//------------------------------// // Changes and Problems // Story: Integration Is Pointless // by OutOfTheBlue //------------------------------// We all sat around the table as Mrs. Quillson set the food down. Apparently tonight she had cooked something called "fish and chips" and it smelled really dang good. As everyone got into their seats she glanced at me with worry. "Umm... I wasn't expecting to have a pony eating with us so... I hope us eating meat doesn't bother you too much. I can go try to whip up a salad or something if you want?" I looked at her in confusion. "I eat meat." That seemed to have caught everyone off guard, except Talion who already knew. Before they could ask I opened my mouth and displayed my fangs. "See, omnivore." Mrs. Quillson nodded but remained skeptical. After getting a helping of food I joined the rest in eating and-- "Holy!... this is the best thing I've ever eaten!" Mrs. Quillson smiled and rolled her eyes. "No need to try to butter me up. It can't be that good." "No, it really is! I've never eaten anything that tasted like this!" She smiled and blushed. "How kind of you to say." She gave all the children a disapproving mom smile. "I'm not used to compliments on my cooking. Most of the time everyone askes if we can eat out." I swallowed another bite before saying, "Probably because they've been eating good food for so long they've grown used to it and don't appreciate it as much." Talion shuddered. "I know I'll never complain again. Equestrian food is pretty bad for a gryphon. All that hay and flowers." He made a face and went back to his food. Mrs. Quillson turned back to me and smiled. "So, you never really introduced yourself. Would you mind telling us a bit about yourself?" I nodded and set down my silverware. "Well, my name is... Jackknife, but everyone calls me Jack. I like... hugs? Uh... I don't really know what to say." "Well how about where you grew up?" As I thought about what to say Talion looked at his mom and mouthed, "What are you doing?" She mouthed back, "Learning more about him. It's my duty as a mom to learn all about the friends of my children so I can tell if they're weird or not." Talion rolled his eyes. "He's weird alright, but in a good way." Megan slapped a claw to her face as she watched them before snapping her claws to get both of their attention before mouthing to Talion, "This is my I don't have friends, Mom would creep them out." Mrs. Quillson huffed and crossed her arms as I finally got my story straight. "Well, I grew up in Nocturnia. I had a brother, but haven't seem him in years. Uh... I had a boring childhood and really like it better here." Mrs. Quillson nodded and smiled. "Well I'm glad you're happy." I mainly just listened for the rest of the meal as everyone else talked. When dessert arrived (Coconut Cream Cake) Talion looked at Jessica. "So, I've been meaning to ask. Why are you back at home? I thought you were moving in with your fiancé?" She scowled and stabbed her fork into her cake. "I was until I thought I'd surprise him by coming home from work at lunch only to find him 'having a business meeting' with his boss on lunch break. I broke off the engagement and last I heard him and his slut of a boss are a thing now." Linsey turned to Mrs. Quillson. "Mommy, what does slut mean?" She shot Jessica a look before turning to her youngest child. "It means she's not a nice person." Linsey "ooh"ed before pointed at Megan. "So that means Megan's a slut 'cause she won't let me in her room." Megan laughed as Mrs. Quillson attempted damage control. ("You can't call people that!" "But Jessica--" "Jessica was being a bad role model for a twelve year old.") I looked over at Jessica who was sitting to my left and patted her on the shoulder. She looked at me as I gave her a reassuring smile. "Some people are just the worst." She smirked. "You can say that again." The evening passed quickly after that and soon we were trying to figure out where I'd sleep. Talion suggested I take his bed while he slept on the couch and we switch every other night, I suggested we just share which apparently weirded out his parents and the older two sisters. Talion explained I'd been sharing with people for a while and that it wasn't weird (which honestly, why would it be weird for guys to share a bed when there's only one? That would be like saying two guys hugging was weird. They're friends, why can't they hug?) Upon voicing my opinion everyone reacted differently. Talion's sisters started laughing and said something to Talion that made his face red while his parents gave eachother a look. Eventually we sorted it out and my idea was accepted. As I lay in bed looking around the unfamiliar room I realized something. It was cold in here! Despite having all the covers pulled up, I was shivering. I looked over at Talion to see he appeared to be perfectly comfortable. I poked his back which caused him to roll over and shoot me a questioning look. "What?" I didn't respond but just snuggled against his floofy feathers. "What the..." "I'm cold! And you're super fluffy and warm!" "But why are you hugging me!?" "I already told you, I'm cold." "But... but... isn't it weird to hug a guy?" I rolled my eyes. "What is with you guys and that? Why would it be weird for me to hug you?" He opened and closed his beak a few times before sighing. "Whatever, just don't tell my parents. They probably would think it was... weird." I nodded and squeezed his fluffy gryphon floof. Seriously, I said it before and I'll say it again, gryphons are super huggable! --------------------- (Meanwhile, in a hotel near the train station) The mane six, Brooke, and Luna were all getting ready for bed (with a certain fashionista hogging the bathroom.) Luna had joined up upon hearing Brooke's friend's name was Jack, short for Jackknife. Nopony knew why she was so interested all of the sudden but she'd sent the rest of her troops back to Canterlot and had accompanied them. Twilight looked at the still rather peeved Brooke and smiled. "So, where can we find your friends?" "I don't know." Twilight did a double take. "You don't... but we traveled all this way!" Brooke sighed and facehoofed. "You dragged me onto a train before I could tell you. All I know is he took the train to this station. Other than that, we'll have to walk around and try to spot him. Also, I'm expecting you to compensate me for the days of my job you're going to make me miss." Twilight sheepishly grinned and rubbed the back of her head. "We probably should have told the mayor we were taking you." Brooke kept a deadpan look. Twilight sighed and looked out the window where Luna was perched. "I wonder why Luna wanted to join us so bad? It's not like her to give up a task so quickly." Brooke shrugged before looking at the line for the bathroom door. Rainbow Dash was knocking with a frustrated look about her. "How long does it take, Rarity! You've been in there for twenty minutes already!" A muffled voice replied. "I'm putting on my face mask! Just because I want smooth skin doesn't mean you can rush me!" Brooke rolled her eyes. At this rate, by the time everypony got their teeth brushed it would be dawn. ------------------------ (Canterlot) Princess Celestia hummed a little tune as she finished the last letter she had to write today. Finally, she was finished with her duties for the day and could sleep. Just as she was about to stretch and stand up, a commotion could be heard from behind the doors to the throne room. She perked up as she heard strange sounds that were... coming closer. Suddenly, six humans burst through the door, guns leveled at her. She light up her horn only for one to step forward and say in a female voice, "I wouldn't do that your majesty, unless you wanted this pony to meet an early end." She motioned towards where one of the soldiers was holding her assistant, Raven Inkwell, at gunpoint. Celestia glared at them as she slowly ler her magic fade. Her magic was powerful, but she wasn't willing to risk the life of Raven. The soldier nodded. "A wise choice. Now then, you're going to be coming with us. Enoch!" One of them that wasn't wearing a helmet raised his gun and shot her. She looked down at the dart lodged in her shoulder before the world went dark. She crumpled to the floor and the human laughed as Raven cried out in horror. As Atlas hoisted the Solar Princess over his shoulder she looked at Lance who was holding the hapless hostage. "Take care of her." He looked between the two of them before nodding and carrying her into a side room. After a brief pause one gunshot rang out and then he returned. Commander nodded before addressing the soldiers. "Alright, leave the note and let's get out of here."