//------------------------------// // Friendshipping // Story: The Princess and the Human // by Ausbrony //------------------------------// Rarity’s eyes sparkled as she sat across from her human employee, the pair at their usual mid-morning tea break. While she hadn’t said anything yet, she might as well have spoken volumes on the topic that was on her mind. Kai rolled his eyes and set his teacup down. “A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell Boss. So no, I won’t be spilling about what happened last night.” Rarity made a sound not unlike a whining puppy as she nibbled on a biscuit. “I am just interested in the affairs of my friends.” She smiled at him and winked. “After all, I need to know if I should start making a wedding dress.” Kai coughed not so subtly into his own teacup, choking slightly as he levelled a small glare at the unicorn. “Seriously Boss?” “Mmm, not really,” Rarity tittered. “I update the wedding dress designs of my friends every year.” “Of course you do… also, I wanna see Twilight’s later,” he commented after a small pause. “Look, not all that much happened really. We read a book together, made out a little… or a lot. We’re taking things slow okay.” “Aww, that is just so adorable,” Rarity gushed, wiggling in her seat. “Well, if you ever need a night alone, just let me know.” “Yeah, thanks Rares,” Kai smiled. He glanced at the clock and frowned. “Hey, what time was that shipment from Canterlot arriving?” “Ten o’clock, why?” Rarity glanced at the clock and gasped. “Fifteen minutes!?” “‘S cool, I got this,” the human smiled as he stood up. “The cart’s round the side right?” “Yes, but are you sure?” the unicorn asked him. “I could ask Rainbow to assist.” “Nah… I got another slave in mind,” Kai hummed with a small smirk. “So, why the crap am I pulling this thing?” Flash Step muttered as she pulled the empty wagon behind her. “I mean, friendship will only get you so far.” “Because I’m gonna treat you to an awesome dinner while Twilight visits Princess Celestia in Canterlot,” Kai replied as he walked alongside her. “Also… what’s up? You seem kinda…” He rolled his hand around, trying to find the word. “Bleh.” “Bleh?” Flash deadpanned. “Really? That’s the best you got?” “Well, yeah,” Kai admitted. “Come on Steppy. We’re mates right?” He paused and looked down at her. “Did your date not go well?” And at her twitch and lowered ears, he’d figured he hit the nail on the head. “What happened?” “Oh… I thought the date was going just great,” Flash Step muttered. “At least until her coltfriend showed up.” “Ooof,” Kai winced and knelt down, putting a hand on her shoulder. “That’s rough. Sorry to hear that.” “It was my own fault,” she said quietly. “I… should have made my intentions clear. I don’t think she realised it was even supposed to be a date. And I was too excited to actually confirm anything, so I can’t even blame her for it. My own… stupid fault…” She frowned and looked down. “Dammit…” She blinked some tears from her eyes. “Damn…” Kai put an arm over her, and pulled her close, though the cart’s harness made it a little awkward. “You know what?” he said gently. “It’s her loss then. You’re a pretty amazing wo-er, mare. I mean. You’re a freaking Royal Guard You’re stupid fast, and you were my very first Equestrian friend. Seriously Step. Ponies should be lining up around the block date you.” The mare remained silent for a moment before wiping her eyes with a hoof. “Oh buck off, since when did you get so sappy?” she giggled, nudging him. “…Thanks Kai. It means a lot to hear that.” “Mhm,” Kai nodded and nudged her back. “So, it’s easy. Tonight, we hit a bar and try to find another gay little horse for you.” “Yeah, sounds like a plan,” she snorted. “Also, aren’t we running late while we stand here talking about feelings and crap?” “Shit!” Kai stood up and dusted himself off. “Let’s go servant, we mustn’t keep Queen Rarity waiting.” “Servant?” Step raised and eyebrow… and a hoof ready to punish him. “I’m dating a Princess, that makes me a Prince or some shit,” Kai smirked back. “So I outrank you~” “Like Tartarus you do,” Steppy replied as she started to trot towards the station. “Ass.” “You love me,” Kai quipped back. “Somepony has to,” she retorted. “Maybe if I was a mare,” he smirked. “Damn ugly mare,” she replied with a wink. “Come on, we’re just making ourselves later.” Kai smiled as he followed after the mare, happy he was able to cheer her up a little.  The walk through Ponyville was a hastened one after those delays. Rarity would have their hides if they were too late in returning the order. “Honestly, why did I agree to help you?” Steppy muttered as they neared the station. “Because free food is your greatest weakness apparently,” Kai verbally jabbed. Step paused and groaned. Dammit, he was fricken right. “Just shut up and keep going,” she muttered as she trotted faster, her cheeks having a slight pink hue to them. Stupid human. “Yes Ma’am,” Kai chuckled as they climbed the stairs to the station. Some large crates were waiting there with Rarity’s address. Seems the train had just dumped them and left. “Wow, ten outta ten service,” Kai deadpanned. As he started to lift one. Crap this was friggen heavy. And yet Steppy seemed to lift one with ease, the earth pony humming playfully. “Having trouble?” she cooed as she trotted back to the cart. “Go eat rotten oats,” he muttered as he struggled to carry one box to the cart. Little magic ponies were a bunch of cheaters. The lot of ‘em. Eventually, he’d managed about three crates, while Steppy had handled the remaining seven without breaking a sweat. “Righto, let’s get this crap back to Rarity’s and then we can hang out for the rest of the day,” Flash Step said as she hitched herself back up to the cart. Kai sighed and followed, feeling somewhat emasculated now. “Sooo, what’s the plan anyhow?” Flash asked as they walked. “I mean, I’m all for just wasting time and stuff. But I’ve been all over Ponyville already. And trust me, there is nothing here. Either Sugarcube Corner and try to OD on cupcakes. Or play some seriously dated games at the Arcade. I’m pretty sure I’m the youngest thing when I walk in.” “Huh, you’d think the Guard would have child labour laws,” Kai quipped, earning him a poke in the ribs from a hoof. “Worth.” “Hmm, we could always skip over to another town,” she said. “I mean, Canterlot’s closeby, as is Baltimare. And that’s next to the ocean.” Flash Step liked the ocean, the sights and smells. If she hadn’t become a Royal Guard, she likely would’ve joined the Navy instead. Or just gotten her own boat. “Someone’s a little excited by the ocean,” he chuckled as he saw her ears twitch and her smile widen slightly. “Does it make you wet Steppy?” Flash Step paused as that clicked and she slowly turned to him. “I wonder how hard I have to hit you to knock you out.” “We shall never know, as small ponies cannot reach that high,” he smirked as she jumped, taking a swing at his head and missing on purpose, though his wide-eyed look was totally worth  it. Kai on the other hand, was very glad to have his head. Okay… so little ponies could jump high enough to be warranted as fuzzy little facehuggers with big eyes. “Well, I actually have no flipping idea when Twilight’s gonna be back,” he said as they sat on a park bench. “But, I can’t really go anywhere else. I’ll probably freak ponies out. I mean, Ponyville seems fine with me, but everyone here is insane.” “True,” Step nodded solemnly. “Hhm actually,” Kai looked down at his earth pony mate. “Are there any meat-eaters among the species of this world?” “Well that came of nowhere,” Flash chuckled and nodded. “There’s a few, Griffons, Diamond Dogs and Cat Folk are among them.” “Okay, next question,” Kai said. “I assume you little herbivores don’t stock a nice selection of beef and ham now do you?” Flash Step scrunched up her muzzle, turning a little green at that prospect. “Ew, no. I mean… a few restaurants might cater to that. And ‘Le Grandé’ here in town is owned by a griffon…” “Yeah well, I don’t think I can afford to eat out at a place that sounds expensive,” Kai replied and sighed. “Wait…” Flash held up a hoof. “You eat meat?” “Mhm,” Kai hooked a finger in his mouth and showed of his canines. “But don’t worry, I have a strict policy of not eating friends or anything that talks.” “Well… that’s good to hear,” Flash let out a breath she didn’t realise she was holding. “So, do you have to eat it?” “Ideally, yeah,” the human replied. “We humans need certain nutrients like iron, protein etcetera…” he folded his arms and tilted his head. “But I have no idea what I’m supposed to do here.” “And this is where I step in,” Flash chuckled. “Come on, most places will sell supplement tablets you can get. Will they suffice?” “...I’m gonna miss steak and roast lamb,” he sighed. “Yeah okay. Let’s go.” “Barnyard bargains?” Kai raised an eyebrow. “These horse puns are going to be the death of me I swear.” Flash Step either didn’t hear him, or outright ignored him. She just stepped up to the door and held it open as the human shrugged and headed inside. It looked like any other supermarket, a line of cashiers at the front, with rows and rows of things past that. “This is likely the only place in Ponyville you’ll find that stuff,” Flash said as she walked further in. Kai was still getting a few looks from some of the ponies here, maybe ones that hadn’t seen him already. At the very least, nopony really seemed bothered by it. Ponies were pretty chill little dudes. “Hmmm, should try and find the health section I think,” the earth pony mused as she looked around. The rounded a corner to enter an aisle and nearly bumped into another mare. “Oh, sorry about that,” Flash replied and got nothing but a derisive snort in return. “Humph, watch where you’re going,” Spoiled Rich snorted before her eyes fell on Kai. “You…” “Me?” Kai blinked and looked at Flash. “Him?” she continued with just a faint smirk. “You… You…” Spoiled took a step closer, physically vibrating with rage. “You told me that was a dress! The, latest fashion!” Kai blinked as he recalled what happened. Oooh, it took so much willpower not to laugh out loud. “You sold me… u-under…” He couldn’t tell if her face was red from embarrassment or fury. Maybe both. “I should sue you and Rarity for everything with the humiliation I suffered.” Kai looked down at the mare. Oh really now. Well, time to shift the blame. He wasn’t going to let Rarity take the fall for this. “Well I do apologise. It was one of my first days on the job you see—” “And that is hardly an excuse! If anything, you should be trying harder you—” “Not to mention I’m not a pony, I have no idea what you little equines wear.” “That still does not excuse—” “Hey!” Flash stepped in front of her. “He apologised and it sounded like a genuine accident.” She narrowed her gaze, the cold stare sending a shiver up even Kai’s spine. “And Rarity seems like a reasonable mare. She might even let you exchange the article. So how about you drop it.” “And who do you think you are, low class trash,” the mare turned her aggravation to Kai’s friend. Her displeased expression suddenly softened into one of shock as Flash pulled out her blade. “I’m with the Royal Guard,” she said in a cool, even tone. “And as an ambassador from his home, I am assigned to Kai’s detail as a personal guard.” She took a step closer, Spoiled stepping back to keep the distance between them. “And sueing him. Aside from the fact he hasn’t a Bit to his name, that also sounds an awful lot like a threat.” She tilted her neck until it gave a satisfying crack. “So here’s one for you. Graciously accept his apology and leave the matter be, or I’ll show you the Canterlot dungeons for threatening a Royal Ambassador.” “A-Are you threatening me?” Spoiled found her voice after a moment. “I don’t make threats,” Flash snarled, flexing her admittedly impressive muscles. Spoiled cowed under the display of Earth Pony might. “I… Mistakes are, sometime made. I shall see Rarity later. Don’t let it happen again.” She turned and made a rather hasty exit. “Okay…” Kai let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “That was pretty damned impressive Steppy. You’re a total badass when you’re not being all adorable and stuff.” “Psh! I hate her kind,” Flash snorted as she ran a hoof through her mane. “And what was up with that anyway. The heck did you do to her?” “Eh,” Kai waited until the mare was well and truly out of sight. “She was annoying, but I’m used to that, given I worked retail hell for a few years.” He mimicked his friend, running a hand through his hair. “But when Rarity had her back turned, she said some pretty nasty shit about her choice in dating Pinkie Pie.” He frowned and placed his hands in his pockets. “Pinkie, while weird, is a heap of fun. And Rarity gave me a job, as well as me and Twi a place to live. No way was I gonna let that bitch run her mouth about them. So I sold her a negligee and said it was a dress. She likely wore it to some fancy dinner with a heap of guests.” Flash Step sighed. “Now look, that was reckless and you almost got Rarity in trouble.” “Yeah, I know…” “But,” Flare held up a hoof. “She also sounds like a total mule and had it coming. Next time, be a bit more subtle in your revenge. Or just tell me and I’ll break her Celestia-damned legs.” “...You scare me little pony,” Kai chuckled and scratched her ears. “Okay, let’s find these pills and get on with our day off.” “Sounds like a plan,” Steppy nodded and bumped his hip with her flank. “And hey, I’m only scary when I have to be.” After finding the help of an employee, they found the section that sold the supplement pills, though after reading the label, they were mostly targeted for Griffons. Kai figured he might talk with Twilight first, make sure it was safe for him to take them. So after their purchase, the pair of pals were once again struck with the question of what to do. “Geeze this town is boring,” Steppy sighed. “I can list a dozen interesting places that we could go in Canterlot… but here, I dunno. A walk in the park or something?” “Aww, is little Steppy asking me on a date?” Kai chuckled, earning a small blush and a swat from her hoof. “Ass,” she muttered. “Well, what about you? I don’t hear any suggestions.” “Yeah, cause I know this place like the back of my hand,” he rolled his eyes. “I only know a half dozen ponies by name, and none of them really have something we could do.” He doubted that Step would want to hang around Rainbow right now. Pinkie and Rarity were likely busy with work and Trixie was best taken in small doses. “Geeze we’re boring,” Kai muttered as he realised that everything that had happened to him here so far had pretty much come to him. “So what the heck should we do with our day?” “Well, sure as shit ain’t gonna sit around talking about our feelings like a bunch of mares,” Step snorted. “Didn’t we have plans to hit up a bar and get me a pity date?” Kai glanced at the clocktower in the distance and frowned. “It’s barely after 12…” “Four o’clock somewhere,” Step muttered. “Come on.” “Yeah yeah,” the human sighed and followed his friend. At the very least, this should be interesting. “So… this was a fantastic idea by the way,” Kai pointed out as the pair sat in a local bar. He sipped his juice as the earth pony downed a shot of something alcoholic. She looked up and glared at him, before looking back down at the bar. “Oh shut up,” she muttered. The bar was a small one. Called ‘Moon’s Reflection’. It was located off a side street of the town proper. It had some nice mood lighting from low-hanging candle lanterns. Lots of heavy oak furnishings and cast iron fittings. There was a fireplace against one wall, barren at the moment due to the warmer weather. And another side held a slightly raised stage with a few instruments littered on it. It really did look like something out of Skyrim or something. So naturally, Kai loved the absolute shit out of it. They were also the only ones there, sans the barkeep as she sat to one side. The mare had introduced herself when they arrived as Berry Punch, local grape farmer and brewer. She owned this small bar that she ran herself during the off seasons. “Yeah, this place usually doesn’t pick up until sometime after four,” Berry spoke up. “Cheers for the business by the way.” Kai snorted in amusement. Well at least someone was happy. He looked back at Steppy as the mare thunked her head on the counter. “Why can’t I be happy?” she mumbled. “What?” Kai focused his attention on her. “What do you mean?” “Why can’t I have somepony?” she said a little louder, her voice cracking slightly. “I mean, you got a freaking Princess and you’re not even a pony!” She slapped the bar lightly with a hoof. “Just because I’m a friggen Guard…” “What’s being a Guard got to do with it?” Kai said, holding his glass. “Sounds like a pretty respectable job. The pay’s good right? Plus you personally know the Princesses.” “And I routinely hoof ponies their own flanks,” she muttered and knocked back another shot. “Most ponies, specially mares, are ‘intimidated’ by that.” Her scowl deepened as she sighed. “Nopony likes a mare stronger than them…” Well that sounded like— “Total crap,” Berry spoke up and slapped her hoof on the counter. “I dunno what kind of milk drinkers you have up in Canterlot, but here in Ponyville, there isn’t anything wrong with a mare with muscle. Tartarus, I’d date you if i wasn’t straight…” She paused and a small smile crossed her muzzle. “Hmm…” She leaned across the the bar and looked at the human. “Say, do you think she’d mind a little assistance?” she whispered. “Because I know a great mare. Bats for that team, has a great job, loves foals and she good looking to boot.” “So you’re a barkeeper, farmer and now a matchmaker?” Kai raised an eyebrow. “A mare of many talents,” Berry nodded. “She’s prolly slightly older. But no more than a few years at best…” Kai’s eyebrow continued it’s incline. “Hey, she’s my older sister, and she’s not that old,” Berry said with a frown. “But she’s a bit of an introvert when it comes to dating. Funny seeing as she find at crowd functions. But when it comes to romance she just…” “Wilts?” the human offered. “Hah! A good analogy given her butt mark,” Berry chuckled. “So, whatya say. Care for a little…” “Intervention?” Kai finished and Berry recoiled. “Eeey, that’s a taboo word around here,” Berry chuckled good natured tone and shook her head. “I was gonna say helping hoof. You look like a fish outta water here and… what did she mean by princess?” “I have a marefriend, and she’s my princess,” Kai said, well that wasn’t untrue. “And to be honest, yeah. I didn’t date much… or at all back home. So I’m a bit green to this.” Berry’s ear flicked and she smiled. “Perfect timing as always. Okay hun, sit back and watch a pro at work okay?” She turned around to face the door as a new mare walked in. She was a cute mare with a dark cerise coat, light pink two toned mane and green eyes that… actually looked kind of tired. “Heya Sis,” Berry waved. “Survive another day with the little Tartarus spawn did you?” “It was going wonderful, up until Snips wondered how many crayons he could fit in his nose at recess. I had to call Nurse Redheart in case he’d pushed on into his brain.” She sighed and climbed up onto a barstool, flopping over the counter. “One Afterwork Special if you don’t mind.” “Coming up,” Berry hummed as she made a coffee with a shot of whisky, before putting the drink down in front of her sister. A drink that didn’t last long as the teacher knocked it back like Steppy had been with her shots. “Pwah!” Cheerilee placed the cup down with some force, somehow not breaking it. “That hits the spot. Thanks sis.” “No problem, buuuut,” the mare mused. Cheerilee sighed and rolled her eyes. “Alright, fine. What do you want. And it’s it to cheat Pinchy through the system again. You know I can’t play favourites with family…” “Nah,” Berry waved a hoof. “Pinchy’s a smart kid, she’ll be right. No, this is aaaaall for you.” Cheerilee sighed and propped her head up with her hoof, resting her elbow on the bar. “Alright Berry, who are you trying to set me up with?” She turned her head and her gaze met Kai’s. Their green eyes looking into each other. Kai shook his head. “Not me, happily taken already I might add.” “Round here,” Berry said and Cheerilee sighed, deciding to humour her sister as she trotted around to the corner of the bar and spied the mopey guardsmare. “Cheery, this here is Flash Step, she’s a Royal Guard you know. From what I hear, she’s currently assigned as Princess Twilight’s personal Guard.” She leaned in close. “She also got rejected pretty hard by a certain Miss Dash.” “Ah…” Cheerilee made a small ‘o’ shape with her mouth as she took a seat “Hello?” she spoke up as Flash turned her head to look at the mare. “And you are?” she said dryly, earning a facepalm from Kai. “A pony who’s clearly had an almost as rough a day as you,” Cheerilee chuckled as she waved at Berry, the mare going to fetch two more Coffee shots. “I highly doubt it compares to the colossal failure I am,” Step said with a click of her tongue. “I have to make sure each generation of foals grow up safe and prosperous,” Cheerilee said. “It’s honestly a stressful job, one that consumes a lot of my personal time. I’ve focused so much on it that I’m… well a bit past my prime.” “Pssh!” Berry snorted. “She says that, but you should have seen her in that cheerleader’s outfit at the last Derby. I reckon half the stallions and mares in Ponyville were ‘standing at attention’ for that flank.” “BERRY!” Cheerilee blushed and took a half-hearted swing at her. Though the comment did get a small chuckle from the guardsmare. “My ridiculous and perverted sister aside,” Cheerilee scoffed. “What’s it like being in the Guard? We’re only a small town, so I haven’t seen them all that often.” Steppy looked at the coffee that Berry set down in front of her. “I guess it depends on where you’re situated in the guard. Sometimes you’re guarding an empty hallway for twelve straight hours. Sometimes you’re on the border, fighting off griffon mercs, harpy pirates and monsters…” She looked up. “A good deal more exciting than a school teacher I’d wager.” “Perhaps, but you forget,” Cheerilee smirked, unperturbed by the comment. “This is Ponyville. The single weirdest and likely most dangerous town in Equestria. In a few short years, we’ve seen countless monsters from the Everfree, Nightmare Moon, Discord and Twilight Sparkle.” Steppy raised an eyebrow at the last one. “You should have seen her more… formative years,” Cheerilee giggled. “We even have a disaster relief fund named after her.” “Seriously?” Kai deadpanned. What kind of crazy mare was he dating? “Oh yes, she nearly destroyed the town over a late report to the princess, actually did destroy the town when she enchanted Parasprites, caused an avalanche and fought off a bear the size of several houses.” Steppy and Kai just blinked. This… This town was bloody crazy! “Moving on,” Cheerilee sighed. “What kinds of things do you like doing? Aside from Guards work that is.” “This and that,” Step replied and sipped her drink. She hadn’t planned to answer beyond that until Kai cleared his throat. She rolled her eyes and set the cup back down. “I don’t have that many hobbies persay. I like a good run in the morning though. Hanging out with my friends and the occasional book.” “Oh? You like reading?” Cheerilee perked up. “May I ask what kinds of books?” “I… don’t know,” Steppy replied as she looked down at her drink. “Whatever strikes me at the time I suppose. Training manuals. Self-help books, the occasional novel.” “Surely you have to have a favourite,” Cheerilee prodded verbally. “Well…” Flash Step said and smiled. “I kinda like the ‘Flame Artefact’ series. Though the last few have focused more on romance than the conflict and war they usually depict.” “I’ve noticed that too,” Cheerilee said. “And that last one having three different variants. It was interesting seeing things from both sides of the war, then a third depicting the ‘true’ story so to speak…” “Yeah, it felt a bit unnecessary,” Flash agreed and sipped her coffee. “Though I hear her next one will be a rewrite of one of her older books.” “Hmm, well I guess we’ll see,” Cheerilee smiled. She leaned against a hoof she placed on the counter. “So, tell me about guard life.” “Well, let’s see,” Flash Step said and sat back on her stool. “I graduated from Westhoof Academy when I was nineteen, and thanks to a recommendation, I was sent straight up to Royal Guard, 42nd Battalion, also known as the Princesses Hoofguard.” She lifted her teacup and sipped the coffee again. “It’s mostly just guarding the Royal Palace, as well as events within the palace.” “Sounds important though,” Cheerilee said. “I’ll admit, I have no idea who the Guard is even structured.” Flash turned and chuckled. “Well, you don’t seem like a spy, or an enemy of the state, so I guess I can say a few things.” “Well I am honoured you trust me,” Cheerilee giggled back. “Well, you have the standard Guard,” Step explained. “I guess you could call them police with Royal authority. They tend to have a similar position. Patrolling the town they’re stationed in. Protection against threats. And while they can make arrest and detain. They can’t convict. That jurisdiction goes to either the Police, military police or something like that. Usually you’ll find them working with either of them.” “So there’s more than just ‘Royal Guard’?” Kai asked, kind of interested in this conversation. “Mhm,” Step nodded. “Next you have the Battle Guard and Long Patrol. They make up the brunt of our military force. You’ll find them posted mostly in various strategic locations, like the bases at the border of the Griffon Empire and Dragon lands. After that, you have the Royal Guard. We’re responsible for the safety of the Princesses, Celestia, Luna and of course, Twilight. We guard the Royal Palace and I guess, wherever Twilight may be living here in Ponyville.” “So that’s why you’re here?” Cheerilee said as Step paused to take another drink. “Yeah, though this place is quiet, at least in regards to possible threats to the Princess,” Flash Step replied with a shrug. “Technically, I’m here to guard Princess Twilight and Kai, as an unofficial ambassador of his kind. In reality, it feels more like paid leave.” She tapped her chin. “That aside, you have the various specialized divisions. Like the Elite Guard, Specialists and Storm Brigade.” “Okay, what are those?” Kai asked, setting down his own glass. Even Berry was listening in now. “Elite are… kind like the badasses of the Guard. They guard the high risk areas like the Princess's personal chambers, Royal Treasury and so on. The Storm Brigade are a group of pegasi specifically trained in the art of weather warfare. It’s one reason other species don’t pick a fight with us ponies. Sure, we may be physically weaker than a Griffon, a Minotaur or a dragon. But even they can’t compete when we can drop literal forces of nature on their heads.” Kai shuddered at that. Imagine going up against cute little ponies, only for them to drop a Cat5 tornado on you. Eesh. “And Specialists…” Flash smiled. “That’s my end goal. To join them… unfortunately it’s something of a Dead Pony’s Shoes. They always have seven members, no more, no less. The only way in, is if somepony else leaves. They however, are the Last Resort. Ponies so stupidly strong, that if no other means exist, they’re called in to end things. One way or another. I hear just one is enough to subdue an entire battalion. All seven? They could probably topple a nation.” Kai and Berry whistled slowly at that impressive claim. That actually sounded really damned cool. “Well, that certainly does sound impressive,” Cheerilee said. “Much more so than my life as a school teacher.” “Please, I’d rather charge headlong into battle than deal with a class full of foals,” Step laughed. “Kids can be brutal when they wanna be. Seriously Miss Cheerilee, you got my respect.” “Oh, well…” the earth pony mare blushed. “And please, my students call me Miss. Just Cheerilee will be fine for you Miss Step.” “Same here,” Steppy said. “Just use my name.” “Or Steppy, cause it’s cute,” Kai pointed out, getting a glare from the mare in question. “What? All you ponies are cute. Seriously.” “Well, he is correct,” Cheerilee giggled. “You are very cute Miss Flash.” “I…” Flash blushed and looked away. “Dammit Kai. See what you made her do.” “I take no responsibility for Miss Cheerilee recognising that you’re adorable,” Kai shrugged and stood up. “Well, on that note. I’ll leave you kids alone. I have a mare to go and meet at the train station.” Flash Step went to stand up too. “Oh, I should—” “Nope,” Kai pushed her back down onto the seat. “As your ‘technically’ Boss. I am giving you the night off to spend with the lovely teacher mare here.” He winked at Cheerilee, making her pink in the cheeks. “So have fun, and I’ll see you tomorrow.” “But—” “No buts,” Kai said and booped her nose with an index finger, making Steppy’s muzzle scrunch up cutely. “Enjoy.” And with that, he pet her head and strode from the bar, leaving the trio of earth mares to their own devices. “So…” Berry mused and looked at Flash. “Since he didn’t pay, I guess you’re covering his drinks?” Flash blinked as Cheerilee put a hoof to her mouth and giggled. “That sonova—!”