Sometime later they leave the pizzeria together. Derpy turns to him happily.
“Thank you for dinner, Arc. That was very tasty.”
“You’re welcome. But now we move on to the next item on our list.”
Derpy appears confused. “Oh? What’s that?”
“Some window shopping.”
“What for?”
“Originally my plan was to just walk the streets and buy you something special. But we should probably see if we can find you a hobby.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t really know. Let’s just start and see what we come across.”
Walking down the street together they look at each display as they pass. Derpy marvels at the selection.
“There’s a lot of things to buy here!”
“Kinda like Earth in that regard. Always something new available for sale.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“Not really. At least not for most people.”
“Oh?”
“Some folks need to have the most up to date product available. The latest model car. The most advanced computer. The most cutting-edge fashions.”
“Why though?”
Arc shrugs. “I’m not really sure. While I do my best to take care of what I have, at the same time I want to enjoy it. If you’re constantly upgrading… looking forward to the next best thing, you have a hard time appreciating that which you already have.”
“That doesn’t sound like much fun to me.”
“It’s their choice to make though. While I’m not trying to say that they’re wrong, that kind of thing isn’t for me.”
Derpy giggles. “That’s nice. Even though you could probably afford to buy out half a store, you don’t…”
She stops walking and looks in a window at a display.
“Wow! They’re pretty!”
“Jewelry?”
Derpy nods. “Dinky and her friends borrowed some from Miss Cheerilee. However it was all silver.”
“Is that bad?”
“With a gray coat, yes.”
“How about gold?”
“That would look nice, I think.”
Arc motions to the door. “Then let’s go.”
“Inside?”
“It’s kinda hard to try it on from out here, right?”
“I suppose so. But do you really think I’d look okay?”
“One way to find out.”
Leading Derpy into the shop the pair approach the counter. A salesmare approaches as they do.
“Welcome. What can I help you with today?”
Arc gestures to Derpy. “I’d like to get my marefriend here something nice.”
“Were you looking for something in particular?”
Derpy appears suddenly nervous. “I… don’t really know what I want.”
“Let’s start with the categories then. We have hoof protectors, necklaces, tiaras, and earrings.”
“What would you recommend? I mean… you see, um…”
Arc clears his throat. “She’s never actually owned jewelry before.”
The salesmare nods. “Then you should start small.”
Reaching into a cabinet, the mare pulls out a tray of earrings. Setting them down before the pair she points to a simple gold pair to one side.
“This is our basic set. It would go very well with your coat and mane.”
Pointing to another pair, the mare continues.
“Or if you’d like something a bit more, I’d recommend this pair with amethysts.”
Derpy grins. “Those look nice!”
Arc nods. “Can she try them on?”
“Of course.”
Setting the earrings on the counter, the mare looks confused as Derpy attempts to simply put them inside her ear canal. Arc puts a hand on her hoof.
“Derpy, wait!”
Derpy sighs. “Sorry. I’ve never actually seen somepony with earrings, so I don’t know how to put them on or even where they go.”
The mare smiles. “Ah! Well… shall I help you with that?”
“Yes please.”
Picking up the earrings, she walks around the counter and carefully clips them to Derpy’s ears before stepping back.
“There you are.”
Arc smiles. “How do they feel, Derpy?”
Derpy puts a hoof to her ear. “I don’t hardly feel anything. Are they really there?”
Making a gesture with a hoof, the salesmare nods. “Have a look in the mirror. I think you’ll like what you see.”
Turning to a nearby mirror on the counter Derpy examines her ears. Putting a hoof to her ear she pokes it.
“I… don’t really know if this is good or not. What do you think, Arc?”
“That you look really pretty.”
She blushes slightly as Arc walks up behind her and puts his hands on her shoulders as he speaks.
“Do you want them?”
Derpy sighs. “I do, yes. But I didn’t bring any money.”
“It’s okay. I’ll buy them for you.”
“Thank you. I’d like that.”
Arc removes a bag of bits from his ring and pays the mare whom has returned to her place behind the counter. Nodding in acceptance of the payment she turns to Derpy.
“Shall I box them up for you, miss?”
Derpy shakes her head. “Thank you, but I’d like to wear them out.”
She turns to Arc.
“Would that be okay?”
“Sure. But would you like to look at anything else while we’re here?”
Derpy shakes her head. “No thank you. This is enough for me.”
After thanking the salesmare the pair head for the door and return to the street. As they continue on their way Derpy looks up to Arc.
“Thank you for the earrings. I really like these a lot.”
“You’re welcome. And you really do look very nice in them. Anything else you’d like to look for?”
“Nothing in particular, no. But I am enjoying the walk.”
“So you want to keep window shopping? We might come across something hobby-like. Not sure if that’s a word, but”
Derpy interrupts him. “Actually… might I know if there’s something else interesting to do on your list?”
Arc pulls out the paper. “Sure. Let’s see here…”
He looks it over for a moment before speaking.
“We could go to the symphony.”
“What’s that?”
“A large group of musicians that play musical instruments together in front of an audience.”
“I’ve never heard of such a thing! Is it good?”
Arc nods. “The ones back on Earth are. Would you like to try it?”
Derpy smiles nervously. “Is it… loud?”
“Kinda. Would that be a problem?”
“Maybe. I’m not really sure how I’d do in a loud, crowded place.”
“Let’s try something else then.”
“Okay.”
Arc continues looking. “Hm… there’s the Manehattan Aquarium a few blocks away.”
“What’s an aquarium?”
“In this case it’s a building filled with lots of fish in tanks.”
“Fish? Like tuna?”
“Well, I don’t know if they have that here in Equestria. Wait, how did you know about tuna?”
“I saw a can of it back in your house. It was a really strange looking creature though. Do all fish look like that?”
Arc shakes his head. “Nah. There’s lots of different kinds of fish. Some are really colorful while others, like tuna, are more plain looking.”
Derpy smiles. “Then that’s what I’d like to see.”
“Alright. Let’s go.”
Walking to the large building, they enter and walk up to the counter. Arc purchases tickets for them and they enter the otherwise empty building. Looking all around Derpy gasps.
“They’re so colorful!”
Arc nods. “That they are.”
She runs up to the glass and puts her front hooves on it in an attempt to get closer to the fish inside. Arc walks over and joins her.
“Looks like Equestrian fish are kinda like those on Earth.”
“How so?”
“So much variety. They’re colorful and very unique in their own way though.”
“And these fish all live here in Equestria?!”
Arc nods as he looks to a nearby sign. “In the ocean actually.”
“Any from lakes?!”
Arc looks around. “None that I can see, no.”
“I wonder why not.”
“Probably because they’re plain looking.”
Derpy frowns. “But they must be interesting in their own way!”
“I suppose so. But ponies don’t come here to see things that they could find locally. They want to see unique and exotic.”
“Can we sit down? I’d just like to watch them for a while.”
Arc nods “Sure.”
Leading Derpy over to a bench they pair sit and watch the fish for a long time silently. Derpy appears mesmerized for a time before turning to him.
“Arc? Can I ask you something?”
“Always.”
“Forgive me if this sounds weird, but… what do you want in a marefriend?”
Arc looks up at the ceiling as he responds. “Well… I suppose someone nice for starters. Someone I could talk to easily without feeling like I’m walking on eggshells.”
“Companionship minded?”
“Right.”
“Anything else?”
“Not really. At least nothing I can think of off the top of my head.”
“How about somepony pretty?”
Arc shakes his head. “Low priority for me.”
“It is?”
“Right. I don’t really care how they look on the outside if their personality isn’t good.”
Derpy raises an eyebrow, confused. “Not sure I understand.”
“Let me put it this way. Back on Earth there’s always stories in the news of famous people with amazingly good looking spouses whom get caught cheating.”
“With somepony else?”
Arc nods. “Yes.”
“But I thought you said they were married to somepony beautiful.”
“They are. Or were.”
“Then why cheat?”
Arc boops Derpy’s nose. “Exactly.”
“I don’t get it.”
“Any number of reasons, I suppose. But in my mind it’s because they got married for the wrong reasons.”
“Oh?”
“Only being attracted to their spouse’s body, wanting something new, anger at their partner, lack of attention, or any other number of motives.”
Derpy puts a hoof to her forehead. “This is very confusing.”
“Sorry. I just don’t know any other way to put it. But can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“What do YOU want in a boyfriend? Or I guess it’d be called as ‘stallionfriend’ here in Equestria.”
“Honestly, I really just want somepony whom can help me take care of Dinky. Be a father figure to her.”
“Nothing else?”
“Well, there is more. But that’s at the top of the list.”
“Ah!”
Derpy turns to look at the fish again as she talks. “He’d be there for me emotionally, of course. Somepony to keep me and my little muffin safe. That and be smarter than I am. Not that it’d be too hard in that regard.”
“Anything else?”
“Just one more thing. I know this might sound strange coming from me, but… I’d like him to be like my father.”
Arc raises an eyebrow. “Wait… what?”
“Not cruel, of course. But somepony whom had the means to provide for Dinky and I. Food, a home, and meet our other basic needs. Even if it was just a shack and all we had to eat was hay, I’d still be happy as long as we were all healthy, warm, and safe.”
“And you think I can do that?”
Derpy takes his hand and smiles as she speaks.
“I know you can, Arc. You’ve already been doing it for some time now.”
Arc looks away. “Well, if that’s the case, I need to do a better job of it.”
Derpy sighs. “Are you worried about not being there for Dinky in the past?”
“It’s true.”
“Arc, you need to forgive yourself for what’s behind us.”
“But Dinky needs…!”
Derpy puts a hoof to Arc’s mouth before speaking.
“Dinky needs a full time father, yes. And you’re the only one I can see being able to fill that role.”
“I…”
“Arc, stop. Stop and listen to me.”
Derpy looks Arc in the eye for a long moment.
“I love you. Dinky loves you. And you love us. What else needs to be said?”
“Admittedly I don’t have an answer for that.”
“Well, I do.”
“Oh?”
Derpy smiles warmly. “A simple ‘I’ll do my best’ would suffice.”
“That’s what I’ve been doing though.”
“And that’s all I, or anypony else can ask of you.”
She looks up at the fish once more before continuing.
“But I do understand your mentality.”
“You do?”
Derpy nods. “I’ve been struggling with those thoughts myself.”
Pointing to a group of colorful fish swimming by, Derpy sighs.
“They kinda remind me of Twilight and her friends.”
“How so?”
“So lively and diverse.”
“What about you?”
Derpy sighs as she points to a starfish on the floor of the tank. “There. That’s me. Plain as the day is long.”
“Like I told you before, Derpy. I don’t really care too much about outward appearances.”
“Well, how would somepony like me go about making themselves more beautiful?”
“Derpy…”
“Jewelry? Makeup? Outfits?”
“Just be yourself.”
Derpy jumps to her hooves. “But I honestly want to become MORE!”
“For Dinky?”
“And you!”
Arc sighs. “We really are like two peas in a pod.”
Derpy sits back. “Yeah, I guess so.”
She turns to him nervously.
“I would still like to improve though. Partially for Dinky and myself, of course. But also for you.”
“And I want the same for myself.”
Derpy giggles. “We’ll do it for each other then.”
Arc chuckles. “That we can agree on.”
A few hours later Arc and Derpy leave the aquarium. They slowly walk down the street together as Derpy speaks.
“This has been an amazing night, Arc.”
“That it has.”
“I had a great time. But it’s getting really late.”
“Would you like to head back now?”
Derpy stops walking. Arc turns to her as she look up to him soberly.
“I… wouldn’t.”
“Huh?”
Derpy sits down on her haunches and wrings her hooves. “It’s just… um…”
“Would you like me to take you somewhere special?”
“Yes!”
Calling forth his gauntlet, Arc opens a portal. Kneeling down he picks Derpy up and carries her in his arms like a baby. Walking through the swirling energies they reappear in near total darkness. Derpy calls out to him.
“Arc? Where are we?”
“A very special place.”
Setting Derpy down carefully, Arc turns and casts a Telekinesis Spell. A large curtain slides aside exposing a truly massive window. Derpy walks over to it and gasps as she looks out.
“We’re… we’re so HIGH!”
“The top floor actually.”
“Of where…?”
“A very fancy hotel in the heart of Manehattan.”
He gestures to a large mat. Walking towards it, Arc uses his magic to light the wood in the fireplace. A cozy glow covers the room as Arc sits down with Derpy.
“Nice?”
Derpy looks away and blushes slightly. “Yes, but… I’m not sure what Dinky would say if she knew we were doing this.”
Arc chuckles. “It was her idea.”
“It was?”
“Yes.”
“But why…?”
“Derpy… Dinky told me something that I’d like to share with you in private.”
“What is it?”
“She said that before everyone relocated to Abyssinia… um… you would sometimes… talk in your sleep.”
“I did?”
Arc nods. “According to her, yes.”
“What… did I say?”
“Not much in the way of words. But there was a lot of giggling, hoof movements, and… you saying my name.”
Derpy blushes heavily and looks away. Arc puts a hand on her cheek and turns it back to himself.
“It’s okay. I’m not upset, or anything.”
“You’re not?”
Arc shakes his head. “No. But is there something you want to tell me?”
“I… um… it’s really hard to say.”
She is silent for a few moments before looking up to him nervously and speaking.
“Arc… some nights, I… I lie there and… and dream of… you.”
“Do you now?”
Derpy nods as she turns red. “Yes, I do. And… they’re not exactly the kind of dreams you tell a filly about.”
“Dinky figured as much. That’s why she didn’t bring it up to you.”
“What did she do then?”
“Got herself a drink or used the bathroom. Whatever she originally got up to do. But she did have the foresight to tell me about it. In private, mind you.”
Derpy sighs. “In that case I’d better just tell you.”
“Okay.”
Taking a deep breath, Derpy turns to look Arc in the eye.
“You know what Moonlit Dusk did to me. How he used me for… certain things.”
Arc nods. “I do.”
“In my dreams, I was doing those things again. But this time it’s with you.
She sighs and looks at the floor.
“You must think I’m a terrible mare for fantasizing about this.”
Arc shakes his head. “Not at all. Such things are only natural.”
“So it’s normal to want somepony to… um… breed me?”
Arc blushes slightly. “Kinda, yeah. That is if it’s someone you really care about.”
Derpy stands and gives her wings a quick flap to get some air. Landing in Arc’s lap she sits down and pushes against his chest. Knocking him to the floor she lies down on top and looks Arc in the eye.
“Arc… I love you.”
She leans forward and gently kisses Arc’s lips. They nuzzle noses for a few moments before Arc wraps his arms around her back and rolls over. On all fours he looks down at the smiling mare lying on the rug before him.
“And I love you too, Derpy.”
Leaning forward, Arc puts his arms around Derpy and kisses her passionately. She wraps her hooves around his shoulders as they continue to kiss. Moaning slightly, Derpy also wraps her hind legs around Arc’s back in an effort to get closer to him. The pair remain in that position for… well… let’s just say a significant amount of time.