“A pox on all roosters,” Pearl groaned as a loud rooster roused the teenager from her sleep. Grabbing a pillow and pulling it down over her ears she kept her eyes closed and tried to drown out the loud crowing. “Roosters?” Lifting her head up she blinked. “Why am I hearing Roosters? My alarm clock doesn't go cock-a-doodle-doo.” Dropping the silken pillow she sat up and looked around.
“I’m in Kohaku’s room? What the buck am I doing here?” Lifting a hoof she rubbed it on the side of her head, which throbbed like crazy. Not unlike the hangover she had the first time she sampled Kohaku’s bottle of Sake. “How did I even get here? Last thing I recall I was… was… what was I doing?” Pulling her hind legs up to her chest she hugged them in that seated position.
Looking down, Pearl found herself wearing one of Kohaku’s night shirts. It was long enough she could just add a belt or sash and it would work as a dress. She didn’t find this too unusual. she usually stole a shirt of his when she snuck into his room. Or staying overnight after a long study session.
“And where is my useless pile of fur anyway?” Pearl just looked about. Kohaku was nowhere to be seen or heard. Just a small pile of clothes with a small note. Scooting closer to the edge of the circular bed, Pearl looked down at the note.
------
Pearl,
I let you sleep in, after the night you had you deserve it. I tossed out your torn dress and panties. There was no saving them and believe me, I tried.
So here’s something for you to wear. Everything should fit comfortably enough. I'll also go grab a few things from your house this afternoon.
Mischievously yours,
Kohaku
------
Sighing, Pearl looked at the pile of clothes. She noticed that they were a pair of Kohaku’s old shorts. One of his old silken shirts and a pair of yellow panties. Holding it in her hoof she blinked, shrugging she quickly dressed and walked to the three sixty window. The clothes fit her almost perfectly, save for the shirt which was a little too loose for her tastes.
Watching the scene outside she noticed she had slept half the day away. It wasn’t until she heard music downstairs in the main house that she left Kohaku’s room.
Slowly walking down the hallway she peaked and almost fell backwards in total shock. Dancing across the entire living room area were not one, not two but five Kohaku’s. Each one dusting and cleaning various parts of the room with their tails. All while singing along to a song on the radio. Which she recognized as the kirin pop song Lucifer.
“Oh please let this be a nightmare, if not I'm going to need therapy,” Pearl muttered as she slapped her face trying to wake up.
As the song finished playing Kohaku stood there and noticed Pearl. Smiling, he looked over his shoulder.
“Take five guys.” And with a double clap of his paws the four other Kohaku’s vanished like dust.
“No let me guess, another one of Discord’s tricks you mastered?” Pearl groaned looking at her friend who merely smiled and nodded.
“Yup, they come in handy when doing chores. And with so many, I need all the help I can get.” Kohaku chuckled as he looked Pearl over and nodded. “Looking good, I hope you're okay with the selection I chose.”
“Yes I like it. I’m just glad you take such care with your old things.” Pearl sat down and looked about. The room was spotless, and that’s saying something when you house dozens of small animals in your living space. “But I'm not even going to think about the panties? What, you steal them from an old girlfriend?”
“No, they’re just borrowed. I’m sure neechan won’t mind.”
“Speaking of which, where is she?” Pearl knew Fluttershy barely leaves her home as she was busier than the Apple family on the farm.
“Out on a nature retreat vacation,” Kohaku stretched as he grabbed one of two bottles on a nearby table. “She won’t be back for two weeks. She needed the rest and Tree Hugger had an extra ticket to the resort.”
Looking Pearl over again he motioned with his head and moved to the kitchen with Pearl moving behind him slowly.
As she sat herself at the table she found it filled with bowls of fruit, and several stacks of three inch tall fluffy pancakes which she absolutely adored. Pearl felt her mouth water just looking at them.
“I thought you might want something special after such a rough night.” Kohaku said with little pleasure. Pearl looked at the plate in front of him had something she rather disturbing as he sat across from her. Not so much the hashbrowns or eggs, but it was the several brown charred strips of something that had red jucies pushing out from it. The smell reminded her of when she passed a griffon butcher shop.
Quirking an eyebrow at her friend she lifted it up and bit on her lower lip. “Is that what I think it is?”
“If you mean seasoned seared steak, then yes.” Pearl watched as Kohaku popped one of the strips into his mouth along with a bit of egg. One of the pitfalls of being best friends with a predator type creature. Even after all these years, while she was used to seeing it. It still turned her stomach.
Closing her eyes she piled her plate with pancakes and fruit with copious amounts of syrup and just tried to eat. She still didn’t have much of an appetite. The memories of what Lotus had done to her weighed heavy on her mind. But she knew how hard it was to make those pancakes. She almost set her kitchen on fire trying to make them. And if her best friend was going to this length for her, she didn’t want to offend him.
At the first bite she felt a pleasurable shiver down her back and cursed her friend for being so damned talented.
Twilight stood outside of Fluttershy’s cabin. Looking around she found the storm had ravaged the yard. She knew somepony was going to have one hell of a time cleaning it. She was thankful the cabin itself was spared any damage, save for a few small loose shingles.
Taking a few deep breaths she held her hoof above the door. Scared to know what she’ll find. Is her student hurt, in pain, or is she even here. Taking a long deep breath she knocked three times on the door and stood there. Within a few moments she heard a set of hooves on the other side.
“Who.. Who’s there?” a weak but familiar voice answered. A voice that made Twilight smile.
“Pearl, please open up.” Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s me Twilight.” Twilight stood there silently for several moments. She was sure her student was going to open the door right away. After a few moments she heard the sound of several locks being undone. And the door cracked open.
“Twilight?” Pearl muttered weakly. Within a moment the door was flung open and Pearl leaped into her teachers from limbs in a tight hug. “Twilight! You have no idea how good it is to see you right now.”
“Oh Pearl.” Twilight softly caressed Pearl’s mane. “I was so worried about you.”
“I’m fine Twilight, please come on in,” Pearl stepped aside and spread her wings out for her mentor. After Twilight was in Pearl swiftly shut the door and relocked it.
Twilight looked over her shoulder for a moment. “You don’t have to go to that extreme Pearl. It’s just me.”
“I know, I’m just… taking precautions.” Pearl shivered and bit down on her lower lips. “Kohaku’s suggestion.”
“Well he always has your best interest at heart.” Twilight said as she walked about the room for a moment before sitting in front of her student. “Not unlike myself. We both care deeply for you Pearl.”
“I know. I know.” Pearl sighed out and sat next to her mentor. Leaning into Twilight’s shoulder, she soon felt a warm comfortable wing wrapped around her. “I take it you’re here because of what happened last night?”
“Yes, I heard about it.” Twilight tightened her grip on Pearl while softly caressing down her back. “I have to say I’m surprised. Would you mind explaining why you went so far as to assault your girlfriend?”
“Ex girlfriend.” Pearl pushed her head against Twilights’ floof and shifted as Twilight nodded slowly. “The two timing trollop.”
“So you caught your girl in the legs of another girl?” Twilight caressed down Pearl’s mane. It was the teenager’s head shaking that brought questions to her mind.
“A stallion.”
“I see.” Twilight nodded slowly in understanding. “I’m so sorry Pearl.”
Pearl sighed, turning her gaze away. “How did you find out anyway?
“Well we received a report about assault, Lotus claimed you assaulted her for no reason. Collaborated by three witnesses.”
Pearl nodded before she pulled away from Twilight and moved to the hanging bird houses. “Oh great, what more can they do to make me suffer. That’s like rubbing salt in my open wound. So what kind of trouble am I in?”
“None,” Twilight sighed as she moved up onto Fluttershy’s sofa. “There’s another witness. One who’s a bit more reliable than a close group of friends and lovers. He said they had been provoking you. You were simply defending yourself and your friends honor, nopony can fault you for that.”
“Oh how rude of me, How could I be so stupid. You’ve been sitting here all this time and I haven't gotten you anything. Granted I’m a guest here myself. Kohaku would flip if he learned I didn’t at least offer you a drink. You know what a stickler he is for that.”
“Indeed. That’s one of the few things Rarity loved about him when he was dating her daughter. His courtesy toward guests.” Twilight laughed along with Pearl but shook her head. “You don’t have to get me anything Pearl. You know I’m surprised you didn’t just come to the castle. It’s much closer to the rose gardens.”
“Well, I, I don’t know. It was late. Going on instinct more than anything else. And I guess I just didn’t want to interrupt you with your family.” Pearl blushed and shifted back and forth.
Twilight smiled as she watched her student. “You could have come in, you’re always welcome. But I’m sure Kohaku was happy to see you. And no doubt you talked to him about last night.” Twilight’s smile vanished as she watched Pearl shake her head.
“He asked me about it.”
“And?”
“I yelled at him, punched him in the stomach then stormed out of the bathroom.” Pearl sat by the front windows and looked out, watching all the small animals graze at the tall grass.
“So you haven't talked about it.”
“I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to forget it ever happened.” Pearl bowed her head. Trying her hardest to hide the tears forming in her eyes.
“Pearl.” Twilight softly brushed her wing against her student’s who turned around and hugged Twilight again, crying hard.
“Why.. Why did she do this to me?”
Twilight shook her head wishing she had an answer for her beloved student. Her wings tightened as the princess held her precious student to her body.
“I wish I knew the answer, Pearl. But how about you and I go out to Sugar Cube Corner. We can talk about it and sample the new recipes Pinkie has created.”
Pearl bit on her lower lip. Looking about, she cautiously weighed her options. She knew her mentor wasn’t about to give up. And she certainly couldn’t silence her the way she could Kohaku. The mention of new baked goods did make her mouth water and it was a while since she spent any time alone with Twilight. With a defeated sigh, Pearl smiled at the closest thing she had to a second mother.
“Let's go.”