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// 96 Where HAVE you been? 
// Story: Moonie shorts [Filly Nightmare Moon] 
// by Eighth 
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As the foam builds in your mouth while brushing, you hearing the rapid scampering on Moonie running up and down the house. You roll your eyes, knowing she is up to something but you've been working a lot and aren't too bothered by the fact. The scampering gets softer and louder as she seems to be running through the different rooms of the house. Something about this does make you wonder what exactly she is up to. And then, the pitter-patter gets louder and louder until she leaps into the bathroom doorway.

"Where have you been?" She asks with a bratty stamp of her hoof.

Looking into the reflection, you can see her pouting about something. So, you spit out the toothpaste and rinse before turning to her.

"What do you mean?"

"I haven't seen you all week. Your queen demands a better service than this of her household host."

Internally, you note the strange demotion and yet promotion. Normally she calls you her second or third in command, perhaps her most faithful minion or something. Unless she is being bratty you're nothing more than a servant or an insect. But this time you're a household host? It's an odd one too.

"I made you dinner a few hours ago, you saw me then."

She shakes her head in defiance of the facts. You just let out an exasperated sigh in reply. You suspect she's just acting out because you've been so busy. And you do feel some guilt about that, but at the same time it is your job.

"If I have been in need of something, I have been forced to acquire Sir Bearington's servitude or Trixie's. Both of which are at about the same skill level at both tasks."

You nod solemnly, though also make sure any humour you find at the insult toward Trixie is completely internal. Moonie doesn't seem to notice anything, thankfully.

"Well, then I fall to my knees in supplication your majesty," you state in an overly dramatic tone.

Moonie waits for a moment, "You haven't actually fallen to your knees yet. What kind of apology is this?"

"Not a very good one. Come on, we'll eat ice-cream instead."

In an instant, Moonie brightens and giddily exclaims in what was more gibberish noises rather than words before sprinting in direction of the kitchen.

"I also demand to be read stories as penance."

"Yeah, sure," you reply.

It might sound to her like you're folding but as soon as she mentioned it, it felt like exactly how you want to spend the rest of the night.

"And we can light the fireplace and get all toasty," Moonie beams while jumping up and down with excitement. She even feigns a shiver to try and sell her request.

"Sounds nice."

You smile then make sure to check if Trixie and Moonie haven't eaten all the ice-cream during the day before getting out two bowls.

"Do you think Fluttershy will let us borrow her bear?"

You stop, "Why?"

"We could use a bear skin rug by the fireplace. For the comfy."

"And how would you borrow that exactly?"

"We'd put it back," she answers in a tone that suggests you're lacking a couple brain cells.

"Absolutely not."

Likely just behind you Moonie is pouting, probably the kind with an angry expression and a pushed out bottom lip. You smile as you scoop out shares of the frozen treat.

"What if we got Rarity to make one then? And it could have gems in it to make it looks like it's an Ursa Major's pelt?"

"Wouldn't it be uncomfortable laying on it if it had hard gems on it?"

"Hm. I guess it would, yeah," Moonie stares up at the ceiling in serious contemplation, "If there some kind of reflective felt out there, maybe?"

"I doubt it."

You lift Moonie up onto the kitchen counter and get out all the toppings like fruit pieces, nuts, cookies, marshmallows, fudge, caramel, and flavoured syrups. She immediately starts making her combination abomination while you just have a couple things. While sometimes you do follow Moonie's lead and get a little silly with the desserts, tonight just isn't that night. Then you grab two spoons, place Moonie back on the floor, and carry the two bowls out into the lounge while Moonie grabs a book.

After a few stories, jokes, and then relaxing; the two of you fall asleep out in the lounge room by the fading warmth of the fireplace. Moonie resting atop your chest, rising and falling with your breathing.