I spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon getting things ready, before having to go to the train station to await my new roommate. It was going to be a little cramped, but it was still better than the little room at the Welcome Center.
“There it is,” Rainbow Dash called from above.
Sure enough, we could see the smoke from the engine chugging along.
“Now, Twilight, dear, do remember to control your enthusiasm,” Rarity reminded.
Twilight rolled her eyes. “I know, Rarity. I’m not going to go crazy just because he’s a crystal pony... that were said to have unique magic... and have been extinct for over a thousand years.”
I had to hold back a laugh. I could already tell Twilight was going to be struggling with that.
As the train pulled into the station, the four of us lined up to greet Cedric.
As soon as the doors opened, a familiar white alicorn stallion stepped out, and immediately, Twilight squeed and leaped at him, putting her hooves around his neck in a hug.
“Shiny! I didn’t know you were coming!” she said.
“That was the idea. Surprize, little sis,” Shining Armor said, taking note of everyone present. “Anyway, Twilight, Rarity, Rainbow, I’d like you to meet Cedric.”
Cedric came out, hesitantly.
“Cedric, good to see you again,” I said. “This is Rarity. She’ll be helping you settle in. The enthusiastic one is Twilight Sparkle, the local librarian. She’ll be assisting with some of your education. Finally, that’s Rainbow Dash, Jynx’s sister. She’s going to teach you all about proper wing care and help get you airborne.”
“Nice to meet you all,” Cedric greeted.
“Oh, my, your coat really is quite fetching, isn’t it,” Rarity complimented. “Welcome to Ponyville.”
“Thanks,” Cedric said. “So, Shiro said you used to be human, too?”
We made our way to my house, making small talk and just getting to know our new friend.
He told us he was a student of geology and was going for his masters. He told us a little about some of the things he used to do with friends, like playing D&D and going to conventions whenever they could afford it.
In short, he was a fellow geek, so of course me, him, and Shining got along.
Shining and Twilight bid us farewell at the town center, though, wanting to spend time together.
Me, Jynx, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Cedric arrived at my house after a short tour of the town. I invited everyone inside and told them to make themselves comfortable.
“I know it’s not that big, but it’s a place,” I said from the kitchen area as I fixed drinks for everyone.
“It’s fine,” Cedric said. “It’s only temporary, anyway, right?”
“Of course,” Rarity replied. “I’ll help you get started on the paperwork that will get you on your way to your own place first thing in the morning. What time is good for you?”
“Uh... I guess whenever,” Cedric said. “It’s not like I have any other obligations.”
“How does ten sound?”
“That works.”
“Excellent,” Rarity said with a smile. “I’ll see you then. Shiro can show you the way, can’t you?”
“Ah’d be glad to,” I said.
A knock sounded from the front door.
“Can someone get that, Ah gotta finish diner,” I said.
“I got it,” Rainbow said, zipping over and opening it. “Yo, Fluttershy, Just in time.”
I look up to see the kind little pegasus step inside.
“Oh, it’s a little crowded in here,” she said. “Maybe I should come back.”
“Nah, don’t bother with that,” Rainbow said. “I actually gotta go check on some things at the office. Shiro, save me a plate, will ya?”
“No promises,” I replied.
“Oh, hello,” Fluttershy said as she stepped inside. “You must be the house guest Shiro mentioned.”
“Yeah, I’m Cedric,” he said.
“Come on in, Flutters,” I said, beckoning her in.
“If you insist,” she replied, doing just that.
“Alright,” I said, passing out the drinks. “Now that everyone that’s comin’ is here, Ah’d like to offer a toast! To our new friend, Cedric.”
“To Cedric,” everyone repeated before we all took a drink.
Cedric smiled. “Damn, you guys are great, you know. Thank you.”
“It’s our pleasure, darling,” Rarity assured. “However, since we’re toasting, I would like to offer one to Shiro and Jynx. May your love flourish, and the wedding dress be one of mine.”
“Here here!” Cedric repeated.
Fluttershy looked surprised, looking at us with a somewhat sad expression.
“You alright, Flutters?” I asked.
Her expression fell. “Y-yeah... I guess.”
“Fluttershy?” Rarity put a comforting hoof on her shoulder. “Were you...?”
Fluttershy nodded, apparently answering Rarity while leaving everyone else in the dark.
“Fluttershy?” I gave her a concerned look. “What’s wrong?”
“I’ll tell you later,” she said. “Right now, it’s about your return and Cedric coming to stay.”
I was concerned for her. Something was bothering her, but she wasn’t wanting to interrupt the fun.
I wanted to find out what was bothering her, but I understood what she was doing. So, I decided I would go ahead and enjoy the party and let everyone else do the same. As soon as I could, though, I was going to get to the bottom of it.
“Alright, then” I said. “Let’s enjoy ourselves!”
The party got started, although it took a few of us a bit to get into it. Thankfully, Fluttershy's mood improved quickly, and with it, so did the rest of ours.
Every one got to know Cedric a little better. Even Fluttershy warmed up to him when he mentioned his dalmatian.
Considering he crossed over in the middle of a visit with a friend, his disappearance would have been noticed quickly, and the dog taken care of. That was something we were all thankful for.
Eventually, things started to wind down and I managed to break away, motioning to Fluttershy to follow.
We walked out onto the back porch.
"Great party, huh?" I said, giving her a friendly smile.
She nodded, returning the gesture. "Oh, quite lovely. Cedric's such a nice person, too. I hope his puppy isn't too heartbroken."
"Ah'm sure the pooch'll be fine," I said before deciding to get down to it. "What about you? Ah know somethin's bothering you, and it's somethin' about me."
Fluttershy gave me a sad smile. “I just... I spent all morning trying to work up the courage to ask you out, but...”
I was floored. Flutershy was going to ask me out? I couldn’t believe what I heard.
Fluttershy seemed to steel her nerves. “I... don’t suppose you like the pony way of doing relationships?”
It took me a moment to realize what she was asking. Ponies practice a kind of simple polygamy, though they usually only take a single spouce. They believe that love should be embraced, even if you already have it with someone else.
“Ah... Ah don’t know,” I said. “You know how mah people view that kinda thing. Ah’m much more open than most, but Ah don’t know if Ah can do that just yet.”
“Oh... I understand.” Fluttershy’s crestfallen expression broke my heart.
“Ah’ll tell you what,” I said. “Give me some time. Let me see where this thing with Jynx goes, and after a time, if it doesn’t work out with her or if Ah feel comfortable in datin’ two ladies, Ah’ll take you on the best date you ever had.”
Fluttershy’s mood brightened in an instant. “Really?” she launched herself at me, wrapping her hooves around my neck in a tight hug. “Oh, thank you. Thank you so much.”
I returned the hug. “Ain’t nothin’ to thank me for. You’re an amazing pony. How could Ah not want to give a relationship with you a try? Ah just need a bit to get used to things is all.”
"Still, this means a lot to me," she said as she pulled back.
"Just promise me you ain't going to wait around for me," I said. "If you meet someone and hit it off, you go for it."
She nodded. "I will. I very much doubt that it won't work out between you and Jynx, anyway, so we'll probably never be more than herdmates."
"That still sounds nice," I said. "How about if we start hangin' out more?"
Fluttershy's smile grew. "I would like that."
I couldn't hide the smirk. What was left of the target dummy laid in an unrecognizable, smoldering heap.
"Well, Bakura, Ah admit, you weren't talkin' out your ass when you said you could make anything," I said.
We just finished a test run of my present. Oh, it was exactly what I wanted.
"Just wait until it is finished. Your foes will quake in terror at its mere sight," Bakura said with a vicious smile.
"Ah always did say the best weapon was the weapon you never had to use," I said.
Bakura raised an eyebrow. "Yes, I suppose for a peacekeeper forcing your foe to surrender without bloodshed would be a desirable outcome. Still, I can't help but feel it would be a waste of such a fine weapon."
"Oh, Ah'll still have to use it, of course," I assured him before dismissing the weapon.
"Woah!" Cedric said as he walked inside, staring wide eyed at the demon gorilla.
"Oh, right," I face pawed. "You wouldn't know about this. Bakura, this is Cedric, a terran that just recently arrived. Cedric, this is Bakura, a demon smith I have a contract with. And before you ask, demons here are just bein's that exist between dimensions and aren't necessarily evil."
"Uh..." Cedric tried to formulate a response. "Hi?"
"Greetings, Cedric," Bakura returned. "I hope you are adjusting well."
"Y-yeah... I guess," Cedric said, a little more relaxed. "Shiro and the others have been helping me out."
Bakura nodded, sagely, "Yes, I can assume Lady Rarity has been of great help."
"Yeah, she's kinda great. I never would have guessed she was from Earth, too," Cedric confirmed.
Bakura gave a little bow and said, "Well, as much as it would please me to talk, I have need to forge more farming tools. It seems my wares are nearly as appreciated in agriculture as they are in battle."
"Alright," I gave a little wave. "See you later."
In a flash of light, Bakura left, back to his forge in the Void.
Cedric slowly walked over, tapping the spot where the circle was. "So... you just up and summon denons, huh? No ouija board needed?"
I laughed. "Pretty much. Why, you intrested in learning magic? You should talk to Twilight."
He gave me a flat look. "You mean that unicorn that keeps trying to get me to give blood, tissue and semen samples?"
"That's the one," I replied, cheerfully. "I honestly don't get why you won't give it to her. It's all painless. The needle for the blood is only a little sting, the tissue sample it taken with some magic thingy."
"Those aren't what I have an issue with," he grumbled.
"What? You have an issue beating off in a cup?" I teased.
He glared at me and waved his hooves.
His hard, rigid hooves.
"Oh... ouch."