"Are you bigfoot?"
I stared up at the tiny gryphon on my chest and thought of a plan. Maybe... just maybe this could work. I changed my voice to sound more jolly and said,
"You bet I'm bigfoot! Fwuh huh huh! And who are you little gryphon?"
Linsey squealed in delight and did a little dance.
"I knew you were real! Everyone told me I was wrong but you're real! I can't wait to tell everyone!"
She made to jump off but I grabbed her tail and pulled her back. When I was in a sitting position I gave Linsey a serious look.
"You can't tell anyone! If anyone else saw me I'd turn into a...."
Cmon think of something whimsical.
"Pile of cauliflower!"
Yeah, that was whimsical.
She gasped and nodded while making a motion like zipping her beak. She then cocked an eyebrow and said,
"Wait, why can I see you and it be fine?"
Crap. Something heartwarming!
I pointed my finger at her and gently poked her chest, right over her heart.
"Because you truly believe in me. You never let what anyone else said get to you. You are the truest believer."
I swear I heard "daaaw"s coming from somewhere as Linsey smiled at me. She looked so dang adorable I couldn't help but pull her into a hug which she immediately reciprocated. She reached up and tugged on my beard.... Wait, when did I grow a--
"You're so hairy. I didn't know you'd be super hairy."
I chuckled a jovial chuckle and winked at her. Dang, people should hire me for birthday parties.
"Well, bigfoot is a wild fella. I don't think I'd be bigfoot if I looked all fancy."
She "ooh"ed and I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Suddenly her mom's voice called out,
"Linsey? Who are you talking to?"
We both gasped and Linsey pointed to Talion's room.
"Quick! Hide there!"
I nodded and quickly crouch walked my way over. Once inside I grabbed my magicite and looked the crystal over. I needed more magic, bad. I had just enough to transform and dash to the nearby woods before running out. As I prepared myself to change I paused as I listened to the conversation taking place outside.
"I wasn't talking to anybody. Just myself."
"Really? I thought I heard multiple voices?"
"That was me. I like doing that sometimes."
"Huh... well... okay. I'm going to go run some errands. Megan is in her room and Jessica is downstairs. Be good while I'm gone."
"Okay, mom, I will!"
And then the footsteps moved away. The door opened and Linsey looked in.
"Bigfoot, what are you going to do? You'll turn into cauliflower if you get caught!"
"I'm going to my home! The woods outside of town."
She gawked and said,
"You live in the woods outside of town?! C-can I come visit you sometime? I've always wanted to meet you!"
I gave my best hearty chuckle and patted her head.
"Don't worry! I'll drop by again some time! I just... needed some TP!"
She nodded like that was the most rational thing to do. She waved goodbye as I climbed out the window and moved out of sight. She darted to her room and squealed in excitement before pulling out some paper and crayons.
"I gotta draw bigfoot! I actually know what he looks like now!"
(Later, in the woods)
I trudged around in disappointment. Sure I was getting magic, but not as much as in Equestria. I guess Equestrian was just more magical? And I needed enough to last for a few days given I was staying with a family of six. I also was careful not to take all from one place so it wasn't a massive blotch of withered plants in the middle of the woods. After a while I had enough and was back to being a pony. A quick flight back and I was walking through the door just as Mrs Quillson was putting away the groceries.
"Oh, hello Jack. Where have you been?"
"Oh, I went for a walk. You know, taking in the sights and all that."
She laughed and shot me a look.
"There really isn't much to see. We live in a small town."
"Well this is my first trip to the Gryphon Kingdom so I just wanted to look around."
"Fair enough."
I walked over and grabbed the jug of milk before putting it in the refrigerator. She smiled and handed me the eggs.
"I would tell you you didn't have to help, but I don't think that would stop you."
"Nope!"
We quickly put everything away and Mrs. Quillson looked at the clock.
"Well I have some time before I need to make dinner. Want to look at some old photos?"
"Yeah!"
I sat on the couch as Mrs. Quillson eagerly picked up an old leather bound book and carried it over.
"I'm so happy you want to see my album! Everyone else doesn't want to and they complain if I ask their friends."
I sidled a bit closer and said,
"You kidding! This is going to be awesome!"
She squealed in delight (guess I know where Linsey got that) and opened the book. I leaned against her so I could see better and asked,
"Are all gryphons super soft and huggable? Or just this family?"
She blushed and waved me off.
"Oh stop being such a sweet talker. Nobody's called me huggable in years."
"Really? How come?"
She sighed.
"Well, everybody's growing up. Even Linsey is too busy to sit and snuggle with her mommy anymore. I remember when they were younger they'd all fight over who got to sit with me when we watched movies so they could cuddle. But, those days are long gone."
She looked sad as she tenderly looked at one of the photos. A younger Mrs. Quillson was sitting with the child forms of Jessica and Talion beside her. They were so small! Even smaller than Linsey was now! And in her arms was a bundle of blankets everyone was looking at.
"That's when we first brought Megan home. Back when she was such a goofball. Always trying to make people laugh. Nowadays she barely says more than 'fine' or 'whatever' and hates everyone. Well, except her family. To quote her, 'you guys are fine. It's everybody else I can't stand.'"
I snickered before snuggling a bit closer to the matriarch of the Quillsons. She beamed and adjusted her arm so she was partially hugging me around one shoulder.
"Now I can see why Talion likes you so much. You're such a sweetheart."
"Aw... thanks."
We sat there looking at photos and laughing at the funny ones. My favorite was one of Talion puffing out his chest in pride as he held a tiny fish towards the camera. Behind him, Megan had just reeled in a fish that made his look like a guppy. After a while the door opened and both Talion and Mr. Quillson walked in. They froze as they looked at us. Finally Talion opened his mouth.
"Uh... Mom? What are you..."
She looked up and smiled cheerily at them.
"I was just showing Jack some old pictures!"
Jessica walked downstairs just then and groaned.
"Seriously!? What is with you and showing people old family photos! You kept trying to show them to anyone I brought home! Every single time!"
"And every single time they made an excuse not to! And look at yourself now! Single, because they were all jerks! Mother knows best!"
I shrugged and said,
"She seems to have a point. If the family of your friend/fiancé isn't important enough to you to look at some photos, then that person is probably a jerk."
Mr. Quillson motioned for me to follow him as Talion, Jessica, and Mrs. Quillson began to argue. I followed him into the kitchen and he gave me an appreciative look.
"Thanks for humoring her. She gets kinda lonely sometimes with everyone being so busy."
"No problem! I enjoyed looking at embarrassing family photos."
He laughed and opened the fridge.
"Good man... er, stallion. Anyway, given nothing's ready for dinner, I'm going to throw some burgers on the grill. Wanna help? I happen to be an expert grill master."
I shrugged.
"Works for me."
(Meanwhile)
"Mom, why did you even ask him to--"
"It's a parent's job to evaluate anyone their child brings home to see if they're good enough for them. Why, that's what your father's doing right now! And I have to say Talion, I'm impressed! I might not... like your lifestyle, but you have my blessing to pursue a relationship with him."
She smirked before looking at Jessica.
"And if it doesn't work out between him and Talion, maybe you should ask him out."
Jessica spluttered as Talion opened his mouth in shock.
"Mom!? What the... are you trying to set Jessica up with Jack?! Even though I'm interested in him!?"
She shrugged.
"Well, I said if it didn't work out. And besides, I want grandchildren! Imagine how cute a little hippogriff baby would look!"
Jessica went scarlet and face palmed.
"Seriously? Ugh... I swear, she never stops pestering me about that. I get it, you want grandkids! But why are you always badgering me about it!"
"Well it's obvious I'm not getting any from Talion given his... preference. And Megan hates everybody so she definitely won't be getting married anytime this century. So that leaves you!"
Jessica sighed as Talion snickered. Mrs. Quillson smirked as she looked at him.
"Don't laugh just yet. I got a movie for us all to watch tonight. You never truly know someone until you watch a movie with them."
Talion blanched.
"No. Please no. I know what you're going to do but please... don't do it."
All he got in response was a devious smile.