to gunk up your hoof." Trap walked past into the kitchen and returned with various food, from bread to grain and flowers. Razz forced a smile as Trap got his hoof all gummed up and messy. "That's more like it. We'll have to graduate to mud and harder stuff if this works. Nice pad, by the way. Love the view..." He settled down in front of Razz and wielded that dangerous spike. "Ready?"
Razz gave an uncertain nod. With the sound of steel on steel, the spring was deployed and the pick launched towards his grimy hoof.
Tabitha was lost. She was in a very dark place. There was nothing around her. She couldn't even be sure she was there. She couldn't feel herself, or the things that did the feeling. Was she dead?
No. Your death at this point would be saddening. No, you're being much more interesting than that. I'm afraid I haven't told you the rules that many others get. The larger and more dangerous the item you bring with you, the more... interesting... your situation will be. You can also only bring things you own. Look at that, you happen to own a building...
The words appeared, burning and bright. They existed, even if nothing else did, not even Tabitha, though she could see them. What did it all mean ultimately? Last she could remember, she was being attacked by a vengeful fae in the middle of horse land.
You could have handled that better. I'm glad you didn't. There were paths laid out for you. The one you took is yours to keep. You can't blame me for this one.
Like what?!
Do you really want me to answer that? Seeing paths behind you will only make you more angry.
Tabitha considered that for a moment before she shrugged shoulders she couldn't feel or see. She wanted to know, even if she couldn't say that.
If you insist, but only because you've been a treat so far, and I do hope you continue. You could have asked for good health. That's a simple, straight forward, but entirely legitimate use of that elf's power. That is but one path that is now behind you, impossible to walk.
Tabitha was annoyed. Not at the text, per se, but more at herself. That was a good idea! She couldn't think of why she wouldn't want that... instead of whatever was going on. She wasn't dead?
Now we delve into philosophy. You are quite dead, by some measures. You are gone from your world. You are gone from those who once knew you. By their measure, you died a while ago, never to return. If you mean if your heart beats? What makes it your heart? The heart you knew and lungs you knew are gone. The elf has forged you in her green magic.
Great... Was she made an elf? She didn't want to be one of those, especially if that meant following their rules, as complex and confusing as those seemed to be.
No screaming? Yelling? No railing against unjust fates? I find myself adoring you, Tabitha. Please, change in all ways, but never that. No, you will not be an elf. She does not think that highly of you. She is convinced you love ponies.
Was she made into a pony?! She liked fingers, and skin, and...
You'll have fingers, and skin, but perhaps some fur too...
The dream, or whatever it was, ended.
Razz walked to his fridge. Every one-fourth of his steps brought a wince and a soft hiss of breath, but he was walking.
"I'm sorry!" repeated Trap, looking quite dismayed. "On the, uh, bright side, it did clean off your hoof."
"Yeah..." His hoof was cleared, but he also had a big band-aid on it. "You have to fine tune that." He opened his fridge with a wing and pulled out two bottles of carrot juice and brought them back from the fridge with his new limp.
Trap reached out and took a bottle with one of his hooves. "Thanks, but really, sorry. You sure you're alright?"
Razz settled on the cushions softly beside his friend. "Compared to some of your other, uh, attempts, this isn't that bad..." All he'd gotten was one slice across his frog. Sure, it hurt like anything, especially while walking, but... "I'll just have to fly more for a while."
Trap smiled brightly. "At least you have that option. Look, I must have made it too fine-tuned to my hoof. I'll make it more flexible and we'll try it again... if you're up for it."
Razz was tempted to decline that, but that was Trap they were speaking of. If he didn't do it, nopony would... "Rejigger it and we can try again, after I'm all healed up."
"You're the best." Trap threw a leg over Razz and hugged him before they clinked their juice bottles together and chugged to wash away their troubles with alcohol-free beverages.
Luna stepped in front of the strange building. She had dealt with another troubling situation in that city that had uncovered a changeling living among them. Even compared to that, the energy she felt gently wafting from the building itself unnerved her.
"You are in the way."
Luna looked over her shoulder to see a unicorn peering at her with piercing eyes and a short fuse. He was somehow impatient and yet had an ageless quality to him, as if he'd been forced to wait a long time. He pointed past her to the building. "You are in the way," he repeated firmly.
She stepped aside for the stallion, confused. "Are you not aware who we are?"
He was about to say something, but it aborted before it left his mouth. He quickly made something new, "princess of the three tribes."
"That much is true. I am Princess Luna."
Despite her words, he was already walking past. He ascended the steps to the building and entered without delay. He didn't care who she was.
He was gone.
Luna frowned at where he once was. "This city..." It had its share of disrespectful ponies that didn't give royalty their proper berth and respect. None of that explained what she had seen, but she wasn't even sure how to approach that.
By approaching, of course. She ascended the stairs and stepped into the lobby of the apartments. Her ears swiveled slowly left and right, taking it all in slowly. The sounds of the building were similar to other such places, but subtly different. There were other machines at work in the walls and basement that she couldn't place. The lights that hung overhead seemed of foreign manufacture. There were a thousand little things...
But none of them compared to that energy. That perverted sense of reality itself being frayed. It only grew slowly worse with time. What would happen when the sun was down? Was that building like herself, strongest at night?
Luna didn't see the human from that dream, or anypony else that would be in charge. Of course, it was an apartment building, not a hotel, so she wasn't entirely sure where to look.
She found the office with some searching, but it was empty and locked beside. The human was not there.
That energy... It was throbbing through and around her. The building, or whatever powered it, was fully alive. It was subtle... Only a trained magician would even know it was there, but Luna could feel it, and it was impossible for her to ignore it.
How had the building not caused trouble?
She saw a pony emerge from the elevator, a mare with a flower in her mane. "Excuse me." Luna approached with a little smile.
The pony saw who she was and went wide-eyed a moment. "P-princess, um... Hello."
"Greetings. Please do not be alarmed by our presence. We seek the owner of this building. Might you assist in this task?" Luna tried to not intimidate the perfectly-normal looking earth mare.
She mostly succeeded. "She's up there." The mare pointed up. "I can show you the way, if you'd like, Your... Majesty?"
"Please, and thank you, Miss...?"
"Pommel, Coco Pommel." Coco turned back to the elevator she just emerged from and pressed the call button. Soon they were riding up together. "So, um, Princess Luna, what brings you here?"
"We feel this building may be..." She faltered. Should she be telling that random pony anything? "We wish to visit its owner."
She seemed surprised a moment, then recovered. "Oh... I suppose you heard about her?"
Luna raised a brow. "We have heard many things."
"She may be the first... of her kind, but she's very gentle and generous. She's one of the better landladies I've ever dealt with, and a good friend beside." She turned red as she spoke, going more and more crimson with every word. "I don't mean to speak against you, Princess. I just hope you aren't here to be angry at her. She's a good pony, even if she isn't, technically, a pony."
So the visitor wasn't hiding her nature? At least she wasn't from that pony. "We see. We will approach gently, we assure. It would not do to have an alien in our presence without being properly greeted. You would wish that, would you not?"
Coco deflated with relief. "Oh, yes, please. She's been a gentle and good pony, as odd as she might look."
"If you speak truly, then I would only wish to greet and welcome her." Luna gave a smile even as that odd energy throbbed through her. As nice as the immigrant had been, she had to know what that force was, and how they were tied to it... It could be a great harm to her ponies. "It would only be proper."
"Of course." Coco pointed the way to one door among many. "That's hers. Her name is Tabitha, but all the paperwork says she's Easy Glider. I would use the first if I were you."
Luna's movement stopped as she turned to Coco. "Paperwork?"
Coco froze as well, realizing she might have said more than she should. "Oh, it's, um, nothing."
"Tell us, citizen."
Coco looked down and away, sweat making her coat shine. "P-please, don't hold it against her..."
"We would be informed so that we can form an educated opinion. Miss Pommel, wouldn't you wish this of us?"
"Y-yes, of course..." Coco seemed to deflate a little. "After she said something that made me curious, I checked the records of the building and it should be owned by one 'Easy Glider', the pegasus I first met before she became Tabitha before my eyes. I-I really don't think she's done anything wrong, just oddly... Please don't be angry with her, Princess."
"She's a changeling?" Was there another in the very same city?!
"No! I mean, I think not... There are others who hide the same way." She glanced away and back. "Becoming a tenant here means their disguise falls to other tenants. When I agreed to her terms and accepted my key, I saw her as she really was."
It was all becoming more curious by the moment... "Thank you. You've told us what we need to know. We won't hold you up any longer."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." She bowed quickly before she fled to the elevator and was out of sight in a flash.
She was intimidated. A lot of ponies could be around her, especially when she was doing her job. Luna sighed and raised a hoof towards the door, giving it a solid rapping. She hoped the human within would react to her better.
Luna clopped on the door, but there was no reply. With a frown, she knocked all the harder. "We do not mean to intrude, but this is a matter that will not wait." She wasn't about to leave such a place with such a feeling as if nothing were going on.
The door opened suddenly, revealing a tall and graceful gem pony that looked her over appraisingly. "You are quite large. Easily I would deign you as a horse in a land of ponies."
Luna blinked at that greeting. "That is a truth, as rude as it is stated. Who are you and where is the owner of this building? One Tabitha or Easy Glider, if I am informed correctly."
"She's busy," said the slender pony as if bored. "The Caretaker will be ready come the morrow. It is not my duty to give lodging until then."
Every word that came from the lips of the pony irritated Luna. It was worse than even the average pony of that city. She did not just simply ignore her status, but seemed to actively rebuff it. "Do you know who I am?" She seemed to be asking that a lot recently.
"I care little for the title of those who have naught to do with me. Good day." She started to close the door, but paused. "I do adore your accent." The door closed.
Luna went red in the cheeks. The nerve! She felt the urge to shout her name and title, but screaming at a door meant little but looking foolish. That was surely the room Coco had indicated and she did not seem to have a deceitful bone in her small body. What was going on? She could smash the door to so many pieces...
But that may unleash whatever power the building contained. Any violent act, especially visited on the structure of that strange place, may cause its web of magic to slip just far enough to cause a disaster beyond easy reckoning.
She didn't like it. So, she knocked once more.
The same gem pony opened it a crack. "You are being rude."
"I am afraid this is beyond that." Luna slid a hoof forward to prevent the door from closing. "It is absolutely imperative I see and speak to her. I am Princess Luna."
"Princess of horses," muttered the gem pony even as she backed away. "Enter, Your Highness."
"Will you not give your name?" Luna raised a brow as she pressed into the apartment, her eyes sweeping over the alien appliances. Some of them were easy to identify, others far less so. Their nature was secondary to her goals.
"I reserve that for those I must deal with, for good or ill." She raised a brow. "Will you force that?"
"We will be content if you lead us to our desired target." Luna closed the door behind herself with her magic. "We shan't trouble you further." The less she had to deal with that particular pony, the better. What was she doing there?
"I have already said why that's impossible."
"You have spoken of this," said Luna, her breathing becoming mildly more labored in annoyance. "You have not said why or what. Speak, citizen. We will--"
"I am no citizen of yours," said the crystal pony with a delicate sneer. "Unless there is a law demanding my answer, I choose to not give it."
"Impertinent whelp!" Luna took a step towards the slender pony. "We have endeavored to be polite, but it is a wasted effort where you are concerned. Tell us this moment or suffer our wrath!"
The pony almost flowed backward into a more ready stance, strange magic wreathing around her hooves despite not being a unicorn. "As a favor to the Caretaker, this is your last warning. Depart."
A shield of shimmering light appeared around Luna even as her wings flared. "We will not!"
A door opened, admitting a curious creature. Her hand to her head, she staggered out on shaking hooves. "Sp-- Oh..." The sleep faded from her eyes as she beheld the fight about to occur. "Stop!"
The gem pony glanced towards her and gave a firm tsk. "You're not done, and never will be. The magic is ruined. Very well, what's done is done. Either show me my room or tell me to be gone."
Luna was confused, at least half as much as the new creature seemed to be. "Tabitha?"
"That's me," confessed the creature with a smile. "I think... Spring, what did you do to me?"
"I was uniting pony and human into a pleasing form, but here you are. With her eyes, the magic is dashed, ruined. You will be as you are." She raised a brow. "You should learn to enjoy it, horse lover."
"Stop saying that!" Tabitha clopped a hoof on the ground, then started as if surprised at the sound. "Please tell me what's going on." She looked back over herself. "Why am I a centaur?"
The pony, Spring, rolled her eyes. To one, she was the elf, to the other, a gem pony. "My boon is given. Make your decision. If I remain here, I will obey your laws, if not, I will depart."
Luna shook her head. "This is ridiculous. You did this? Why would she let you--"
"No! I mean... Fine, if you'll follow the rules and pay your rent." Tabitha walked off on unsure legs. Her gait was uneven but not a disaster. For a creature that was not a horse in mobility before, she was doing well. She returned with a key. "We need to write up a new contract."
Luna couldn't believe what she was seeing. "Are thou serious?"
Spring smiled with triumph. "You have exceeded my expectations, Caretaker. There is a strength there, or is that a weakness? Whatever it is, I'm intrigued. Come, let us sign this renewed contract."
All of them left, all three. Luna watched the other two with undisguised amazement. She slid in closer to her target. "You can be rid of this infuriating individual and you would not take it?"
Tabitha was more curious about looking at her changed self. She was the size of a normal pony, which made Luna quite large. Her human portion was the right size to match. She was a pegasus. She was... Easy Glider. At least, if Easy Glider's head and neck were plucked off and replaced with the belly and up of Tabitha the human. She wore her clothing over her upper parts, but nothing over her pony parts, leaving her feeling exposed to sight and casual wind. It didn't feel... right back there, but there wasn't time to look. She had a million questions that would only be answered by mirrors, curious fingers, and some screaming. "I-if she pays her part and follows the rules, fine.
Luna raised a brow. "Does your transfiguration not break these rules?"
Tabitha laughed, a forced sound heavy with hysteria. "Funny that. We never needed a rule about not changing your co-tenants into half-horse abominations..."
"You are no abomination." She had witnessed at least one other creature of similar build, though Tabitha was many times more pleasant than he ever could be. "I would speak to you, once your business is concluded."
They arrived at the office without running into other ponies, thankfully. Tabitha moved behind her desk to discover there was no way she could even dream of using her chair. Another bit of her past, lost forever. She sighed as she shoved it out of the way angrily. It was like a path she'd already walked past. She couldn't go that way anymore. She pinched her nose a moment before she dug out one of her rental agreements. Quickly she added a line about not using magic on other tenants or staff without their consent before she filled in the rest of the form. "Sign this and the room is yours, provided you pay of course."
"Of course," agreed Spring. She took the paper, scanned over it. She scowled a little at the latest rule, but she did sign it and slipped it back. The key was surrendered and she turned to leave. "We are now distant, Caretaker, but you have captured some of my interest. I will be watching."
Once Spring had left, Luna moved to take her place, a pony on either side of the desk. "You are Tabitha, correct?"
"Tabitha, Easy Glider, take your pick." Tabitha grunted softly with annoyance as she glanced back at her protruding horse part. She had so many questions. "Look, um, Princess? I have a lot on my mind, really. I don't want to be rude, but--"
"We understand. You are standing quite well for your situation. Let us focus on what can't wait. This building is practically alive with chaotic energy. Discord himself would revel to walk these halls. I feel tendrils reaching into the ether, touching where nothing should."
Tabitha perked up, just noticing that she didn't have horse ears. One thing to be thankful for. That and fricken hands. Thank all the various gods for fingers! She had noticed a few odd things... "Are you going to hurt her? The building that is."
"We would prefer not... You and this building have caused no harm to Equestrian citizens." She raised a brow. "Which you both are and are not in a very curious case. Tell me, why can I see your form truly, but not that of Spring? That is her name, yes?"
"You can see me?!" Tabitha hopped to her hooves and almost toppled from the sudden movement. "Shit!" She scurried over to a mirror on the wall and saw she could see the centaur looking back, but that was the same centaur Luna saw. "Can you see this?" She focused and slowly got one of her wings to reach out slowly, stretching wide.
"Yes, we see your left wing extending. Should we not?"
Her illusion was destroyed. What ponies saw is what she was... which was a freak. Tabitha sagged with defeat, wondering how those she'd already met would react to their friend suddenly sporting a human out of her former neck. There was no way that would end well.
"I apologize for sounding brusque. Our sympathies are squarely with you. You are the victim of powerful and careless magic, but this matter could affect many more than you." Luna rose to her full height. "You are clearly doing your best to manage things. Will you continue that?"
"O-of course, yeah." Tabitha turned to face Luna. "This building's been in my family for generations. I won't give it up now." Even if she gave up her sanity for it.
"Good. I will send another who can stay here. They will follow the same rules and pay the same rent, but they will be tasked with keeping an eye on this... nexus. Please, don't hesitate to call on them. They will have my ear directly, and will be a talented magic user besides. I trust this is acceptable?" Luna knew she was being pushy, but it was a grave matter that needed immediate action. She'd feel so much safer with someone she could trust being nearby and on the case.
Tabitha gave a weak wave. "Come Monday, we'll start having more and more rooms open. If they follow the rules and pay their rent, sure. Do I need to do anything with them?" Her voice had a shocked tone to it. She was falling into an emotional abyss. It was too much, too fast. She was trying to be too brave, and it was breaking her.
Luna didn't like it. She didn't know Tabitha very well, but she didn't want to see her collapse. "You have friends, do you not? Please, I implore that you see them."
Tabitha gave a sound like a laugh and a sob mixed together. "Most of them wouldn't recognize me..."
"Have faith in them. Your face remains what I recall from the dream. You will not be shunned. Please."
"I'll try," she said in a small voice, starting to shake all over.
Luna left. She glanced over her shoulder once, but she strode away, and Tabitha was alone.
Part of her wanted to see more of what she had become, but she couldn't muster the will. Her arms shivered with emotion and her conflicting will.
So she was a freak?!
So, she was a freak.
Moisture fell onto her desk, her tears she realized only after it fell. She wiped away her face and rose to her hooves, shaking left and right dangerously. She needed her bed. She needed to just lie down and forget everything. She needed stronger booze than anything she normally brought home. She needed...
She thought of her mother and father, both departed and gone. Tabitha thought she was following their steps faithfully. She'd get married when she ran into a nice guy, and they'd pass on the building to the squealing brat they made together. It would have been great.
A hand landed on her pony back without noticing it. She grabbed and pulled at her fur and flesh. She could feel it. There was no denying that strange mass was part of her. She... She wouldn't have any child her parents would recognize. Hell, the ponies wouldn't grasp it... Unless she made ponies? She was a pony down there...
A sob forced its way free of her even as she wrenched her hand away rather than damage herself with increasingly tense nails. She advanced towards the door, making it a few steps before she collapsed against a wall. She had to pull herself together! "Let's look at the positives," she mumbled to herself. "You're still... you. You remember it all, your head and face, hey, still you." She slid down to her belly. "So what if you have a pony shoved up your butt..."
"Miss?" A female voice called out for her.
Tabitha gasped loudly and started wiping at her face with the backs of her arms. By the time Coco peeked in through the door, she was trying her best to put on a brave face.
It didn't fool Coco. Her expression fell from inquiring to dismayed instantly. "Oh no! Miss Tabitha..." Her eyes moved past that human face and guarded hands to her pony parts and she blinked softly. "I..."
She was going to run away. Run away from the freak... "Go ahead," muttered Tabitha.
Coco didn't run away. She took a step forward. "O-of course. What happened?"
Had she been misunderstood? "You don't have... to stay."
Coco blinked. "Why wouldn't I? You are Tabitha, my landlady, yes?" She approached more confidently. "You're obviously upset. Is this... not a second disguise then?"
A second disguise? That... was actually kind of brilliant... Tabitha smiled at the opportunity it afforded, at least with her tenants. "You caught me. My disguise wore off and I can't get it back. I thought you'd be scared of me."
Coco raised a brow as if she didn't buy it the way Tabitha said it, but she also didn't force herself past it. "You're still lovely, Miss Tabitha."
Lovely was, perhaps, an overstatement, and one that Tabitha didn't let lie. She rose to her new hooves. "Lovely?"
Coco blinked softly. "Y-your... I mean... You..." Her words were failing her, but she pointed at Tabitha. "I can see the pegasus I thought I was meeting at first, and the other half is that human I met afterwards. Neither side is... malformed, even if them being together is... novel."
Novel, a very polite word for freak. Tabitha cringed at the implications, but Coco came closer. "Please! I mean it. Miss, please tell me what happened. I promise--" she put a hoof to her chest. "I promise to listen and stay. We're still friends, I hope."
Still friends? Tabitha liked the sound of that. She could... use a friend. She reached out a hand and Coco advanced to it. She began to pet Coco, running fingers through her well-combed mane. She was a pony, but she was an intelligent one who took good care of herself. Tabitha snorted softly, realizing she was also a pony. She'd have to learn to take care of herself... "So, it began like this..."
She told the story of her elven roomie and how things has gone downhill. Coco settled at her side and listened. Tabitha petted, and Coco accepted it with that gentle smile of hers. "And then Luna left..." The story was over. Telling it hadn't changed a damn thing, but she felt better. She wasn't alone in knowing it, and Coco was still there, still pressed to her side. Still a friend... "So... you must think I'm a huge idiot."
"What? No! Goodness, I don't know what I would have done, but it certainly wouldn't have been better than that." She raised a brow. "She's still here, right? The elf? I'll be sure not to annoy her..."
Tabitha chuckled at that. "I made her agree to not... do this. No more magic on fellow tenants without consent."
Coco frowned a little before she nodded. She stood up. "You must be so confused right now. You... Could you stand up for me?"
Blinking, Tabitha did just that, unsure what good standing would do right that moment. "Here you go?"
"May I examine you?"
Tabitha went a bit red. She didn't want to be looked at! But... that wouldn't help. Coco had been kind and wasn't repulsed by her. "G-go ahead, sure."
Coco reached out a hoof to touch where pony fur turned into the smooth skin of her belly. The joining place felt odd, but not entirely bad if she let it be. The stroking Coco was doing made Tabitha's eyes half-shut and she almost purred, or was that more of a little nicker?
Coco was circling her, examining her. "Your wings look healthy and strong. Once you get used to them, you'll take to the sky easily I bet."
Tabitha quirked a smile as her wings were felt. The sensation was curious, but not awful. She spread her wings for Coco to examine and her eyes started to drift shut as the examination moved along those alien limbs and the gentle sensations radiated from it.
She snapped those wings shut as she realized she was drifting off and just how... inhuman it all was. She wasn't who she had been.
Coco blinked at the reaction, but moved along, poking Tabitha's hind leg before she gasped quite loudly.
"What?" Tabitha peeked over her shoulder at Coco staring directly at her back end with wide eyes. "I... Look, we're both females. You're just as naked, why are you staring like that?"
Coco shook her head and spun in place, looking away. "Y-you're not a mare!"
Is... that what she had... oh god. Tabitha crashed to the ground. She had lost everything. She wasn't even a woman anymore. She wasn't even female, a mare, whatever that was. She started to shake and cry, losing all grip on her ability to hold herself together.
"N-no! Please, stop!" It was Coco, who had turned back to her. "Please! I was just surprised. You are a mare, really."
"W-what? You said... You don't misidentify th--Ah!" Her words were cut off as Coco reached forward and just touched the named part. She was a mare. Things felt different back there subtly, but she was a mare. She wasn't a lady, but she was female. The relief of at least having that much brought a powerful, shuddering, gasp from her as she sank with relief.
Then the hoof moved. Tabitha froze as the alien sensations welled up. She was a male too. A stallion. A heck of a stallion by the sensations reaching her tired mind. She went red as she did what stallions do when mares take a pointed interest in what's between their legs.
Coco danced away, putting her hooves firmly on the ground instead of poking at Tabitha's sensitive bits. "That's what I meant. You're not a mare or a stallion. You're... a little of both, just like you're human and pony."
"And all freak."
"Don't say that!" Coco frowned at her friend, imagining the pain that must be hurting her, or him. Them... "You're fine. Whatever you want to be, you can be."
Tabitha turned to face Coco, which put her mismatched bits thoroughly out of sight. "Look, I wasn't searching for that kind... of thing, but even if I was, what... I mean who would even want anything to do with that?"
Coco blushed softly. "I don't know you that well."
Tabitha blinked at the response. "But you're alright besides that? You'd be alright with... that?"
Coco's tail was down, guarding herself. Off the cuff, no, she'd probably run screaming, but that was her friend, who was hurting so bad already. She wanted to help. "It means you can do what you have to do but you also know the other side, so I can trust you to behave well and properly. A stallion that is intimate with a mare's point of view could be quite good."
Tabitha quirked a smile at that as she slowly rose back to her hooves. "You're being nice, but thank you. I appreciate it. Look, this is enough for any land... person... to expect from any tenant. You can go now, really. I'm... fine."
Coco knew her friend was far from fine. "No."
That was about the first time Coco had ever refused so flatly. Tabitha was surprised. "Really, go ahead. I'm sure you have things to do."
"I'm not going anywhere without you. You've been through a terrible thing, and I won't leave you alone right now. You need a friend, and you have one." She took a step forward. "If you'll have me."
"You really don't have to do that." Tabitha smiled despite that, and it didn't feel nearly as forced as her other ones had been.
"I don't have to... but you didn't have to help me when I was feeling down, and that was my own fault." She smiled a little. "That's what friends are for, right?"
"But I'm your landlady," argued Tabitha lamely. A large part of her wanted to take the offer of friendship and shut the heck up.
"And you still are," agreed Coco. "You are also my friend. You are also somepony that is hurt. There is no shame in being hurt, or afraid. You're being very brave right now, but it's alright. You can be hurt."
"But..." She was supposed to be in charge! She was like the captain of the ship, or the president of some tiny building-sized nation. With her, it would rise or fall. Despite those mental words and more, Coco looked at her with empathy, willing to accept her, frailties and freakishness and all. "Alright..."
They left the office together. Tabitha locked the door securely on leaving and glanced aside at her companion, remembering something. "Hey."
"Yes?"
"You're a designer, aren't you? I don't suppose you could make an outfit that would fit me? I really don't want to be... so exposed."
Coco smiled at the question. "That's a very human question." She said it as a compliment, and it was taken as one. "I'd be glad to try. Let's go to my place and we'll share some tea while I get all your measurements."
Tabitha emerged from Coco's apartment. She felt... She wasn't sure how she felt. She had a friend at least. Coco's measurements had been quick as they could be, seemingly taking into account that Tabitha was sensitive about how she looked and even felt. Pleasant words went back and forth, but they were empty, just like she felt just then.
She moved for her own apartment, feeling the alien interplay of muscles that carried her along. It was a miracle, or magic, that let her stay upright, to be able to just... feel it without collapsing. Her new pony lower half was powerful and sleek. It wasn't... a bad body, it just wasn't hers, damn it.
Her door opened, which was quite odd since she hadn't quite gotten her hand to the knob. It was Razz, exiting with a little frown that turned into shock as he saw who he was coming out towards. "T-tab?"
She cringed. She had hoped to flee to her room and sulk, but instead... "What are you doing in my room?" Indignation was a far safer emotion than anything else.
"O-oh! I was looking for you." He quirked a smile, but it faded. "What happened? I-I, I mean... Wait..." He narrowed his eyes. "Why aren't you at the convention?"
What kind of question was that? "Because I didn't go? I still have the ticket, and gave you the ot--" She cut off as he rushed her and hugged her firmly, a leg across her... back? She had two backs. His leg was around the lower one and drawing her in tight. "What's going on, Razz Berry?!"
He detached and sank to his haunches. "I was just making sure it was you. We were alone when you gave me that ticket, so I figured only you would know about it."
Tabitha mutely nodded. "Well, there. It's me, Tabitha, now I'm going to go inside, alright?"
She hadn't really phrased it as a question, but he didn't move. "What happened? You, um... You..."
"I'm ugly, I know."
"No!" He hopped to his hooves. "You're that pegasus I saw."
"I don't think so." She scowled a little at the stallion. "Not unless you'd still be you if someone came along and ripped your head clean off."
He winced at the image, but didn't retreat. "That's not true. Your brain's right there." He pointed up at Tabitha's head. "Right inside that pretty head."
Did the horses not know the definition of ugly? Tabitha couldn't parse how Razz had spoken those words. "You're out of your feathered brain, Razz."
Razz shook his head firmly. "While, um, part of me is a little sad you're not, you know, bipedal... You're still my friend." He flashed a big grin, about to say something but he thought better of it.
"What were you going to say?"
"Nothing! Just... how do you feel?"
"Awful."
He tilted his head a little. "I'm guessing you... This wasn't on purpose, right?"
"What was the first hint?" She realized she was being more acidic than she intended and heaved a sigh. "Look, Razz... I'm torn up right now."
Razz advanced on her and began to circle. He would soon see... that. Tabitha hadn't wanted that and turned to keep pace with him. "Razz, cut it out."
He did stop, but looked all the more confused. "Is something wrong? Are you hurt? I mean, besides, you know... Tell me!"
"Why should I!?" She had screamed. She hadn't meant to scream, but she had done it.
Razz sank back, stunned a moment before he licked over his lips. "I... am going to assume that's you being hurt."
She quirked a smile. Razz was being more mature than she had given him credit for. "Razz, please. Let me go."
He didn't try to stop her again, and she trotted towards her room, only for him to gasp loudly. Her walking had let him see what she hadn't wanted him to see. Great... The whole city would soon know about it, and her building would be practically empty again. Maybe Coco would stay... She froze where she was, broken and breaking yet more inside.
Razz recovered only for the fact that she hadn't fled and slammed the door shut. "T-tabby!"
She spun on him. "Go ahead, call me a freak! I am one, a hideous and deformed monster. You'd better run, little pony, or I'll tackle you and do terrible things to you!" Her voice was becoming a huge run-on sentence as her emotions ran away from her.
He didn't run. "Does it hurt? Can I help?"
Can he help? She crashed to her new haunches. "Unless you can turn me back to normal... no..."
"What did this?" He slowly approached, his eyes dead on her eyes, not straying to other things.
"Not what, who." She wasn't going to escape Razz. That was becoming more and more firm in her mind. "Come in." She stood up and walked away. He followed right after her and she closed the door behind him. Maybe she did have a second friend. "Do you remember that elf?"
"The one with the big mammaries?" he asked as if that were just a body-part as any other without sexual meaning. "It's hard to forget her and her sour attitude. Did she do this?!"
"She did. She has magic and she used it." Tabitha folded her arms under her chest, both unchanged besides her being a bit smaller to match the rest of her. "Look, Razz. I want an honest opinion. With 1 being: Are her socks matching and 10 being: How did she survive that burn accident, how... messed up am I?"
Razz rose and moved to circle her once more. "Can I look?" She didn't stop him that time, so in he came. He wasn't that different from Coco. The part where pony met human was fascinating to him, and he examined her wings thoroughly. "Good flight feathers, dense coverage. You should be able to fly! Need a lesson?"
She didn't need a lesson! "I..." She wanted to be normal again... But what was normal? As a human, she wasn't very normal for that world. As a centaur, still not normal. Maybe teasingly close. "Keep looking."
He left her wings and went all the way around to the place she'd rather no eyes were cast. He went quiet, and she didn't feel him hoofing around or doing much of anything. "Well?"
"Have... Does it work?"
Does it work?! To be honest, she had no idea. "I didn't try going to the bathroom yet if that's what you mean."
"Well, sure, yeah, there is that, but I..." He stalled out.
"Out with it."
"You'll get mad at me and think I'm the freak!"
Did he? She spun on him. "Are you attracted to that?!"
He was a bright and cheery red. "I'm attracted... to you, Tabby. Whether you have more or none of the parts I expect."
Was he just saying that? Did he even know what love really meant? She wanted to chase him out of her apartment, to scream and yell and fume, but she didn't do any of that... "What do you see when you look at me?"
"I see a big... pretty... exotic lady that needs an even bigger hug right now. I see... my friend. Her name is Tabitha, but I like Tabby. She's my landlady, but more than that."
Tabitha raised a brow at him. "I thought you liked bipeds. I'm not one of those anymore." She clopped a hoof to demonstrate. "See? Four... damn hooves. No feet."
He looked thoughtful with a hoof tapping at his chin and his eyes narrowed just so. "I think... I just like interesting mares. I look at you... Can I be honest?"
"Please." She wanted honesty.
"I look at you and my blood runs hot like before. I still want to be your friend, maybe more... if that works out. If... it doesn't, I still want to be friends, for real friends, even if that means you friend-zone me forever."
She couldn't quite piece it together. "So you... really want to date a mare with a... I'm bigger than you!"
He blushed all the more intensely as his inadequacy was made all the clearer. It wasn't that he was small for his size or a pony. The damn elf had 'gifted' Tabitha well. "I don't care."
The way he said that... There was some petulance in it, like a small child stubbornly refusing to let go of a toy, even if it got smudged and torn. They weren't going to let it go. He wasn't letting her go. She smiled just a little. Being thought of that way both frightened and comforted her at once. "If I figure out how to... turn this all around, and go back to being normal, what then?"
"Then my wonderful friend has her old shape back. They're both nice shapes," he defended. "I'll be proud to be with you either way."
Was he saying that just to score points with her? She wondered that, but then realized that if he was trying to score points... why? "You do know my friends still get to pay full rent, right?"
He looked hurt by the insinuation. "I'm going to just assume that's your hurt talking. I live in your building, I pay my rent, which would be just as true if you were letting me stay in a room in your apartment. Oh!" He clopped his forehooves once before a big wince made him stop.
Why did he do that? "Something wrong?"
He turned a different shade of red a moment before he offered a hoof and turned it around to make the bandage on the underside visible.
"You're hurt!" she exclaimed even as she reached for it and cradled the injured hoof. "What happened?"
Razz giggled. "Now the tables turn! You told me, so I'll tell you, so we can be hurt buddies, even if mine will clear up faster." He told the story of how his friend had tried out a hoof pick and it... mostly worked. He didn't pull the hoof back, and she was still holding it, but she noticed how long she'd had it and let it fall to the ground.
"What was his name again?"
"Trap."
She nodded. "He sounds nicer than your other friend, but you need your hooves. He'll get you fired without breaking any laws."
He shook his head. "Being a friend sometimes means a little hurting. Tabitha, may I be your friend?"
The sharp turn caught Tabitha off-guard and she squinted just a little. "Stupid horse... Yes, yes we can be friends. Stupid horse."
He looked delighted at the response, insults or not. "Takes one to know one."
Though she'd have liked to hide, that was hardly an option. With the convention ending, people were checking out. She was in her office, collecting keys and payments. Most of the ponies stared a little, but few asked questions.
The uncertainty of it drove her wild, so she stopped a mare from leaving with an extended hand. "Hold a moment there."
"Hmm?" The mare peeked over her shoulder.
"Shouldn't you be... upset?"
She blinked softly. "I just assumed whatever magic let you look human was wearing off. Kind of sad I never got a picture of it. It was very nice." She smiled brightly at Tabitha.
Tabitha considered that. Seated on her haunches behind the desk, her... other... odd feature was concealed at least. "You could take a picture now, if you want?"
"Really?!" She dug out a camera with a smile and flashed a bright bulb at Tabitha, capturing a picture of her human form above the desk's line. "Thank you! Are you sure it'll come out right?"
"It should," assured Tabitha. She had no illusion to watch over her. "I'm glad you enjoyed your stay here." She inwardly groaned. They were not a hotel... but the bits...
She saw to the departure of many ponies, most of those who had taken up temporary residence. There were a few holdouts, but, for the most part, the convention was over for her apartment building.
She had just remembered she had a camera more than halfway from being purchased that she didn't technically need anymore and she rolled her eyes. "Pay it off, or ask if they can give store credit," she murmured to herself, considering both options. She could see her 'pony' self in any mirror in all its... glory.
"You have changed."
Tabitha looked up to see the monster from the second floor regarding her. "Yeah?"
"For better or worse, the pony land is now your land."
She blinked at that from behind her desk. "I suppose that might be true, if even they want me."
"Have they not so far?"
"They haven't seen all of me."
"I should go..." He turned to depart without delay.
She thrust out a hand. "Hold up there. Why do you only hang around for a few questions each time?"
"That, too, is a question." He wasn't fleeing at least, regarding her evenly.
"Sure, I... guess it is. Don't you have some?"
"Since you invite. Once human, once pony, now both and neither. Once woman, never man, now both and neither. The role of intermediary is filled, and is a task you are unfit for."
Tabitha hadn't heard a single actual question in there. She rolled a hand for him to continue, hoping that was enough.
"Every being in this land submits their head to destiny. What is your role, Caretaker?"
A question that seemed at once pointed, and yet ignored so much. She wanted to ask questions back, but his stare... It was her turn to answer a question, and it was a turn she had invited. "I'll... Well..." She waved a hand around at the building even as she rose to her hooves. "I'm the Caretaker. Even that princess thinks it's important. I'll take care of it."
He seemed satisfied with the answer. "There are Caretakers who struggle against that purpose, who would leave their wards behind to do something else, anything else. I am glad you are not among them." He gestured towards the elf's apartment upstairs. "You will find other tenants who wish you ill actively, instead of through non-comprehension and neglect. I should go..." He turned to leave and did not wait that time, even as she called out.
She was alone, standing there. With an almost angry grunt, she moved for the front door. She was going to face...
Tabitha faltered. She wasn't sure if she was ready to face the pony city as she was...
"There are many fewer guests," came a familiar female voice. Spring was standing there, ready to leave perhaps.
Tabitha felt rage well up in her. There was the source of everything! Well, at least regarding her mixed up state. "Turn me back."
"I owe you nothing." She raised a brow. "You were owed precisely one boon, and that has been rendered." A smile split her face. "You wish to earn another?"
Tabitha winced at the idea. "No! Look, how much? You're a wizard, you're reasonable, I hope. How many bits to undo this?"
"I pay you because you must pay the Caretaker. I am in no hurry to otherwise engage in the commerce of this land." Her eyes wandered over Tabitha. "Interrupted or no, I think my work came out as well as the subject can be. Are you enjoying your half-horse existence?"
Tabitha couldn't even put it all together. Did Spring really expect her to be thankful?
"Don't look at me that way, dear Caretaker." Spring leaned forward. "I do enjoy the larger living arrangements you have provided. See, I can be grateful. Your turn."
Tabitha's jaw worked once without sound. "L-look, I never wanted to... be part man." A safe place to start, she figured.
"Of course you didn't. You never had the chance to want or not want it, really. Enjoy it now, then thank me." She moved to stroll past Tabitha with a secure swagger. "Good day, Caretaker."
Tabitha turned to keep Spring in sight just for a pony to enter. It was Coco. She smiled brightly at Tabitha. "Feeling better?" Spring was gone.
She let out a breath she had been holding. "Compared to before, yes."
Coco nodded firmly. "I'm glad to hear that. I'm still working on that outfit. Until then, you could just wear human clothes for your top and pony clothes for the bottom and it should be fine?"
Tabitha had an irreverent T-shirt covering her top, and nothing down below. No pants she had could dream of fitting well. Still... "Not a bad idea. Do you have any that'd fit?"
"I'm more of a designer and less of a seller," admitted Coco. "I don't keep a lot of extras on hoof. If Rarity was here, I'm sure she'd have you set to go in a flash... In the meanwhile, there are some stores in town. You should go to Saddle Row!"
Tabitha blinked with confusion.
Coco looked guilty. "Oh right. Expecting you to know where that is was quite silly of me. Please, this way." She trotted right back out of the building.
Tabitha glanced around. She could try to hide again, or... She stepped out of the comfort of the building she had grown up in and followed Coco.
Tabitha tried to mind her own business, but her eyes did wander. The looks she was getting ran a wide spectrum. Some swerved to avoid even getting close to her while others stared. Those looks were a mixture of curiosity, apprehension, and disgust. She was different. She didn't fit into anyone's neat little labels.
None of them actually stood in the way, but they did whisper.
"It's like that other pony."
That caught her attention. She found her wings shooting out without being asked, annoying ponies who were trying to get past her. "Sorry, hey!" She turned to face the whisperer. "What pony?"
The stallion blinked at being called to. "What? Oh... uh..." He looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there, but he was still there. "Another pony tried to become half biped. I hear the Princess had to intervene. It was a mess." He scowled a little. "If you're smart, you'll find her instead of waiting to be found."
There had been another? At least some kind of mistake like hers. How? "Sorry, which princess are we talking here?"
"Princess Luna," offered the stallion. "Look, I should go." He retreated into the crowd and was lost only moments later.
Coco nudged Tabitha's barrel. "Are you alright?"
Tabitha shook her head quickly. "Yeah... I wonder why Luna didn't offer to fix me if she can do that?"
Coco led the way forward, tail swaying with each step. "If she could have, I can't imagine she wouldn't offer. Did you find out what happened to the other pony?" Tabitha shook her head as she followed. "More the shame. I'll try to find out, after we're done."
They arrived at Saddle Row. It wasn't hard to pick out, with all the clothing stores in sight and the ponies enjoying the wares they provided. For a people that accepted nudity as a non-issue, they had no issue dolling themselves up when given the chance. Tabitha smiled a bit at it. The idea of covering her shame, literally, appealed to her. Besides, she had bits in her purse and she was ready to spend a few. "That reminds me, how much for the suit you're making for me?"
Coco looked back at her friend as if surprised a moment before she recovered. "Oh, um, let's say a hundred and twenty bits, including the custom tailoring. Future ones should be cheaper once I learn the dos and do nots of your... shape." She led the way towards one of the stores and nudged her way in with a wave of a hoof.
A well-dressed mare approached them. "Welcome to the Bit and Bridle." Her eyes fell on Coco. "As I live and breathe, Coco. I thought you might have fled the scene entirely."
Coco turned a little red. "My old boss may have done some... underhoofed things, but I wasn't given up on, and I won't give up." She waved back at Tabitha. "My friend here would like something to cover herself. Ignore the upper half."
The tailor mare tilted her head as she looked over the strange specimen that was Tabitha. "If you were someone other than Coco's friend, I'd fear this was some sort of complex jest. Very well. I'll pay no mind to the parts that aren't pony shaped, which is just as well. As you may see, my clothing is made with ponies in mind. Do you have a particular look in mind?" She approached, horn glowing as she held up a ruler.
Tabitha realized that meant the new unicorn was going to get quite personal, so she tried to cut that off and save the surprise. "A warning. I have, uh..." How did she phrase it?
Coco saved her and leaned in, whispering to her friend. The tailor went a dark red. "Another jest?" She advanced despite that, and came face to... She saw it. "By Celestia..."
"Look, if this is too much, I'll get out of your way," promised Tabitha, feeling increasingly awkward.
Magic wrapped around her, squeezing her gently even as it held her still. "I'll have none of that! You're my customer, and have done nothing wrong. I'm the one acting like a little filly." She smiled, then got to measuring. "Now then, about that fashion?"
Tabitha felt... good. Sure, she was still a freak, but she was a freak that looked damn good. Covering her lower half was a tight dress that bloomed out towards her hooves, leaving them free and clear to carry her around or even break into a jog, or a trot as the ponies called it. The color complimented her fur, as much as she didn't need fur. If she had to have fur... At least she felt good in it.
"That's a very nice dress," complimented Coco at her side. "Your shirt, um, on your upper half. It doesn't quite match it, I confess. Do you have something just a tiny bit more formal?"
She was criticizing, but Tabitha heard only care in it. She glanced down at her almost-rude T-shirt and past it to her lovely dress. It really didn't fit together... "I'll swap out when I get home, right about when I find a spot for all this." She had some saddlebags, and they were filled with all the clothes she ended up loading up on while she was at that clothes store. She wouldn't hurt for a selection, and having new clothes...
Sure, it could be taken as a 'girly' thing, but that didn't make it untrue. She felt better with each outfit she had selected and put down the bits for. She was a new woman... mare... thing... Heck, with the clothing covering her, she was free to pretend she didn't even have the extra parts, and that was just fine by her. "Pity I had to stuff it all in saddlebags."
Coco blinked at that. "Your, um, backpack wasn't nearly big enough for all of that."
"Why do you even call them that?" Coco looked lost. "Saddlebags?" She still looked lost. "You don't give rides often, I imagine?"
She broke into a smile. "Oh! Well, yes. We often give our children rides, especially in very crowded places, like this city. You can't have a yearling getting lost, so a good saddle for them to ride in is just the thing for a mother or father on the go. I could be wrong, but I think those bags were invented for parents first, before everypony else realized how useful they were and everypony ended up wearing one when they wanted to carry a lot of things."
That made as much sense as anything else to Tabitha and she let it lie. She thanked Coco for the time out, then steeled her heart for her next challenge. She had faced the faceless city, but how about a pony that 'knew' her... "I'll be back. I have to see a friend of mine." She quietly added the part about hoping they were still a friend even as she began to trot ahead, leaving the waving Coco behind.
Tabitha made her way speedily towards her favorite grocery. New clothes made so much of a difference! Not just in how she felt, but in how others regarded her. She might have still been a freak, but she was a well-dressed one, and she could only assume the ponies around her figured she was far from a vagrant and gave her just enough deference to make her smile.
She pushed open the door that had handles that only made sense for a species with fingers. Ponies were odd, or so Tabitha decided firmly.
"Welcome!" came a familiar voice as Grannie came closer, only to slide to a stop. "T-tabitha? Dear! What happened to you?! You've... And..."
Tabitha considered her options, and decided to take it directly but downplay it. "Sorry for the confusion. It's still me."
"I can see that, at least, I see most of you." She squinted at the alien human top of her customer. "What happened to the rest of you?! And where's your pretty head?"
"I... was hiding."
"Hiding?" She raised a brow. "What fer?"
"This top half, that's the real me. The spell that hid it away is gone, so here I am... I'm sorry for lying to you."
She sank to her haunches, quiet a moment. "I don't quite get it, but if yer still Tabby, then yer still Tabby. You did eat what you bought, I hope? That wasn't part of the trick?"
"No no! I was completely serious about that." Tabitha stepped forward, tail swaying as she began to pick her favorite bits to cook later.
Seeing her customer get their usual things seemed to settle Grannie quite a bit. "You still like meat? I got a little something, just for you."
The meat in question wasn't labeled by what animal it may have come from, but it seemed like some kind of flank cut and looked like it would be tasty enough when prepared. Tabitha accepted it with a smile. "So, how's the dress?"
Grannie blinked. "Oh my! I was so floored at the top part that I didn't even look." She forced her eyes down and beheld the dress, whistling softly. "That looks like one of the fancy ones from Saddle Row."
"Good eye," complimented Tabitha. "So how's it look?"
"Like a million bits." She rang up the order. "Whatever you are, you're still a customer of mine, and practically one of my little lost foals. You get lost? You come calling, alright?"
Being accepted by the elderly mare put a smile right on Tabitha's face. "I'll be sure to do that, alright? You need a place to stay--"
"I know where to look." She nodded firmly. "Now go on, get. I'm sure you have other things t'be doing."
Tabitha left with a smile, only to practically bounce into a pony.
"Watch it," spat the pony as she raised her horned head to look at Tabitha, then blinked. It was Bubbles. "You?"
Tabitha wasn't sure how to react to the thuggish mare. She went with casual. "Hey." She moved to walk right past them, only to have the mare catching up at her side.
"Hold the phone! What's with the freaky additions, toots?"
"I always had that." She wasn't lying, or so she reasoned, since the unicorn was focused on her human half. "Maybe you should get your eyes checked." That wasn't the nicest thing she could say by far, but it felt good to at least be a little spiteful to the mare.
"Back up there." She squinted at Tabitha. "It's just like Razzy said! You really are... but..."
Of course Razzy had blabbed on her. She'd have to chastise him later, but it was a bit late to worry about that. "Look, I have places to be."
Bubbles glanced off and back at Tabitha. "Razzy doesn't belong to you." She hissed loudly.
"No, he doesn't." agreed Tabitha. "But none of that matters because I don't like you." She couldn't hurt Spring, for fear of supernatural who-knows-what, but that unicorn... She felt ready to test those new hooves of hers.
Bubbles glanced away and back, blowing one of those big gum pops she was in the habit of. "Look, I'm just watching out for him. Don't look at me like that. Sheesh, I'd think you were a ganger too."
Was a sufficiently violent look all it took to be taken for serious stuff? Tabitha huffed at her 'enemy'. "Alright, let's put it this way. He likes you, as a friend. I can't change that." She raised a brow. "I tried. You're there, and you're not going."
"So you admit it!" Her eyes burned with accusation as she pawed the ground with an agitated hoof.
"I admit I was protecting a friend." She crossed her arms under her chest. "But I'm ready to take a new tactic. How about you show me you can be a good friend instead of an occasionally useful thug?"
The unicorn blinked with building confusion. "What?"
"I'm challenging you," stated Tabitha even as Bubbles went on guard. "Be my friend, and be a good one. Spoiler, I don't need material help. My finances are in order."
Bubbles looked baffled at the very idea. "We don't even know each other's name!"
"Sounds like a fine place to start." She offered one of her hands. "Hello. I'm Tabitha. You are?"
The pony peered at the offered hand a moment before slowly extending one of her hooves to rest against the offered palm. They shook. "Bubbles... This is a joke, right?" She snorted derisively. "Ain't no way another mare would care about me for half a second."
"Good thing I'm not just a mare," retorted Tabitha with a raised brow. There were so many ways to take that, starting with her being half not-pony. "I expect you to be a good friend, and I'll be one in return."
Bubbles set her reclaimed hoof on the ground. "Look, there's still... I was protecting him."
"I know." Tabitha turned away and began walking, taking a note from her own mysterious guests. "Let's pretend that's all done with. We'll be friends now."
"Friends..." Bubbles caught up with her easily, walking alongside her. "Hey, since we're friends now and everything, that means you'll hook me up with a place of my own, right?"
Tabitha raised a brow. "I thought you had a place? Besides, Razz pays for his place the honest way like I'd expect from everyone staying there."
"I'm trying!" She lashed out a hoof and kicked Tabitha right in the back of one of her hind legs, making her stumble a step. "I am!"
Tabitha righted her walking with a frown. Part of her didn't want to help that unicorn... But helping her would help Razz, indirectly. "When's the last time you had a job, a real job?"
"What, for the stallion?" Bubbles looked incredulous at the idea. "Pass."
It had worked for one pony... "Would you like an easy job?"
"Hmm?"
"You know about watching things, right?"
"Sure?" She sounded uncertain, but she was still listening.
"You know how to scare people off if you want to?"
"I thought I did." She pointed at Tabitha. "Messed that up at least once."
"Great, so let's try something different." They arrived at Tabitha's place and she held the door open for her guest a moment. "I don't have a guard, but I get the feeling things will pick up enough to warrant having one. How'd you like that?"
She blew a big bubble. "Yer kiddin'."
Bubbles was staring at Tabitha, challenging her to reveal the trick. "Do you accept?"
"How much?" Her expression changed to calculating. "I ain't working fer cheap."
Tabitha raised a finger. "First, no thugging. You work for me, your actions reflect on me, and you won't need to do any of that while you're getting paid well anyway."
"Right..."
She raised another finger. "Two, I'll provide an apartment. You live here, you guard here. You're guarding your own property along with everyone else's."
Bubbles perked her ears, listening without word.
"As for actual pay... Ten bits an hour." Near as she had been able to tell, ten was a step up or so from entry level. She didn't expect arguments.
"Twelve." Bubbles sneered a bit as she hamfistedly... or hamhoovedly, negotiated. "Twelve or I walk."
"You'll get eleven and thank me for it. This way." Tabitha walked off with Bubbles behind her so they could sign contracts and get the fine details out of the way. The way she saw it, she either did really well, or really badly. She hoped the former.
Tabitha woke in a cold sweat. She'd had a haunting dream, but not in the usual way.
She staggered towards the dimly lit kitchen, her stepping made all the more awkward for her new hooves. Some parts of her refused to play along. Still, it did bring some things to mind. "Why?"
Why had Spring done what she did? Why hadn't Tabitha kicked her right out onto the curb to...
Well, there was one thing. She didn't know of any other... nexi? The way Luna talked about it, they were far from common. Did she really want to unleash the spiteful elf on those smiling horses?
But that was just one reason... She got to cooking breakfast even as her pony half fidgeted softly. "Was it on purpose?" She was talking to herself again. She chastised herself internally for doing it, but it never really slowed her down.
She imagined Spring. That haughty sneer that made her want to kick that elf in the face, those curves that...
Tabitha was blushing alone. She blamed the new parts, but she couldn't entirely dismiss thoughts of that elf in that light. Even if she was attracted, damn it, Spring didn't deserve it!
Her thoughts slid to venting her desires and urges in a violent way, which only made her turn more and more red as she went. "This is ridiculous."
"Good morning, Caretaker." It was her. Tabitha slowly turned to face the intruder. "Even beasts need their breakfast. Don't let me intrude on that."
"You already did." Tabitha scowled at her unexpected guest. "This isn't your room anymore."
"I'll go if you want me to, horse lover." She rolled a naked hand. "I don't think you do."
Had it been on purpose? Tabitha found herself wondering all the harder instead of focusing on kicking Spring out. "You keep calling me that, horse lover."
"I speak it as I see it. Am I wrong? I doubt it."
"I think you're looking the wrong way when you say it." She advanced on Spring, who looked all the more defiant, but didn't retreat. "One of us is a horse lover."
"Hmmph, as if I'd ever allow myself to be sullied by the touch of a rank beast that way," she scoffed even as Tabitha closed the distance and stood before her. "All they think about is filling their disgusting faces and slaking their unthinking lusts."
"On you, I imagine you're hoping." Tabitha suddenly grabbed Spring's left arm. She wasn't shoved away, and no horrible elven magic blasted her.
"Look at you," sneered Spring. "Already giving in to those equine thoughts. You're practically a stallion now." Her eyes darted down a moment. "Already ready, I see?"
"You gave this to me. You can--"
Tabitha roused from sleep with an aborted snore. She blinked as she looked around the darkness. That dream didn't flee as quickly as some others, and she was filled with thoughts of it even as she slowly slid free of bed.
Did Spring really want that? Did Tabitha? Holy Christ on a stick, it was all messed up. Tabitha shook her head as she advanced on her kitchen, looking around carefully for Spring as she went. She had to speak to her tenant. There was too much unfinished business between them.
With breakfast filling her belly, Tabitha trotted to the elevator and onwards to Spring's floor. She slowed to a walk as she approached the door, imagining the entire place was one big forest. Steeling her nerves, she knocked firmly.
There was quiet for a time before it swung out to reveal Spring standing there. "Yes, Caretaker? It is not time yet for payments."
"I want things between us to be crystal clear." She thrust up a finger. "What you did was entirely wrong. However you felt about the speed of asking a favor, it doesn't excuse turning me into a half horse."
"So you don't like it?" Her eyes roamed down over Tabitha's clothed equine half. "I see you've found something to cover that shame with, but you needn't have. The other animals seem to hardly mind."
Tabitha's wings unfurled on their own as she became annoyed. "Wipe that damned sneer off your face! I didn't ask for this and never would have. You can call it a 'favor' all you want, but it was a fuckup, and nobody would argue that besides you."
She raised a brow slightly. "And what will you do about it?"
Tabitha recoiled faintly. What would she do about it? "You report to someone."
"I do," agreed Spring.
"Give me their name and address."
She raised two hands in a large shrug. "Basic letters have no chance of reaching him, horse lover."
"I want it anyway. I'll figure out how to get a message to him and tell him what you've done."
Spring paled just a little. "Y-you wouldn't... Hmmph, you're all bluster! You couldn't do that in your wildest dreams."
"I couldn't," agreed Tabitha with a smile. "But I have friends. A talented magician is coming to help out around the building. I bet they could manage it. Now give me that information or get the hell out."
She was drawing a line in the sand, clearly and firmly. Spring clearly didn't like it, squirming a bit. "Fine! Fine..." She produced a scrap of paper and quickly jotted the information with a very fluffy quill. "Here! Tell him, if you must. I did what was right, horse lover."
"Stop projecting! God, you keep hoping I'll be more of an elf lover."
Spring paused a moment. She didn't argue the statement, which seemed to say a lot to Tabitha. "I gave you what you didn't know you wanted."
Tabitha raised a brow. "As far as you guessed. And if I really don't want it?"
Spring glanced away and back. "If I... promise another boon, in two moons, should you still not favor my gift, will you not send that letter? I will return you to your original form, no strings."
Tabitha had some power over Spring, and it felt heady. The elf wasn't immune to everything. "Why not now?"
Spring flashed a smile. "You need time to properly decide. Even he wouldn't argue that condition. Horse lover, I think you'll find I've given you a fine form, to say nothing of the side benefits."
"Such as?" Tabitha raised a brow. Was there more?
Spring reached forward, placing a hand right on Tabitha's chest even as she tried to dance away. "Feel this." Tabitha settled down. She could feel the elf's hand, but besides that, not much else. "There is a heart here," explained Spring. "And one below. They are bound by powerful magic. You will not hurt for circulation, and should one fail, the other will continue. That alone should add years to your life."
Tabitha blinked at the news. She wasn't old, or young. She knew what death meant, so having it shoved back wasn't a meaningless offer. With an almost angry swish of her new tail, she demanded, "What else?"
"There's the obvious... You are built for being a horse lover. You can love any horse." She leaned in perilously close. "As I promised, you have a scent that drives them wild. Subtle, but potent. Even they don't realize."
Tabitha paled at that. Is that why Bubbles had followed her without complaint? Is that what made Razz still like her so easily? Is that...
"You look quite thoughtful, Caretaker..."
Tabitha frowned at the elf, trying to measure her ragged breaths. "Does it stop them from thinking?"
Spring rolled her eyes. "They can think as well as they could before, for beasts. I'm sure some horses will decline your presence even with it. Have some already?"
Tabitha saw no right answer for that query, so she didn't answer it. "Anything else?" She didn't want more surprises.
"Oh, yes... But I won't speak of them, not yet. You look overwhelmed, Caretaker." She put a hand on her chest. "You'll see. My gift isn't as bad as you seem to think."
"Why do you even pretend you care what I really think?" demanded Tabitha, clopping a hoof to the ground.
"Because I do..." The elf smirked faintly before she took a step back. "A good day to you, horse lover."
She pulled the door shut, leaving Tabitha in the hallway to consider that verbal battle and if Tabitha had won or lost it. She had the name and address of Spring's direct report, at least. She had to have confidence that whatever pony Luna sent would be able to use it, if she decided to.
Tabitha returned to the elevator, grumbling a little. She got off the elevator in the lobby and moved for the office. The frown on her face was washed away to see an earth pony seated there patiently. "Hello there. Have you been waiting long?"
"Huh?" His eyes went a little wide on seeing her, all of her. "N-no, ma'am... I heard... I mean, seeing it..." He put a hoof in his mouth a moment. "I'm really messing this up. I want a room, please? I heard you don't mind... unusual tenants?"
She looked him over, confused. He was about the most average horse ever. She swung open the door to her office and headed inside, with him following after her. "You'll have to work a lot harder to match some of those I already have."
"It's my marefriend... She's a siren."
Tabitha settled behind her desk. "Like the singing people into rocks kind of siren?"
He looked lost at the reference. "An aquatic kind of pony that can influence the emotions and minds of others. She's good though, promise! Please believe me... Nopony else will."
Tabitha could imagine that poor horse going from place to place, being shut down for being married to what was likely considered a monster. "Bring her here. I'd like to meet everyone that's moving in."
He brightened at her phrasing. "You mean?"
"I want to meet her first. Assuming she's a good person and you have the bits, this shouldn't be an issue."
He dashed off, but it was only half an hour later that he returned, a mare at his side, covered up in a cloak and looking quite nervous.
Tabitha rolled a hand. "You probably don't look freakier than me, let's see it."
She glanced at her boyfriend, then at Tabitha before she shrugged the cloak off to the ground, revealing a pony with smooth lines and sharpest teeth when she spoke. "Hello. My coltfriend has told you all about me?"
"We have a strict rule about tenants using magic on other tenants. If you'll abide by that, you being a siren shouldn't be a big deal." Tabitha smiled a bit. "So, what do you do?"
"Do?"
"For a living."
The siren turned a bit red. "Of course... I'd like to do a lot of things, but ponies don't want to hire a siren... I live off my coltfriend's generosity right now." She leaned over and kissed his cheek firmly. "He is my everything."
The stallion smiled brightly at the compliment. "I... Oh, you must think so little of us. I swear, she's not controlling me! I'm the one that talked her out of the sea to live with me. It's my idea... The least I can do is pay for it."
Tabitha wasn't getting any bad vibes from the two. They seemed like a genuinely caring couple. In fact, she kinda wanted to help the siren... But what could she do? She had no jobs that needed a siren's touch. "We just have to do some paperwork." She pulled one of her sheets out and got to filling it. "One thing to warn. If you think sirens are weird, we have stranger in this building. They won't hurt you, but they are strange. I need you to at least tolerate them, and they'll return the favor."
Tabitha walked down the road. She wasn't alone. She had Coco beside her. "Remind me how you got here?"
Coco smiled in that gentle way of hers. "I won't be that bad. I'm not here to be a pest, just to see that camera."
"You really need one?" She had mentioned she was going to pay that camera off and she had gained a Coco at her side without delay.
"Just for one thing," she murmured softly as she looked away and back. "Is it really that advanced? I... I'm not that good at cameras, so one that did most of the work for me would be fantastic."
Tabitha imagined the camera dangling around Coco's neck, next to her ascot and chuckled at what, to her, seemed an adorable image. "I'm the one paying for it," she reminded. "What do you even need it for?"
Coco raised a hoof to her chin as her other three hooves propelled her. "I'm looking at a particular park. I need to secure permission to use it, for a play. I would only need to borrow it a few hours, promise. I'll be very careful with it."
Of all the ponies she'd ever met, Tabitha could imagine saying no to Coco least of all of them. She reached out a hand and gave her a pat. She still wasn't sure if that was a 'thing'. She'd never seen the ponies casually petting each other, but Coco hadn't complained... "Alright, let's finish paying for the thing. It better come with a strap..." For how much she was paying, she hoped it came with everything it needed to get going.
They arrived at Steers only to be greeted by a smiling earth pony. "Hello!" She seemed excited to see Tabitha. Had reports of her money circulated through the store already? "How can we help you today? Are you here for the layaway department?"
Tabitha nodded at the mare. "I am, but... shouldn't you be more surprised?"
The mare blinked softly and looked Tabitha up and down. "You are Miss Tabitha, are you not?"
"I am."
She smiled brightly. "Oh good. They told me the color of your mane and fur and that you were a pegasus, and here you are. Besides, an... Um, please pardon me, but... Your lack of a cutie mark is a dead giveaway, ma'am."
"They didn't mention I was a pegasus?"
"Aren't you?" The salesmare leaned to the side to be sure of Tabitha's wings and her pony body. "I'm really sorry, Miss. Please, let's just put that aside. How can I help today?" She was smiling wide and ready to do her part. The fact that Tabitha was not really a pegasus seemed to mean little to her.
Coco cleared her throat, gaining the salespony's attention. "Excuse me. We want to finish paying for that camera."
"Oh! They said there was a good chance you'd handle that long before the due date. This way." She turned away and began to lead them off towards the layaway section.
The paperwork was minimal with the bits presented and Tabitha was treated as royalty, which implied to her that most ponies didn't just buy such expensive things that often or so quickly. She was the proud owner of a box! She wouldn't be happy with just a box though. With Coco staring on anxiously, Tabitha undid the wrapping and pulled out the camera. She also found a harness for hanging around a pony neck while keeping it ready to snap, and a basic cord. No tripod, and no film.
The fact that it needed film at all made Tabitha raise a brow. Expecting the ponies to have digital photography would have been a bit much... "So what kind of film does it take?"
Coco leaned in and looked at the well-crafted machine, "It looks like it would take the usual sort. I see some over here." She led the way to a rack full of various films with different numbers and labels. What each of them meant, Tabitha didn't know.
Fortunately, the salesmare was still there, and began explaining how each was ideal for a specific amount of lighting, exposure, and other little details a photographer would worry about.
Tabitha shook her head. "Assume we know nothing, which we basically don't. I just want normal, plain, film."
She reached out a hoof and took down a pack of five canisters in a small box. "With such an advanced camera? You don't even want the higher quality?" She brushed a hoof over another collection. "They take divine pictures." She didn't say a price. Of course she wouldn't. So far as the ponies were concerned, she was made of money.
Tabitha smiled gently. "We're just getting started, so let's go with the basic film, so we don't have to feel bad about wasting it."
"Of course, Miss." She secured the package. "Would you like a bag for your camera, to keep it safe and all the parts and film close at hoof while you're working?"
Tabitha knew when she was being taken for all she had, but a bag was far from a bad idea, so she did take that, and declined most of the extra goodies that she 'had' to have. By the time she had gone to pay for it all, Coco already had gotten a roll of film into the beast and was ready to use it, She even had it around her neck in that harness clearly made for ponies. "How do I look?"
Tabby couldn't help but smile a bit at it. "You look like you paid for it."
Coco had the sense to blush at that, and started to take it off.
"No no, keep it for now. Let's go to where you needed those pictures."
Coco nodded up at Tabitha. "Yes, let's."
As they turned to go, a familiar pony crossed their path, stopped, and turned to face Tabitha with wide eyes. "What happened?!"
It was the other layaway worker that she had spoken to before. Tabitha gave a blink of surprise before she remembered who he was. "Oh, hello there."
"H-hello yourself, um, Miss?" He blinked himself before he stood up. "What happened?"
The salesmare laughed in an obviously fake way. "We're just seeing Miss Tabitha to the door. She's had quite a shopping experience, and I'm sure she'll be ba--"
Tabitha held up a hand to silence the talk. "He's not bothering me, honest."
"If you're sure... I'll be just over here if you need anything at all, Miss."
Tabitha nodded before returning her attention to the befuddled stallion. "So, hideous huh?"
"No! I mean..." He started going red. "Please don't do that, Ma'am. Calling a customer ugly is hardly... I like this job, and you aren't ugly. Promise."
Coco glanced between the two. "You met her before then, Mister?"
"Oh, yes." He pointed to the layaway department. "I work there most days and I helped her a few times. I see you got your camera! That's fantastic." With his tail starting to swish, he smiled brightly. "I know you'll take some great photos with it. You do know we can develop your film here, right?"
Tabitha hadn't. "Really? I'll keep that in mind." She quietly wondered if there were cheaper places where she could get average film developed with less fuss. "You should get to work, shouldn't you?"
"Oh, yes, Miss, yes, but..." He rolled a hoof. "Are you alright? Please, as a friend."
Tabitha blinked at that. "We barely know one another."
"I still care, Miss. Are you alright? You're acting it, but..."
"The magic hiding me is gone. This is the real me," told Tabitha, lying by omission. "I'm not hurt, promise. If I don't look too... upsetting, I plan to come back here."
He nodded firmly. "Good to hear, Miss. Please, take care. I'll be swinging around to see that apartment if that offer's still available?"
"It is. Now get on before they get angry." Tabitha gestured faintly at the two store ponies that were watching them intently. More loudly, she proclaimed, "I'll be sure to come back later. With service this good, how could I not?" She winked at the stallion, and they both went their way.
Coco pointed across the road. "The place I was looking at is this way. I have a few in mind and want to take a few pictures of each before settling on one. It'd be nice if we could use the park, to tell the truth."
"Good view? Cheaper?" Tabitha stabbed at likely reasons, having no real idea.
"It's where it used to be, long long ago." Coco trotted across the street with Tabitha. "I'd really like to revive that tradition, but there are so many steps involved before that can happen." She nudged the camera she had been lent. "At least this will get the ball rolling, so to speak."
Coco arrived at a small run-down building with Tabitha at her side. She wrinkled her snout at it. "They said it was... a little fatigued, but this..." She produced that camera, swiveling it up to where she could see through it. Click, wind, click, wind. "This really is simple. Do you want to try it? It is your camera."
Tabitha's tail gave a flick as she considered. "Coco."
"Hmm?"
"Would you be upset... if I had an attractive smell? Like a scent?"
Coco looked baffled at the idea. "Did you always have it?"
"No, I think it was about when I went... tauric, you know, half-pony." She gestured over her horse body which was closer to three quarters of her body rather than half.
"I liked you before that, and I still like you." Coco tilted her head. "I'm afraid I'm not qualified to answer that. If... you wanted to..." She started going redder by the word, and abandoned the thought.
Tabitha got the drift quickly enough. "I'm not suggesting that. You're a lovely friend."
Coco returned the smile offered. "Good. I'd like to keep that, I mean, being your friend. This way to the next stop." She turned away and began walking along.
Tabitha followed along after. "This doesn't come up often, but just to be clear, if I push at a boundary, you tell me to fuck right off."
"What?"
"You don't owe me a damn thing besides the monthly rent, and following the rules. If I start asking for more than that, you tell me to shut up and mind my business."
Coco gave a little nod as she went. "So... even if you make a personal... proposition... I should ignore that you are my landlady?"
"Completely." Tabitha nodded as she walked. "If you don't want to, don't. Period. I'm not here to abuse my power, and I need a good friend, not a forced one."
"You're so different from Suri..."
That was her old boss, right? "Was she that bad?"
Coco rolled her eyes. "Let's not talk about her while she's not here. Have you considered taking some pictures of your own building to advertise?"
Tabitha settled at her computer. Her chair was off to the side. She couldn't fit into it properly anymore. Seeing it made her annoyed, and yet there it was. She couldn't bring herself to chuck it out. It had been a gift from her parents, the same that might be challenged to even recognize her.
Her computer chimed softly. She reached for it and saw an email had arrived. Was it the one that sent her? No.
Hello Tabby Patty! This is Mom. How're you doing? Who am I kidding, writing you as if everything was alright. I'm not even... Look, don't stop reading.
Tabitha stopped reading. She sank back with a dazed look. Was that really her mom? That name wasn't one she heard often from anyone since she was a small child. Her eyes were drawn back to the screen.
The fellow that's just a bunch of words said I could talk, once. I suppose I'm just that, words on your screen. Sorry. You really need a hug about now.
Tabitha smiled at that. "Can you hear me?" she ventured, unsure of the limits of the situation.
Sort of. Look..........
The periods appeared at a rate of about one a second. It was grammatically horrible, but sensible enough.
I love you. Even if you have a horse's butt. You have to be so scared right now. If I could, I'd hug you and never stop. Wherever this adventure takes you, and it is definitely an adventure, I just want you to remain my Tabby Patty, which means being a good person, and a good manager, and you're being both of those things. I don't care who you settle with. Honesty time. For the longest time, your father and I thought you were hiding being gay from us. The idea of never having a grandkid bothered me, but I did realize your life is your life. It's not your job to make me grandkids now, later, or ever. It is your job to be happy. Be happy.
Her words were coming faster and faster, as if her stream of thought were just being produced on the screen. "Calm down... mom." Tabitha felt increasingly certain it was her mother she was speaking with. "I'll do my best."
You will, and you have, and you are. If you smooch a magical pony, well, fine. At least a little part of me wishes I had the chance, just to say I did, but I was quite happy settling down with your father. You do what you want to do. If my grandchild has a fur coat... fine. It's your life, not mine, and I love you. Be true to yourself and you'll make me proud.
Her mother seemed to be giving her permission to do... anything? "How do I know it's you?"
That's tricky. I don't have a body. You scattered the ashes of that yourself. Oh please don't cry! You did that right. You... Look, I'll be honest here. This isn't how I imagined your life going. But here I am, and here you are. I'd rather you move ahead than worry about could be or should be. Be a good person. I do ask that you at least... Can you settle down? I'd be happier if you--
The font changed suddenly.
Hey Kiddo, dad here! Your mom was about to come down on you about marriage and stuff, but I already know you're going to do what you want with that, and that's alright. Being dead means you should stop harassing people about how they get hitched.
That's not true!
Let's not waste our time arguing in front of Tabby.
Tabitha's eyes darted, reading one line after the other when she heard a thump from the outside.
"Tabby?" It was Razz and he was stepping inside with no real concern for the sanctity of space. "Are you--Oh there you are!"
Tabitha panicked. She smashed the power button on the monitor, banishing it before she spun around to face her intruder. "Razz?"
"That's me! I had a hard day at work today and I was hoping to talk to somepony. Are you available?"
Part of Tabitha wondered why he hadn't gone to bother Bubbles or Trap, but he was there, and she was there. She wasn't going to send him packing. "Razz... Alright, what happened?" She turned away from the computer entirely for the moment.
Without realizing any inconvenience he may have caused, he began droning on about how walking on his injured hoof made a lot of things trickier, but he pulled through. "I didn't want to go back."
"Back?" She raised a brow at the word.
"It's my... everything. My life. I'm in charge of it, so I'm doing it right."
Tabitha couldn't help but smile. That sounded like the right answer for the right reasons to her. "And you're doing it. Do you plan to get your own place?"
He looked confused at that. "In the city? I'm not rich and my family doesn't have a place to pass down, so that's not very likely. I like it here..." With a nervous smile, he stood up. "Am I getting in the way? I'm sorry."
"N-no! It's not that." Maybe it was a little that. Still, he had a point. He'd be renting from somewhere if he stayed in the city. "Do ponies live outside of cities?"
"Of course." He shook his head. "There's plenty of space. There are little towns and stuff. Heck, if you want to live alone, you could do that, but that's not for me. I like it here. Did you see Bubbles?" He pointed downward. "I mean, you had to, right? She can't start working for you without you knowing about it."
Tabitha glanced at the computer where her parents were, and maybe they still were? She couldn't be sure. "Look, Razz, glad we caught up, really. How about we get together, later? I need to finish some... managing stuff. This building won't take care of herself."
It was one of her first outright lies, but it worked. He nodded at her, said his goodbyes, and took off with the sound of wings from the balcony.
With a soft puff of air, she pressed the power button on her monitor to reveal new words.
Is that your friend?
She had lost track of which font was mom and which was dad.
He looks cute enough, and responsible.
But he's a horse?
So is our daughter, so I won't have anymore talk about that, alright?
She's coming back! Hello dear. Please don't mind us. We can't erase what we said, so there it is.
Tabitha shook her head as she caught up with the conversation. "Are you with me, like... forever?"
That'd be fun, kiddo, but no.
We have to go back to where we were. We both wanted to come say how proud we still are.
How proud we'll always be. You're taking good care of this place, and yourself, even if you're half a horse now. You take care of that too. You make yourself happy, whether that involves furry little grandkids or not.
Will we even know?
Of course we
The words just stopped there. Tabitha tried tapping a few keys. She called to her parents, but none of it seemed to work. They were gone, back to wherever dead people resided. She settled back with a loud sigh, unsure how she should feel after that. Ultimately...
She moved to the mirror and gazed at herself, that half-horse creature she had become. She turned left and right and extended her wings out as she did it. She couldn't see all of herself with her dress in the way, but it didn't matter. She could see where human became horse, and she could see the lines of that horse.
It wasn't an 'it'. That was her. She was that. She was that and her parents were alright with that. A little smile quirked over her lips. Of all the things that damned jumble of words had given her, that one thing seemed... It was the nicest. She couldn't find the downside of it besides being made to face the loss of the two. She would rather have them, for real, but they were dead, and she was given a chance to speak to them again. It was a blessing.
She wasn't even religious but that had been a blessing with a capital B! She had been given a very precious gift, in part thanks to her parents being awesome people. She had been given freedom. However she decided to chase freedom, it was hers to chase. She smiled at the reflection that smiled back.
Even if she married a horse... A knocking roused her from her thoughts. "Who is it?"
The door opened, not locked and apparently the pony that entered took her words as consent. "Hello?" It was that unicorn from the store. "Ah! There you are! I came to tour the place and the office was empty. One of your tenants said this was your room. I'm not..." He started to go red as if he realized how improper he was being. "I can go." He didn't look like he wanted to go.
Tabitha approached the door and the pony in it. "To start, I want your name. We've talked too many times to not have it already, and you have mine."
"Ah yes, well." He pointed at himself. "I'm Due Note. A pleasure to meet you again, Miss Tabitha." His nose twitched, which would normally be ignored, but Tabitha was extra sensitive about exactly that sort of thing. Unlike her other friends, that pony sniffed again quite visibly and stepped closer. "Are you involved?"
Tabitha had not been created the day before. She backed away from the smitten stallion. "You snap out of that!"
Due blinked. "Is that a yes?"
"I'm not involved, but you're just reacting to a scent." She frowned at him. "Maybe it'd be better to meet after I take a nice long shower and get changed from the day."
"A scent?" He approached her. "That's--" He paused to sniff the air softly. "--silly. I don't smell anything but maybe a little unwashed mare. You... make the look work, Miss."
She was going to say more, but his horn began to glow and his telekinetic grip seized her somewhere sensitive. Every time she tried to contradict him, he pulled and squeezed so delightfully at her. Perhaps being a male meant knowing what males liked? She hissed out in annoyance. "You stop that! Seriously, I'd like to be a friend, but if you keep that up even a moment longer, we'll have a serious problem."
Due was approaching her, lost to everything but the desire to be closer to her in every possible way. She was both pissed off as hell and sorry for the pony. She closed the distance and he raised his forehooves to greet her. The look on his face was priceless when she scooped him up and carted him right to the door even as he tried to get in a kiss before it was too late.
"Come back when you've cleared your head." She basically hurled the stallion out into the hallway, slammed the door and did lock it.
Different ponies reacted differently in different situations... Just like humans, in that regard. She snorted softly as she got to crafting dinner and thinking towards the future.
A muted thump woke Tabitha. She roused from her bed, still perfectly serviceable to her half-pony form. The thump came powerfully and made her jump.
She came down on the floor, wobbling but upright. The sound has come from outside her room. Whatever it was, it fell on her to check out, unless her new guard got to it. She doubted that'd happen.
She pulled on a quick robe over her human half to help conceal what shouldn't be seen and charged for the door, twisting the knob to reveal a hallway of doors.
The thump was heard as one of those doors rattled powerfully, coming inwards half an inch before it collapsed back on itself. Something was trying to get in.
That was a room she hadn't rented out yet, confirming one of her theories. With a soft hissing click, she reached back and grabbed a baseball bat from her room. She never played, baseball that is, but it served as a fine weapon that few questioned the presence of and was exceptionally unlikely to be accidentally used on a friend.
Another door cracked open. It was Coco, who lived on the same floor. She peeked out at Tabitha, smiled, then squealed in terror as the door across the way thumped violently. She slammed her door.
Coco wouldn't save her.
Of course she wouldn't. Tabitha would have been amazed if her gentle little mare friend did that.
Drawing her bat up into easy swinging range, Tabitha approached that quivering door. "Whoever... or whatever th--"
The door burst open. The creature beyond it was bipedal. Its skin was leathery and warty, but its features seemed mildly melted as if it were forged of wax and allowed to run slightly. It towered over Tabitha with a club in its hands that put her bat to shame. Baring rows of deadly teeth at her, it roared in feral anger.
It lunged at her even as the door it came through closed quietly behind it.
Part of her wanted to run, to run and keep running, but that... thing... would be free in her building. It would do terrible things to Coco, and so much more.
She swung her bat in a fierce swing filled with desperation and it connected with its club with the sound of a home-run strike. The club fell from suddenly numbed fingers even as the bat did the same, both injured for the force that the two objects met, but that barely slowed the thing down. It shoved her back, making her collapse onto her haunches even as it leaned in and sank its rank teeth through her robes and dug into the tender shoulder flesh beyond.
Tabitha grunted with pain, a mild sound for such an explosion of discomfort as the beast tore into her with clear intent to murder her. She balled her fists and brought them around to punch at the beast, but it hardly seemed to care until she landed one right in one of its bulging eyes and forced it back half a step. Blood ran freely from the wound, staining her robe in a fashion she could lament later.
The elevator dinged softly. Bubbles stepped out of it even as the beast grabbed at Tabitha with savage claws, raking her delicate flesh and forcing her to retreat quickly away from its growling mass.
"What in Equestria...?" Bubbles lowered her head and her horn shone brightly, the glow seeping over the beast and freezing it in place, growling but motionless. "I thought somepony was just playing their music really loudly."
Tabitha had a moment. She used it to raise a shaking hand to her savaged shoulder. "Please... tell me you can keep this thing still."
"That thing? No--" She winced as the creature tried to resist, struggling powerfully against her magic. "--alright, maybe some trouble, but I have it."
The pain was starting to descend on Tabitha, thick and awful. She was bleeding. She was bleeding too much. She couldn't stop yet. "Throw it into there." She raised a bloodied hand to point at the door it came through, her hand shaking rebelliously in the air. "Get rid of it!"
"Aye aye, captain," she said as she gave a toss of her head, hefting the beast up and starting to haul it towards that door. "You alright?" She hadn't seen how messed up it had left Tabitha.
Tabitha wasn't sure she wanted to change that. "Just kick it out, and make sure... it doesn't come back." That same spell that had been used to kidnap her was being used to save her. She was quite happy to see it, when she wasn't internally screaming in pain. The bloody claw marks were starting to burn furiously as well. She felt like she was pain. "I have to go."
She retreated into her room, walking stiffly as she went.
"Uh... boss?"
Tabitha looked over her shoulder. Things were getting blurry.
"You... kind of have... ex--"
Tabitha realized she'd been spotted. Sleeping, she didn't have a dress. It hurt too much. It was too late. She wasn't going to deal with that, not then, not... there. "Get rid of it! We'll talk tomorrow."
She slammed the door shut, only to realize she'd left a bloody handprint on the door. She was dripping the stuff. She was hurt. She hurt.
Tabitha took a deep breath, or she tried, only to find doing so made her body flex in a painful twitch.
"You've looked better."
She turned towards the source to see Spring gazing at her imperiously. "It will reflect poorly on me for you to be felled by a simple troll. I make better things than that."
A distant part of herself was angry Spring was there at all. Most of her just wanted to fall over and curl in a ball until the pain stopped. "What do you want, Spring?" She tried to step towards her intruder, stumbling over nothing but herself in the process and barely keeping upright. "This is a bad time."
She approached, hands wreathing in green energy. "Protecting my reputation. Until you get a better grip of things." She reached for Tabitha.
Tabitha wanted to resist, to get away, but the offer... The pain could be warded away. "This isn't a favor."
Spring frowned at that. "Still awake enough to protect yourself? Humph. This one's on me." She grabbed Tabitha's arms and leaned in as power rushed forward into the injured centaur. Spring began to sing. The words were lost, some language other than English, but they were clear and pretty even as those gaping wounds began to close rapidly, leaving scarred messes that didn't bleed. But the singing didn't stop, nor did the healing. The scars shrank slowly as Spring sang her elven song.
Tabitha felt the pain lessen and fade. She was healthy. She was healthier by the moment even. Soon she was intact, though her robe was still a mess of drying blood, to say nothing of what she dripped and tracked. Would saying thanks invite consequences? "Good job," she settled. "Now tell me why you're in my room?"
"You invited me here, horse lover. We are 'friends' as you said, are we not?" She smirked faintly as she righted herself. "You won't die tonight, Caretaker."
"You don't know what a friend is." Tabitha snorted like the horse she half was. "I thought we were distant."
"You are no elf. Teacher, I'm learning." A smile spread on those full lips. "This is a pony land, and I must accept some of its rules, must I not? You are the one that declared us 'friends', horse lover."
Tabitha took a slow breath, devoid of the pain that had wracked her the last time. "Can we start with you not throwing titles at me, some of them entirely wrong and insulting? Tabitha. I am Tabitha."
"Tabitha..." She raised a brow. "Very well, Tabitha, you are mended and whole. You remain the Caretaker, for now. This is good, as I think I favor you."
Tabitha couldn't believe what was being said in part. "Just like that? I thought you hated me."
"Whenever did I say that, h--Tabitha. I made you. I do have some pride... You infuriate me with your actions, but they are not entirely out of comprehension. You are a talented outsider, the worst kind."
"You're still not complimenting me."
"Was I supposed to? I figured you'd appreciate truth more readily." Spring advanced, reaching out to where human became pony flesh. It seemed that part of her drew attention from everyone, Spring included. She gently felt over that spot with the tips of her fingers. "How do you feel?"
Tabitha danced away from that contact, hooves stepping quickly to put some distance between herself and the elf. "That scent, it doesn't work on elves, does it?"
"As if I'd be lured by the stench of a wild beast? You'd put that terrible tool to work and it would be a simple travesty..." Her words came through with one meaning, but the smoldering look seemed to say another.
Tabitha raised a brow. "Can we at least try to put aside the games?"
"Games?"
Tabitha saw two options. She could shove the elf out of her room and hope for peace, or she could be as blunt as possible. "Look, you..." She aborted saying a favor had been done, even if one had. "Let me be blunt. You like blunt. No insult intended."
"None shall be taken." Spring nodded lightly. "Speak your mind clearly, so understanding can be shared."
"You want--" A knocking interrupted them.
"Miss Tabitha? The guard said you were very badly hurt... Please say something or I... I'll have to come in and be sure."
Even as Spring rolled her eyes, Tabitha had to smile. Knowing Coco cared enough to do that was nice. "I'm alright, Coco."
"Are you sure? May I come in?"
Tabitha could hear the worry in Coco's voice and imagined the earth pony quaking with fear. She couldn't say no.
Spring apparently felt this. "We'll speak later. You have a horse to speak with." She withdrew and faded away with the sound of rustling leaves, gone.
Tabitha let out a soft grunt of annoyance, even if she wasn't entirely sure what she was annoyed at exactly. She approached the door on much surer hooves and threw the door open, almost smacking Coco in the process.
She squeaked and stepped back as the door opened, then she smiled, looking over her friend, only to turn to horror. "Miss Tabitha! You're... You're hurt, badly. We should get to the hospital!" Her eyes were fixed on the dried blood that caked the shoulder of her robe and was splattered across her front and had dripped down her legs. Tabitha was a mess, and felt awful for even being seen that way. "Don't just stand there. Oh no! You must be in shock. Don't you worry. I'm here now, and I won't leave your side until you're all better."
Even as Coco came forward to, somehow, wrestle her away, Tabitha reached down and gently pet over Coco's head, stroking an ear. "I'm fine, really. Thank you. Thank you so much."
No matter what else happened, she did at least have one sure friend.
Despite Tabitha's assurances, Coco did not leave, or even stop fussing about her. "Please," she asked with a worried expression. "Just come over here, lay down and let me have a look at you."
Tabitha went as she was directed, unable to muster a direct argument with Coco. "I'm fine," she did say, tail giving a twitch. How did she explain about Spring? The truth could work? "Spring healed it."
Coco raised a brow at Tabitha before she pointed up at the bed. "Lay down and let me see. I'm not going until I'm sure you're alright."
Tabitha grunted with annoyance as she stepped up onto the soft surface large enough to hold her equine bulk. "Coco, I'm fine."
Coco didn't seem to care about Tabitha's words, as shock-fueled as they could be. She hopped up lightly and reached gently, brushing the robe away. She had no real concept of decency, not like a modern human would, and she began to examine Tabitha's humanity with peering eyes and a complete lack of shame. "You're a very... curious..." She nudged Tabitha with a hoof. "You're not bleeding."
"See? I told you, I'm fine." She crossed an arm to cover her hardening teats, at least, from view.
"You're a mess, Miss Tabitha." Coco had a reproachful tone to her voice as she nudged Tabitha back, trying to knock her over but failing as Tabitha resisted and gave her a shove back. "Hey! Now that's just your surprise talking. You stop that and let me take care of you."
Tabitha grabbed her friend, drawing a surprised squeak from Coco as she hefted the pony up, ready to... She stopped. Coco was sniffling and looking sadder by the moment. Tabitha wanted to be rid of her, but that face... "Coco..."
"Miss Tabitha, I'm only trying to help, really. Please. I watched you get attacked and I ran away. I ran away and I didn't do anything! Please... Just let me have this."
Tabitha gently set the emotional earth pony down. "I'm really not hurt, I swear."
"I know..." She sat beside Tabitha and gave a little smile. "But I'm still going to look you over and make sure you're alright and nothing's going to crop up when we don't want it. That's what friends are for, right?" She tilted her head a little. "May I proceed?"
Tabitha tried to relax herself. She had her pony part sprawled out and her upper half pressed to the head of the bed. She was as relaxed as she would get. "Go ahead. You're not going to find anything though." She felt confident that the elven magic was thorough and pervasive.
Coco began running a hoof over Tabitha's naked flesh, feeling the heated skin with presses of her firm but sensitive hooves. "Your poor clothing's ruined. I'll take care of that, promise." She threw the robes to the side with a toss of her neck. "And you're a mess! We should get you in a bath..."
The contact was personal and... stimulating. As much as Tabitha tried to just think of it like a fussy nurse, her body rebelled against her. Her new sheath firmed with every throb of her heart, which was an issue, as she had two of them. She could feel it growing with every thump of either of them. Her alien limb, ignored and scorned, still performed as it was designed to do and she could feel it sliding wetly from its home. The feeling disgusted her and yet excited her a little.
She couldn't do that around Coco! "You have to go," she said just before Coco set a hoof on Tabitha's left shoulder and another landed on her right. "Coco?" The earth pony was gazing at her with a smile. There was adoration there, but it wasn't the guileful love of Spring or the clueless and immature gazes of Razz. Coco wanted her, and she looked entirely aware of what that meant.
That look only hastened what was going on between her muscular thighs as her equine member swelled with every moment and her own breathing became a little ragged. Was she attracted to Coco? She shouldn't be! She's... she was... Coco was a horse, damn it all!
Coco leaned in and kissed gently at the half-stunned centaur. "I thought you might die... I'm so glad that wasn't the case. Tabitha, may I sleep with you tonight?" The way she leaned in, the way her sweet breath was felt washing over Tabitha's face, and the way even her scent tickled at Tabitha, it was all so overwhelming. Had her nose been altered in some subtle way? She was certain she could feel Coco's desires. "Please..."
Tabitha knew Coco didn't intend to just sleep. In fact, she was quite unsure if sleeping was really part of the plan at all. She tried to squirm away, but that just gave a moment when her thighs were apart.
Coco slid a leg into that space and rubbed along the member with the fur of her leg, slowly grinding. "I know you're scared I'm not thinking properly, and maybe I'm not entirely, but I'm an adult, and so are you. Tabitha..."
"B-being an adult doe--"
"I want you, Tabitha." Coco kissed Tabitha's closer cheek, her tongue darting out to lick the smooth flesh. "I'm not fertile right now. This... I'm not asking you to start a family."
Even the mention of fertility made her shaft tense almost painfully, feeling as hard as a rock as it twitched upwards from her groin. It demanded to be used, and she was feeling awful tempted to surrender to that urge. Her rational part, small as it seemed anymore, was happy that she wasn't making a child. It was too quick, too sudden...
A loud thump came from the balcony. "Tabby! Bubbles to--" Razz came into the room but his steps slowed as he saw what was going on.
Tabitha turned to face him, giving him an eyeful of her breasts and wagging equine member. She blushed, and so did he, and Coco. Everyone was silent a moment.
Coco softly cleared her throat. "Mister Berry, it's quite impolite to enter someone's room without knocking first."
Razz's wings shot out defensively. "She's my friend, and I thought she was hurt! T-Tabby, are you... um..."
The words failed to leave him, and Tabitha felt irritation at being stopped, but also relief and a bit of sorrow for what she saw before her in Razz's posture and face. "Razz, come here."
He blinked. "W-what? I mean... I can go?"
"Come here."
Slowly he did approach, a nervous smile appearing on his face. "W-we're not coltf--"
"Razz."
"Yes?"
Coco suddenly leaned over Tabitha, sniffing her skin. "Mister Berry, please stay or go. Pick one and play it firmly. The waiting..."
Tabitha could feel it too, she wanted a resolution, but she didn't want to be an ass to Razz either. He was ready to run, but she offered a hand even as Coco licked at her face and snuggled in all the tighter.
He accepted her hand, nuzzling it before he hopped up, only for his wings to suddenly beat, propelling him backwards to the floor. "One moment!" He ran to the door he had entered from and with the sound of metal on metal, he slid it shut and locked it quickly. "Nopony else will do that."
Tabitha could see that excitement was building in the stallion. When he returned, he had his own member wagging, swaying with every step he took. It was disgusting and alien and she wanted it far too badly.
Unlike Coco, Tabitha had no idea if she was in her fertile period or not. She hadn't had a period since she had become a half horse. How did ponies know? What were th... The thought was abandoned as Coco began nuzzling and licking down, reaching where fur met flesh and moving on past that.
There was no time to consider that.
Tabitha rose to her hooves. She wanted Coco in all the-- Her attempt to rise, to get over Coco was interrupted by a pair of delightfully soft lips. Coco licked the flattened head of her equine member as she worked inch after inch into her snout, tasting and making Tabitha twitch in place. She began to understand exactly why men enjoyed that act, and she never wanted Coco to stop doing what she was doing.
Razz landed beside her and nuzzled into her pony barrel. There were no more words, and none of them felt the urge to waste their labored breath making them. His rump was high and tail twitching as he circled the two females, drinking deep of the scent and not even trying to resist the urges the sights and smells brought to his heated body.
He hopped up on Tabitha and she felt a flush of irritation. She hadn't invited that and she lashed out a hoof, knocking him back roughly, but he twisted with the blow and came down beside her with a frown. He didn't accept defeat easily. He gave a soft grunt of lust before he reared up as if to mount her again, but he did it the wrong way. He put his hooves on her equine shoulders and stood before her, his shaft waving right in front of her face in silent offer to do what Coco was doing to her.
Tabitha was caught between a mare and a hard place. A soft tongue was swirling around the sensitive flesh of her organ as Razz thrust his member up towards her in obvious offer.
Compared to the other option, she quickly decided that it was the better deal. She allowed her lips to part, only to have that shaft pressed urgently into her. She didn't have the snout Coco took advantage of, or much experience. She did service a man once at least, and she could feel the delightful things Coco was doing to her. Why, the mare beneath her had moved a hoof to feel over her swollen testes as she bobbed herself up and down.
The tension was incredible. Tabitha knew she wouldn't last long, but she did take Razz, engulfing that stallion's prick at least a handful of inches. She had hands, and didn't let them go to waste. They settled over that excited flesh and began to pull and stroke all along Razz's member, making him twitch and nicker with increasing pleasure. He practically climbed her, his wings keeping him aloft as he tried to get more of himself into her.
She choked even as she tried to snort. The pleasure was intense and growing as Coco worked down her member even as that hungry shaft pushed further into her own gullet. It was going further than she thought possible, invading her throat and beyond when new sensations exploded through her. Her massive balls jumped up between her hindlegs and she could feel potent seed rushing from them into her loaded canon before she fired streams, successive blasts, into the overfilling muzzle of Coco.
It splattered back over her lips and chest as she tried to swallow fast enough to keep up, moaning with her own pleasure in being part of that carnal act. Razz's wings seemed to grow stiffer as his member went solid inside of Tabitha. The flare swelled within her and began to spurt thick horse cream into her. She couldn't taste it, the shaft so far past her tongue. To her own surprise, she was mildly annoyed that she didn't have that option as her belly was filled with his offering.
Both males were dizzy with relief, and they fell.
Only Coco had any energy left and she smiled as her tongue licked the mess on her snout. "Stallions..."
Tabitha roused from her sleep with a soft groan, just to find her face was pressed into something warm and furry, and it wasn't her own barrel. She was hugging a sleeping Razz, and there was Coco curled at her lower half. She was surrounded by ponies.
She was... loved. Even as panic shuddered through her surprised system, part of her felt increasingly good. Part of her wanted to throw the both of them out and get to cleaning herself out, but their presence was calm and comforting.
"Miss Tabitha?" Coco sat up, her tail giving a few little swishes. "Good morning. We must be in the way now."
The way she said that made her feel awkward. "No! No, look. How about I get that shower I need?" She slid from the bed even as Razz stirred and began sitting up sleepily. "If one of you knows how to make breakfast, the fridge is stocked." She could at least get some food prepared out of it.
She trotted over to the bathroom and vanished inside.
Coco looked over to the one companion remaining. "So, Mister Berry, isn't it?"
Razz nodded as he looked her over. "Miss Pomell?"
She gave a smile. Tabitha might have been recovering from her first time, but Coco had no such defense against that awkward moment. "Look, we were both carried away last night."
Razz's ears wilted a bit. "You didn't like it?"
Coco's snout wrinkled for a moment. "I... I wanted Tabitha. We didn't really... I don't know you, Mister Berry. I'm sure you're a wonderful stallion, but I don't."
Razz's lips moved wordlessly a moment as the truth of it was shoved against him. What could he say? "I suppose that's true," he muttered out. He knew Tabitha, but Coco? She was just a nice enough mare he saw once in a while. "So I guess we should go?"
"I plan to make Tabitha breakfast." She hopped down to the floor.
Razz's defeat turned swiftly to anger. "Hey! I've been..." Wooing? He certainly hadn't been dating Tabitha... "I'm not going!"
"Suit yourself, Mister Berry." Her tail gave a firm flick as she pulled open the fridge door and began collecting ingredients. "We should try to be cordial about this, but we are... competitors."
Razz landed lightly on the ground with supportive wings to help him move. "Just like that?"
Coco closed the door and set her goodies on the counter with some effort. "Not all of us have the pleasure of being young and immature, Mister Berry." He went red in a combination of fury and shame. "Now don't get me wrong, I make mistakes too. We all do, but Miss Tabitha needs a calm influence to support her, not a wild one to carry her farther away from her center."
Razz felt a dizzying variety of things. He didn't want to give up. He... "I'm not nearly as bad as you say. I have a job, and I'm being serious. I'm growing, maturing."
She turned to him with a gentle smile. "And I wish you the best in that, truly I do. Grow and be a fine stallion, but you're still a colt beside Miss Tabitha and myself."
"You're the one being immature!" he practically shouted at her. Still red, his voice lowered. "Stop telling me what she wants or needs, or what I am. I'm working, for her, and myself. Why are you being such a monster about this?"
She blinked at him softly. "Monster?"
"Yeah! It's like you just haveta win that badly..."
She paused in place. Was she truly being like her old employer? "It's for Miss Tabitha's sake."
"You think I don't want her to be happy too?" He sat before her on his haunches. "If you... I mean... If you're really better for her, fine." She gave a cautious nod, but he didn't stop. "But that's a big 'If'. I'm not giving up just because you said so."
Coco turned away and got to making breakfast in earnest. She wasn't sure how much a centaur needed to be happy, so she made a large serving of scrambled eggs and mixed in veggies and grains in a big bowl to be shared.
For better or worse, Berry thought breakfast was being prepared for him as well and he smiled at it. He set the small dining room table with plates and eating utensils while she worked, so when she came over with the food, it was ready to receive it and its pony guests.
"Thank you, Mister Berry."
"Razz is fine," he practically muttered. Being called like that was disarming and alarming on some level. "Can I call you Coco?"
Coco was ready to shoot down that little motion of familiarity, but held herself, teeth clenching a moment. Even if they were competitors, there was little reason to be so... hostile. "Coco is fine. While we wait for Tabitha, why don't you tell me more about yourself? You mentioned a profession?"
There was his chance, to prove he was a good and worthy stallion! He hopped up into a chair and sat. "I work as an engineer for a hotel not too far from here."
"An engineer?"
"Custodial Engineering, mostly," he confessed with a mild pinkening. "There's an advancement path ahead of me, and I plan to climb that ladder."
She wanted to make fun of him at first, to scare him away from her target, but she felt awful as soon as the thoughts came up. Surely she could be better than that? "I'm a bit new at my own job."
"What's that, Coco?" He looked so hopeful as he leaned in.
"I'm a fashion designer." She inclined her head towards the still bloody and horrid robe abandoned on the floor. "I'll be fixing that after this. It's... the least I can do."
Razz realized he wasn't fancily dressed at all. "M-maybe I could see what you've made, Coco?"
"I'm not a store," she quickly rebuffed, only to darken in shame. "I'm sorry, no, that... If you want to look, fine, but I don't really sell to individuals as a habit." She raised a brow. "Tabitha is an exception."
He glanced off towards the bathroom. "She's a lot of exceptions."
That much they could both agree on and the conversation went quiet in that agreement.
The bathroom door opened and Tabitha emerged, clean and glistening. Both her fur and skin shone with the water she had just used, despite her attempts to be perfectly dry. She had a new bathrobe on, covering her human parts. "Sorry that took so long." She came towards them, stepping eagerly. "What smells so good?"
Coco broke into a brilliant expression. "I made food for... all of us." It was as if she only just really settled on the idea that Razz would not be scared off quite that easily. "Feeling better?"
"You look better," complimented Razz as he waved at an available seat.
While she could sit on the chair, that would put her far over the table. She nudged it aside and sank to her haunches beside the table. With her human torso reaching so high, it wasn't hard for her be on level with her plate. "A good shower can help get your head on straight, but right now, I just want some of that. Serve it up."
Coco reached and started to do just that with talented hooves, but even the most talented of hoof was no match for fingers and Tabitha was famished, especially with the food right there. She grabbed the serving spoon from Coco with a smile and got to slapping a healthy serving on each of their plates, including her own. "Sorry, I'm just really hungry right now."
"You should be, after that fight, and... other things." Coco smiled at Tabitha even as the centaur started to demolish her food. "I'm glad you like it."
Razz was mildly frazzled. His table setting would go entirely unnoticed, but pointing that out would just make him look more foalish. "Are you alright? Bubbles didn't give me many details at all about it."
Tabitha rolled a free hand. "A troll, if Spring was telling the truth."
Coco nodded "You mentioned her. She healed you, right?"
"She did." Tabitha sighed, imagining the imperious elf and her confusing sensibilities. "It didn't banish the mess it all made, but I wasn't dying."
Coco and Razz's eyes both went wide. Razz stuttered. "Y-you were dying?!"
Coco leaned forward, slapping the table with a hoof. "You're too calm about something like that!"
Razz nodded fiercely. "We don't want to lose you, Tabitha."
Tabitha started to say something, but what Razz said settled on her like a tossed blanket. "Wait what? Like a friend?" They were both turning dark red shades in their cheeks. "Look, stop. This can't keep going."
Coco sat up straight. "I didn't plan to pursue this so... directly, but yes. Miss Tabitha, I don't want our liaison to be a one time event. I want to know you even better."
Razz felt the pressure to keep up. "Tabby, you've been so amazing to me, straight from the start. Human or pony or mare or stallion, I don't care. I want to be... worthy of you. I'm--"
"Stop." Tabitha held up one of her naked hands. "Stop, please..." Having the two ponies making such emphatic entreaties for that very hand was too much. "I enjoyed that, really. I'd be a horrible liar if I said otherwise, but I'm not looking for a relationship. Let's handle this like adults. We... went further than we should, but at least we enjoyed it, right?"
Coco put on a forced smile. "We did... M--Tabitha, please don't say no so quickly. No pressure, just keep an open mind. You'll figure out who you want to be closer to."
And that was him! Or so Razz angrily thought before he shoved that part aside. "We're here for you, Tabby. We won't shove ourselves where we're not wanted, promise." He forced his own smile. "We'll be adults about this."
"Good, let's enjoy this food, together." She gave a smile that she hoped would help and things went awkwardly quiet as breakfast was shared.
When it was complete, she rose from her seated position. "We all have work to get to."
Coco hopped down and quickly retrieved the abandoned robe. "I'll get this fixed up. Thank you, again, for protecting me. I really don't know what I would have done if I was just me and that... thing, troll was it?"
Razz fluttered to the ground. "I should get to work, but I'm glad you're both alright."
"We are," agreed Tabitha. "Nothing like a damn troll to ruin an evening." She saw them to the door and waved them through.
At last, she was alone. At least, if one didn't count her lingering thoughts of her actions the night before. She had gone very far over the line, both allowing a horse to have her way and taking the stallion... She shuddered softly with mixed feelings about the entire thing.
Tabitha got dressed and headed downstairs to her office to get to work. As she rode the elevator down, she suddenly felt as if she wasn't alone in that small room. She spun in place on the figure of Spring, smiling in her cocky and sure way.
"Horse Lover..."
"I said to--"
"You said to cease using titles that are not accurate."
Tabitha went red. She'd had a feeling this might happen, but had hoped against hope that it might not. "One time..."
Spring waved a finger. "I've seen a man called such a thing for 'one time' before. You truly are a raunchy beast." Her words were scathing, but the look she gave was far from scornful. There was a hunger in those eyes.
Tabitha clopped the bottom of the moving elevator. "You made me!"
"So I did... But I didn't force your hand. You made that decision." She raised a brow. "Don't look so stricken. You're a beast. It's only natural that you'd feel the urges of that animal's member and act on it. I wonder how long it will be before you begin to attack, claiming random females as your own? Or perhaps you still think of yourself as more woman than man?"
"Where are you going with this?" Tabitha took a step towards her interloper even as the door slid open, revealing the lobby. "I have to get to work."
"Don't allow me to bar the way." She followed even as Tabitha moved towards her office. "I am learning you, Caretaker. I can only hope you are also learning. I did promise to reveal things."
Tabitha fished out the key to the office and had it unlocked swiftly. "I'm learning every word counts with you, and what you say can be very far from what you mean."
"I don't lie." She scowled a bit at the implication.
"Of course not." Tabitha sighed as she moved inside, and her guest moved right along with her. She turned back to the elf. "So admit it. You made me into some kind of sick fantasy for you."
"That is clearly not true." She raised a brow. "You are very real, not a fantasy."
Tabitha was tired of the ambiguity. "You want to be a horse lover."
"Perish the thought." Her face distorted in disgust. "The very thought of being... overpowered by some feral horse, made to serve as its mate despite the obvious differences in anatomy. It would be awful." She waved the notion away.
Tabitha stepped towards Spring. "But you wouldn't stop the horse from doing it." There was no reply, just that glare. Tabitha felt all the more convinced of what she thought. "Spring..." She could take advantage of the elf, or so she thought firmly, but was that a thing she even wanted? Her eyes took in the appealing curves of Spring. Part of her wanted to do just that. A lot of her didn't. "Look, even if I swung th--"
"You already did, Tabitha." Spring rolled a hand. "You don't deny that pleasure. At least, not when it most counted." Her eyes went half-lidded as she looked Tabitha over. "I don't think less of you. It's only natural."
Of course it was natural. It was exactly what Spring fashioned her for. The favor for her had been turned towards Spring's deviant needs. Tabitha let out a little sigh as she circled her desk and settled before it. "I'd like... Actually there's a good question."
"Hmm?"
"What do you do? You didn't come here as a whimsy, I imagine. What's your job?" Tabitha raised a brow. "You have a boss, you obviously do something."
"It was no whimsy that guided me here," agreed Spring, but she didn't answer the question.
Tabitha rolled a hand. "And the reason is...?
Spring scowled. "So direct. It has naught to do with you, Caretaker."
"You live in my home, changed me into a half horse, and I'm pretty sure you're hunting me in the least direct way possible." Spring colored faintly at that accusation. "You've made it my business, Spring. Out with it."
The elf went silent a moment, staring directly at Tabitha. She drew in a soft breath. "Very well. I would see our relationship grow deeper, so I will assent to this request."
Tabitha wasn't sure about relationships and deepening, but information she could agree with. "Go on."
"I have not lied," she began, standing confidently. "I was the student of that wizard, but while he delved into the mystery of life itself, I found such... tiring. All that work, for little to no reward. Even the unaging know when a task has no clear end." She raised a brow. "I performed less... grand but much more immediate things with it."
"Like turning a woman into a half-horse?" Tabitha wasn't sure exactly how pissed she should be. "And half-male while you were in there?"
"You didn't make your request, so you got what I decided you'd like." Spring leaned forward. "I would say I was correct. You enjoy the life of a beast, while performing the duties of those higher. I'm almost envious, being able to draw from those two pleasures so equally."
Tabitha sagged a little. "Let's stay on task. Spring, that's a great history, but how did it result in you being sent here?"
"I would rather not say."
"But you will." Tabitha leaned forward.
"I will not." Spring put her hands on her hips. "Or will you force me?"
Tabitha had a feeling that forcing Spring might be just what the elf desired, especially if rough touching was involved in that forcing... The elf was an alien, but her mysteries were becoming more clear. Tabitha could see the... person. There was a person there. A needy person. Despite Spring's ways, Tabitha actually felt a little pang of regret. Was Spring really that lonely? "Do elves normally have..." She realized elves don't have a word for friend. "Do they have others they associate with on a regular basis?"
"Many," she admitted. "I was tolerated by my parents and did my best to make their investment worthy, then I went to my teacher. He had one other student at the time... I think he stays true to our mentor's vision, all the better. Let him take that task, as I shall not."
Tabitha leaned back a little, drawing a pad from her desk. "And if you were given full leave, what would you do?"
Spring seemed surprised at the phrasing. "You continue to astound, Ca--Tabitha." She took a step towards the desk. "I was right to draw you closer."
Tabitha raised a brow. "Now we're being blunt about it?"
Spring went from surprise to confusion quickly, frowning a little. "I have no idea of what you speak. Our relation is clear. We are 'friends', are we not?"
Tabitha had meant the more personal parts of things, but she didn't see how to approach that directly. "Sorry, you were saying? What would you do?"
"I..." Even the delay there was a large hint to Tabitha. The elf hadn't even thought of what she wanted to do. If she was sent with a purpose, she'd know it.
"You were banished," spoke Tabitha clearly. Spring paled, so Tabitha continued. "You came here with what you had. You're paying me with the treasure you brought with you, which will eventually run out. You took the offer of marriage hoping that it'd erase the need for it." Spring stammered, words denied that skilled tongue. Tabitha couldn't help but feel good about that. "You don't want me to inform your people at home because if they knew you were using your magic like this--" she waved back at her horse half. "--they would punish you severely, and maybe drag you back home, where you don't want to be."
Spring shivered in place. There were no tears in her eyes, but she looked destroyed, quaking and wide-eyed.
Tabitha leaned forward, resting on her elbows. "And if they knew you were hoping to be pinned by your very own creation, a beast of your design... Imagine the scorn."
"No!" Spring slapped a hand down on the desk. "No! You won't tell them that! Please..."
"So I'm doing you a favor?" She raised a brow at the emotionally tipped elf.
"Y-yes... Yes... If you swear silence in this, then it is a favor, to be returned."
Tabitha raised a finger. "When I desire, no sooner."
"Yes, fine! No more speaking of that. Damnable Caretaker! I thought... You are full of surprises and wit where I thought you were slow." Her words were faint praise, but her tone implied she was impressed. "You know the truth of it."
Tabitha couldn't help but feel a little good, swelling with pride at her step. There was still more to know, and the answers she got from Spring were a lot easier to parse and get than the monster on the second floor. "What is a Caretaker?"
She raised a brow. "You. You are a Caretaker."
Tabitha rolled a hand. "I know that. What is expected of a Caretaker?"
"You truly do not know?" She smiled. "I already owe you a favor, Tabitha. I see no reason to give you things for free."
Tabitha grunted softly. "I thought we were 'friends'?"
"Friends do not hold secrets for ransom, Caretaker."
Tabitha flinched. There was a certain truth there... If she was to have Spring as a friend, she couldn't also handle her as a business-dealing alien. "Right... Are you willing to be a friend, a real friend?"
"Am I not already?" She sounded genuinely surprised. "Tabitha, our conversations are so... heavy. Not even a single unguarded word comes from you of late." A smile spread on her plump lips. "You continue to amaze me, even as you disappoint me."
"You taught me!" spat out Tabitha with a frown. "When I talked with you n--"
"You became a beast." She crossed her arms under her chest. "And you make a fine animal, and a Caretaker as well. I would know you better." She backed away with a rush of leaves, gone without a chance to reply.
Tabitha put a hand to the side of her head. She had an elf that wanted to be her 'friend', of its own understanding, with benefits if at all possible. An old thought tickled at her from earlier in the conversation. "Is she running out of money?" It was a very real possibility, that the elf wanted her not just for carnality, but to spare her weak finances.
"Excuse me?" A mare stood at the door, an earth pony with a smile. "Are you the owner?"
The possibility of a new tenant brought a smile to her face and Tabitha greeted her newest customer.
Bubbles trotted alongside her friends, Razz and Trap. "And that's when I zapped that big monster, foom! You should have seen the look on her face." She smiled in more of a smirk as she blew a bubble with her gum. "She would have been lost without me."
Trap perked an ear at his thuggish ally. "Good job, sis. How are you liking the new gig?"
She raised a hoof to wobble it. "The pay's not bad, and she only checks in on me once in a while. I could have way worse jobs, I suppose. It's just kinda boring." She rolled her eyes. "Working for Miss I-Don't-Do-Nothin' ain't helping matters."
Razz shook his head quickly. "She was really hurt!"
Trap seemed surprised by this. "You saw her then? Did you play hero and drag her to the hospital?"
"N-no." Despite his word, both of the others were peering at him directly. "What? She's fine! Spring helped her."
Bubbles rolled her eyes. "Ugh, her? So a lot of nothing then."
"Not exactly... nothing," confessed Razz. "She was with Coco when I walked in on her."
Trap raised a brow. "Coco?"
Bubbles gestured to the building most of them emerged from a while before. "She's one of the ponies I'm paid to guard. She lives there."
Trap smiled deviously. "Aw wow. You didn't mention your landlady was a total fillyfooler. That's righteous."
Bubbles punched Trap, crashing a stiff hoof into his side. "She can't technically be a filly fooler, cause she ain't a damn filly!" She fixed her gaze on Razz. "You saw that, right?"
Trap looked befuddled but quite intrigued. He raised a brow at Razz, hoping for answers.
Razz flashed a false smile a mile wide as the two began to glare at him. "Ah heh... So... maybe a little?" The glaring continued. "She's better hung than either of us." He sagged in place as Trap sputtered a moment before starting to laugh in an uproar that drew curious peeks from other ponies walking past.
Bubbles snorted softly. "Good, so you're putting, uh, him? behind you, right? You don't need any would-be mare like that, Razzy Boy."
Razz glanced around nervously before he started walking along. His movement drew the others to either of his sides and he guided them towards one of their favorite hangout alleyways where some minimal privacy could be had. "She isn't just a stallion, or a filly. She's both."
Trap hiked a brow. "So, you plowed her, didn't you?"
It was Bubbles turn to sputter. "You wouldn't! You didn't... You did, didn't you?" The intensifying blush in Razz's cheeks was more answer than either needed. Even as Trap fell over laughing, she took an angry step forward. "She's a damn freak! Why?!"
Razz held up his hooves, seated on his haunches as he tried to ward the angry mare away. "She's different, but she's not a freak."
Bubbles growled softly. "Why would you pick that over a real mare?!"
Real mare? Razz was confused as to who else he'd consider even as Bubbles slapped him right across the cheek. "Hey! That's not called for." He fell to all fours and advanced on her with a snarl. "I like her, and it's my choice! Mine!"
Trap got between his furious friends. "Hey, chill out. We're pals, and that's not how buds act."
Bubbles huffed. "Some pal he is."
Razz's confusion only grew as his anger stormed. "Why don't you just tell me what you mean?! By Celestia, you know I miss things. I'm not trying to be thoughtless."
"Thoughtless?" Bubbles scowled at her would-be coltfriend. "It takes a pony without eyes to miss that I've been hunting for him for years!" It was only after the words got out of her mouth that she realized what she had said. Her tail fell along with her ears and the rest of her in part. "I was just joking, ah hah ha..." Her laugh was far from sincere, and neither stallion was fooled.
Trap slapped Razz on the shoulder. "You're a veritable stud. I'm so jealous right now. Two! Two mares to pick from." He was smiling despite his words, clearly taking the competition in about the best light. "Lucky Razzy Boy."
Razz was frozen for a moment, thinking back on the way Bubbles acted around him, and all the signs he had missed but seemed so obvious in retrospect. "Really?"
She scowled at him. "Don't you even dare ask that!"
Razz gave a shallow nod. "I... see." He did have two mares, and not a single clue to share among them. What could he do?! Did he like Tabitha? Yes. She was kind and smart and even successful. Did he like Bubbles? He looked her over. He liked her a lot, as a friend. As a mare, she was pretty enough, with that wild edge that was... kind of attractive and scary. He knew Bubbles better than Tabitha by far.
Maybe an experiment? With a dry mouth, he licked over his lips. "Bubbles."
"Yeah?"
"How about... we try it?"
She canted her head a bit. "Try what, exactly? Be specific."
Razz leaned forward. "Coltfriend and marefriend. I'll be yours if you be mine." He didn't really have Tabitha, but he could have Bubbles, and that was a hell of a secondary prize.
She blinked softly. "Just like that?"
Trap threw a leg over either of his friends. "Just like that. If Razz says it, it's clear. He'd do anything for us, even give up on freaky landlady stallion-mares." He raised a brow. "That means I can go after her, right?"
Razz blinked at the very idea. "She has somepony else after her already..." But Trap? "You're kidding, right?"
"Well, mostly." He shrugged. "I wanna see her, now. Not often a fella gets to put eyes on something quite like that." He looked between Razz and Bubbles. "Forget that though, today's about a new happy couple!" He drew them in tighter. "Let's celebrate!"
Bubbles suddenly shoved Trap away and advanced on Razz. "Are you serious? Do you even know how to treat a mare?"
Razz blinked softly. "I will be your stallion. I will support you and cheer you on while I keep you on the good path. Hopefully, you'll return that favor."
Trap shrugged a little. "Sounds like we're all married."
Bubbles punched Trap for his trouble. "This ain't no sleazy herd, by Celestia."
Razz gave a little smile. "But we are all friends, romantic or not. I don't want that to change."
Trap bobbed his head quickly. "Exactly. I hope you two have a great time, but don't leave Trap out of it. I get lonely with my ideas."
Bubbles looked ready to be scathing, but it died without being spoken. "Trap, you are hopeless." She gestured to herself, then Razz. "We both got jobs, paying bills and all that nonsense. What are you doing?"
Razz thrust out a hoof. "That's not fair!"
"Sure it is." Trap nodded softly. "She isn't wrong. I thought I'd beat her to employment any day..."
"What happened to the hoof pick?" asked Razz. "That one looked good."
He produced the pick from his side. "It works great on my hooves, every time, but getting it to work reliably on not-my hoof, now that's the trick..." He tossed the device aside. "Back to the drawing board."
Bubbles advanced on him. "When do you ever leave the drawing board?"
"Never, I guess." He sank a little. "I'm sorry... I don't mean to drag you two down."
"N-no! You stop that!" Razz clopped the ground. "You're our friend, not somepony in the way of anything."
"Nah..." Trap smiled gently. "I'm out of money, and I'm not going to ask for a handout, again. I'm going to head out, leave you two to your happy--"
Razz pounced him, knocking him to the ground. "You're not going anywhere!"
Bubbles sat beside the two. "Look, he's my friend too, but whatcha gonna do?"
"Yeah," protested Trap from beneath Razz. "I'll just get out--"
"No!" Razz sat up on his friend. "We made a promise, together. I didn't forget it, but I have learned... something."
Bubbles tilted her head. "Something?"
"I'm standing up for what I believe in." Razz put a hoof to his chest. "Which means Trap stays."
Trap squirmed out from under Razz. "Hey, look, I mean... That's nice, but you two are getting all hitched, and I don't want--"
Razz put a hoof on Trap's nose gently. "I love you, stallion to stallion, bro to bro. If we have to put you up for a little while, forever if we have to, I'll do that."
Bubbles rolled her eyes before a smile broke her scowl. "Yeah, he's not wrong. You're one of us, Trap."
Trap looked back and forth between the two before he giggled a little. "I promise to not eat the last of the cereal."
"You'd better not!" She swatted him, then hugged him tightly, a gesture soon joined by Razz. The trio would stay united, even if two of them meant to be far closer than before.
Trap gave an awkward little laugh at the thought. "Even if you two want to keep me around, I'm still kind of the third wheel if you two are becoming a 'thing'."
Razz rubbed behind his head. "The idea is just as new to me." He glanced at Bubbles. "I don't mean to sound funny, but you're sure you want me?"
She rolled her eyes. "You sounded better when you were confident. What do you want, moron?"
He quirked a smile. "For you to relax a little. I mean... we kinda did it... I mean, we just have to not mess it up." He nudged Bubbles. "We keep our jobs, live the good life, right?"
Trap hopped up to all fours. "I was serious about celebrating before."
Bubbles nodded. "To the next chapter in our messed up lives." She began to lead the way out of the alley. "Success or failure, we'll have each other at least."
"Don't say that." Razz caught up quickly at her side. "We'll both do fine. If one of us starts slacking off, the other slaps the sense back into them, even you, Bubbles."
"You ready to try?" She puffed out her chest and stood tall and imposingly.
Razz stood up himself, realizing he was taller than her, if significantly less thuggish. "Yes." He said it clearly, and Bubbles seemed to like it on some level. The level that wasn't punching him in the center of the chest for his gall.
Tabitha stood before her building. It was a grand edifice, and it was hers. It was larger than many of the buildings around it, but not the city as a whole. That was fine. Being about ten stories tall wasn't bad for a 'simple' apartment building and she liked having it... even with unexpected troll guests.
She brought up her camera and snapped a picture to capture the front of it, then started trotting along to get some side photos of the place. "I'm surprised I didn't think of this earlier." Having more 'normal' tenants would be nice. Most of the ponies were reasonable sorts, and easier to deal with than elves, yetis, or trolls.
She walked back towards the entrance, making a mental note as she went to get the film developed. She'd have to find where ponies looked. A newspaper? She had seen least one of those, so that seemed like a good place to start.
"Hey Boss." It was Bubbles, and she was smirking at Tabitha as if she had just pulled something, something big.
Tabitha glanced around, as if graffiti or something else obvious was waiting for her to spot. Nope. "Hey Bubbles. How goes the patrol?"
"It's fine." She waved it off as if it was a silly question. "Remember that stallion you bagged?"
Tabitha had no idea of any stallion she... Oh. She darkened a little. "We're not a 'thing'."
"Oh? Good to hear, because I took him. He's mine." She thumped her chest with a hoof. "So you'll have to find some other horse... whatever you are."
Tabitha wasn't sure how to react. They really weren't girlfriend and boyfriend, but Bubbles was being a real ass about it, and she wasn't a robot. Being tossed aside so quickly did hurt... "That's his choice," she responded guardedly. "But why are you telling me?" Shouldn't it have been Razz, if anyone?
She tilted her head a little. "Suppose it is, but you should know he's off limits, and he's mine, so if you gots a big problem with that, well, better tell me now." She had a daring look, chest puffed and body tense.
Tabitha decided Bubbles was ready to be fired or otherwise lashed out at. Was she sabotaging herself? "Bubbles, calm down. So you and Razz are a thing, that's... good." It hurt a little to say that, even as other parts complained that it was good news, far from bad. "We have a thousand reasons to be nice to each other. How about we start there?"
Bubbles seemed confused at the response. "You're alright with it?"
No. "Yes. I hope you two are... happy." She forced a smile despite the awful feeling in her chest that refused to go away despite the logic she hurled its way. "Will you two be moving in together?"
"Let's not get too fudgin' hasty now." She shook her head quickly. "We just made it formal, give us some time, dang. Boss lady, you sure are fast to get that room back.
"There's more."
"More?" Tabitha's eyes wandered as her tail flicked. Is that to be when she'd learn about the damage Bubbles had inflicted on her home?
"My brother's staying with me for now." Bubbles blew a big bubble of gum before giving a loud chewing sound. "He won't get in the way of my work or nothin', promise. You got a problem wit' that?"
"N-no..." That was far less than what she had thought. "If it's long term, we should get him on the lease properly. Other than that, that's very nice of you."
"I'm not abandonin' my damn brother." She snorted loudly with derision. "We're practically a team!"
Tabitha decided Bubbles sounded very impassioned about it. There was only one pony she knew that fit that bill. "This isn't about Trap, is it?"
"Who told you that?!" She scowled as if attacked. "Stop lookin' into my life."
"I do have to put a name down on the lease," Tabitha replied, hiding behind routine. "He's a friend of Razz's too, right?"
"We're together forever." She raised a brow. "Yer not invited."
That was enough. There would be nothing but frustration dealing with Bubbles. "Good luck." Tabitha moved to flee to her office, teeth clenched but face carefully passive. She left her security guard behind and wasn't challenged until she sank down behind her desk.
Those emotions she had shoved to the side refused to be ignored a moment longer and bubbled to the top. She felt her face moisten even as she sniffed once. "This is stupid," she complained to herself as she wiped it away. "We weren't even a thing. He's still a horse!" The emotions would not be denied no matter how loudly she refuted them.
A knocking at the door shook her from her slump. She made one more quick wipe and smiled. "Come in."
It was Coco. She had the robe from before, all repaired and cleaned. "I finished this for you, Tabitha." Though Tabitha wore a brave face, Coco saw through it and began to look concerned. "Oh no, what happened?" She advanced for the desk directly.
Tabitha didn't want to talk about it, not at all. "Nothing big. Thanks for the robe." She reached over the desk and snatched it off of Coco's back. A question formed though... "Say, Coco?"
"Yes?" She reared up, her forelegs on the desk so she could look at Tabitha more easily. "How can I help?"
"How do... ponies break up?" Her phrasing was slow and unsure. Was she really asking that?
Coco pinkened faintly. "That's very personal, between the ponies. I've heard of all ki-- Oh! Oh... oh..." Every time she said it, it got quieter. "I'm sorry for bothering you, Miss Tabitha. I'll see myself out." She dropped back to all fours.
Tabitha realized the mistake and thrust out a hand. "Woah!" Had she really just told a talking horse to woah? "I didn't mean you! God, for someone else."
Coco paused and slowly turned back, a few of her own tears at the corners of her eyes. "O-oh! I'm... I'm being such a dunderhead about this." She forced a smile. "I haven't had many... long-term relations, so maybe I'm not the best to ask. The first just... stopped showing up. No note, no call, nothing just... gone."
Tabitha winced at that. Whatever the species, that seemed one of the crueler ways to break things off. "I'm sorry."
Coco forced a smile, as genuine as any other that seemed on offer that day. "It's not your fault. That was some time ago." She put a hoof to her chest and took a slow breath. "Now... before we get that far, I would like us to be clear. If you decide you want to... try something else, please tell me. I'll return the favor."
Tabitha nodded at that. "I will, promise." Were they a thing? Tenuously, the answer was a yes. She thought Razz wanted that spot. But he didn't... Wait. "How likely would a pony lie about another pony liking someone else?"
Coco looked mystified. "I'd hope about zero, but people can be very selfish at times... My last employer was an example of that, and I was swept along for the ride." She rubbed at her own cheek. "I'm trying to be better, really."
Tabitha set a hand down on her desk. "I have to talk to somebody. Thanks, again, for the robe. I appreciate it." She was already getting to her hooves and moving for the door. She had to wait for Coco to depart before she could lock the door. "I'll see you later, alright?"
"Of course, Tabitha." Coco smiled. "I have a question."
Tabitha blinked. "Oh?"
"What's your last name?" Coco tilted her head. "All this time, and I've never heard you use it. You do have one, right?"
"Lawrence," admitted Tabitha with a faint stutter, amazed that even she hadn't thought of it in a while. "Tabitha Lawrence."
"Like a tailor?" Coco was smiling. "That's like destiny."
Tabitha felt suddenly heavy. She hadn't considered that angle at all. It was too much. "I have to talk to that person, alright?" With the door locked, she outright fled, leaving a confused Coco behind.
She ran free of the apartment building just to realize she had no idea where Razz was beside a hotel. And even if she did know where he was... "I will not be the psycho lady that charges in asking this..." Still, she had fled, and she didn't plan to go back, not right then.
With a heavy heart and limbs to match, she decided to give some local food a chance instead, to try and unwind.
It wasn't as if she even tasted it, in the end.
Coco settled on her haunches in the elevator, frowning with thought.
"What troubles you?" The monster from the second floor settled beside her. He wouldn't be there long, just on the second floor.
Coco felt the urge to reply quickly. "I'm just wondering if I pushed too hard."
"You barely know how to push." The doors slid open and he stepped free.
The door slid shut on the creature's strange advice.
She stepped off on her floor, just to see a pony leaving Tabitha's room. She frowned, but that faded quickly when she saw who it was. "Mister Berry, hello."
He smiled at her a little awkwardly. "H-hey there." He seemed to regain his balance and stood up tall. "I have news?"
"Oh?"
"I... You can have her." He turned away, but still had his head turned at her. "I'm letting her go."
Coco blinked softly. Was that what Tabitha was reacting to? How had Razz told her? Was it like that? "Is that how you tell a mare that she's ditched?" She frowned sharply, feeling defensive. "Goodbye, I don't need you anymore?!"
"What?" He spun back only to back away from Coco. "No! I haven't even talked to her yet, I promise."
Oh... Still. "You'd better not tell her like that! She's a lot more delicate than she looks! She deserves to be treated with some respect." She drove down her right forehoof as she snorted. "I'd better not hear you were mean to her, or I won't care what you two are doing. I..." She was going red in the face. What was she trying to get at? She didn't know, and it was catching up with her. "Just watch it!"
"Alright." He watched her flee towards her room and shook his head. He went for his own place with a little grumble. "Mares..." There was no promise that Bubbles would be any better, but he knew her at least. They were friends first.
Bubbles nudged her new coltfriend with a hoof. "Why do you look so distracted n' stuff?"
Razz blinked before he came around. "Oh! I'm just worried... I have to tell..." He broke off, realizing he was about to talk about a mare to a mare, which might be a mistake. "I want to make things clear."
"Oh, don't worry about that." Bubbles waved a hoof dismissively as she smiled. "I told Tabby about us already."
Razz paled quickly. "You didn't!"
"I did?" Bubbles raised a brow. "Why? You got a problem wit' that?"
Razz put a hoof on either of her shoulders. "How would you like some strange mare wandering up to you and telling you I left you?" He snorted loudly. "This is a mess..."
"What's it matter?" she deflected lamely even to herself. "You did break up with her, right?"
"To a point." Razz clopped the floor. "There's a big difference between not being one and onlies to never speaking again. She's still a friend, or am I not allowed to have any friends that happen to be mares now that I have a marefriend?"
Bubbles felt divided. She liked Razz with a backbone, but he was confusing and alarming her. "Chill out, dude. She ain't hurt or nothin', she just knows her place."
"She better be!" He shouted louder than he intended and paused, breathing and looking over his friend. "Look, really... I want this to work, and that involves not torching every bridge behind us." He advanced on the apprehensive Bubbles and smooched her closer cheek. "I love you."
She smiled at that, tail wagging behind her. "I love you too, dummy. If it means that much to you, just wait. She has to come through here since she doesn't fly." She raised a brow. "Kind of an odd pegasus if you ask me, not flying none."
"She is odd," he agreed as a smile spread. "But not a bad kind of odd. Please be nice to her."
Bubbles huffed. "Why should I?"
He raised a hoof. "She's your boss, for one. She's your landlady, for another. She really means well, for a third. And she won't take me away from you, as a final reason."
Bubbles grumbled a bit as she shook her head. "You're already making me softer." She didn't flee or lash out though, which Razz took as a good sign. "After my shift, we're spending some long deserved quality time together." The way her eyebrows waggled implied the unicorn had a very specific activity in mind.
Razz felt a rush of conflicted emotions. He wanted to take her up on the offer, but was terrified to lose his true virginity and hoped he would perform properly. Was it right to do that with a friend? "Are we still friends?"
She looked baffled at the query. "Why would we stop bein' friends?" Her face cleared to realization. "Oh! Stupid colt, of course we're friends." She threw a leg over Razz and pulled him close at her side. "Just friends that do crazy things when the lights are out and smooch once in a while with the lights on, right?"
Razz gave her a little nuzzle, but she didn't accept such a coy gesture and locked lips, pushing it right into a deep smooch as Tabitha entered.
She slowed to a stop as the two ponies swapped passions and fluids before her, unsure how to feel, act, or what she should say, if anything. Should she flee again? She decided against it and cleared her throat instead.
Bubbles broke the kiss but kept Razz tight at her side. "Hey boss. No strange things besides the usual stuff. All clear."
Razz was far less casual about the whole thing, darkening as he realized what had happened. "T-Tabby--"
"Tabitha," she corrected automatically.
"Right, Tabitha... We need to talk." He took a step forward but was pulled back by his new marefriend. "Hey, just talking. Let me go now, alright?" She did with a faint sulk, and he walked before Tabitha. "If that's alright?"
Did she want to talk to him? Everything that day felt divided. She did, and she didn't. She didn't want to ever see him again! She wanted him to swear eternal love to her. She was happy he was gone, and sad she managed to fail. "S-sure." When in doubt, formality won out. "This way."
As she led him towards the office, Bubbles followed behind as if to make sure her new coltfriend was being loyal.
All three of them settled in the office, with Tabitha behind the desk and the other two before it. While Razz was, to a degree, getting used to being mildly turned on when around his friend, it was a largely new thing for Bubbles, who fidgeted in place as the other two talked.
Razz was first, bowing his head. "I didn't mean for it to be this way. Please... I am breaking up, but I didn't mean to be a jerk about it, or to stop being friends."
Tabitha nodded a bit numbly at that. "So, it's real then?"
He blinked. "Y-yeah... sorry." He shrank a little in place. "You'll be happier with Coco anyway."
Bubbles perked up. "Coco? That earth mare, light pelt, ascot and whatever?"
Tabitha nodded at Bubbles. "She lives he--"
"Damn you straight to Tartarus!" She rose to her hooves. "The entire building is a smorgasbord for you, ain't it?"
"W-what?" She went red at the accusation, anger and embarrassment growing. "I don't run this building to get dates."
Bubbles turned suddenly, presenting her rump even as she shook it. "Says you. I bet you've been hoping to put that crazy stallion prick to work on me the moment you put eyes on me."
Razz went a bright red as he hopped up himself. "Bubbles! Stop it!"
"Make me!" She turned that rump on Razz as if it were a loaded weapon. "I bet you wouldn't even dare to think about it! Go on, prove me wrong, or right."
He gaped at her back end even as he started to warm considerably. The thudding of his pulse in his ears began to be echoed by a rapid stirring of his shaft between his legs as he spilled free and firmed in the air. "B-bubbles! Please! This isn't--"
"Stop telling me what to do." She flagged her tail in that special way that mares only did when they were thinking about that. "Prove it one way or the other, or is she gonna get me first?"
Tabitha was confused, and just a tiny bit turned on, but mostly confused. A moment between two people was taking place in front of her, and it involved the winking petals of a mare and the twitching shaft of a stallion. How did she end up in the middle, and why was every part of her reacting to it? On some level, she wanted to shut up Bubbles by leaping on her in defiance of all cultural decencies, but she didn't do that. She just sat there, watching the two argue while remaining still, lest her own growing reaction become visible.
"Stop it!"
"Make me!" She shoved back against him and he suddenly reared up just for her to back up again. He came down and found she was perfectly snug against his belly. She was warm and... He wanted it. He wanted her.
He bucked his hips, forgetting there was a third person there. He found the mark and sank into the loud mare. As the sensitive flat equine tip sank into wet folds, both moaned out together. Hurtful words were discarded for increasingly heated gasps and cries as they began to rock together as if it was their first and last time.
Tabitha was stuck there, watching the two couple right in front of her desk. Her mare parts tingled and drooled faintly while her new cock twitched powerfully under the desk, both wishing for their own pony to satisfy them. She didn't dare move. She just watched as they rutted faster and faster. He was getting violent, thrusting against her hard enough to make her knees buckle a moment and his balls slapped up against her, but both were screaming together.
They were screams of pleasure, not pain. Tabitha glanced at her door, wondering if anyone would hear the fuss and come to investigate. Maybe someone who could help--No! She shook her head as she banished that thought. She would be going without that sort of company. If what they were doing resulted in a happy couple, great... Just why was it in her own damn office?
He went still and his shout turned into a grunt with barely any breath. He was filling her, firing thick jets of thick horse cream even as she arched her back, inviting the pegasus to seed her all the more thoroughly. As they both came down, they sank to the floor, and the noise finally died with them.
Razz nuzzled at one of her ears gently. "Was... I good?"
She burst into a loud fit of laughter. "Good enough to get us both kicked out onto the street." She looked up from where she laid with Razz on top of her. Having achieved climax, her head seemed to be somewhat cleared. "So, should we get packing, Boss?"
Tabitha blinked. It was over? Her body screamed for it to not be, and for her to have a part, but she stifled that. "N-no! Just, never again, right?" She flashed a fake smile. "This isn't that kinda place."
Razz was red with effort, and maybe shame too. "I'm sorry." He drew free of his marefriend and stood up, shaking. "I'm being an awful pony right now. I came here to make sure you were alright, and here we are... I wouldn't forgive me."
Tabitha had no idea what she felt at that moment. It had become a huge jumbled mess inside of her. "Tell me it's over and you're both free to go."
Bubbles rose and nipped Razz's closest ear. "Come on. Let's let Miss Stallion there have 'her' alone time." She turned and danced from the room, trotting cheerfully.
Razz watched her a moment before glancing back at Tabitha. "I really hope we can still be friends, but I understand if not." He was quickly gone, chasing his marefriend.
With her office empty, Tabitha let out a loud sigh and sank in place. She was left hard, wet, and still hurting. It was far from an ideal solution, but also far from the worst possible outcome.
"Horses have their own habits." Spring was beside her, a brow raised. "You're half of one. Surely you feel some of it."
Tabitha tensed with surprise, thumping the bottom of the desk with her stiff erection. "Spring! What are you doing?"
"They say a stallion denied is more lecherous for it..."
Tabitha was being hit on, and more of her considered taking up on it than normal. Still... "Good thing I'm not a stallion."
Spring approached with a smile. "Look at you..." Her eyes wandered downwards, taking in that twitching member even as Tabitha shuffled awkwardly to try and hide it. "What a noble beast you are. You let that mated couple relieve themselves without taking part. I'm so proud of you, Caretaker. Poor beast, you must be hurting so badly right now."
She was. She was hurt, emotionally, and quite physically in those parts that had gone unused. "Spring!" she hissed out. "Now is not a good time." She wanted to flee again, but paused. Was being part horse making her run so often? Forget that. She wasn't running. "Go away and find something else to do, Spring."
Spring raised a brow at Tabitha. "Oh? And what should I do, Caretaker?"
"How about not watching?!" She stomped a hoof, narrowly missing her painfully stiff member. "What's wrong with you?!"
Spring paused a moment. "I was not aware watching animals was strange to do. If smarter beings such as ourselves didn't watch over them, who would?" She raised a brow. "Even you are half an animal, and I watch over you as gently as I can." She stepped all the closer. "I want the best for you, Caretaker. You're such a fine example of a beast. Watching your two... friends? They are friends, are they not? Regardless, their little act, it was very... stimulating."
Tabitha felt a tingle run down her long spine. Spring had been turned on, and her eyes kept glancing at Tabitha's stiffness. She was wanted. She was wanted a lot, and a large part of her liked the idea even as the rest quailed at the notion of giving Spring anything she wanted. "Look, I..."
"Before you bring up genders, Tabitha, I am already very aware of the other horse. Coco gazes at you with obvious affection, and I don't believe it is entirely unreturned. Besides, sexual gender... There exists no natural sex on this world you are incompatible with. You could accept grand and terrible spires or devastate some poor female with your own tool."
With a forced grunt, she spurted out onto the ground. Did males suffer that often? No wonder they were so easily distracted half the time. "Spring! I'm not in the mood."
Spring licked over her lips, clearly wanting it, but perhaps her need to be ravished kept her from just jumping for it. "You appear to be in the mood. You're a beast, Tabitha. Your sort are predictable." She took another step, so close, dangerously close. Her breath was like sweet pine. "Beasts act on their urges. It's just a matter of time before you find some female, perhaps another beast, or you'll set your eyes on something... grander, cleaner." She raised a brow. "Would you dare?"
Tabitha stood up straight, realizing something. "Even if this 'beast' felt such an urge, I'll have you know that I have a girlfriend, and I'll be loyal to her first." Was she the boyfriend of Coco? At that moment, she stood resolute.
Spring's features flickered with disapproval even as she said her sweet words. "Such a brave and stalwart companion. Coco must be so proud to have captured your attention. Shall I fetch her?" Tabitha was moving to wave the idea away, but Spring knew what she was doing and glanced to the door just a fraction of a moment before a clopping knock came from it.
Tabitha froze.
The knocking repeated. "Tabitha?" It was Coco. "Can we talk? They said you came in here. Are you alright?"
Tabitha checked to make sure the desk still barred the most objectionable views, even if part of her rump showed with her retreating away from Spring. "C-come in." She couldn't banish Coco, not after what she had just said.
The door swung open to reveal the smiling Coco. "Th... Oh, hello." She bowed her head at Spring. "Am I interrupting?"
Spring gestured at the earth pony. "We were just conversing of you. Did you know Tabitha is quite loyal to you?"
Coco went a quick red. "I didn't even dare to think of it! Tabitha, is this... true? Are we...?" Her tail was wagging quickly and hopefully. They had never formally become a thing, but the moment was being thrust on her. She could approve, or she could deny and then Spring would have nothing in her way.
Tabitha looked over Coco's smiling form. As horses went, she was caring and sensible. There certainly were worse options by far, it was just... so fast. Why did everything insist on being too fast that day? "Coco, I'd like..." She had to choose. "I'd like to give it a try, dating. We should get a feel for each other before we make any permanent decisions."
Coco nodded at that, her ears perked and tall. "Then we'll do that. That's a splendid idea. I was afraid a moment you were hurrying too quickly. I don't... You deserve more than a rebound, Tabitha." She put a hoof to her chest. "I understand what happened was painful. If... If you need time, I understand."
Tabitha couldn't help but smile. That was exactly the sort of answer she wanted. "We'll talk later, alright. Thank you, for being you."
Coco tilted her head at Spring. "What are you glancing at?" Spring was still glancing at Tabitha's parts, and Coco noticed. She started to move around the desk to see.
Panic settled over Tabitha. She didn't want Coco to see that and she rose to her hooves, just to thump painfully against the desk. Why did Spring make her so obscenely large?! That moment of sensitive pain was long enough for Coco to bring it into view and gasp loudly. She went a dark red, but she was staring with less guile than Spring had.
Was it the pheromones?
"C-coco, you--"
She glanced up at Spring, then Tabitha. She straightened out her ascot as she sank to her haunches. "Can I help?"
Could she help?! There were only a few ways a female, any female, could help with that... specific problem. "I just want to be alone!" Tabitha hadn't meant to shout, but there it was. "Today's been a crazy day, ending with me, and... this and..."
Coco's forehoof landed right on the massive length, giving it a slow petting with its surprisingly soft but firm surface. "Miss Breeze? I need some privacy, with my... coltfriend."
Spring flashed a smile. "The beast rides again. Very well, enjoy your mate." She faded in a rustle of leaves, denied being plowed directly, but Tabitha was sure she'd watch the tawdry act.
Tabitha tried to back away but Coco came right along with her. The soft touch of a snout, kissing that length, made her sink and shudder with increasing pleasure. "Coco, please..."
Coco glanced up at her. "I want you very badly, Miss Taylor, but you did warn me, so I will ask." She sat down, not touching at Tabitha a moment. "If you allow, we'll do... what comes naturally between a stallion and a mare, but only if you allow it. If this hurts you, then... I'll just walk out. I'll walk out and I won't count it against you, promise." She gave a brave smile. "Coltfriends and marefriends shouldn't be barred from saying no."
Tabitha felt relief flood through her. "Thank you..." She kissed Coco on the nose before she even realized she was going to do it. "Let's talk, later."
Coco gave a firm nod and trotted from the room in almost a hurry, her tail swaying and parts Tabitha shouldn't be looking at there to see. It seemed ponies only 'showed' when they got excited, or at least she only noticed it then.
She was gone. Tabitha was alone. "You turned her away." Maybe not so alone. "You said, Tabitha. Was that not true then?" Spring approached on light feet. "I see what my error is. I keep hoping you will catch the subtle hints, but subtlety only angers you, Caretaker. Our relationship should be forged as dwarves, clear and solid as the stones they dig."
How did dwarves get involved? "Being honest is good." She couldn't ar-- Her thought came to an abrupt halt as a warm hand circled around her member and began to pull with the faintest touch of feathers. "Spring!"
"I will say what I'd rather not. Tabitha, you have all that you require. I think you know what is desired of you. Please don't make me say more than that."
Tabitha took a half step away, just to be followed and for the light touches to wander down her length. "We're barely friends!"
"I am not requesting you inseminate me with your filthy animal seed, horse lover. Our relationship won't change. Do as you want to do. Stop resisting it, and me."
Her willpower only went so far. It crumbled in a storm of explanations. Fine! She'd give her exactly what she wanted, and she'd choke on it. Maybe she could make her hate it so much she'd leave the matter alone. She was just an elf. That horse length looked far too big to do anything but abuse the elf anyway, but that's what she had literally asked for.
Tabitha gave a little growl and Spring's eyes widened slightly. When she shoved Spring back and the elf fell to the floor on her rump, she wasn't blasted by alien magic. "Stop!" Her demand was empty, and did nothing to stop her from reaching down and starting to roughly divest the elf from her clothing with increasingly loud grunts and growls. She was going to give Spring exactly what she wanted.
Unheard by Tabitha, the door locked securely and the room became isolated under Spring's magic. None would disturb them at this moment of triumph. "Get off of me, vile beast!" Despite her words, she didn't kick Tabitha away or stop her from stripping Spring to the air. "Foul beast, you're too large to even consider it!"
Tabitha stepped over her bipedal 'victim'. Her oversized member prodded between Spring's thighs, throbbing angrily and jamming at her from taint to lips, but it was large, too large to enter, not that it stopped her from trying.
Spring would not be so easily swayed. She squirmed, in an effort to be free, but she lined up and her hands and her cunt glowed a dark green before Tabitha suddenly slipped past those naked lips, stretching them monstrously to fit herself into the female clearly not intended to be mounted by a literal horse. She moaned, a noise that was all too real.
Tabitha didn't care. She began to rut and thrust and buck and fuck and every other word she could think of. Her powerful equine hips plunged her shaft deep into that impossible hole even as Spring screamed and complained. It held her so tight and it was so very wet. No resisting female should be so thoroughly damp, but she was, and Tabitha still didn't care. She was too worked up. Her balls began to slap up against the elf, somehow reaching the bottom despite the massive difference between them. Her huge balls were growing tighter, filling with seed.
"Foul creature!" Spring grunted between deepening moans. "You'd best... stop... I will not be made a broodmare!"
So she didn't want that, did she? Tabitha thrust all the harder. She would punish Spring and spray directly into that clenching passage. She would... Her thoughts were a jumbled mess with her emotions running wild and funneling out through every desperate shove against Spring.
A bare foot lashed up and landed on those huge balls, nudging at them and stroking them. It made Tabitha shiver in pleasure.
"You will not ignore me!" insisted the elf as if she were delivering powerful kicks instead of helping Tabitha along. "Animal, contain your depraved lusts. Contain..." Her words dissolved into an all-too-true moan. She was enjoying the rutting. She was liking every powerful shove into her body.
They were moving against each other with a shared, desperate, energy when it came, or rather, Tabitha came. Her flared member swelled into place just before she exploded. Thick bursts of seed ran down her new member to fill Spring's hole as the 'violated' female screamed and complained even as she clearly climaxed in return.
Tabitha slowly sank, settling her pony body down onto Spring. She was spent, and happy, and... What had she done?
"Filthy... horse..." Spring put a hand on her belly. "That desperate for a broodmate? Fine! I will do as I must."
Do as she must? Tabitha shook off the lethargy in her. "What are you talking about?"
"You seeded me, dirty beast. You sprayed your seed across my fertile field." She said it with a nasty sneer even as she seemed so relaxed. "I will swell, nasty and grotesque with your foul progeny. Horse, you've made a broodmate out of me."
Spring had left, speaking something of trying to clean the 'foul taint' of the experience from her. Her words were acidic and mean, but she'd never looked happier and even gave a little wink at Tabitha that seemed to promise she'd come back.
She'd come back. Tabitha shuffled from hoof to hoof. She'd just... Well, raped? That seemed the wrong word for it. Spring had come perilously close to begging for it. It wasn't really a matter of consent, that was given. She wasn't a rapist, she was just a failure in a million other ways.
She'd done... things with a person who had no true 'love' for her. Hell, Spring didn't seem to comprehend 'love' as humans and even the ponies understood it. She was a sexy tool, a sharp tool, but not something to expect love or to give that to.
Then there was Coco. Poor Coco. Her heart stung, both of them. The idea that she had betrayed and hurt someone so... innocent. Coco had never done her wrong, and she really did seem to care, to love. She just wanted a partner. Sure, she'd never really considered a woman, let alone a horse, but there she was, with that gentle smile. She wanted love and demanded so very little in return except that exchange.
And there was Tabitha, betraying her. That day... it sucked. It sucked in every way. Tabitha took a slow breath. Looking back on it, her time with Spring, though it left her feeling slimy, wasn't bad per se. She still wasn't sure how that had worked at all. She should have split Spring right in half, though actually hurting the damn elf just would have made her feel worse.
She glanced down at her parts to see she was messy and increasingly crusty as things dried, but she was... decent, or closer to it. She went for a pony suit she had laying around her office and started to climb into it, to hide her literal shame when she went upstairs. It wasn't in the budget, but she would have to get good ventilation in her office. Truthfully, she should spring for the same treatment in her apartment, but she shouldn't have strangers there anyway.
Tabitha tried to control her breathing and marshal her thoughts as she crossed the lobby towards that elevator. She was still the manager of that building. She had responsibilities, both as a landlady and--
"Greetings." Tabitha looked up to see a unicorn in dark robes with a silvery moon on her chest. "You should be expecting me. Princess Luna sent me." She raised a hoof to gesture at herself. "Her words failed to impress on me the exact nature of your... condition, but I am told you are polite and well-intentioned, so I will try to dismiss your physical state. I am Dark Vision, and I will serve as your wizard."
She was a bit confused at first, but it came to her. "Ah! Yes, she did mention that. So you're staying here?" Dark nodded. "Great, we should get a contract written up and a key to you." That process was so blissfully automatic. She turned right around and led the way back to her office.
Inside, Dark's nose twitched faintly. "Pheromones, thick." She raised a brow. "Are you attempting to seduce me? I am flattered at the notion, but I'm not attracted to mares."
Tabitha found her thoughts crashing into the sudden wall. "N-no! Really, I--"
"Not a mare." Dark sniffed softly. "I smell a lot of stallion... Both? Have you bred recently? Am I detecting your paramour?"
Tabitha went a dark red at the questions. She could try to be quiet about it, but Dark seemed to be sharp, and would be there to help, and for the duration. Lying to her seemed a bad idea. "It's from me."
"Not all from you." She sniffed once more. "I can't place the other female. Crystal pony? I haven't had as much exposure to them. The pheromones are stale and fresh at once. You're still producing them." Dark leaned closer, nose twitching. "You're both? Fascinating... But I'm not here to regulate you unless you break the laws of this land. I trust you're avoiding that?"
Despite her desires, she began to swell and thicken between her powerful back legs. "I plan to be a good neighbor." Even if she was the worst, um, how did the ponies put it? Marefriend. "Do you have a preference for floor? They're all available right now."
"Even if you are a stallion, I should decline. It would interfere with my duties. You can stop that." Dark stared at Tabitha for several uneasy moments. "Well?"
Tabitha had no idea how to just... stop that. "How?"
"You're not doing that on purpose?" Dark twitched one of her ears up. "How awkward... I will take any floor, select one."
Tabitha picked a key and wrote out the contract quickly. Dark had the bits ready and surrendered them just like any other tenant.
Dark paused a moment, glancing around. "The other scent changed. I don't recognize it at all. How... intriguing. Tell me about this nexus? I can feel its energy through this building. It's so powerful I am surprised she thought I could handle it alone, but I will try."
Tabitha had a thought. There was a wizard that wasn't trying to get one over on her. "Wait, can you make me human again?"
"Human? Like the one that's been adopted?" Dark shook her head. "I'd need a template. I have ponies memorized, but I've never met a 'human' before. Why?"
"Adopted?" Tabitha hadn't heard of that. It was good to hear there was another hu--
"He requested full transformation. A unicorn, I'm told, colt. He was adopted by two ponies he was familiar with." Dark nodded softly. "Not my jurisdiction." She pointed at Tabitha. "You and this place are. Ma'am, your scent is very powerful. If I was less trained or more inclined, we would be engaged in depravity already. The scents imply this has already occurred?"
Was it that obvious? Tabitha pinkened even as she twitched in her pants. She felt so dirty, not even just figuratively, but her member needed a bath, a real bath. All of her needed a good soaking. Despite being filthy, a teeny part of her insisted it'd be nice to 'greet' Dark in a very personal way. "Yes," she mumbled in reply. Dark was her doctor, of a sort. Lying to one's doctor never helped, no matter how embarrassing. "Can you help?"
Dark broke into a bright smile. "You have no idea how relieved I am to hear you ask that. If this is truly something beyond your control and against your wishes, then I am duty-bound to help as I can. The first solution, and by far the simplest, is to spend more time with a significant other. Do you have such a relation?"
A vision of Coco appeared in Tabitha's mind. Her gentle smile, those... Tabitha shook her head free of unwanted visions of horse parts, even if they weren't nearly as revolting as they 'should' be. "We're not... that close yet?" Were they? Coco seemed ready to take that leap.
"Shame. For now, I would see my room, then patrol this place thoroughly. We will meet again and discuss it, and your personal problems." Dark gave a slow nod. "You seem to have proper faith in my abilities, and I will endeavor to not disappoint you. You're in my hooves, and I will take care of you."
Tabitha actually did feel better. Even as Dark trotted away. Her robe concealed objectionable parts, thank the varied gods. When Dark was out of sight, Tabitha let out a little breath. She decided she liked Dark and her presence, as alien as some of it was. She seemed a mare that took her job seriously, but she didn't seem like a jerk about it. Compared to Spring's magic use, it was a huge relief in comparison.
Slowly she made her way back to her hooves and locked up the office. She moved for the elevator, but was denied that escape. Bubbles was there. Part of her wanted to scream and run. She had seen too much that day. All she wanted was a bath without end. Was that too much?
"Hey boss." Bubbles glanced left and right before trotting closer. "Look, I wanna talk."
"Talk?" Tabitha was on guard, expecting a verbal attack.
"Yeah, see... We were talking... I'm being, maybe, a little bit of a jerk. I keep expecting you to be the heel, but you aren't, so I just end up playing the real plothole the entire time." She put a hoof to her chest. "So, the way I see it, if being rut in front of you didn't scare you off, hardly nothin' will, so if you're ready to put my shit behind, I'll put your shit behind, and we'll get over this river together, eh?"
Tabitha blinked with amazement. Was Bubbles really offering to move on like that? It seemed too good to be true, especially if it meant Bubbles really would set aside that chip on her shoulder. "That would be nice."
Bubbles smiled. It wasn't Coco's smile, or even Dark's smile. It was a cocky smile, full of self-importance, but it seemed genuine. "Great, so I'll get back to keepin' an eye on things. Speaking of which, did you see that mare in the black robes? Kinda creepy if you ask me, but she had a key? She a renter?"
Tabitha straightened at the mention of her newest tenant. "She is, and she works for a princess, Luna was her name. She's here to help keep an eye out on all the weird things, like that troll."
"Bitching," casually cursed Bubbles. "I bet she knows a few fun spells worth knowing. Wonder if I could get her to share..." She tapped at a chin with a hoof. "But so long as you know she's here, I won't get in her way. I was just makin' sure. She's exactly the kind of weirdo you told me to keep an eye out for."
She wandered away from Tabitha, but stopped and looked over her shoulder. "You can stop staring at my flank." She wriggled her back end. "I know I'm sexy, but I have a coltfriend. Let's not hurt his feelin's any." She winked and trotted off, leaving Tabitha with a growing blush.
Tabitha decided to accept those parting words as a sort of mark of sincerity. She wouldn't say those things to someone she planned to hate. She shook her head and stepped into the elevator, pushing the button for her floor and sighing with relief. Nothing stopped her from fleeing into her room and locking the door. She was finally safe.
"Tabby?" It was Razz, peeking out of the kitchen. "L-last time, I swear. I just... can we talk?"
No! "Sure..." She gestured almost numbly to a chair. "Have a seat. Your girlfriend might get upset if you hang around me."
He blushed as he hopped into the offered chair. "We talked... Did she run into you? Um, really, thank you." He offered a hoof. "Whether or not I'm with with you, you helped me turn a corner, and I'm not blind. I owe you a lot, and I really do want to be friends, which I hope I didn't just completely screw up today, but I understand if I did! So if you want to throw me out and tell me to not come back, I'll do that, alright?"
Throwing him out felt like a great idea. "Razz, I hope you and your girlfriend are both happy, but right now? I just want to forget some things and relax. Can I do that?"
Razz looked confused. "O-Oh, um, sure? I just..."
"I'm not telling you to go away forever."
"Alright." He hopped from his chair, but reared up and hugged her human part. "Thank you." He fled immediately thereafter, leaving Tabitha blissfully alone.
Dark settled into her room, but she didn't stay long. The thrumming pulse of power through her horn didn't let her rest. She had to know the secret of that place.
She thought to her new landlady. A nice enough... mare? That was a confusing topic, and she got the feeling Tabitha was just as confused about herself. For just a moment, Dark wondered if she had even tried a proper stallion for company, but there were more pressing matters at hoof.
Dark went from floor to floor, feeling where the energy gathered and ebbed. She mapped out the web of energy that made up that cursed place. It was good to have, but knowing the barest lay of the land was just the start, and not much of one in the end.
"You are in the way." Dark looked up to see a monster standing clearly there, dominating much of the hallway.
Monster. She'd seen such creatures before. Usually they were threats to ponykind, but this one seemed tame. It wasn't trying to use those big claws or hands to grab at her. He wasn't even scowling at her properly. As monsters went, it seemed to be missing things. "Mind your manners, beast."
"Do not address me that way," insisted the monster. "You know little, horse."
"Don't call me a horse."
"Return the favor."
They stared at one another in a tense moment. Dark snorted softly. "I am Dark Vision."
It smiled, a display that could be taken as a threat. "I am a guardian, same as you. Well met, Dark Vision."
Dark canted her head faintly. "Without a name then? Or do you consider it a fair trade to get a name and not return it?"
It offered no name. It just watched her.
She grunted softly. There were uses to be had. "Are you a legal tenant?"
"I am, as are you, or things would be different." It stood stock still, unnaturally set in place. "You are in the way."
She was reaching the monster's limits of patience, but that was fine, she would have answers. "Creature, since I have no other name, I would know the secrets of this place."
"You would wither on hearing it, wither or be driven mad in trying to solve it. Save your efforts for what can actually be done. Move."
"Are you the source of Tabitha's curses?"
That smile returned. "The source of those is far more fair. Of clear and naked flesh, tasteful attire, and polite tongue. She is many things I am not. Go and speak with her. I would enjoy that."
Not what she expected, but still... "You know it then?"
"You are in the way."
"I offer a pact." Dark held up a hoof. "Speak your demand."
The creature seemed surprised at that. "A question for a question. Do you care about the Caretaker?"
Caretaker? There was only one person she could put that label on. "I have only just met her. She is a citizen and good of heart, so far I see, so I will do my best." She frowned faintly. "Point me to this other."
"She is above, on the fourth floor. You will know it by the vines across the portal." He advanced to move past Dark Vision, but a hoof shot out in the way. "You try my patience..."
"Another pact." Her voice was low and even.
"You will not pay its price."
"Try me first."
They stared at one another a quiet moment before he nodded. "Very well. For another answer, I would borrow your talent. Magician, promise your skills are mine for a single task."
"On the condition that it harms not the country or those in it, I will grant that." She gave a shallow nod. "By what pact does this other hold sway over the 'Caretaker'?"
That smile returned. "The most insidious. Ties of emotion and propriety ensnare her, only growing worse with time. It would not be surprising to see them bound by your laws if they are allowed to proceed. The Caretaker is truly lamentable. I am leaving now." He stepped past her and moved for the elevator without being opposed again.
Dark Vision watched him go with a scowl. It was upsetting on some level to let such a beast of obvious power just leave unopposed, but he had done nothing wrong. If that was a he? She had no assurance the monster even understood the idea of genders, let alone possessed one. Monsters were curious creatures by nature.
Tabitha soaked. Warm soapy water felt great against her pony form. Fur was good for one thing for sure. It loved soaking up water, which made the experience all the better. She was starting to feel clean, and so many of the knots that had formed in her flesh were easing away a little.
She was whole again.
She rose from the water and pushed the drain, allowing the water to start flowing free. She would take a shower to rinse away the filth that remained and get well and truly clean. Pony, human, man or woman, she would be clean and whole.
Before she could start the shower, the water still flowing, she heard the beep that her computer only made when it got an email. Was the thing that threw her to that strange world trying to reach her? She clambered quickly from the tub and wrapped a towel around herself, then another before she advanced quickly towards it. "One moment. You're such a good damn spy, you should know that was a bad time."
She clip-clopped quickly through her apartment, reaching a dripping hand to quickly swat the mouse and wake up her screen before she pulled up the email.
Good Evening,
I wasn't sure you'd answer that quickly. My, aren't you polite. Had a hard day?
"You could say that." She glanced around, but felt more sure than ever that her words were going where they needed to be.
It's almost unfair, except for the part where it's all your fault.
"That isn't true." She clopped a hoof. "At no point did I ask her to... She raped me!"
That's more like it. You seemed ready to blame yourself and get all pouty. That would have been a shame. Now that we put that behind us, how was it?
"How was it?!" The question baffled her. "Do you normally ask people how it was after they get mugged?"
You weren't exactly mugged. You enjoyed some of it, even if it was against your reasoning consensus. Do you plan to become a man entirely?
"As if that was an option." She rolled her eyes. "No man, or woman, for me." She crossed her arms under her chest. "Just what I have now, really."
You're avoiding the question. Tell me, when's the last time you were drilled. Do you miss it?
"Do you... What are you?"
A fair question. I'm not a half-pony hermaphrodite, so there's that possibility removed. You seem tense. Do you need something sweet and gentle?
She raised a finger as a scathing comment was about to escape when a knock came from her door. She realized she was horribly dressed to receive anyone. "What is it? Don't come in!" She had remembered to lock the door, and felt reasonably safe as she wandered towards her bedroom.
"Is this a bad time?" asked a meek and familiar voice. Coco. "I can come back later..."
Tabitha sighed softly as she got a basic T-shirt on to cover her human nudity and clambered quickly into something to cover the rest in tasteful-looking suit. She really had to get some basic cheap clothes for her horse butt for when she really didn't care, as nice as having nice choices were.
She fiddled with the lock and got the door open to throw it wide. There was Coco, looking worried, but hopeful. "Hello there. I... You've been imposed on a lot, I know." Coco nodded firmly. "If you'd rather not talk right now, well, you just tell me, and off I go."
That was tempting, really tempting. But that wasn't being a good manager or a good friend. "What's up, Coco?"
She smiled at that. "I just want to say I've been thinking about... us, and you, and it isn't fair."
Huh? "Huh?"
"You were a mare, a human mare, for most of your life and I assume you were happy with that, right?" She stepped forward with an unsure step, but she wasn't stopped, so she took another. "And here I am, treating you like a stallion, ignoring the rest of you, just like I treat you like a pony and ignore the rest of you. That... just isn't fair."
That wasn't fair? "I'll tell you what isn't fair!" She had meant to speak normally, but it came out in a stressed yelp. Tabitha couldn't help it, and the words spilled from her. "I'm a... I cheated! I cheated on you and I don't even know what that means."
Coco blinked softly in confusion. "We... haven't actually gone steady, Tabitha, but thank you for being honest." She kicked out and closed the door behind her. "What happened? You're shaking dear. Please, let's just sit down."
They hadn't... Tabitha deflated as she realized she hadn't technically wronged Coco at all. A frantic little laugh bubbled from her, and it bothered her. She was going--
"This way." Coco was nudging her to lay down. "You've been through so much in such a short time. If you'd rather I go, I will, but I really think you need someone who wants nothing but you to be better." She smiled down at the sprawled centaur, tail swaying. "Just relax and I'll get some tea going." She trotted away and got to tea preparing, but she never really stopped talking. "So who was it with? Do you feel up to talking about that?"
She did and didn't at the same time. She tried to be a big girl about it. Sitting up in time for a tray of tea to come back, balanced on Coco's back, Tabitha accepted a glass. "You know Spring, the elf, right?"
"Of course." Coco carefully set the tray down and sat on her haunches before taking her own cup and sipping from it. "What about her?"
"She... has a huge fetish for the idea of a 'beast' pinning her down..." Should she continue?
"Go on, when you're ready." Coco smiled in that gentle way she had.
Tabitha tried to return the gesture, and she did continue. "I'm right where she wants it. I'm enough of a 'beast' to do... that to her, but enough of a human and woman to never really hurt her. She came when I was keyed up and got me in the right mindset, so there I was, doing what she wanted."
Coco was flushed red at the mental image of it. "She's the one that made you this way, was she not?"
"She was." Tabitha looked back on the situation. She had been made into Spring's perfect sexual object for her sick fetish. "I'm everything she wanted, crafted just so at her hands."
Coco took a deep drink of the tea. "So she did that, and it's... terrible and done. You aren't alone though." She smiled. "If... If you aren't completely sick when you see a mirror."
She caught at that. "N-no!" She liked who she was, even if she had a horse butt at the moment.
Coco looked so relieved. "Good... I like you too. Tabitha..." Her words came slower as she strained to reach for something but couldn't quite get a grasp of it. "Do you want a marefriend?"
Somehow, Tabitha found herself seated at her table as Coco set out food for her. It was nice to have someone else doing that, just because they wanted to, but there was a part... "We're still not..."
Coco smiled as she hopped up across from Tabitha. "You deserve this, whether or not we proceed. Right now, we're just friends." She rolled a hoof a little. "Even if we're... familiar with one another. Whichever way we decide to go, I hope it's as friends. And I mean that! I'm not an elf." She put a hoof at her chest almost defensively. "I'm not trying to lay a trap."
Tabitha heard just a hint of desperation there. Coco really was lonely. Well, so was she. She wanted someone who didn't need her. Razz had needed her, and the elf needed her another way. Coco didn't need her, not those ways. She wanted a friend, and if they did more than that, bonus. "What'd you make?"
"Oh, this?" She waved over the collection. "I saw you had meat stashed away, so I figured you liked it." Tabitha began to blush faintly as Coco described how she had prepared it with the mostly vegetarian dish. "I hope you like it. Eat up." She pointed at the food with a hoof. "My specialty's clothing, but I'm not bad at food, I hope."
Tabitha did eat, and did enjoy it. While her tongue sung the praises of the food she consumed, her eyes wandered over the mare she shared it with. Looking past the horse exterior was becoming easier, bit by bit. It helped that she was one, and she didn't hate herself. She thought she was a good person, and being half a horse didn't negate that.
Coco was pretty, for a horse. Her loins disagreed, quietly informing her that she was pretty, especially because she was a horse, and a well formed one at that. Tabitha was glad she was dressed, not wanting to ruin a meal with... She suddenly remembered her scent. "Coco, are you alright?"
"Hmm?" She perked her ears. "Why shouldn't I be? Do you like it?"
"It's lovely." And it was. "I more meant the whole stink thing. The one that knocks ponies for a loop."
"I-it's still there, Tabitha." She blushed faintly. "Once you've been smacked with it once and know about it, it becomes different. I feel a bit warm, but I don't feel that... urge. Or perhaps it is an urge, and now I can just face it and say 'yes' or 'no', just like being thirsty doesn't mean I have to rush to the nearest tap immediately." She lowered her snout and grazed on her food neatly a moment. "Does it affect you?"
Thinking about it suddenly, Tabitha realized that it had to. It explained too much about her current... state. She had that 'urge', she just decided against it far more often than not. Coco's explanation made too much sense. "A bit. I don't want to make dinner awkward by gabbing about that though."
She reached over a hoof and rested it on one of Tabitha's hands. "You're not bothering me."
Tabitha's fingers curled and soon she was holding that hoof gently. The contact made her feel good a bit, and brought a new blush to Coco's cheeks. Neither argued about that moment. They could be friends... Maybe... "Wait a moment."
Coco perked her ears. "Hmm?" She drew her hoof back carefully. "What is it?"
"I'm really trying to not... I'm not a pony." Her words were slow and methodical, trying to avoid tripping.
"No, you're not." She nodded. "You weren't born one, and you don't think like one. I was wrong for pushing that label on you earlier." She flashed a charming smile. "You are Tabitha, and I like her."
"I am Tabitha..." The thought almost bounced around her skull as she said it. It was a trueism, but that made it true, did it not? "You don't make dinners for all your friends."
She blushed faintly. "Not usually... But I don't have many I would call a friend, not like that. There's Rarity? I'd like you to meet her. You two would probably get along. She's a business owner too, you see."
That intrigued Tabitha a little. "She also makes clothes, I remember you saying?"
"Oh, yes, but it's different." Coco gestured to the window. "She owns a store and runs it by herself. She mentioned she even wants to expand to other stores in other cities. She's really driven." She shrank a little. "I get a little jealous thinking about it sometimes. She... I don't have that kind of drive. I'll be happy just to see one pony wearing what I make up. The idea of a whole store..."
Tabitha could see Coco was becoming overwhelmed by that thought and reached for her, petting once through that soft mane. Coco made a little happy noise and turned upwards, pressing her snout into the palm. "Why do you keep doing that?" It wasn't an accusing tone, or an angry tone, but the question remained.
Tabitha's fingers curled and she stroked an ear. It was soft and warm and twitched just so when she pet it right. It clearly had an effect on Coco from the way she stared at her and squirmed a little. She was being very personal, she realized. She was touching a place that ponies didn't rush to touch on one another without familiarity. It was... just like a human stroking another human's head. You just didn't get away with that without being good friends or more.
Why was she doing it? "I... suppose it feels nice." That felt a bit like a cop-out, even if it was true. "I had a cat, when I was a little girl."
Coco blinked at that. "You're petting me like a cat?"
Tabitha realized that sounded awkward. "I don't mean it that way! It's just... Look, I'll stop if you want."
She leaned back and nuzzled that palm again. "Do you pet other ponies?"
It was Tabitha's turn to darken a little. "Mostly you."
"Then I accept... in private." She nodded slowly. "Please no petting in public. Ponies may take it the wrong way."
Tabitha ran a finger down a sensitive ear towards the skull beneath. "You were saying, about Rarity? Did you want us to meet?"
"Oh! Well, she doesn't live that close..." She ran a hoof in a slow circle on the table. "She lives in a town far away called Ponyville."
Ponyville? "Does she visit often?"
"Not so much," admitted Coco with a sigh. "It's always nice when she does, but she is a busy pony. I can't ask her to stop by more often than she does." She raised a hoof. "Next time! I promise, I'll get you two together."
Before Tabitha even noticed, she had a few fingers under Coco's faintly trembling snout, stroking the smooth fur there. "It's alright. If she's a friend of yours, I'm certain she's worth waiting for."
Coco's words stammered a moment before she drew back from the petting and panting for breath. "Y-you're very personal." Her tail flicked fitfully. "I don't mean that as an insult! Oh..." She seemed to realize she was painting herself in a corner.
Tabitha held up her hands quickly. "Hey! Don't feel bad for my mistakes. That was on me." Coco seemed to relax. "Thanks for this food, by the way, it's great." It was heavy on the greens, purples, and even some yellows, but it was tasty and filling. She had the belly of a pony, eating like one couldn't be so bad, right? "Thank you, for being a friend."
Coco smiled brightly. "I meant to ask, all of this?" She gestured around at the apartment. "Even around the building, I see things that just don't... fit. Are they from your home?"
Tabitha was surprised, even if it was true. "Yes." She'd gotten used to ponies missing details. "This room especially. It was mine before, and it came with all of my things."
She stepped down from her chair lightly and approached the largest device, her computer. "This one always seems to have your attention, at least compared to the others. What is it?"
Tabitha tensed a little. "Careful there. That's irreplaceable." Did ponies have computers? She hadn't seen one yet. "Imagine a notebook you can use with basically infinite pages that can also hold music and pictures. It also plays games."
Coco looked over her shoulder at Tabitha. "You're describing a miracle. Why haven't you, I mean... You could just sell this and be well off forever."
Tabitha blinked at that. She might be able to do just that, but... "First off, it's mine. It's one of the few gifts I have left really, and being a centaur hasn't stopped me from using it, thank god. Secondly, without knowing like... a thousand other things, it's just a magic box. It'd just become a curiosity until it broke, then it'd be mostly worthless."
"May I see your magic box?" She pointed at the computer. "You said it plays games?"
Tabitha abandoned her spot at the table to approach with the clip-clop of the horse she partially was. She grabbed one controller and passed the other to Coco, even if she looked confused at it. "Let's try something simple." She got a cheap and simple game going and began guiding Coco in how the buttons she pressed made things happen.
Soon, the pony was playing with a smile. Tabitha still had no idea how they pressed individual buttons or moved the analog stick with big hooves, but the earth pony seemed even more skilled than the pegasus at it. She supposed that had to be true to a point, with no wings or magic to lean on. Regardless, Coco proved to be a capable player, and a good loser, and a good winner as well.
After about half a dozen rounds, she put her controller down gently. "Is it magic?"
Was it? "I guess, for certain definitions... It's technology, but a bit forward of what I've seen so far."
Coco pointed off to the camera that sat in its bag on a shelf. "Does that feel primitive? It's near the best out there."
Tabitha struggled to find a polite way to put it... "Well... Here." She rose up and retreated to her room, only to return with her old phone. Sure, it had become quite worthless in the new world without towers and internet to work with, but for that case... "See this little thing?"
"Yes?" She tilted her head back and forth at it, trying to determine what the nearly flat rectangle of plastic could be. "What is it?"
"This little thing is a phone that doesn't need any cords, but more than that, it's also a computer, just like that." She pointed at the desktop tower. "Just not as powerful. It can also store sounds, like talking or music. It can also... take pictures easier, better, and without development."
Coco's eyes were as wide as saucers. "You lie!" She clapped a hoof over her mouth afterwards, blushing. "I'm sorry. Please, um, show me? Take a picture and show me, without developing it."
Coco jumped up onto the couch and sat, smiling at Tabitha. "Go on."
Tabitha hadn't expected to make a sudden picture, but she powered up the phone and quickly snapped a shot once it was ready with a little electronic click.
Coco was still sitting there. "Are you going to do it?"
"I already did." Tabitha smiled. Without the bright flash and the louder noises, she supposed it seemed nothing had happened. "Come here."
Coco quickly joined her friend and peered at the little image of the pony smiling. "Remarkable..." She was a little breathless. "How do you get it out of there?" She pointed at the phone. "You still had pictures. I can tell, you have some laying around." That hoof swung to point at a picture of Tabitha's whole family together on vacation.
That was a bit more challenging... "In my world, there were more computers, attached to... big machines that took this picture and painted it out on paper for you. Heck, I have a little printer here, but just normal non-glossy paper." She led the way back to her computer and soon had her phone hooked up to it, charging and photos available.
She quickly pulled up the picture on the larger monitor.
Coco drew in a sudden breath. "Just like that?! They can just talk to one another, that easily? I'm telling you... You could never work another day."
Tabitha raised a brow. "And if someone told you that you'd never have to sew or design ever again, how happy would you be?"
Coco considered that a moment before she shook her head. "I suppose that does sound a little scary, and boring. Still! Just because you're rich doesn't mean you can't do what you like anyway, you just wouldn't have to do it." She nudged Tabitha. "You could still be a manager here if you like that, but you'd also be rich."
Tabitha sent the picture along to her basic printer. "It's not really made for pictures, but--"
She needn't have spoken. Coco's eyes were fixed on the machine as it made its odd noises and paper began to come out with her picture on it. Glossy or matte mattered little. Coco reached out with a hoof and pulled the paper free when it was done and looked it over. "It's amazing... Were you a photographer before?"
"No! I mean, not really." She did take a few pictures, but she doubted that counted.
"But it's so clear!" She placed the paper down carefully. "Can you do another? For real this time."
"Sure." She wasn't sure what 'for real' meant. "Did you have a pose you wanted to do?" Coco was already bounding back to the sofa.
Coco hopped up and sprawled over it. She gave a come hither look at Tabitha that really seemed at odds with her usual personality and a little quirk of a smile. "Go ahead, paint me like one of your Prench mares."
Tabitha felt a few giggles fighting free even as she heated. Part of her couldn't deny that what she saw was sexy, too sexy. She wanted to hug the stuffing out of Coco and do other things at once and the mixture just left her in a muddled middle ground. She raised her tethered phone and lined up the shot before a little click announced the picture had been taken. To be safe, she took a few more.
"How'd it come out?" Coco was back at her side with uncharacteristic speed. "It's still amazing to me how quickly you can do this. It is done, right? Paint it!"
Tabitha held the phone out so both she and her excited friend could see it. "Which do you like best?" She scrolled back and forth between the collection she had.
Coco put a hoof to her snout. "You took more than one? Um... the third one. I like that one. Paint it, please."
Tabitha glanced at her shaking friend before she took the paper out of her printer, to Coco's confusion.
She had one lonely stack of photo paper, and she inserted one sheet into the printer. "The picture will look nicer on this. Watch." She commanded the computer to produce the image and slowly, to her, and with practically divine speed, to Coco, it emerged.
Coco grabbed the paper the instant the printer let go of it. "It is better! Look at it! Look at me..." She tilted the photo paper this way and that, gazing at it with clear wonder. "Did... I really look that way?" She was starting to blush more and more. "I didn't mean it!"
Tabitha shook her head. "You did, and it came out very well. Stop sweating it, you looked great."
"I did?" Coco glanced around before she put the paper back down carefully. "Thank you."
"Not going to keep it?" Tabitha raised a brow.
"N-no! I mean... No, it's... for you!" She was lying, or at least making it up at the last second. "You keep that."
Tabitha carefully picked up the paper. "You really want me to keep a picture of you looking this way?"
Coco turned all the more red. "If you like it!"
Her first real gift from what could be her girlfriend, a photo of her giving her best smoldering gaze. Tabitha had to laugh, so she did even as she hunted for a frame for it. "I'll treasure it."
Coco tilted her head as it went into the frame and was set out right alongside Tabitha's family pictures. With quiet words, she questioned it, "Am I that important?"
"Hmm?"
She pointed at the collection of pictures. "Am... Are you saying I'm family too? They are your family, aren't they?"
"They... are." The meaning of it had eluded Tabitha at first, but when pointed out, it was hard to avoid. "You're practically... Coco Pomell, you're a dear friend, and I hope I don't have to explain that."
Coco smiled at being told outright. "Sometimes we like to hear it said out loud... You're my friend too. Will you give me a painting of you to keep?"
Tabitha went warm with self-awareness. "I don't have a good one. I'll get something better, later." Hopefully much later!
"That's alright." She put a hoof to her chest. "For today, if you're feeling a little better, I'd like... to sleep here, with you."
Tabitha took half a step back. Part of her agreed with the idea. It agreed very much. She tried to break it down logically. Her friend, potentially romantic partner wanted to sleep with her. Was that a good or bad idea? Well... "I should get used to the idea. Tonight? No funny business. We sleep, we just happen to be together."
"No funny business," agreed Coco, nodding.
Soon they were both sharing the bed. Tabitha tried to sprawl out alone, but there was some rustling and then warmth. Coco snuggled up with her, but didn't press further than that. Eventually they both drifted off.
The next day, a firm clopping came from the door.
Tabitha roused and half-fell from her bed. "Coming!" She rushed across the apartment and pulled it open to reveal Dark standing there.
Dark's vision darted towards the still slumbering form of Coco before it focused on Tabitha. "I have begun reinforcing the network to keep minor threats at bay. I am still gathering information."
Tabitha stepped to the side to help block the view of her sleeping partner. "Will that keep out trolls?"
She raised a brow. "I can't be certain what you call a troll is what I would label as a troll, but on a rating from one to ten, I've raised the durability of the doors from a two to a three. Anything more powerful can still batter its way through and cause trouble requiring our direct intervention." She raised a hoof to point at Tabitha. "I would ask that any activity taken by you or your guard against such a threat should be a delaying action until I arrive. You can be loud, that will help draw my attention."
Tabitha gave a little nod. "I'm not sure I like the sound of that.--"
"There's not much more we can do." Dark shrugged. "I'm investigating your trouble with the tenant that has caused your current... situation." She waved a hoof at Tabitha's hybrid form. "Relatedly, what is my goal?"
"Goal?"
"Am I seeking her cessation of dialogue, her reversal of her magic?" Dark tilted her head. "Do you wish to be returned to your natural form? I can't assume that's a yes. You seem comfortable."
Did she? She certainly wanted the option! But... did she? Would she be put back into hiding, or would she just be a human walking the streets of Manehattan. If she wasn't part pony, then being attached to Coco would also be... odd. She still hadn't even tried her wings!
"You look uncertain. I won't pursue that. What is my goal?" Dark was very insistent, but didn't come off as rude.
"Find out more about her," decided Tabitha out loud. "Her weaknesses and strengths. I need to be on more even terms with her instead of always running around blindly. She has a boss. Actually--" She went back inside and came out with the note. "--here, take this. This is her direct report's name and information. Find out more about her and where she's from, but don't attack her." Yet. "Maybe we can turn this to our advantage."
Dark smiled, a bright splash. "You've lifted my spirits. Even attacked, abused, and corrupted, you'd rather see it turned to our benefit rather than lashing out. I'm glad Luna sent me here to see such a resilient and friendly alien among us. It will be a pleasure to see this done." She ducked her head. "Unless you have questions, I'll start on that."
It was more complicated than that! But she couldn't put words to it exactly before Dark was gone, off to do whatever she did. Tabitha sighed and closed the door, turning to find Coco looking right at her. She squeaked in surprise and hopped back on pony legs, stumbling and flopping onto her haunches for the effort.
"Sorry!" squeaked Coco in reply. "I didn't mean to scare you. Who was that?"
"Luna sent--"
"Princess Luna?!" Coco's eyes were wide and her stance went rigid.
"That's the one." Tabitha nodded. "She sent someone to help watch this place, and that's her, Dark Vision. She seems nice enough. Just treat her like any other tenant."
"H-how! She's... I should get to work." She dipped her head low. "Thank you for the wonderful evening."
Before Tabitha could complain much, Coco was gone.
It was just as well, Tabitha had a day to prepare for and tackle. There was an ad to put in a paper, for one. She had pictures to print out as well, related to that.
She sighed softly at the thought. When her printer ran out of ink, she was basically out of luck on that front. There was nowhere she could go to get a refill.
Tabitha strolled through the city. With her slowly ebbing sense of self-consciousness, she noticed she was far from the only not-pony around. A griffon with bright white wings landed right beside her. "Hey. Meat or veggies?"
Tabitha glanced aside at the male birdcat. Was he really asking if she ate? "Anything that's tasty."
He smiled, beak curling. "Good answer. Always nice to see another... xeno. I can't place your lineage, I confess, but you are who you are, bloodline be damned, and you don't cringe at meat, so bonus points." He spat onto the ground beside him as he walked. "So, where are you headed to?"
Being approached by random people in the city usually meant a scam, at least back in the human world. In the pony world, Tabitha wasn't sure. Maybe he really did just want another friend? "Newspaper office. I need to run an ad." She erred on the side of blunt truth. It was boring enough, she decided.
He seemed surprised at that. "Huh, an ad? What fer?" He leaned in a bit, looking genuinely curious. "Nice dress, by the way." His head twitched towards what covered her pony body. "Don't mean nothing, just nice." He held up a talon as if to ward off the idea that he was hitting on her.
That was just as well, she had a... did she? She supposed she did. It was good enough! "For my apartment building."
"Get out!" He broke into a new smile. "You're yanking my leg. I have a sister coming into town without a good place. Mine's too cramped and she don't like me that much anyway. I'm guessing you're alright with one of us griffon sorts, right?"
The idea of a new tenant sat in just the right place. Sure, Equestria had done some rough things to her, but it'd certainly been treating her right when it came to filling her building. "Send her on over." She gave the address and described it. "Hard to miss, taller than the others around it, ten floors."
"Sounds great. You still have rooms on the top floor?"
As it turned out, she did. "They cost a bit more though."
"Oh?" He sounded suspicious.
"They're larger than the others." She left it there. Explaining how humans thought that made sense seemed a waste of breath. "Bigger and nicer. She won't be getting anything but the best."
He nodded firmly. "She'll like that. I'll pass the word on." His wings unfurled. "Hey, speaking of this, why don't you fly none? Afraid of doing it in a city?"
That was as good a reason as any. "Yeah."
"Don't be." He offered a talon towards her. "Come on. Nature gave us badass wings for a reason."
She spread one wing as she looked down at it, then slowly extended the other. "I'm... not feeling it."
"You don't sound like you're being straight." He waved a talon. "Still, I'm basically a stranger, so yer on your own. You have fun." He zipped off, leaving Tabitha to her trek.
As she went though, she put renewed thought into those wings. Easy Glider's wings, her wings. They had a lot of potential use and meaning. It wasn't as if she didn't want to fly. It looked like fun, and a lot faster than the hiking she was doing, on horse hooves and legs or not. Thinking about them made her pump them a little.
She wanted to fly.
Who didn't? She thought back to her school friends and others, trying to imagine any of them that'd outright refuse the chance. Well, there was that one guy. He was afraid of heights, but if you left him out, most people had the dream at least once of being free as a bird and sailing through the open air.
She could do that...
Her thoughts were interrupted by her arriving at the newspaper office. She smiled on her way in, only to enter a buzz of noise and excited chatter. It was 'just' a newspaper, but that was the best they had, so it was just as busy as any television news center back home.
One of the reporters, a mare with a news card in her cap, stopped dead instead of moving past her. She turned and smiled at Tabitha. "Well aren't you a walking news piece!? What's your name?"
"I'm actually here to put up an ad?" She held up her developed film.
"Forget the ad." The mare waved a hoof dismissively. "You can put that right in your news article and get ten times the hits! Now, what are you?" She glanced up and down at Tabitha. "You a new tribe of pony? I still didn't get your name."
"Tabitha--"
"Tabitha?! The Tabitha? The one making ponies down at Roebucks practically explode?" She flashed a huge smile. "I thought they were exaggerating or something, and here you are! That's it, exclusive interview, this way." She directed a hoof and turned. "Come on."
Tabitha did follow, but in no great hurry. "I'm not trying to draw attention. I just want people for my apartment building."
"The same one?" She glanced over her shoulder. "Has to be. My brother was going on about it before, but he suddenly went quiet. Did he mention me?"
"You're his sister? Due Note's?"
She bobbed her head. "That's the one. Only unicorn in my family, I'll have you know. He sounded real excited about the idea. My current place is going belly up, so I have to move. You have your pictures with you?"
Although the mare had a very nice cap and a front, she had nothing over her flanks or back end. Not that it should matter, or so Tabitha firmly reminded herself. "Sure, right here." She surrendered her pictures. "We have a good amount of room just waiting for happy tenants."
The earth mare accepted it and looked over the pictures carefully a moment. "Huh, not bad. I know the area at least." She raised a brow a bit. "You don't..." Her nose flared as she took a whiff much like her brother had. "You don't mind if I--" She sniffed again, large and grand. "Sorry. You don't..." She was falling for it, deep and hard. Maybe it was a familial thing?
If Tabitha wanted, or so she quickly reasoned, she could have her way with the mare without any resistance. Of course, that would make her a monster. Taking advantage of a mare, no matter how... Stop that! Tabitha shook her head free of the thoughts. She moved briskly to the nearest window and threw it open, allowing noise and fresh air to come in.
"Ah, thanks. I was getting a little stuffy." She smiled, expression clearing with the fresh air. "As I was saying, I should visit. I can write up this article on you and this place you have, a combo package. It'll get placed far up closer to the front and you won't have to pay for it." She smiled brightly. "And I might just move in, so hey, all upsides."
It was a subtle thing, but Tabitha could see the reporter's tail was raised just enough to give a subtle signal. Though the scent had stopped being overwhelming, its effects hadn't faded instantly. "Let's do that." Anything to put some distance. "How about tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow's fine, how about eleven?" When Tabitha nodded, she made a quick note with a quill in her mouth. "Tomorrow it is. I'll be there! Now I hate to send such an interesting pony away, but I do have other work to do, unless you want to do the interview now?"
Tabitha gently waved that away and slipped out of the door she had come in through. That had cost less than she planned, but she'd have to deal with a pheromonally sensitive pony. It seemed to vary from pony to pony. Razz and Coco could and did say no to it. Bubbles fell right under its sway, even if she deflected violently with related... things...
Tabitha wandered down the road, considering what to get done next when she felt a small hoof touch one of her wings. She stopped and looked down to see a small colt poking at her without shame. "Excuse me?"
"Hiya!" exclaimed the colt as he continued right on feeling up the wing. "I bet you can fly real good." The colt was a unicorn. There were no wings on him. "Are you a pegasus?"
Was she? "Mostly, yeah..."
"Can you fly?" He clopped his little hooves in the air, seated on his haunches. "I'd like to see that."
She felt like she was being nudged towards it, though it was something she wanted to do... "I never had practice," she confessed truthfully.
"Aw!" He pointed to a nearby park. "You could try there. There's hardly anyone there compared to here."
The park did have less ponies per square foot, both in the air and on the ground. If she wanted to make a fool of herself... "You know what?"
"What?"
"I think I'm going to get a friend for this." She nodded mostly to herself and left the little colt behind. If she was going to learn how to fly, why not take advantage of the friend she had that was also part bird? Razz would be delighted at the excuse to hang out, and had offered to show her how to use those wings of hers before.
On her way home, a smell wafted past her nose, and it was far from herself. It was delicious, but not meaty. A glance revealed a cart of grilling carrots, and that confused her. She approached the stand curiously.
The stallion behind the small stand smiled brightly. "'Lo there, miss! Hungry?"
"I wouldn't say no to a snack." She was feeling quite ready to devour something.
He indicated a small sign with a hoof. "Just two bits gets you a hot carrot with all the toppings!"
The bits were surrendered and she got a hot dog bun, but instead of a hot dog, the carrot was placed on it and various toppings slathered on it. Did that work with a carrot? She was about to find out. "Thanks." She bit down and found it had been grilled just enough to soften it a little. She easily took another bite and nodded as she walked. She'd had much worse foods in her life...
She arrived back at her building with a quarter of her snack left. She popped the remainder into her mouth and got to chewing as she stepped inside. Dark was there, looking thoughtful and frowning. "Hey, Dark."
Dark nodded. "Your tenant is difficult to pin down. Despite having no clear source of employment, she is rarely in her apartment to question." She gave a soft tsk of annoyance. "I've far from given up, Miss Taylor."
Tabitha didn't remember telling Dark that. Dark seemed to notice the expression. "Sorry. The more I know, the better I can react to changing situations. I don't mean anything bad by it." She smiled and offered a hoof. "Luna sent me to help you."
Dark watched Tabitha hurry by on her pursuit. She had said something about flying. That was just as well. She had wings, she should know how to use them.
Dark had a horn. She planned to use it, and the skull attached to that and the brain interred within that skull. She had work to do.
She clopped on the door that led to Spring's domicile, and no answer returned. She expected that.
Time had passed for politeness. It was time to make the situation clear. She reached for the knob with her magic, wrapping it and giving a jiggling twist. It was locked, of course.
Her magic seeped into its delicate workings and her brows raised. Whatever or whoever had constructed the lock, it wasn't familiar to her. Everything about it was subtly off, but the mechanism itself? It was still a lock, with tumblers. She knew what she had to do.
She began playing with those tumblers, zeroing in on the desired shape before she gave it a triumphant twist. The knob was turned and unlocked. No mere lock would bar her way forward. "In the name of Princess Luna, I am entering. If you wish to prevent this, answer your door."
The door swung outwards suddenly, sending Dark hopping back half a step as a strange humanoid emerged with fire in her eyes. She was dressed predominantly in green. She had badly swollen glands. A disease perhaps? No, Tabitha had the same condition and didn't seem bothered by it. A biped thing, perhaps? Dark's exposure to bipeds was limited. "Who are you?" demanded the figure as she pulled the door shut, standing beyond it but the way sealed for the moment.
"I am an agent." Dark nodded.
"It's always a pleasure to see one that understands their place." The creature smiled in a devious way. "Agent, who do you call master, or mistress?"
"I have two." Dark raised a hoof. "Highest is Princess Luna, below her, Miss Tabitha Taylor, to whom I have been assigned. At the behest of both, I am here."
"So sincere. So frank... I will either adore you or despise you, though both isn't impossible... What is your name?"
"Dark Vision. Miss Spring, why have you taken action against Miss Tabitha Taylor?"
She raised a brow. "Is that what Tabitha informed you?"
Dark hesitated a moment. "No. She has adjusted to your interference, but interference it remains. I would know the why, if you would?"
Her expression changed subtly, the biped, that 'elf' seeming to see something in Dark. "Why would a fellow crafter of the arcane bow before a powerless, if magnificently virile, specimen?"
Dark took a half step back. "She did not lie then. You are drawn to her."
The elf narrowed her eyes. "That beast is filthy as she is randy. She's claimed me once, but I'll win the next..."
"And yet, you remain?" Dark raised a brow. "Surely you could select another residence, if you wished?"
She gripped her forelegs more firmly, no, on bipeds, forelegs were called arms. She clenched her fingers. "I am a visitor. I can only rest in certain... places. This is one. The next is some distance away. I won't let a depraved beast send me away so easily, even if she laughs at me and the life she quickens."
Depraved? Tabitha had a fair number of flaws Dark had seen, but depravity did not seem among them. She set that aside though. So the elf wished to be coy in matters of romance? That was not her concern. "Why did you change her as you did?"
"She was owed a favor and planned to hold it over my head without end."
Dark sat on her haunches. She didn't seem to be in--
The elf was suddenly behind her, an arm around the pony's neck. "I've answered enough of your questions. Mare, you'll answer some of mine now."
Dark was still a moment, feeling the pressure of that arm against her furry flesh. The elf seemed quite serious. "As you wish."
The pressure lessened. "It's good to see you know your place. You are very... proper." She said it as a compliment and scornful all at once. "If you were told to depart by Princess Luna, what would you do?"
"I would leave." Dark raised a brow. "I would never provoke her."
"Nor I, and yet..." She wobbled a hand even as she straightened. "I should be clear. You have the power to see me ejected."
Dark did. She felt confident in that fact.
"I don't want that." The elf leaned forward towards Dark, now in front of her. "What do you want to keep you from interfering with that?"
It was easy. Too easy. Dark was no fool. She was being offered a heavy favor, and one with equal weight in the elf's eyes would be demanded in kind. Dark tapped a hoof on the ground. "Let us begin with the basics. This place is sensitive. Do you swear to not work against it?"
"I do." She nodded. "I can't even claim that one. I'm no beast or raider. I made that oath before coming here."
That was a good step... Dark nodded. "Tabitha's actions reflect on this place. She is its Caretaker, as I have heard your kind say."
"She is," agreed the elf. "Caretaker and foul beast."
"Beast or not--" Dark didn't think Tabitha was a very good beast. "Will you leave her to her work?"
"No."
Just like that? Dark raised a brow. "I presume you have a compelling reason for that?"
The elf put a hand over her lower belly. "Since you insist... That fecund stallion has already fertilized these fields."
There was silence for a time. Dark raised a hoof to cough into it. "She..."
"She did."
"And it worked?"
"It did."
"I... trust you have proof of this?"
"None that would compel you." The elf rolled her eyes. "I have yet to lie. Life buds within me, as filthy as its 'father', and besmirching of its mother. I am her broodmate, so I cannot be expelled from her life."
Dark's tongue ran across her lips as she considered that new information.
"Are you here, hoping, beast?"
Dark went rigid at that. What was the elf implying?
"If you move carefully, perhaps you could attract that stud, beast."
"I will pass." Dark shook her head. "I have no interest in such things while I remain Princess Luna's weapon. You're distracting from the point, elf."
"Spring Breeze."
"Hmm?
"I feel this is far from the last we'll speak. Names are appropriate in this case, as magic user to another. I am Spring Breeze, master of living magic, trained huntress, and broodmate." She rolled one of those hands as she spoke. "And you are?"
"Dark Vision, servant of Princess Luna, Warlock by volunteering and skill with magic."
"You won't say what kind of magic?"
Fair was fair... "I specialize in... magic's magic. Where magic runs into other magic, their interference and cooperation. Complex magic systems are where my strength lies. This building captivates my interest, as you might imagine."
"How fascinating." Spring crouched down, putting them at even level. "Perhaps she will seduce you in her own time." Dark doubted that. "I could think of worse fates than being tied to another weaver of the arts."
"You ascribe to her some very... dark, some would even say hostile, motives." Dark shook her head. "Do you truly believe her to be an aggressive beast?"
"Your snout has only touched the dry surface of a book," complained Spring with a soft grunt. "Learn to live a little, beast, and you would read between the lines. If it helps, I like her quite a bit. There is much to favor in that disgusting animal."
"You liked her enough to rob her of her original form?"
"She let me decide on the favor." Spring lifted her shoulders. "With every passing day, Tabitha grows fonder of that form. She will learn to favor it in all ways. You may not know this, weaver, but she extracted a promise from me."
"Hmm?"
"If she still finds disfavor in what I have given her, I have sworn to undo it." She smiled with supreme confidence. "By the time it is over, she will revel in the gift I've given her."
"And what gift have you given her?"
"Is it not obvious?" Spring stood up tall. "I presume you have some pride in your people. She has joined them. I threw her into your world, and she's not only adjusting, but coming to love it. She will live quite happily be as one of you, a pony."
Dark perked an ear at the strange creature, Spring. She wasn't sure how she should proceed. "For the moment, I will set this aside. I need to know more."
Spring's face split into a smile. "It's good to see someone willing to think before they act. Very well, let us put that matter aside for now. Will you leave my room alone? I pay--paid for--"
"You have no employment." Dark frowned a little. "Unless you have--"
"That's none of your business!" Spring put her hands at her hips.
"I'm afraid you are misinformed there." Dark shook her head. "It is my responsibility to know and to act, preferably before it becomes an issue. You can speak to me plainly, or I will be forced to act on what I can discover."
"Troublesome beast." She quirked a faint smile. "This may be why I am intrigued by your kind..."
Dark rose to her hooves. "If you find such fascination with us, why don't you abandon your... Why aren't you a pony as well?"
Spring's face deformed in quite a grimace. "The sun is a majestic thing, but I am in no hurry to become one. I am no beast. I'll leave that to the animals to have. It is bad enough one has claimed me as her own."
"Will you fight it?" Dark gestured at Spring's form. "You, a master of living magic. Surely you could banish any unwanted progeny, and you certainly did not--"
Spring put a finger to Dark's nose, quieting her. "I will bear this filthy child."
"But--"
"I am her broodmate. That is my fate." She grimaced as she said it, but she seemed pleased by the news, not put off.
Dark changed her angle of attack. "You do know she pursues another?"
"A stud like that? It hardly surprises me." She shrugged softly.
Dark raised a brow. "You don't mind that her attention doesn't focus on you alone?"
"I do have other matters to attend." Spring rolled a hand. "It would not do to have that foul beast lingering in the midst of my arcane endeavors. We will never have... the relationship that you ponies savor. Let her find another dirty beast to cuddle with casually."
Dark gave a slow nod as she began to turn. "You've been... enlightening. For now, remain as you are."
"I shall."
They left one another. Answers had been exchanged, but how much understanding? That remained to be seen.
Bubbles wasn't smiling, but far more certain. "No way."
"But, I said--"
"She ain't taking you away!" Bubbles scowled at her significant other.
Though it wasn't what Tabitha wanted ideally, she went for it anyway. "You could come along, if you want?"
Bubbles blinked at Tabitha. "You don't mind?"
She did, but not enough to argue it. "Sure, come along. I'll probably smack into the ground next to you more often than be in the air anyway."
Bubbles flashed a smile then. "I'd like to see that. Fine, let's go show this lousy pegasus how to use those wings of hers."
Razz spread his own wings wide. "There's a nice park not far from here. We'll do this over soft grass." He kissed Bubbles suddenly, smooching her on the cheek soundly. "Thanks for being understanding."
Bubbles blushed just faintly. "Shut up..." Her eyes fixed on Tabitha. "Come on. We're going to make this trip worth it." She waved over the building. "Not my fault you don't have any guards right now."
It would be far from the first time that the building had stood without security. Besides... "That's not entirely true. Dark Vision is here and she'll keep an eye out for any creepy crawlies."
They walked in a loose group down to the very same park the colt had pointed out earlier. Razz was rambling about how to properly care for wings, but they seemed to assume one would suck on their feathers, which sort of made sense if one was without fingers.
Tabitha did have fingers. She had no intention of preening like a bird or a pegasus. There had to be a less... bestial way of going about it. "What do non-pegasi do to take care of a pegasus?"
Razz tilted his head a little, looking lost.
Bubbles sighed loudly and nudged him aside. "I get some feather wax and rub that into the wings. Pegasi salivate the stuff, or something close enough to it, get it? They can just spit. I'm a damn unicorn. My spit don't do that."
Razz reached up and brushed gently along Bubbles' sharp horn. "Pegasi don't do magic." The touching seemed to bring warmth back to Bubbles.
She huffed and glanced away even as a bottle appeared in mid-air. "This is the brand I usually get."
It had a comical picture of a pegasus grinning at the 'camera' with glistening wings. Tabitha had seen it before. She'd just ignored it while hunting for food at the grocery store. "Yeah, alright. Thanks!"
"Ain't no thing." The bottle vanished.
Razz nudged her. "You may want to bring that out. Unless you want me to preen her, you should."
Tabitha warmed at the thought of Razz just nibbling at her delicate wings. She wasn't ready for that le-- Her thoughts crashed to a stop when something else touched a wing and began to spread soothing cool stuff over it. Bubble's magic was working busily, cleaning her and spreading the feather wax around carefully. It felt... better than it had any right to feel. It also felt ticklish!
Her wings were sensitive limbs and she fidgeted as Bubbles worked. "T-thanks." She did mean that, even if her voice sounded uncertain.
Bubbles laughed at it. "You really haven't preened before," she commented as she worked. "Bet this'll get a reaction." She pressed right where the wings went into her barrel and Tabitha went rigid with pleasure and shock. Even as Tabitha recovered, Bubbles laughed. "That big thing of yours isn't just for show."
Razz snorted at her. "What she's trying to say is that being touched there by anypony you like, as a friend or otherwise, feels nice, otherwise... it kinda freaks you out."
Tabitha went a bit red. Did that mean she liked Bubbles?
Bubbles was grinning with triumph. "I won't tell anypony, promise." She put the bottle down beside herself. "You're all lubed up and ready to go. Razz, get her up there."
Razz spread one wing and then the other. "There are other steps first. Let's start with the basics." He was a methodical teacher and started going over how to hold a wing out, how to fold them properly, and all those things one should know before taking off.
Tabitha nodded as she listened, moving her wings along with the instructions. They were feeling less... alien. They were part of her, even if controlling them felt a bit odd at times, as if her mind was rebelling against the very notion of controlling extra limbs.
Razz crouched low before he jumped into the air. His wings beat powerfully and he floated there in clear defiance of what little physics Tabitha knew. He was too heavy, the flight was entirely wrong to keep him hovering, it was all wrong. Wrong wrong wrong. And yet, there he was, doing it without effort. "Why the surprised look?"
Tabitha shook it away. "I'd never really paid attention to how flying worked." And it was her turn to do it. She let out a soft grunt before she jumped into the air and pumped without coordination, landing roughly where she started with her wings pointing in different directions.
Razz rolled a hoof. "That's why we have to start with the basics. Get your wing movements down so you don't have to think about them."
Bubbles was snickering quietly to herself behind a hoof, trying in vain not to be seen laughing.
Tabitha tried to clear things with a slow breath as she spread her wings evenly left and right. She slowly brought them up and pumped them down with her eyes closed as she tried to just get the movement down. Up, Down. Up... Down.
"By Celestia!"
She opened her eyes at Bubbles' outburst and saw she was several inches off the ground. Unfortunately, knowing that made her start thinking about everything. She tilted forward abruptly and crashed right into the ground, slamming the earth with her human and pony fronts at once.
Razz winced at the crash even as he quickly approached. He offered a hoof and helped her up with a caring smile. "You did it!" he exclaimed as if nothing bad had happened.
"Did what, crashed?" Tabitha brushed dirt off of her clothes, wincing faintly. "That hurt."
"Flying hurts at first," assured Razz. "But that's what you were doing, flying!"
Bubbles nodded. "He ain't lying, boss. You were flyin'. Not very good or nothin', but there ya were."
"Right." Tabitha spread her wings. "If I can do it at all, I can do it."
"That's the spirit!" Razz's own wings practically buzzed. "Keep practicing the basics. You're lucky, your wings are already big and developed enough. Young pegasi don't get that."
Though they stuck by her side for about an hour, there was little to be gained in them staring at her. With the decision that she just had to keep practicing, they left her to it and walked off to the building, side-by-side.
Tabitha wasn't ready to throw in the towel yet. Flying was something she wanted, and if flapping her new wings was what she had to do, well, there she was.
"Can ya fly?" It was that colt. She looked over to see him smiling up at her. "Bet ya can."
Could she? "I haven't flown very much so far." To humor the foal, she tried flapping harder, desperately grabbing at the air, until she grabbed it. Her wings seemed to take hold of the sky and she lifted up from the ground smoothly despite her odd shape. There was a curious feeling, as if her entire body was straining to keep her up, but she was up.
The colt clopped his hooves with appreciation, even if Tabitha was only about half a foot from the ground, or was that a few hands? However ponies measured distances. "See? You're really good at it."
Tabitha tried to move towards the small pony, only to come in for a landing. She landed with her hooves first and trotted to a stop with a huff. "I haven't gotten the 'going places' part down by far."
The colt hardly cared. "You just--"
The coincidence was a bit strong for Tabitha. "So, hey, sorry to cut you off, but how did you--"
The colt dashed off without another word, leaving the bemused Tabitha behind. Was the colt related to the... sudden dance numbers the ponies had started, or something else entirely? She didn't know, and there wasn't much to go off of, but as things went, the colt hardly seemed a threat.
She let it go, and refocused on her alien limbs. If she could end the day being able to reliably get off the ground, that would be a signifcant step in the right direction.
Bubbles smiled at her coltfriend. "There, we helped your friend."
Razz tilted his head. "She's your friend too, and your boss."
Bubbles snorted at that. "She's my boss. You don't make friends with your boss."
"Says who?" Razz stood up tall. That seemed to help with arguing with Bubbles. "You saw it clear as I did. You tried to make her squeal and run away but she liked it."
Bubbles colored faintly. "She's a pervert..."
Razz poked her. "I didn't mind when you did it long before... um, now."
"You mean before we became a 'thing'?" She raised a brow. "Pfft... There's only one good reason we aren't flat on the street." Just as Razz was about to speak, she shoved a hoof in his muzzle. "And don't tell me cause she's nice or whatever. She wants a piece." Bubbles shook her back end. "Can't blame her entirely, but I'm all for you, babe."
Razz drew away from the hoof with a quirk of a smile. "You know she has a marefriend, right?"
Bubbles blinked. "What?"
"Seriously." Razz nodded firmly. "I was the only pony in the way, but I backed out so I could be with..." A thought tickled at him and he switched gears. "--so I could be with a way better mare."
She turned a bright red at the compliment. "Stop that!" She didn't seem to want him to actually stop anything. "You're too much." She hugged him fiercely, even her magic squeezing him with adoration. "Still, really? Anypony I know?"
He pointed up at the higher floor. "I'm pretty sure you've run into her before, Miss Pomell? Nice mare." She raised a brow. "Not nearly as nice as you, or half as awesome."
She smiled, mollified. "Well, whatever, if she wants to settle with a scaredy pony like that. She was shaking in her hooves when that thing crashed the party the other night. You shoulda seen it." She rolled her eyes. "Once I hurled it out, I had to get out of there. Her simpering was bothering me."
Razz blinked softly. "Was Tabitha alright?"
"Why wouldn't she be? She'd say somethin' if she needed help, right?"
Razz pointed at Bubbles. "Would you tell us if you were weak?"
Tabitha returned to the building in time to find a pony exiting that she recognized. "Due Note, hey."
He looked up sharply at her and went red all over. He glanced left and right. "I-I... I didn't..."
Seeing Due Note was about to break down, Tabitha held out a hand and approached slowly. "Relax. Deep breath. Whatever it is, let's talk."
"Yes! I mean, yes, right, talking." He forced a few deep breaths before he sank to his haunches. "I am so sorry for how I behaved last time." He raised a hoof to his heart. "I didn't mean it! I mean... That's not..."
She put the same hand over his snout, silencing him. "It's alright. You weren't yourself."
He pulled away from the palm. "What do you mean? Um... Nevermind that. My sister said she was going to come check things out and I thought I should... apologize properly." He was so very red, blushing fiercely. "If you can even consider forgiving a horrible and depraved co..." He glanced left and right before leaning in, voice dropping. "Colt cuddler."
Colt cuddler? "You do things with little kids?"
He blinked at Tabitha, confusion mounting. "N-no! Celestia, no! I would never dream of harming a goat, or a foal." He raised a brow, uncertain of which meaning Tabitha meant and which would be worse. "You, um... I mean a stallion that... prefers the company of other stallions..." He darkened by the moment. "Could we go inside? I don't want to talk about this out here."
Tabitha moved to lead the way to her office, but as she did, she remembered... He was susceptible to her stink. If she took him there, he would lose control. Already, just being near her seemed to be very slowly relaxing him, and it wasn't at a properly concentrated level yet. Maybe talking would help? "Look, I put out a smell."
"Smell?" He perked an ear, nostrils flaring wide before he smiled, though just as dark. "You smell divine."
Not what she had in mind! "It's a pheromone."
"What?"
"Basically I smell like I'm super interested," she tried to explain. "Biologically, so it turns you on, biologically."
He sniffed once more and shook his head. "You just smell... nice? Does it really--"
"--You tried to rape me, remember," she cut in, making him shrink. "Look, no hard feelings. It was as much my own fault as anything else. I just want you to know so you can control yourself."
He licked over his lips. "I don't... normally even feel half this way unless there's a stallion involved. When I'm... with you... I feel like maybe I made a mistake. Maybe I could be with a mare, if that... Oh Celestia, listen to me, rambling."
Tabitha's smile was forced as she imagined things from the other side. To him, she stank of the stallion he wanted. He didn't realize what she properly was, yet. No wonder he had grabbed right for those parts. "Look, privacy." He followed right after her as she went into the office, unwilling to continue that delicate conversation in the lobby. She kicked the door shut and faced him. "I'm not a stallion."
He blinked at that. "But... I felt? There... How?" He looked like he was losing his grip on things. "I know you're not... normal... but what are you?"
Tabitha moved through the office, to her place behind her desk. "I'm both, stallion and mare. I was born a mare." She didn't see the point in bringing in the definition of girl or woman to the poor stallion. "So I tend to think of myself that way."
"But... you're not." He approached cautiously. "Both? May... Oh, I'm being awful again." He sank to the floor. "Please don't hold this against her!"
"You can stop that." She snorted like the horse she was. "Relax."
"Alright, relaxing..." He sat up and took a breath, probably getting a good whiff of stallion. He was reacting, at least physically. His sheath was swelling and the peak of his pony member was poking out, threatening to spill. "M-may I ask a personal question?"
"This entire conversation is personal." She rolled a hand in the air. "Go ahead, and I'm not angry, just no rape again, ever, right?"
"Right." He nodded firmly. "Have you... been with a stallion?"
She blinked softly. That was personal. That was very personal. It was her turn to darken. "O-once, why?"
He licked his lips as he glanced around. "T-top or B-bottom?" He looked like just asking might kill him.
"I'm not sure which this would even qualify as," admitted Tabitha. "How is this helping?"
"P-Please?"
She grumbled softly. "So, I take it there aren't many gay ponies?"
"Most ponies are a little gay, why?" He tilted his head with obvious confusion.
Tabitha put a hand over her brow a moment. "Homosexual."
"Oh!" He perked his ears up, understanding. "Colt cuddlers, for stallions. I'm one. There aren't... too many, and they don't... much like us."
Some things didn't change. Though as she thought of it, she was kind of gay both ways. She'd always be grinding something with the same bits, though likely not many things that had all of her bits. She heard a sudden zip as Due's magic worked the zipper of her pants. She gave him a scowl and the zipper noise returned as it was pulled right back up.
"S-Sorry... May I see?" He raised a shaking hoof to point at the desk and the strange creature behind it. "Are you really? Are you... just trying to scare me away?"
On one hand, hurling Due Note out again was becoming tempting, on the other, she could see he was really a mess of emotions, and she was the source of most of it. "For now, take me at my word. I have no reason to lie to you."
"No... I suppose you don't." He sat up a bit. "Both?"
"That's what I said."
He didn't seem to grasp it. "That... must be hard. I mean, getting ponies to understand you."
She smiled a little. "I have one I'm dealing with."
He thrust up his hooves. "No! Not me. Please... I'm not disgusted or anything, I swear. I mean... Do you have..." He was floundering.
She could see where he was headed. "I do have a marefriend."
He blinked at the news. "Oh. You have both?"
"Yes?" The question bothered her a bit. "I said that already."
"Don't you want..." He rolled a hoof in the air. "What about a coltfriend?" He smiled so very wide and bright. He clearly wanted to be considered even as he tried so miserable to be suave about it.
It was both endearing and more than a little worrying. "Even if I said yes, you have no idea what you're asking."
He blinked at that. "What do you mean?"
She rolled a hand. "Both, remember? You climb on me, I'll want attention to something you usually avoid, even if I have what stallions have."
He somehow went all the darker. "I would... make an exception..."
Those were brave words, but she imagined they were made of bravado more than any intent. "Let's assume, for a moment, you were being truthful with yourself. You don't know me. I'm basically a stranger."
"No!" He clopped a hoof on the ground. "You're an amazing customer I've helped before, and my sister's landlord--"
"--lady--"
"Landlady." He nodded quickly. "You're not... You didn't try to get away when I said I was a colt cuddler."
She hadn't, but... "That's because I was raised to be a good person, and good people don't stress out over what other good people are doing with other good people so long as everyone involved is having a good time. You have a job, and manage your affairs. Our one 'incident' aside, you seem like a good person. Is that right?"
"I try to be," he squeaked.
"Good, then I hope you find a pony just as decent to be happy with." She nodded firmly. "And that will make me happy, not you being gay or not."
He smiled a bit sadly. "And that pony won't be you?"
She couldn't help but sigh loudly. "You still don't know me."
"I'd like to." He circled the desk. "Hello. My name is Due Note. Let's go out and get something to eat, together, and talk." He offered a hoof right to Tabitha. "No strings attached."
There was, of course, another issue. "I did mention I have a significant other, right?"
"S-sure, and she's a... mare... So you don't have to worry about me messing with her. You keep her and be happy." He made a dismissive motion. "If I had both too, then I'd be upset, but I don't. I'm a stallion, so I can do half, and she can do half, but neither of us can do it all."
"And you're alright with your 'stallion' having mare parts?" She raised a brow. "I don't think you're even thinking this through. I'm not even sure you can think this through right now, so here's how it is. Go." She pointed out of the office. "Go on. I'm not super mad at you, but you need to cool off. Go and get some fresh air."
He glanced at that door and back at the alien but attractive creature before him. "I'll do that, Tabitha. I'll walk and clear my head, but I'll be back." He rose to his hooves. "I'm certain."
She hoped not. "Go on, Due Note. You can find a nice stallion more your speed and less involved already."
He moved to depart, then stopped. "Oh! Dummy... I forgot all about my sister." He turned to Tabitha. "You'll give her a fair chance, I hope? You don't mind earth ponies, right?"
Tabitha blinked at that. "Of course not."
"Good! Good... I didn't think you would, just being sure. She's very nice, and driven. She's a newspaper reporter, you know. I'm very proud of her."
"My girl is an earth pony," spat Tabitha a bit defensively. Perhaps that was a mistake.
He looked ashamed. "O-oh... You probably want an earth pony stallion." He flashed an obviously fake looking smile. "Listen to me, getting all worried about... nothing at all." He raised a hoof and rubbed over his nose. "You're really knocking me for a loop, uh, sir, ma'am? I'll go take that walk. Please don't think too poorly of either of us." He suddenly jerked. "Wait... I might be getting more clear being away from you, Miss Taylor, but do you have a cutie mark?"
"A what?"
He blinked at her again. "A cutie mark. Look, I have one." He turned to display his mark of a bit being passed from one hoof to another on his flank. "All ponies have one to show what their destiny and inclinations are. Do you... have one?"
Tabitha was quite confused. "Did you get that tattooed on?"
He was equally baffled at the reply. "I should think not! Most ponies get one during early foalhood, during grade school. It's a sign of maturity for most." He leaned forward a little. "How do you not have one?"
"I... wasn't always a pony," she confessed as she looked back at her equine flank. It was covered with her clothes. How had Due even seen her mark or lack? "Do ALL ponies have it?"
"It's... I never saw an adult without one, before now." He dipped his head, ears splayed. "I won't hold it against you, ma'am. You seem to have a very firm grasp of your destiny. I get jealous just a bit." He flashed a big grin. "I'll take that walk now."
Tabitha was productive. She was a good manager and returned to her room feeling satisfied with her place in life. Sure, she was part horse, but she was all building manager, and she liked that. Sure, she was a little bit of a freak, but who cared? She snorted at the thought, looking into her full mirror as she turned one way and the other. "You can't be all that bad, considering how many people want it." Sure, all those people were pon... oh yeah.
She remembered her elven paramour. Spring was a confusing mess of mysteries, and yet so straightforward in other ways. "Why am I attracting so many women?" Except she wasn't. There was one guy.
The guy that was gay.
She appealed to one guy and was so... whatever she was, she was turning him straight.
She put a hand over her face even as a clopping knock came from the door. "Yes?"
The door slid right open to reveal Coco's smiling face. "Hello there! I was wondering if you wanted to see the outfit I made for you." For Tabitha, she was perceptive. "You look worried. Is everything alright?"
Tabitha approached her theoretical marefriend. "I'm alright."
Coco leveled a gaze at her silently.
"Really." The staring continued. Tabitha sighed. Why did she have to have such a thoughtful partner, horse or not? "My professional life seems like it's come together quite nicely, and that's great."
"And?" Coco kicked the door shut.
"My personal life is a mess." She sat on her haunches before Coco. "I have..." Did she say it? She did. "I have a marefriend, and she's fantastic." Coco beamed at the praise. "But I have another woman, Spring... she says she's not only involved, but pregnant."
Coco's expression faltered. "W-what? Did you two even?"
"Once..."
Coco put a hoof to her head. "How can she know for sure? Most ponies need to try more than once to get it right."
It was a valid question, and even as Tabitha thought about it, the answer seemed clear. "She's a life wizard. She wanted to become a mother, so she did."
"But... I thought..." Coco sank to her own haunches, looking confused. "Does she love you or hate you?"
"She loves hating me, and wishes I loved hating her more." Tabitha's tail twitched as she huffed. "Angry, bestial, unthinking sex is best, in her book, so far I can tell. That's not fair. I think she wants to be dominated thoroughly, and that's not technically unthinking."
Coco shook her head. "Well... I would say to stay away from her, but I don't think... and a foal... This is quite a mess." She rose, only to approach and sit at Tabitha's side. "Do you love her?"
"No!" She said it too fast and swallowed, thinking on it. "No... Not like a person I really care for. Not like you."
Coco smiled at the kind words. "But... there she is. Well, is she bothering you?"
"Not right now. Actually, I haven't seen her for a little while. It's like... she got what she wanted."
Coco's eyes narrowed at the idea. "What does she want, really?"
"Your guess may be as good as mine, but if we're going to be... together, this has to be in the open."
"Thank you." Coco leaned against Tabitha, relaxing. "I have a feeling there's more."
"That isn't enough?"
"For you, no... You're tough, Tabitha. You wouldn't look like that over any one troubling lover."
For how tough she was, Tabitha wanted a hug, so she took it. She rolled a bit and grabbed Coco, pulling the earth mare up against her and squeezing her gently. "There's this gay stal--"
"A happy pony is bothering you?" She sounded truly baffled.
"A colt cuddler."
Coco blinked at Tabitha's serious expression. "You're not a colt." She said it as if it were plain fact, like water being wet.
Tabitha saw a hole in that logic. "I'm colt enough to be your stallion. Colt enough to have a baby coming from a damn elf!" Her voice was getting a bit histrionic. "Colt enough to literally appeal to a g--homosexual stallion. How much more coltish do I need to be?"
Coco squirmed in that tightening grasp. "I..."
"Are you gay?" Tabitha realized what she had asked. "Are you a colt cuddler?"
Coco shook her head. "Mares can't be that. That would be a filly fooler, and... no... I don't think so? I mean... When I think about you, there are two parts." She lifted two hooves, one higher. "There's the stallion part that's strong and virile. It makes me feel safe and promises I can have a foal someday. It excites me, but I didn't become friends with a stallion." She lowered the hoof a bit and raised the other. "On the other hoof, there's a smart and practical mare. She's a business-minded mare, but has time for me and really cares about me and all her other tenants. She is... in a lot of ways, what I wish my last boss was. Practical and focused, without sacrificing what makes her a good pony in the process. I..." Her eyes lowered a bit.
"I could love her."
Tabitha warmed at the admission as she held Coco close. Could she love Coco back? Did she already? Part of her... really kind of wanted to. Some of her still saw a little brightly colored horse. Her twitchy ears and tail didn't help, or that soft pelt of fur she had, but didn't Tabitha too? They were both just as fuzzy, even if Tabitha had a naked human part attached.
She stroked down Coco's spine slowly towards the tail. "It doesn't bother you that my interpersonal life is such a disaster?"
Coco tilted her head a little. "Are we... together?"
Tabitha flushed at the proposal. "If we were, would you be happy?"
"I want to meet him." She nodded firmly. "That stallion. He can't have my stallion. He's... mine, if you'll give him to me."
The way Coco had said that was a bit confusing, but Tabitha thought she got the grasp of it. "Would you chase him away?"
Coco quirked a smile. "If I had to... But I have to talk to him first. Maybe... we could just talk, like adults."
Tabitha considered a moment about saying more, but honesty had won out every time so far. "I think he wants to share."
"Share?" She arched a brow high.
"He wants a pony bad enough that sharing seems reasonable. He mentioned 'colt cuddlers' weren't that accepted."
"N-no, they aren't. I... Is he a good pony?"
Tabitha sat up straight. "He has his flaws." Like he might have molested her. "But I think he's alright when you keep him away from my stink."
"You do not stink." Coco wrinkled her nose. "I'll take your word that he's good though. I still need to meet him." She put a hoof on Tabitha's equine chest. "I need to explain that you are my stallion."
The conversation was going to a place she wasn't comfortable with. "Coco, just tell me, for real. Are you alright with... all this? You're a nice woman. I'm sure you could pick a pony if you wanted."
"I... maybe." Her head lowered a bit. "I'm not that great..."
Despite her words, all Tabitha saw was a pretty... Why did she think Coco was pretty? Was it part of her transformation, because Coco really did seem pretty to her. She... Tabitha felt sure that Coco was a pretty mare, despite more logical parts arguing that Coco was a talking horse and devoid of most things a human would call pretty in that sense.
Amidst her confusion, she felt a growing tightness between her hind legs, as if her male parts were offering to prove just how pretty Coco was in the only way they knew how. "So! You said you finished the clothes?"
Coco perked right up. "Oh yes! I was going to spring it as a surprise after dinner, but you look like you need it now." She hopped up to her hooves. "Follow me." She trotted right off, going down the hallway she had originally come from with a faint hum on her lips.
As they were walking, the elevator opened and Dark Vision stepped free. Dark nodded at Tabitha directly. "I was hoping you would be here. I'm s... Do you have time?"
Coco glanced between Dark and Tabitha. "Dark works for you, right?"
That was... well, not really. "She works for Princess Luna."
Coco went a little pale and she bowed her head. "A pleasure to meet you!"
Dark dipped her head back at Coco. "Be at ease. I'm not here to interrupt the relation between you and Tabitha."
Tabitha warmed at that. "W-what?"
"Sorry, am I jumping ahead?" Dark raised a brow. "You were already sharing quarters. Am I wrong?"
Coco slid around Tabitha as if to use her as a shield. Tabitha raised one of her hooves to put over Coco, holding her close. "What's up?"
Dark looked vindicated. So far as she was concerned, her hunch about those two was thoroughly validated. They were a couple, and that was fine. "You remind me. I will give you the articles of immigration tomorrow for you to sign. Even if you do have some Equestrian validity, it would be good to be proper about this." She held up a hoof. "You are not suspect. In fact, you've only acted in the interest of Equestria and its ponies. We gladly welcome you." She glanced towards Coco. "After that, if you should need an official..." She didn't think they were ready to marry by any measure, but a little teasing... She didn't think it would hurt.
The way both darkened made her feel validated, and neither questioned her, but neither accepted the offer either. Tabitha shook her head. "Is that what you came for?"
"No." Dark pointed towards Spring's room. "I'm still investigating her, and the nexus itself. I feel they are tightly connected, but have not discerned the nature of this bond. You are also related." She sat on her haunches. "Permission to speak frankly about a topic that will... upset you."
Coco glanced between Dark and Tabitha, wordlessly curious, if confused.
Tabitha pushed ahead. "Go ahead. You're on my side, right?"
"I am." Dark nodded. "You've shown, so far, you're worth standing beside. I am afraid... You are not one pony. And no, I don't refer to your state as a half alien in biology." She raised a brow. "Surely you've noticed you have a history that predates even your knowledge of things?"
Dark glanced between the two surprised-looking mares. "Perhaps this hallway isn't the best place for this conversation, but you two are the only residents of this floor."
That much was true. Tabitha forced a slow breath. "Right, so... What do you mean?"
"I mean you are not Easy Glider, and yet... you are." She raised a brow. "You are in clear defiance of a few laws I'm sure you are unaware of, magical laws. You're breaking so many rules, just existing..." She raised a hoof to point at Tabitha. "While researching, I've learned more of this 'Easy Glider'."
Coco, despite her obvious fear, slid in front of Tabitha. "She's not trying to--"
"I am not accusing her." Dark tilted her head. "When one breaks a law of how things work, then things do not function that way. They need redefining, not to get angry at the one responsible."
Tabitha nudged her good friend aside. "Dark, you're being mysterious here. I have enough on my plate. Out with it."
"As you wish." Dark dipped her head. "I will cut to the quick. Easy Glider passed on."
Tabitha blinked slowly. "So... I'm not her... him, whatever?"
Dark raised a hoof. "She died right beside her father, on a trip. It was all tragic, and mostly unnoticed. It wasn't even properly reported, at least, not her. His death was noted. Then you came, as her. His will activated and his property was passed right on to the daughter that wasn't alive anymore. Normally, this would be about the time the mistake would be noticed, but there she is, running the building as if nothing had happened."
Tabitha tried to get ahead of things, to not just be a passive viewer of the mystery unfolding around her. "Spring."
"Precisely." Dark smiled. "I had wondered if you would suspect her."
Coco tilted her head with mounting confusion. "What does Spring have to do with this?"
Tabitha put a hand on her chest, her body trembling faintly. "She did her magic using them, or what was left of them. I don't know... how."
Dark nodded. "You're on the right path. You were a link. You were tied to her, and Spring made it full and strong, and you became part pony. She was linked just as firmly to her father, and she pulled at the wispy remnants of those cords. That's when you became partly male."
"Wait." Tabitha stood tall, even as worried gnawed at her. "Why don't you suspect me?"
"Very good." Dark flashed a smile. "You've profited from this quite a great deal. What reason is there for me to not think you stole that dead mare's property? Perhaps you even planned her death, and his as well. Here you are, taking the place of a citizen in good standing." She tapped at her chin. "All very tra--"
Coco stormed forward. She didn't strike Dark, that wasn't in her, but she thrust her face in the unicorn's own. "You stop saying things like that! She's a victim!"
Tabitha reached with a hand and pulled Coco back gently. "I don't think she went through all this conversation just to arrest me, and if she wanted to zap me with magic, there isn't much I could do about it."
Dark inclined her head. "It's good to have sure allies, even if there would be little she could do if things fell to proper blows. I would hope, however, that it never descends that far." She offered out her hoof. "I believe what you have reported to me. You are a victim, and not of Spring, at least, not only."
Tabitha stroked Coco's mane once before she took the hoof Dark offered. "If you don't mind my asking, why do you sound so confident?"
"Is it not obvious?" Dark looked up to the light of the hallway. "Your building has too many things that do not fit. They support your claim more loudly than any scream or plea that came from you. You are from a place that is not our own, and both you and this building struggle to comply with Equestria's rules. I spoke to your repair ponies, and the stories they told... Yes, your building is infested with otherworldly things far beyond their understanding, and they've been there long before Easy Glider left us."
Coco thrust a hoof back at her friend. "So what do you want her to do about it? And me?!" She thumped that hoof on the ground. "This isn't fair!"
Dark shook her head at Coco. "Be still. I'm not asking you to cease the path you've chosen. You two seem good for each other, even if filly fooling strikes me as odd." Even as Coco moved to object, Dark waved it away. "I understand this doesn't... quite fit that definition. It's just another way our friend here breaks rules. This reminds me, we do need to do something about that unwanted signaling." She raised a brow. "There once was a mare that couldn't help but signal every stallion she saw. It caused quite a bit of ruckus and embarrassment. Perfectly good stallions would think she had a genuine interest in them. They'd follow her somewhere private..."
Tabitha cringed, imagining how that played out. "I imagine, at the least, her reputation turned to shit."
"Crude, but yes." Dark glanced at Coco. "How much of your 'love' is genuine?"
Coco went red with fury and shame together. "I'm not swept away by it, not like some ponies!"
Dark flashed a smile that seemed somehow sinister. "If that helps you sleep at night, but we are all animals. We must obey our senses, or we wouldn't be who we are. You would be better being honest with yourself." She turned her head to Tabitha. "Be that as it may, there remain mysteries to unravel, regarding this place, its importance, you, and that elf."
Tabitha clenched a fist even as she tried to puzzle through it. "Even if you... say that, aren't you? I mean, you're an animal, right?"
"As are you." Dark nodded. "What of it?"
Coco thrust a hoof at Dark. "Why aren't you affected then?"
"Who said I'm not?" Dark raised a brow even as she shook her head. "If I were to forget my duties and surrender, I would make full use of the 'beast' Spring has formed. As it is, I love Princess Luna more. Breeding would make me ineligible to continue her work. I understand there is temptation. Of course there is. Even as part of me quails with disgust, another wants to do unseemly things. I accept them all as myself. Why shouldn't I?"
Tabitha half turned away, towards Coco's apartment. "Bring me those papers. For now, I don't think there's much I can do."
"To a degree." Dark turned back towards the elevators. "Continue your task. This place needs a manager, and you've accomplished that nicely. Mare or stallion, human or pony, that matters little." She trotted away. With the soft jingle of the bell, she stepped aboard the elevator and was soon gone.
Coco was watching her friend shake faintly. "It's alright..."
"What about that is alright?!" Tabitha hadn't meant to say it so loudly, but it had been done. She tried to control herself, lowering her voice. "This is thirteen flavors of fucked up."
Coco reached out and gently ran a hoof over Tabitha's pony chest. "Well... fine! I'll admit it. I really like it. When I'm close enough to be in that scent, I get happy and relaxed. I feel like nothing can hurt me. I feel... like I have the best stallion ever, and then I remember who it is." She smiled a little wider. "I remember, and I know even that feeling pales. I don't have the best stallion ever." She put a hoof over her own chest. "I have the best pony, mare or stallion. Both or neither. Now... would you like to see those clothes?"
Seeing some clothes sounded like a great idea. "Right now, that sounds great." She followed after Coco. "Stupid question though."
"Hmm?"
"What about as... a mare?" Tabitha raised a brow. "I am both, aren't I?"
Coco flushed faintly. "You are... I... I really don't know. I'm so sorry. I don't know what a mare should smell like, besides myself, and I don't... feel anything specific to that."
Both of her would-be lovers were attracted to her male scent, which bothered Tabitha the more she thought about it. She was a woman! She had been a woman for a lot longer than she'd had the stallion parts grafted onto her along with the horse butt. Why, if anything, was that not drawing anything?
Coco could see thoughts storming through Tabitha's head. "There is one pony that was certainly attracted to you, um, as a mare." She nudged open the door to her place. "Razz Berry wanted to be your stallion for sure. He... liked you before you were even part pony, and I don't think that decreased at all." She slipped inside.
Tabitha followed after Coco, closing the door behind. "He did..." But he was gone, at least romantically. He had a mare and he was trying so hard to be a good boy, er, coltfriend. Watching him try was amusing at times, but it was also sincere, and she had to smile on it. She wanted him to succeed, even as part of her lamented the loss of the one person that cared she was female. "So, about that dr--" She trailed off as the ponyquin came into view, clumsily altered as it was. It was a ponyquin with a bad modification to be a centaur, just like Tabitha.
It wore soft pink from shoulders down to its tail. Pinks and blues, slightly ruffled, but mostly made for someone who wanted to be able to move. It was all made to work together, and Tabitha thought it did. The pink and blue crashing together also reminded her of herself. Male and female, together, just the same. She reached for the fabric and brushed gently along it. The blues were especially captivating.
"Rarity let me keep some of her fabric." Coco was smiling brightly. "That's the blue you've noticed. Isn't it lovely?"
Tabitha enjoyed the feel of that fabric against her skin, and she found the slits where wings could slip right through before folding down over it, or so she imagined. It wasn't just a special outfit, it was specifically hers. She smiled. "How much do I owe you?"
Coco tried to demure a bit, looking guilty, but Tabitha would have none of it. There were some strong words shared, and a hug or two, but a price was reached to be fair to the seamstress' time and materials. "I don't care if we do become tied. You did work, real work, and this..." She gestured at the outfit. "This is your work. I'm paying for it."
With some assistance, Tabitha got out of her old clothes and tried out her new outfit. The material felt even better against her when she was wearing it. Against her fur, it was muted. It wasn't bad, but she could feel it so much more strongly against her belly, chest, and shoulders. It almost emphasized to her as her tail lashed that she was still at least partially human, and proud of the fact.
"Thank you." Dark nodded as her horn glowed, taking the piece of paper away.
It was a nice day. The sun was shining. The wind was mild and refreshing. A pity Tabitha was inside not enjoying any of it. She was in her office, having just filled out the immigration papers. "You do understand, you are still, legally, Easy Glider." She raised a brow. "You may be better off simply accepting that title. You are her. If it comforts you, I would believe she would be pleased with how things have turned, if her opinion could be solicited."
Of all the things she had surrendered, that was one she could clutch to. "Ponies can change names, can't they?"
"If they wish." Dark furrowed her brow slightly. "I gather you do."
"I do." Tabitha nodded as she patted off her new blue and pink suit. "Please make me, officially, Tabitha Taylor."
Dark shook her head. "As you wish, but there may yet be some complications. We'll deal with those as they come. Your outfit suits you, and I have a gift to go with it."
Tabitha leaned forward a bit at the news. "Oh?" She imagined a set of gloves, then a hat and finally a purse. "What?"
Dark set down a curious stone that glowed a dull green. "Slip that into a pocket and your scent will not escape that suit. That will prevent your signal from being an issue in public, where the damage would be the most severe."
That was a far cry from the fashion-minded options Tabitha had thought of at first, but it was still good. She picked up the marble-sized stone and stuffed it into her outfit. She didn't feel different. "Should we see or feel anything?"
Dark sniffed softly. "Your room still reeks of you. It will take time for it to air out. You may wish to keep the door open for a while."
Tabitha glanced back at her poor human chair, useless as it was. It wasn't large enough for a pony body to perch in easily, let alone her curiously shaped self. She needed something... wider. "I'll leave that open while I head out for a little while."
A soft clopping came from the door a moment before it swung open to reveal the unicorn that belonged to the repair team. "Hey Boss. I've got the latest invoices."
Tabitha perked up. "Oh right. Let's see those. No reason to put that off." She held out a hand and the sheaf of papers landed in them even as Dark quietly moved off. "Hey, we'll talk later, Dark."
The unicorns nodded to one another, then Dark was gone.
"Paint, caulk, labor..." Most of the things on the list were pretty normal, at least until she got to the middle. "Hazard pay?"
The unicorn nodded quickly. "Dark Vision confirmed it was potentially dangerous, though we haven't been bothered yet."
The line only added ten bits. Ten bits was basically nothing, compared to the rest of it. She could argue it, but it seemed like a losing proposition. She ended up signing off on the mess and offering a bag of bits to the patient horse.
"Thanks!" They turned to leave, unaffected by the scent. Tabitha was mildly curious about that, but didn't complain.
She tucked the invoices away and moved for the exit herself. As promised, she left the door wide open to let fresh air come in. She also made sure things that could lock, were locked. Sure, most ponies were nice enough, still, why risk it? She hung a little 'be back soon' sign on the open door and stepped out onto the street.
"Ah, there you are." A familiar news reporting mare approached her. "I can't wait to see this building of yours, is this it?"
Tabitha felt quite guilty. She didn't remember the mare's name at all. "Yeah..." Was their appointment for that day?
"Oh, I never did introduce myself properly." She fished out a card from her jacket and offered it. "Due Diligence, at your service! Now, about that interview?"
Due Note and Due Diligence? That matched nicely. "I was just about to head out, actually... How about we get something together while we're going?" And while she was away from that office, and was wearing her scent blocker.
Due Diligence tilted her head a little. "We can do that, certainly. I figured you'd want me to look at this house of yours."
"We can do that when we get back," Tabitha demurred. "This way." She led the way with the reporter just to the side and a little back.
"So how did such an interesting creature as yourself end up being a sizable landowner?" Due's eyes wandered up and down Tabitha's form. "What kind of pony are you, if I may be so bold?"
Tabitha was about to reply when, even over the loud noises of the street, she heard a rather loud sniff come from Due Diligence. "Um? Everything alright?" She hoped her scent blocker was operating properly.
Due shook her head. "I spoke to my brother and made the mistake of assuming he knew anything."
Tabitha blinked at that, coloring faintly. "What did he say?" She kept her eyes on the horizon, looking for a decent place to get something to nibble on rather than shopping for a chair with the reporter.
She perked an ear. "Most of it ain't fit to say on a street corner. Good thing I love that horny stallion." She shook her head a little. "Forget that. This is about us. So... kind of pony?"
"I'm me," offered Tabitha unhelpfully. "I inherited the building from my parents, and I plan to do it right."
"Always nice to see a pony with a sense of family responsibility." She flashed a grin. "Good thing me and Note missed out on that, or we'd be musicians. Shoot, that's how Due Note got his name at first."
Tabitha considered that even as her eyes settled on a safe-enough looking diner. She went towards it with a smile. "Let's get a little lunch." With an agreeable Due Diligence at her side, they found a booth and settled in.
The seats there were made for ponies. They were deep enough that a pony could easily curl up on one if they wanted, or sit up, if they preferred. Tabitha considered how her own seat would have to look. Maybe a seat in general wasn't the way to go...
"Have you eaten here before?" Due Diligence grabbed a menu with a hoof and flipped it open. "I love their fried oat mash."
"Oh? We're having a special on that." Another mare was standing beside the table with a bit of a smile and half glasses on. "What'll ya have ta drink?"
Tabitha wasn't expecting help so quickly, but didn't complain. "Let me have a tall glass of orange juice, kindly."
"Soda pop, extra bubbles."
The waitress nodded as she moved to depart. "I'll have those right out."
Due Diligence leaned across the table. "Alright, alright. You can stop staring now."
Tabitha blinked rapidly. "What?"
Due raised a hoof to point at herself. "You already caught my brother's eye, you don't need mine too."
Tabitha was confused to put it mildly. "No offense, but I wasn't... doing what you're saying."
She perked an ear. "Huh?" The way she said that one syllable implied she believed Tabitha. "Shoot... I'm going nuts then." She reached out just as the pop arrived and brought the glass over to sip from heavily.
The fact that Due Diligence could work with a hoof was a small miracle. A small... curious miracle. She raised one of her own hooves and tried to 'grip' her glass of orange juice, doing little but nudging it around and almost tipping it.
Due noticed the attempt and snorted. "That's what you get for being born with hands." She leveled a hoof at one of Tabitha's hands. "When you don't have one of those, you get creative. Eventually, you figure it out, especially when your kid brother makes you look like a chump, just grabbing things with his fancy magic." She rolled her eyes and half-lidded those same eyes. "So, about you..."
Tabitha raised her glass with one of those clever hands. The juice was fresh and tasty. "I wanted to get a pic--"
"Forget that a moment." Due waved it off. "I want to know more about you. Nice dress, by the way. It must have cost you a fortune."
Tabitha colored faintly. "It was a... a gift in part, from a very dear friend." Even as she said it, she realized it was true. She was coming to enjoy Coco's company more by the day.
Due rolled a hoof a bit. "Oh? A gift from yer stallion? I bet a mare like you had quite a stallion watchin' out for her and doin' whatever she says."
Tabitha blinked at that. "She's a mare, actually? Does that matter?"
Due recoiled in clear surprise. "What?!"
"That's my question." When had the waitress returned? "What'll ya have?"
Tabitha glanced down at her menu, but she hadn't really read over it much. "You have a burger and fries?"
"Sure thing." She glanced at Due. "And you?" With a glowing horn, she claimed Tabitha's menu, though her eyes didn't leave Due Diligence.
"I'll... have that oat mash, kindly."
"Extra large," added the waitress without prompting and without complaints coming from Due. "Comin' right up." She turned and headed off. The menu in Due's hoof glowed the same color and flew right over to the waitress.
Tabitha peered a bit more curiously at Due than the waitress doing her job. "Why did you sound so surprised?"
"I..." She shook her head. "Look. It's easy to assume there's more to a story than there is. It's a bad habit. You're in the game long enough, you start working it outta yer system, get it?" She sipped from her fizzy drink. "So... I just assumed you were... standard issue, not a filly fooler."
It was Tabitha's turn to darken. "I'm not!"
Due blinked at that. "So... you're not marefriends with them?"
Which... she was. She sagged, and Due grinned triumphantly. "You are! It's alright. Look, really, it's alright. I'll tell you a secret, but you better keep it." She held up a hoof and leaned in closer. "So am I."
Tabitha went rigid a moment as the implications of that settled on her. It was everything she asked for, in one horrifying little package.
The reporter tilted her head. "You waitin' on the right stallion to snatch you away, or a fooler for life?"
Opting for the safer route, Tabitha gestured at Due. "Are you?"
Due snorted softly. "I put up with my brother, but that's about it, so far as love goes." She glanced away and back at Tabitha. "Just thinkin' about stallion parts, ugh." She made a bit of a face as one hoof hung limply down and wagged in a loose approximation of a stallion's dangling parts.
Tabitha was coloring. Due was attracted to her as a mare, but, from the sound of it, utterly hated even the notion of masculinity in her love life. They were gay. They were both gay. Gay siblings. She had to laugh, and a little noise escaped her despite her attempt to restrain herself.
Due raised a brow for a silent moment as plates were set before them with their food. The burger, of course, had no meat. Tabitha smirked a bit at herself for even dreaming the ponies would serve much different without specifically asking.
When the waitress was gone, Due grabbed a fork, somehow, and scooped a muzzle-full in. She swallowed stiffly, her eyes on Tabitha. "I'm getting crossed wires here, so let's make this nice and clear." She raised a brow. "Now you can say no. We're both adults and I won't run off crying if you do say no, but is there any chance you'll bring me home to meet this mare of yours?"
No! Or, at least, that was her first hunch. To say no no no no as loudly and as frequently as possible. She didn't hate Due though. She didn't hate the reporter's brother either. She didn't want to smash either's feelings, but she did want to be clear. "Due."
"Yeah?"
Tabitha sat up tall. "You seem like a fascinating mare and I would love to get to know you better and maybe become friends, but I'm not looking for another marefriend. Thank you, but let's not, alright? It's me here, and that's my decision."
Due flashed a smile. "You're old-fashioned, at least, as much as any filly fooler can be. Ya got a mare, so that's who yer with. I can respect that." She sipped her pop. "I hope you two are happy together, alright? No harm, no foul."
Tabitha let out her breath, releasing some tension she hadn't realized she had been building up. She grabbed her burger in her hands and sank her teeth into it, discovering it was made of oats and not cow at all. Disappointing, and yet... not bad. She would ask for an actual burger the next time, but for the moment, it worked and the fries were perfect.
Due gestured back towards the building they had left. "So, about that building? Nice place. Still got room for a filly fooler that barks up the wrong trees?"
Tabitha set her burger down as she nodded. "For sure. Like you said, no harm, no foul." She couldn't fault Due for the basic pass. She had taken the denial the right way. "When did you need a place?"
Due rubbed behind her head. "If there's a spot open, tonight wouldn't be bad, and I could get those pictures you were yammerin' about."
It had been a long day, but a productive one. She'd gotten her interview about the house down. She had a new tenant! Sure, that new tenant was super gay, but she had manners and lived most of her life being not-gay.
Lucky Tabitha, she got to be in the inner circle.
With a soft sigh, she settled into her bed and clicked off the light. Sleep seemed like a good idea. They'd be by the next day to install the air conditioner into her office and keep the place nice and aired out.
In the darkness, she heard the door slide open from her balcony. Somehow, it seemed familiar, as were the soft clops of hooves. She knew that intruder. "Razz? Why are you in my room?"
"I... need to talk... Can we?"
Tabitha peeked out from under her covers at the darkened form of the pegasus. "Razz? Really?"
"R-really..." He sounded like he could break into tears. "I'll go if you want."
Tabitha sat up and spun around, coming to face Razz with concern. Her anger faded at those miserable tones. "What happened?" She held out a hand and there was a soft thump as he hopped right up onto the bed and buried his face right into that offered hand.
For a moment there was nothing but sniffling.
He drew back. "I... I don't feel right."
"Are you sick?" She wasn't sure how much she looked forward to hauling her friend to the hos... did ponies have those? She hoped they did. "What's wrong?"
"N-no..." He sat down on her bed. "I... I love Bubbles. I love her so much, but... it's like a sister. I want to be her stallion. I... I'm trying, honest! I mean... We did things... She... She likes it... But..." He licked over his lips. "I don't. I just don't." He thumped a hoof into the bedding. "I don't!"
"Easy there." She stroked down his spine, easing some of that tension away. "I'm not here to judge." She was judging. She was judging and she was confused. "You don't like being a guy?" Oh god, was he gay too?
"N-no. I mean... I like that part." He smiled in the dark. "I mean... I don't know what's wrong with me. Bubbles is great. I love her, really... I do, but I don't love her that way? I think about living with her forever. I think about f-foals. She gives me t-that look... I'm miserable!" He grabbed for her, burying his face against her robes.
The picture of what was wrong was becoming more clear. "And you don't want to lose her, as a friend."
"Exactly!" He sat up, nodding fiercely. "I want her, as a sister. I want us to stay together forever, as friends. I just... I don't want to be her stallion. I mean... I..."
Tabitha raised a brow. "Are you sure you like mares at all, that way?"
"I like you that way!" He went red as soon as the words had escaped his snout and he shrank, fidgeting. "It's true... Even before you were... what you are. When you were a normal pegasus, when you were human, and when you were both. Tabitha..." He sat up tall. "Tabitha, I love you. I think about us growing old together, and that... makes me smile."
A chill ran down Tabitha's spine even as other parts of her warmed at the gushed out confession. "Calm down, Razz." She put her hands on his shoulders but he squirmed past them and began to nuzzle her sensitive belly, making her giggle despite the severity of the situation. "No, seriously. Are we going to talk about this like adults?"
That stopped him. He sat back and wiped a fetlock over his face. "Whether or not we... do anything, I can't be with her, not like this. I want to break up, as marefriend and coltfriend, but I don't want to shatter her. She's a friend, and I want to be a good one, a friend that is. What do I do?"
"Is that what you really think?" Bubbles had quietly entered through the still-open door.
Razz went wide-eyed and quaked in terror.
Tabitha wasn't as easily shaken. "Bubbles, can you join us?"
"Why?" It was an acidic tone. "You won."
"This isn't about winning or losing." Tabitha patted the bed gently. "It's about being reasonable adults."
"I don't wanna be reasonable none!" She took a step away, looking ready to flee. How had the unicorn gotten onto her balcony?
"Wait!" Razz turned to her. "Please..."
She gritted her teeth a moment. Her horn glowed as the door slid shut and locked. "Fine. For you." She hopped up and sat down. "So, you still want her?" She hiked a hoof at Tabitha.
Razz flashed a faint echo of a smile. "Y-yeah... It's not you, oh Celestia, please... it's not you." He sank towards the bed. "You're a..."
"Loser?"
"No!" He sat up and approached her. "You're great! I love being with you. I love being your friend. I love that we're improving, growing. I love that we get to hang out whenever we want. I love talking with you."
Bubbles glanced to the rival female and back at Razz. "But you don't loveme."
"No..." He hung his head. "I don't want to be your stallion. I do want to be your friend. I do want to be with you... just not... that way."
She laughed, a cold and hurt sound. "That's the kind of line a mare's supposed to throw in a shocked stallion's face. And here we are..." She dug out something from a pocket with her magic and drew out four tiny socks. "Here."
His eyes widened. "Are you?"
"Nah." She tossed them off the bed. "Whattaya think this is, some kind of soap? Pfft. Nah. I just thought... we could, you know... think about it..."
Tabitha reached for the obviously hurt mare and wasn't stopped from resting a hand on that head, of stroking those soft ears. "You do know he's crying for you, right?"
Bubbles cringed even as she laughed. "Am I that pathetic?"
Razz snorted loudly. "You're not pathetic at all! Bubbles, you're my strength." He thumped his own chest. "You remind me to be a s-stallion. Whenever I feel... down, I just ask myself, What would Bubbles do? Then I say the things that need saying." He put a hoof at his chest. "Like right now."
"Like right now," she echoed, her snout twisting into a bit of a smirk. "Dummy." She advanced despite the word and suddenly kissed the shocked stallion. As he melted back and sank, she pulled away. "Dummy." She suddenly turned on Tabitha. "You!"
"Me?" She raised a brow at the agitated mare. "I'll remind you I was ju--"
"You'd better treat him properly." Her tail lashed angrily. "He's my friend, and I won't stand for him having a mare that doesn't treat him like the awesome pony he happens to be."
Tabitha stared at her a moment. That was a quick change of mind, but... when were they a thing? She had a marefriend! "I plan to be a good landlady. By the way, speaking of that..."
Razz laughed nervously, a hoof behind his head. "Speaking of that, we sh--"
"Razz!" She scowled at him, red in the face. "In front of two mares, really?"
She was glancing at his stiff flat-headed member as if both appalled and attracted. "I thought you didn't even like me that way anyway."
Seeing that, Tabitha realized that she was keyed up all the same. She was tense and throbbing despite the awkwardness of it all. The only reason she hadn't been spotted was because she was laying on her pony belly. With a start, she realized she wasn't wearing her scent blocker and two emotionally vulnerable ponies were present. "You two should go, now."
Bubbles approached Razz, her tail hiking upwards slowly, pulsing upwards as if by the same unseen beat that made the two stallions twitch. "Or were you mistaken, Razzy? Are you looking for a mare after all?"
Tabitha could see where things were headed, and she didn't like it. But she didn't like it for reasons she didn't expect. She wanted it. She wanted that big pony cock. She wanted that twitching pony vulva. She wanted them both and her constantly denied body marshaled its limited will to demand it be made so.
She rose to her hooves and her stiff member dropped into view.
Bubbles turned, something acidic surely on her tongue, but she saw that member and the words faded away as her tail dropped into the way, only to raise back up as she shivered. "Damn..."
Razz took a deep breath of air, and mare and stallion scents. "Tabby."
"Yes?" She stepped forward. She felt stiff everywhere. She knew what she wanted.
"May I--"
"Yes." She wanted that, to start. "Go ahead." With that handled, she put a hoof on Bubble's stunned shoulder and drew the mare back into herself. "I'm going to fuck you."
That woke Bubbles up. She squirmed, her delicate parts grinding against those firm parts, making both pant with increasing pleasure. "D-damn half-stallion! You... I..." Her tail hiked all the higher before she suddenly vanished in a bright shower of sparks.
She appeared a few feet away, smoldering and panting as if she'd just run a few miles. "No! No no no no! You t-take him and... do..."
Her words were almost lost as Razz clambered up onto the pony half of Tabitha and pushed the flat end of his member to her own winking lips. He sank into that deliciously slick tunnel with a powerful thrust of his hips that was met with a crashing slam of her torso back against him. They were bonded and wanted more. With great speed and building fervor, they began to slam against one another.
Bubbles licked her lips. "N-no hard feelings." She smirked as if that had been a joke, then she fled.
She galloped to the door leading to the hallway and threw it open with her magic, allowing light to spill in.
"Hello?"
Coco was standing there, a hoof raised to knock on the door. She watched Bubbles flee with a confused expression.
Some of that confusion was addressed when she entered the apartment and saw Tabitha being drilled feverishly by a stallion.
Coco approached on shaking legs. A hind leg lashed out, kicking the door shut even as the noises grew louder with every step she took.
Tabitha had a stallion on her, and they were thumping against one another with a feverish tempo. His grunts as his wings flapped were deep just as hers were loud. Both of them wanted to rut, and they were doing it.
Nothing could stop them. Coco trembled. Nothing... should? stop them. She took another step forward towards them, her eyes refusing to leave the sight. Had she lost another marefriend, silently and carelessly? What had she done wrong? That wasn't the first time. It had... to be her. She had done something. What was it?
Tabitha cried out, arching under the body of the other pegasus. Coco smiled. They were both pegasi. Maybe that was it. It was so simple. Only a pegasus could properly satisfy a pegasus. Her head hung a bit even as she brought down a hoof with a muffled clop on the carpet. Tears stung at her eyes as thoughts whirled through her brain in a maelstrom.
Who was she to even think she could satisfy an exotic creature like Tabitha anyway?
Who was... Tabitha to lead her on. To make her think she could have a chance? Coco looked up with a glint of anger, but it smoldered and died. Rage was not an easy emotion for her. Sadness came easier and deeper.
He was topping her perfectly. Every push seemed to make both shudder faintly with shared pleasure even as he hugged her pony torso from above and drew deep grunts of air with the effort of it. He was her stallion.
Coco could see such little doubt in that.
But there was... something else. Maybe it was the scent. Maybe it was her mind desperately grabbing for something, anything, even the tiniest shred of hope in a forlorn situation. There was one way she could still be in that situation instead of dropped aside and forgotten, again.
Tabitha felt her alien passage clench down firmly with a control she did not have as a human. Her tunnel pulled and grasped at the huge horse cock buried in her, beckoning Razz on even as she moved against him. She wanted him, and her body wanted him. Every fiber of her being seemed to want what was happening.
Except one. She felt a painful flex just a bit lower and her eyes drifted open. A raised tail was not far ahead of her, backing towards her. Coco was standing in front of her, trembling. Was she anxious, or worried, or, oh god...
Tabitha realized what she had done, her heart turning cold as that truth slammed into her. She had cheated on Coco in the most concrete way she could.
Coco smiled faintly despite that. "I'm either yours... forever, or we break up."
What a choice. Tabitha gaped even as a stifled moan forced its way free. Her stallion hadn't paused, and his motions hadn't stopped feeling fantastic either. Her cunt was singing praises for the effort, but her shaft was throbbing. It wanted its turn, and that turn was just in front of her.
"Coco..." Tabitha reached a hand a few inches even as she was rocked by Razz.
Razz noticed a diminishing in the pounding back against him. "Tabitha?" His ears perked up and he leaned around, seeing Coco. "Coco!" The fight or flight instinct seized Razz hard, and horses were wired for flight first. He started to pull free of his new mate, only to suddenly be arrested as her cunt slammed down and held his twitching member in its wet and hot prison.
Coco took a step back. "You met us both... this way, like this. I tried to have you alone." She licked over her own snout. "You've had us both... I still want you."
Tabitha still wanted Coco. She reared up, making Razz scramble to get his own footing right. She came down on Coco's offered back, making them three ponies, belly to back. She bucked her hips and struck the air, then one of Coco's thighs. The mare moved subtly to help things along. "Tell me you love me."
"I do," spoke Tabitha. Part of it was lust, burning and blind, but not all of it. She really did want Coco. She loved being around the calm pony. She even loved the way Coco looked. She flexed around Razz as she lunged forward, sinking into that welcoming maresex and claiming Coco for the first time. Coco squeaked as Tabitha worked her way inwards.
She felt complete. This was the first time she was using everything, and she felt... overwhelmed. She was filling and being filled and she almost didn't know what to do with it all.
Razz's powerful thrust into her knocked her into Coco and answered the question. Their pace was awkward and clumsy as all get out as they rocked back and forth in a poor tempo at first, but they slowly learned the beat of each others' dance and they fell into stride, becoming one passionate machine with three backs.
It went in order of elevation. Razz's shaft flared, sealing it within Tabitha's clenching passage as thick fluid forced its way up along the pole with tense twitches, then exploded out, claiming that waiting womb as his own.
The sensation of it made Tabitha almost squeal, but it turned into a low grunt as her shaft went steely hard and she sprayed into Coco's willing passage as her own fluttered and milked at the member inside of her.
Coco wasn't quite ready and thrust her hips back, making Tabitha resume her motions even as Razz squeaked as his sensitive member was forced to endure that delicious torture.
When Coco fell over that hill, all three of them collapsed to the bed in a pile, satisfied for the moment.
There were questions.
Razz nuzzled into Tabitha's furry back and then up to her human one. "Are we a thing?"
Coco had to laugh at that. "I was going to ask if we're not a thing."
Tabitha was wasted. Two orgasms like that weren't meant to be endured by one being, but there she was. Why did male release have to be so tiring? She did know one thing for certain. "I don't want to lose you." She didn't specify who 'you' was, but got two ponies snuggling her for the effort.
Coco was pressing back and rubbing her upper side against Tabitha's belly as Razz squeezed Tabitha's barrel and held tight. Tabitha felt loved. She felt so completely loved. Even if they had their imperfections, those imperfections belonged to her, just as the ponies they belonged to.
Razz pulled free carefully and flopped to the bed, his wet member slapping the bed as he panted softly. "H-how was I?" A thought came to him and he paled. "Oh no! Bubbles!"
"Bubbles?" Coco looked up from where she layed beneath Tabitha. "I saw her leaving as I came in." She couldn't remember much else about that moment. "Is she involved?"
"No! I mean..." Tabitha shook her head quickly. "I'm not interested in her."
Coco put the pieces together. "Nopony is."
Razz looked quite guilty at that. "That's not true." Both females looked at him. "She's practically my sister! I want her to be happy, and succeed, and... I'm not abandoning her! I just don't want to be her stallion."
Coco squirmed free of her stallion, letting out a little squeak as the last of it popped free of her. "You are large..." Not that she or Razz couldn't determine that by looking, but actually feeling it working was another thing.
Tabitha chuckled faintly, tickled at the praise even as she slowly sat up. The two males were droopy and flopped on the bed. Coco looked the least obviously just sexed. She did wonder how the mare was holding what had felt like gallons so gracefully.
That brought up another thing to worry about. Tabitha wasn't sure how to bring it up. "Ponies and, hm, foals. Tell me the news."
Coco blinked and reached out towards Tabitha's shaft, stroking it with a hoof from the base to the flat end of it. "Well, when a stallion loves a mare enough to put this inside of her at the right time, magic makes a little baby pony inside the mare, making her a mother."
Tabitha scowled at the obvious baby talk being used, even if that stroking was getting her worked up. "How do you know what the right time is? I know the basics of breeding."
"Did neither of you hear me?!" Razz's head came between them, perilously close to Tabitha's cock. "She probably thinks I hate her!"
While Tabitha's shaft had firmed at Coco's attention, Razz had shrunk back into his sheath, likely fueled by his anxiety.
Tabitha reached for Razz, tickling along his spine gently. "We'll find her, but not today. She needs some space to unwind and figure this out, and forcing ourselves on her will just get her to lash out at you or me and say a lot of things she doesn't really mean. Tomorrow. We'll ignore all the nasty things she might say and try to convince her she's still a friend."
"A good one?" Razz smiled with faint hope.
Tabitha lied. "Good friends." She cleared her throat. "And my employee."
Coco looked between the two. "We need to talk."
"About Bubbles?"
"No, about us." She pointed at Razz and Tabitha. "We can't pretend anymore. I love Tabitha. Razz loves Tabitha. Tabitha loves and loves being loved by us. Tabitha is a mare and a stallion. She can love me, as a stallion, and be loved, as a mare." She moved her hooves with each statement as if piecing it together. "If she takes just one of us, the other side will get more jealous over time." She stood up. "Tabitha."
"Yes?" She wasn't sure she liked where it was headed, but some of her argued she very much liked where things were going.
"What does the thought of bearing a foal bring to you?"
Tabitha considered that, her thickly-lipped mare cunt seemed to grow warm and wet as she put serious thought into the idea of spilling out a little pony and raising them. Being a mother hardly seemed like a bad thing, even if she did it as a pony.
"That answers that." Coco nodded, then put a hoof over her belly. "Now, imagine you did it. I'm going to get fat and bloated, then a foal will come and you'll be its father. How does that make you feel?"
Her shaft rose from half-mast to full as she considered that, and the portal through which all the magic occurred. A growing part of her wanted to pin Coco to the ground and make sure that exact thing happened. Being a father didn't seem so bad, not with Coco.
Coco reached out and softly rubbed that shaft with a hoof. "That looks like approval to me. Now... Tabitha might find a pony happy to fulfill one side of her and be done... Razz, will you?"
Razz blinked softly, then thrust a hoof up at himself before it fell. "I..." He tore his eyes away from his exotic lover to Coco. Coco was about the opposite of exotic. She was a darling, normal, average mare. She was nice, but wasn't a looker on any level, nor exotic at all. She was a mare.
He sniffed softly and shook his head. The scent was teasing at him, making him open to ideas that let him breed, and he did want to breed. "If... I mean... This isn't how I was trained." He hung his head a moment. "Marriage is between two ponies."
"So we won't get married," stated Coco confidently.
Coco had insisted that they were all tired and worn and gently urged each to lay down and, despite the beatings of their hearts, try to get some rest. "You're both darling ponies, but we're all wound up and too excited. Let's talk more, tomorrow. For now, rest."
The light was flicked off and they settled on the bed, sharing it for the first time between all three.
Tabitha had actually lapsed off, just chasing after sleep peacefully before she was started with a little snort. She felt a muzzle nuzzling right along her pony belly, teeth carefully nipping at her sheath as it began to swell. Had Coco decided to play again? Tabitha was tired. The idea of sleep seemed like a good idea. If they were going to have a relationship, boundaries were required. She raised a fore leg and pushed against the unseen presence.
A soft plaintive noise came, but it didn't sound right. "Razz?"
"Yeah..."
"Why?" She didn't grasp it. He had seemed quite heterosexual overall, even if he did think Tabitha was great.
He nuzzled gently into that filling tube of horse meat. "If we're becoming coltfriend and... bothfriend, I shouldn't be upset to be near or with any of you." His tongue darted out over the portion of her blunted member that was peeking free. "I love you, all of you."
Tabitha warmed even as she filled out for him. His words were flattering and each touch of his furry snout or that wet tongue excited her. She wanted... She wasn't sure what she should do with that excitement, but she wanted to get closer. She grabbed Razz with her hooves and pulled him closer to that twitching member. Sleep had been chased away in favor of that bonding.
"I... don't want to be ridden," he stated meekly, but there was some bit of steel there. He wouldn't play a stallion beneath the other stallion, not like that, but he did kiss the tip of that excited pole and opened his mouth wide, accepting several precious inches into his tight snout.
Tabitha couldn't deny that she certainly felt loved. Even if she couldn't do... that, which was fine by her. That part of the body didn't have much appeal to her anyway. There was something they could do to even things out, though. She curled on herself, her spine bending in ways that would make her original self blush as she got a good grip on him and turned him over. Soon she had her own face buried between the stallion's thighs.
He had his own scent. It was musky and stinky. He smelled of his own and Tabitha's musk from their playing and his lack of washing yet. Part of her was repelled by it, but other parts argued against it. The stallion musk tickled her the right way, and she was no cleaner, and yet he was nursing at her.
She could return the favor, and she did. Her soft lips closed around the end of his already half-firm member and she felt it twitching and pulsing as it grew with every beat of his excited heart. She didn't have a snout, or expertise in the matter, so she didn't take him as deeply as he was consuming her own shaft, but they were both suckling on the other in a mutual exchange of pleasure and affection.
A warm shape pressed against the both of them. "I know you're trying to be quiet, but you're not that quiet." It was Coco.
She could feel Razz growing warmer, his blush warming her groin and member as he paused a moment. Hesitantly, he drew back and her hips bucked in frustration. He gave a startled noise and got back to sucking, and so did she.
Ignored, Coco frowned in the dark and flopped free of them, just for a jolt to lance along Tabitha's spine. A delicate tongue was joining the fun in little laps over her horse lips.
It became too much. Her climax, slowly creeping up on her, got up and made an energetic dash towards her. All too quickly, Tabitha was hissing around the shaft in her mouth as she released. Her shaft jumped with every bit of seed forced down it even as her lips leaked against that carefully exploring tongue.
She wanted to sleep.
She knew she shouldn't. She still had Razz's member in her mouth and he hadn't gotten off, but she really needed to rest. It was too much.
Tabitha slipped into an almost forced slumber, fatigue and chemicals drawing her into a restful sleep despite her wishes.
Razz was left sputtering, his snout speckled with the leaked cum of his partner as his stiff pole twitched and ached, wanting release.
A warm and fuzzy muzzle came between him and Tabitha, nuzzling him away from her sleeping lips, just for soft lips to kiss at his shaft, peppering it with little exchanges. "We need to talk." It was Coco.
Razz pulled back from Tabitha and sat up to find Coco facing him. She leaned forward and kissed his nose, making it wriggle as he smiled awkwardly.
Coco nudged him in the chest. "She is our bridge. We are her supports, anchored to the ground at either end. We love her, but will we stare at one another across that divide, wishing we could have the bridge to ourselves?"
Razz blinked at the philosophy, his member sagging a bit as the sexytimes faded away. "I... wow. That's deep." He said it in a complimentary tone. "Do we have to?"
"No, we don't." Coco nodded once. "We could love... each other, but there are things that must come first?"
"Like?"
She smiled. "I don't know you. You don't know me. We have to fix that. If we can't be friends, how can we be more? You and... your friend, you were, perhaps, too close, in the wrong way. As you said, she's your sister. That's very, very precious, but it's not a lover either. Strangers and sisters make bad lovers."
Razz twitched his ears up at the mare, trying to figure out her mysteries. "Well... I'm still working at that hotel."
She nodded. "Did you get that promotion?"
He smiled, touched that his aspirations were remembered. "I'm working super hard. I think the boss is noticing, so soon, maybe? Do you make stallion clothes?"
She seemed equally pleased that he remembered what she did. "I do. I'll show them to you tomorrow." She rolled a hoof. "What do you do, when you're not working that is?"
Razz sucked in some air. "I like some sports? Flying is always fun..." He tilted his head at Coco. She had no wings. Quick! He had to think of something they could do together. "I like..." He warmed and turned red. "I like plays." Bubbles didn't like plays, operas, or things like that. It was his dirty pleasure.
Coco smiled all the brighter. "You don't say? I have some good memories of some acting performances." She put a hoof at her chest. "I even tried a hoof at it, even if I ended up gravitating towards fashion. Are those the only performances you enjoy?"
He would be lying if he said yes. "I like music? I brought Tabitha to a Grateful Mares show."
"The Grateful Mares? I've never been to one of those." The way she said it implied she at least knew what they were. "I do have a record. I like them, they seem like good ponies."
Razz smiled wide, his wings spreading a little. Things were going so well! "The next time they come to the city, we should go, all of us. We could have such a good time."
Coco seemed unsure about that. "Those can be very... loud."
Loud was half the point! "What's so bad about that?"
Coco gestured to the city randomly. "Maybe something a bit... quieter?"
Maybe he wouldn't get her to the Grateful Mares, not easily, still... "Alright. Maybe something on Broadneigh?"
She bobbed her head. "That would be lovely." She reached out and set a hoof on his left shoulder. "I know this is... a bit sudden, for both of us. Still, we're here. Let's try to make the best of it, alright?"
What would Bubbles do? Well, besides say something that could be taken badly. Razz leaned in suddenly and kissed Coco on the cheek. Even as she blushed and looked dazed, he nodded at her. "We are her supports."
"Let's... do it well." Coco recovered from her sudden kiss and slowly resumed smiling. "For now, let's sleep." She put both of her hooves on him and drew him in close. There was no sex there, just intimacy, and she drew him down to sleep, each resting on the warmth and softness of the other.
Spring waved a hand over the pool, sending faint ripples across it as the vision of those filthy, if riveting, horses faded from view. If Tabitha became attached to both, her place could be threatened. She frowned faintly as she considered it.
A bird in the forest of her apartment called out in a trilling cry.
The usual scents of nature and the peace her forest provided did little to calm her. There were too many angles, and too many people to predict all of them, even if most were little more than filthy, revolting, and yet exciting beasts. If she let that 'bridge' be secured to those 'supports', then there would scarcely be room left for her, even should she bear that animal's progeny to the world.
Spring rubbed over her belly. The difference was tiny, but she could feel it, both in the faint swell and in the flow of magic beneath it. Her life magic was perverted, twisted to make do for the young life within her.
She was becoming a mother.
Spring smiled a little. She was a mother of a beast, surely, but still, a mother... A fellow elf would be quite slow to breed. Perhaps after a century of company they would consider it. Just one moment of weakness from that human...
Tabitha had enjoyed it, at least while she was in that moment.
Spring had to pull her trap a bit tighter.
She rose smoothly to her feet, promising herself to take action soon. Of course, 'soon' was a very relative thing. For an elf, soon might be a few decades. But Spring was not dealing with an elf. She was dealing with someone with a human's mind and a filthy horse body, even if Spring had fashioned Tabitha well. Tabitha wouldn't easily collapse due to the casual entropy of time, but that didn't change who she was.
There was so much... fun, yes, fun. They could enjoy one another's company, if Tabitha were less... worrisome.
Spring tapped at her chin thoughtfully before a smile developed. She had to learn from the beasts to properly tame one. "Good bridges have three solid supports. One on either side, and one to hold up the middle." She moved to prepare.
If she was to succeed, it wouldn't be... her way. Her way was her way. Her way was grand, old, powerful, and useless, at least in one specific case. Tabitha had her way, and the beasts had their own way. Their ways were close enough that they were coming together despite the differences.
Those same differences would never let them come across the wider divide that kept them from her. Spring frowned a little as she stalked through the hallways. Being a mature adult meant sometimes admitting that your tools were not sufficient for the job.
"Oh, hello." It was the female horse, looking up at her with some surprise. "I haven't seen you in a while."
"You haven't," agreed Spring, but she dialed back the acid. This horse would serve far better as an ally. She didn't see what her feral stud saw in the creature, but perhaps learning was just another lesson to take? "I was actually hoping we could talk," she said in a sweeter tone.
Coco cringed at the first words, but brightened at the later ones, perking with the kinder tone. "How can I help?" She tilted her head a little. "I confess, I don't know much about... your kind?"
Of course she wouldn't. Spring would be shocked if any of these little horses knew a thing about her people. Spring took a gentle breath. Honey would draw many more flies than vinegar. "I want something."
"Oh?" She blinked with confusion. "What's that?"
Spring fought the urge to frown, failed, but pressed on. "I was... pursuing... Being pursued?" She crouched to the level of that small horse. "I am speaking of Tabitha."
Coco gave an almost half-nod. "I know her, of course. She's both of our landlady."
Spring smiled at that. She was more than that, for both of them. "Did she tell you about us?"
Coco thought back and the memory became clear. She paled as she remembered that Tabitha had laid with the strange creature in front of her. "Are you really, I mean... Are you with foal?"
"A foal? I suppose that's a fitting name for it." Spring put a hand over her belly. "I am her broodmate, but you've become involved with her."
Coco's eyes widened and she took a halfstep away. "Are you angry?"
She sounded scared and timid. Spring smiled. "Oh no." She was furious, but there were solutions. Being angry specifically at Coco would do little. "I just... I want to be part of things. I don't want to be just a broodmate, approached when I'm fertile and seeded and otherwise ignored." That was actually much her original plan, but plans were made to be revised.
Coco's fuzzy ears went down and wide before they perked up again. "I'm... sorry, but you're... I don't even know what you are, miss."
Spring offered a hand. "Then let me do you a favor. I will teach you and show you what I am."
Coco saw nothing wrong with the idea. The dangers of fae creatures were far beyond her. "S--"
"Stop." Dark Vision approached with a scowl. "You will not ensnare her like that."
Spring scowled at the new member of the conversation. "This has little to do with you, rude horse. Haven't you intruded enough on my dealings?"
"Dealings?" Coco looked between Spring and Dark back and forth rapidly. "Is something wrong?"
Spring let out a loud sigh. "Our... She isn't wrong." Trying to keep that a secret would hurt her, in the long run. She erred for honesty. "Agreeing to a favor from a fae, such as myself, means that you must return the favor, and it must satisfy us. This can be quite a task at times."
Dark snorted softly as she sat beside the two. "At least you've admitted that. Now that we've shoved that aside, what do you want?"
Coco was baffled at the tense mood. "She wanted to address some... rather intimate details." She didn't know everything, but even speaking of the growing family was private. She was sure of that. "There's nothing wrong with that, I think?"
Dark raised a brow. "I will assume you, at least, speak the clear truth. Do you wish to be alone with this... elf?"
Spring frowned. To have her race spoken of so harshly... She hadn't heard it said that way since the dwarves.
"Especially one so young."
Spring flushed dark and furious. How did anyone know?! Why! Even as those thoughts ran through her head, she realized she had given it away. If Dark Vision wasn't certain before, she would be afterwards. That cocky smile on her face... Dark had seen the way Spring had reacted to the words and it answered quite clearly.
Spring was discovered. Her plans were falling apart. "I'm older than either of you," she hissed, knowing that much to be true.
Dark held up a hoof. "I will discern your true name, elf."
Her blood ran cold. With proper arcane power and knowledge, she could be commanded and made a puppet with that knowledge. She knew with terrifying certainty that Dark Vision had the power and the knowledge. She fell to her knees, quaking with building terror. "Why are you picking on me?" To have that threat leveled at her was more than she could bear. Tears stung at her eyes as she sniffled. She had been reduced to even less than a beast. She was helpless.
She was a failure. "Why...?"
Dark Vision scowled. "You need to learn humility. No matter how great you think you are, someone is always larger and better than you. Princess Luna looms over me even as I loom over you--"
Her words were cut off as Coco moved in the way of the two, scowling at Dark. "Stop that!"
"What?" The idea of a well-mannered civilian getting in her way was ridiculous. "Are you being controlled?" She didn't see any threads that yet tied Coco to the elf.
"I don't need to be controlled to know you're being mean!" Coco stomped a hoof. "Stop it this instant. She's an expecting mother in a very awkward situation... Even if she was part of the problem." She glanced back at Spring. "Besides, if she's as young as you said, she should be treated with gentle respect and care, not like a criminal!"
Spring wasn't sure how to feel. She was... grateful that Coco was standing up for her even as she burned with shame that she needed rescuing at all, especially in such a manner. She was being guarded like a child from a predator. She was no child! Spring rose to her feet.
Even as Spring regathered her strength, Dark was scowling at Coco. "She is an almost incalculably devious and dangerous alien."
Coco thrust a hoof back at Spring. "Alien's a terrible word to use about ponies we don't understand."
"And you do?" Dark raised a brow.
Spring saw a chance. She stepped forward and reached as Tabitha often did, placing her hand on Coco's withers and petting gently. "I'd like to know her."
Coco smiled at the response. "Give her a chance."
Dark shook her head firmly. "She's had a chance. I will discern that name." She turned in place and marched off angrily, leaving the two of them alone.
Spring frowned after the warlock before looking down at her new potential... friend. Yes, friend. "Thank you." The phrase was a test.
"You're quite welcome. Nopony deserves to be treated that way."
Coco had passed the test without knowing it. Spring relaxed a little. "What do you think I should do?"
"That's a large question." Coco shook her head slowly. "I... Follow me. I need to catch you up on what's going on." She had no idea Spring had been spying. "To begin, Tabitha is gathering a herd, though I don't think even she realizes that's what's going on around her. It seems clear to me."
"Is that normal?" asked Spring with genuine curiosity. She had assumed true horses did such without a thought. Ponies were... a little different. Knowing those differences might serve her quite well.
"Oh yes, very." Coco nodded as the led the elf along. "Most ponies are monogamous, but there are many exceptions. Herd is the term used for the legally accepted variant."
That made Spring curious. "As opposed to?"
"Well..." Coco rolled a hoof as she went. "If two ponies decide they want to live together and be together and basically be married without actually marrying or limiting who they, um, sleep with... That can happen, but it isn't covered by law or general practice."
"I see." Of course, Coco had just described most elven relations. Most of them spent most of the time not breeding, with each other or other things. Spring huffed faintly as she went. She liked her beast. Tabitha was so strong and virile and powerful. There was no mistaking that Tabitha was so... alive. When she had been pinned and bred, that life had infected Spring.
She had felt alive. The little mote in her, that was alive too. It was a beast. It had to be, but it was a living one, and she, its living mother. She was no mountain range or perfect sky, unliving and enchanting. She had been sullied, made dirty and visceral. She wanted more.
"Are you alright?" Coco was looking at her as she pushed open her door with a hoof. "We're here."
Spring followed after Coco into her apartment. There were so many things she wanted to know, and she felt she was on the right track.
"It's alright."
Bubbles scowled at Trap. "That's easy for you to say."
"This is Razzy we're talking about." Trap rolled a hoof. "You think he'll just walk away?"
"Why wouldn't he?!"
A soft clopping came from the door before Razz came into view with a nervous look on his face. "Hi."
"Hi?!" Bubbles hopped to her hooves. "All that, and 'Hi' is what you say?"
Trap put a hoof on Bubbles' right shoulder. "Easy there, sis. I don't think he meant nothing by it."
Razz flashed a nervous smile. "Can we... talk?"
"What is there to talk about?" Bubbles turned away.
Razz came up beside her and gently rubbed his side to hers. "I love you."
It wasn't the love she thought she had from him. The words stung. "No you don't."
"I love you as a sister." He circled around her. "I look up to you. I'm proud of you."
"Proud of me?!" Bubbles blinked in disbelief. "What would you be so proud of?"
Trap sank to his belly. "There's a lot to be proud of, sis."
Razz bobbed his head. "What isn't there to be proud of? You supported both of us at our lowest. You're clever and strong, and not just physically. You're so... strong inside. You... I feel weak compared to you. You're just so strong." He smiled. "I'm so proud of my sister from another mother."
Bubbles glared at her brother, switching targets. "Are you proud of your thug of a sister, bro?"
Trap was silent a moment before he nodded. "What you did was wrong, but you did it. You ran through the mud to keep us fed and safe. You did scary things, sis, just for us." He stood up. "I hope that's all behind us, but if you want me to be sad or mad or something, I'm not. I'm proud of my sister."
"Me too." Razz knew that sounded a bit lame, but he'd said it and he meant it. "Bubbles, I love you so Celestia-damned much! I might... not love you that way, but every other way, seriously."
Bubbles quirked a smile. "She was part of that. She held out a hoof to us both. She led my stupid half-brother to get a real job and stand up for himself. She held out the other, giving me a place to be, and a purpose, but only... if I wanted it. Damn freak even reached out a third hoof, taking her damned price. She took you." She stomped a hoof. "I wanted you..."
Trap nudged against Bubbles. "If you like Razz with a spine, you have to take that with the chance he decides something you don't like."
Bubbles scowled at Trap before looking back at Razz. "Are we still a team?"
Tabitha explored the halls of the building she knew so well. She didn't need to find her way, she was inspecting. The repair ponies were working well and hard. She'd almost hired them as actual employees instead of contractors, with the constant work she had for them, catching up with unfortunate neglect she had managed to let build up.
She was fully dressed, and had her scent blocking rock on her. She felt... solid, much like that rock. She wanted to believe that it was blocking it from reaching her, but even her basic biology told her the basic hormones of what she was still coursed through her, encouraging her to be fruitful and multiply.
God would be so proud.
As if God were involved.
It wasn't that Tabitha was an atheist, because she wasn't. She felt certain her life was being watched over. It was mildly upsetting that she had met one of those forces and it was a bit of an asshole! She hoped 'the big guy' was a bit nicer than The Text. Then there was Spring...
"I collect overlords." She rolled her eyes as she turned a corner. Things were looking... acceptable. "It needs a fresh paint job, all of it." She made a quick jot in her pad. If she could feel better in new clothes, why couldn't the building benefit from a makeover? Some freshening up would make it look younger and draw in more clients.
"Hey." Bubbles approached from the opposing direction. Though Tabitha was wary, Bubbles didn't look like she was ready to attack. "Um, just... you know, patrolling?"
Tabitha relaxed and nodded. Having Bubbles doing her job was a big sign, small as it might ultimately be. "Speaking of that--" Bubbles tensed. "--It's not a lecture. This is on me. You work for me, and here we are, getting all crossed up. I owe you a huge apology. As your boss, I fucked that right up."
Bubbles raised her head and her horn defiantly. "Lesser ponies would walk out on you and sue you into the ground."
Tabitha offered a hand. "Good thing I only deal with larger ponies than that. Seriously, I know how that went down was a mess."
Bubbles peered at the hand a moment before she offered an uncertain hoof. "What are you gonna do about it?"
What could she do? "I can't control anyone else besides myself. Not even you. You could quit any time and I couldn't stop that. So, what can I do? Try to be a better boss, and a friend."
Bubbles rolled her eyes. "Better friend? You'ze have to be a friend first, you oversexed horndog of a pony." She leaned in a little. "Were you really ready to do what you tried to do?"
Tried to do? It took Tabitha a moment to penetrate the fog of that moment and remember when she was clambering up on Bubbles, ready to make a mate out of her. "O-oh! Let's..."
"Give me a serious answer." Bubbles hiked a brow. "If I hadn't jumped away, and you had your way, then what?"
Tabitha imagined how the tawdry scene may have played out, with a filled and angry Bubbles at the end. Maybe another foal on the way? She really needed to know how that worked with ponies. Could they conceive any time like humans? She'd been told that wasn't how it 'generally' worked but generally and always or never... Those were all different terms. Bloody hell, she was a pony. It mattered.
Tabitha took a little breath, calming herself. "I would try to calm myself after it was done, and handle it responsibly."
Bubbles waved a hoof. "So if I became your pissed off as hell foalmomma, maybe ready to run to the damned cops about you raping me?"
"I would support you, and the child, if that happened. If you ratted me out..." She'd be pissed, but she... "I guess I'd go to jail." Was pony jail like human jail? She preferred to not find out. "I'd deserve it."
"Damn right you would!" She stomped a hoof but that fury ebbed from her gently. "I'm glad ya see it that way. Ya ain't my damn coltfriend. Ya don't get to just have yer way with me!" She snorted, fighting a fierce battle between her anger and being reasonable. "I'd tell you to give my damn coltfriend back, but that'd tick him off something fierce. Nah, he's his own stallion..." Her eyes half-lidded. "It pisses me off so bad."
Tabitha could feel the hurt there in those words. "Hey, do you need the day off?"
"What? Forget that noise. I like the money, and doing my job helps keep my head on straight." She moved to walk past Tabitha. "Ya ain't getting rid of me that damn easy, shoot."
Bubbles was soon gone with an angry lashing of her tail. Tabitha would keep her unicorn guard, and she wasn't upset to have her.
Another thought tickled at Tabitha. Sure, Coco felt safe she wasn't going that way, but what assurances did Tabitha have? She didn't have a clue about it.
She needed a doctor.
Tabitha strode for the elevator and rode downward, only for it to stop on the second floor.
A familiar yeti stepped aboard, nodding at her. "Caretaker."
She had been addressed. Tabitha was certain she could get a single question from the monster. "Say, why do things that come out of the doors never stay around?"
The monster paused a moment. "An excellent question. Without the signing of a contract... without the consent of the Caretaker, they are trespassers and brigands. Thrown free of those walls, they are not free to return easily." He looked her over. "You seem comfortable with this land." It wasn't a question. "May your family be as large as you wish." He stepped free as the doors opened and made his way purposefully to the streets.
Tabitha followed a bit more slowly. Those were kind words, but troubling on another level. She usually saw more than the ponies, but her residents, the 'monsters', they saw more than her. Being in the middle seemed the most awkward place to be.
She stepped out and trotted down the steps to the sidewalk. "Excuse me." A passing pony looked up at her curiously. "Which way to the closest clinic?" No reason to go rushing to the biggest hospital with the biggest bills.
The pony blinked at the question. "Are you hurt, ma'am?" Tabitha shook her head. "Oh, just want a doc?" He relaxed once it seemed there was no emergency. "Doc Remedy's a good pony. I see him for everything and he ain't even that far." He gave the directions that only led a few blocks away. "Good luck!"
Information in hand, she made an off-handed salute. The pony seemed to get it, somehow, and trotted off along his merry way.
Tabitha moved on towards her quarry, watching the city as she went. The building she was pointed to was an office building, and the plaque in the lobby made it clear it was for professionals to meet with people, including a dentist and a general doctor. That was her pony.
She hopped up some stairs and down the hallway before she met a closed door. Unsure, she rapped the back of a hand on it.
"Who's that?" an unfamiliar male voice called. "One moment."
There was a delay before the door glowed and opened, revealing a late-middle aged unicorn. "He-llo?" He tilted his head. "I'm afraid you have me at a loss, miss...?"
"Tabitha. Tabitha Taylor." She offered a hand and it was met with a hoof in kind. "I have a few medical questions."
He seemed surprised pleasantly. "It's rare I see another pony interested in such things besides curing what ails them. You seem fine, Miss Taylor?"
Remedy moved out of the way and waved his new client inside. "Come in, let's have a talk."
That was quite different than how Tabitha remembered approaching doctors in the human world. No setting up an appointment? No insurance questions? She stepped in despite those worries, looking around.
The office itself looked familiar and comforting. There was a degree hanging on the wall, some comfy chairs beside magazines for waiting. It was a doctor's waiting room. He led her beyond it though, into his office. He sat behind his desk on a large comfy chair. "Now then, what's on your mind?"
Tabitha parked herself in front of the desk. While there were chairs, sitting in them tended to make her tower over others doing the same. Sitting on the floor put her just about right, with her human torso jutting up. "I confess, this isn't entirely for curiosity. I have questions regarding the pony, um, reproductive cycle?" She felt awkward asking it.
The doctor looked quite baffled. "Oh! Well..." He glanced left and right. "Should I assume, madame, you know the gross basics?"
Tabitha made a vague gesture. "Tab A, Slot B, Baby happens after a while of growing fat for the mother. I know the basics, but that's about it. Besides that, assume nothing."
Remedy jumped to a conclusion that was dangerously close. "Oh! Are you afraid of... that?" He rolled a hoof. "Unless you were in season, that isn't a strong risk."
Tabitha let out a soft grunt. "Doctor--"
"Oh, just call me Remedy."
"Remedy." She forced a smile. "I don't know if I'm in season, or how assured that would be even if I was or was not."
"I see..." He didn't sound like he saw it. "Well, hop up here." He rose and moved to a flat table. "Let's have a look at you, if you don't mind. You look... like a pony, where it counts? Were your parents ponies?"
If only it was so simple. "I spent most of my life without the pony parts." She hopped up on the table and settled down as best she could. "Have a look." Being shy with a doctor wouldn't help. If he had to poke sensitive bits, that was his job.
"Oh my..." His magic had gripped her tail and lifted it free and he could see her... odd nature. "I should imagine having both like that would render both non-functional and sterile besides."
"Let's assume not." Tabitha shook her head a little. "Assume it all worked... like magic."
"Like magic," echoed the unicorn before he started. "Did magic do this?!"
"That's what I've been getting at, Remedy."
"I didn't realize..." He drew some tools and had her spread open for his analytic eyes. "With the right spell, anything is, in theory, possible. You're right, we should assume nothing. I... Apologies for these prying questions. They're for your benefit, but how much function can you prove at this point?"
This promised to be a long visit. Tabitha tried to ignore the sensation of the tools under her tail as she began to explain just how much she did know about how things functioned with her magically altered form.
Doctor Remedy was friendly and diligent. It felt strange to have him poking and prodding, and it was a firm reminder that she wasn't a human anymore.
Tabitha tried her best to keep her eyes forward and muscles relaxed despite the urge to flee or swat at him to leave her be. "I'm wearing something to block the stink I put off."
"Stink?" He leaned in a little and she could hear him sniffing. "You smell like a healthy mare to me, Tabitha. You shouldn't be so hard on yourself." His tone was gentle and scolding, like a well-meaning parent. "From what you've told me, you are a sexually active adult, and there's no shame in that, though I would recommend finding a partner you trust and adore above the rest to remain with. It's healthier, physically and emotionally."
Tabitha rolled her eyes at that. "I think I blew that option."
"Oh?" Things became quiet a moment. "I won't pry if you'd rather I didn't. You came to me looking for a doctor, not a professional friend."
Professional friend? "Do you mean psychologist?"
"Oh, Celestia no! Those are saved for truly broken ponies, and you aren't that. Even taking your, um, unique origin into account, you're quite successful, reasonable, and empathetic. You're a perfectly functional adult, with just a few problems, like the rest of us."
"So more of a therapist?"
He tilted his head. "Do you need a physical therapist, Tabitha?"
"No..." She was hitting a dead end and she knew it. The idea of a psychologist for anything but severe mental breaks was just outside the norm, and therapists were just good friends you happened to pay. Huh... "So... you're also a professional friend?"
"The way you say it." He let her close up back there and circled around towards her front. "Your ponies don't have professional friends? Who would you see?"
"Most of us, nobody," she admitted with a shrug. "But we do have therapists, mental kind. Psychologists above them. Both are considered flavors of doctors."
The doctor looked baffled at the idea. "A doctor, of the heart? I could never claim such a title. The idea that somepony could is a little frightening, but we're not here for that." He reached out and up, poking Tabitha in her equine chest. "If you're alright with it, let's talk."
Tabitha considered that a moment as she sat up and put her rump down, glad to no longer be waving in the breeze. "Alright." It couldn't hurt, right? "So, let's get the situation laid out. I have a marefriend that loves me to pieces and I like quite a bit."
"But not love?"
To the quick! Tabitha drew in a soft breath as she forced herself to face that issue. "I... I... Look, I wasn't born a pony, even the conglomeration you see now. I think I might like her, a lot. Like... a lot lot. Is it love? That's harder to say. When I look at her, I see a darling friend, but also an alien talking horse. I remind myself I'm also half alien talking horse, but that thought's there, nagging at me. I practically want to love her, and that terrifies me, and then I feel awful for feeling bad about it."
Remedy sank to his own haunches. "And around and around you go, feeling bad for feeling bad for feeling bad." He rolled a hoof along with the words. "I think I understand though. If I were alone with nothing but your curious people--" He gestured at Tabitha's human half. "--I'm not sure how I'd feel if I started to have feelings towards any one of them. We're taught, biologically, to seek out what we've seen. A spouse that reminds us of the best of our parents, that's the unspoken goal."
Tabitha felt a little lighter, smiling. "You understand." She was relieved those feelings weren't just hers to have.
He held up a hoof. "But nature only goes so far. Are you happy around this pony?"
Tabitha frowned a little as she mused over it. Rare was the time Coco was butting into her life and she didn't enjoy the presence. "Yes."
"Are you repelled by her, hm, equinity?"
Tabitha didn't answer that as quickly.
Remedy noticed and smiled. "The best cure may just be to be truthful with this mare and be close. Learn her goodness, and her cracks. What makes her appealing and what imperfections she may worry about that just makes her a living pony. Learn to truly see her as a person, with all the ups and downs that entails. When you're seeing past the pony or human to the person beneath, you will know if you love that person or not." There was a pause before he put a hoof to his chest. "I have nothing against fillyfoolers, as an aside, and you only barely qualify. I can speak with medical certainty that you're no filly."
Tabitha snorted softly, a sound that came naturally to her since she became half horse. She crossed her arms under her chest. "Thank you for that at least." A question tickled at her. "What about..." What was that word? She couldn't remember it. "Two stallions?"
His ears went up. "Coltcuddlers? More medically worrisome. Many of their, um, preferred activities carry greater risk for physical injury." He coughed softly into a hoof. "But, um..." He glanced left and right. "Strictly between you and I, telling a pony who to love or not to love is quite a daunting task. Better a sincere homosexual arrangement than any amount of insincere heterosexual ones." He sat up straight. "But that's just my opinion. You, Tabitha, don't really qualify either way. You're an edge case, but don't feel bad about that." He offered out a hoof. "You certainly don't seem to lack for friends, myself perhaps among them?"
Tabitha's inner cynic was pinging. Of course anyone who was being paid to be her friend would say exactly that. He seemed nice enough, but a true friend? She couldn't put him in that list just yet. Besides, they had just met. "So, if I don't want a little foal?"
Remedy seemed shocked at the sudden change of topic. "O-oh! Well, I don't even know if you're compatible or not. Being, hm, a mythical creature, forged of magic, you may be perfectly fertile, or entirely sterile. Chances seem good it's either one or the other, without a middle-ground to be seen. Do you know if the spellcaster involved had... um, designs? Yes, designs either way?"
Tabitha thought back to Spring and the act that had brought her there. "She seemed to think I was already in love with two ponies. I wasn't. She also thought I was attracted to her... I was." She tinted faintly at the admission. "She said I gave... She said she's pregnant, but I have no proof."
"I would like to meet this spellcaster, if I may?" A floating quill made some quick notes before floating off to the side. "You've certainly given me plenty to think about. Tabitha, you have your own thoughts to get in order. Go ahead. I'll have a letter sent with your results, conclusive or not. We'll make sure you're a healthy pony, half of one or not." He rose to his hooves. "Any last questions?"
Well, there was one... "How much?"
He blinked. "I was going to send that in the letter too, so you didn't have to worry about it now, but, um, thirty bits should cover the visit. The bill for the bloodwork will be in the letter."
Tabitha fished out the bits from her purse and the unicorn's magic took them from her offered hand. "Thanks, Doc."
"Remedy," he reminded. "I hope you don't take offense, but that wall..."
Tabitha waved a hand. "We just met, Remedy. I'm not going to trust you like that right away."
He smiled gently. "Thank you for the honesty. I can respect that. I'll head out and let you get dressed." He trotted right out of the office and the door swung shut with his magic behind him.
Dark patrolled. She was walking along the curious ley lines of the building, trying to get a feel for them. She paused as she saw Bubbles, the other guardian. The other unicorn. The other mare. Bubbles was a lot of 'other' parts of Dark.
As Bubbles drew close, Dark nodded. "Have you detected any signs I should be wary of?"
Bubbles came to a stop. "What?"
"Signs?" Dark gestured at the doors. "Strained doors, odd noises, curious smells?"
"Besides Queen McHorndog?" Bubbles rolled her eyes. "Hey, has she--"
"Stop." Dark shook her head a little. "I only love one mare, and she is forever barred from me. I obey her will, and it is that this place be protected and monitored, and I will see that done."
"A 'no' would have been enough." Bubbled huffed even as the lights dimmed around them. "What the?"
Dark held up a hoof for quiet and slowly circled as the darkness spread. "We are not alone."
"I should say you are not," whispered a dark voice, as sinister as the darkness that preceded it. "You are not the Caretaker."
Dark's keen senses gave her a place to face, even if there was nothing to face there. "I am her guardian, at the command of Pri--"
"I care little for your Princess. Where is the Caretaker?"
Bubbles suddenly charged the place Dark was staring at. Her horn glowed brightly as she wove a spell as much intuitive magic as any proper spell.
The Presence was struck by the arcane power, but shrugged it off with a mighty shake. As Bubbles came in close, it grabbed her with hands that weren't there before and hurled her to the ground. "You would dare?!"
Dark's own horn lit up, but she had no reason to approach the presence. She wove magic skillfully and precisely, weaving a cage of force around the dark presence. "You're not welcome here."
"It is not your decision." It pressed against the bars and Dark's sinuses became full as a headache exploded into being. The pressure became worse and worse as it pressed until the cage exploded in a shower of sparks, and Dark was sent to the ground, panting for breath.
Bubbles had scrambled to her hooves in the meanwhile and wove a new spell quickly, fashioning a rather intricate javelin that floated beside her head, glowing with power. "Shoot! You ain't the first thing I ever tangled with. Ya wanna play? Fine!" The javelin hurled itself with a powerful heave of magic, slicing through the air.
The thing grabbed for it but its unseen hand smoldered at the point of contact as it trembled and shook with an almost conscious desire to continue forward and impale it.
Even while the thing struggled to deal with the spear, a contest of wills between it and Bubbles, Dark rose to her haunches and quickly tore off her necklace. "By the moon's power, I banish you!" She held it up with all the power of any cleric brandishing a holy symbol at undead. Silver light exploded powerfully, and the darkness was gone.
Bubbles nodded at the spot. "Serves ya right." She turned towards Dark. "Ya al--" Her words were cut off as she saw Dark collapse to the ground, fading from wakefulness and bleeding around the snout. "Shoot..."
Spring settled onto a provided chair. Pony chairs were typically wider than they needed to be, so ponies could lay down on them instead of sitting, like the beasts they were. Spring smiled a little at that, watching the owner of the apartment she was in fuss around her kitchen. As animals went, she thought ponies were adorable things. Adorable and ignorant to the virility some of them had.
It just made all the more sense to her that she got a human to play the part. They were elevated enough to at least understand their parts for what they were. Tabitha-- Her thoughts were dashed. Coco had said something. "Pardon?"
"I asked if you had a preference for tea." Coco held two different boxes of tea up for view. "You must really be upset."
Spring frowned faintly. She was... but that was her business. She pointed at the one on the left. "That will do."
Coco turned away and got back to work preparing the drink. "You must be so confused."
"Why?"
Coco glanced over a shoulder. "You're in a strange land, by yourself. What happened to your parents?"
Spring reddened a touch. She was being treated as a child! "I'm likely old enough to have watched you be born and grow old."
Coco sat down facing Spring, ears erect. "Be that as it may, you are still young. This isn't about me." She placed a hoof on her chest as she spoke. "Now I'm not saying you can't take care of yourself. I mean, you are..." A brow raised. "But is everything alright?"
Spring considered that. Some things were going quite well. Other things... She owed nothing to that horse! Why would she--
Coco pressed a mug gently against one of Spring's hands. "Here you are."
Spring started. Her focus kept slipping. She took the mug and curled her fingers around it, feeling the warmth coming from it. "Do you know that other horse, the one that threatened me?"
"She works for Princess Luna, but I don't know much else about her." Coco shook her head. "For now, drink. It may help." She smiled like a hopeful mother.
Maybe that was what she would become. Spring raised a brow, imagining her virile beast climbing on this other animal and doing as animals do. "Beast."
Coco blinked at her. "My name is Coco. Coco Pommel. You are?"
Spring raised a brow. She was fairly certain the animal, Coco, knew that. A gesture of familiarity? She wasn't sure if she should take part, but she saw few other options. "Spring Breeze."
"That's a lovely name." Coco smiled as she returned to the kitchen and returned with a second mug that she kept for herself. Hers had a more potent smell. Coffee. "Now, I'd like to ask a very personal question. If you don't want to answer it, that's alright, but I think you should."
"Yes?" Spring kept her cards close to her chest. She softly sipped at the tea. It was no elven brew, but it wasn't awful as those things went.
"Do you like Tabitha?"
The innocent nature of the query only made Spring more aggravated, but she couldn't lash out. Or, at least, she shouldn't. She took a slow breath. "I admire her bestial nature. I believe she's clever enough, just enough, to keep her interesting. She sees what she wants and she takes it."
Coco tilted her head a little. "Like you?"
Spring couldn't believe a horse had just spoken to her like that! As if she was anything like that beast!
Coco could see the emotions in the frazzled elf. "I don't mean anything bad by it. I like her too."
Spring startled out of her dark place. "And you see similarities?"
"Of course." Coco dipped her head and sipped from her drink. "We're both business owners that appreciate creativity. We know how to be practical, and we both want a comfortable place to crash after a long day's labor, to be told how good our efforts were and supported by a genuine pony."
That wasn't an angle Spring had thought much on.
"T-tell me, honestly..."
"I never lie."
Coco nodded. "I'm not trying to say you do, but a 'not lie' is far from honesty." She set her mug aside. "I promise to not laugh."
"As if you would dare..."
Coco raised a brow. "Let's be friends, not enemies." She smiled in that gentle way. "I know you're upset right now."
Spring was about to lash out, to attack that animal and her quiet little face, but she calmed herself just in the nick of time. She needed Coco to be on her side. Coco seemed to want to be on her side. She had to control herself. She took a slow breath. "Perhaps you are... right. I am upset." She could vent a little. The beast would know little of it. "Do you understand what a true name entails?"
Coco looked confused, which Spring expected. "Didn't you just give me that?"
Spring smiled. Of course the horse didn't know. She would show her magnanimity in revealing the situation. "That is a rough translation of my given name to the language of this land. A true name calls to your very essence." She rolled a hand. "I should imagine you don't even know what your true name is."
"I..." Coco shook her head. "I suppose not. Do you?"
"Of course." Spring nodded. "And that's fine. I won't abuse my own name. Now if someone else were to get one's true name..."
Coco reached for her mug and took a draw of the strong black liquid there. "I'm afraid I don't know what that would mean, save that it could be bad."
"Bad is a start." Spring let out a slow breath. "She could command me, as a servant. She could weave powerful magics against me and there would be precious little I could do to defend against it. Imagine..." She paused a moment. "Imagine I wore a very finely crafted piece of armor. It protected and served me quite well, but that name is like a gaping hole. If you have the name, I may as well be naked. Vulnerable and defenseless." And not even the good kind. She wouldn't mind being a little vulnerable in front of an eager Tabitha.
Coco's eyes widened at the news. "That's awful! And not right at all." She clopped down a hoof. "No pony should be threatened that way. Especially not..." She trailed off.
Spring could guess Coco was about to speak of her childhood again. It annoyed her. "I am an adult."
Coco put a hoof at her chest. "That must be true, to a degree. You do have... Are you sure you have a foal?"
"You doubt me?!" Rage seethed through her a moment, blinding in its intensity. She considered half a dozen terrible things to do to that horse, but it was pushed down. Coco was harmless, and her ally. Her... friend... "Forgive me."
Coco smiled with some unease. She could tell Spring was on edge. "That's alright. Please, I'm on your side. If I say something bothering, just say so." She offered a hoof out. "Do you love Tabitha?"
Did she? Could a captive love their tormentor? Spring smiled a little at the thought. "That word." She leaned forward. "It occurs to me that 'love' is one of those terms that your kind holds differently than mine. We love things that we respect and often those we monitor, study, revere, or more. An elf that 'loves' another elf is usually one that aspires to be that other elf. Often they become students of that same elf."
Coco wrinkled her snout a little. "Well, I love Tabitha. I like being near her, and I'm a little sadder when I'm not. I respect many aspects of her, but not all of them, nopony is perfect." She gestured to the door leading out of her apartment. "I want her to be happy, and I get happy doing things with her. I don't know everything there is to know about her, but I want to fix that. It... may be part of the scent, um... You gave her that, right?"
Spring was a little surprised at the gushing. "Yes? I crafted her a form to be proud of." She puffed herself up a bit. "Every part of it was made to be exemplary. Her muscles, strong and fast to react to her wishes. Her organs, supportive and healthy. Even she doesn't realize just how perfect she is." Spring let out a little sigh before she continued rambling about each little touch she laid down.
Coco was overwhelmed by it all. "W-wait. Alright, I understand... that. You gave her a very nice body." She certainly admired the pony parts of it, and she was learning to admire the human parts, as curious as those were. "But..." Then it struck her. Spring gave Tabitha her form. Their relationship couldn't be entirely that of a victimized youth. Spring sounded far too excited about the work she'd made. "Do you... admire Tabitha?"
"No! Yes..." Spring's hands ended up in her lap, cradling her mug and looking miserable. "I..." She glanced up at the concerned-looking Coco. "Alright, horse."
"Coco."
"Coco. I will... divulge a secret. This is a favor, do you understand that?"
Coco knew it meant she'd have to return the favor. "If it means getting to the bottom of this." She smiled gently. "I hope you understand I mean you no harm."
Spring felt a thrill tingle along her spine. She would own Coco, in part. She could have what she wanted. That was a naughty part. She wouldn't feed that darkness. It was time to be bright. She let out a breath. "Then so may it be. Coco, I... have a fantasy." She shook her head. "It's... hard to explain. You're alive."
Coco blinked. "I certainly hope so, is that the secret?"
"No! No... You're alive You were born, wet and squealing. You'll become a mother, also wet and squealing, and you will die, quite possibly also wet and squealing. Through it all, through that basic mortality, you will scrabble and fight. Short or long, it will be yours, embraced passionately. That... That's life."
Coco gave an uncertain nod. "Alright?"
"You don't get it." Spring huffed. Of course a horse wouldn't. She'd explain. "Elves are not alive, not that way. We are born to stately quiet and approving nods. We marry to the orderly applause of our fellows, and we die in silence, often alone and with strict order and ritual. We 'live' longer than most mortals even consider the world to exist in their short, frantic, spans, but we waste the whole thing not being alive!" She threw her hands wide, sending her tea mug clattering off to the side in the grand motion. "Do you see?!"
Tabitha emerged from Remedy's office. On some levels, she felt better for the trip, but it had brought up as many questions as answers. She decided that was par for the course. She was in a land of magical talking horses. She should be happy she hadn't yet collapsed into a pile of misery and insanity from the disconnect between what was once normal and what had become commonplace.
On the other hand, she did still have her building. It was her anchor. Even if the rest of the world burnt to ash, she knew how to handle that one thing. As far as the building was concerned, the move hadn't been so awful.
Heck, they had more tenants than they had been dealing with for a while. The repairs were solid and still being done, making the building more and more healthy instead of the slowly running down state it had been suffering.
Nothing like a little pony magic to really make an old building young again. She wondered how much of the effort could be ascribed to pony magic or just skill and ingenuity, but the pieces they had repaired were healed as if they had never suffered the slings of time and entropy.
Her comforting thoughts of home and its sunny outlook were interrupted as a pony wearing the front-half of a nurse's outfit came rushing into the building she was in, horn shining and a cart being hauled behind her.
Running alongside the cart was Bubbles. On the cart was Dark Vision. "What the--"
The nurse charged past Tabitha. Bubbles at least slowed to speak, "Hey boss. Dark here was fighting one of your creepy crawlies."
The fact that Bubbles was intact was good. "Did you come along after?"
"What? Nah. Pfft. I was there. I fought it too! Just one of us couldn't handle the pressure." She sat down. "Well, she's here, so that part's done.
Tabitha glanced in the direction the cart had gone. "Is she alright?"
"Who, Dark? Sure." Bubbles made a dismissive wave of a hoof. "As if a little thing like this would take her down for long. Us guards are made of tough stuff, right?"
Tabitha had to smile at that. She felt Bubbles was reaching for a compliment, so she offered it. "Not every guard, but that's why I only got the better ones." She settled on her haunches. "So, what happened?"
Bubbles raised a brow. "We kicked its flank around is what." She snorted before she started. "Oh! More specific than that, fine. Some crazy shadowy thing tried to crash the party and we kicked it out. That's about it."
"Shadowy thing?"
"Fwoosh, all the lights got dim, and it talked like it climbed out of Tartarus just to say hello. We said 'good bye' instead and gave it the boot."
That was worrying, though it was good it had been handled. "Did it say anything besides 'die die die' or something?"
Bubbles frowned a bit. "It kept going on about 'Caretaker'. I wasn't paying too much attention besides kicking its flank."
Tabitha stiffened. "I'm the Caretaker."
"Are you? I thought you were the boss." Bubbles shrugged. "So it was upset we weren't you, and then the fight happened."
Tabitha half-turned towards where the cart had rushed to. "Are they going to Remedy?"
"You know him? Is that why you're here?" Bubbles raised a brow. "You don't look much sick to me, boss. Look, Dark's in good hooves. We're just cluttering up their lobby." She walked past Tabitha towards the street. "We got places to be."
Tabitha opened her mouth to argue, but she did have places to be. She caught up with Bubbles. "I have a feeling the dark thing will come back."
"Oh? Big and warty didn't come back and he seemed plenty pissed about the whole thing."
Tabitha shook her head. "Words have power, as we've learned from Spring. I kicked the troll out. I'm the Caretaker. Nobody with authority evicted the shadow thing." She wobbled a hand. "It's just a theory, but I bet it'll come back. I bet it'll be ticked off too."
Bubbles pawed at the ground as she walked. "Do ya need me to kick it out again?"
Tabitha smiled. It was good to see her guard was loyal, despite their troubles. "I think I just need to talk to it. If it can talk, it can, in theory, be reasoned with. Hell, maybe it just wants a room?"
"You'd let it?!" Bubbles rolled her eyes. "You're gonna scare away all the othas."
Tabitha shrugged. "And I'm a big scary... thing... Heck, I've done worse than it has, and you're still there. I owe you more, and I owe it, whatever it is, a chance."
"Sure sure." Bubbles waved a hoof at the situation. "You do that. I'll be there to save your back end when it explodes in yer trustin' face. Now, the way I see it, I've worked super hard today. Time for hazard pay!"
Really? "Really?"
She thrust a hoof at a fancy-looking Italian place, even if Tabitha guessed it wasn't called Italian. "I'm going to eat like a queen, and you're payin'. Fair's fair, right?"
Tabitha turned in her steps, moving towards that place. "Sure, you earned that." Besides, she hadn't tried that one out yet, and it looked like it would be delicious.
Sweetie Drops sat at the side of the street, letting out a slow sigh. Her marefriend had been taken away. She should have just gone on home. She should have just gotten on with her life. She had a shop to run. She had friends that...
The thought of friends made her sniffle. There was one friend above all the others. The friend that could make her blood pressure rise on demand. The friend that infuriated her at times. Her truest, best friend.
"Why did I go along with that?" she grumbled to herself, imagining what terrible fates awaited her marefriend, dragged off to Canterlot.
Maybe she should go to Canterlot too? She could support that stupid Lyra. She could--What was that? Sweetie blinked as a strange half-human walked past her a small distance away. The thing had a unicorn with her, and was headed into a restaurant. Did humans like collecting unicorns?
She went hot a moment, irrationally furious at the human that had been involved in her Lyra's vanishing.
It wasn't fair... It wasn't fair to her, or the human. Sweetie got to her hooves, legs shaking a little. Maybe that human could help set some things straight.
She smiled to herself a little. Lyra would never forgive her if she let the human just go by without a challenge. She owed her moronic marefriend that much at least.
Sweetie trotted in, assaulted with an array of delectable aromas. She wasn't that hungry. Her emotions didn't let her become properly famished, even if her belly rumbled a little in complaint. She could see that half-human seated across from the unicorn. Both were chatting, but she couldn't hear them over the din of the room from so far away.
She took a step towards them and a smiling pony got in her way. "Excuse me, ma'am? Would you like to be seated?"
Sweetie shook her head. "I can see my party from here, um, thanks." She gave an insincere smile before she moved to skirt around the pony and make her way towards the table. She had things to discuss.
The monster from the second floor strode confidently past the ponies that saw only a stern unicorn. That image suited it just fine. It moved up the steps back into the home it had chosen, only to feel a dark whisper tickle across its senses.
It had a visitor. "Show yourself," he invited. It wasn't angry. It had little fear. The presence had power, but not too much for it to handle.
The darkness gathered into a rough sphere. "You are not the Caretaker."
"I am not," agreed the yeti easily. "Do you seek her?"
"The Caretaker is female? This matters little. Where is she?"
"Not here." The yeti made a wave. "You are in the way."
"I care not if I am--" The rude answer was met with force. With a sudden shove, the yeti slammed the shadow aside roughly.
"Good bye." The monster moved to walk past. Its way no longer barred, the anger seemed to just fade.
"Wait!" The shadow moved quickly to its side. "Please, assist." The monster ignored the shadow. "Fine, a deal!"
That stopped the monster. "What will you offer?"
The shadow swirled in place a moment. "A boon."
"Big words. I have no assurance any boon you could offer would be of benefit."
That annoyed the shadow in an angry twisting of its form. "Don't dismiss me so easily!"
"One question."
It was a pitiful price, or so the shadow decided, but it was all that could be asked for. "Very well... For one boon, who's duration shall be no longer than a month. Where can I find the Caretaker?"
The yeti raised a clawed hand, though the shadow likely saw a pony's hoof, since it was no resident. The monster pointed to Tabitha's office. "She is most commonly there, though she is not now. You will find her if you wait there. Good bye."
The shadow watched the yeti march past to the elevator. Just one question... It would do. The shadow moved quickly for the office. It would wait, if it had to.
Tabitha looked curiously at the earth pony that had come up to their table.
Bubbles was less warm. "We're eatin' here."
The new pony glanced between them. "You aren't eating quite yet. Did you order?" She softly cleared her throat. "I'm sorry. May I speak to you?" She was looking directly at Tabitha.
Tabitha gestured to an empty chair. "Hop up. We haven't ordered yet." She heard the pony's belly rumble. How did such a small creature have such a loud rumble? "Hungry?"
"I--"
Bubbles clopped the top of the table. "Hey, come on! I earned this."
Tabitha looked awkward, and the new pony raised a hoof. "Please, you don't have to treat me. I'll buy some myself." She produced her purse from a pocket. "I'm not that hungry though."
Tabitha leaned back. "Alright, well, hello."
"Yeah, hi." Bubbles was scowling at the new member of the conversation.
The new pony ignored her and looked to Tabitha. "Hello. I'm Sweetie Drops. I... a friend of mine..." She had gone with it. She swallowed heavily. "Me and a friend of mine, we... We started a herd with a human."
Bubbles burst into laughter.
Tabitha jumped in place a little with surprise. "You've seen another?"
"Seen? I... Well, he isn't a human anymore." She smiled faintly. "You're not either, I guess. I wonder if it's part of being a human. Um, please, I'm not here to insult you, I promise." Sweetie glanced away a moment. "I must sound like such an annoying ditz."
"Yep," agreed Bubbles.
"Stop that." Tabitha waved a warning finger. "It's alright, Sweetie." It was odd using that as a name instead of a sign of affection. "Please, relax. How about we order something?"
As if summoned, a smiling pegasus mare approached their table on light wings. "Hey there! Can I get you all something to dr--"
Bubbles raised a hoof. "I want an extra large plate of spaghetti with extra alfafa balls and don't skimp on the cheese. If you can still see it under the flakes, keep goin'."
Tabitha smirked a bit at her guard's enthusiasm. "I'll try tha... actually, do you have any meat by chance?"
The mare tilted her head. "We have fish in stock, madame. I should warn, fish is extra."
Fish was a kind of meat, last she checked. "I'll take what she's having, but fish balls."
"You got it! And you?" She looked to Sweetie. "What'll ya have?"
Sweetie froze as if caught in headlights. "I... wasn't..."
Tabitha put a hand in front of Sweetie. "Do you like salads?"
"O-oh, yes. I'll have a salad, with, um, extra nuts, please..." As the waitress flew off, Sweetie sagged. "I'm normally the cool and collected one. I didn't... I... I really need that stupid pony."
Tabitha picked up the glass of water she hadn't even noticed was placed there. "What stupid pony is that?" The human, perhaps?
"My friend, Lyra. Lyra Heartstrings. She's... nice, but a little eccentric, and she got herself in trouble, with that human I mentioned. Now I don't have either of them." She let out a sigh before she straightened out. "I'm not here to sob all over you. What's your name, Miss?"
"Tabitha."
"Bubbles." She flashed a smile at Sweetie. "Now you'd better be careful."
"Huh?" Sweetie tilted her head, wondering if Bubbles was going to threaten her again.
Bubbles pointed at Tabitha. "You jus' made it crystal clear you're an available mare."
Sweetie colored fiercely as she glanced at Tabitha. She was certain that was a human mare! Oh... Her blush only grew worse as she thought of her own relationship with Lyra. "I..."
Tabitha put a hand over one of Sweetie's hooves. "Easy there. I'm not, ugh, trying to 'scope' things out. My social life is complicated enough, and you're very obviously in a bad place anyway." And she wasn't...
entirely...
So maybe she was a bit gay? Bisexual, that was the right word for it.
"Hey, Boss." Bubbles was directing her horn at the hovering pegasus with plates of food.
Tabitha backed away from leaning on the table, giving room for the food to descend onto their level. "Now you just enjoy that!" She grinned and flew off into the back.
Sweetie picked up a fork with a talented hoof and shoveled some of the tasty salad she had into her snout, crunching on those extra nuts. Even if she hadn't admitted her hunger, her body was eager to express gratitude that she had fed it.
Talking ceased for a small while as each enjoyed the food. Fish balls were a new experience, but seemed to work just fine in the dish and she found herself glad that Bubbles had led them there even as she made a mental note to frequent the place again in the future.
"So, um, Tabitha?" Sweetie was looking at her. "Can you... I mean. What do you do?"
Bubbles snorted but didn't speak.
Tabitha shot a dirty look before replying to Sweetie, "I own an apartment building and manage it."
Sweetie smiled. "That sounds nice." She should head back home. She should... get back to... "Do you have openings for short term residents?"
Tabitha nodded. A new tenant wasn't bad. She could also see obvious hurt playing over Sweetie's features. She wasn't sure how to help, but if providing a place to be was a step, she could do that. "Of course. We'll just do it month by month."
Bubbles grinned like a canary that got the bird. "So, little warning."
"Hm?"
"You're about to enter freak central."
Tabitha waved it off. "She's exaggerating, a little. There are some... colorful souls, but they follow the rules and we're one big--"
"--Freaky--"
Tabitha frowned. "Family."
It sounded terrible, and yet... "Alright" She'd have to make some money. "I have enough for the first month, but I'm going to have to get some income."
Bubbles raised a brow. "What'd you do before? You don't look like no homeless pony any."
"I'm not!" defended Sweetie with a frown. "I make candy, back in Ponyville."
Tabitha couldn't help but smile just a bit at the name. "Well, besides packages of candy in food stories, I haven't seen any full on candy stores."
Sweetie brightened. "Maybe there's room for me." Or maybe she should just go... She couldn't. Not yet, at least. "I'll be a good tenant, promise."
With their food demolished and no drinks ordered thanks to Bubbles, Tabitha was ready to go. She fished out some bits and put it down, a bit more than she guessed it would be from the glance she'd had at the menu.
She led the others outside without much difficulty. "So, Sweetie Drops, right?"
"Yes'm."
"What floor do you prefer?"
Sweetie hadn't ever lived very far up. "Second floor at the highest, please." Well, there was that time in Canterlot. But that hardly seemed to count. She looked over her new landlady curiously. She was half human, half not. "So... what happened to you?"
Tabitha quirked a little smile. "Right to the point? I made a bad deal with a supernatural being, and this happened. Before it, what you see up above was my whole me, with human legs, of course. I was also a bit larger, up and down, but a lot smaller, front and back." She looked back over her dressed tauric portion. "Hope it doesn't bother you."
"No! No." She was certain Lyra would be delighted if she saw the odd creature. Sweetie smiled at that. "You seem nice, which matters much more than what you happen to be. You're not that strange."
"Pfft." Bubbles rolled her eyes dramatically.
"I appreciate that." One little part of her wondered why she so rarely attracted a stallion, then the other reminded her she was worrying about the attraction of horses. She let out a faint groan as she went. "Let me get the office all opened up."
As Tabitha trotted up into the building, Bubbles looked over the newest resident to be. "So, here's the place." She thrust a hoof up at the building. "I'm the guard here. Anyone give you trouble or try to take yer stuff, you just shout fer me and I'll clobber 'em good fer ya, alright?"
Sweetie raised a brow at that. "Why was... she taking you out?"
Bubbles developed an awful sneer. "She was maybe hoping I'd forgive her." She waved a hoof afterwards. "I'm playing with you. I was doing my guard thang and it was hard work today, so I got a little treat, and then poof, there you were."
Tabitha entered through the open door of her office. Her scent had been allowed to disperse harmlessly, and it smelled fresh. The pollutant had become so thick and constant that she could smell the difference on reaching the clear space. She started to close the door and stopped. Better to let the air keep flowing.
"Hello."
Tabitha spun in place even as the light in the room bled away rapidly, revealing a swirling black mass. "You are the Caretaker."
Tabitha felt the urge to run, to flee, but she stayed herself. "I am."
The thing seemed pleased by her reaction. "Much more reasonable than the others. I wish residency."
Was it really that simple? "There are some rules about that. Do you have time to go over them?" She walked towards her desk. Going over the basic rules was part of her auto-pilot. She could do that. "We want everyone here to be happy, and following these rules helps ensure that."
"State your terms." The door slapped shut as the figure hovered across on the other side of the desk.
So that's what Tabitha started doing. She ran down all the rules, including the one about not using magic on others.
It perked at the mention of it. "Your... guards employed magic without my consent."
Tabitha inclined a pen towards the shadow. "You weren't a tenant. The rule is specific about that. I'm not the police and I'm not trying to be. I just want peace inside my building. Do you agree to all of that?"
"A very practical Caretaker..." The figure seemed to seethe a moment. "I will agree, but your servants owe a proper apologies for the slights that have been levied. Present the contract."
Tabitha drew out one of her contracts and got to filling it out. "Do you have a preferred floor?"
"The fourth floor would be ideal."
The completed contract was put down. "I just need the bits for first and last month." A heavy bag settled right on the contract from nowhere at all. "And your signature."
As the shadow scrawled it out, the shadow drew back and away, revealing a short bipedal male with bright cyan hair in a mohawk, thick goggles, and a big nose. It was... a gnome? She had a gnome for a tenant.
He noticed her gaping. "Never saw a gnome before? I expected you to change as well, but I suppose I'm seeing the truth of you."
With a new tenant signed in, Tabitha took the opportunity to see what he had signed. Horpip the Magnificent, or so it read.
"Huh, well, Horpip--"
"The magnificent," he added with a raised finger.
"Right. Welcome." She tucked the contract away safely. "Now I need to onboard one other resident. Here's your key." She fished out one on the right floor for him. "I hope you enjoy your stay here, for however long that's going to be."
"That depends." He accepted the key with a snatch of his fingers and he marched out of the office.
Sweetie Drops came in a moment later. "Is it alright to start now?"
"Come on in." Tabitha waved her closer.
"What... was that?" She glanced over her shoulder even as she came closer. "It looked like some kind of... creepy shadow thing. Bubbles insisted it was alright, but, really? What was that?"
Tabitha sighed softly. Of course the disguise would be seen, and what a terrible disguise it was! "That's another tenant, who actually looks far less imposing once you're a tenant. I have no idea why his disguise is so unsettling. As disguises go, just about the worst I've seen. All the others look like ponies that could fit in the city."
Sweetie settled before the desk. "Did you have one of those?"
"I did." Tabitha nodded and gestured at herself, especially her bottom half. "I was the pegasus you can see, to all non-residents that is. To residents, I was all human. When the two got mixed up, the disguise stopped existing for me, so what you see is what you get."
Sweetie's eyes wandered up and down Tabitha's form from the other side of the desk. "Well, even if you... didn't plan it, it's quite nice. Pegasi aren't my... first choice." She flashed a nervous smile. "Sorry, that sounded too awkward. So, what are the rules?"
Tabitha began going over those. "No noise after sundown, and preferably you don't make a lot of noise often. An occasional party is one thing, but every night will start to make everyone grumpy." As she went down the list, Sweetie kept nodding softly, listening but not too invested looking. "Don't think you'll have many issues?"
Sweetie started and pointed at herself. "Me? Without... Lyra, I don't imagine I'll be making too much of a fuss. I'm not a mare of extreme tastes or needs." She flashed a smile. "So..."
"Miss Taylor." It was Dark Vision. When did she get back? "I need to speak to this pony."
Tabitha blinked at the unexpected visitor. "Good to see you're alright."
"I apologize for that lapse. It's good to see you're well too. I've already given my thanks to Bubbles for her quick action." Dark dipped her head. "She is a fine guard. Am I interrupting?"
"A little." Tabitha held two fingers close together. "Wait outside a moment." Dark withdrew back through the open door and out of direct sight. Tabitha nodded at Sweetie. "Well, those are the rules, and it sounds like you're alright with them, so there's just the signing and the key giving." She drew out a contract and got to scribbling quickly.
Once she had her part done, Sweetie accepted the pen in her hoof. "Where'd you get such a nice pen? They cost a lot when they work so smoothly." She made her name drawn out well and intricately.
Tabitha wasn't sure how to answer that. It wasn't a special pen at all. Just a 99 cent package of pens she picked up before coming to pony land. "They're from my old home."
"Old home?" Sweetie's eyes widened. "Oh! Where humans come from? That must be an amazing place. I... almost want to see it, just to visit." She offered a hoof out across the desk. "I'm your renter now. I hope to be a pleasant one, Miss Taylor. You seem like a nice pony to be around."
Tabitha surrendered the key to the earth pony. She noticed Sweetie's mane was a bit of a mess. The different colors in its curls were a bit tangled. The poor thing really was a mess. She reached out and gently brushed a few locks aside to where they should be.
Sweetie colored at the touch, but didn't speak out against it. "I'll... speak to you later." She turned away and trotted from the room. As she emerged, she saw Dark Vision waiting for her and moved to speak to her. Her voice lowered to barely a whisper. "What is it, Agent Vision? You could com--"
"Belay that, Agent Drops." Dark nodded. "You've placed yourself in an active operation. I must caution you to remove yourself."
Sweetie Drops took half a step back. "W-what? No!" Why had she refused? A part of herself quailed at the idea of arguing with a warlock at all, let alone Dark Vision. She knew Dark was no amateur.
Dark raised a brow. "If you are certain, then you are hereby drafted." She reached out and tapped Sweetie on the chest. "Welcome to the cause."
Sweetie paled in her nose and ears. Drafted?! "But..."
"You will be fairly compensated for your efforts. Since you are here, you should be brought up to speed. Are you ready for briefing?"
Sweetie sank to her haunches, her heart pounding and her breathing erratic. She hadn't planned to return to active duty, not like that! Yet, it was done. She... She had a purpose. She smiled a little. "Y-yes. Yes I am. Let's go to my place, instead of speaking in this compromised area."
They nodded to one another and moved to relocate to Sweetie's new apartment to exchange intelligence. There was much to discuss.
A firm rapping made Spring look up. She was in her room. Coco was with her. They were both enjoying some tea and speaking. She had been enjoying the company of the beast, learning what made her what she was, and why Tabitha seemed to so easily confide in her.
There were things to admire, even if she would never compare to a proper fae, or her own creation.
Spring rose to her feet. "It may be Tabitha." She was about certain it wasn't. Still, she could hope.
She pulled open the door even as Coco rose to her hooves. What was beyond the door was not who she hoped to see. "H-horpip!"
He raised a shaggy brow behind his goggles silently.
"The magnificent," she added. "Esteemed student of--" The next word she spoke was strange and incomprehensible to Coco at least. "You are... welcome." The word was strained and clearly not entirely true.
Horpip nodded. "A pleasure... to be here." He stepped inside. "So is this how you spend your days now, taking tea with mortals?"
Coco blinked at the gnome, baffled. "Oh, hello? I'm C--"
"I did not request your name," noted Horpip in a firm voice. "Be a good horse and mind your place."
Coco shrank a bit, overwhelmed by the rude bluster of it all. "Well, I never," she quietly grumbled to herself. Though she had. Spring had acted much the same, even if they seemed to be working past that.
Spring put a hand between them. "Miss Pommel is my guest. Treat her with the respect she is due."
Horpip seemed surprised at that. "So you admit it? She's a guest, not just... How interesting. How the mighty have fallen so very far indeed. To think, he once looked so fondly on your future potential, to see it all so squandered."
Coco stepped forward with a growing frown. "Stop being so rude! Miss Breeze doesn't deserve that."
Horpip laughed even as Spring became more and more red with fury and shame together. "And now she's defended by the locals. Is there no bottom to this pit?"
With a sputtering cry of defiance, Spring's hands wreathed in angry glows, but Horpip just shook a finger. "We're bound by the same terms. No sorceries on fellow residents."
The energy guttered out with a huff. "Be that as it may, you are not welcome here right now. Leave."
"I shall not intrude where I am not wanted." Horpip turned towards the door. "Have no fear, I will return. There remains too much to settle for me not to, even if you're busy going native."
When he was gone, Spring slammed the door shut and collapsed against it, bitter tears escaping her eyes and her body trembling with impotent fury.
Coco set a hoof gently on one of Spring's legs. "It's alright."
"It isn't alright!" Spring groaned as she turned to face her pony friend. "Do you know who that is?"
Coco didn't, and admitted as much. "No, who is he?"
"Horpip the Magnificent! He was... my peer, under my master. He's everything I... didn't want to be. He stayed, I left, and here he is." She fell to a knee and grabbed Coco's shoulders. "Do you think he's here to drag me back?"
Coco flinched at the sudden grab but shook her head. "We won't let him. Tabitha will protect you too, if you stop acting like you own her." Coco raised a hoof and set it on Spring's heaving chest. "You're becoming a mother, and you deserve the support and protection of your family, all of it." She smiled a little. "That includes the father, if you're willing to accept him as that, instead of a 'wild beast'."
Spring bore her teeth a moment, but there was a certain sense there. "Yes, she is... the Caretaker. If she stands up for me, there's not much he can do about it without making a mess far larger than he would want to make." She pushed up to her feet. "You're right. We can handle this. I'm being emotional. Maybe it's the carrying of life. I just have to remain calm and proceed with what I have."
Coco sat on her haunches, looking up at the elf. "I'll help, however I can, but you really need to stop treating her so poorly."
"Poorly?" Spring raised a brow. "I think you misunderstand something. When I call her a wild beast, it's said as a compliment. I... like her that way. I want her to remain my wild beast. She is no elf, and she never will be, but she's a fine animal, in all that majesty and dominance it can imply. I want her that way. Is that wrong?"
That was a complicated question. There were Tabitha's feelings, and her own feelings, and Spring's feelings too, and that ignored poor Razz Berry. Their family was complicated. Coco smiled despite it. She was set on making it all work out. Generosity. Her idol had used it to great effect against far worse things and far more often. She could make use of it then.
Coco walked along with Spring just behind her. "She'll understand, trust me."
Spring quirked a little smile. There she was, putting her faith in a beast, and not even one as majestic as the one she had fashioned with her own hands and skill. "You seem confident."
Coco glanced over her shoulder. "Why shouldn't I be? I... think I have a grasp of Tabitha. That's why... I wouldn't be her marefriend if I she was still a stranger to me." She approached the office and clopped on the door. "Tabitha?"
A muffled reply came from within, asking them to come in, so Coco did, mouthing the handle and opening the door to lead the way towards Tabitha.
Tabitha started with surprise to see Spring with Coco. "Huh? Everything... alright?"
Spring smiled. There was her beast, her majestic creature. "It's good to see you." That was true, as true as anything Spring knew.
Tabitha felt a tightness growing in her. Why did Spring have to be so pretty, and why did her body have to respond to it so quickly?
Coco shook her head as she advanced. "Tabitha, I've been speaking to Spring."
That surprised Tabitha. "About?"
Spring patted Coco's head much like Tabitha was in the habit of doing, even if Coco didn't accept it as easily. "Coco says that I... should extend more trust to you, stud."
Tabitha pinkened a bit with a combination of annoyance and embarrassment. "I'm not a stud!"
Coco cleared her throat. "In the most technical sense, you are, but let's not quibble over titles, please. Tabitha is Tabitha. Spring is Spring, and I'm Coco. We all know one another, and we are... bound."
Clop clop. Razz peeked in from the door. "Hello?"
Tabitha let out a little aborted laugh. "Well, the gang's all here."
Spring frowned at Razz. "You, I don't quite understand."
Razz blinked up at the elf. "I... don't understand you either, um, miss?"
Coco thrust up a hoof. "That's quite enough of that. Spring is with foal. She needs our support, all of us."
Razz blinked softly. "Oh, um, congratulations, I think. Who's the stallion?"
Coco pointed at Tabitha. Tabitha didn't argue it. Razz sank to his haunches. "Oh..."
Spring put a hand to her womb. "It's true. Inside me grows the filthy, wonderful, wild beast that will be our child. It terrifies me, and delights me. I can't wait, and I'm... I'm scared."
The admission brought the attention from all three. It was an admission of imperfection, of a failing in Spring's nature. It was a big thing, and they all knew it.
Tabitha tapped the desk in front of her. "Spring, come here." That certainly wasn't what she had planned, but... "Come here. Look, um, we'll work through this."
Coco smiled with sudden triumph. "I told you. It'll be fine."
"Fine?!" Razz stepped up beside Coco. "Our, um, stallion's already gone and seeded a mare out of our group and that's alright?"
Spring had moved and hopped right up onto the desk, her legs hanging off as she faced Tabitha with one leg to the left and right of Tabitha's torso. "Yes, my beast?"
Tabitha reached and held Spring at her sides. "Don't call me that."
"Why shouldn't I?" She asked as she wriggled a little, clearly taking delight in the contact. "You are a marvelous beast. My awe inspiring animal."
The words were demeaning, but said with such intense love. It confused Tabitha. It didn't help that a sizable portion of her lower part wanted to pull her off the desk to the ground and have her way with the elf in a moment of screaming passion. Maybe she was a bit of a beast? "We need to talk. We didn't ask for this, especially poor Coco and Razz, but it seems like you're... part of us."
Razz blinked as he crashed to the ground. "Part of us?!" Then he realized what that meant. "She's joining the herd?!"
Coco tilted her head, then pointed at Spring. "Razz, take a look at who you're worried about. Look at her closely, then tell me you don't want anything to do with her."
So Razz did. He looked over Spring. He saw a biped, tall and mysterious and deadly. He saw someone he didn't understand, with a foal growing in her. He licked his lips a little as he grew between his legs just faintly. With a start, it hit him. He was chasing away one of his practical fantasies. He was fighting against the very idea that a pretty biped mare would want to be with him.
But did he want that specific mare? They hadn't gotten along so well. "Spring?"
Spring looked over her shoulder towards him. "Yes?"
Razz licked over his lips again, nervousness building. "If... We should get to know each other."
Coco smiled and suddenly hugged her herdmate tightly. "That's the spirit. We all need to get to know each other better. Spring may... Please don't take this the wrong way, but you do come off a bit..."
Spring held up a hand. "My way is not your way."
Tabitha snorted at that. "That is one way to put it, but it... doesn't have to be?" If she could calm Spring down, make her a friend, that would be nice. "Alright, so, let's try to get along."
Coco stepped forward. "More than that. We have a foal on the way. Our family's first. We should be happy! I know this isn't exactly how we planned it, but it's happ..." She trailed off, blinking. "Wait a moment. Spring?"
"Yes?"
"It just occurred to me, you're not a pony."
"Very astute." She had a fine brow raised.
Coco rolled her eyes. "How long do elves normally take to... have a foal?"
"Three to four years? I'm told elves in regular contact with the mortal world can accomplish it faster. I am clearly mired in it." She gestured around the room. "I would expect two years."
Tabitha sank to her haunches, blinking. "That's a long time."
Spring shook her head. "Is it?"
Coco coughed softly. "So... while the foal is coming, it is in no great hurry. Let's not panic. By the time it arrives, we will be past this awkward phase."
Razz perked an ear. "We'll either be a happy family or sure we're not working out." That got him a few sour looks. He spread his wings defensively. "I'll be trying, honest! So, uh, Spring? What kind of music do you like?"
Spring pouted just a little. "Smaller beast, I don't want to get my alpha too jealous, should she see me socializing with a competitive male."
Tabitha colored rapidly. "He's not competition!"
"Oh? Then you won't stop him from... having his way?"
It was Razz's turn to color. "My way?!"
Coco put a fetlock over her eyes. "The only male we need to keep from having his way is that Horpip fellow. He's quite rude!"
Tabitha leaned to the side past Spring to look at Coco better. "Horpip? The new tenant? What'd he do?"
Spring waved it off. "He isn't in any violation of our terms, dear alpha. I... just worry that he may try to take me away from you."
Tabitha felt an angry emotion rise. Spring was hers! Wait, since when? Tabitha was left confused by the foreign bout of possessiveness. "Why do you think that?" she asked as she tried to sort herself out.
Spring slid smoothly from the desk. "We know one another. We were, and he still is, students of my mentor. He looks down on me and what I've done, and should he see an opportunity, he would eagerly throw me before our betters and announce my failure just to see my shame."
Coco's eyes drooped a bit in an almost cocky gaze. "Which, we both know, only Tabitha is allowed to do."
"Precisely!" cried Spring with a genuine smile. "We are reaching an understanding."
Razz snorted as he tried to hold back a little laughter, a hoof over his snout to keep back any words that'd just make the situation worse.
Tabitha shook her head slowly at the whole thing. "Right, well, he isn't allowed to take you anywhere you don't want to be. It's against the rules of the building, and I'm pretty sure against the rules of this country. Right?"
Razz bobbed his head. "That'd be foalnapping. A definite big no-no. You can't just go grabbing a mare and rushing off with her."
Spring raised a hand to just under Tabitha's flustered chin. "A woman must give her consent to such things. Only very special beasts are permitted to make off with her whenever their feral heart and throbbing needs demand to be met."
Coco came up between them and gently pushed each away with a hoof to either. "Then we agree. Horpip isn't allowed to take you away, and we won't let him, right?"
Razz bobbed his head emphatically. "We should tell Bubbles too, she's your guard, right? And that other mare, um, Night?"
"Did someone call me?" Bubbles invited herself into the busy office. "What's with the party?"
Spring let out a little sigh. "Such is my fate, consigned to be always surrounded by beasts."
Razz stood up, confidence building. "You... shouldn't sound so happy about it." She didn't agree, but she didn't disagree with him either. He counted it as a victory.
Bubbles raised a brow at the exchange. "Right, so... What's goin' on?"
Coco approached Bubbles with a little smile. "The new tenant, Horpip--"
"The Magnificent," echoed from above.
Coco blinked. "Um, yes, that. Please keep an eye on him, especially if he tries to get close to Miss Breeze." She pointed a hoof at Spring.
Bubbles shook her head. "Hey, Spring lives here, so I'll protect her and her stuff, promise. It's what I do." She turned to Tabitha. "I presume this is alright with ya?"
Spring clucked her tongue. "Do avoid speaking his name. He's grown quite... sensitive to it, and uttering it draws his attention. We don't need that kind of attention."
Tabitha gave an emphatic thumbs up. "Alright, so we won't let the H Man get his mitts on you, but, seriously. Spring? I need to know where we stand."
Spring seemed baffled. "Have I not been clear?"
Coco put a hoof on Spring's leg. "We are all very aware of your... affection for Tabitha, but let us put... that aside. Do you want to be a wife? A marefriend? We... should know that."
Razz nodded as his wings fluttered. "That aside, I get the idea. You're safe with us." As if they had never been threatened by Spring before. "We'll protect you."
Bubbles slapped her former coltfriend on the back. "Look who's gone and grown a pair!"
Dark Vision sat in the largely empty apartment. The fact that it was empty wasn't a shock to her. Sweetie Drops had just rented it, after all. "How much do you already know?"
Sweetie sank her rump down on the floor. "Not as much as I clearly need to."
Dark raised a brow. "I find that hard to believe. You came here entirely on accident?"
Sweetie was quiet a moment. "Tabitha has... a magnetic personality."
"I see."
There was an accusation in the statement, even if Dark had said it perfectly evenly. Sweetie could feel it, and her hackles rose. "I just wanted to talk, and... make a--"
Dark raised a hoof. "You don't need to explain your actions. They were not against any law that I have been made aware of."
Red and flustered, Sweetie clopped a hoof on the ground. "No! No... I won't let this hang. I wanted a friend. I wanted someone to... just talk to. Someone I felt was close, but not too close. Another human seemed just the perfect thing. "
"What experience have you had with humans and related species?" She raised a brow questioning at Sweetie.
Sweetie put a hoof to her chest. "Besides almost marrying one?" She let out a bitter little laugh. "Lyra started slapping down the heavy magic without any protection, messed the poor bastard right up. Luna had to fix it, and she got hauled away for it."
"I... see." Dark nodded. "Well, that fits the pattern. We have a human that's been the target of heavy magic use. I feel confident I could restore her, but..."
Sweetie sighed softly. "You too, huh? Yeah, my human selected his path and got to hiking it. It wasn't really my place to change that."
"Precisely." Dark rose and moved towards a window, her horn glowing as she pulled the blinds shut. "She's adapting well to Equestrian life. She's forged alliances, and is even somewhat patriotic, at least, as much as anyone as ignorant as she is can be." She turned to Sweetie. "I would see she continues that path. She'll be a fine citizen. May her life be long and peaceful, though I have my doubts on the latter."
Was peace an option for humans? Sweetie wasn't sure. "Alright, so, about this operation?"
"This building." Dark tapped on a wall lightly. "The entire structure is a horrifically powerful and extremely active nexus."
Sweetie's eyes widened. "Nexus of what, exactly?"
"It would be easier to say of what it isn't." Dark frowned. "Tendrils reach from here to almost infinite Elsewheres. The likes of the 'elf'... Have you met her?" Sweetie shook her head. "We'll have to go over her. The intelligent and reasonable ones are quite dangerous, but can be negotiated with and peace reached, to a point. Less intelligent, more feral, and simply more hungry entities exist and would make this nexus their open gateway to a buffet known as Equestria." She raised a hoof. "I can't allow that."
"And... neither can I."
Dark nodded. "You understand quickly. You've heard enough to have a basic understanding. Do you still wish to stay?"
That was a kindness, and a test. Sweetie Drops knew she already knew more than anyone not involved should know. There was only one real answer before her. "I'm in. Can we just prune these tendrils and--"
"Negative." Dark drew a slow breath. "They're too deep and wide. If we try to cut this place free, it would damage the universe as we know it. Damage, unknown. The risk is far too high to find out." Her horn glowed as an image appeared. She created a three-dimensional display of the building, slowly rotating. Leading off from it were countless feelers and lines. Some were larger than others. Some were quite large indeed.
"What's this one?" Sweetie couldn't help but notice the largest. It latched onto the third floor and did a full circle around it before fading out away from the building. It seemed massive. "Do we have any data?"
"Good eye." Dark smiled. "That one's been troubling me as well. On the positive, I've seen and detected no outright hostile forces behind it. On the other, it's constant and powerful. Something will come falling through it. It's just a matter of time... When the monster tenant on the second floor performs his monthly ritual, it seems to relax the connection. I'm unsure how they're related, but they are. Whatever he's doing affects this connection above him and keeps it from reaching critical mass."
"But critical mass to... what?" That seemed the big question. It could be good, or awful. It could doom the entire world, or be nothing at all. Sweetie scowled with her thoughts. "Does Tabitha know any of this?"
"No, and she shouldn't." Dark raised a hoof. "I trust I need not remind about secrecy."
Sweetie gave a slower nod as she raised a hoof to her chin. It was a dangerous situation. It was also fascinating on many levels. "Have you... Are they bi-directional?"
"They appear to be." Dark shook her head. "I have not personally tried it. We're the agents of Equestria. We can't risk ourselves that way when removing us without benefit would be a failure of our duty. It would also be massively risky and, dare I say, foolhardy. Any given passage could lead to a world that is nothing but fire and flame, your own personal sun to enjoy for the fraction of a moment before you were gone."
Sweetie grimaced at the mental image. "Right. So, for now."
"For now." Dark pointed at Sweetie. "Belay whatever tactic you had for financial bearings. You're one of Tabitha Taylor's guards, now."
Sweetie blinked at that. "I didn't introduce myself like that. She'll be far too suspicious if I go from a candy salespony to a guard, just like that."
Dark tapped herself with her hoof. "Lay the blame on me. Be angry, if it helps her not ask the right questions. It isn't a lie. I am ordering it."
Sweetie frowned. She hadn't wanted or planned on that relationship. Could she approach things properly if she was a guard? She supposed she'd just have to try. "Affirmative." She glanced around her bare room. "I need to start actually living here."
"As you wish. I'm not hard to find." Dark rose to her hooves. "I expect to run into you on your patrols."
Then she was gone, leaving Sweetie to make the bare room into something she didn't feel as awful being in.
"We need to speak." Spring set a hand on Razz's withers. "You, beta male."
"W-what?" Razz started in surprise. "I'm not a beta!"
Spring ran a finger right along his spine up towards his skull. "Yes you are, and you're adorable. Tabitha accepted you into her life, and... I think I have a little clue why. Razz." She crouched down in front of him, bringing their faces together. "Razz."
"Yes?"
She flashed a bright smile. "If I told you I'd tie you down and force you to do as I said, but ensured it would be one of the best things you'd ever experienced, would you say yes, or no?"
Razz's eyes narrowed as he took half a step back. That sounded... awful, and kind of... Why did it sound at all appealing? Parts of his brain couldn't help but imagine all the scenarios that might arise, should Spring do as she threatened, or was that a promise?
Spring laughed melodically. "Your expression tells me all I need know. You are a beta, but you have a good heart. Be a good beta. Don't be a bitter one." She trailed a hand down the side of his face and cupped his snout. "After all, you're a beta with a family that... loves... you." The word seemed still a bit alien on her lips. "They will protect you even without law or contractual obligation, just to have you safe and happy. Is that not what love is?"
Razz focused on her face, trying to ignore the fact that her hand was so soft, alien, and intriguing. "There's more to love than that, but that's a start." He raised a hoof to cough into it. "So... you're a beta too, right?" Spring scowled with the anger of the sun on a hot day. "W-wait, hear me out! You like being under Tabitha." In a smaller voice he murmured, "In all ways..."
Spring's face slowly softened. "You may... raise a valid point. I am an alpha that gazes fondly on lower stations. It is, however, a game. In the end, she knows I am an alpha, just as she is one. Together... I will gladly play her beta, or even omega, if she grew... such boldness." Her tongue washed over her lips, clearly distracted by the idea. "But for you? I'm afraid I will always be your alpha, and there are scarcely any others I would think are different."
Razz flinched back, fearing Spring was angry at him or didn't like him. Without actually saying that, she clenched her fingers and held him still. "Hold there... You're now part of... me, this. I am your alpha. That has meaning. That means you obey and respect my place, and I will protect you. Even if we put aside the matter of love, an alpha protects what is his, or hers. You are mine, Razz Berry, and I plan to take care of you."
Razz was in a tortured place of excitement and dismay. The words Spring had said seemed so... He didn't know how to feel! He forced a smile, quirked as it was. "You're part of this family, I guess, so I'll protect you too."
"How brave." She stroked the soft fur on his cheeks and the top of his head in rough motions of her hands. "We have to become more familiar." She rose up to standing. "But, for now, we have business. You, yours, me, mine. We will meet again. Of course... should your bestial urges get the best of you, you will approach my door at the stroke of the first bell. I will show you what I promised, and then we'll both know clearly you are my beta, and I will make sure you enjoy the position."
Spring blew a kiss before she turned, striding away and leaving a confused Razz behind.
He rose to a more sure standing. "I'm not going to do that." He was still getting used to Spring not being an enemy. He would help, and be a good part of his family, but tossing himself at Spring's feet...
He went a cheery red as images of what sorts of things Spring might do to him, if he agreed to roll over and show his belly to her. He shook his head vigorously. "I'm not a beta," he grumbled to himself. He'd win Spring as a peer, an equal. If she was willing to... play that way, that's what he wanted.
He strode down the hallway, repeating the mantra to himself, "not a beta..."
Jim was a human. He was a special kind of human. He was a brony. He loved colorful cartoon ponies and the whimsical stories and morals they had to share with the world. He enjoyed most of the humor, loved the music, both in the show, and surrounding it. The fanbase was fun to be a part of.
Yep, he liked them horses.
He did not expect to stagger out of his apartment one morning and end up in a hallway with some ponies in it. "The hell..."
One of them, a dark-colored mare with a severe expression, turned to him and looked him up and down. "Why do you seem lost? Do you need assistance?"
He blinked at her. Shouldn't she be freaking out too? "Uh... Hi?"
"Hello." She frowned a little. "Do you live here?"
He thrust a thumb back at his room. "Right here."
The mare looked past him to the door. "That room..." She drew in a sudden breath. "You are not a pony."
Jim shook his head a little as he looked himself over. Nope, not a pony. "You are."
She didn't argue that fact. "What are you?"
"A human?" Was he about to be attacked by a unicorn? That was bad, and kind of maybe a tiny bit awesome?
"I... see, follow me." She turned away. "I am Dark Vision, what is your name?"
"Jim, Jim Cartfield, but Jim's fine." He followed along after her, watching her curiously. He was watching an actual pony! That was exciting, but... why?
Dark led him to an elevator. Her horn glowed softly and pressed the lobby button without actually touching it. "I'm taking you to the owner of this building. She will help you."
Owner of the building? "My landlord's a guy, not a lady. Alright kind of person, not someone I'm inviting over for movie night."
"Be that as it may..." Dark swiveled an ear at the human she saw as a friendly earth pony. "You are not home. Welcome to Equestria."
Jim went quiet. Was he really? Was this really? On one hand, cool! On the other, fuuuudge. He had a life. He had friends, a job, family! Could he... Damn it...
Dark tilted her head faintly. "We will do what we can to make you comfortable. If you obey the laws and are a good person, then you are welcome here."
A soft ring of a bell announced their arrival at the ground floor and she led the way into the lobby. She hesitated a moment, then pointed outside. "What do you see?"
He looked past her, but what he saw was confusing. It looked like earth. He could see a person walking by. A few cars drove down the road. It was home, despite... home being... suddenly occupied with ponies.
One of those ponies trotted to the door and just... vanished. At least in Jim's eyes, the pony simply exited reality, as if ponies couldn't exist outside the boundary of the building itself. "The heck?"
"You see something unusual then?"
"It's... home." He took a step towards the exit, uncertain and confused. Maybe he hadn't given up his life after all? "It's right there!"
"Fascinating." Dark wrapped her magic around what she still saw as an earth pony and gently turned him around. "You are halfway between worlds."
"Is that even a thing?" Jim raised both brows in unison. "Does that mean I could go to work and just come home to pony land at the end of the day?"
"Crude, but... perhaps, yes." Dark tapped the ground with a hoof. "You have a choice. If you leave back to your world now, you may never return. If you sign a lease with this landlady, then your room will become yours, and you will be bound here. You will be... caught, between worlds, mostly in your own, visiting ours when you come here. Which would you... prefer?"
A chance to visit whenever he wanted, without ditching his life? Well, what was the downside? Wait, there it was. "I'd have to pay rent twice."
Dark raised a hoof to her chin. "I believe a deal can be reached. Your presence would help... stabilize things. That would be..." She trailed off, cutting herself off from speaking more on it. "If you wish it, we'll make it work. If not--" She gestured out the front door. "Your home awaits. Go with no ill will."
He reached for her curiously. She stared at him intently until contact was made. "You can stop that."
She was soft and fuzzy and everything a pony should be, just maybe not as warm as he'd hoped. He drew his hand back. "Are other ponies so..."
Dark rolled a hoof. "I am an imperial agent. Dark Vision, Warlock, direct servant of Princess Luna."
"Woah." That made sense, at least why she wasn't the chipper kind of pony. "So Luna's here? Twilight, Pinkie?"
Dark tilted her head faintly. "She is. What do the former Element Bearers have to do with her?"
They were all there! "Let's meet this landlady."
Dark led the way to an office. Behind a desk there was a lady! A human lady!
The lady blinked at the two of them. "Hey Dark. Who's that with you?" She looked past Dark to Jim, also seeing a big friendly earth pony stallion.
Dark gestured back at Jim. "This is Jim Cartfield, human, and potential new tenant." She then waved a hoof at the lady. "This is Tabitha. She has a second name, but rarely uses it. Tabitha will suffice."
"Jim's alright," assured Jim.
"Tabitha Taylor," explained Tabitha as she rose up. She wasn't human. At least, not... entirely? As she stood up, it became clear she was a pony from the lower belly down, leading into a pony's body like an adorable mini-centaur. "Nice to meet you? You know, right now, we both see a pony, not a human."
Jim glanced at himself again. "Still human from where I'm standing. So, uh, if I sign any dotted lines, will that mean I really will be a pony, because that would be hard to explain to my boss." He was also fine being a human. He was in no hurry to ditch humanity for hooves and a tail, no matter how cute.
Tabitha held up the palms of her hands. "No! No, promise. Geeze, it wasn't a pony that... made me this way. Let's not get sidetracked by that. If you sign the lease, then everyone else who lives here will see you as you are, and vice versa. There are other tenants with 'disguises' as I call them. Yours is a rather friendly-looking earth pony. It's like if a smiling gentle giant of a pony was wearing a cute little vest. Light-blue/purple fur, dull-green mane/tail."
"Huh..."
Dark approached Tabitha. "Charge him nothing."
"What?" Tabitha scowled.
Dark drew a soft hiss. "Very well, charge him the standard fee, but present the bill to me. I'll take care of it."
Tabitha waved a hand at Jim. "No offense to him, but why so eager?"
Dark glanced between Jim and Tabitha. "Just do it. I've not led you astray so far, have I? Your interest is my interest. As your protector, please accept this request."
Jim approached slowly. He couldn't help but stare at Tabitha a little. She wasn't smoking hot as ladies went, but she was far from ugly. A B+ he decided, if you ignored the fact that she was half pony. The pony part was dressed a lot more than he'd expect a random pony to be dressed, but if she was human to start, that made sense. She was cute. He wasn't sure if that raised or lowered her grade. That depended on what one was looking for, he decided.
"Something wrong?" Tabitha raised a brow at Jim. It was the first actual guy she'd met in a while. She wasn't sure how she should feel about it, and the way he was eyeing her... Well, it wasn't too far off from how every other pony in the city had gaped at her on first meeting. She decided to let him get his one free stare. "So... how'd you get here?"
He shrugged helplessly. "I stepped out of my door to get the newspaper and... here I am? So, uh, I guess I have to sign that?"
"Right!" Tabitha started going over the rules as she pulled out a document. Dark suddenly said what floor and room he was in. That was unusual, but it was available, so she filled that in.
"Tabby?" Razz poked his head into the room then smiled. "Oh hey there!" He cheerfully greeted the pony he saw. "Are you moving in?"
Jim nodded with some uncertainty. "Looks that way. Who are you?" Now that looked like a cute and chipper pony. Just what he was expecting.
Razz trotted up to Jim. "I'm Razz Berry. I live here too. Nice to meet you." He thrust a hoof at the earth pony he saw.
Jim reached for the hoof and they 'shook'. Even though he could feel the hoof and the fur beyond it, Razz seemed to think he was just bumping hooves and shaking pony style. "Jim. Nice to meet you too."
"Alright, just sign here." Tabitha twirled the lease to face Jim and pushed it towards him.
Jim pulled a pen out of a pocket, getting Razz looking at him with new curiosity. He quickly penned his name.
Razz squeaked and fell back. The two females looked at him with more carefully curious expressions.
Nothing had changed for Jim, at least nothing he could see. "Um, hi, again?"
Dark moved for the exit. "Call if my presence is needed."
Tabitha wasn't fleeing. "So, hey, Jim." She looked him up and down. He was a reasonable specimen of male human. He had some stubble, but he seemed clean and so far he wasn't a jerk. Good signs. "Nice to see the real you."
Razz got himself back upright and blinked owlishly at the revealed human. "You're a human?! I... Wait. You're a stallion, right?" His ears perked up. "I never saw a human stallion before, just a mare."
"Just?" Tabitha raised a brow at him.
He blushed quickly. "I didn't mean anything by it! You know I love you, Tabby."
Love you? Was that a strong motion of friendship, or... "Are you two?"
Tabitha swore internally. That cat had escaped the bag in record time. "It's... complicated. I won't bore you with lessons on my personal life."
Jim was fairly certain he wouldn't be bored, but he didn't pry rudely at what was obviously a delicate subject. "Hey, no judgment. Pfft, you're half-pony, you can be with whoever you want."
Razz moved to walk past Jim and got stroked from the head to the middle of his back for the effort. Razz shivered a little as he looked up at the human beside him. "Humans love touching things," he said with growing confidence.
Tabitha patted her front as if summoning a family dog. "That we do. Come here."
Razz did obey the summons, sitting beside her as she stroked over his soft ears.
Tabitha nodded at Jim. "Friendly warning, ask first. If you aren't already good friends with a pony, just reaching for them is a bit weird. I mean, really, just like between two humans in the end."
Jim headed out for work without any issue. As soon as he stepped outside his apartment building, or what had become of his apartment building, he was right where he should be. His car awaited him, and he drove off into humanland as if he hadn't just visited a world of brightly-colored equines.
Work was... work. He did his part, even if his thoughts kept wandering back to what he had seen and experienced. What had happened to the building he started in? How could he be in a new, ponyland, building and still emerge in the right place? Did he even live in humanland anymore? Was someone going to tow his car, thinking he wasn't there? Did he still owe rent to his original landlord?!
His phone buzzed as a few notes of 'Winter Wrapup' played. With a quick tap and a swipe, he pulled up a new text. It was from his friends, talking about who's bringing what.
Damn.
He'd forgotten he was hosting a movie night with the guys. Could they... even walk into his place? What would happen?
Now, as far as being a brony went, they knew he was one. Heck, Paul seemed to be alright with the show. The others just didn't give too much of a damn about it, except as being fodder to rib their friend once in a while.
He could call it off? Or. Or...
Jim leaned back in his seat. Worst case, they couldn't get into his house, which would be freaky, but kind of amazing too. Best case, they just walk in like nothing odd's going on.
They may or may not see the altered inside, or the ponies that lived there. Either way, their get-together wouldn't be boring.
He decided to just let it happen.
After work, he headed home to get ready. He rented a few classics and had them stuffed in a bag that held vital snacks and other requirements for a proper evening.
When he entered his building, he was back in ponyland. He knew it because of the pony that was walking past him, though she stopped and and blinked at him.
"I'm sorry, but what are you?" she asked.
She could see him? Ah right, she probably lived there too. "Hey. I'm a human, name's Jim. Pleased to meet a neighbor." He offered the hand not burdened with goods.
She reached out and touched a hoof to his hand and they shook lightly. "Another curious soul. I am a siren, but have no fear. I won't hurt you."
He hadn't been worried, but a little assurance didn't hurt anyone. Wait, siren? "For real? Why don't you have a big fish tail?"
She blinked at that and began to darken. "I've hidden that away, to get along on the dry lands. You're not worried then?"
Jim shook his head. "We're neighbors, right? I won't mess with you if you don't mess with me."
"Deal." She nodded her head, then moved to walk past him. "Be well, Jim."
He waved a little then realized she'd never given her name, but she was already gone, vanishing once she hit the edge of the building and left to the street. Oh well.
He rode the elevator up and headed towards his room, only for another pony to be there.
"Hey," said the unicorn, looking him up and down. "Huh, yer like Tabitha, kinda." She pointed a hoof down at his legs. "Ya don't have no half a pony glued onta ya."
"Uh, no..." Who was she? "Name's Jim. Do you live here?"
"Live and work." She nodded up at him. "I'm one of the security, so, you get troubles, you come to me." She patted herself on the chest. "I'll take care of it."
Could she come to the get-together? Part of him became quite curious. "Hey, Miss...?"
"Bubbles," she offered. "What's up?"
"I'm having a guy's night. Wanna come?"
She blinked and looked back at herself before locking eyes on Jim. "Maybe ya don't know ponies well, but I'm a mare." She sounded a little amused and irritated at once.
He waved at his door. "I know that, still, wanna? There'll be snacks, some movies, good times."
Bubbles clucked her tongue softly and frowned thoughtfully a moment. "Ya know what? Fugetit, sure." She turned towards the door he had indicated. "That one yours?"
That would be some test! Would the others see a pony partying with them? Would she be invisible, or maybe she'd just be a human woman as far as they knew? He was eager to find out.
He led Bubbles inside and threw his bag aside to unload later. Jim began showing Bubbles around, and the mare seemed impressed.
"You've got all that funny stuff like Tabitha has. That a human thing?" Her horn glowed as she began prodding at the television with her magic. Half by luck, she found the power button and it flared into life. She leaned away with surprise, but that quickly reversed. "How do ya work this thing?"
Jim was getting things laid out for dinner. Rather than go over and start going through how to operate a television, he grabbed a remote and got it playing some random action flick that was on cable. "There ya go. The guys should be around in about an hour, give or take."
He was busily getting things ready when he felt something sharp poke him in the buttocks. Bubbles had prodded him with her horn. "Yeah?"
She pointed at his dropped remote. "Mind if I borrow that?"
"Yeah, sure." He waved it off.
With a grin, Bubbles snatched up the remote in her magic and brought it close to examine it before she began slowly exploring the buttons. Once she found the menu and began to realize what it was, her eyes widened. "How in the world does your thing here have so many shows!? This is a joke, right?" She kept pressing down, seeing more and more and more channels appear with even more content, ready to go. "You could get lost in here and never come out."
Jim shrugged a little. He was used to it. Was it that strange? "We're not even going to watch any of those."
She hopped back then thrust a hoof at the screen. "You have, what, thousands of picks and we're not watching any of them? Celestia above! What are we watching then?" It struck her suddenly. "Oh wow. It'll be a human show, won't it?" What sort of horrible, or amazing, thing would a human production be, considering how far out the device she was using to see them at all.
Jim considered Bubbles and what he was offering her. Would he scare a little pony to death with some human action? He didn't want to actually hurt her. "It will get pretty... intense."
Bubbles saw a challenge. "What? Ya think I can't handle it none? Pfft. I bet it ain't even all that." She made a dismissive wave of a hoof. "Show me your worst."
A sudden knock came from the door.
"Coming!" Jim sprinted over and peeked to see Paul. Great! He could start with a fellow brony. He yanked open the door. "Paul, man!"
"Hey!" Paul accepted Jim's balled fist with one of his own in a classic brohoof. "What's on..." He trailed off, seeing Bubbles. He leaned in towards Jim. "Who's the chick? I didn't know we were getting anyone new."
Crap. He saw a woman, not the pony. That bothered Jim, knowing how thrilled Paul would be, but he wasn't sure how he could 'fix' that. "That's Bubbles. She's alright. Don't even worry about it."
"Yeah..." Paul wasn't the most socially elegant person in the world, Jim knew that. But he tried! Paul wandered up towards Bubbles. "Hey..."
Bubbles nodded back at him. "Hey. Huh, didn't think there'd be more ponies here."
Paul blinked at that. More ponies? Oh! "You're a pegasister?"
Bubbles returned the blink. "Pegawhat? No, pfft. I'm a unicorn and damn proud of it. Do you see any wings?" She looked back at her form. "'Cause I sure don't."
Jim had to laugh, he just had to. The crossed lines between the two were amazing in his eyes. "Alright, I'm going to try and explain this, and both sides are going to think I'm crazy, but I swear I'm not."
Bubbles raised a hoof. "I'll judge that meself, thanks."
Paul was quiet, nervous and confused.
Jim put a hand on Paul's back in a light slap. "It's alright, man. So, you're not going to believe me a damn bit and I don't blame you, but Bubbles here really is a unicorn."
"Guilty as charged?" said Bubbles in an uncertain tone. "Ain't it obvious?"
Paul shook his head. "No?"
Bubbles frowned at Paul. "What's next, yer gonna tell me he ain't no damn earth pony neither, right?"
"He isn't." Jim shook his head. "Human, just like me."
"W-what? You think I'm a pony?"
Bubbles nodded. "Sure as hell do. Pink fur, brown mane and tail. Blue eyes." She leaned to the side a bit. "No cutie mark, huh."
Paul looked back and forth between Bubbles and Jim.
Bubbles wasn't nearly as stunned. She moved up on the supposed human and thrust a hoof right over what she saw as his head, trying to find the, ah there it was! She poked and felt along the invisible outline of the human. "Huh! You really are a human. Go figure."
Paul was a bit lost. A woman was busy feeling up his leg and up to his hips and right along as if it was normal. A woman that was a pony, maybe? None of it made a lot of sense. "Jim, man... what the hell?" He retreated from the touches, looking ready to panic.
Bubbles snorted softly. "Stop looking like someone's mugging you, cause they ain't. Go ahead, see for yerself." She turned to the side. "Ponies are way longer than humans, just reach out."
Paul looked to Jim, who just seemed far too amused by the whole thing. With a shaking hand, he reached for the woman, but not for her directly, but the space behind her. At first, nothing, but eventually his hand met fur. Soft, warm fur. He slowly felt along it. She... "Motherfucking Christ on a pogo stick..." He was touching a pony!
Bubbles stepped away. "I don't know what you just said, but it sounded like a curse. I'm remembering that for later." She flashed a bright grin at her new acquaintance. "So, what are we watching?"
Paul wasn't focused on what they might watch that night. He slapped down his hands on both of Jim's shoulders. "She's a pony!"
Jim and Paul found themselves sitting on the couch. Bubbles was between them, lifting popcorn with her horn to her mouth. Paul saw a mildly gangsterish female, slender and hard-edged. She was eating her popcorn like anyone else. Though he could see the popcorn traveling up towards her human mouth, he knew it was actually... going far lower, to a pony's snout.
The complexity of the illusion that separated their perspectives was dizzying to even consider.
It was... It was amazing, and a little terrifying. "So... what's it like?"
"What's what like?" Bubbles canted an ear at the human she saw as a scrawny earth pony.
"You know... being a pony?"
Jim rolled his eyes. "What's it like being a human?"
Bubbles snorted. "Yer friend has the right of it. How the flip can anypony answer that, really? Ah got four legs, how's that? Is that good? Pfft, ask me, sure, I'd say yes." She thrust a hoof at Paul. "But you probably like two legs. Whatever, each their own, right?"
Paul shook his head with uncertainty. "N-nothing... wrong with it, I mean, four legs?" Not that he could see her four legs, just imagine them and the pony that went with them. He wanted to see her! "So... you see a pony, right?"
"Yeah?" Bubbles pointed at the television. "I think that human's about to do something." The production, whatever it was, started slow. Some police talking rough about being police. Where was the real action? Oh...
Bubble's eyes went wider than she'd ever remembered them being as one of the human's heads practically exploded in a display of violence she had never before witnessed. "Wha--" There were sharp reports. The humans were using some kind of small but lethal cannons that could fire with mind-boggling rapidity. One of those police officers collapsed, bleeding everywhere.
Death, swift, brutal, and delivered by a human that didn't even look all that tough.
Shivering at the sight of it, Bubbles tried to steel herself. "Ain't n-nothing! Ah saw things on the street that were 'bout as bad."
Jim considered what he could offer without aggravating his guest. "I'm sure you'll do fine, but hey, if you don't, no bad feelings either."
Paul considered a moment offering comfort, but every phrase he thought of sounded extra awkward with the very human female he was considering aiming them at. "Do ponies have guns?"
An explosion thumped through a quality stereo system and made the room shake lightly. Bubbles barely noticed it, too busy jumping out of her skin and scrambling over the back of the couch as more gunfire and destruction exploded on the screen, out of her sight.
Jim met Paul's glance before they both leaned over to see their female guest curled up against the couch as if it would protect her from the shards of metal.
Paul gave barely half a snort. "Um, startled?"
Bubbles sat up and scowled at both males. "Ain't nothin'!" She defied, as had become her habit. She hopped up onto the couch's back and slid down onto her seat, gracefully vaulting as a human in Paul's view. "It was just... loud." Records didn't get that loud without serious equipment to help them along, and she didn't see any such equipment in that apartment. "How do you even do that?"
Jim gestured at his stereo and its speakers, spread about the room. He pointed to the surround system that comprised the experience.
A sudden loud bang came from behind them. Since Jim was leaning off to point at speakers, that left Paul's lap as the one choice as laps went.
Not that Bubbles saw it as a lap. She sprang like a startled cat and came down on the scrawny earth pony, squeezing him as if he was a flotation device saving her from a savage sea.
Paul's world collapsed. He could feel the woman hugging him tightly. He could feel her curves, her breasts. She smelled... clean, with a hint of bubble gum. She was also a pony. When he focused on that, he could feel her curled in his lap, hugging him around the middle, but he could still feel the rest of her, hugging him chest to chest. Both were dizzying sensations, together, he could do nothing but stare emptily. To think he had considered making an excuse to not come that night.
Jim came to the rescue. He reached for the unicorn he saw curled on his shocked friend and tried to gently heft her up. She had some weight. She was, in fact, pretty heavy! He supposed that made sense. Why would a pony that came close to the size of a human be light? Still, he hefted her up slowly and pulled her free. "It's alright."
Paul revived as those sensations faded, and a new thought came at him. "Hey, where are the others?"
That seemed a valid question. Jim flicked off the television for that moment and pat the shocked Bubbles gently.
She had recovered and swat his hand away. "I'm fine!"
Jim raised a brow. "Do you normally hop on guys you just met then?"
She darkened in her cheeks. "S-so what of it?"
Jim fished out his phone and dialed up one of his other friends. "Hey, Greg, where are you man?"
"Jim? Shit, I'd been calling the last hour or so. Where are you?"
Jim raised a brow. "My house? You forget where it is all of a sudden?"
"Bullshit. I'm at your house right now." A knocking sound came through the phone. "If you're here, why ain't you answering?"
The call suddenly dropped.
The universe itself dropped. All three were standing in a field of utter darkness. All they could see was one another.
Bubbles sprang to her hooves, horn glowing offensively. "What the--?"
Paul flopped over without a couch to support him and gathered himself back to his feet. "Alright, this can... stop now?"
Words appeared, flaming and bright.
You don't want this to end yet. You are caught between worlds. Will you remain in the world of humans...
A spotlight came down and illuminated Jim
Or will you join the world of ponies?
A spotlight came down on Bubbles, destroying her disguise. He could see the unicorn that she was, looking up at him.
Go on, make a choice. I only make the path, it will be your feet that carry you down them. Embrace the one you wish and I will make sure the trip is smooth and rapid. A gift, you could say.
Jim raised a brow at the letters and looked over to his friend and back at the letters. "This is some crazy devil shit right there, just have to say. I'd think twice before you sign any dotted lines."
Bubbles nodded in agreement. "I think he has a point. Shoot, I'm no expert on, uh, whatever this is, but I say you tell the plothole there to kiss off and die somewhere nopony has to trip over its dead body."
Such harsh words. Words can hurt, you know. I would know, I am words. Very well, since you insist on joining this battle, it is now yours as well. If he embraces you, he will be yours.
"Mine?" Bubbles cocked a brow. "What the flip do you mean by that? I don't want no random pony."
He will be yours. Your will shall be his. Your path shall be his. He will follow and know only the pleasure of your pleasure.
Jim rolled a hand. "Is there a reason you haven't said no already?"
Paul looked between all three parts of the conversations, even if one of them wasn't 'speaking' in a literal sense. "Are you... saying I wouldn't be... me?"
A man lays his head to sleep. A new man rises the next day, comfortable in the lie that he is the same man. You will be you. The definition of you is open to change. If I erased you, that would not be interesting.
Jim frowned at how things were headed. "I should point out that the landlady of this place, in the pony side, was turned half into a pony, like a centaur, and I don't think she planned on it."
A pony centaur? That... actually sounded kind of awesome... "I wouldn't mind that."
You should ask your new mistress then, and embrace her world. The human world has no room for such aberrations.
Bubbles clopped down a hoof on the floor that wasn't there. "Stop talkin' like ah ain't even here!"
But you are. You are, in fact, one of the two paths he must choose from.
Jim crossed his arms. "To start, that's a lie."
Oh?
Jim gestured at his confused friend. "For one, he could just not pick either, and that's still a choice. He could grab both of us in a group hug, for another. He could do a lot of things. Saying he has to pick from the two is trying to force his hand."
Clever... Two points to you. I knew I'd picked the right person. Well, make your choice. Walk your path.
Dark Vision scowled. Her head was throbbing and her horn was itching something fierce. Something was going on, and it wasn't good. Chaos seemed to bleed from the very walls. Reality itself was being overwritten. Harmony was being defiled. Everything she had been trained to uphold was being tarnished in some terribly subtle way.
She hated it.
She found every step she took was a struggle. Her body was being overwhelmed by her own trained senses. She forced herself forward despite that, pressing the button for the elevator and sliding against that door. She had to stop it... She had...
Dark suddenly fell forward as the door slid open and she tonelessly fell into the elevator.
Large but careful hands gathered her up and set her down, propped against a wall in the elevator. It was the monster from the second floor. "You detect it as well, I assume." It was not a question. "Will you rise to battle?" That was.
Dark had to concentrate on nodding properly. A monster that defended harmony and destiny? A miracle. Of course, with the extreme chaos she felt pulsing through her crippled form, she figured she'd need a miracle to succeed. But she had to. There was no other choice.
"Then we will march side-by-side." He drew a heavy spear with the sinew of some great beast dangling from it, tipped with a bone jaw, possible from that same creature. "A pity the Caretaker is so unprepared."
A soft bell rang, informing them of their arrival on the floor where the wrongness was most powerful. The hallway itself was gone, surrendered to the chaos. They were in a great emptiness, save the elevator that the monster stepped free from, carrying Dark out of.
My work is not complete. A path must be chosen.
Dark scowled at the hovering letters as she managed to assume a ready stance, the shock of it starting to ebb as she grew just a little used to the malign presence. "I care not for your work. Begone, and trouble Equestria no longer!"
I've seen ahead. Cheating, perhaps. Spoilers. I will remain. You, perhaps, will not.
Paul wriggled his fingers before his fists clenched. "Even ponies need jobs, right?"
Bubbles snorted. "Flippin' yeah. I have a job." She pointed at Jim. "I'm just gonna bet your friend does too. Part of life."
But it won't be that job. Why, think of it. Magic at your hooves. Respect, maybe a little fear even, but mostly admiration. Your job would matter.
Jim held up a flat palm at the floating text. "We shouldn't even be considering it this far. Just say no, man."
Paul frowned at his friend. "What? You're not even tempted? You're that happy where you are?"
Or. Perhaps he simply hopes I will ask him next, should you prove to be an invalid target.
The yeti thrust his spear forward, clenched powerfully in tense fists. The jagged teeth at the end crashed into the words, shattering them across the void. There would be no words, and the yeti had none to spare.
I am a concept. I am divinity. You
Those words were also shattered.
Though brave and fierce, Dark could see that was having little true effect on the being. The crawling horror of harmony being defiled wasn't lessening. She closed her eyes, trying to feel for the source of that unwholesome energy.
Words appeared in her mind.
I could give you a mare worth worshiping, who would eventually return your attention.
Her eyes snapped open, concentration ruined. "Blasphemy! I only serve one, and I am unworthy of her." She stomped a hoof down, magic crackling around the edges of it. "You will be struck down."
One of us will
The words were smashed by the yeti.
Bothersome.
Those words too were crushed to fading fragments. Far above them, new words appeared.
Try as it might, the monster was no match for the force of inevitability. It had tried to ignore the old wound, but it refused. It fell.
The yeti suddenly toppled, intense pain throbbing from its ankle where it had broken it many years prior. Despite it, the yeti pushed to a knee. It couldn't stand on the abused ankle, but it was upright. With a mighty shout and a heave, it threw the spear through the floating words. As they fell to pieces, the yeti rose on shaking legs. The pain was ebbing, just a little.
Your champion will be your end.
The words were dashed, not by a spear, as the yeti had thrown that, but by a dazzling display of angry unicorn magic.
Do it.
The new words appeared just in front of Dark Vision.
The yeti saw those words, right in striking range. It lunged with jagged claws, tearing them asunder. They seemed more... resistant than others. As the fog laid across its vision faded, it saw its fingers ran red with blood.
Dark staggered back, wheezing and choking. It had been a terrible blow that left her entire front bloodied and raw. But, she wasn't dead.
This is a fight you cannot win.
The words taunted, hovering in the air beyond the monster's reach. It wasn't out of Dark's reach, however, and she dashed it in a colorful spray of magic. That magic wasn't as smooth and straight as normal. Showing her pain, it pulsed in horrible spasms as it worked to erase those words.
Luna would be ashamed of this performance.
Dark clenched her teeth, against the pain and against those words. She had to fight smarter, not harder. She felt a little tickle, almost lost in the haze of pain and frustration. She thrust a hoof. "That way."
The yeti charged forward without hesitation. Dark didn't move in as straight a line. With horn glowing, she snatched his (was it a he? She chose to assume so until proven otherwise). She grabbed his spear. It was... heavy. It was an immense weight for its size. The idea that the beast had so swiftly and easily attacked with it was a bit terrifying. It was good that the beast was on her side.
Very kind of you. Put it down and I'll give you a reward.
"As if I'd deal with the likes of you." She dashed those words with an angry burst of magic and began slowly dragging herself towards the center she felt but could not see.
Tabitha settled in front of her television, which played some music coming from her computer. It was time to relax.
Razz snuggled in at her side, a happy partner in the relaxation. For a moment, Tabitha thought about meanings and implications, then she threw them out. It was relaxation time. She and Razz were a 'thing'. Forget everything else.
She rolled a little and pulled him in tight, and they began snuggling their pony bodies together with a fervor that only ponies seemed to have.
There was no sexual energy in it. There were no demands for more or less. They were snuggling, and they enjoyed it, and each other, and that was all there was to it.
It was perfect.
Where his friends saw trouble and dismay, Paul was seeing possibility. "So, hey, real talk."
As if I have any other variety.
"Right." Paul looked away from Jim. Jim didn't know. Sure, he had a clue at least, but that was all. "Can I pick what I am?"
You can be the best kind of pony.
Bubbles raised a brow.
A unicorn.
Bubbles shrugged. "Can't argue that."
Paul couldn't either.
Unicorn master race, am I right?
Bubbles frowned. "Hey. Don't get creepy about this. Unicorns are best because I happen to be one. If I was a pegasus or an earth, you'd see the difference."
The monster found something. He grabbed a portal that couldn't be seen and began to struggle against it, heaving and flexible mighty muscles obscured under dense fur.
Dark reached and could feel it. It was a door. She wrapped her magic around it tight and wove a magic of terrible destruction through it.
It shattered like glass. As the fragments of wood and metal fell to the ground that wasn't there, the yeti fell back a step. Beyond it was a room.
Inside that room were two humans and a unicorn. Dark recognized two of the three. "Jim, Bubbles! We're here to assist."
Look, Paul. Look at what you could have.
Paul looked over and saw Dark Vision. She was a vision of graceful loveliness. He didn't, or couldn't, see the injuries on her. He didn't see the limp in her staggering gait. He saw her at her prime, proud and powerful. She was everything he was not.
Jealousy welled, and his choice became crystal clear. He took a step towards that vision of perfection.
Dark knew not what awaited for her. She tapped the ground. "Move, quickly, get away from there!" She thought the new human was just another victim she had to evacuate. She would defend harmony. She would make Luna proud of her deeds. She would prevail!
Those thoughts came to an abrupt hiccup as pain exploded through her body as words manifested literally through her.
It was a cruel trick, cheap, some might say. Cheap or not, she lay dying.
The words faded away, allowing Dark to collapse to the ground, consciousness fleeing her.
The yeti charged with a deafening roar, even if Paul never heard it. The monster charged right past Paul and grabbed an empty place that resisted his claws even as he wrenched it left and right, tearing at it without remorse or delay.
Jim glanced at Bubbles, but she was already making a break for that sudden escape, so he broke into a run as well. Even Paul was heading that way. It was time to get out!
Paul reached Dark's fallen form and he knew who he would choose. Jim had been right. He didn't need to choose Jim or Bubbles. This pony. Yes, that one. She was clearly the choice. He dropped to a knee and took her by the cheeks. In his eyes, she leaned in and pursed her lips.
He kissed her bloody lips and shared her final breath.
She died. So did he.
The decision had been made.
His vital force was seized. He barely had time to jerk before he was torn asunder by countless hungry zephyrs. His very essence was liberated from his destroyed form as Dark Vision's own essence was kept trapped in her dead body. The two were brought together in that broken vessel and it began to glow intensely, brightest where the skin was broken and the damage could be seen.
Bits of both essences were used to mend it, to make that body usable once more even as they began to bleed and run together.
From two, one, in a marriage more complete than most others. There would be no divorce clause.
The yeti's howl reached a new level as he wrenched his hands apart as if tearing something in half.
The darkness was gone. Jim and Bubbles were standing in the hallway. Dark was sprawled out in the doorway. The door was wreckage, littered about.
The monster turned to the others. "The danger has passed." That was all he felt the need to say, and he slowly walked past everyone on the way to the elevator.
Bubbles moved in front of him in a scurry. "You just wait a moment! What was that? Tell us, straight. No games."
Jim looked around in little jerks. Where was Paul? What was that? Did he survive?
Of the last, he was fairly certain. He didn't see Paul though. "Paul? Man, where are you?" He moved back for his door to find a downed Dark Vision there. He sucked in a breath. "You alright?" The whole thing was a huge cluster... "Hey..." He gently shook her at the shoulder, hoping to rouse her.
The yeti scowled at her a moment, then turned and grabbed his spear where Dark had dropped it. "You are in my way."
"You don't scare me none with that, pfft. You should see what humans can do." Compared to what she saw in the movie, a sharp stick did seem childish in comparison. "Tell me."
The yeti turned back to her. "Humans are capable of much. Their worst would destroy you completely even in the imagining. Their best would lift your spirit high. Ponies have their own capabilities, they just don't sway as far, typically." He directed the spear at her, but it seemed more of a point than a threat to skewer her. "You have faced the dark traces of one, given far too much control, far too little contentment. See that your other human associates do not follow."
Jim frowned up at the yeti. "Hey, man, not all of us are... whatever that was."
"I never said you were." The yeti moved to walk around Bubbles, but she darted in the way again. "You are in the way. Move aside."
Dark stirred. Or was that Paul? She/he couldn't remember very well. "I am..."
Jim looked down at the rousing pony. "You alright?"
Dark sat up, blinking at Jim. Friend? No, just another soul she was charged with guarding. She was... "What is my name?"
Jim frowned. Was he being tested? "I wasn't hit in the head or anything. You're Dark Vision, right?"
Dark nodded. Yes. Dark Vision. That was obviously her name. It seemed extremely obvious as that portion of Dark's essence settled, confident in at least that shred of her identity. She could feel... so much. How had she not noticed how amazing it was to be a pony? She stretched out each leg one at a time, enjoying the sensation of each motion, and the sight of her horn if she looked up at it. "Is everyone intact?"
Jim made a wave down at the debris. "My door is fucked. Can you explain this to Tabitha so she doesn't sue the hell out of me?"
Dark nodded slowly. "I will explain the situation." She looked past Jim to the monster and Bubbles.
Bubbles refused to budge. "No more games! Look, whatever that was, we deserve some answers. You're about the only thing here that seems to have it. Speak."
Dark left the others. Bubbles was arguing with the monster quite loudly, hysterically even. Part of her wanted to join that battle, but the threat was removed, for the moment and she felt... dizzy. She felt dizzy and lost in a way she never had since she'd devoted her life to the Warlocks.
She retreated to her own room. With new eyes, she noted her room was somewhat bare. Did it need furnishing? It was just a place to sleep and eat when not doing more productive things. No, it was her place. She should...
She shook her head violently. Why was she second-guessing herself?
Dark moved for the mirror that rested in the bathing room and stared at herself. She noticed more keenly than most days that her eyes were piercing and savage in a way, but also unfocused and distant. She didn't like that last part. Her life, and her purpose, relied on her being present and focused, not scatter-brained.
Her eyes, betraying and lost, wandered down. She found herself eyeing her belly, her legs, then between them. There was her sex. It was perfectly standard...ly amazing. She found her tongue darting out and her pulse quickened. She felt warm, sweaty even. She was growing excited looking at herself. Why?! Why would anypony get so distracted looking at what they'd seen hundreds of times in the last month, let alone their lifetime?
Her horn glowed softly as her magic reached with a dexterity her hooves lacked. She began to examine herself with spectral hands. The strangest part, even higher than the fact that she felt compelled to do it at all, was that it felt as powerful and... intimate as if someone else were touching her. She hated it.
She wanted to hate it. She began to squirm and rose to all fours as if to walk away from it, but she couldn't outrun her horn. It was folly to even consider. Her thoughts jumped a track as those gentle touches found their target and she was spread wide as if for a doctor to see into her. She neighed like a startled horse and spun around. There was no one there. There was no one in the room, but herself.
She was feeling herself up and being surprised about it. "Luna preserve," she whispered hoarsely to herself as her breathing grew heavier by the moment. The touches were not the most skilled, but they were eager and were becoming better by the moment.
At last! She was a pretty pony, not an ugly overweight human.
Dark blinked. What? That had not been her thought. She had never been a human.
S/he had never been a pony, but now they were, and it was fantastic!
Dark squinted her eyes as her mind swirled in confusion. She grasped the magic of her horn with a firm mental grip and wrenched it away from whatever part of her mind thought that invasive exploration was a good idea. She smiled with triumph before she felt a spike of delight erupt, unbidden.
She glanced down and saw her left forehoof was... Ugh. She was touching herself like a filly that just realized that part had a purpose besides going to the toilet. "Stop it!"
Amazingly, the hoof did stop.
Dark slowly righted herself. "Whoever or whatever you are, this is my body! my mind! You're not Luna, so you don't get to tell me what to do."
Dark spoke. The inflection was just a little off, but it was her voice, her throat. "You're gorgeous. I mean, we're gorgeous."
Dark blinked at that. She was pretty? She never really spent much time considering it, but-- "Stop distracting me. Get out of my head."
"I don't even think that's an option. We are me. I'm you."
"No you're not."
Dark clopped against the ground. She was having an animated argument with herself. "Stop this right now. We, I..." Pronouns were harder to keep right. "The Warlocks demand a certain image, and an agent constantly pawing at herself is not it."
She felt a sudden urge and grabbed a bowl from the counter with her magic, bringing it over and the one apple inside. Once it was close, her magic split, grabbed the apple, and brought it to her snout. She didn't eat it. She wasn't hungry. She was furious, confused, and maybe a little scared.
"Do... we... know that, oh, we do."
Dark blinked. Had whatever was in her mind just drawn information from her without asking? She was a walking security risk. She was compromised in the most visceral sense she could think of. Even captured and tortured, she would die with her secrets, but with her mind cut in two and turned against itself...
She turned for the door. "I must turn myself in." She tried to walk forward, but her legs refused.
"We don't want to do that. We have a job, remember?"
Dark let out a little growl. "Begone!"
"I am Dark Vision, servant of Princess Luna, proud member of the Warlocks."
The words were true, and yet... not? She hadn't spoken that. Or had she? Keeping track of what part of her did what thing was... trying. "As a member of the warlocks I will --" Her brain skipped as if a record were bumped. "-- see this mission through to its completion." She didn't give up. She never left a task incomplete. That wasn't her. The very idea of it... It must have come from the fragmented thoughts she was having.
With growing confidence, Dark sat down and rubbed at her snout with a hoof. She was so fluffy and warm. "I need to... question... Bubbles."
She trotted from her room.
The monster glared at Bubbles in a clear threat, but still the pony wouldn't move. If not for the contract he had signed, he would have tossed her aside. Yet, he had. Violence against another tenant was prohibited. He could growl, but he could not bite. He was trapped. "Very... well..."
Bubbles burst into a triumphant grin. "You'll tell?"
"I will answer two questions, if you swear you will let me leave after those answers."
Bubbles frowned a little before she nodded. "Alright, but they better be good answers. One, what was that thing with the words, to the best of your knowledge."
The monster deflated with defeat. "You could call it a god, but that would be misleading. Yet, not far from the truth of it. It is... a beginning, and will be an end, but not the end. Several, in fact, in both directions. It is order and chaos. Can you be chaos if you weave order? Can you be order if you destroy the old order so easily? It can be called whatever you please, but The Text seems most common."
"Text... huh..." Bubbles raised a brow. "Bit of an ass for a god, but I guess gods can do that, whatever."
"You have one more question, then I leave."
Bubbles glanced off towards Jim, who was still picking through the debris of his door. "What happened to his friend?"
Jim pricked up at that. He approached in several long strides. "Hey, yeah, do you know? That'd be great!"
The monster glanced around. "Do you have some clay, preferably of differing colors?"
Jim raised a brow. Odd request. Amusingly, he did! He fled and turned with two containers of putty that he offered up.
The monster accepted the two and popped the containers open before scooping them out, getting some blood on and in both. Jim made an idle note to throw both out. The yeti fashioned two spheres quickly. "Dark Vision. Your Friend." He lifted each ball one at a time.
He brought the two together violently and mashed them into a new sphere. "Dark Vision."
Jim blinked at the demonstration. "Holy..."
Bubbles pointed at the mash. "He's dead?!"
"You received two questions... But that depends on your philosophy. Good bye." He moved around Bubbles and she didn't stop him that time.
She looked up at Jim, who looked quite upset. He had collapsed against one of the walls. Feeling guilty and a bit awkward, she reached with her magic and pat him on the shoulder. "I'm sorry, Jim. That sucks hard core there."
Jim put a hand over his face. "You don't even get just how deep this 'suck' goes. Fucking hell... Paul jumped off a cliff, and he had to do it when he was in my damn apartment, and he isn't even dead!" He threw up both hands. "May as well be, so far as the human world will know, and I'll go to jail forever probably, but he gets to be a pony princess, so who cares about Jim? Thanks a fucking lot, asshole."
Bubbles tried to parse through that. "You can go back to the human world?" That was the part that confused her the most. "How?"
Jim blinked at her. "Huh? Oh, yeah, guess nobody told you about that." He shrugged. "May as well explain it. I'm safer here in this hallway than anywhere else right now." He sank to the corner where the wall met the floor. "Whenever I leave this building, I'm back on Earth, human land. My apartment, I thought, was also home, but now I have doubts. I don't know for sure either way."
Bubbles moved to sit beside him. "Huh, wow. That's kind of intense. Sorry. So, uh, if your apartment is... here? That means you're safe here, right?"
Jim crossed his arms. "Sure, if I give up everything I had home. I have family, a job, obligations, friends, minus Paul. Fuck Paul, god..."
Comforting was not high on Bubble's list of talents. When the elevator opened and admitted the newest guard, how many did Tabitha need? Bubbles took the opportunity. "Hey, Sweetie!"
Sweetie approached them with a raised brow. "What happened in here?" She looked over the blood, clay, wood fragments. It was quite a mess. "Do you need my help, Bubbles?"
Bubbles hopped to her hooves. "Jim here's in a bad place. He needs a friendly face to talk to. You got it? Good!" She fled without a shred of remorse.
Sweetie Drops rolled her eyes at the retreat of her fellow guard before she settled beside Jim. "Hey."
Jim quirked a smile. "You don't have to."
Sweetie nodded. "I don't, but I will. Here." She pulled out one of her handmade candies in a bright red foil wrapper and offered it. He took it and soon had the hard candy in his mouth where he suckled on it almost angrily. "Tell me about it?"
Jim leaned back against the wall. "I lost a friend of mine. He didn't... exactly die, but he kind of exactly did? It's hard to explain." He wriggled his fingers. "Magic."
"Magic," Sweetie rolled her eyes at the trouble magic could cause, and that seemed to earn a little smile from Jim. There was one thing they could bond over. Magic was trouble. "So... I'm sorry. I lost a friend too recently. She's not... dead... just far away for a while. I guess yours rates higher, but it's not a competition. I just want to say I feel at least the start of what you feel, and I'm sorry."
Jim looked at Sweetie with some surprise. That seemed a heartfelt moment of compassion, and he appreciated it. He reached for her and she didn't stop him from drawing her in against his side as he let out a breath and looked down the littered rubble of the hallway. She could feel the pony, human, person... The person beside her was sad and lost.
She gave a little smile, trying to figure out a way to bolster the hurt she could feel. "You're not alone."
He glanced at her sharply.
"It's true, you're not." She dug out a bit of soft candy. They were just the thing for a down day. "We'll make it."
He accepted the candy from her hoof before he sat back, popping it in his mouth and chewing quietly a moment. "Yeah..."
Jim forced himself to his feet before he noticed something. Was he actually speaking to Bon Bon? A smile quirked on his lips. There was at least one silver lining on an otherwise trashed day. "Bon Bon?"
Sweetie jerked and looked at Jim as if he were a monster a moment before she blinked. "Is that a human talent? You're the second one to know my... Don't call me that, please. It's... private." She stood up with him. "Feeling better?"
Jim nodded. "Not really, but sitting here isn't gonna solve a damn thing. What do you prefer--" He paused a moment before it clicked. "Sweetie Drops?"
Sweetie inclined an ear back. "That remains an uncanny thing... Yes, Sweetie is fine. You're Jim, right?"
Jim pat himself down, brushing off some of the dust from the destruction. "That's right. Thanks, by the way. I appreciate it. You don't owe me anything, and I know that, so, really, thanks."
Sweetie smiled gently. "That's quite alright. What are friends for?"
"We're friends?" He raised a brow. "Not that I'm complaining."
Sweetie offered a hoof. "We are if you want to be. Let's get to cleaning this up."
He accepted the hoof with a balled fist, bumping them together gently before he turned towards the wreckage. "Right, good idea. Come on. I'm thirsty as hell. Want a drink?" He led the way into his apartment over the debris. "Mind your step." He'd hate to have his new pony friend hurt a hoof.
Soon they were both inside as Jim poured two shot glasses of liquor for the two of them. "Do, uh, no offense or anything, but do ponies handle alcohol?"
She shook her head. "Don't be absurd. Of course we do, and that little shot isn't going to knock an earth pony mare off her hooves or she's already in a sad state. Now give it up." She rolled a hoof as she grinned, giving the impression she took no real offense to the question.
A loud thump came from the door that wasn't there, as if someone was pounding on it, despite it not existing. A muffled voice came as if through the same door. "Open up, police!"
Jim dropped the glass he was about to give to Sweetie. It hadn't even made it an inch up, and just fell with a clunk, still upright. "Shit, uh. Coming!"
Sweetie looked around the room with a sudden awareness, taking in the details. "How?" Questions or not, she moved swiftly to stand behind the counter, putting herself out of sight.
Jim glanced towards where she was hiding before approaching the door that wasn't there, but then it was. It was battered like someone had taken a ram to it, but it still stood, barely. He reached for the handle and gave it a turn and it fell to pieces from the pull he gave.
Visible behind the falling lumber was a lone police officer who looked quite surprised indeed. "Everything alright?" he asked with a suspicious tone. "Are you Jim?"
Well, he could start rambling about the pony world and angry letters and how his friend had become a powerful pony wizard... That seemed ill-advised. He shrugged instead. "Yep, that's me. What's up?"
"Not your door," pointed out the officer in a lame bit of comedy. "A friend of yours said he heard strange things coming from your apartment, then I arrive to find a door that looks ready to fall over, then it does. Can you explain that?" He took a cautious step forward. "Mind if I look around?"
Jim would have much rather he didn't, but saw saying no as a red flag to draw more suspicion. "Uh, yeah, sure. I don't really know why the door fell apart like that." He didn't know why either version of his door fell apart. "I wa--"
"Who is this?" The officer was looking right at a human woman that was standing behind a counter. Thankfully, to his eyes, she was dressed properly and looked more like a misplaced housewife than anything else. "Sorry, ma'am?"
Sweetie blinked. How had she been seen through wood?! "H-hi!" She moved around the corner, figuring the jig was up and offering a little wave. "How can I help, officer?"
The police man frowned a little. "I hate to be prying, but what is your relation?"
Sweetie blinked. "Marefriend."
"Mar-what?"
Jim stepped into things quickly. "Just a cutesy pet name we use. I'm a bit of a brony, so she's my marefriend, and I'm her coltfriend."
The officer nodded faintly at that. "Huh..." He didn't seem to be the brony type. "Just for the record, can I have your name, Miss?"
"Sweetie Drops," provided Sweetie with a little nod. She was looking up at the man, but he was looking above her. What was he seeing? "Is everything alright?"
"I should say not." He gestured back at the ruined door. "Can you tell me what happened here this evening?"
She had no idea, and certainly not one she could report. She did have a lie. "It's all my fault, really. I... was enjoying myself a little too much. She reared up and tapped a glass, though he just saw her reach over and do so. "We started playing truth or dare and I let things get more and more out of control and..."
The officer looked the woman up and down. She didn't look like trouble. She also didn't look terribly drunk. "You stopped?"
Sweetie nodded. "After I smashed the door, we decided to cool off." She wiped her brow. "I've been coming down since then. I think I'm alright now. Really, I'm very sorry if it bothered anypony."
That wasn't a terribly unlikely story, and he saw no bodies or blood... He pressed on and peeked in the bathroom, bedroom, and the balcony, just to be sure. The place seemed fine, outside the destroyed door. "Well, looks alright now. You really should try to keep your games under control. Your landlord's going to be furious." That wasn't his job to handle, however. "I'll be moving along now."
As he walked down the hallway towards the stairs, he muttered a bit to himself, "Anypony?" Bronies had too many made up words. What kind of adult watches cartoons for little girls anyway? At least one of them was a woman. He smirked a bit as he went. Maybe the guy was watching it to get the girl? He could understand that at least.
Left in their room, Jim let out a loud sigh of relief. "Oh my freaking god, thank you."
Sweetie nodded. "That's what friends are for, right?"
Jim coughed at that. "Spinning yarns for the police is not in the standard list of expectations from a friend. Still, thanks, really."
Sweetie looked past him to the hallway. That was not the same hallway. She trotted over to it and peeked her head out, looking left and right. "Why... are we in a different building?" That couldn't be good.
Jim hurried over and looked outside. It was his old hallway, in his old building. "Shit!" They weren't in Equestria. He looked down at Sweetie. She was still a pony, to him, but not to that cop... "Welcome to Earth?" He sank against the door frame. "Fuck..."
Sweetie frowned. "Look, we have to keep our heads. Don't panic. I assume you know where we are?"
Jim was a bit surprised. Sweetie was handling the situation quite well. "You're not worried?"
Sweetie rolled a hoof. "Of course I am, but freaking out isn't going to get us answers, or solve a thing. Is this your old home?"
"Yep." He stood up tall and went back to his counter. "I think now's a fine time for those drinks."
"I'll drink to that." She hopped up neatly onto the counter and sat there. She accepted the glass, holding it at the end of a hoof without difficulty and slugging it down when Jim did. "Now, that officer didn't see me, not as a pony. That seemed obvious. What did he see?"
That seemed a fine question. "If it worked like I've seen it work before, he saw a human. He didn't freak out, so I'm guessing you're dressed, as a human. I can't see it though. Once I signed the contract, I don't see 'disguises'. That's what they're called, I think."
Sweetie leveled a hoof at him. "Well, we'd better keep up the act we've started. We're a couple now."
Jim blinked at that. "What?"
Sweetie shrugged. "Unless you have a better reason for a lady human appearing and moving in with you suddenly. I do need to stay here, at least until it goes back into the right house."
That made a certain amount of sense... "Alright..." It was a good thing he didn't have a girlfriend, or that would just be too awkward. "Look, sorry. I didn't mean to suck you into this."
Sweetie rolled her eyes. "You didn't force me to do anything. I'm old enough to take responsibility for my own actions. So, we're a couple, congratulations." She fluttered her lashes. "Don't think that gets you the right for anything past a hug or a kiss. I expect you to be a gentlepony."
Jim pinkened just faintly. "I'm not going to do... that." He was a guy. At least the thought of such a thing had occurred at least once during his many viewings of the show and plethora of clean and otherwise art on the internet, but he wasn't rushing to avail himself of a pony. Especially not one he helped get stuck on a hostile alien world. Sheesh, he had some dignity! "So... Alright, we're not freaking out, but what can we do about this?"
Sweetie lifted her shoulders a little. "There's not a lot to do right this moment. Step one, you have to report that busted door to your landlord and be ready to catch hell for it. Is that going to set you back?"
Jim sighed at that. "Yeah..." How much did doors go for? He'd get to find out. "I shouldn't go broke from it at least. Let's get that out of the way." He set down the empty glass. "Will you be alright here?" She waved him off and he strode off towards the manager's office.
He'd rather be dealing with Tabitha. She seemed like a nice sort, and understood the madness that Equestria could bring.
Instead, he'd be dealing with a man quite mired in the troubles of Earth, as varied as they could be, though significantly less 'magical'.
He rapped on the door with the back of his fist. Time to pay the piper.
Spring felt a flush of nausea. That was... expected. The hormonal and energy-related changes due to the... life within her.
Even as she rationalized it away, the sensation grew. Her fingers wreathed with green energy, just for a gentle pony muzzle to touch one of her hands, ruining her attention. Despite that, she did feel a little better. "Coco, you are not my mother..."
Coco smiled despite the harsh tone. "I am, in some ways, closer than that. You are a part of our family, and one we have chosen to accept. Parents you don't get to select. Now, is something wrong?"
Spring considered deflecting the answer a moment before she relented. "Just some... How do humans put it... morning sickness."
Coco reached up a hoof and held Spring's hand despite not having any fingers. It was like her hoof was a magnet and she pulled the elf along towards the kitchen. "You poor thing. Don't worry, I know just the thing."
Spring raised a brow. Better than her magic? She doubted it, but she followed. Not as efficient as through her fingers, she internally channeled some of her green force, blunting the edge of that nausea before she was forced to demean herself. "Do you?"
Coco set about getting some water to heating. "Well, first and most importantly, you need to know you're not alone. You have a family, and they love you."
Spring managed another inch higher on her brow. The love that Coco spoke of. She doubted several members of their new family had that emotion towards her. "Why do you 'love' me that way? I'm competition for you, and have not been a source of anything positive. By all logic, you should oppose me, or ignore me, at best."
Coco put that hoof to her own chin. "That's not a bad question." She frowned a little and settled to her haunches. "I guess... I'm not in any hurry to get a foal. I may never feel that urge, but I do... I want to share." She pointed at Spring. "I've... adopted you, in a sense."
Spring's carefully held appearance faltered. Adopted?! How low she'd fallen... to be taken in by a beast and held to its bosom protectively as one of its own. No! That... wasn't fair. When she thought things like that about Tabitha, it was with warmth and fierce love. Coco didn't deserve to be denigrated. "Sorry."
Coco blinked. "What for?" She turned back to the pot and pulled it off the heat as she got a little tea bag into a cup and soon poured the hot fluid over it. "You'll feel better soon."
Spring smelled a touch of lemon, and some ginger. It was a common folk remedy for that sort of thing. It was nothing compared to directly applied elven sorcery, but then... It was still touching, in a way. Coco was trying her best to be a good... friend. No. Spring smiled a little. "Do pony mothers not cast their young out when they are ready?"
Coco blinked as she stirred the cup a little and offered it to Spring. "That sounds so... detached. Ponies usually remain quite close to their parents, even if they move away. That's our first family, and hopefully where a pony learns to love. That shouldn't be given up lightly."
That was different than... an animal. Any random beast that leaves the den, nest, or what have you would care little for its sire and dam. Spring put a palm to her forehead, massaging lightly. Ponies weren't... animals. Well, they were, but no more than elves. She took a slow breath and accepted the cup, drinking gently from the soothing mix. "I did not learn that there."
Coco gave a gentle nod. "I am... getting that impression. Do you--"
Her words were interrupted by a firm rap on Coco's door. "Oh? Um, who is it?" She hadn't been expecting visitors.
"I need no introduction," came an imperious male voice that had Spring going tense.
Coco could guess who it might be. She held up a hoof for Spring to stay still and trotted over to the door. Opening it just a little, she looked out at the gnome wearing his usual scowl. "Yes?"
He crossed his arms. "My business is not with you, horse." Coco's expression darkened a little. "Send out your guest."
"I will certainly not do that. Come back when you've learned some manners." She slapped the door shut in his face, just barely catching a moment of shock on his previously-smug expression.
Coco turned from the door, smiling. "Now th--"
The gnome appeared in a flash of light, making Coco squeal in surprise.
Spring hopped to her feet smoothly. "Ah ha! You've lost, dear Horpip, the insignificant. You've broken the contract."
Horpip blinked softly. "I did no such thing."
Spring pointed to the shaken Coco. "You are trespassing in another tenant's dwelling, and after being explicitly forbidden. I will stand as witness to this crime."
Horpip turned to Coco, brandishing his deepest scowl like a lethal weapon. "I did no such thing, isn't that right?"
Coco knew the sensation she was feeling. She was being bullied, just like her former employer. She wasn't going to just... accept it. She stomped a hoof before cringing. She hoped no one lived directly beneath her. "Get out of my home!"
Spring made a gentle shooing motion. "You'd best depart, Horpip, before you dig your grave deeper. That was sloppy, even for you." She was rubbing it in his face, but she couldn't resist it. The victory was so sweet.
Horpip took a step back. "Very well... I shan't further intrude on hospitality. Forgive me..." He managed to not say 'horse', to his mild credit, and vanished away.
Spring burst into a fit of gentle and musical laughter. "Did you see his expression?"
Coco glanced at where the gnome had been and towards her friend. "Is he gone?"
Spring nodded softly. "Even Horpip knows when he's lost. Come, we should report this to Tabitha. With luck, she'll banish him. Hmm, she may not know her full sway, as Caretaker. This is a fine time to inform her." She rubbed her hands together, the cup of tea forgotten on the ground. "Oh, today couldn't get much better."
Coco gave a halfhearted smile. It was good to see Spring's mood lifted. "We should tell Tabitha, yes. That was... wrong, but maybe banishing him for one mistake is a bit hasty, even if it is... rude."
Spring marched for the door. "He's more than rude, and this is our chance. Come, let's settle this with finality."
Coco began trotting to keep up with Spring's purposeful stride. "He should be punished, but he did leave when I told him to, and nopony was hurt or had things taken. Let's not be too hasty."
Spring shook her head as she waited for the elevator. Sweet, soft, Coco. She admired the pony, but she clearly didn't know how to win a fight. "We'll inform Tabitha of what has occurred. She'll make the right decision." Her mighty beast knew how to fight, and would make the telling blow, Spring was sure of it!
Dark clopped a hoof against the door. "Bubbles." She did not phrase it as a question. "Answer."
The door swung open to reveal an earth pony with a magnifying monocle on. He blinked at Dark. "Oh, hey there. Woah, you must be the other guard Bubbles was going on about."
Dark remembered who that would be, Bubbles' brother. "That is correct. Do you know where she is?"
"You're just as impressive as she said you were."
Dark felt her cheeks pinken, which infuriated her. She did not blush so easily! With a force of will, she pushed the reaction aside and cooled her face. "Did she?"
"Oh yeah." He bobbed his head quickly. "She talks about how she's important enough to work with a for-real Warlock! She's super proud."
Dark gave an uncertain nod in kind. "Yes, well, this involves that. I need to speak to her."
"Sure, one moment." Trap turned away from Dark and shouted into the apartment, "Bubbles! You gotta mare hollerin' for ya!"
She was certainly not 'calling' for Bubbles, not that way... Not that she'd mind. She remembered hugging Bubbles before. The feel of her... ponies don't have udders on their chests. Dark shook her head violently even as Bubbles trotted into view.
"Hey, Dark. You alright? I mean..." She knew Dark may be... She wasn't sure exactly what might be wrong, but from the sound of it... "Paul?"
Dark recoiled. That name. Her mind flowed chaotically a moment before she forced a hoof down like a gavel, calling order to the court of her brain. "What? Bubbles, we need to speak."
Bubbles approached cautiously. "Look, I heard what happened. Ya don't have to hide it from me, right?"
Dark scowled at Bubbles. What did she know? "Let's discuss that." She turned and trotted away from the door. She could hear Bubbles following behind. "I trust the situation is handled?"
Bubbles blinked. "Handled, yeah... That's an awful generous definition of how it is. Look, Dark, see..." She trotted up beside Dark. "We're friends, right? I mean, we don't talk too much outside work, still, I feel like I know you. You're a fighter, like me. You protect what's important to you, like me." She put a hoof to her chest. "We're cut from the same rock, get it?"
Dark felt irritation building. As if she had much in common with Bubbles, besides both being unicorns, and mares. She fought off the urge to verbally cut into Bubbles. It wasn't an... unkind statement. She moved to reply, but words wouldn't leave her snout.
When did she kiss Bubbles? Why was she leaning into it? Why did it seem so... right?
Bubbles had wide eyes as she was firmly smooched by the more experienced warrior. She'd wanted to make sure things were alright, not qui-- It struck her. She pushed Dark away a few inches in a rough shove. "Stop! Damn it... Don't kiss me because the damn human tells you to."
Dark felt an intense headache coming on. Wasn't he always a human? No! She was a pony, a pretty one, and powerful. "There's no human here," she said, her voice just faintly off. "But I do like you."
Bubbles began to flush. "How can I even know that's true or whatever? You're... You need help!"
Dark threw Bubbles up against a wall with a sudden shove of magic. "I don't need any help!" Her mind had found its balance again and she let Bubbles go carefully. "My apologies, but we should cease this line of--"
"Like Tartarus I will!" Bubbles advanced on her, horn glowing brightly. "My friends didn't give up on me. Pfft, a damn stranger and a mare I get pretty damn angry at on a regular basis still have hope for me. Now it's yer damn turn."
"Come on in," came a familiar voice from behind the door.
Jim turned the handle to the office of the source of his dread. "Hey."
The landlord didn't even look up from some paperwork he was busily running a pen over. "Something break?"
Jim paused a moment. "Yeah, basically."
"Heater? Toilet?"
Jim rolled a hand. "Not exactly." The landlord looked up at him suspiciously. "The front door is in so many pieces."
The landlord started at the news. "How in hell did you manage that?! Those doors aren't that old. I'm not covering that!"
Jim held up his hands defensively. "Hey hey, I know. It's completely on me. How much is it going to cost to get a new one up?"
He seemed to relax a bit when Jim accepted financial responsibility. "I'll give the contractor a call and he'll swing by as soon as he can. Good guy, does most of the upkeep around here. He'll come with the bill too."
Jim cringed at that. "Say, uh, if it's more than a few hundred, can we split it up in a few months' rent? I'll pay, I swear! Just, you know, not all at once? That's rough."
"That's between you and the contractor." His eyes lowered back to his papers. "He's a good guy, just don't try to scam him. He tells me you're dicking him around and I'll have you out of here."
Jim got the impression the two were friends. He wasn't sure if that helped his case. He'd have to work it out with the other guy, alright. "Any idea how much it's going to be?"
"It's been quite a while since we had to put in any doors. I don't have that memorized." He flipped to the next page. "Anything else?"
Jim took a step back towards the door. "Guess not. Try and get him over as soon as you can. I can't exactly rest easy without a door."
"Then you shouldn't break them. Jesus, what did you even do?" He looked back up. "Is the door frame intact? It better be."
"Unharmed." It had been a bit odd, on both worlds. The door was exploded, but the frame? Untouched.
He let out a sigh of relief. "Shouldn't be so bad then. Thousand, top."
Jim cringed. A thousand?! That wasn't an unfathomable amount of money, but it was more than he could casually write off without severe financial pain. Oh well... "Thanks."
"Take it easy."
Jim departed the office and headed back towards his apartment. That could have gone a lot worse.
A pony with the shaggiest eyebrows laid a clipboard on Tabitha's desk. "Survey's done on the exterior," he said in a gruff voice, even if Tabitha still thought he was a cute thing despite his manly attributes. "Interior shouldn't take too long. You have a few available units for us to examine?"
Tabitha nodded lightly. "Sure thing, just schedule it in normal business hours and it shouldn't be an issue at all."
They shook on it, and he was off. She settled back on her haunches, looking over her tax forms. She'd have to have an accurate and up-to-date number on how much the building was worth to pay the proper tax on the land, hence the survey. It wasn't that big of a deal, in the end, just something that needed doing.
Tabitha smiled a little. "That's what I'm here for, getting what needs done, done."
Her office door was suddenly occupied by a biped. "Alpha! I've come to report a grave infraction of your contract." Coco came wandering in nervously after Spring.
Tabitha blinked at the whole thing. "Alpha?"
Spring gestured at Tabitha. "The largest, proudest, most dominant of beasts. The strongest, smartest of them." She gave a bright smile. "Is that not a fitting title?"
Tabitha applied a palm to her face. That was far from the most insulting way she'd been referred to. "Right, so, contract?"
Spring slid up, sitting on the desk. "Horpip the insolent dared to intrude on the living space of dear Coco." She gestured at the nervous-looking mare. "Even after being told to depart. It grows worse! He used magic to bypass her security, an obvious breach of your contract."
Tabitha frowned. Her eyes settled on Coco. "Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"
Coco quickly shook her head. "He didn't hurt me, but he did do as Spring said. It was very rude, and a little frightening. He did leave after I shouted at him."
Tabitha slapped the top of her desk. "I will not have my tenants terrorizing each other, especially not you, Coco. You don't deserve any of that."
Spring leaned forward on the desk towards Tabitha. "It is past time you learned your powers, as Caretaker."
Tabitha raised a brow. "You want to share now? You weren't very helpful with that before."
"We were not... family, before." She lifted her shoulders. "Now you are my alpha, and Coco is a sort of sister. You accept me and my quirks, and I tolerate your peculiarities." A smile spread. "We have both learned. Now, alpha, may I instruct you?"
Tabitha glanced between her two visitors. Spring was still a frustrating enigma. A sexy puzzle. "Alright, lay it out. What can a 'Caretaker' do, besides being a landlord or lady?"
Coco sat and watched Spring, seeming curious as well.
Spring lifted her shoulders. "Us, visitors, we have no inherent right to... exist here. Even you, my proud alpha, at least until I rewove your essence with natives and brought you close enough to belong here. Without a place, such as this, to be, we are banished. It is not optional. I could not stay at some other dwelling, not if I wish to be in this world, or at least anywhere close to here." She tapped the desk lightly. "If you banish a tenant, as a result, they are stricken from this world and sent back to their place of origin. They can try to force their way in, but you've dealt with those before."
Tabitha nodded slowly along with the words. They seemed logical enough, from what she had gathered. "And you're hoping I banish Horpip, I gather?"
Spring raised both brows together. "Is there a reason not to? He's insufferably rude to me, and has violated the contract. Banish him and be done with it."
Tabitha got the idea that Horpip was rude to anyone that didn't have significant power over him. She got to see some of his 'better' side, since he needed her approval. "Aren't you two related?" Spring's expression became one of foul disgust. "Not literally. I mean you know each other, right?"
Spring let out a tiny huff. "We were students together. That matters not one whit to this affair, alpha."
Tabitha let out a little sigh. Kicking Horpip out certainly seemed like the easy answer, but... How often was the easy answer also the right one? "Coco?"
"Yes?"
"Do you feel he was attacking you?"
Coco blinked softly. "I actually thought he was trying to get to Spring. My apartment just happened to be in the way. Trying to harass a pre--"
"I knew it!" A form faded into existence. Horpip was grinning like a loon. "You've gone native in the most depraved manner possible, and it isn't even like some people. We know who you're the student of. If you didn't want to have that filthy creation in your belly, you wouldn't. Ha! Go ahead, banish me, if that makes you feel better. I can't wait to inform everyone of just how far their precious little flower has fallen from grace."
Tabitha hopped to her hooves. "Holy fucking Christ! Why the hell are you snooping in my office?"
Horpip raised a shaggy brow from behind his thick goggles. He didn't seem nearly as cute as the pony had. "How else am I going to hear the many sins of this true whore?"
Tabitha frowned. "Ugh. Figures slut shaming would be a thing with magical fey."
"Slut what now?" Horpip seemed disarmed a moment. "Begone with your foreign tongue. What's it going to be, am I packing my bags?"
Spring crossed her arms tightly under her chest. "You'd better! Right, alpha?"
Tabitha let out a bestial growl. She felt certain Spring enjoyed it. "Before we go jumping to more conclusions. Horpip, why are you here?"
"Didn't I just explain that?"
"No, not here, in the office." She pointed down, then waved more broadly. "Here, in Equestria. What's your business?"
He seemed disarmed a moment. "What? I wouldn't have figured you'd care. I'm threatening your depraved harlot."
"Humor me."
There was a tense silence before he pulled out a small book, maybe six inches by four. "The master demanded I learn the fate of his pupil, which I've done. I was also to examine the inhabitants of this world and their, and I quote, 'Fascinating spiritual and biological makeup.'"
Tabitha snorted at that. "I don't doubt your abilities, but he would have been better served sending someone more... sociable to deal with ponies."
Horpip hiked a thumb at Spring. "Like her?"
Tabitha glanced at Spring and back to Horpip. "Why not her?"
"Besides her being irredeemably compromised? She couldn't be trusted to give an impartial accounting of anything involving the ponies."
Coco raised a hoof to her chin. "She's learned a lot about us, and she's learning to respect us. I'd rather her be the source of your master's information than you, sir."
Horpip threw up his hands. "Be that as it may. I was asked. She was busy running away, so too bad. You got me, unless you're banishing me now? Can we get on with this in either direction?"
Tabitha flashed a smile. She had it, she hoped. "You will not be banished. I will, however, be writing that teacher of yours a letter."
Horpip seemed surprised at that. "You're gonna do my job for me? I don't need the help, thanks."
Tabitha pointed to the door. "You can go now." It was not a suggestion.
There was an uneasy moment before he did take his leave, leaving the three females behind.
Spring leaned closer to Tabitha, her breasts dangling distractingly at that angle. "What clever idea is brewing in your mind, alpha?"
Tabitha flashed a bright grin. "I'm going to put these secrets to rest."
"To rest?"
Tabitha waved at Spring. "I will tell him that you've not only met the Caretaker, but won her affection and support, and that I wish you to have Horpip's position, and that you are eager to learn more about ponies and their curious ways, both physically and socially. I will also inform him that Horpip has earned my ire and is a hair's width from banishment, but I wish to give him the chance to recall his student before then, to avoid embarrassment."
Spring's face slowly brightened with every word uttered, even if telling her teacher anything did have a scary edge to it. "Clever beast." She flopped onto the desk and pressed in against Tabitha. Their lips met and she hugged the pony centaur close.
Bubbles led the confused Dark along through the hallways as if they were doing a patrol. "I know there's, like, two of you or whateva in there. Can I talk to each of you separate?"
Dark scowled, not with anger, but uncertainty. She hated it. "I'm not sure. Sometimes it feels like there are two of me, other times, like I'm not who I was. Either way is..."
"Wonderful." Dark strode up beside Bubbles. "Did anyone ever mention you were--"
"No!" Dark shouted at herself. "No... disregard that. Just because I have lingering feelings for you..." She trailed off, realizing what she had said. When did she have any feelings for Bubbles besides mild respect as a warrior for a warrior?
Bubbles quirked an ear to the side. Hearing Dark swerve crazily between thought rails was a little unnerving. She barely knew the human involved, but he was involved. The two... She imagined those two bits of clay mashed together. A little mixing, and where did one end and another start? Could they ever be pried apart properly? She imagined not... "Dark, Paul, both of you." She raised a hoof to her chest. "I'm not quittin' on you, alright?"
Dark cringed faintly. She was being pitied by Bubbles. "I... should be able to... master myself."
Bubbles circled to be in front of Dark. "It ain't that simple."
Dark blinked. "Do you know something?" Something clicked. "Who is this 'Paul'?" She was Paul, obviously. What? She had to close her eyes, headache growing fierce a moment with dissonance. "Tell me."
Bubbles reached out and laid a hoof on Dark's shoulder. "You were ripped a new one by those damn letters."
Dark winced. She remembered pain, terrible pain, but she hadn't seen what got her. "I seem whole now?"
"Ya ain't. Damn thing... used the human, Paul, like a kinda... what, glue? He's all up in you. He... kinda is part of you." Bubbles grunted with the effort of explaining what she had seen and didn't fully understand herself. "I don't think it can be fixed."
Dark blinked with wide eyes at Bubbles. "I'm part human? A stallion no less?!" At least she wasn't... physically... Could she be? She kne... no! No no no no!
She focused on her horn and snuffed the building magic in it that another part of her mind was ready to unleash. "No!" she screamed shrilly. "You will not take my marehood away, foul beast."
Bubbles frowned a little. "Not sure what happened there, but you, both of you, need to calm the flip down, alright? You're stuck with one wagon. You either start piloting it nicely, or that wagon's gonna end up in pieces in a ditch, then where will ya be, huh?"
Dark sat up and took a wavering breath. "You're right, of course..." She took another slow breath, trying to calm herself. "Whether desired or not... we are one."
"We are one," Dark repeated in a subtly different voice.
Bubbles wasn't sure if she should be creeped out or happy the two sides were talking. "Great, so, uh, Dark?"
"Yes?"
"Can I talk to Paul? I mean, you seem to have control most of the time. Can you let him come to the front a moment?"
Dark cringed at the idea, but... maybe? "I will try, once. Paul, mind yourself." She released those talons in her mind that kept her in strict control, even as her mental claws quivered with fear. What if Paul didn't let her come back? What if he did something terrible? She tried to let it all go. She slid towards the back of their shared brain. She could see, hear, and feel, but her actions became distant.
The new Dark blinked and looked around curiously before she patted herself down quickly, a little giddy giggle escaping her. "Hey!"
Bubbles blinked. "Paul? You seem a lot more, you know... less nervous as all get out."
Paul, wearing Dark's form, put his/her hooves on Bubble's shoulders. "It's great! I'm not scared anymore, not the old way. I have her confidence, and her magic, and... It's great! I'm not a weak little nobody anymore."
Bubbles quirked a little smile. It was odd imagining that pony from before being in the body of the mare, or the dour Dark being all smiles and glee. Neither fit the other terribly well. "Glad you're enjoying this, at least. But, ya know, yer scarin' the piss right out of Dark. Can't ya be nicer with her?"
Paul looked back at herself and swished her tail left and right animatedly. "She keeps trying to bottle me up. I finally have what I want. I want to explore, run, fly! Can she fly with her magic?"
Her voice slipped into Dark's. "No... we... cannot. That was not a trick I mastered."
Paul was back. "Oh, alright. We can do so much other stuff. Bubbles?"
"Yeah?"
She suddenly went in for a smooch, pressing lips to lips and rubbing equine snouts gently.
Bubbles went rigid a moment. She weren't no fillyfooler! But why did the kiss not seem quite so awful? She gave Dark/Paul a shove. "Hey! Buy a mare a drink first, pfft." She tried to act as if nothing of import had occurred. "See, stuff like that's gonna make Dark not want ta let you out much."
"Precisely so," said Dark in clearly her own voice. "We have an image to uphold, for ourselves, and the Warlocks."
Paul tapped herself on the chin with a hoof. "That doesn't mean you can't ever not be a robocop?"
"A what?" Dark asked, but then she knew, it was there. What he knew, she knew, if she looked. "We are not that..."
"Actually, we kind of are." Paul rolled their hoof in the air. "A dead police officer revived with dramatically altered mental makeup, suffering from identity issues and so much more. We're totally Robocop."
Dark blinked mentally. The comparison didn't seem entirely off. Still... "Paul."
"Yeah?"
While the two were talking to... themselves, Bubbles sat on her haunches and watched. The fact that they were talking instead of constantly hoof-wrestling seemed like a step in the right direction. She hoped, and she waited. She didn't see how talking herself would help, yet.
"I hope, in the future, we can discern a way to separate us. Let us assume, for the moment, that will not occur."
"Alright. I'm cool with that if you are."
"Are you really?" Dark raised a brow faintly. "You care so little for your original self?"
"I am my original self, just improved. I don't mind playing mental roomies with you."
"In time, we may not."
"A cure?"
"No." Dark took a slow breath. "Given time, the borders between our selves will erode. You and I will die. A new creature will slowly be born of us that is neither, and yet, both. Do you understand?"
Paul's psyche shuddered. It was seeing death, and yet... "I... still don't regret it."
Dark clopped a hoof down. "Regret it for my sake then! I did not request this! You thrust us down this path. It's all well and good that you are prepared for the consequences. What of me?"
Bubbles held up her hooves. "Hold it there. Now, that ain't entirely fair to Paul."
Dark scowled at Bubbles. "How is that not true?"
"Did you have to come fight your way to us?"
Dark blinked softly. "It was, and is, my duty, as a Warlock."
Bubbles pointed at Dark. "It didn't and doesn't have to be. You could quit any day, right?"
Dark cringed a bit. "I would never!"
"But you could, right?" Bubbles raised a brow. "I mean, yeah, this sucks hard core, but you can't say you had no choice."
Dark deflated a little. There was some truth there. She had chosen to face that horrific being of words. She had fought and fought, even beyond the point when it was obvious she would not prevail. She stepped onto that path. The damnable Text just welcomed her to it and greeted her with terror. "You... I need to think."
Paul was back, with perked ears and a happy smile. "Bubbles?"
"Yeah? Paul, right?"
"No." She shook her head. "Paul is gone. I'm Dark Vision."
Bubbles rolled her eyes. "I'm glad you're getting comfortable, but it'd be nice to know which half of Dark I'm chattin' with."
Paul rose to her hooves and began stretching out, as if every little movement was something to marvel at. "This will sound odd, but you were pretty as a human." Bubbles blinked at him. "But you're even prettier as a pony."
Flushing with embarrassment and some hot anger, Bubbles had to restrain her first urge to shout at the mentally unbalanced pony of two minds. "We ain't exactly on those terms."
"We could be?" Paul stepped closer, leveling those intense eyes on Bubbles. "I'd like to know you better."
Bubbles held up a hoof to keep Paul at a step away. "Maybe ya didn't notice yet or nothing, but you are a mare. Don't go peeking now? But yeah, I'm also a damn mare."
Paul's ears danced. "I could fix that." He hurriedly added. "But I won't unless you say it's alright."
Bubbles blinked. "Are you talking to Dark?"
"I am Dark," reminded Paul, sticking out his tongue in a very un-Dark-like manner. "What's the harm in trying?"
Bubbles shook her head. Was she really being propositioned, like that? "Alright, challenge for you. I'm cuttin' you some slack and assuming you're all jumbled, up here." She tapped her own skull. "Does this really seem like the right time fer that?"
Paul went quiet, tapping a hoof on the ground. It took a bit too long for an answer, but it did come. "I guess not. I'm sorry. I'm just... so excited! You don't know, you were always something cool." He waved a hoof at Bubbles. "Look at you, you're an awesome unicorn. You can do practically whatever you want, if you try hard enough."
Bubbles pointed at Paul/Dark. "You can see what she remembers. Could she do whatever she wanted? Do you think it was ever because she didn't want it hard enough? Seriously. Think about it."
Paul went quiet again, his eyes darting about, even if they were Dark's. "I... guess not."
Bubbles nodded at Paul. "This isn't some foal's book. We don't get what we want just fer wishin' it. Now, Dark's worked pretty flippin' hard to get where she is, and she wants to get back to that work. Are you going to stand in her way?"
"I want to be a part of that." Paul puffed out his chest. "I can be a Warlock."
"Start by learning to take orders." Bubbles clopped against the ground. "Warlocks do that."
Paul's ears sagged before they perked right back up. "I'll take your orders."
Tabitha had just finished penning her letter. She was just folding it for envelope stuffing, even if she wasn't sure how to get that envelope to the right place. "And the--"
Elsewhere, Dark and Bubbles had resumed their walk. Bubbles nodded to her comrade in arms. "It'll be alright."
"Easy talk," said Dark with some venom. "How far I've fallen, taking succor from a common thug."
"What?!" Dark bore her teeth, anger welling dangerous. As if in manifestation of her fury, the building shook as if punched by an irate giant. "The flip?"
Elsewhere, cross-legged and quiet in its snowy room, the yeti considered things large and small, at least until the room quivered. To have such a shake reach it through the barrier meant a truly horrific force had struck the building. With feline dexterity, it leaped to its feet and snatched its weapon free from the frozen tundra with a dry snap. "There is no peace for guardians."
From the outside, all seemed peaceful. A powerful field of unimportance crackled into being. The building wasn't invisible, but it may as well have been. It was just so... boring. There was nothing exciting about it. The smoke billowing from the side? Eh, nothing remarkable. The chips and flecks of cement? Just brush them off if they fall on you. Move along. There are so many more pressing affairs.
The city knew nothing of its potential incoming doom. Ponies trotted along, oblivious to the danger that threatened to tear apart the life they knew.
Coco was trembling in fright. The others in the room were less prone to hide.
Tabitha was looking around. "The hell?"
Spring hiked a thumb upwards. "It came from above." She paused a moment. "It sounds most unwholesome. We should move."
They moved as one for the elevators to find them unresponsive. That did not make Tabitha happy. The only time they would do that... "Something's gone amazingly wrong." She stomped a hoof as her fingers twined and fidgeted. "We either charge for it or get the hell out and hope the pony cops and emergency--"
Spring put a finger on Tabitha's lips. "My precious beast, do you think that is likely to prove effective?"
Coco sank towards the ground. "I'm not built for this. Would you be terribly disappointed if I waited outside?"
Tabitha brushed Spring's soft finger away. "Go on, Coco. Spring, you're with me."
"With pleasure." With a rush of leaves and a waft of flowers, she drew a bow from nowhere in particular and had an arrow resting in it limply, waiting for her to draw and fire. "Let's hunt, my alpha."
With Coco trotting out the door to hopeful safety, the other two made for the stairs and began climbing towards danger. Inside the stairwell, they could hear something wetly slapping around. Besides where it seemed to slap up against a wall, it wasn't being specifically loud. It wasn't screaming or chittering or whatever it was supposed to be doing. Those sounds were too wet and powerful to make one feel comfortable about them.
Dark felt the headache growing intensely. Harmony was being assaulted. It was even fouler than the presence of the Text. That had came to change destiny, but destiny would remain. Whatever this was, it brought corruption and dissolution. Harmony would not coexist with it.
"We have to fight," she said, but it wasn't her. Paul was speaking through her, but she wasn't in disagreement. They did need to fight.
As one they rose, she was certain he was being less oppressed by the force. He knew as she did that it was foul and terrible, but his psyche was whole, as whole as anything regarding either of them could be called.
Bubbles spat out her gum to the side. "Right, we... uh, handle that, then we need a talk. Shoot, I didn't sign up for this."
"Yes you did." Dark wasn't sure if that was herself or Paul. Perhaps they had agreed.
Bubbles snorted and rolled her eyes. "Guess I did. Come on."
The elevator didn't work, so it was time for the stairs. It had come from just the next floor down. They scrambled down just in time to see the yeti throwing open the door into the breached floor.
"Who's up there?" came Tabitha's shouted voice.
None of them answered immediately, attention captured by the defiled reality before them. Space itself had recoiled at the touch of whatever it was. The hallway refused to run straight, as if the floor, walls, and ceiling were made of hot wax and flowed in sickly patterns. An impossibly huge tendril reached down that tortured hall with frightful speed.
The yeti struck forward with the massive spear and scored a long and bloody line along it, but the blood refused to flow normally. It bubbled and popped fitfully, but did not actually emerge from the wound, and it wasn't red, instead a dark purple and green sludge.
Bubbles' horn flared brightly as she attempted to paralyze the tendril, but her magic slid along and off of it like trying to stick to a greased pan and ultimately fell off without effect. "By Celestia..."
Dark heard herself, internally, like a thought she was having.
~What do you want to do?~
~We have to fight.~
~Of course. You have more experience. I want to help, not get us both killed.~
~Thank you.~ Dark felt herself smiling a little. ~We may yet die, but let us make a passable showing of it. You want to be a hero, worthy of the Warlock name? Assist me. This foulness clearly doesn't hold sway over your heart. I shudder to think what harmony-less world you hail from that isn't sickened by this.~
The tendril lashed around the yeti even as it released its spear and dug into the tendril with jagged claws. Both vanished down the hallway with a speed that didn't match the staggering length of the beast.
Tabitha and Spring approached from below, neither looking winded for charging up several flights. Tabitha's eyes widened at the sight of the defiled hallway. "What the hell?! Seriously, the... What is this?!"
Spring clucked her tongue against her teeth as she approached the door. "The foul presence of those that call the mutable space between spaces home. Beware, my... friends, to be taken by them is as much likely to lead to eternal madness as any swift end. Nothing wholesome lives between stars, where the very laws of the universe are but faint suggestions."
A great eye suddenly filled the doorway as if a creature had pressed its face against it from the other end despite none having seen such a creature moving. It wasn't there, then it was.
Tabitha could hear it, like nails against the chalkboard of her mind.
"Caretaker, we claim this place. Bow your head to us and we will let your thin blood continue to flow." It spoke like sickly oil, bubbling like the wounds that had been scored on it. "This is more than we usually offer."
Spring let loose an arrow, but it sailed through the doorway where the eye was no longer present. The creature had fled, or simply ceased to be there. "Space means nothing to these enemies," Spring hissed.
Tabitha glanced to the side at Spring. "Right, I'm the Caretaker. Can I just tell it to get lost?"
Spring smiled viciously. "I'm afraid power must be proven, or it becomes the muted barking of a powerless dog. Its presence implies it has already breached the walls of this sanctum. It must be ejected."
Dark tensed. "The door."
A roar billowed from the defiled hallway though impossible to tell from what direction it came besides beyond there. The yeti was fighting, they could but assume.
Tabitha wanted to run. That was something to call the damned army about, but the army she knew didn't exist. It would be a bunch of ponies. Magical colorful ponies that'd get pulverized. Damn. "Spring, do you know how to do... something about this?"
She grimaced. "Living magic will have limited effect on it. Arrows will deter it mildly."
A shadowed form came from below before emerging into the form of Horpip. "It sounds as if you may require more... talented assistance."
Spring spun on him. "Horpip! Have you come to befoul our efforts?"
"If you prefer to die, or worse, turn me away, or you can accept a favor and see a happy ending at the end of this."
Bubbles stepped forward with a scowl. "Why should we trust you?"
He shrugged. "I've followed the blasted rules, mare. Ye have not a reason to think I'll do otherwise. Take it or not."
Dark rushed past them all in a blur, horn flaring as she jumped forward. She was in just the right place to catch a lashing tendril on that blazing spire, skewering it. Her horn exploded in pain as that foul blood ate at it like an acid. It withdrew, but she had not won that battle cleanly.
Spring looked between Horpip and the staggering Dark. "I will accept your decision, Tabitha. This is, in the truest sense, your business."
~That hurt!~ complained Dark to Dark internally.
~This is a battle. Pain is to be expected.~
~Right, right... Maybe we shouldn't be standing here.~
She looked down to see her hooves sinking into the floor that refused to support her. With a surprised grunt, she wrenched one hoof free and scrambled back to the stairwell, which was mercifully solid.
Tabitha spotted the yeti's spear, abandoned and sinking in the mire. "Look, if you can help get this under control, do it. This is your home too until you move out, do it for yourself." She strode away from the two fae, daring to enter the chaotic zone. Her entire pony body suddenly began to itch terribly all over but she pressed on, taking slow sticky steps to the spear and grabbing it free. It was heavy, really heavy, but Spring had fashioned her well and her muscles proved sufficient to heft it up in two hands without too much trouble.
Spring raised a brow at Horpip. "She is learning how to negotiate."
Horpip snorted softly. "And is willing to do it with her domain burning. I will give her a small credit for her bravery, if not for a damn shred of sense." He reached into a pocket in his vest and drew out a small pouch. "Let's start by not letting it have the terrain advantage. This isn't the space between stars, damnable creature. Stop pretending." He waved the pouch in a dramatic heave, but never let it go. The contents were not so restricted and sprayed out in an arc of sparkling dust. Where it touched, the walls cried out like stabbed children, but quickly began to harden and straighten.
Tabitha raised each hoof in time with the incoming stability to avoid getting stuck in reforming floor. "Good thinking. You want to lead the way? He's doing all the fighting for us, and I'm not sure he's winning." They could hear the battle going on, presumably between the yeti and the eldritch creature from beyond mortal comprehension.
Horpip shook his head. "I think not. You march on with that horse body of yours. I'll be right behind."
Bubbles marched forward to stand beside Tabitha. "I'm with ya, boss." She shot Dark a glare. "I ain't no common thug."
~Why did you say that?~
~You know... Look, it was a hasty statement. I would blame this corruption, but that would be dodging responsibility.~
"I am sorry." Dark shook her head, the pain in her horn ebbed to a reasonable level. "Let's focus on this task."
Horpip waved Spring away. "Ye best just wander back to your little hidey hole. It's time for real men to get to work." Everyone peered at him. It was a reminder that he was the only male present. "Right right. Suit yourself."
Discord floated lazily before a television set in his home nestled in the warm corner of the chaotic realm he dwelled in. It was a fine day, if a little boring. Wait, what was that?
He clicked a remote he hadn't been holding a moment before and a brow raised. "Is somepony making chaos? This much?! And they didn't invite me?!"
You are not invited.
Discord waved the floating words away, dispersing them like fluffy clouds. "Who asked you? I tolerate your little 'storytelling' business, but this is too far. How can you not have me involved in this level of delicious chaos?"
I did not forbid you, either. The players did not summon you. You have no reason to go besides cheating.
Discord scowled at the words. "And who's to say I'm above a little cheating?"
We have an accord, and its power is greater than either of us.
"Don't give me that!" Discord leaned dangerously at the words, one eyeball extending comically from his skull. "You, master of perverting the rules for your sick little games. The way I see it, I noticed it on my own, fair and square. I can react to it if I want, so there." He snapped his fingers and turned his head up and to the side, satisfied with his snub.
If you insist on this, remain clear of the players.
"Why should I?"
A favor.
Discord laughed in almost a roar, a paw on his belly as he shook. "A favor? Now that's grand. When did we have anything approaching cordiality?"
I will arrange a new player, just for you. One who will not wither and collapse under your tutelage. Take him and do as you please. You can challenge Celestia herself.
"Come again?" Discord raised a brow. "How am I going to 'challenge' good ole' Sun Butt with a random human?"
She's grown quite proud of raising a new generation of alicorns. Perhaps it should be your turn to give it a try?
Discord rubbed his chin with a talon. "I'll consider it. Oh, very well. I'll let your precious little 'players' tackle things on their own. I'll just go from the other end where they won't see me. Happy?"
Acceptable.
Tabitha led the way, with Bubbles and Dark behind her just a little to the left and right. The shrieking of the tortured hallway grated on all their ears as Horpip banished the hellscape inch by inch and let them press onwards.
A muffled whimper came from the door ahead and to the right, drawing Tabitha's attention just a moment before a fresh pseudopod rushed down the hallway towards them. She could see the horns of her unicorn allies glow, but she couldn't be sure it'd do anything in the end, so she raised the bone spear and took a firm step forward as she shoved it ahead.
It struck true despite her inexperience and sunk several inches into the flesh that resisted like hard clay. It writhed with discomfort and coiled around the injury before slapping at Tabitha, leaving a stinging welt across her chest and shoulder. "Son of a---" She didn't know if it was a son or daughter and didn't really want to.
A trio of arrows seemed to appear from nowhere, embedded deep in its unnatural hide. A glance back revealed Spring already reaching for more.
Horpip drew out a very brightly-polished and antiquated pistol. "Damn elves, bows are outmoded." He leveled it with the fitfully twitching tentacle and everything became a ringing as it belched in a deafening bang its fire and fury. The spray of buckshot ripped through the thing, creating a spray of its foul ichor that hissed and boiled against the walls it had been splattered against.
The tentacle snapped back, withdrawing from them with a speed that did not belong to such a thing.
Tabitha nodded with grim resolution. "Good job, all of you. Did anyone else hear that?" She gestured with her spear where she had heard the whimper even as her eyes glanced to see what door numbers they were passing. "It's the couple!"
"Couple?" asked Bubbles, raising a brow.
Dark hissed softly. "I had concerns, a siren living here, but she has caused no issues. We should help them, of course."
They pressed forward as quickly as Horpip's powder allowed them to reclaim the building from the creature. As they reached the door, they saw it was overgrown with boils and oozing pus as if alive and very unwell. The powder did not banish that away even as the building around it was set to right with that unnerving crying.
Tabitha spun the spear around and knocked with the flat end on the clearest part of the door she could find. "Anyone in there?! It's Tabitha, we're here to help you!"
"S-save... him..." came a strangled and hoarse voice.
Tabitha growled at it. Acting half on instinct, she spun from the door and lashed out with her hind legs, smashing it with a satisfying thump and a sickening spray of that puss. The door groaned and wobbled, but remained standing. "You're my damned door, open!"
Her order, rather than her kick, seemed to be the deciding factor. She could feel it, a pressure in her mind that she wrestled against. It had a frightful power and threatened to overwhelm her, but memories of her life in that building, of the trust her parents had passed on to her to care for it, and how much it meant to her came flooding to the fore. She met the force and gave a mental heave.
It fell.
The wounds and misery fled the door, and it swung open before them. "Caretaker, bitch," she huffed under her breath as she drew big gulps of air to regain her balance.
Spring raised a brow at the display. "You are growing into your element, alpha."
Beyond it was what appeared to be a diseased insect's nest, with chitinous outgrowths in irregular patterns coming from the wall, dripping fluids of unidentified nature, and the stench... It was like the room was some creature's belly, and it hadn't eaten well on top of it.
Even more pressing was the form of the siren in her native form, bound by countless wet tendrils to the wall. Blood seeped from her nose, mouth, and ears and the blood looked horribly thick and tainted with the green of that alien force. She looked up at them with clouded eyes and gave a spastic cough, spraying the ground with blood-flecked green slime. "Save... him... please..."
Bubbles turned as green as the filth seeping from the poor mare. She retreated back into the hallway to make a new mess.
Dark pressed forward with a scowl. "Be still."
~Is this the adventure you sought? Does her suffering please you?~
~What? No. Let's save her.~
~Saving her does not make us better. Preventing her from ever needing saving would have been better. A Warlock's job is best done when no one ever knows we were needed.~
~Well she needs our saving now! I get it, really...~
~We will speak more, later.~
With her thoughts settled, Dark began quickly extracting the siren from the tangled mess with careful flicks and pulls of her magic. "Where is your husband? If it hurts to speak, don't. Wait until I finish freeing you."
The siren raised a hoof, an action that became easier as more and more tendrils were freed from her. "It took... It took him down the hall. Please..."
Tabitha reached out a hand and placed it on the siren's shoulder. "We're here. We aren't leaving until that thing's dead or gone. We'll find him."
Dark drew the siren free of that prison of the wall. "You should rest. Go to Tabitha's office and we will come when this matter is dealt with."
She tried to rise to her hooves and slumped to the ground. "I can't... leave him..."
Spring put a hand on the siren's snout. "Your desire to protect your mate is commendable, but we've accepted that responsibility. Rest." It was a command, and that hand pulsed with green magic that rushed into the siren. Her eyes fluttered before she sank and faded into sleep.
Horpip rolled his eyes. "For all your horse fucker friend knows to negotiate, what's this now? Two favors, two of 'em, given for nothing in kind. What's the world coming to?" He shrugged his shoulders as he headed back into the hallway. "Let's be done with this."
Bubbles was out there, looking less ill. "What's your problem?"
"What's my problem?" He huffed at her. "You damn horses don't know or care about the rules of things. You get a favor, you give a favor, that's how it works. Everything's nice and even, or you don't ask for a favor in the first place."
Bubbles shrugged lightly. "So? You don't want to do it, don't. It works both ways. I ain't heard nopony forcing you or somethin'." She thrust a hoof at him. "You made your own choice, don't throw the blame for it on us like we own you or somethin'." She raised a brow. "Unless you like that idea."
He burst into rowdy laughter. "Oh, have mercy. Spring." He turned to face her. "I think this entire building is blighted. I'm catchin' whatever ya caught before. A damn horse just schooled me."
Spring leaned forward. "I would say it's far past time, but let's try to remain focused on our task. Whatever our differences, we will set them to the side until our lives are no longer threatened."
Horpip gave an emphatic thumbs up. "I can agree to that. Let's show this thing a lesson or two painted in blood. I'm in a good mood for that.
Tabitha stepped out around Spring, her tail twitching fitfully. "Glad you two are feeling chipper. We have a job to do." Her knuckles clenched around the spear she held. "Let's get it done."
Bubbles trotted up beside Tabitha. "You're looking... angrier and serious-er than usual."
Tabitha raised a brow. "Why shouldn't I be? We're fighting, what, that space squid or whatever it is." She resumed the walk down the hallway. "It's fighting one of my tenants, abducted two of them, and is probably doing horrible things. This stops."
"Mortal minds, crumble." The voice seemed spoken, but it had not been. All eyes rose to what seemed like a floating eel with a maw full of teeth, no two pointed in the same direction. With an unearthly shriek, it was as if a rain of blows came upon their psyches, driving them back and dimming their visions.
Except Dark. She was disconnected from her body, crumbling to the ground.
But they were not asleep.
~We have to recover,~ hissed Dark in her head, facing Paul in that dark mindscape, though Paul looked like her.
He nodded quickly. ~Look, you have more experience, and this isn't a game. I'll guard you, you act.~
Dark blinked in surprise. ~You do not wish to act, in this moment of 'potential glory'?~
Paul smiled. ~It's as you said. They may never know I helped, and that's alright.~
Dark returned the gesture slowly. Perhaps her mental roomie could be lived with. ~Let's save them.~
Her eyes snapped open even as the others collapsed, helpless, bleeding from their eyes, and likely not far to much worse.
With a distorted pop, Discord appeared. It was wrong. It was very wrong. It was wrong on levels even he didn't usually press against. Something was not only perverting reality, but attempting to make him look bad at it!
With a scowl, he looked around the non-euclidean mess that was the hallway he was in. An open door, if you looked at it from the right angle along the right dimension, was to his left/right/up. He re-oriented himself and stormed for it, throwing it wide to reveal the bloated mass of a squid.
"A squid, really? Playing with the classics?" asked Discord with a raised brow.
The creature turned a barred eye towards Discord. "Hello fellow being. Finally, something worth considering as a peer. What business brings you?"
Discord paused at that. It was rare anything outright called him a peer. It disarmed him a moment. "Hello yourself. You do realize you're making a mess in my turf, do you not?"
It squinted a little. "I did not detect your presence." Its voice fractured and became a chorus of people, male and female, large and small. "We were challenging the owner of this place. That owner is not you. Do you claim dominion?"
Curiosity welled within Discord. "Where, precisely, do you believe yourself to be?"
"A crossroads." In a small female voice, it spoke, "Raw opportunity." An elderly male voice continued, "A nexus, ripe with what I need."
Discord glanced around at the tortured mess, fairly sure that had been made by the creature before him. What exactly did a 'nexus' offer? He wanted to know very much. "Well, at least one of the 'roads' leads to my realm."
"A neighbor," spoke the creature in its original voice. "It is good to know a fine master rules beside. My name is--" The words that issued forth were too alien to be proper words, or be written properly. "Surrender your own and we will have an accord."
Discord rubbed his chin, he wasn't sure he wanted to be buddy buddies with the eldritch space squid. "Afraid to break this to you, but if you stay here, you're going to get beaten, eventually. This realm has powerful defenders, tied directly to the 'fate' of the world. If you are a peer, then you understand when the plot turns against you."
The rubbery hide of the squid trembled with obvious discomfort. "The constructs of the Second Order. Why do you not oppose this?"
The squid suddenly trembled with a new wave of pain and withdrew a tentacle from one of the many exits of the room. The end of it was a tortured mess of viscera and floating, hissing, blood.
Discord winced. "It looks like it's already starting. Peer to peer, it seemed fair to at least warn you."
"This was not the work of the Second Order." It narrowed its exposed eye. "The Green Order has entered the battle. The Green Order is fragile."
Discord hiked a thumb at the creature's damaged, though mending, part. "Even delicate glass can cut quite deep. Come on, there'll be other nexuses out there for a strapping--"
"--No. I am heavy with potential. It must be released in a safe place."
Discord blinked rapidly. "You're pregnant?"
"If that term pleases you. I must release an egg of possibility." Its tone turned to that of a maternal mother, though a bird's shrill cry echoed in it. "I must care for it until the time comes to hatch." The voice turned to a chorus once again. "A new universe will be born!"
Discord cocked an ear. He could hear the defenders of the land making progress slowly but surely. "I have a radical idea for you."
"Speak." The voice became small and infant-like, babbling between words. "They're coming. Combat will occur."
Discord shrugged a bit. "Have you asked?"
"What?"
"Asked, you know..." He rolled a paw through the air. "Just ask the bloke in charge if you can stay and let them worry about defending the place. That would be nice and safe, right?"
The creature went still and quiet. Could it really... "They will never accept. The war has been declared. The lines drawn. They come for battle."
Discord shrugged. "Little hint here, my world, which I can bet you most of those coming are from, likes things that say sorry. If you just want to stop fighting, they'll probably accept that."
"Your world is infested/corrupted/tainted with the Second Order. I thank you for your counsel. Will you not share your name?"
Discord offered a hand. "Promise to at least try playing nice and I will."
The creature hesitated a moment before it reached a tentacle, snaring Discord's paw and squeezing. "We will attempt, if only to see how foul this taint reaches. Perhaps a fitting place to brood, held to the bosom of a foul enemy, protected by its own power."
Discord returned the shake before drawing back his slimy paw. He conjured a towel to start wiping it clean on. "The name's Discord, bucko. If you don't become sushi, drop me a line. We could discuss some things I rarely get the chance to chit-chat about." He tipped a hat he didn't have moments before. "Ta ta!" He coiled up on himself and vanished from the room, and the story.
It would have to finish unfolding without him.
Dark was on her hooves in a flash. The psychic scream was audible, and she could feel it pressing, but there was something in the way. Paul was doing his part to shield her mind with his own.
Direct magic had little effect on creatures so far removed from the world she loved, so she turned it internal. She lunged forward on enhanced legs and propelled herself at the beast even as she spun in mid-air and came down with an extended hoof to drop kick it out of the air with a thunderous impact.
The eel gave a new sort of wail as it was slammed to the ground. "How?" it asked in that spoken voice that wasn't spoken. "Wither and die!" An angler-like growth wetly slid from its skull and let out a sickly purple-yellow light.
Dark felt Paul reaching into her memories for her, using her own magic to deflect the biological magic that aimed to decompose her while still living. She could leave him entirely to defense. It was her battle.
She was on the eel without hesitation, driving a hoof into one of its hollow eyes as ichor and slime sprayed from the impact sight. "Begone!" she shouted as she looked straight down and brought down her head in a cruel stab that pierced the creature where its brain should have been.
It twitched and thrashed on the end of her horn before pulling back powerfully, flipping Dark over with the force of the motion. It was hovering there in the air, bleeding and oozing, but not dead for the savage blow. It spoke, but they were not words. The time for words has passed. Each syllable was an attack on the fabric of reality itself and Dark could feel they were aimed directly at her.
She could feel Paul straining within her. The task of keeping them intact must have been incredible. She had to end it. She surged in a powerful leap knocking it upwards with a magically-reinforced kick that sent it crashing into the ceiling hard enough to daze it, and drive some of its wild teeth into the surface.
Dark heard a sound and saw Tabitha was recovering swiftly.
Tabitha grabbed her dropped spear and shook off from the top of her head down through her pony body. Without a word, she charged with all the lethal intent of a charging ancient knight, spear wielded as a lance, her lower half acting as her loyal steed.
The impact was brutal enough that the creature's body couldn't withstand it. It exploded in a shower of fish bones, bile, and other unwholesome fluids that rained on the defenders, victorious though they were.
Tabitha pumped a fist before leaning against the nearest wall, heaving for breath. "Is... everyone alright?"
"No," replied Dark as she quickly trotted over to them. "But none of us will be until this is settled. An excellent finish, Tabitha. You saved us."
Tabitha smiled at that. "I just... did what I could, but thank you."
Paul within her knew that Dark has just tossed away the credit they both could have gotten. No one was awake to see them have that battle. No one would ever even be told. Their satisfaction would have to be internal. Such is often the way with the Warlocks.
Horpip propped himself upright, drawing out a cloth to wipe the worst of the blood, his own included, away. "Was that the root of this madness? Are we done now?"
Spring rose more smoothly to her feet and offered a hand to Bubbles to get her up as well. "I find that unlikely. That tentacle didn't come from that little eel. Even madness has some rules to obey."
Bubbles shook herself out. "I feel like I just didn't know when to call it quits with some cider. One down, one to go, right? Tell me we're halfway at least."
Dark turned back down the hallway. "There could be countless more, but we are not being attacked this moment, let us take that as a good portent. Come, we advance."
As one, the group pushed forward through the shrieking hallway, pressing back the tide of corruption in their wake. The sounds of battle ahead had grown worryingly quiet. Had the yeti won? It felt unlikely. The other possibility was less pleasant to consider.
Spring shook her head as she went. "If he has met his end, we should honor him when this is done."
Horpip raised a brow. "You know how one of them would want to be honored?"
Bubbles flashed a grin. "Pfft, no, but if we're gonna do that, we should just do it our way. Funerals are for the living."
Spring shook her head a little. "Once in a while, great wisdom falls from your lips."
Tabitha raised a brow at the conversation. "Are we really planning funerals for someone we don't even know is dead yet? Let's try to be positive about this."
Dark nodded. "There is no reason to assume. We'll move as quickly as we can, and hopefully prevent such a thing from being required." There was a faint pause. "Should something occur to me, simply have my body returned to Canterlot, to the Warlocks. They will do what needs done." She could feel Paul shiver within her, not entirely comfortable with the idea.
Few were entirely comfortable with the idea of death.
"Enough," stated Tabitha firmly. "No more dying talk. We're going to do this smart and right, and nobody's kicking any buckets. Consider that an official order. You die, you're being evicted."
Bubbles snorted at that. "Now who's the one with the gallows humor?" She trotted along with Tabitha, tail swaying.
They may have been marching to their doom, but they were doing it together.
Their push seemed unstoppable. With no further creatures from the beyond leaping at them, they reached a door that wasn't even there anymore.
Dark scowled. "This was..." It made sense to her in a flash. "The nexus was damaged with the removal of the door. This is... literally my fault."
"It is not yours to bear alone." The voice came from above them and made them all start.
Hanging above them, bound in pallid fleshy pink tendrils that seemed to be drawing the blood from it, was the yeti. "I delivered my share of damage. I may be dying, but I will not allow another to claim my actions." The tendrils lashed through its fur, penetrating the flesh beneath. Darker red blood seemed to pulse through them all in fitful, twitching jerks.
Tabitha cringed at the terrifying mess the stoic guardian had become. Its flesh was exposed in many places, a pale blue color under the white fur, no longer dense in even the places where it remained in part. "Dear fucking god!" Her first instinct was to start cutting it down, but would that help or hurt? "Hold on, we'll help."
Bubbles glanced to Dark. "What's your vote? You're the one most likely to know what to do about... that." She threw her head towards the ugly sight above them. "Ain't seen nothin' like that on the street. You see somepony that messed up, they're either already dead, or you call the doctor and wish 'em well."
Horpip clapped Spring on the back. "It's time to put our training to work."
Spring rose a brow at him. "We are not that familiar... But yes, let's free him from this foul taint."
Dark moved out of the way of the two bipeds as they advanced, her thoughts torn and confused.
Internally, Paul's portion of her mind chastised her. ~You messed up, it happens. You say you're sorry and you make it better.~
~Warlocks don't make mistakes, not this big.~
~Just like Warlocks pretend they didn't help when they did? You know Tabitha probably isn't a total moron, right? You owe them the truth. They can handle it.~
Horpip drew out a pipe and had it lit with a snap of his fingers. "I won't make any lies. This will almost assuredly hurt like the fires of hell itself, but you'll be alive."
The yeti nodded down at them. "Do as you must. Should it fail, place my body in the snow of my room before terminating our agreement." The pain was clearly already terrible. His words came slow and precisely, forced out from his tortured body. His eyes darted, spotting Tabitha, and the spear she carried. "You--"
His words were cut off as Spring raised her hands, glowing brilliant with the green energy that gave her the name the eldritch being had used before. The power flowed upwards into the air, coiling with the smoke from the pipe and flowing over the yeti's form quickly. The tendrils tensed and shoved inwards, penetrating the yeti even more savagely. It could do little more than give a strangled cry that was worryingly quiet for its size.
Horpip scowled as he gave a puff of smoke like an angry engine. "The damn thing's magic is even fouler than the rest. It's got you deep, lad. We aren't through the hard part."
Spring was stoic as she moved in a slow dance, words coming from her mouth in no English tongue, but a song of her people as she tried to work her magic past the tendrils, to save and liberate the pinned form above them.
Despite their concentrated effort, they shoved deeper and deeper.
With a sudden spasm, the yeti coughed blood into the mixture of magics. "Caretaker!" it boomed despite its ruined state. "Give that spear... to your protector."
Horpip huffed out more smoke. "Shut yer damn mouth! We're working here." The two spellweavers were perspiring from the effort involved, but the tendrils would not relent. Deeper and deeper they pushed.
The yeti suddenly came apart. Like a grotesque meat display, legs, arms, bits of torso and its head came down all in separate pieces. The magic, having no one to try to work around, crushed the patch of tendrils suddenly, spraying blood and ichor over the remains.
They had failed.
Dark trembled in place, gaping at the horrifying mess of what had been a strange, infuriating, but undoubtedly honorable warrior. "It's my fault..." There was no one left to share the blame. Hot tears began to well in her eyes. In all her years of duty, she had never been responsible for such a terrible end. To think it was all a mistake. A horrible, awful mistake that she could never take back. "My fault..."
Bubbles suddenly cuffed Dark across the snout with a hoof. "Shut up!"
Dark blinked with surprise, startled from her sudden swirling emotional pit. "What?" She fell back on old training and stepped forward, tall and proud. "Who are you to speak that way to me?"
Bubbles pointed to herself. "Well, to start, I was the guard here first. Being the senior officer and all, I take the damn blame. I shoulda stopped it, and I didn't, so there. Shut up." She huffed angrily at Dark. "We ain't done here. We got a freaky squid thing in there--" Bubbles pointed towards the doorway that seemed to lead to a void. "--We're going to go in there, finish this, and fix the damn door. That's what he'd want, right? Let's not flip this at the last second."
Horpip slowly put his pipe away after wiping it clean of the spray of their failure. "I thought we had that..."
Spring slowly let her hands drop to her side. "I... thought so as well..."
Tabitha reached out, placing a hand on either of their shoulders, the spear left against the wall a moment. "Look, you tried. Now's not the time for blaming. You tried."
A gasp made them turn.
Dark had suddenly stepped forward. Her magic grabbed Bubbles and pulled her closer as she went in for a sudden kiss. It was brief, but lip to lip.
Bubbles was left going red in her cheeks. "What was... that for? Was that you, Paul?"
Dark shook her head slowly. Had it been? She hadn't felt him seizing control. Why had she done that? Why... "We should discuss this... later."
~You like her too, I see.~
~You did that!~
~I said I'd pay attention to protecting you. I'm not breaking that promise.~
Tabitha went back for her spear, hefting its considerable mass in her hands. "They had a dying wish." She held out the spear in both hands. "Bubbles?"
Bubbles blinked rapidly, putting the kiss aside. "Me!?" She went red, realizing what it meant. "I'm your protector? Like, for reals?"
Tabitha gave a tired smile. "If you accept it. I know we've had our spats, but I trust you to grow."
Bubble's horn glowed brightly as she wrapped the spear in her power and hefted it up. "Damn this is heavy..."
Dark smiled a little. "Practice with it. You'll strengthen your grip in time. I'll spar with you, when this is finished. Come, we have one more hurdle to overcome, and maybe a pony to rescue while we're at it."
Spring gestured at the mess she was partially responsible for. "Let's make sure it turns out better."
Horpip snorted. "I'll drink to that." Which is exactly what he did, drawing out a flask and taking a quick pull before offering it up to the rest of the party. Without more words, each took a sip of the powerful drink.
Tabitha moved to step forward into the yawning abyss that was once the door of the only other human she knew as a person in Equestria. What had happened to him anyway?
Bubbles stepped in front of her, holding the spear aloft in her magic, even if it quivered a bit, clearly a significant effort to keep it up. "I'm your protector, remember? I'll go first." She turned towards that darkness and strode forward, swallowing thickly. "Just, ya know, stay behind me." She didn't say it out loud, but 'closely' was added without the word.
Together, they all pushed through the space that felt somehow like no space at all, and were in a different place. A room with doors in every direction, many at unnatural angles, some going right through each other despite the impression that they could, in theory, walk through any one of them and it would be different than the other.
Thoughts of the doors came to a crashing halt as Tabitha found a familiar presence. The squid, or was that an octopus? was sprawled out across the non-space, glaring at them with one big eye with barred pupil. Its massive tendrils twitched softly, but it hadn't immediately attacked them.
Bubbles held up the spear, shaking all the more viciously with the subtle 'wrong' that emanated from the creature. It was not of Equestria, or even Tabitha's world, or any world, perhaps?
Tabitha stepped forward, uncertain what they were seeing. She did spot that her fey friends looked ready to get to blasting and she held up a hand. "If it wanted to attack us, it would have already."
The creature furrowed a slick brow. "You are not here to battle?"
Spring returned the gesture. "I thought we had. Mysterious alpha, what do you intend?"
Tabitha gestured at the massive bulk of the creature. "You, what do you want? Are you here to just hurt and kill people?"
The creature's brow came down in a frown. "The continued breath of non-essential fragments mean little to me. Caretaker. This is your realm, is it not?"
Dark hissed faintly under her breath. To hear a fellow warrior dismissed so casually, to think his death meant nothing to this... thing...
~Easy. I think Tabitha has this one.~
~How can you know?~
~She's the Caretaker, remember? I think she's growing into it.~
Tabitha nodded. "It is, and you're an intruder. Will you listen if I tell you to go away?"
"I would not." The group tensed, ready for battle. "I wish to request residency."
Horpip burst into laughter. "Damn abomination's ready to play by the rules? You must be desperate."
The creature scowled at Horpip. "Would it displease to crush that one?"
Tabitha put a hand out in front of Horpip. "Enough damage for one day, thank you. Now... about that. People who live here have to follow specific rules. Are you willing to abide by them?"
Spring shook her head. "Creatures of this ilk are not known for hono--"
"An oath given has power," spoke the creature in a booming chorus of voices. "I may not agree often, but what is said cannot be unsaid. If your rules are obeyed, do you swear protection?"
Bubbles shook her head in a violent shake. "What the flip?! You tear apart part of the building and then you want protection?"
Tabitha reached down to give Bubbles a gentle stroke across the withers. "Easy, but she's right. Why all of... this, just to ask for a room? You could have done that in the first place."
"An error of judgement/lapse of thought/miscalculated plan," it said in different voices. "I need a place to rest. Creature of the Second Order, do not forget that it is the First Order that created you, and continues to create. A universe awaits my work, that it may know the pleasures and pains of life in all its futile struggle."
Tabitha didn't quite get it. "What is the First Order?"
Spring advanced. "I can answer that. According to some doctrines, the First Order were the creatures that existed with the birth of reality, some say before it. They helped shape the basic flow of it, but are not, themselves, part of that flow." She looked the great creature up and down. "Do you claim to be one of them, born before anything existed?"
"To claim is to imply uncertainty." Its voice became that of a small female child. "Will you protect me, Caretaker?"
Tabitha shivered. "Don't talk like that. What do you even need protection from? You seem quite capable yourself."
"It is perhaps hubris," it spoke in an elderly tone. "There is no 'largest'." Its voice dropped to a gentle whisper. "Growth takes time."
Bubbles suddenly thrust her spear into the ground, letting it rest, point embedded. "No! No no no! You don't get to just... this! You killed somepony, and you got another either dead or worse around here. You just want us to let it all go?"
Tabitha glanced at Bubbles. "She brings up a rather... important detail. We do need him back. You have a pony here, I gather?"
"Do I?" A tendril reached up into one of the many doors, withdrew, then tried another. In a sing song, it spoke as if nothing were happening, "It has been a busying time."
Horpip drew his pipe and soon took a draw from it. "How can you expect any such creature to have the start of a hint of what matters to us?"
The creature fixed its eyes on Horpip. "An agreement is plain. I have given my terms." Its voice shifted to hardened steel. "Do you refuse?" The voice snapped to a happy grandmother. "Oh, here it is." The tendril drew back to reveal a pony with wide eyes, shivering intensely. "Is this what you seek?"
Tabitha gestured to the ground. "That's him. Please put him down. Why did you take him anyway?"
"I did not," it spoke with frank sincerity. "Others took my entry as an opportunity. Grant me shelter and this break in your precious Second Order will be mended." The voice become a myriad of laughter. "We will all win!"
Dark narrowed her eyes. "What have you done, precisely, since arriving here?"
One of its tendrils pointed to Tabitha even as another set the traumatized pony down. "I struck the Caretaker."
Tabitha huffed a bit. She remembered that lashing blow, but her body was resilient. It barely rated as a bruise. "Wait, you grabbed our friend. White fur, two legs? He had a spear, but he dropped that when you grabbed him."
"Did I? I did. It managed to escape me. Very impressive." The creature's eye moved from one party to the next. "Why are they not present?"
Bubbles clopped the ground. "You killed him!"
Its voice turned to a confused mess of voices. "We did not!"
Tabitha held up a hand at either. "Easy..." She could see the pieces coming together. "I don't think it did it."
Dark shook her head. "How can you be sure? Who's to say it's being truthful?"
Tabitha clenched her right fist. "It's a hunch. It's time for honesty, and agreements. We either come to an accord, as has been said before, or we don't."
Two of its tendrils clapped together. "You are refreshing to broker with. Even with the inevitable end of a mortal existence, you are willing to proceed. It is clear why you are the Caretaker. Will you protect me?"
Bubbles shook her head a little. "You're the boss, boss."
The others seemed to be sharing a similar thought with varying levels of skepticism, but none moved to contradict Tabitha.
Tabitha rolled a hand. "If you do become a resident, we will try to protect you like anyone else that lives here."
In an excited male voice, it practically squealed. "Excellent. Speak your terms." One of its tendrils reached for Tabitha directly. "Curious creature. You reek of several worlds and farther. If I did not know better." Its voice became that of an old man. "I would think you one of us."
Spring slid smoothly between the two. "She has nothing in common with... you."
Tabitha gently nudged her aside. "It's a compliment." Even if she didn't want to share much in common with the eldritch beast. "Now, I'm going to show some trust. I'll get a contract to go over the rules, play nice while I'm gone?"
Bubbles snorted. "I don't think I even want to know what it considers 'playing'."
"I could show you." A tentacle waggled in front of Bubbles even as the guardian paled and backpedaled away.
Tabitha gave a final nod before she left, presumably to get the rental papers.
Horpip waved his pipe lightly at Spring. "You've chosen a hell of a companion. Willing to negotiate with... this."
Spring put a hand on her hip. "She is doing what many fail to accomplish. Are you jealous? My lovely alpha will create peace with an Old One. That's no mean feat."
Dark had her eyes on the beast, refusing to look much away. "The things you must have seen."
It looked back at Dark with the one eye that faced them. "The full magnitude," it sighed out, then raised to a whimsical female tone. "It would destroy your minds to consider half of it."
Dark lifted her shoulders. "Tell me then. How was the universe created? Did it start with the sun as many theorize?"
It laughed as a chorus, as if an entire stadium of people were laughing, giggling, hooting, and howling before it settled to a studious male voice. "It is only natural that creatures as yourself see yourselves as the center, your world, significant. Were you to cease today, this very instant, the universe would not notice. When you are gone, reality will continue. Before you were here, it moved. You are not even a grain of sand on a beach."
Bubbles shuddered, but moved in front of Dark. "Stop making fun of her! She's going to help protect your slimy flank, remember?"
The voice became that of a withered female crone. "We do not forget." Its voice rose to a teen aged male, "Does that make us 'friends'?"
Spring perked up at that. Could such a thing have the same troubles she once had? "Do you know what friendship entails?"
In a scholarly voice, it spoke, "In theory."
Spring flashed a warm smile. "Loathe as I may be to admit it, we have something in common."
Horpip snorted, almost coughing on his pipe's smoke. "Lass? Yer joking, right?"
That eye focused on Spring. "Creature of the Green Order, wielder and protector of that which is destined to die, what familiarity do you claim?"
Spring gestured across the group. "I came here, like you, an alien to this world. I was... scared, and confused. They lent gentle hands and we have become a thing I never truly realized could exist outside of rigid accords and doctrine. They care for me, not because they must, but because they want to."
Bubbles quirked a smile. "Ha! Tabitha taught you how to be friends."
Spring held up a finger. "Tabitha was part of it, my mighty beast, but Coco was far more pivotal. She had every reason to despise me, but she showed kindness instead. She has welcomed me into her family."
A tendril reached down, wagging in front of Spring. "What use is friendship if death will remove any such bond?"
Spring lifted her shoulders. "I do not intend to allow death to claim my family quickly, but even should they pass, I think I am better for this time, than to never have had it to begin with. "
"What are you all talking about?" Tabitha was returning, paperwork in hand.
"You have prepared your terms?" A tendril reached for Tabitha. "I would see them."
Tabitha surrendered a slip to it, but it did not 'read' the paper, merely held it still a moment before its bulk quivered. "The terms are acceptable. Payment is rendered." The tendril drew back, letting the paper flutter to the ground as another came forward, bulging a the tip, fatter and fatter before it exploded in a sickening squelch. Blood and viscera dripped down among gold and gems in a shower.
She cringed at the display. "Not the usual way... Still, hell, a deal's a deal." She held up that paper. "Sign here."
The still-injured tendril lashed out at the paper, leaving a bloody mess that hissed and boiled a moment before it came together to make a sigil so complicated that it seemed not only three-dimensional, but shifted depended on the angle viewed and over time. How many dimensions did its name have? "We have reached an accord."
Dark stepped forward. "One thing."
It looked to Dark. "Do you oppose this agreement?"
"Not exactly." She glanced around warily. "You can't stay here, in this room. This one was already taken. Can you move through the building without more damage?"
There was a moment of silence before its great mass slid between physical dimensions. As it flipped through fourth and fifth spacial folds, it distorted and folded in unpleasant fashions before it stopped on a much smaller form.
It was like a pony, black and slick skin with no fur in sight. Its head was huge and bulbous, with small tendrils dangling from the front of its snout like a curtain. Its eyes shone with various hues, still barred in its alien way. Its tail was a writhing batch of tentacles, wriggling faintly as it approached the group. Smaller, but no less disturbing. "Is this acceptable?"
The siren and her husband were brought back together in a mass of quivering tears and relieved and frantic rambling that only slowly settled down to silently clinging to one another.
The creature from beyond the pale was escorted to his room.
As they went, Tabitha tapped the paper that held their accord. "So, what should we call you that won't shatter our minds in the uttering?" She was joking, but only a little.
The cthonian pony raised a smooth brow at her. "You may address me as you please." The tone carried a heavy disinterest, as if the matter were simply not worthy of serious consideration.
Bubbles flashed into a smile. "Squiddy."
And so the name was given.
Razz came home to find Coco and a few other lost ponies watching the building. "What's going on here?"
Coco pointed at it. "An emergency. Tabitha and Spring went to handle it. I do hope everything's alright."
Razz glanced up at the building that had a thin trail of smoke going up. If it was a fire, it wasn't a very impressive one. "I'll go help."
Coco blinked at that. "You're not a--"
Razz pointed to himself. "I'll have you know that I am a janitorial engineer. My specialty is probably required right now." He smiled gently at Coco. "I'll be careful, but I bet they could use all the hooves they can get."
His enthusiasm caught with a few other worried souls. As one, they migrated into the building and joined the others in the cleaning effort. Their building would be restored and life would resume.
Dark stepped up and clopped on the door twice. After a long moment, it cracked open and the eye of the siren peeked out. "Yes?"
Dark's horn glowed as she nudged the door open a bit more. "You and your husband have been injured severely."
She cringed. "It was terrifying, but... I'm alright."
Dark shook her head. "The injury I refer to is up here." She pointed at the siren's head. "I will be sending a professional friend. Talk to them openly, even if it embarrasses you. They will help you come to terms with this... unfortunate event. It's not a weakness to need a friend."
She pushed the door towards being shut again. "We'll be fine..."
"It's not optional." Dark pointed into the siren's apartment through the crack. "If not for yourself, for your husband. He has suffered an obviously terrible blow. For his sake, let this pony help you both."
The siren glanced back towards where her husband was. There was quiet there. She clearly struggled with herself a moment. "For him..." She glanced behind her, then back at Dark. "Thank you."
The door closed gently without either opposing it.
Dark trotted away from it. She had reports to file of the incident, and requests for additional funds. Any damage to the Nexus was a threat to Equestria as a whole, to not request it felt like the truest folly.
Even as she thought of her various tasks, another thought crept in.
The resident in her mind demanded to speak.
She winced and grunted, but she knew holding him... her? it back would just make it worse. She headed to her own room and sat on her haunches in the middle of the floor. "What is it?"
"What is it?!" she replied to herself, voice strained and furious. "You have a lot of problems, Dark."
Dark raised a brow. "Besides you?"
"Yes, besides me. Fucking hell. You have your priorities all screwed up. We're stuck with each other. I'm sure you won't hesitate to call me out when I do something stupid. You--"
A knock came from the door. Dark looked up at it. "Yes?"
The door glowed with magic, opening to reveal Bubbles. "We need to talk." She kicked the door shut behind herself. "Paul? You in there?"
"I am," spoke Dark. Telling the two apart was becoming more difficult. No longer trying to be his old self, his voice carried more naturally from that equine throat. "What's wrong?"
Bubbles pointed at Dark. "Tell me the damn truth! Was it you that kissed me?"
Dark's ears flipped back. "I said it wasn't."
"It was me," said Dark contrarily, coloring just faintly. "I did that."
Bubbles shook her head slowly. "I..." She clopped the ground. "Do you like me like me? Like, for real? I mean, that sure as flippin' didn't feel like a chaste kiss."
Dark glanced away a moment, uncertainty raging in her. "I..."
"You know we're both mares, right?"
Dark frowned at that. "Are you that sheltered? As if two mares are incapable of such things."
Bubbles blinked. "You're a filly fooler?"
Dark wobbled a hoof. "May I remind that you are speaking to a warlock, in a building with two foreign masters of life magic that have already proven that sexual transfiguration is not beyond their studies? I feel certain, should we truly desire, we could have penises for horns."
Bubbles made quite the face. "You're trying to gross me out now."
"I am. Did it work?"
Bubbles burst into laughter at that and approached Dark. "You ain't scaring me off that easily. Look, you're a serious mare. I can appreciate that." She threw a leg over Dark suddenly. "You and me, we're fighters. We keep the ponies we care about safe 'cause they're too weak to do it themselves, right?"
Dark was quiet a moment. Was that what she was doing? She... thought she was there to serve Luna.
"Who even is Luna? You don't know," argued Dark against herself.
Who is Luna?! "She..." Dark was about to start listing Luna's ancient accomplishments, her current titles... But... was that enough? "She..."
Bubbles tilted her head a little. "Watching you argue with you is somethin' else. Look, I'm done being jerked around, or chasing after rainbows that ain't for me. So, what, if you like me so much, say it. Say it and mean it, for Celestia's sake."
Dark felt her heart racing. Even Bubbles' words were a bit muted behind the roar in her ears. "I..." She couldn't love Luna. She didn't know who Luna was. "I... Would you even want such a thing? As you said, we're both mares."
Bubbles developed a lewd grin. "When it comes time for magic, I want to be the one with the enchanted wang. The idea of having a warlock under me, especially you... it ain't entirely unappealing." She reached a hoof up under Dark's chin, forcing their eye to meet. "Do you want this or not? It's your decision, make it."
Dark kissed her. Their eyes drifted closed as they pressed into that exchange. Neither was entirely sure what they wanted in the end, besides one another. Another path had been laid before them both, and they would walk it, side-by-side.
A promise had been kept.
Tabitha used her copy of the key and opened the door, allowing a frigid blast of chill out into the hallway, carrying eddies of snow with it. "Welcome home," she said to herself, carrying the fragments of the tenant that once lived there. "Jesus, not exactly the best landlord, letting someone get tore apart..." She strode on powerful equine legs into the snow. It was cold, very cold, but her body was handling it reasonably.
Spring really had fashioned her well. She let out a little sigh. There was no way she'd go back to being a human. She'd grown too used to being half pony, and had begun to enjoy its perks. The power, the speed... She shook her head free of those thoughts. She wasn't there to admire herself.
She slowly ascended the hill in the center of the snowy landscape and began pawing at the snow with her forehooves, digging down and down until the hole seemed large enough to hold the body of the protector that had fallen. She set those ruined pieces inside with a shudder. "I'm so sorry."
It was very unlikely it could hear her, wherever it had gone. She began gently brushing snow back over the hole, covering it up entirely. "We never became friends, not properly. It isn't right... but you were a warrior, and this is the direction you accepted."
She looked at the place of distended snow, the only hint that a hole had existed there. The yeti was gone. Gone, never to return. Tabitha let out a weary sigh at the reminder of the basic nature of mortality. Should she say something? "I hope you find peace, wherever you are. Thank you..."
Tabitha drew out the rental agreement, hands trembling a little. Tearing it would be the ultimate farewell.
Wasn't there some other way? Couldn't she do something for it? Her fingers trembled with indecision, but that trembling slowly diminished.
"Good bye..." She tore through the paper and it rang as loud as a gong. The snow was gone. She was standing in a perfectly standard, and empty, apartment.
A tear struck the wooden floor as she turned to leave. She never thought she'd conduct a funeral for someone. She quietly hoped she'd never have to again, but it was done.
Promises had been kept.
A world away, Jim had gotten his own door repaired, but it didn't immediately link back to Equestria. He was still on Earth. He had to go to work as usual, and Bon Bon lived in his house. She was nice, and even cooked meals and tasty sweet treats, but she never made even the barest hint of moving past friends.
That was, ultimately, fine with Jim. Taking advantage of a woman, alien horse woman or not, was not high on his list of things to do. She was a good friend though. They watched television, played board games, and generally enjoyed the company.
He had conceded the bed to her and crashed on the couch for the duration. It wasn't the first time he had done so.
"What if I never go back?" she asked one morning.
He was roused by her weight and words. She was laying on his belly, looking down at him. "What if I'm stuck here... forever?"
That was a heavy question to greet the day with. "We'll do what we can."
She smiled a little. "You would, I think. You're a very kind soul. I can't just keep on living off of your work and sweat. If... it becomes truly hopeless, I will need to get a job for myself and begin contributing."
He frowned. "Easier said than done. You don't exist in this world. You have no identification. You're the truest definition of an illegal alien."
Sweetie shook her head. "Everypony needs to have this?"
Jim nodded as he sat up, gently sliding her off and down to the floor. "Everyone, without exception. Without a social security number and ID, you aren't getting any jobs. Hell, if that officer had asked for your ID, that could have been trouble before."
Sweetie sank to her haunches. "How... rigid. Well, if I own my own--"
Jim shook his head. "Buildings are expensive, and again, ID."
Sweetie frowned at being shot down. "What if you owned the building and I worked there?"
Jim rolled a hand. "That could work, as a theory, but you would be in public, just waiting for the first time anyone actually checked who you were, and then we'd both be in trouble. I'm really not sure how this'd work without bigger trouble than just covering the food bill."
Sweetie pouted a little as she muttered. There had to be a way to not just be a mooch on her new friend.
The door suddenly swung open as an earth pony strode in like it was nothing, wielding a door. The original door, gone. He propped up the door and began installing it before he looked up with surprise. "Huh, I thought they said this room was empty. I'm not bothering, am I?"
Sweetie and Jim blinked at the pony. Jim shook his head quickly. "No no! Please, continue."
The problem had taken care of itself. They both let out relieved sighs and shared a smile. Together, they had endured.
Tabitha returned to her room, spent from a full day, to find it was far from empty. Spring reclined on her bed, and Razz was in front of her. They were speaking, but that came to a halt as she entered the room.
She let out a weary sigh. "Is this something I have to manage?" She was done with managing, at least for that day.
Razz sat up on his haunches. "Spring was telling me what happened. Are you alright?" He held out a hoof. "Come here, lay down. I'll take care of the cooking and cleaning today."
Tabitha felt a smile forcing its way out. Having a doting husband could have its perks. She approached the two of them and stepped up onto the bed before settling down. "I'm in the mood for some spaghetti, and fries. I know they don't belong together, I don't care. Comfort food, now please."
Spring reached out and stroked over Tabitha's back. "My proud alpha, you were magnificent today. I have never been prouder to be a member of your family."
Tabitha jumped at that. That was subtly different... "You're not a 'captive damsel' anymore?"
Spring snorted. "A child's game, and we both knew it, inside. Coco has shown me things... I would never have believed a pony would be the source of such wisdom, but, yes... I am part of your family, and I revel in it. You are not my captor, even if you have captured my heart."
Razz tilted his head at Spring and cracked a smile. "That was goofy and adorable." His tail was wagging eagerly. "You give Tabitha some love while I make the food she wants." He hopped to the floor. "Welcome to the family, Spring."
Tabitha leaned into the elf. "It scared you, didn't it?"
Spring frowned a moment, a hand gently stroking over Tabitha's furry lower body. "Only a fool wouldn't feel fear at an aberration of such power." She leaned in and kissed Tabitha's closer cheek. "You moved with conviction, even in the face of a fate worse than death."
Tabitha let out a little laugh at that, strained. "And now we have Cthulhu pony as a tenant."
Spring raised a brow. "Such beings are not known to make pacts lightly, but once given, they are bound to it like a physical law. It will not break the terms unless you do first." She trailed a hand up along Tabitha's side across where fur turned to soft flesh, teasing her belly. "I should imagine you will be good for your word."
Tabitha thought about arguing. She thought about a lot of things, but something else came up. She was cuddling with the elf she had wanted so long before. They were close and intimate, with no baggage between them. She felt a smile coming on. "So... No more of this 'oh, you vicious brute' business?"
Spring raised a brow. "If you wish to be my vicious brute, I would not resist you, much..." She nestled in closer with Tabby. "But I have accepted that you are, first, the alpha of our family, beloved and respected because of your practical wisdom and bold tact, not for being a brute. You are also the father of my child, impure blood as it may be. I will love them, as I love you."
Razz looked over his shoulder at the two, darkened faintly. "You two are making me jealous," he admitted guilelessly. "But then, I didn't go fighting crazy space monsters today, so I'll deal with it."
Tabitha held out a hand. "Well finish that so we can all be together. Razzy, are you alright with Spring?"
Razz blinked. "We were just talking about, um, us, all of us." His tail lowered a little. "She... I'm not a beta, am I?"
Tabitha could hear the worry in his voice. The stallion was in a sensitive place. "Rather than answer that, an alternate question. Who cares if you are or not?" She raised a brow. "You're Razz Berry, a lovely stallion. You've grown, as a person. You have a job, you take responsibilities. If word has it right, you led the charge back into the building even."
Razz smiled and turned, hot water dripping from a colander held in a wing. "I'm also an expert spaghetti chef!" He turned back to what he was doing. "It shouldn't be long now... So... you don't think I'm weak?"
Spring leaned over Tabitha, hugging the taur gently, though her eyes were on Razz. "Strength is relative. Are you stronger than Tabitha? No, I made her too well for that."
Razz's ears perked suddenly. "You could make me strong, right?"
Tabitha shook her head. "None of that. You're fine the way your mother made you, Razz."
"Pfft." He continued his cooking work even as he frowned a little. "A pony puts on a pair of glasses, that isn't an insult to their mom. If we can get stronger or better, how is that bad?"
Spring flashed a sudden smile. "I could... but then you'd owe me a boon, Mister Berry. I'll be sure to make you work off that debt."
Razz shivered from head to tail. Something in him warned that may not be a wise move. "But we're family..."
Spring rolled a hand. "And if you needed my magic, it would be yours without question. This is not a need. This is vanity. You are as strong and healthy as you need to be."
Tabitha wrinkled her nose a little. "And I was made just 'as' strong as I needed to be?"
Spring snorted at that. "Of course not. Yours was a boon repaid." She wrapped a hand under Tabitha's furry lower torso. "Are you not pleased with my end of the bargain? I am generous in repaying my debts. Wonderful alpha, please tell me you appreciate this work."
Tabitha was enjoying the attention, but some small part of her was still riled at her forceful species adjustment. Still... "You've made a fine, hm, body." She couldn't argue that, even if she would not have asked for it, if asked ahead of time.
"You still haven't discovered the extent of it." Spring pecked Tabitha's cheek before she slid smoothly to her feet. "A shame my magic could not... succeed today."
Razz twitched an ear back at her. "What happened?"
Tabitha knew all too well. "We lost the yeti. Spring and Horpip tried to save him and it went south." She shook her head. "I'd rather not think about that right this moment."
Razz plucked up a plate on either wing and walked with a third in his mouth. Despite all that, he spoke, "Well, put that sadness aside. It's time to eat!"
All three settled around the table and dinner was on. They ate in companionable quiet. To Razz's pleasure, Tabitha reached over and began petting him halfway through the meal, teasing his sensitive ears and getting at every little spot a pony could normally never hope to reach on their own.
Spring was watching. She didn't seem jealous. She seemed plotting. "I'll know where to focus on you, alpha."
Tabitha warmed a little at that. "You really have changed, Spring. You seem... more of a girlfriend now, instead of an..." She faltered. Saying truthfully what she thought of Spring's past actions might ruin the good mood. "Thank you."
"You should thank Miss Pommell."
As if summoned, a gentle knock came from the door. It was Coco, smiling demurely. "I was actually hoping you'd all be here... I have... an announcement. I apologize, but it may be one that is taken very poorly, but I say it without ill intent. I like you all very much, as friends, and hope that never changes."
Razz sat up straight. He'd heard that line before. He'd said that line before. "Are you dumping us?"
Coco went dark. "Y-yes..."
Tabitha sat up straight. "What's wrong?" Surely there had to be something wrong. Perhaps something they could fix.
"Nothing..." Coco scuffed the ground lightly, hoof clopping against the wood floor. "You're all wonderful ponies, and I feel blessed to know you all, but I don't think this is the family for me." Her eyes settled on Spring. "Be good to them, please."
Even as Spring nodded with certainty, Tabitha sank back a little. Had she done something wrong?
Razz nuzzled into her side. "Sometimes you love somepony, but not that way." He looked back to Coco. "I hope we can be friends." Tail wagging, he smiled. "Getting to know you, I'd really like that. You're a good pony, Coco."
Coco returned the smile thinly. "As are you, Razz. Looks like you won in the end." She turned back towards the door. "Be good to them. I hope this family stands strong and lovingly."
It was quiet as Coco departed, closing the door behind herself. The soft sounds of retreating hooves echoed through the otherwise silent room.
Spring frowned. "Love and family are vexingly confusing." She looked to Tabitha. "Swear to me that we will never part that way."
Tabitha got a wry smile. "I won't make oaths with fey I can't be sure of. I will promise to speak when I have a problem."
Razz bobbed his head. "Me too. Let's stick together, and work through our problems."
Spring offered out a hand. "A pact, between us."
A hand and a hoof reached out to join hers before they finished dinner.
Their family had shrunk, but felt stronger than ever.
Bubbles sat on her couch. Trap was across from her, and Dark to the right. They were all in Bubbles' living room, looking at one another.
Dark nodded towards Trap. "So, you're her brother?"
Trap nodded in kind. "And you're her flame. Far out. I didn't think she was into that."
Bubbles sighed gently. "Trap here is a free thinker. He loves coming up with ideas and inventions, but they never quite work out."
Dark raised a brow at Trap. "What was the last?"
Trap hopped down from the couch and trotted off and back with a bit of shiny metal in his snout. He set it down in front of Dark. "My hoof cleaner. It works great on my hooves, but anypony else it nicks 'em right on the frog." Both of the other ponies winced at the idea of an injury on such a sensitive place. "I thought I had it, too, but I guess not."
Dark reached for the item with her magic, hefting it up and turning it slowly as she examined it. A thought came to her. Was it Paul? She wasn't sure, but she could see a flaw in its mechanism. It was subtle, but it was there. Her magic reached deep into it and began tugging and pushing to get it aligned.
Trap's eyes slowly widened. "What? How? Why didn't I think of that!? Sis, your crush's alright in my book."
Bubbles looked baffled. "All she did was pick it up. Why are you so excited all of a sudden?"
Trap hopped up and down. "You didn't see?! She fixed it! I saw it." He hopped forward suddenly and hugged Dark tightly around the neck. "Thank you!"
Dark smiled a little. The male was being quite presumptuous, but it was with giddy relief and happiness. Besides, the stallion was the brother of Bubbles. She wouldn't scold him too badly. Her magic gently pushed him back as she rose and presented a hoof. "Time to test."
Trap swallowed audibly. "Are you sure? You're, like, a secret agent. I don't wanna hurt your hoof."
Dark held out the hoof, unflinching and resolved.
Trap picked up his hoof pick in his mouth and brought it in, trembling a little. "Here goes."
Jim heard about the events that happened, but he had missed all the parts after he had left. The part about a cthonian resident was brow raising, but lacked the impact it had on the others that had braved through it.
It was more surprising to come home from work to find Sweetie Drops laying on his couch. "Hey?" It wasn't like he was upset to see her, just surprised. "What brings you this way?"
Sweetie shrugged her shoulders. "Can we talk?"
When was it ever a good thing when a female of any species asked that? "What's wrong?" He sat down beside her on the couch.
Sweetie let out a slow sigh. "I really kind of botched things up. Ponies needed me here, and where was I? Not here."
Jim looked Sweetie up and down. How was such a cute and darling pony working as a guard? "Neither of us was expecting that. It wasn't as if--"
Sweetie raised a hoof to his lips, gently silencing him. "I understand that, logically. This isn't about logic. I am a pony. I have emotions. Somepony died and maybe if I had been there..."
Jim considered a moment before he reached and gently set a hand on her back, petting gently. He didn't try to reason it away again, and she seemed to appreciate that.
There was a quiet between them for a moment. before she sat up on her haunches. "Alright... enough moping around. Now, I plan to pay you back for all your help."
Jim raised a brow, but she was moving right ahead. She hopped down to the floor and turned back to him. "I'll be giving you some of my bits each pay day until it matches what you had to pay for the door and my lodging." She held up a hoof. "And no saying no on this. It's the least I can do."
He could argue. He wanted to a little, but he decided against it. Sweetie needed to do something to make amends with herself, and if that was going to be the way... "Alright." He pushed his way back up to his feet. "You got it. Now, for the moment, let's put aside those things. Want to hang out?"
Sweetie smiled. "You're a dear, but I really better get back to work. I've had a long enough vacation." She trotted towards the door. "But I won't be a stranger."
Spring looked over the vibrant green of her domain. It was alive, smelled fresh and wonderful. It was hers.
She flinched as she felt something. It was a sensation she had only felt once before. But how?
She moved towards the source of the disturbance, looking around with an almost paranoid awareness. How could she not? The presence of cold iron was no jesting matter for any fey, especially one that seemed to carry the taint of purpose to battle.
The source became clear. It was Razz Berry, clutching a dagger in his teeth. He had rowan berries done in a necklace, bobbing as he advanced. He saw her not long after she saw him and approached with a frown.
Spring was torn. Part of her quailed at the threat of that dagger and was repulsed by the necklace, the other... It was Razz. Her beta. He was no warrior. "Put that down, outside. Leave at once and I will forget this dire intrusion, Razz." She spoke firmly and clearly, as one might to a naughty dog. "You don't want to make me angry."
Razz shook his head quickly. An agile wing brushed at his necklace, bringing a iron horseshoe into sight. He had come prepared, but for what?
Spring could smell something. Oatmeal? Such a thing... It made fey magic a little harder to focus on a target. Usually no more than a nuisance, but Razz was layering himself in folk protections. She didn't like it. She drew her bow. An arrow wasn't magic by nature. "I will hurt you if I have to, Razz. I don't want to. Go away and put those accursed items down."
Razz suddenly charged her, launching into the air and coming as a streak. She released the arrow. To his considerable credit, he jinked out of the way just in time, leaving a red line along one of his legs instead of piercing his heart. He was onto her, driving her to the ground under the terrible weight of the iron he wore. That dagger pressed to her neck, burning terribly where it touched.
"You are beaten," he hissed. "I claim you."
Spring blinked. "Claim? Me?!"
Razz pressed the dagger a little closer. Her blood spilled just faintly, but it was more than enough to make his threat crystal clear. "You're mine!"
Spring's mind raced. Was she really being defeated by little Razz? "This isn't like you."
Razz shivered softly. "I'm not a beta," he hissed out. "I'm your alpha." His tail twitched fitfully. "Now say it. Say it! You're my mare. My brood mare! You're mine to have!"
Spring was disarmed by Razz's commanding shouts, but also... intrigued. Was this a bold move for her heart? Did Razz really wish to become the terrible beast that Tabitha had steadfastly refused to be? She looked into the fierce eyes of the pegasus over her. "If you kill me, I won't serve much as a mare."
Razz spat the blade to the side, though he still wore the horse shoe. Tactically, a poor move.
She could have dashed him against a tree. But... perhaps she wanted to see where it was all leading. She raised a hand and stroked it over one of his sides. "You don't want to hurt your mare, now do you?"
Razz broke into a sudden smile. "So you admit it, you aremy mare!"
She stroked down his chest, trailing fingers through the plush fur as she gazed into his wild eyes. "I'm already heavy with life, my stud."
Razz's breath caught at being called a stud. "And you'll finish bearing it." He leaned in and nuzzled at the wound he had created, licking it clean. The rowan berries he wore made her itchy, but she ignored it for the time. "You'll take the time to learn to love your new master, then you'll bear me a fine foal. Don't even think of saying no."
Spring wondered where he had learned those things. Perhaps he had run off to a library? Whatever the case, he was acting in a way she approved of. Her legs wrapped up around him. "What will you do about Tabitha? She'll be quite upset to learn you've stolen her brood from her."
Razz's snout broke into a wide grin. "That's for me to worry about. I'll tell her myself. She can challenge me if she thinks she has a chance."
Spring barely suppressed a snort. She was fairly confident Tabitha could rip Razz apart if she wanted to, but it was all part of the game. She couldn't help but grin a little. Razz was willing to play it, where Tabitha had quailed and demurred at almost every step. Maybe he wasn't such a beta... "Only one thing remains then..."
Razz seemed to know what she had hinted at. With quivering hooves, he shoved her over roughly and climbed up on her back. He claimed his brood mare in the forest, and formally threw aside the title of 'beta'.
When it was all over, Razz sat back, panting and a little scared looking.
Spring raised a brow at it. "What's wrong, new alpha?"
Razz quirked a little smile. Being called that was nice. "I... I didn't hurt you, I hope?" He advanced to nuzzle her cheek.
Spring rolled her eyes softly. Razz was still Razz. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close. "I would request that you not threaten me with cold iron again. A proud alpha needs only strong words and their powerful body."
Razz sat up on his haunches. "That reminds! I beat you, and I demand a boon for it."
Spring cocked a brow. Razz wasn't holding the dagger. He couldn't force her. "I'm not sure where you read that."
Razz grunted and thrust a hoof at her. "Brood mare! Obey your alpha!"
Spring smirked faintly, increasingly amused by Razz's behavior. "And what boon would my alpha desire?"
He spread his wings wide. "Use your magic. Make me stronger, faster." He went red a bit. "More virile... Make me the alpha you want." He held up a hoof. "No fingers. I'm a pegasus and proud of it. You're the brood mare of an animal." He practically sneered the word. "Never forget it."
Spring shivered. Those were the sort of words she'd wanted to hear. Perhaps being Razz's mare could have some... benefits. "I am... not entirely sure where this sudden bravery came from, but I approve of it." She went to stand, only to have Razz shove her over suddenly onto her rump.
He advanced on her, growling like an animal. "You made me so angry, and ashamed... I... decided I wasn't going to just take it anymore, so I... I got all this, and, um... You're not mad, are you?"
Spring shook her head. Razz was clearly a bit torn between the flimsy dominant attitude he was trying to foster, and the self-doubt that still lurked in his meek heart. He would need work to become a true alpha, but Spring was starting to feel he would be worth the effort spent to raise him to the task. "I'm sorry for angering you, my alpha. How can I appease you?"
His wings unfurled all the wider. "Do as I asked! No! Command! Improve me, but don't change me. You know the difference."
His tense stance faltered as one of her fingers trailed along an equine sheath, downwards towards dangling orbs. "You want these to be brimming with power and fertility?"
Razz thumped a hind hoof into the ground, firming and growing at her attention. "I want to be so... good even you couldn't stop from getting a foal."
Spring colored faintly. Such a bold request. Could she create such terrifying levels of potency? It was a classic paradox. Could she create something beyond her power? She leaned in and kissed the stallion on the chest. "And you wish to be as strong as a pony three times your size."
Razz grew all the more, bobbing his head. "As strong as you can make me without making me look all... bulgy. I'm not a weight lifter and I don't plan to look like one. I'm your sleek predator."
Sleek was not a word Spring would use to describe Razz, but she nodded.
He brushed a wing against Spring's throat, over the still present wound. She wouldn't be able to magic away the iron cut until time eased that ache. "Can you make me faster?"
She trailed a finger along one of those powerful wings. "You were quite fast enough today, my alpha. May I remind, you avoided an elven arrow, a feat to take pride in. Most don't live to try again."
Razz paled around the nose and his ears as the foolishness of his action was made clear. Maybe he was fast enough... "I want to be healthy. You don't want your alpha getting sick. I'll live as long as you do." Unspoken, he would also live as long as Tabitha and not be the first to greet death in their family, a terrifying reality that he was busily shedding. "Do this, my mare, and I will be happy. A happy alpha means a happy mare."
Horpip puffed on his pipe as he sat on a comfortable chair up on the roof of the building. He gazed down from the lofty heights, watching those ponies milling about on whatever they thought was important. It was laughable, of course. They didn't even know how close they had all come to oblivion.
He didn't know how close he was to being touched until an elven hand came down on his left shoulder. "Ye need something, lass?" He glanced up and over at her. "This isn't your usual haunt."
"Horpip--"
"The magnificent."
Spring rolled her eyes. "Yes, that. I've come... to thank you."
Horpip sat up at that. An offer of thanks was a heavy thing between fey. It meant a favor owed. "And to what do I owe this?"
Spring rolled a hand at him. "I'm sure you think I'm blind and daft combined, but even I can guess where that pony learned the things he did."
Horpip snorted softly. "I'll have you know that the lad came to me first." He tilted his pipe at Spring. "Smart boy, figured it takes fire t'fight fire, and he was raring to go. Bloody hell, he already had half of his ridiculous fey hunting gear before I got there."
Spring smiled at that. "That's actually a relief. I would have been... disappointed if you were the sole source of his sudden bravery. There's a fire there, one worth tending to."
Horpip rolled his pipe lightly. "Yes yes, Miss Horse Fucker. I hope he plows your fields just the way you like it."
Spring went red with fury and perhaps a little shame. "How dare you speak about it that way! He's a gentleman... and a beast." The way she said the last was far from an insult in tone.
"Right right." He leaned back in his chair. "I meant what I said. Have fun with him if that's what you want. Seems a lousy goal for one of us, mind. We can do better than that, don't you think?"
Spring leaned forward. "I'll remind you that you were sent to study these mortals, and you're doing a terrible job of it, so far."
Horpip cocked a brow. "How d'ya figure, lass? I'm watchin' 'em right now, just you getting in the way, the way I see it."
Spring gestured down off the building to the street far below. "They are not insects, to be studied at a safe distance. Short-lived or no, they are thinking creatures, with a society and beliefs and goals. Just staring at them barely tells you a thing about them. You think you can learn enough just watching them like migrations of deer? More a fool you are then." She suddenly got a devious smile. "What will the master think?"
Horpip snorted, a little smoke escaping his nose. "I don't like th' way you went and said that. What lies have you been spreading?"
Spring held up a finger. "First, I did no such speaking. Second--" She held up another finger. "--It was said that I can get far more information about these curious creatures. And why couldn't I? I live among them, and I'm learning their ways."
"You're biased is what you are," huffed out Horpip. "Only a damn fool would listen to a word you said about it. Bloody hells, aren't you wed-locked to one of them? Two if you count the Caretaker, but she's an edge case."
A new voice interrupted their increasingly tense conversation, "Are you now? Far out." Both spun to see the new figure approaching them and went pale. "Relax, dude, dudette." The slender figure tugged at his brightly colored shirt. "You're acting like you don't know me."
"M-master." Spring fell to a knee and dipped her head.
Horpip half-fell out of his chair and joined in the supplication.
The figure shook his head. "Hey, chill. I told you two to relax it." His eyes slid to Spring. "I didn't think I'd find you here, like this. Married to a pony?"
Spring fought against the blush and tremble. Her master knew... She said nothing.
He put a hand on her shoulder. "Congratulations! You didn't invite me to the wedding? I'm hurt." He snapped his fingers suddenly. "Wait, has it happened yet?"
Horpip looked up at their disarmingly jovial master. "I don't think it has."
Spring nodded a little. "It hasn't... Did you truly wish to attend?"
She was answered by being pulled to her feet with hands far more powerful than their appearance would suggest. She was crushed against the brightly colored wizard. "Of course I do! I'll have to get a gift. Oh yeah, that's not what I'm here for." He released Spring and looked between the two. "I got that letter, you know, the one about how Horpip was just studying the ponies, and the one about Spring making super friendly with them."
Spring glanced aside at Horpip. Had he sent a letter about her as well? The fiend!
Horpip smiled nervously. Both were nervous before the jovial, but frighteningly powerful might of their master.
He lifted a finger. "The way I see it, the only real answer is to have you both on this case. Both of these lines are totally great. Horpip, you keep studying and watching. Get the big picture. Spring, you get up close. Get the small picture. Work together, put it side by side and we'll get a better view of these righteous magic fuzzballs. Nice people, if you haven't noticed." He glanced between the two. "That reminds, know any good vacation spots around here?"
Spring shook her head. Her master's... unorthodox behaviors were maddening. "Is that... all you have to say?"
He slapped her on the shoulder. "What? Should I say more? I think your combined report will be more complete than any single thing either of you did. By the way, welcome back, Spring. I missed having you around. Having fun? I guess you are. Great!"
Horpip threw his pipe on the ground, where its two parts popped apart. "Ya can't be serious!"
"Serious as I ever am. So, know any good spots?"
Both sighed with defeat. There was no turning their master when he closed the book on an issue.
Spring pointed down. "The Caretaker has subdued and struck an accord with a being from between the stars."
"Far out! Literally..." He nodded, a calculating look on his face. "Sold. I'll stay here, maybe strike up a conversation with that if it's not going to rip any heads off. That should be amazing." He turned away from the other two. "Do let me know when and where the wedding's at. I wouldn't miss it for all the worlds."
The two watched him vanish through the floor with a colorful spray of lights and a few palm trees sprouting where he once stood.
Horpip reclaimed the two parts of his pipe and fitted them together. "You know, lass, I can see at times why you ran away."
Dark was in a special place. She was sleeping. Better than that, she was aware. Luna was coming. She was certain of it.
The only thing that marred the event was the fact that there was another of her seated on her haunches just across from her. "Paul?"
The other Dark shook her head. "Paul is dead for most intents." She put a hoof at her chest. "I'm becoming something new, and so are you, though I guess mine is more extreme."
The air shimmered as Luna stepped into the dream. "Dark Vision, report. Your dr--" Her words cut off as she glanced back and forth between the two Darks. "What manner of sorcery is this? Neither of you feel of dream creations."
The second Dark, Paul, as Dark continued to think of him, her, or whatever they were, dipped their head towards Luna. "Princess Luna. It is a great pleasure to be in your presence."
The first Dark shook her head. "My deepest apologies, my Princess. I have... suffered an injury of the mind and soul in the line of duty."
Luna stepped forward on uncertain hooves. "Have you been split in twain?"
"In a matter of speaking." The first Dark shook her head. "That one began as a whole person, not simply fragment of my own." She took a slow breath. "I'm afraid this is no longer entirely true. We have been... contaminating one another. They are I, I am they."
The second Dark beamed at the admission. "I hope to be a good addition. I love this world. I love myself." They said the last part as if in genuine astonishment, clearly surprised to feel so good.
The first Dark dipped her head. "I will be fine, and I would gladly continue this task, but I think I should retire from the Warlocks."
Luna and the second both started.
Luna held up a hoof. "Perhaps we could mend you, Dark Vision. You have served well. You deserve at least the chance for recovery."
The first shook her head. "I've given it plenty of thought."
"I didn't notice." The second was frowning at her.
The first stuck out her tongue faintly. "You are still learning half of what I know. Until you catch up, some privacy is possible, with effort... Luna, I am proud to have served under you, but I ask that I be allowed to retire."
Luna took a slow breath. "This is not what we were expecting... But, it does seem that you are making a decision of sound mind, despite the evidence before me of the alternative. If you are willing to continue overseeing the nexus of chaos, please, do so. Continue reporting to me." She lifted a hoof. "Come forward."
Both Darks stepped before her. Luna quirked a brow, glancing back and forth before raising two hooves, pressing one to either's forehead. "I release you from the Warlocks. You have served well. You understand, that door is forever sealed to you. Though you may serve the crown, you will never again be a member of that order." She drew her hooves back and set them on the ground. "Also know that I am not angry or disappointed. Please, continue to serve your fellow pony, and yourself."
With the formalities set aside, Dark felt lighter than a feather. Her oath was dissolved. She was a free mare, besides promising to keep an eye on that building and the danger it presented. She could do whatever she wanted.
The second Dark nudged the first. "Now it's alright to be with Bubbles, right?"
The first pinkened in her nose even as Luna arched a brow. "You have found a mate?"
The second bobbed their head quickly. "She's wonderful. A real fighter, and affectionate once you get past the shell."
"She?" Luna tilted her head a bit, then nodded. "If love is what draws you to retire, then perhaps I can understand it all the better. Love drives us to things... If you have found it, then I will not stand in the way. Chase it, hold it, and never let it go." She rose and turned, speaking something so quietly that neither could hear, "It will not find me." She stepped free of the dream, leaving both behind.
Tabitha was the proud leader of their family. It had come as some surprise when Razz and Spring revealed they had formed a new bond. Though it didn't involve her in a way, she was also relieved. Dom/sub just wasn't her thing, and she was happy having the two of them as roomies she was allowed to snuggle when she wanted to. That one of them was swelling with her child? A curious side benefit, perhaps?
That wouldn't be an issue for some time, at least if Spring spoke truthfully.
Of course, then there was Spring and Horpip's master. He was all smiles and was as mellow as his two students were high strung. He signed his lease even as he commented on Tabitha's body. "She did fine work," he concluded, giving Tabitha a swat across the flank. "Take it easy, Caretaker."
The building grew in population. As time went on, more ponies moved in, as did things that only seemed like ponies. It was a strange place, but, mostly, a safe one. Tabitha was the Caretaker of her beloved home, and she was happy with that title.
Sure, her tenants would get into amazing arguments at times. A holy warrior trying to 'take care' of their cthuloid tenant, or a magical experiment that gave everyone a rash. Their building was never boring to be in.
Tabitha set a picture down on her living room table. It had herself, Razz, and Spring side by side with the whole population of their insane village behind them, everyone smiling and posing.
She could see all the ponies, but those who were not had a haze of their true form. It was an insane family in some ways, but it was hers.
She was happy.
Bubbles tackled Dark to the ground, only to catch several hooves to the undercarriage and be launched across the room. Bubbles twisted in midair and came down lightly as Dark had helped train her and they came together in a great crash.
Their practice sessions often left both sore and swollen in places.
She wouldn't trade it away for the world.
Dark snuck in a quick kiss mid-wrestle and got a hoof across the snout for her effort. She'd have to focus to keep up with her mistress and lover.
Bon Bon dipped her head. "I... Thank you. You, everypony here, you helped me so much. I'm ready to resume my life." She turned towards the exit. "Things here are in good hooves."
Jim gave a pained little smile. He'd grown quite fond of Bon Bon, but theirs was not meant to be. "I hope you two are happy together."
Bon Bon nodded once before a little smile quirked into place. "We will, even if I have to drag her by the tail. Thank you, again. Jim, you're a wonderful person, and I hope you find the perfect mare someday."
"I alr--" His words were cut off as she reared up and pressed her lips to his, sealing his words before they could hurt them both.
They hugged firmly, but she pulled back eventually. "Live well."
She left.
Trap sat in the office, nervously rubbing his hooves together.
The secretary looked up from her clipboard. "Mister Trap? He's ready to see you."
Trap slid up to his hooves and nodded. "Alright..." He was nervous, so nervous. But he'd done it! His hoof pick was ready.
He marched towards the door towards the pony that could see his device replicated, packaged, and sold all across Equestria.
It was his chance to finally succeed at something.
He wouldn't waste it.
"Thank you for making time--"
A flash of light was barely seen against the bright sunny day. The newsmare nodded softly. "There are still so many secrets to you, my delectable little mare. Don't think I've given up on you."
Celestia pushed a heavy scroll away. "This is quite a report."
Luna nodded towards her. "My former agent was very thorough, and intends to continue being so. She has the situation well in hoof. I would nominate her for a reward of some variety, but we feel that would simply discourage her. I leave her in your hooves, sister. Please, take care of her."
