//------------------------------// // Chapter XX // Story: Why Do I Feel This Way // by TheKing2001 //------------------------------// Moondancer I finished putting the groceries away as I absent-mindedly scrubbed the counter top. I had been cleaning ever ever since I got home even though it was already spotless inside. I looked at the clock as somepony knocked on the door and I trotted over to it, opening it with a smile. A yellow unicorn with a lemon on her flank was in the doorway with a yellow mane that had a white streak in it. “Hello,” she said and levitated a clipboard in a white aura in front of her. “Moondancer, correct?” “Yes ma’am.” “Pleasure to meet you. I’m Sunbeam,” She said as we shook hooves. “Shall we get this under way?” “Whatever works for you,” I said as she trotted inside, shutting the door behind and she looked around. “Looks clean. Love to see that,” Sunbeam commented as she wrote on her clipboard. She trotted to the cupboards and opened one as it fell off and she raised an eyebrow slightly. “I haven’t had time to get that fixed yet,” I said sheepishly as her eyebrow climbed higher. “Mhm. Get this fixed,” Sunbeam said and turned the sink on with her magic and it made a squeaking sound. “And that too. Do you have a spare room?” “Yes,” I nodded and pointed a hoof at some nearby stairs. She gave a nod and I followed her up them. I pointed a hoof at my door. “That’s my room. The room across from it is the spare room. It’s next to my office.” “Okay,” Sunbeam nodded as she opened the spare room and trotted inside. “Very spacious.” “Yeah I uh haven’t got the bed or dresser picked out. I was going tomorrow evening or so to pick out stuff Cotton would like. If I get accepted of course.” “I understand. I presume you will either lock all knives up or properly teach her how to use them?” Sunbeam asked as she pressed a pen to her paper. “Yes of course I’d lock them up first and then teach her when she’s comfortable,” I answered and she gave an approving sound as she wrote something. “So uh did I pass?” “You have a lot of work to do around the interior such as the kitchen and other places,” Sunbeam began as my face fell. I was certain I hadn’t done well. “But you do have decent room in the house and I checked out the back yard before coming inside. I’d say you are more than ready to take her so congrats.” “Oh thank you,” I hugged her as she froze and turned red before patting my back. “Oh uhm sorry?” “It’s all right,” Sunbeam hid a giggle behind her hoof as I sheepishly let go. “It’s a secret of mine that I adore seeing ponies get happy when I say they passed.” She pressed her hoof onto the paper and hoofed me it. I glanced down at the ident her hoof signature made. “There you go. Congrats Miss Moondancer.” I bit my tongue as I resisted the urge to correct her. Miss just made me feel older than I was. But I didn’t want to be rude, especially considering she overlooked a lot of things today. I watched her leave and close the door, watching her trot down the front path as another yellow unicorn stopped and talked to her briefly before trotting up to the door. “Moondancer? Are you home?” Lemon Hearts called out as she knocked and I froze. I dropped to the floor and quietly closed the curtains as her shadow passed by the window. I hated avoiding her but I didn’t want to discuss Twilight. “If you are, I’m not here to talk about Twilight! I just wanna make sure you’re okay. The others are worried about you. We got back the other night and didn’t see you since,” Lemon Hearts called out from the front door. I inhaled and opened the door as Lemon Hearts peered inside cautiously and trotted in. “Moondancer!” Lemon Hearts shouted as she galloped over and hugged me. I weakly hugged her back and shut the door. “Don’t ever try to act like you aren’t home again when I’m here. How have you been?” “Sorry. I’m uh okay I guess. You?” “Decent. Not happy to be back at work but well, the castle needs it planner after all. Can’t avoid my duties forever now can I?” Lemon Hearts asked with a smirk. “Who was that mare?” “Oh uh a friend,” I lied and internally felt bad. I didn’t want to keep my plans a secret forever, just a little while till I get everything sorted and Cotton home and then I would tell everypony. “Wait, did you know I was home?” “Well duh! I asked her who she was because I didn’t want a random mare breaking into your house. She told me you were inside and that she was working with you but didn’t say more. What were you two doing?” “She didn’t say?” I asked curiously and Lemon shook her head. I should probably thank Sunbeam for that later if I ever saw her again of course. “She was inspecting the house for me. Mainly the kitchen, rooms and backyards.” “The kitchen isn’t that bad. Just some cupboards falling about,” Lemon looked around as I nodded. “So the others are back?” I asked hesitantly and she nodded. “Even Lyra?” “Lyra will be coming back in a week or two with Bon Bon. Bon Bon is bringing her candies to Canterlot in an attempt to gather more business and brand popularity across Equestria in the baking front.” “Oh. I assume she is bringing them to that baking event going on?” I asked as Lemon Hearts flicked an ear curiously. “You know about that?” “Well duh. Everypony in Canterlot knows about that. I go every year usually.” “This is amazing!” Lemon squeezed my checks and I felt like I looked like a fish. “I’ve always wanted somepony to come with me. Minuette does but she usually runs off midway through to go explore. Wanna go together?” I looked at her eager expression and I sighed internally. I already my answer before I even said it. “Yeah, I’d like that.”