Celestia’s beautiful, yellow sun grazed over the entire land of Equestria, signaling the start of a fresh new day. Ponies were up and off, to go to work, hang out with friends, play games; whatever they were going to do.
Inside one of the many houses in the country town of Appleloosa, two mares who had recently become roommates were cozy in bed, wrapped in a soft, warm cuddle.
One of those mares, Autumn, felt her eyes flutter open, to the next day greeting her with the smiling, sleeping face of her new roommate.
Perfect. She thought.
A moment later, Sparkler too awakened. Her eyes slowly opened to see that Autumn was already awake, looking straight at her. Sparkler smiled. “Mornin’ Autumn.” She said.
“Morning, new roommate!” Autumn said.
“Still high on happiness about that, huh.” Sparkler mused with a giggle.
High on happiness… hehe. I love it. Autumn thought. “Yeah. I am.” She replied.
“Hehe. Fair enough.” Sparkler responded.
Couldn’t be more true. “It is such a high level of happiness, because you’ve given me something that I was losing hope in getting.” Autumn said, tightening her hug.
“Hey, don’t make it sound like I’m the hero here.” Sparkler commented. “You gave me something I’ve been hoping for mah whole life too. A friend that ain’t a parrot. No offense to Flappy, but still.”
Autumn sighed, deciding to just give up this recurring back-and-forth. “I guess it’s hard to see ourselves as heroes. We have this instinct to thank the ones we love, all the time.” She said.
“I can get behind that.” Sparkler replied.
Autumn began to release her grip, parting from the cuddle and into awake mode. “Cool! So, how about we think of what we’ll do today?” She asked.
“Well, I already know I’d like to move completely out of the inn room, if that’s okay.” Sparkler said, hopping out of bed. “Five bits a night ain’t too bad, but it can add up rather quickly.” She explained.
“Oh, yeah!” Autumn beamed, remembering the plans Sparkler had talked about. “Today can be your full-blown moving day!”
“So, what else could we do today after moving…” Sparkler inquired.
“Well, I do have to go back to work today.” Autumn noted. “Only one band wants me today and I’m not scheduled until 4 pm, but it looks like today is the first day we experience a work day in our time as roommates.”
“Yeah. We can definitely do that.” Sparkler said.
Autumn smiled. “I’ll be interested to know what you make for dinner!” She said.
“I’ll leave ya in the dark til ya come home.” Sparkler said. “It’ll be a Sparkler surprise.”
“Great! That sounds fun!” Autumn said, giggling.
“So. Breakfast?” Sparkler asked.
“Yes!” Autumn beamed, skipping out into the living room.
“Great!” Sparkler said as she followed Autumn out of the bedroom. “If ya want, I can make some pancakes.” She offered.
Autumn had to think about that for a moment. “Well, I do want Celesti-Os as well, but sure, we can do pancakes! I would rather like to experience what your cooking is like.”
“Alright! You go do anything you normally do in the mornin’. Pancakes will be ready by the time you finish.” Sparkler told Autumn.
“Great!” Autumn said.
A moment later, Flappy awoke from his slumber as well. “Squawk! Mornin’ Everypony! Squawk!”
“Mornin’, Flappy!” Autumn said. “Random question: Would you say you’re also my pet now?”
Flappy was taken by surprise from this. He answered after recovering from the moment of shock. “Squawk! Eh...not really sure that’s how it works. But we most definitely are friends. Squawk!” He said.
“That works for me.” Autumn said.
“Anywho. Flappy, wanna help me make pancakes?” Sparkler asked.
“Squawk! Aye. Let us work our magic in ze kitchen chef Sparkler! Squawk!” Flappy replied.
Autumn giggled. “Nice.” She said in reference to Flappy’s voice.
“Then let’s do it!” Sparkler exclaimed.
“Go work your magic!” Autumn said.
Chef Sparkler in progress, Autumn decided to step outside the front door for a bit, to glimpse at the bright-yellow visual symbol of a new day.
And for her, a new life.
This sunrise…it really speaks to me. I’m feeling the rise of a new life that looks like this.
Like, I don’t have to wake up every day feeling like rain anymore.
I actually look forward to the future.
Back inside the house, Sparkler flipped the pancakes over to cook the other sides. Flappy took a glance at the front door. “Squawk! So she’s still in the dark? Squawk!” He asked.
Sparkler tensed up a tad, everything coming back to her, before releasing the tension in a sigh. “Yeah. She is.” She answered.
Flappy detected the sadness in her voice. “Squawk! You’re upset about that? Squawk!” He asked, lowkey shocked. He didn’t expect Sparkler to be sad about being closeted quite this early on.
“Yeah. I want to tell her someday. And I’ve been told she’ll get it. But...but I can’t shake the feeling that she’ll just turn her back on me.” Sparkler said.
“Squawk! I’m not getting that impression. From what I’ve seen, what you’ve been told seems likely to be true. Squawk!” Flappy commented.
“Yeah. Easy for you to say, you didn’t spend thirteen years in a building with other foals that used you for target practice using eggs.” Sparkler said.
“Squawk! Still can’t believe nopony got expelled for that. Squawk!” Flappy commented.
“Yeah. Big surprise. That kind of pain and torture doesn’t dissappear overnight, Flaps; it sticks. Just like syrup.” She added as she poured syrup onto the pancakes.
“Squawk! Yeah. But at least now you have a friend. And it’s entirely possible that she could understand why you hid your wings. Squawk!”
“Look, let’s just get breakfast and start moving in. I’m not really comfortable talking about this when Autumn can come back in at any moment.”
And right at that moment, the front door began making noises.
“How’s it going?” Autumn asked, returning inside.
“Nearly done!” Sparkler announced.
“Yay!” Autumn said. “Let’s do this!”
“Right!” Sparkler brought out two white plates, slid a pancake on each, and set the plates on the table. “Breakfast is served!”
“Awesome!” Autumn exclaimed. “What kind of pancakes are they?”
“Just plain old pancakes with syrup on them. Nothin’ special.” Sparkler replied.
“Okay!” Autumn said, pulling out her dining chair. “That’ll be tasty!”
“Well, let’s find out.” Sparkler said as she sat in one of the seats.
Autumn took her seat across from Sparkler, brought out her fork, and took a big bite of the moist pancakes.
“Yep. You did amazing, Sparkler!” Autumn said, licking her lips. “These are so sweet!”
“Great!” Sparkler said as she started eating her own meal.
The mares continued to enjoy every second of every bite; in fact, Flappy was there too, digging into his watermelon.
What was to come next… well, it’s beautifully official.
Sparkler, Autumn, and Flappy stood outside the inn. Ready to move Sparkler and Flappy out.
“Squawk! Who’s ready to pack some boxes. Squawk!” Flappy asked.
“Me!” Autumn called out, raising her hoof.
“There won’t be a lot. Only like, three or four boxes.” Sparkler said.
“Wow. That’s a pretty small moving day, hehe.” Autumn said.
“Didn’t bring a lot to begin with. At least, not a lot for a house. Most of mah luggage was mah studio equipment and instruments. All of which are in mah studio.” Sparkler explained.
“Ah.” Autumn said. “So yeah, this won’t be the type of moving day I had to do. That day I first moved into my current house… whew, it was hectic.” Autumn said, walking through the inn’s sliding front door.
“I’ll bet it was.” Sparkler said. She walked in and turned her head forward to see Bradford at the front desk. “Mornin’, Bradford!” Sparkler said, waving to him.
Bradford looked up from his newspaper to the sight of his latest guest, with another pony standing beside her this time. One he recognized well. “Well if it ain’t Sparkler and Autumn.” He said. “Mornin’ to you too. What can I do for ya Sparkler?” He asked.
“I just thought I’d let you know I’d be returning mah inn key today. Found a permanent residence yesterday.” Sparkler said.
“She found a permanent residence… with me.” Autumn said, pointing to herself.
“Is that so?” Bradford smiled. “Congrats. Glad ya finally found that roommate you’ve been lookin’ for, Autumn.” He said, tipping his hat to her.
Sentences like that still got Autumn tearing up a bit. Which she tried to avoid doing in public, by saying “Yeah. Now, let’s go pack your things, Sparkler!”
“Just make sure to turn in that key when you’ve gotten everything out.” Bradford told Sparkler. “That is, if ya still want to pay for the room.” He commented with a chuckle.
“I’ll be sure to return the key.” Sparkler replied with a matching chuckle. “Thanks fer everything, Bradford.”
“Anytime. See y’all ‘round.” Bradford said.
“See ya, Bradford!” Autumn said.
Sparkler and Autumn, with Flappy riding on Sparkler’s back, turned the key to Sparkler's now former room and went inside. Sparkler lit her horn and summoned a few moving boxes she had kept. She set them down on the floor with their tops open. “Alright. Flappy, wanna go start packing up the bathroom while Autumn and I work on this room?” She asked.
“Squawk! Sure thing. Squawk!” Flappy said as he launched off Sparkler’s back, grabbed one of the boxes, and flew off into the bathroom.
Sparkler, meanwhile, walked over to the kitchen area with a box of her own. “Autumn, wanna start with cleaning out the furniture with drawers while I clean out the fridge?” She asked.
Autumn raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean by ‘cleaning out the furniture with drawers?’ That’s not a cleaning product.”
“I meant open all the drawers and clean out whatever’s in them.” Sparkler said with a chuckle.
“Oh. Okay. Yeah, I can do that.” Autumn said, opening up the top drawer.
Sparkler opened the mini-fridge and started clearing all the contents out. Not that there was a lot to begin with, just some premade meals, a few watermelons, and some bottles of her homemade lemonade she had brought with her.
Hopefully these last until I can get ingredients to make more lemonade. She thought as she packed the box.
Autumn scooped up the contents of the top drawer, which included shirts, a towel, and...one stand-out blanket. A blue blanket, that was both smaller in size and felt more fluffy and comfortable.
I didn’t need to know about these, but at the same time… she’s got some nice stuff.
She moved down to the middle drawer, which consisted of the same items. She made sure all of them were folded well and neatly organized into the box.
“This blanket is really soft, Sparkler.” Autumn said, continuing to feel around it with her hoof. “It wasn’t on the bed; why not?”
Sparkler glanced over to Autumn from the kitchen and spied the blanket she was holding. Her eyes snapped wide. Crap baskets! I forgot that THAT was in a drawer!
“Uhm...that’s...that might be my ah...security blanky…” She said, embarrassed.
“Security blanket? I’ve never heard of that before.” Autumn said.
“You never had a blanket you would hold onto if you were ever sad?” Sparkler asked.
“Oh. Yeah, I did.” Autumn said, realizing her mistake. “I guess I was thinking of the word ‘security’ in a completely different context. Hehe.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t dumb enough to bring it with me anywhere. My schoolmates already had enough to pick on me for…”
“Oh… I’m so sorry. Right, I hadn’t been thinking about your school days…” Autumn said, matching her facial expression to Sparkler’s.
“Well, fortunately it’s in the past.” Sparkler replied. “Er, do handle that with great care though...I would like to keep it in good condition for as long as I can.”
“Heard.” Autumn said. She folded Sparkler’s security blanket up and moved it into the box at an extra slow speed.
“Almost done with the drawers.” She continued. There wasn’t a whole lot in them; she only needed one box.
Now with the dressers nearly empty, only one pick-up away from finishing the task, the last item in there to be grabbed was also a surprising one. “Oh! This is cute! What is it?” Autumn inquired.
Sparkler looked up from the box she was currently working on closing, and blushed again when she saw what Autumn was holding. A ragdoll that shared the exact same shape as her; a.k.a, it was a pony with a horn and wings. With blue buttons for eyes and string for a mane.
“Uhm...that is Mr. Singsong...and can you give him here? I’d rather be the one to pack him.” She said.
“Sure thing.” Autumn said, reaching out her hoof.
Sparkler grabbed Mr. Singsong in her magic and set him down at the top of the last remaining box to be sealed for takeoff. “And with this last box, we are ready to go! Flappy, are you ready?” Sparkler asked.
“Squawk! Yeah I am! Squawk!” Flappy flew in and landed on Sparkler’s back. “Squawk! The boxes are all packed now! Squawk!”
“Sweet!” Autumn said. “Let’s move you two in!”
“Let’s do it!” Sparkler agreed.
Soon, they were back outside. After turning in the key to the inn and saying goodbye to Bradford, they loaded the four boxes into the wagon Sparkler had brought with her from Saddle Arabia. Autumn and Sparkler walked side by side, while Flappy decided to soar through the sky.
...
Autumn’s house was in sight, as was the big move. Autumn turned the lock, opened the front door, and they began hauling the boxes through the door.
“So, we haven’t talked about where we’ll put these.” Autumn said.
“Well, we can put the refrigerated stuff in the fridge, if that’s okay.” Sparkler said. “Mainly it’s just a few watermelons, some pre-made meals and some bottles of my homemade lemonade.”
“Okay. Yeah!” Autumn said. “I have enough space.”
“Perfect.” Sparkler replied. “As for books, it’s possible we have some of the same books, so any duplicates we have, we can store in a box somewhere else.”
“Sounds good.” Autumn said. “Now, what about the clothes?” She asked.
Sparkler thought about it for a second. “Maybe if ya don’t have the room in yer dresser, we could get another smaller dresser?” She suggested.
“Room in my dresser… I presume you mean ‘dresser in my room’; which, yeah, I don’t have one. I hardly ever wear clothes except for my Stetson hats, which are all in my closet.”
“Oh...huh, I didn’t notice you didn’t have a dresser...hm...okay, how bout we just leave mah clothes in the box until we figure something out.” Sparkler said.
“Okay. And hey, there is a furniture store in this town.” Autumn said, seeing an opportunity for this to be tended to today!
“You ok with puttin’ a dresser in yer room?” Sparkler asked.” I don’t want you to feel like you have to change anything for mah sake.”
Autumn had a mild shock. She’s still acting like it’s my house…
“Yeah, I’m okay with it, and please don’t feel bad. I understand this is a small house; some things may have to be changed.”
“Well, so long as yer okay with it.” Sparkler said.
“I am definitely okay with this one.” Autumn said. “So, what do you want to do? Unpack, or furniture store?”
“Let’s unpack, so we can get some of these boxes out of the way.” Sparkler replied.
“Great!” Autumn said.
“Then let's do it!” Sparkler said.
“Squawk! Unpacking montage, go! Squawk!” Flappy exclaimed.
And so they began to unpack. Sparkler handled the refrigerated food in the fridge, Flappy handled toiletry supplies, putting them in the bathroom, and Autumn handled putting the books on the bookshelves, leaving duplicates in the box. The big move was in full swing.
“Where do we put the clothes while we don’t have the dresser yet?” Autumn asked.
“Eh, just leave them in the box for now. Much tidier that way.” Sparkler replied. “Also, you don’t mind if I rearrange some stuff in the fridge, do you?” She asked.
“Not at all. The fridge shall always be arranged to accommodate everything in it.” Autumn responded.
“Great. I’ll put the uncut watermelon on the bottom shelf, and the container of cut pieces, I’ll put a little higher for Flappy to reach. Ok?” Sparkler told Autumn.
“That works!” Autumn assured.
“Great.” Sparkler replied.
Moving things in, the house looked more and more shared as more of Sparkler’s things showed up. It began to feel like both Autumn and Sparkler’s house.
Some time later, Flappy had decided to go off to a hangout with his Appleloosa bird friends, leaving Autumn and Sparkler to make the furniture store trip with just the two of them. Sparkler walked alongside her new roommate, to look for a new addition to their house.
“Hey, Autumn? I think we should choose a dresser that’ll blend in with your bedroom decor.” Sparkler said. “It’ll look better that way.”
“Okay!” Autumn said. “In that case, a light brown; like, still brown but easily contrasting with my dark brown walls, is what would work the best.”
“Sounds good to me.” Sparkler said.
“Great! And, oh, did I just say ‘my dark brown walls?’ Well, error! They’re our walls now!” Autumn said as she entered the building.
“Pardon?” Sparkler asked, confused. “What are you talking about?”
“Because it’s your house too!” Autumn said excitedly, right in public at that. But she didn’t care.
“Ok, so it’s my house too, I get that. But I was more referring to yer bedroom.” Sparkler replied.
“Oh. But isn’t it your bedroom now too?” Autumn asked, confused. “I don’t know of anywhere else for you to sleep, and we’ve already been sharing a bed.”
“Ya mean yer ok with us sharing a bed long term?” Sparkler asked. “I could always just crash on the couch.”
“I’m more than just okay with it,” Autumn said, “I want to do it! Bed sharing is something I’ve always wanted out of life with a roommate.”
“Ah huh. Ya know, you’re really making it sound like you want us to be something more than friends.” Sparkler commented. “Usually couples share beds.”
“I promise, I don’t.” Autumn said, waving a hoof in one big swipe. “I’m known for doing traditionally romantic things in a platonic setting. I’ve been told about it.”
“Hehe. You’re not like other ponies, are ya Autumn.” Sparkler said with a chuckle.
“In that regard, nope.” Autumn said.
“Well, if yer ok with it, then sure. We can share a bed long term.” Sparkler said.
“Yay!” Autumn beamed.
Sparkler chuckled. Autumn’s enthusiasm was truly something.
Soon, they made it to the furniture store and found their way to the bedroom section, where they chose a three-drawer vertical dresser of a beige-light brown color.
“Alright! New dresser!” Autumn said excitedly as they exited the building.
“Yeah.” Sparkler replied as she effortlessly carried the dresser in her magic while she and Autumn walked down the path back to the house.
“Magic is so useful.” Autumn commented.
“Yeah. It has come in handy quite a few times in my life.” Sparkler replied. “Like the time I had to get my saddlebags down from a tree in school.”
Autumn paused. “Uh, I sure hope it didn’t get up there at the hooves of those bullies…”
“And I would love to tell ya it wasn’t. But sadly, it was.” Sparkler replied. “And it didn’t happen just once. It happened more times than I care to count.
“They’d swipe my saddlebag when I wasn’t lookin’, one of the pegasi would leave it in a high place, and then I’d have to search for it. Bless the gods I had understanding teachers who didn’t penalize me for late homework because those featherbrains wanted to play keep away.” She explained.
“Eventually, mah magic level was strong enough so I could learn the tracking spell, but it was still a pain.” She said as they approached the house.
Autumn, not wanting visible anger to come about, practically refused to take in all of that. “Well then…let’s just move on. Ready to load the clothes into the dresser?”
“Let’s get it into the bedroom first and set it down.” Sparkler replied.
“Great!” Autumn said.
Carefully, Sparkler, with Autumn’s help, maneuvered the new dresser into the house and through the door to the bedroom, where they set it down against the wall across from the door.
“And there. Perfect.” Sparkler said.
“Yeah!” Autumn said. “Looks great!”
“And now, we can put the clothes away.” Sparkler said, summoning the box with the clothes from the living room into the bedroom.
“Here we go!” Autumn said.
Autumn opened the three drawers and Sparkler levitated the clothes inside. With the help of what species she happens to be, every piece could be, and was, folded as neatly as possible in a matter of seconds.
“There’s the magic again. I love it.” Autumn said.
“Yeah, me too.” Sparkler responded. “It’s amazing.”
“It is.” Autumn said. “Say, would you, per chance… I know this is probably a weird question, but… would you like to add your security blanket to our bed? Like, it’s super comfortable.”
Sparkler was taken aback by the question, and was about to say no...until something popped up that made her think otherwise. She didn’t know what it was. But she responded after a few seconds: “Uh, sure, Autumn. We could do that.” Maybe I can grip onto it if I have a nightmare again…
“Well, if you’re uncomfortable with it, I won’t push you.” Autumn said.
“No, no, I like the idea. Let’s do it.” Sparkler said, flashing Autumn a warm smile.
“Oh! Okay!” Autumn said.
Sparkler lit her horn again and her blanket floated out of the box and onto the bed, nice and flat.
“Looks good there.” Autumn said.
“Yeah.” Sparkler replied. She didn’t know why, but her blanket looked good on their bed. Despite its blue color that greatly contrasted with the cream tint of Autumn’s bedspread, it carried a pleasant look to the eyes.
“When was the last time you used it?” Autumn asked.
“As a security blanket? Uhm…” Sparkler blushed and smiled sheepishly. “Maybe...the first night I was here...?” She said, embarrassed.
“Nothing wrong with that.” Autumn said. “It’s hard to sleep in a new place.”
“It...wasn’t the new location...it was the fear that I wouldn’t make any friends here.” Sparkler admitted.
“Aww.” Autumn said. “I’m sorry.”
“Mah school years really did a number on me. Nopony in the school liked me, so I was afraid I’d never make another friend like Flappy.” Sparkler said, sniffling a little. “The fear is still there, but I’m not as scared as I was a few days ago. Thanks to you.”
Autumn walked up and started stroking Sparkler’s mane. “Recovery from that is a really long process. And you’re under no rush. I’m here for you.”
“May not be as long as you think. So far, nopony’s put me down in this town, so I’m already recovering. And if I can make more friends like you, it’ll only help me recover faster.” Sparkler said.
Autumn communicated her thoughts by leaning in and hugging Sparkler, around her neck, while continuing the mane stroking.
Sparkler said nothing as she just wrapped her forelegs around Autumn, leaned in, and before she could even stop it, just absolutely burst into tears.
Autumn was taken aback, but she knew her incoming response. “There there, Sparkler, let it all out.”
“W-Why did they hate me…” Sparkler managed to whisper through her sobs. “W-What did I ever do to them…”
“I’m sure you did nothing.” Autumn encouraged. “As for why they hated you, well, the reasons for bullying are many, but I can say that there was something wrong with them. Easily.”
Sparkler just nodded as she continued to cry into Autumn’s shoulder.
“I’m really sorry that you went through all that, Sparkler.” Autumn said. “I love you.”
“L-love ya too pal.” Sparkler choked out through her now softening sobs.
Autumn responded by giving Sparkler a soft pat on the back of her neck, while rubbing her cheek against Sparkler’s.
“Thank you. You will be okay.” Autumn said.
“Thanks, Autumn.” Sparkler said, finishing her crying.
Autumn nodded. “Did you run through all the tears?”
“Yeah.” Sparkler said. “I’m done.”
“That’s what was needed.” Autumn said. “Letting it out.”
“Agreed.” Sparkler replied.
“Good.” Autumn said. “So, is there still anything left for you to unpack?”
“Nothing that I can’t do mahself. Thanks fer yer help, Autumn.” Sparkler replied.
Autumn closed her eyes with a smile. “Always happy to help.”
“So. What to do now…” Sparkler said.
Autumn, once again, looked over at what time it was.
“It’s lunchtime right now, and also, note that I’m going to work at 4 pm.” Autumn said.
“Sounds good to me. What’s fer lunch?” Sparkler asked.
“I was thinking salad today.” Autumn said.
“That works!” Sparkler replied. “Let’s get some lunch!”
And so they had vegetable salad for lunch. After that they played guitar, watched some more Daring Do using Sparkler’s book projection spell again, and before they knew it, it was time for Autumn to head to work.
“Well, here’s my first work day living with you. It’s a little sad, but it’ll be nice to come home to you.” Autumn said as she opened the front door. “See you later, best friend!”
“When will ya be home?” Sparkler asked.
Autumn gauged the time this band usually leaves their sessions and the walking time to her home. “Should be around 5:45.” She answered.
“Alright. What do you want for dinner?” Sparkler asked.
Autumn thought for a moment. “How about hayburgers?” She asked. She hadn’t had those in a while, leading to her suggestion.
“Alright. I’ll make some hayburgers for dinner!” Sparkler said.
“Great!” Autumn said. “See you then!”
“Have fun at work!” Sparkler replied.
“Thanks!” Autumn said. She headed out the front door, to work as a session musician with a band, her primary job.
Sparkler watched the door close, and finally, she was alone. “Alright...Autumn is gone, Flappy is who knows where...is this a prime time to preen my wings?” She asked herself.
“Yes. Yes it is.” She replied to herself as she lit her horn and summoned a preening brush to her, and also shed the poncho, finally allowing her wings to breathe.
Autumn opened the door to the music studio. “Howdy y’all!” She shouted out to the band.
“Hey Autumn! Wow, you look really vibrant today.” One of the band members said. “I hadn’t heard you holler out the greeting like that in a long time.”
“I am vibrant! That’s because… I finally got a roommate!” Autumn started jumping up and down.
One of the ponies in the studio sounded off a party blow. They knew about this whole thing, and they could feel the accomplishment too. Autumn had become notorious in their sessions for having a slightly melancholy mood that she always chalked up to living alone. Well, not anymore.
“Amazing, Autumn!” The stallion said, giving her a hug. “Happy for you!”
“Absolutely.” Another band member said. “Now I’ve got an inspiration for lyrical content.”
“If you want, do it.” Autumn said.
This was going to be a good session.
Back at the house, Sparkler set down the brush and inspected her now-preened wings. “And there. Perfect.” She said to herself, smiling. It had been a few days since she was able to preen her wings, something that she knew she should do more often. “Flappy always says the more you preen yer wings, the better.”
Speaking of Flappy, he returned through the window. “Squawk! Howdy Sparkler, Aut--” He paused when he noticed two things, A, Autumn was nowhere to be found, and B, Sparkler’s wings were exposed. “Squawk! Autumn’s gone? Squawk!” He asked.
“At work.” Sparkler said.
Flappy noticed the brush near Sparkler. “Squawk! Just preened yer wings? Squawk!” He asked.
“Yep.” Sparkler replied.
“Squawk! Alright. Say, wanna go for a fly? Squawk!” Flappy asked.
“Sure.” Sparkler said. “So long as we’re back in time for me to make hayburgers for dinner.”
“Squawk! Canyons? Squawk!”
“Canyons.” Sparkler replied.
Sparkler put her poncho back over her wings, and she and Flappy walked out the door of the house. After which, they held onto each other tight and Sparkler lit her horn to teleport them to the canyons.
…
Autumn, her session finished, opened the front door to what was now their home, to a fresh, warm aroma hitting her as soon as the door was open.
Yep, that must be hayburgers!
“Hi, Sparkler!” She called out. “Got dinner going?”
“Welcome home, Autumn! Dinner’s almost ready! Have a seat at the table and I’ll be right with ya!” Sparkler called out from the kitchen.
“Great!” Autumn said, taking her seat.
Flappy was standing on the table. He smiled when he saw Autumn sit down. “Squawk! Evening Autumn! Squawk!” He said.
“Hi, Flappy!” Autumn said, waving.
“So how was work Autumn?” Sparkler asked from the kitchen.
“It was good.” Autumn said. “When I first went there, I told them about me finally getting a roommate, and this is a band that I’ve worked with for a long time, so they knew about the whole situation, and they were really happy for me.”
“Good to hear!” Sparkler said.
“It was awesome.” Autumn said. “As for music, well, the session was mostly about the lead vocals, which are done by only one of the band members, so me and the instrumentalists mostly just talked.”
“Squawk! What did ya talk about? Squawk!” Flappy asked.
“We talked mostly about future songs and what we could play for them. We also had to talk about the vocalist’s performances on the song, setting up the microphone, things like that.”
“Squawk! Sounds like fun. Squawk!” Flappy said.
“It was!” Autumn said.
“So, what did you two do while I was gone?” Autumn asked.
Sparkler and Flappy hesitated to answer, but Sparkler quickly thought of a way around things. “Well he got back after you left, so we just hung around. I preened his wings, I showed him our new dresser, really it wasn’t anything too exciting.” She said.
“Squawk! Yeah it was a pretty quiet time. Squawk!” Flappy added.
“Sometimes, quiet time is good.” Autumn commented. “In other news, is dinner almost ready?”
Sparkler smiled as she put a freshly-cooked hayburger on two plates and levitated them both to the table. “Yessiree! Dinner is served!” She said as she followed the plates to the table and sat down in her seat.
“Yay!” Autumn beamed.
They dug into the hot hayburgers, clearly successfully made, as Autumn licked her lips over and over again while taking big bites in short succession. “These are amazing, Sparkler.” She said.
“Thanks Autumn.” Sparkler replied.
After dinnertime came the evening, where they transitioned into the night by reading more Daring Do, mostly. At the end, Autumn asked “cuddle time?” and into the bedroom they went.
“Sure!” Sparkler, in her onesie, said.
“Here we go!” Autumn said.
Sparkler slid into the right side of the bed, with Autumn beside her on the left. “Which position tonight?” She asked.
“Maybe I spoon you tonight? And maybe pet you?” The words left Sparkler’s mouth before she could even think about them. Clearly, this position was the right choice.
“Yes! Do it!” Autumn said eagerly, flopping over on her left side.
Sparkler complied and wrapped her forelegs around Autumn. She began stroking her mane soothingly.
“Ahh yes…” Autumn whispered.
“G’night Autumn.” Sparkler said.
“Good night.” Autumn said.
That may be the end of the day technically, but what about the dream world? What kinds of things could happen during this night?
To be continued…