//------------------------------// // to Her Best Friends // Story: Waking Up // by Omegathyst //------------------------------// Johanna felt something prodding at her feet on the bed, and giggled at the touch. Could it be Pipp, wanting to finally engage in some interspecies hanky panky, Zipp whining at Johanna’s marriage to her sister, or perhaps Queen Haven taking back the reluctant approval she gave to her last night after a long conversation? Johanna shuddered, she hoped it wasn’t the last one. Cracking one eye open, both of Johanna’s eyes shot wide open shortly after as she stared at the five ponies at the foot of her bed. Pipp and Zipp were to be expected, but seeing Sunny, Izzy, and Hitch in the room was a surprise to say the least. Hitch was on the right side of the bed, staring at various parts of Johanna’s human body like she was a frog in science class. Meanwhile, Sunny and Izzy were on the left side of the bed, both staring with bright eyes and smiles that widened as Johanna made eye contact with them. Before Johanna could comment on just how close the two mares were pressed against one another, Sunny shrieked loud enough to make Hitch jump and fall over. “This is amazing!” Sunny exclaimed. “I knew there had to be more creatures out there besides ponies! Now that all of ponykind is united again, creatures from far and wide can bask in the beauty of friendship!” As Sunny spoke, Johanna watched as her wings unfurled from her sides, one of them resting on Izzy’s back. As she finished speaking, she looked at Johanna once more, her horn as clear as day. “Huh, so the change was permanent…” Johanna whispered, then she noticed Pipp and Zipp near the door, talking to each other. “Hey Pipp, did either of you tell them how much I knew?” “We explained most of it,” Zipp replied. “So they don’t get freaked out when you ask questions to stuff you’re not supposed to know.” “You have questions for us?!” Izzy jumped against Sunny’s side, lunging forward and resting her forehooves on the edge of the bed as she stared up at the alien lady. “Ask us! We’d love to answer!” Johanna raised her eyebrows at Izzy, before glancing at her wife. Pipp was smirking at Johanna, before her eyes landed on Sunny and Izzy. Johanna figured it out, turning back to the alicorn and unicorn before her. “Well, I did witness a lot of your friendship with Sunny,” Johanna pointed out, and Izzy’s smile faltered a little. Yet, she didn’t break eye contact with Johanna as she continued. “So, are you two still just friends?” Izzy and Sunny's smiles wiped away altogether as they slowly made eye contact with each other, Sunny's wing still resting on Izzy. Johanna was pleased with the reaction alone, the way they were caught in each other's eyes like they were trying to talk via telepathy, the fact that Sunny didn't pull away her touch from Izzy. Johanna snickered, and turned to Hitch as he got back up on his four hooves. Just as Johanna was going to ask what mares Hitch was possibly smashing, Sunny broke the silence. "N-No, me and Izzy have been dating for a few weeks now," Sunny's wing tugged Izzy closer, Izzy's vivid pink eyes staring right up at Sunny’s gentle smile. Johanna’s heart melted into warm fuzzies as for the first time since she got there, she longed for her home on Earth to tell her people the news. But alas, Johanna sighed, it was most likely that only snippets of their lives would be shown on the upcoming show. Their romance would be alluded to at best, but at least Johanna could take comfort in knowing. Johanna looked over at the pegasus sisters to see Pipp grinning from ear to ear, and Zipp gawking as usual. But then as Johanna returned to look at Hitch, the stallion was smiling at the two. “You knew,” Johanna deadpanned. “I did,” Hitch nodded. “I kind of had a helping hoof in getting them together, but I suppose that’s a story to share for breakfast?” “I am pretty hungry, would you start on the hay bacon strips for us?” Pipp looked at her older sister, batting her eyelashes. Zipp rolled her eyes, a ghost of a smile gracing her lips before she turned away and walked out the door. Johanna got out of bed, wearing oversized pony shorts and underwear from somewhere in the castle in addition to the same T-shirt and bra she had been wearing since she arrived in Equestria. At least they had washing machines, allowing Johanna to have the articles of clothing cleaned regularly. Johanna made a mental note to look for fashion designers to custom-make new outfits for her as soon as Queen Haven allowed her to be known to Zephyr Heights and the rest of Equestria. As she got up and passed by the pair of lovebirds, she brushed her fingers through Pipp’s mane, slowly moving her hand down beneath Pipp’s chin as she scratched gently. “Do you cook, Pipp?” Johanna asked. “I...um…” Pipp made circles in the carpet with her hoof as she looked down and said something that Johanna couldn’t hear. “What was that?” Johanna sat down on the floor so she was a lot closer to Pipp’s eye level. “N-Never made food besides cereal and t-toast,” Pipp squeaked. “Anything beyond that was either made by Mom, Sis, or one of the professional chefs. All but two of them quit after they found out we couldn’t fly, so it’s mostly been Zipp.” “I wouldn’t feel embarrassed, sweetie,” Johanna reached her arm out, Pipp moving closer till her face was pressed against Johanna’s neck. “I haven’t really prepared much beyond microwavable meals and sandwiches, y’all have microwaves here, right?” “Mmmhmm,” Pipp’s response vibrated against Johanna’s neck, and the human shivered at the touch without thinking twice about it. If it weren’t for the three other ponies in the room, Johanna thought to herself, I’d be properly consummating my marriage to the cutest doll in Equestria. But I suppose this will have to do instead. Johanna wrapped her arms around Pipp, lifting the pegasus into her arms as she walked out the door. The rest of their friends followed behind them, Sunny and Izzy chattering among themselves while Hitch caught up with Johanna and looked up at Pipp. “Just how do you end up married to an alien from another world?” Hitch’s face scrunched up. “I need to hear that story over breakfast.” Johanna giggled, wondering just how the cards fell that way herself. But as she smelled Pipp’s intoxicating fruity scent and felt an addicting warmth from the short pony, Johanna knew she wouldn’t have it any other way.