“Something just occurred to me,” Bonsmara stated, pausing in helping set the table. “You did not seem surprised to see Amore and Gauze here."
“I have a suspicion and little more.” Fierce asked Mosaic, “Where would you like to put the younger members of our gathering?”
“They can eat in the den. We have a folding table that should have enough room for everyone.”
“You’re too much for me!”
“Come on everyone!" Care cheered. "We’ve got him!”
“I think he’s got us!” Windless argued.
Everyone looked toward the kitchen’s doorway.
“What in the Equestria?” Mosaic asked.
Cobalt walked into the room, feigning being overburdened. Care had her forelegs around his neck and was being carried along half over his shoulders, her hind hooves off the floor. Windless was draped over his back like a pair of living saddlebags. Labra and Pyrite each were wrapped around one of Cobalt's hind legs tickling his ribs and belly.
“Keep tickling!” Labra ordered.
“I am!” Pyrite told her. “He’s just too strong!”
“I can’t go any further!” Cobalt knelt down, making a show of going to each knee with a grunt of effort and a struggle, allowing the pups to get off his hind legs, and collapsed to the floor. He rolled to his side, trapping Windless under him and making it so that Care’s barrel rested on his ribs and shoulder. He put his head on the floor, stuck out his tongue, and acted as if he were dead.
Freight shook her head. “That’s one way to do it.”
Pyrite pointed to Cobalt’s collapsed form. “We brought him for you Miss Mosaic!”
Mosaic laughed. “Thank you.”
“Yes, we got him here. Now, somepony get him off me!” Windless said, pushing against Cobalt with no effect.
“I’m comfy right where I am,” Care said, adjusting her position and relaxing against Cobalt. “Would you do me a favor and stay here? I think it will take me a minute or two to recover.”
“I can do that,” Cobalt said, breaking his act.
“No you can’t!” Windless protested, giving Cobalt another ineffective push.
“My cushion is a little lumpy, though,” Cobalt said. “It’s noisy too.”
“I wouldn’t make so much noise if you would get off!”
“I guess I can’t stay then.” Care got to her hooves and offered one to Cobalt. “I don’t think you need help, since you carried all four of us, but I thought I’d offer.”
Cobalt took her hoof. “Thanks.”
As Cobalt rose to standing, Windless groaned and curled his legs like a dead bug. How can you be so strong? You’re not that much bigger.”
“Mercy will never let us live this down, if she finds out about this,” Care said. “Four on one, and we still lost."
“I'm glad you didn't stop training with her because of those jerks that we're giving you a hard time,” Cobalt said. "Reading about that in your letters really bothered me. It seemed like you were so happy, then they almost ruined it for you."
Care nodded. “I am too. Like you said, they were just being jerks." She smiled at him. "Even with the training we're not ready to wrestle with you.”
“Don’t put yourself down. You’re both in great shape and you both weren’t giving it your all.”
“They're holding hooves again,” Labra pointed out to Pyrite.
Windless rolled to his belly. “I want everyone to note they left me here on the floor.”
Pyrite stroked down Windless’ back as if he were a cat. “It’s okay. Now you’re down here with Sis and me.” He used his free paw to scratch one of Windless’ ears. “Does this help? Momma does this to make us feel better.”
“It’s working on me too.” Windless leaned his head into the scratches. “Thanks."
Labra moved to the opposite side of Windless and joined in scratching and rubbing Windless, who relaxed into a pony shaped lump on the floor.
Fierce chuckled. “I say, I believe they rendered him comatose.”
“Works much the same on you and them,” Bonsmara stated. “Come on you two, let Windless up. He is blocking the way to the rest of the dishes."
After he stood up, Windless’ wings were eye level to Pyrite. Pyrite reached out a paw. Just before touching Windless’ wing, he jerked his paw back.
“I don’t bite,” Windless assured Pyrite.
“I almost forgot. I’m not supposed to touch a pony’s wings without asking.”
“That’s very polite. Pegasi can have their feathers moved out of alignment and bat ponies’ wings are kinda delicate.” Windless extended his wing partway. “You can touch it, just be careful."
Pyrite rested a paw on Windless’ wing membrane. “It’s so warm.”
Labra gave Windless a pleading look. He smiled and told her, “You can touch too.”
Labra moved to stand beside her brother and put her paw beside Pyrites on Windless’ wing. “It’s really soft.”
“That’s why you need to be careful with them,” Care said.
“Can you hug with them, like Miss Muffin’s does?”
“Who is Miss Muffins?”
“She’s the mailpony.” Pyrite smiled. “She gives us a hug every time we get the mail from her. We have to hold real still when she does it.”
“We can hug with them,” Care said. “The same rules apply about holding still too.”
“Mom?”
Everyone turned to the door, where Stone and Puca stood. Puca had a silver ribbon tied into a bow around her neck.
“Is Dad here?” Stone asked.
“He and Edge stepped outside. Edge had questions about your dad’s work on the house.” Mosaic’s eyes lingered on the ribbon around Puca’s neck.
“I’ll get them,” Amore said, walking past the doorway.
“You’re sick,” Labra said in an accusing, tearful tone. “You promised you weren’t sick!” She sniffed and cried. “Pinkie won't be happy you broke a Pinkie promise.”
“She’s not sick,” Gauze said, as she peeked around the door frame.
“But you gave her a ribbon!”
“I do that for everyone I see, whether or not they’re sick.” Gauze edged past Stone and Puca, sat down, and extended her forelegs towards Labra. “Come here." Gauze took Labra into a hug. “What makes you so upset about her maybe being sick?”
“When you get sick, you go away,” Labra said. “That’s what happened to Pyrite’s and my first parents.”
Bonsmara’s breath caught.
“Most diamond dogs and ponies get sick, at some point.” Gauze used a hoof and rubbed comforting circles into Labra’s back. “What happened with your village was a rare, terrible thing.”
“It could happen here too,” Labra said.
“What happened there can’t happen here. Something got into the water where you lived. What got in the water there is not anywhere around here.” Gauze looked up at Pyrite, who had made his way closer to them.” She smiled and held out a hoof to him. “Come here, your sister could use another hug.”
Pyrite rushed to his sister and hugged her from the side. “Sis isn’t supposed to get sad. Mom says I’m supposed to give her and Cobalt hugs, when they look sad.”
“Hugs help a lot of things.” Gauze brought Pyrite into her hug with Labra. “If either of you ever need a hug, just ask me for one. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“There is someone else that needs a hug right now.” Gauze looked up at Bonsmara. “Your Mom could use a couple from some a pair of special somedoggies.”
Both pups looked to Bonsmara, who was being comforted by Fierce.
“Momma’s not supposed to cry!” Pyrite said, holding tighter to Gauze. “Momma’s tough!”
“Your mom is tough.” Gauze let go of the siblings. “That doesn’t mean she doesn’t get sad. You need to go help her feel better.”
Both pups ran to Bonsmara, who knelt to the floor and hugged them both to her chest. Fierce joined her on the floor and hugged them all. “None of us are going anywhere,” Bonsmara told the pups. “We are a family, and we will be with one another for all of our lives.”
Gauze got to her hooves and swallowed back tears.
Windless moved to her side. “You could do with a hug too.”
“Thanks,” she said, as she accepted his offered comfort hug.
“What is going on?” Amore asked, as she led Field and Edge into the kitchen.
“Labra thought I was sick,” Puca said, holding hooves with Stone and leaning against him. "Maybe we should hold off for another night."
“No, now is the perfect time,” Stone said. “Everyone needs a pick me up, and this more than qualifies."
Puca nodded and smiled. “You’re right. Now that everypony is here, we can tell you what Amore and Gauze wanted to see me about. They got news from the princesses they have seen what is happening before and there was a simple magical test that could determine what was going on.” She took a brief, gathering pause and then announced, “We’re going to be parents.”
“You’re going to be parents,” Mosaic repeated, as if she did not believe what she had heard.
“Yes, we are,” Stone said. “That’s why Puca can’t change.”
Field sat down with a thud. “That’s great, Son, but how?”
“The same way you and Mom had me and Cobalt.”
Field chuckled. “I guessed that part. What I mean is how can a changeling and a pony have a foal?”
“A changeling, we’ll be having a changeling,” Puca clarified. “There will be an egg coming in about five months."
Astounded silence reigned in the kitchen.
Field shook his head and rubbed one of his ears with a hoof. “Run that by me again.”
“I know what’s going on!” Labra said. “They’re adopting like Mommy and Daddy did with me and Pyrite. They ordered a changeling egg, they have to wait for it to get here, and then they will hatch it!”
Puca looked to Bonsmara, with an expression of being uncertain what to say.
“Is Miss Muffin’s going to deliver it?” Pyrite asked, his head tilted and his ears splayed in curiosity.
“At the moment, we don’t know who will deliver it,” Stone supplied.
“Why did no pony know about the delivery coming earlier?” Cobalt asked with elated curiosity.
“Because what is used to find out about such things with ponies does not translate over to changelings, there are different magical signals to look for when an egg is involved. Once a changeling absorbs enough love from a particular pony, they can become parents together. The princesses mentioned in their message that there was a changeling stallion and a pony mare couple that received a foal of their own in Canterlot not too long ago.” Amore gave a knowing, teasing look towards Puca and Stone. “It turns out that Puca and Stone could have had a foal too, had things been just a little different.”
“What do you mean?” Windless asked.
Stone, blushing crimson, explained, “The form she was in during certain events determined whether we would have a changeling or a foal and what form she would be in till either arrived.
Windless’ jaw dropped open. “I didn’t mean to get that personal with the question.”
“It’s fine,” Puca said, her blush matching Stone’s.
“You’re going to be parents,” Mosaic said, as if the idea had sunk in with her.
“Yes we are,” Puca gave her a vulnerable smile. "I know us having a changeling is a shock. Had we known we-”
Stone hugged Puca to his side. “I would not have changed a thing.” He kissed her temple, touched his nose to hers when she turned to him, and looked into her eyes. "Now, I am going to have two living gems in my life. If we want to have a foal delivered later, we can look forward to filling out the paperwork for that shipment too."
Mosaic hugged Puca and Stone around their necks and pulled them to her so their heads rested on her shoulders. “Are you two happy?”
“We are,” Puca said, as she and Stone returned Mosaic’s hug.
“Then nothing else matters. I don’t care if you two are having a hippogriff, a sphinx, or hatching a dragon. I will love and spoil your child rotten. I’m sure everyone else here agrees.” Her words were supported by sounds of approval. Mosaic sniffed and touched her nose to Puca’s. “I’m going to be a grandmother.” She looked towards Cobalt. “Come here and give her a hug. I know you’re dying to.”
Cobalt sniffed, as he moved towards Puca. “I was so worried.” He hugged her as if she might break.
“I know.” She hugged him back. "You weren’t as bad as Stone, but it was close.”
“What I was feeling doesn’t count the same. I was worrying for two ponies. It would hurt us all if something ever happened to you, but it would end him,” Cobalt said.
“He’s tougher than that,” Puca said.
“Let’s not find out,” Stone said.
The oven’s timer went off.
“Okay, everyone, now we’re having a celebratory lupper and a welcome back to Ponyville lupper in one tonight,” Mosaic announced. “Cobalt, Stone, get the folding table set up in the den. Care, Windless, help Bonsmara and Fierce get the rest of the plates and utensils out. Freight, Gauze, Libra, and Pyrite, get the sitting cushions from the closest in the hall and put them in the den. Amore, Edge, you’re with me and Field on serving detail.”
With a wide grin, Edge snapped to attention and saluted. “Yes, ma’am!”
Mosaic covered her mouth with a hoof. “I’m sorry. I went into foremare mode didn’t I?”
“Yes, Miss Foremare, you did.” Field told her, with a loving smile. “It was impressive to watch.”
“You heard the mare!” Freight said, in her captain’s voice. “Let’s get to it!”
*****
“Anything but a five. Anything but a five!” Windless rolled. “Four! A little too close for comfort, but I’ll take it.” He moved his playing piece on the board and sat back. “Now I have to get through Ghastly Gorge." He smiled at Labra, as he passed her the die. "Thanks for suggesting we play this. I haven’t even thought about this game in forever, and this has been a blast.”
“You’re welcome.”
Care put a hoof on Pyrite’s shoulder. “Careful, you’re about to fall over.”
“Sorry.” He yawned, showing his full set of sharp puppy teeth. "I’m trying to stay awake. I want to finish the game.”
“What about a pony pile?” Labra asked. "We could finish the game later."
Pyrite perked up and wagged his tail. “A pony pile sounds great!”
“What’s a pony pile?” Care asked.
“We put blankets on the floor and get into a pile with whoever wants to,” Pyrite explained. "Cobalt’s in the middle, most of the time, if Mister Field isn’t here.”
“Mister Field gets in pony piles?”
“Dad’s huge and tough, but he’s a big softie for stuff like this,” Cobalt said. “I’ll get the blankets, if that’s okay with everyone.”
“I like the idea,” Care said.
Windless nodded. “Count me in.”
Cobalt got to his hooves. “I’ll be right back.”
“Show us where we need to be, since we haven’t done this before,” Windless said to Labra.
Pyrite leaned against Care, drowsy again. Care tucked him against her side with a foreleg. “I think I’d like to stick with Pyrite.”
Pyrite snuggled into her. “Sounds great.”
Labra pointed at Windless. “Then I get your brother. That’s fair, right?”
“I don’t know. You’re brother’s cute and warm. I think I’m cheating you.”
Windless gave her a look. “Thanks Sis.”
Cobalt returned and put the blankets on the floor. He looked to Labra. “How should we do this?”
“You’re in the middle, since you’re the biggest.”
“All right, I can do that.”
“I’m on his left side,” Labra said.
“She always gets in a pile next to Cobalt,” Pyrite mumbled, half asleep.
“He’s my special somepony,” Labra explained.
Windless snorted.
“It’s not funny! He is my special somepony!” Labra wrapped her arms around one of Cobalt’s front legs and hugged herself to him. “He helped save me when I was sick. He used magic and herbs and everything! He’s my first pony friend, so he’s special.”
Windless held his hooves up. “I wasn’t making fun of you or him, I promise. I think what you mean is that he is your best friend. Telling somepony they are your special somepony means you love them.”
“I do love him. He’s our big brother.”
“Not that kind of love. The love like your Mom and Dad or Stone and Puca has.”
Labra’s ears folded back. “Oh.” She looked up at Cobalt and blushed.
“I tried to explain, when she said something like this before to somepony,” Cobalt said to Windless, "but I couldn’t get the idea across.”
“Wait. If Mommy and Daddy are married and Puca and Stone are married, does that mean I could marry Cobalt?” Labra asked Windless.
Windless fought and just kept a straight face. “I guess it does, but he wouldn’t be your or Pyrite’s brother then.”
“But we need a big brother.”
“You would still have Stone.”
Labra shook her head. “He doesn’t count. Stone’s at work or on adventures with Puca, Grayson, and Zecora most of the time.”
“Labra’s my little sister Pyrite’s and my little brother. I don’t want to mess that up,” Cobalt said. He looked down at Labra. “Besides, if we got married, we would have to cook and clean, and pay bills, and all that adult stuff. We wouldn’t be able to have as much fun together with all that getting in the way.”
“I was just curious if I could is all,” Labra said, not seeming to put her full conviction in her words.
Windless smiled. “Yes, you could marry him, when you were older, but it seems like you’ve got the perfect thing going already.”
“We’re about to lose Pyrite again,” Care said, helping him stay sitting upright.
“Come on.” Labra tugged at Cobalt, who followed her to the blankets. “You’re here,” she pointed to the center of the blankets and waited for him to settle to the floor. She moved to his right side and patted his shoulder. “Care, you’re here.” She took a sideways step from Cobalt and patted the air close to the floor. “Pyrite will be here.”
“We can do that.” Care guided Pyrite towards the blankets and Cobalt. She went to the floor beside Cobalt.
“You’ve got to get closer to him than that!” Labra put her paw between Care’s and Cobalt’s shoulders. “There’s still a gap.”
Care scooted closer to Cobalt and leaned against him. “Is this okay?”
“Since he’s blushing, I would say so,” Windless said.
Pyrite got on the blankets and snuggled against Care.
She extended a wing and wrapped him in it. “We can’t have you getting cold.”
“Thank you,” he said and nuzzled into her side.
“Now I’m here,” Labra said, settling down beside Cobalt on his free side.
“That won’t work,” Windless said.
“Sure it will. You go right here.” She patted the blanket on her left side.
“We’ll squish you, if one of us rolls over. What if I get where you are and you get on my left side?”
Labra leaned against Cobalt’s shoulder. “He and Stone don’t squish me. It’s nice and warm like that too.”
Windless glanced at where Care had Pyrite tucked against her. His ears fell as he told Labra, “Okay, I’ll be on the outside.”
“I think he wants to give you a wing hug,” Cobalt said. "I don’t know why, but he’s feeling blue. He’s been trying to hide it all day by teasing me and Care and being silly too much. You would make him feel better, if you let him hug you.”
Labra looked at Windless with worry. “What’s wrong?”
“Tell them!” Care ordered in a forceful tone, making everyone jump. "I can’t take it anymore! Either you tell or I will.”
Windless confessed, “I’m not coming here for college.”
“I figured something was up,” Cobalt said. "You always dodged the subject in your letters, and then you came with only one bag. Where are you going?"
“The Royal Crystal Empire University, I got a full scholarship and couldn’t turn it down.”
“With your grades, I’m not surprised. You always beat me and Care.”
“I kinda had an advantage in the application process. It turns out knowing a lot about the Empire and being able to be able to read and write Old Ponish is a rare commodity these days, if you are from outside the Empire.”
“When did you learn Old Ponish?”
“Learning it is part the colony’s schools requirements for teaching us our tribe’s special history with Luna.” He gave Cobalt a weak grin. “You’re taking this a lot better than I thought you would.”
“Did you think I would be mad? Is that why you didn’t write about it?”
“I wanted to tell you to your face, so you could pummel me, if you wanted.”
“Why in Equestria would I do that?”
“We’ve been friends for years, even though we haven’t seen each other as much as we’d like. Now we have a chance to go to school together, I trot off in a different direction.”
“It stings you will not be here, I’ll admit, but it’s not like you're vanishing off the face of Equestria. We can ride a train to there, or you can come here. I have to go to the Empire every couple of months with Mend and Amore to get supplies from there. Care and I can visit you on those trips, if she wants to come.”
“But it’s not going to-”
“No more serious stuff!” Labra said, cutting Windless off. She moved away from Cobalt and pointed to a spot on the blanket. "Get right there."
“Yes ma’am.” As he settled down on the blanket, he asked her, “How did someone as adorable and small as you get so good at ordering everyone around."
“Mommy.”
“I can see that. If your mom told me to do something, I’d do it too.”
Labra pushed on Windless’ shoulder. “Get right up against Cobalt. No gaps, remember?”
Windless leaned against Cobalt. “Yes ma’am.”
Labra got down beside Windless. “Put your head down.” After Windless did as she ordered, she used a paw and directed him to put his chin on top of her head with his cheek and ear on the ground. She snuggled to him and stroked his neck and shoulder like he was a large dog. "You can talk about the serious stuff later. We’ll help you feel better first, I promise.”
Windless wrapped her in his wing, and tucked her into a comfortable position. “You have already.”
*****
“So that’s why Grayson and Zecora couldn’t make it,” Edge said.
Fierce nodded. “This particular herb can only be gathered a few days a year. As important as it is to the medicines that Zecora makes, they couldn’t miss the opportunity.”
“That’s a shame. They missed a wonderful meal and great company.”
Bonsmara, Field, Freight, and Mosaic shared a look.
“What’s wrong?” Amore asked.
“It’s too quiet,” Freight said. “When you have little ones around and you hear nothing for a while, something is going on.”
Puca closed her eyes. After a moment, she smiled. “I think almost all of them are asleep.” Her expression changed to one of slight worry. "Whoever it is that’s awake is having an odd mix of emotions I can’t decipher.”
“Can you tell who it is?”
Puca shook her head. “I can’t.”
“I’ll go check on them,” Gauze offered. She got up from her seat and patted Freight on the shoulder. “I’ll be right back.”
“You wait,” Mosaic said, looking to Puca. "You’ll have the same instincts before too long.”
“I’m nervous about being a parent, but I’m looking forward to it.”
“We are a family, and we will help,” Field assured.
“We will assist as best we can,” Fierce added, raising his tea cup.
“I may have overstepped myself, but I was thinking of you two when I offered. Labra and Pyrite coming here has been a blessing to us all. Helping care for them has given us more joy than I can put into words. To us, you are family.”
Fierce put a paw to his chest and bowed to Field. “It is an honor to be considered such.”
“When you looked after Cobalt and Stone on their adventure, you signed on then and there,” Mosaic said.
“I am glad we did, in so many ways,” Bonsmara said.
“This might be getting too personal, but what are you going to do with the egg once it comes?” Amore asked Puca. “Does it need a special spot to develop or regulated conditions?
“I’ll make a nest for it at home.” Puca leaned against Stone. “With all the love around from me and Stone it will develop well."
“We get to visit too,” Mosaic said in a no nonsense tone.
Puca smiled. “The more love the better.”
“You have to come and see this!” Gauze whispered, from the doorway. “They’re all together on the floor together. It’s the cutest thing I have ever seen!”
“Labra,” Bonsmara named, smiling and shaking her head. “She got them in a pony pile, if I were to bet.”
“It is her herding instincts kicking in again, I am afraid.” Stone sighed. "I will have a talk with her about such things."
“Don’t discourage her. As long as there are ponies in this house, we will be happy to make pony piles,” Mosaic said.
“She takes after her mother too,” Fierce said, looking towards Bonsmara. "Being warm and snugly to everyone is a wonderful trait of my beloved wife."
Bonsmara put a finger to his nose. “I recall many an evening that has concluded with you starting ‘puppy piles’ at home.”
He kissed her finger. “Shall we go see what our daughter has wrought?”
Making little noise, the group left the kitchen table and moved towards the entryway to the den.
“Oh my goodness,” Amore whispered. "That is so sweet!"
Pyrite’s nose was the only part of him that could be seen from under Care’s wing. Care had settled against Cobalt, who had put his head on the floor facing forward, and rested her head against his. Windless had put his back against Cobalt and held Labra against his chest, with her wrapped in both of his wings and her head tucked under his chin.
“I’ll get the camera,” Field whispered. “There’s still enough light I shouldn’t need the flash.”
Edge held out a pair of polished gems to Amore and Mosaic. “Ladies, if you would do the honors.”
“What are these?” Mosaic asked, in a soft whisper.
“Memory stones from the Crystal Empire,” Amore answered. “Focus on them, and then think about the image you want to capture. Watch me.” Amore looked toward the sleeping youngsters. The stone gave a soft glow, for a second, and then dimmed.
Mosaic followed Amore’s example. “That felt a little odd.”
Field returned and snapped off a few photos. “There we go. Let’s get back to the kitchen, before we wake them.”
“It’s Care,” Puca said. “I can tell now."
“We’ll talk in the kitchen,” Freight said, stepping into the den. “You go on, I’ll be right there.” Without a sound, she made her way across the den and stood in front of her daughter. She leaned down and whispered in Care’s ear. “I know you’re awake.”
Care’s ear flicked, and she opened her eyes.
Freight looked toward Cobalt and back to Care. She raised an eyebrow.
Care swallowed and looked up at Freight with a worried expression.
Freight kissed Care’s forehead. “You’re worrying too much about everything,” she whispered. “Relax and enjoy the moment. Put your head back where it was."
“Thanks Mom,” Care mouthed. She closed her eyes and put her head against Cobalt’s once again.
*****
“Is she okay?” Mosaic asked Gauze.
“Which she are you talking about? Care or Freight?”
“Either, both, it doesn’t matter. Is something wrong?”
Gauze smiled. “It’s nothing. Freight’s just being a mother concerned about her daughter.”
“I’ve promised I would keep an eye out for her,” Mosaic said.
“We need to talk about your son,” Freight said as she entered the kitchen and walked to the table. She nudged Stone, who moved from his spot, and sat down across from Mosaic and Field. "Has Cobalt shown any kind of interest in Care at all?"
“Not that he’s talked about,” Field said, “but she has never showed interest in him I know of either."
“Did you not see how they have been with each other tonight?” Amore put her memory gem on the table, and it projected an image of the pony pile into the air. "Look at them."
“I didn’t even think about it, to be honest. I assumed that Labra arranged the pile, like she usually does.” He chuckled, as he looked over the image. “Care seems comfortable where she is and Cobalt is quite relaxed."
“Care has been worried that everyone would think it was just a crush from when she was a younger filly,” Gauze explained. "She’s talked to me and Freight about it; she thought if she showed too much interest that someone would disapprove due to thinking she was not serious about Cobalt. It got to a point she worried about coming here for school. After we assured her that no one would think such a thing, her anxiety shifted into the thought he wouldn’t be interested, or worse, that they would date and break up, making living in Ponyville impossible for her.”
“She has nothing to worry about.” Mosaic smiled. "Let me go get something." She left the kitchen with a smile.
Everyone turned to Puca, who held up her hooves. “I will not talk about something like that without his permission, one way or the other.”
“Cobalt’s so warm to everyone, I cannot tell if he has special affection for Care,” Fierce said. He looked to Bonsmara. “Has he mentioned anything to you?”
Bonsmara shook her head. “He has not.”
Mosaic returned to the kitchen and placed the Care plushie before Freight.
“He kept her,” Field said, running a hoof over the plushie. “She’s in great shape too.”
“Notice the felt on the nose,” Mosaic said.
Field smiled. “He nuzzles her.”
“He has said nothing to us about her, but I think how he has cared for that plushie speaks volumes,” Mosaic said.
“I think Cobalt has been worried about the same things that Care has been,” Stone said. "He has never named names, or said anything specific, but everything seems to point that way." He put a leg around Puca’s shoulders and leaned his head against hers. “He’s also asked about when and how I could tell that I was attracted to Puca. He has never asked me to be quiet about it, but I didn’t think he’d appreciate it if I shared it around.”
Freight’s shoulders lost some of the tension in them. “Now all we have to worry about is them setting up a delivery of their own a little too fast.”
Mosaic’s eyes widened with understanding. “My son would never do anything dishonorable to your daughter!”
Field chuckled. “We never thought our oldest would start living with a mare before marrying her either.”
“Thanks Dad,” Stone said smiling and putting a hoof to his forehead.
“You’re welcome, Son. You did pick a lovely mare to shack up with, I’ll give you that much. To be honest, I would have done the same with your mother, had she given me the opportunity.”
Mosaic looked up at Field with disbelief. “I don’t know if I should be flattered or upset by that confession.”
“You should be flattered,” Freight said, as she waved a hoof in dismissal. “I wasn’t making accusations about anypony. I was just making a statement. I would be much more worried about my filly doing something dishonorable to your colt. If something like that happens, I will raise the foal myself, if need be.”
“You will not be taking my grandfoal from me,” Mosaic stated.
Fierce stage whispered to Bonsmara: “It is a good thing we put away the cutlery. Else-wise, we might have a duel on our paws.”
“I can see it now,” Gauze said. "The headlines will read, ‘Salad Tongs at Dusk: The Duel that Shattered Ponyville’!”
“Who is dueling who?” Windless said, from the kitchen doorway. “And why salad tongs?”
“Your mother and Mosaic, over nothing serious, and the tongs were for the absurdity,” Gauze told him. "I see you have a friend with you."
Labra patted Windless’ head. “Mommy, I’ve found my special somepony.”
Windless’ eyes widened. "That's news to me."
“Dear, I am not sure you are using that term the proper way again,” Fierce said in an amused, caring tone.
“No, Daddy, Cobalt and Windless explained what a special somepony is and I got it this time. Windless is handsome, and strong, and kind. He even gave me a wing hug and snuggled with me, which means he likes me too.” She put her chin on top of Windless’ head. “I want to marry him like Mommy married you, when I’m old enough.”
Bonsmara fought to keep from laughing, as Windless’ expression shifted from confusion, to embarrassment, and then to a silent plea for help, while Labra spoke. “I thought Cobalt was your special somepony.”
“He’s my brother, so he can’t be my special somepony. It would keep him from being a brother to Pyrite too.”
“That is very thoughtful of you,” she praised, "but not true."
Fierce corrected, “He would become Pyrite’s brother in law, but would still be a kind of brother to him.”
“Oh.” Her ears fell. "It doesn’t matter anyway. He likes Care.”
“I’m a rebound then,” Windless said, with a touch of annoyance in his voice.
“I don’t know what that means, but it doesn’t sound very nice. I didn’t mean anything nasty, I promise.” She nuzzled the top of his head, making his ears splay in different directions and him to blush. “I hadn’t met you yet and didn’t know the rules. You’re a wonderful pony. I can tell.”
Freight, with a mischievous grin, turned to Bonsmara and Fierce. “You can’t fight logic like that, and my son is the best.”
“Mom, come on. Stop teasing. I can’t be her special somepony.”
“You don’t like me?” Labra’s heartbroken voice shook. “You gave me a wing hug and everything. Miss Muffins says ponies only give wing hugs to someone they care about.”
“Of course I like you.” Windless turned his head to look at her. “I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t.” He lowered himself to the floor. “But I think you have the wrong idea. Let’s talk about this.”
She shook her head sending tears through the air in glistening arcs. “No!” She slid from his back and took a couple of steps towards Bonsmara. "I get it." She sniffed. "You don’t want to be my special somepony either.”
“Please, please, come back and talk with me,” Windless begged, as he sat back on his haunches.
Labra stopped and looked back to him, appearing conflicted.
“Please,” he pleaded his voice hitching. Labra moved to Windless with slow steps, and he took her into his forelegs. "If you want me to be, I'll be your practice special somepony, till you find someone better than me. I’ll write to you and everything.”
Puca put a hoof over her mouth. “Oh, Windless.”
“You’re crying!” Labra put her head against his chest and hugged him with all her strength. “I didn’t mean to make you cry!”
Windless wrapped Labra in his wings. “It's not what you did. The thought of hurting you was just too much for me with everything else I’ve got running around in my head. You remember all that serious stuff you told me not to talk about?”
She looked up him. “Yeah.”
“It’s still eating at me, and I don’t want to hurt you by saying yes to being your special somepony and then leave you.” He sniffed and rested his cheek on the top of her head. “I’m too old for you too, even as a practice special somepony. I know what it’s like to have a crush on someone that’s older.”
Gauze wiped tears from her eyes. “If you are that concerned for her, I don’t think she’s got much to worry about.”
“Would you let me go for a second?” Labra asked.
“Sure,” Windless said and let her free of his wings and forelegs.
Labra took a step make and motioned for him to lower himself to her level. He did so, and she wiped away his tears and stroked the bridge of his nose. “I don’t care if you’re old and far away, we could still we be practice special someponies.”
Windless chuckled. “I’m not old old.”
“Then would you be my practice special somepony?”
“I would be honored to be your practice special somepony.”
Labra leaned in as if to kiss Windless, but he stopped her by putting a hoof on her nose.”
“Whad u do at or?” she asked, looking cross-eyed at his hoof and sounding like he had hurt her feelings.
“You should save your kisses for your future special somepony,” Windless told her, as he took his hoof from her nose.
She huffed. “Then how I’m I going to get any practice?”
“What if we nuzzle? That’s close, and it wouldn’t be weird for us to do. We don’t want to give any potential special someponies the wrong idea.”
Her tail wagged, and she nodded. She gave him a quick nuzzle and then settled into a curled up position in the space between his outstretched forelegs, her back to his chest and her chin resting on his left foreleg.
Bonsmara smiled and gave Fierce a look.
“What have I done to deserve such an expression?”
“I was just thinking she takes after her father too. We could have an issue later on, if she is as loyal to him as you are to me.”
Gauze joined Windless and Labra on the floor. “You be good to him, and follow the rules you two set for each other,” Gauze said to Labra. “Follow the rules your parents set for you too."
“I will.”
“Windless, be good to her and follow the rules too.”
“I promise.” He gave her a smile. "I will ask you about what to do, if I get into any trouble. You were such a great practice somepony for me; I doubt I will have to ask much.”
“Thank you.” She gave him a light boop on the nose.
Labra looked at the plushie on the kitchen table, and her ears perked. “Why is Cobalt’s Care here?”
“I wanted to show Freight how well Cobalt took care of her,” Mosaic said.
“Are they going to be special someponies?”
“We’re not sure,” Freight said.
“Why not?”
“They're scared,” Gauze said. “They have been friends for a long time. We think they think ponies won’t take their relationship seriously or they have nothing more than crushes on each other.” She smiled and stroked Labra’s head with a hoof. “They aren’t as brave as you and Windless are about their feelings, and are dancing around the issue rather than talking about it.”
“But they hold hooves and everything.” She looked toward Freight and Mosaic. "Can’t you tell them to be special someponies?”
Mosaic gave her a smile. “No, we can’t do that.”
“It might make them so skittish of each other they would head apart, rather than together, if we tired,” Freight said. "It would make it easier, in one since, if we could," she joked.
Edge looked to Field. “Notice how we stallions have been relegated to the sidelines in this discussion.”
Amore bumped into Edge with her shoulder. “That’s not what is happening.”
“Do you have an idea, Mister Edge?” Labra asked.
“An idea?” He looked down at her as if curious. "What do you mean?”
“How they can get brave enough to talk to each other?”
“I don’t, and I would be a bad source for help on this kind of issue.” He looked toward Amore and gave her a tender smile. “I was so scared about what would happen if I confessed to loving Amore so much I nearly lost my chance to."
“But you’re big and tough!"
“Not when it comes to Amore.” Edge put a foreleg around Amore and drew her to his side. "I cared for her so much that I was so worried about hurting her by making my love for her known to the world and said nothing.”
“I think Cobalt is going through something similar,” Field said. "He is afraid that he would hurt Care, if he says anything either by wounding her heart or making their relationship seem like a school age crush."
“Can you help them, Daddy?” Labra asked.
“I had no qualms about announcing my intentions towards your mother, but not all are as bold as I.”
Bonsmara snorted. “Few are, I would agree. They lack your dogged persistence.”
“It is one of my best traits, I would like to think,” Fierce said.
“He gave me lots of encouragement with Puca; I hate to see him have trouble with his own crush,” Stone said.
“It’s more than a crush,” Windless said. “Care shares her letters from Cobalt with me, and I share mine with her. The stuff they write about is nothing like what he and I write about. You should see the two of them when they are together and they don’t think anypony else is around. They, act sweet with each other, play like foals, and talk without about anything without any reservations. I know they could be together for the long haul.” He looked at Gauze with eyes that were tinged with a touch of sadness. “Somepony taught me that is how you can tell you love somepony. When there are no barriers or secrets and you would support them through anything."
“I did so wrong by you,” Gauze said. "I let you down and hurt you on so many levels. I wanted to protect your feelings, when I came up with the idea of being practice special someponies. I didn't mean to crush them."
“You didn’t. You taught me what I needed to know to be a good stallion with relationships.” He put on a grin and used his free hoof to scratch Labra’s ear. “Thanks to you, I also know how to help others with communication problems.”
Labra looked up at him, while leaning into his hoof. “Are you going to help Care and Cobalt then?”
“I gave them both a prod, before we came here. I’ll give them another prod, before I leave, if they need it.”
“What if that doesn’t work?”
“Then we’ll just have to set a good example for them how great being special someponies can be and hope they get together. If they aren’t together by the end of university, then we’ll use our super-secret weapon.”
She looked at him with excitement. “What is that?”
“We’ll write to Princess Cadance.”