Pandora hopped around in excitement. Cloud had actually proposed! They were going to get married sometime! As Cloud walked over with their saddlebags Pandora pressed into his side.
"Well someone's feeling cuddly." Cloud said before wrapping a wing over her. She pressed her cheek into his shoulder before replying,
"Well it's not every day you become someone's fiancé." Cloud rolled his eyes before kissing her on the cheek.
The two walked a short while before Pandora paused in front of a shop entitled "Quills and Sofas."
"Hey Cloud, maybe we should look into getting more furniture incase we do move here?" Cloud shrugged before following her inside.
Upon entering the two were surprised at the amount of furniture crammed into the relatively small store. They passed beds and sofas galore before stopping at a small pillow display.
"Maybe we should get some new pillows? You really could use some on your couch." Pandora's muttered before picking up a brown pillow. Cloud looked thoughtful before saying with a smirk,
"We could get three, two for the couch and one for the bang sanctum." Pandora tilted her head and shot him a questioning look.
"Where's the bang sanctum?"
Cloud leaned in close and said, "Drop the disguise and you'll find out." Before winking seductively. Pandora blushed before smacking him.
"Cloud!" She looked around before saying in a sensual voice,
"Wait until we get to the hotel room, then I'm more than happy to come with you to the bang sanctum." And nuzzling his cheek slowly. Cloud's wings shot out before he hoof-pumped and hissed "Yes!"
As the two left the store, they passed by a bakery. Pandora shot Cloud a pleading look from under his wing which caused Cloud to turn and walk inside. Upon entering, the two were met with a host of delicious smells. Pandora trotted over to a table and waved Cloud towards the counter. Cloud sighed, he might not like talking, but Pandora still was hesitant to even walk around other ponies without Cloud beside her. As Cloud returned with their orders (which he hoped was right, Pandora's had mouthed something that looked like "peanut butter pie" but he wasn't sure) he found her playing with the ring on the necklace she was wearing, a blissful expression on her disguised face. As he sat down the tray, she snuggled into his side and said,
"I still just can't believe... I mean, this huge! We're going to need to plan a wedding, figure out who's invited, who's officiating it... all if it!" She sighed before wrapping Cloud's wing around her and grabbing her pie. As they ate Cloud asked,
"Umm... Pandora? Just a question but, how do you feel about kids?" Pandora hummed thoughtfully before saying,
"Nymphs are cute! Although maybe foals is more appropriate seeing as I'm a pony right now."
"Are changelings and ponies, you know... compatible?" Pandora blinked before saying,
"I think so? Maybe? I guess we'll find out." Cloud thought for a moment before saying,
"Do you think that you'll ever ask Princess Celestia about staying her as a changeling, you know, so you wouldn't have to worry about being attacked?" Pandora's sighed,
"I really don't want to, not only would that draw all sorts of attention to me, but she'd probably have her scientists 'study' me. I just don't want to become a lab rat for a bunch of ponies to poke and prod and dissect. Also, there would be no chance for a normal life for us. Ponies would always stare, and gossip, and just treat me like, like a freak. I was stupid to be so optimistic before but..." she was cut off by Cloud squeezing her gently.
"I understand, I wouldn't want that either and I will do everything to ensure you're never found out." She smiled before hugging him back.
---------------------------
"Well, this one's perfect!" Cloud told Pandora. After visiting several houses they had found one that was both the right size and the right price. Now all that was left was to follow a lead on a job Cloud had found. Apparently some fancy restaurant needed a violinist to play with their ensemble. Cloud didn't know why a restaurant had an ensemble rather than recorded music, but he didn't care. Just as they were about to leave, a loud gasp was heard behind them. As they turned they saw a pink blur speed away and then return with a wagon in tow. She breathed in before music started playing from the cart.
"Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! A warm welcome to you!..." as the song progressed with a confused looking Cloud as it's audience, he turned to find Pandora's missing. Before he could find her the pink mare from before started babbling.
"HimynamesPinkiePieandyoumustbenewherecauseIknoweveryponyinthistownbutIdon'tknowyousonow,*gasp!* I NEED TO THROW YOU A PARTY!" And dashing off.
"...what just happened?" Cloud said. Moments later an embarrassed Pandora landed beside him.
"Sorry I just, kinda panicked." Cloud smiled and kissed her cheek.
"I understand, honestly, that was pretty... odd." He wrapped his wing around her and trotted off.
--------------------------------
Cloud couldn't keep the small smile off his usually blank stare. They said they'd hire him when he moved here! The hours were good, the pay was surprisingly good. Things were looking up. As they approached the bakery from before, Cloud noticed a sign that said "Free cupcake if you're a blue and grey pegasus stallion who's new in town." Cloud stared at it, followed by Pandora.
"There is no way that's not a trap." Cloud said. Pandora nodded. Cloud slowly circled around the building, keeping his eyes on the dark doorway. Suddenly a snare pulled taunt around his back right hoof. He was quickly dragged towards the doorway. Before he disappeared he said to Pandora,
"Fly you fool." And the door slammed shut. Moments later a loud "Surprise!" rang out. Pandora ran to the back door of the building, as she stared at the door, she changed her disguise to be a unicorn so she could unlock it. She slipped her ring onto her horn and headed inside.
Cloud was not happy. After being dragged inside and everyone yelled "surprise" the pink mare from earlier arrived with five other ponies.
"Hiya! Remember me! I'm Pinkie Pie, you know you were all looking at a house and I was all *gasp* and I sang and then I was like *gasp* I need to throw you a party! And then I did! Do you like it?" She asked the unamused looking stallion. He just looked at her and then glanced at her friends. A purple unicorn stepped out and said,
"Please excuse her, she gets excited about things like this. My name is Twilight Sparkle." She said. An orange earth pony followed.
"Ahm Applejack, pleased ta meat ya! Mah family runs Sweet Apple Acres, producers of the finest apples this side ah the Everfree Forest." A cyan blue pegasus followed,
"I'm Rainbow Dash, only the awesomest flyer ever! You've probably heard of me." She said with a cocky grin. Her egotism reminded Cloud of his brother... he hated his brother. Before he could change his blank look to a scowl, a white unicorn with a carefully styled mane cleared her throat.
"Now now Rainbow Dash, this isn't the place for lengthy bragging. I'm Rarity, pleasure to make your acquaintance." Cloud nodded to them all before Pinkie dragged a shivering yellow pegasus towards them. The pegasus squeaked and whispered,
"M-my n-named f-fluttershy." The last part was barely audible but Cloud got the gist of it. Twilight stepped up,
"I don't recognize you, care to introduce yourself." She said with a polite smile, steering the conversation towards him.
"I'm Cloud." He said. They looked at him expectantly despite the many ponies partying around them. He sighed,
"Full name, Cloud Nine. I live in Canterlot, I intend to move here shortly." Rarity gasped,
"Canterlot! Oh I simply adore Canterlot! The culture, the fashion, the shopping! All of it's simply devine." She was interrupted by Pinkie grabbing all of then and pulling them to a corner around a bottle.
"Nothing helps ponies become friends faster than truth or dare spin the bottle!" Cloud was about to protest when Rainbow Dash cheered and slapped the bottle, sending it spinning. It landed facing Cloud.
"Yes! Now, truth or dare!" She said. Cloud was about to protest when Applejack noticed his expression and mouthed "just ho with it." Cloud shrugged,
"Truth."
"Your name's Cloud Nine, so that means you must be a member of the Cloud family and if so... do you know Godspeed Cloud! Is he like your cousin or something!" Cloud opened his mouth but Twilight cut in,
"Cloud family?" Rainbow nodded.
"Yeah, it's like the Apple family of Cloudsdale. They've been around a really long time and have had lots of wonderbolts in the family and stuff like that." Twilight nodded before gesturing for Cloud to continue. He sighed,
"Yes, I know Godspeed." The bottle glowed yellow.
"Ooh! You're hiding something! Spill it spill it!" Pinkie cheered while bouncing.
"Why?" Cloud asked.
"Well, those are the rules. The bottle's enchanted to be a lie detector. So explain how you know him." Cloud shook his head. Rainbow scowled,
"Come on! Just tell us! It's only natural to be jealous of an awesome pony like him but you need to tell us! It's part of the game... also so you can get me his autograph!" She practically squeaked out the last part.
"I'm not jealous of him." Cloud said. The bottle glowed green. Cloud briefly wished Pandora was with him but thought better of it when he saw the crowd. Rainbow continued,
"What? Whadda ya mean you're not jealous." Cloud just shrugged. Twilight cleared her throat,
"You still haven't said how you know him." Cloud scowled.
"He's my brother." Rainbow started laughing,
"Bwahahah! His brother! You expect me to believe that! I know for a fact he only has a sister!" Her laughing died off when the bottle glowed green.
"Wait! What!? You're really his brother! But... how come they never mention you in the interviews!" Cloud stared at her.
"That's not in the question, my turn." Rainbow looked to Twilight hopping she'd interfere. Twilight shook her head before gesturing towards the bottle as Cloud spun it. It landed on Pinkie. He was about to ask when Pinkie shouted "Dare!" He blinked before sighing.
"I dare you to play upside down the rest of the game." Pinkie immediately balanced on her head and spun the bottle. It landed on Cloud, again. He sighed,
"Dare."
"I dare you to answer Rainbow's other question!" He turned to Rainbow with a glare. Rainbow was smirking in satisfaction as Cloud said.
"They don't mention me because I'm not his brother anymore." The bottle glowed green and before anyone could complain he spun the bottle. It landed on Fluttershy. She squeaked in panic and began shaking uncontrollably. Cloud decided to go easy on her.
"Truth or dare." He said. He heard a squeak that sounded like "truth" so he continued,
"Um... is it true you... like..." he glanced at her cutie mark," like butterflies?" Fluttershy perked up and nodded happily.
"Oh yes, but, um... I like all animals really." She turned and gently spun the bottle. Cloud saw his chance and slipped away. As he started searching for the door he sighed in relief. That was the worst game he had ever played. Now he just wanted to find Pandora and leave. He was interrupted by Pinkie yelling to her friends.
"He's over here!" She called.
"Oh hell." Was all he could say before he was facing the pink mare and her now dizzy friends. She sniffed a little.
"W-why'd you leave? A-aren't you enjoying the party?" She said, mane deflating a little. Cloud didn't even blink.
"I hate parties." Upon hearing this the pink mare gasped like he had just insulted her mother.
"H-hate parties?! But nopony hates parties!" He just kept up his stare.
"Perhaps he simply doesn't enjoy crowds much like Fluttershy. That could be a reason, no?" He was about to add his two bits when he felt something get shoved into his mouth. He tried coughing it out but was slapped on the back, causing it to go down his throat accompanied by an oddly familiar taste.
"Pinkie! You can't just force-feed ponies cupcakes!" Twilight said.
"But he need one to turn that frown upside down." Pinkie groaned. They were interrupted by Cloud's loud coughing. He knew he recognized that taste! Now he could feel his throat swelling. He frantically reached for his saddlebags but realized that Pandora still had them. He didn't have his Allergy shot. He started wheezing and coughing more frantically as he scanned the crowd for the door. He had to find a hospital, fast! A unicorn who looked remarkably like Pandora's disguised form ran up.
"Cloud there you are! I've been looking all over and- um... are you all right?" She said. Cloud shook his head before attempting to communicate via frantic hoof gestures. Pinkie instead started excitedly chattering to Pandora.
"Well Cloud was all frowny face so I fed him a cupcake but now he keeps coughing all weirdly. Hi! My name's Pinkie Pie! What's yours!" She said excitedly. Pandora looked at Cloud and her eyes went wide.
"What was in that cupcake!"
"Well, flour and sugar and-" she was interrupted by Pandora grabbing her shoulders.
"What kind of cupcake was it!" Pinkie blinked before producing another white cupcake out of nowhere.
"Well my famous coconut cream surprise of course!" Pandora's gasped before she started frantically rooting through the saddlebags on her back. Twilight looked confused,
"What's going on?" By now a crowd had gathered around the choking pegasus, but no one knew what to do.
"He's really allergic to coconut!" Pandora shouted before pulling his medicine syringe out of the bags and removing it from its sleeve. Twilight gasped and Pinkie gave a worried "oh no." Cloud was touched she remembered that, but was more concerned with not dying given he literally couldn't breathe at the moment. Pandora jabbed the needle into his flank and pushed the plunger. Almost immediately his throat started clearing and he gasped for air. Pandora pulled him to his hooves and he leaned up against her. Hugging her gratefully. Twilight was about to say something before Pandora said,
"Um... I think I'm going to take him to the hospital, just... please don't follow us." And leading the still gasping Cloud out of the building. Upon their exit silence reigned over the crowd. Pinkie gulped and looked sheepishly at the now glaring Twilight.
"Um... sorry?"