//------------------------------// // 3 - House Warming // Story: The Woman Who Lived Nextdoor // by Hazel Mee //------------------------------// "Isn't this great?" Sun Squall shouted in my ear. "She's really made something special out of this heap!" Everywhere I looked around the crowded living room I saw bits and lots of them. Mayree did hire contractors from blintzing Canterlot to deal with the interior, and it showed: pale silk wallpaper with delicate floral patterns woven from gold and azure thread; sleek glistening furniture right out of an upper-crust home decor magazine; bright magical lights inside frosted-glass globes instead of candles or oil lamps; plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery that a princess would be delighted to use; and a spread of fine cheeses, grapes, caviar, and many bottles of fancy wine. Even the ponies from the wealthy side of town seemed impressed, if surprised — like they'd stumbled over a gem in a trash heap. They'd probably only set hoof north of The Hump because being invited by one of the few humans living in Equestria was so intriguing. I nodded and muttered, "Yeah, it's something alright." "What?!" I grimaced and yelled in Sun Squall's ear, "I said it's fabulous!" She grinned and bumped her hip against mine. "Cheer up! It's a party you dope! You're supposed to be having fun!" Loud thumping wub music blasted from high-tech speakers on either side of the now-pristine fireplace and it forced everypony to shout their conversation. My ears hurt. My throat hurt. I drank a swallow of sour merlot older than me and hoped the alcohol would numb them. I'd crawl off to my shack but it would be almost as loud and I couldn't face Sun Squall harping at me again. Once a month was my limit for crawling on my belly to beg her forgiveness. I'm glad she was here because the other guests wouldn't lower themselves to speaking to me. Hating on the town's darling human snaked me to the lowest rung on the social ladder. Not that I really cared, so long as they still bought my ice crab. And here she comes. "Hi, Squall!" Mayree bent to give Sun Squall a one-legged hug while holding her sloshing crystal goblet up high. "Hi, Mainstay!" Thank Celestia she didn't try to hug me, but just bared her fangs and wiggled her octopus. "I'm glad you both came! Are you having a good time?" Sun Squall danced on her hooves while flapping her wings. "Yeah! I love what you've done with the place!" "Thanks!" She grinned at me with wide eyes, fishing for a compliment. It couldn't have been more obvious if her ears had perked forward and pointed right at me. I shouted, "It's fabulous!" "Aww… Thanks, guys!" She straightened up and wiggled to settle her dress; a tube of stretchy black fabric that contrasted sharply with her pale skin. It clung to her tall skinny body from shoulder to mid-hinds and dipped low in the front to reveal the cleft between her teats. She must have gone to Crashing Surf to get her mane done because it bounced around her shoulders in waves, dark and glistening. My nostrils flared and caught her scent of flowers and musky sweat. "Great party, Mayree! Thanks for inviting me, I don't usually get to go to anything this fancy! Not in Smile Harbour anyway!" Sun Squall leaned into Mayree's side and nuzzled her fore. She petted Sun Squall and scratched behind her ears, making her tip her head back, smile, and squint her eyes. I bet if she'd been a cat I would've heard her purring even over the 'music'. Mayree shouted, "Glad you're enjoying it! We should do this all the time!" "Stars no!" I yelped and winced as Mayree raised an eyebrow and Sun Squall frowned. Oh, no! I didn't want to get back into the dog-shack so soon. "I mean… I live right next door and-", I waved a hoof to take in the room, "-it's kind of loud!" Mayree showed me her white fangs and asked, "So you wouldn't come again if I ask nicely?" She barked a laugh and gulped from her glass, one sheet to the wind and cutting the second one loose. I was saved from replying by the music abruptly ending in a chorus of "Aww"s from her guests. Mayree giggled and set her empty glass down. "Oops, back in a sec." She waded through the roomful of sweaty ponies and Sun Squall leaned close to whisper in my ringing ear, "Told you she likes you."