//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4 
// Story: FoE: War Never Changes: Brother From Another Mother 
// by jarmari 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 4:

“And, cliche as it sounds, they lived happily ever after.” I finished as we approached the gates of the base.

“But what happened to Cadence and Shining Armour after that?!” CB demanded. Everyone had been interested in hearing the history of the Ministry Mares and how they were kind of thrust into the positions they ended up in when the war broke out, but CB had been absolutely ENTHRALLED with the stories of their earlier days living in Ponyville and just dealing with small normal problems, like dresses and going to the Grand Galloping Gala.

Ruby laughed and ran her hand through CB's hair. “Why don't you let Cane take a break from talking for now? Maybe he can tell you more later.”

“He better.” CB said firmly, poking my cheek with a finger. “You got me mister pony?”

“Yes ma'am.” I smirked, puffing my cheek out against her finger and she was content to go back to resting on my back. The base had massive concrete walls that rose up 30 feet in the air and the 'gate' was a massive red metal door that slowly swung open as we approached. It was almost 6 feet of steel.

“Wow, that's a big door.” I said softly as we passed through it into the courtyard beyond.

“Well well, what took you so long?” A deep gravely voice asked. I saw Crackshot's demeanor immediately change and she seemed to start walking straighter and with something of a spring in her step as she turned to face the ghoul that had walked up to us. He was just as ghoulish and gross as she was, no hair, one eye was milky white, the other at least looked normal. His body was surprisingly well toned considering he was a rotting pile of death. He wore a black leather coat that reached all the way down his body to the ground and a dark blue ceramic armour underneath that I could just see around the collar of the coat, all but the top button of the coat was done up so it was hard to tell. He spoke with an odd accent, almost like a rougher version of someone from Lundyon...Maybe Glascow?

“We were looking for somewhere to bury your sorry ass.” Crackshot said, putting a finger to his chest. “What's this I hear about you not disciplining our charges once they're old enough to drink?” She demanded.

He sighed and rolled his eyes, glaring at Brutus for a moment. “Clarice, think about this...The kids grow up, spanking them won't do anything, trying to scare them with our looks doesn't work, but you know what works? Getting them blitzed and leaving them to suffer through your chore work the next day while they're hung over, and at a point they are adults and there's no point disciplining them at all.”

“You're not out of the dog house yet Mister, we're gonna have a long talk about this tonight and you better pray you don't end up sleeping on the couch.”

“Ow'er bed is a pull out couch, what difference does that make to ow'er normal living arrangements?” This got him smacked upside the head.

“Don't you sass me you rotting pile of meat.” She said seriously. “You know what I mean.”

He smirked and nodded. “Yes Ma'am, sorry ma'am, it won't happen again ma'am.”

The gate started to close behind us but a horn sounded in the distance and a missile came spiraling out from behind a dune, exploding against the massive metal gate.

“LEGION ATTACKERS!” One of the guards along the top of the wall cried.

“Fuck, and we were having such a good time.” The ghoul sighed, reaching up and starting to undo the belt that held his trench coat closed, now I could properly see the armour he wore underneath, but also the six holstered pistols he sported, two revolvers at his hips, two plasma pistols in front of his stomach and two 10mm's against his chest.

“Jack be careful.” Crackshot said, stepping forward and kissing him.

“Who'er you talking to Lassie?” He smirked. “It's been almost 50 years since I've even been hit.”

“I'm coming with you.” Brutus said, pulling the rifle from his back.

“Hell no you'er not.” Jack snapped. “If yea aren't packing dual pistols you'er not coming.”

“Guess that's my cue to step in.” Paul said, pulling Ebony and Ivory from their holsters.

“Those are some bonny good looking pistols boy-o but I don' know that you should be coming all the same.”

“I'll be fine.” Paul smirked. “I've gone this long by myself, one more encounter with legion soldiers isn't going to make a big difference.” He said, hurrying back towards the massive red metal gate.

“E'ye like him.” Jack smirked. “Ruby, you'er single, you should get with him.”

“Go kill things Jack.” Ruby said, gesturing to the gate.

The ghoul laughed and rushed out after Paul. We followed him as far as the gate but Crackshot stopped us from going out after him as he ran the rest of the way towards Paul. “Just watch.” She said, watching him with the purest look of pride I'd ever seen.

“EH CAESAR BITCHES!” Jack roared, his voice echoing back to us. He slid to a stop beside Paul and smirked at him, saying something to him I couldn't hear. “YEA KNOW WHO I AM?!”

His only response was a legionnaire who stood up from behind a dune and fired a missile at them in response. Faster almost than I could see, he pulled a plasma pistol from it's holster and fired, the missile erupted in midair a dozen or so yards from them. More shockingly I saw the man with the launcher drop to his knees, a bullet hole between his eyes as he fell down the dune, rolling to a stop on the ground. I looked back at Paul and Jack in amazement. Jack had pulled one of his 10mm pistols and I hadn't even noticed.

“NOW DO YEA' KNOW WHO E'YE AM?” Jack roared. He was a terrifying presence. Even Paul was shaken by the authority in the ghoul's voice and mannerisms. 

“You're Jack MacManus.” A voice called from behind the cover of a blown out wall a hundred or so yards away.

“On the nose laddie!” Jack cackled. “So yea' know what's goin'-ta-happen to yea if yea press this attack don'cha?”

“We cannot stand down!” The man yelled back.

“I'm no' askin' yea ta stand down! I'm giving yea the chance ta run fer you'er life!”

“NO! ALL HAIL CAESAR!” Someone yelled and two young men came around the wall; one with a carbine of some kind, the other hefting a spear off his back, bringing it up to throw at them. This time it was Paul's turn. He stepped forward, Ebony and Ivory raised, he moved so fast it was inhuman. The pistols came up, red and green light exploded from the barrels. The man with the carbine kept running for a moment, despite the plasma bolt melting the top of his skull into green goo. He pitched forward and slid along the ground. The gun flying out of his hands and bouncing along the asphalt, spinning to a stop front of Paul. The other man burst with red energy as the bullet struck his chest. He exploded in a pile of ash and tattered clothing. His spears clattering to the ground, as all the organic matter of the body was destroyed.

There was a sound of scrambling as half a dozen more soldiers scattered from around them, rushing off in different directions. “Tha's right! Go crawlin' back to you'er Mighty Caesar!” Jack yelled after them. “TELL 'IM E'YE LIKE HIS SALADS! AND DON' COME BACK SO LONG AS E'YE DRAW BREATH!”

“That man knows how to make me squishy in all the right places.” Crackshot muttered.

“Grandma seriously?” Brutus groaned. “I do not need to hear that.”

“I could stand to hear a little more.” I said softly and Crackshot laughed. 

“That's what I like to hear!” she said, ruffling my mane.

“Don' worry ladies, hold you'er applause and panty hurling for later,” Jack said as he and Paul returned to the gate. “Lad where did you learn ta shoot like that?”

“Truthfully? I can't shoot worth crap.” He held up his Pip-Boy. “I used the V.A.T.S. Targeting assistant to make those shots.”

“Fair enough. I owe you a beer my friend, there are guards who work here that wouldn't run out to stand against a group of legion jackboots.”

“Sure, I haven't had a beer in a while,” Paul answered while he nodded. Tucking Ebony and Ivory away in their holsters again.

“Jack we need to talk too,” Crackshot said.

“Aww come on Clare, I just saved us from the legion menace, can't you be mad at me later?” He sighed.

“Not what I'm talking about smart ass. Besides I stopped being impressed by your showmanship and gun skills while we were still human, how much of a shit do you think I give now?”

He laughed and hugged her, wrapping his arm around her waist and walking back towards the base as the massive door finally started to swing shut.

“And really? As long as you draw breath? You haven't drawn a breath in 200 years.”

“Well they don' know that.” He shrugged.

“You know your Scottish accent seems to come and go,” Paul said, and this got laughs from the rest of the group.

“Yeah Jack, why is that?” Ruby asked knowingly.

Jack rolled his eyes and looked at Paul. “Eye've had almost 250 years in America laddie.” He said, his accent again really thick. “I have learned to speak almost totally without it.” His voice changed back to it's much more neutral tone. “When people come to fight me, they expect me to be this raging Scot. Like I'm going to come out in a kilt with bagpipes at my side, and that my opening attack will be to hurl a Caber at them. So I really lay the accent on thick when trouble comes along, it's all for show my boy.” He laughed, hitting Paul's shoulder playfully. “Also when I get REALLY drunk.” He added. “Which might not be a bad idea tonight.” 

“Oh you'll probably need a drink or two when you hear what I have to tell you.” Crackshot laughed.

“Lily...Hey Lily,” CB said, finally getting off my back and walking under her own power again.

“What's up squirt?” Lily asked, looking down at the little girl.

“I wanna see what you really look like.” She said softly so none of the guards or techs we passed could hear her. “Cane said you look like a big gross bug!”

“Oh he did, did he?” Lily asked glaring at me.

“He did not.” Ruby said quickly since I couldn't inject myself into the argument. “He said he couldn't comment on your looks because you're his Ruby's cousin and that was off limits.”

“You're not helping,” I muttered through gritted teeth.

“Wasn't trying to,” Ruby said and then cackled.

“Lets go to our quarters for this meeting shall we?” Crackshot asked as we made out way inside the building.

“Good idea.” Brutus said.

They lead us through the base. It was amazing how different the architecture was compared to Equestria, but Vertibirds and something called 'air planes' took up a lot more space than a sky wagon and pegasus squad.

“Why ow'er place?” Jack asked, stepping aside to let everyone else in after he opened the door. It looked just like I expected, a couple couches, coffee table, lamps in the corners, it looked like a real home. Different from back home though was a wall, covered in photos. It started with human Crackshot and Jack, their wedding from the look of it. Jack some how managed to look even more imposing as a human, dressed in a soldier's uniform, Crackshot in a beautiful white dress. Pictures of them and I assumed their family, first all adults, then the two of them in a hospital with a baby, a daughter from the look of the pink blanket around her, then picture after picture of them as the baby grew, a child, a teen, a...woman? Yeah woman, then with her family, a nice looking young man joining them in the later pictures, then a picture of Jack and his daughter, both in military garb, Crackshot too, but she sat and was holding another baby, the daughter's husband stood beside them too, though he didn't seem to be a soldier judging by the suit he wore. The next picture was much more solemn, Crackshot, Jack, baby, now bigger, and the husband, but no daughter anymore. They still smiled but it was...sad, hollow almost, their eyes didn't smile when their mouths did. The next pictures obviously jumped a while into the future, because they were ghoulified now, standing together with another young woman who looked shockingly like their daughter. Their grand daughter obviously. She was dressed in a soldier's uniform and sported a rifle on her back, a rifle I recognized as the same one sitting on Brutus's back, though a lot less worn and no duct tape. The pictures took on a repeating theme, which was kind of depressing in and of itself, the next picture was the ghouls, the grand daughter, rifle still on her back, with another young woman, the two of them holding hands and smiling, then in the next the same group, but with a young child, then the child and the other woman, no grand daughter, the rifle now sat on the other woman's back...this repeated over and over, them with a child, then the child's partner, then THEIR child, then one or the other, or even both, would vanish after a picture or two and the pattern would repeat, through each of them the gun continued on, moving from person to person as they dropped off, but not a single one of the people, besides Crackshot and Jack, made it to an old age. It was heartbreaking. The last one in the set showed Brutus standing with them, Ruby and CB sitting on the floor in front of them, it was the only picture where the ghouls seemed to be kind of happy again.

“Hey, you okay?” Lily's voice cut through my depressed study of the pictures and I realized everyone else had moved to a dining room table.

“S...Sorry.” I said softly. “This is a complete account of their lives...it's just really sad. I never thought about the fact that Crackshot had outlived all her children and her children's children...”

“Well they're going to tell Jack now that he's had a few drinks, I thought you might wanna join us.”

“A few...” I looked at the clock on the wall, almost an hour had passed.

“E'ye have lived four lifetimes, there is nothin' that could surprise me anymore.” Jack said, his accent more pronounced. CB was sitting on his lap and everyone else had taken up a seat at the table.

“I bet you're wrong Grandpa Jack,” CB said, “in fact...” She lifted her sack from the floor where she had discarded it and dug through it for a moment. “I betcha ten caps...” She set down the small stack of caps. “...An NCR $20...” She set the bill down and put the caps on top of it. “...And a bottle of whiskey.” She pulled the half full bottle from her sack and set it on the table.

“Where did yea git tha, yea lil' whelp?” He asked, picking up the bottle and inspecting it. Everyone seemed surprised when she set it down.

“It's called scavenging.” She rolled her eyes, like it was the most obvious answer in the world.

“Well bless me heart, it's Craig.” Jack said after popping the cap and smelling it. “Sweetie I'll pay you 40 caps for this bottle.”

She glared at him a moment. “200.” She said flatly.

“What are you gonna do with a bottle of Scotch?”

“Molotov Cocktail.” She suggested. “I like anything that explodes.”

“Don't you dare!” Jack said in horror, only too late to realize he'd been hustled by the girl.

“Okay okay, 300, since it means so much to you.” CB smirked.

“E'ye've been scammed.” Jack sighed, but actually pulled a bag of caps from his coat pocket and tossed them on the table before taking a swig from the bottle and sighing deeply.

“What's Craig?” Ruby asked.

“Scotch.” Paul answered without looking up from his data pad. “It's only made and sold in a tiny area on the north tip of Caithness county. It's peaty and sharp, with a long finish of citrus and tobacco notes.”

When no one spoke again he looked up. “What?” He asked, looking at the table. “What am I, a savage? I know what Craig is.”

“We weren't asking you...Ruby was asking Jack.” Brutus said.

“Oh.” Paul grinned sheepishly.

“E'ye like him more and more.” Jack said, laughing a little.

“Alright, 100 caps says you jump.” CB said, gesturing to the bag. “200 says you scream. 300 says you scream like a girl,” she paused and reached into her satchel, pulling out another bag that rattled with caps. “Double says I can make it happen with ONE word.”

“Where did you get all that money?”

“What part of Scavenging don't you understand?” She said, smirking.

“Alright Missy, yea gotta deal.” Jack said, pulling another bag of caps from his coat and tossing it on the table.

CB broke out the most mischievous grin and looked at Lily. “Change.” She said simply.

Lily gasped softly and broke into a big grin herself, she turned around stretching her arms out in front of her and shaking her hips. She wiggled for a moment, rolling her head to crack her neck. “Okay,” she mumbled, clapping her hands together once. Then the room was filled with a bright green light, making everyone cover their eyes for a moment. Then the light seemed to creep back into Lily, wrapping around her. 

She floated into the air, body twisting and stretching on. A long red tail whipped through the air, cracking once, before settling. Then her limbs appeared; all different shapes and sizes. She flexed her fingers, revealing long menacing claws. She started to laugh next, her voice dropping down lower. The next thing to appear were two large mangled wings, different colours and shapes. The room filled with a deafening pop and they appeared, knocking over a table and set of chairs. She rolled through the air, her body curling and writhing with, what looked like, great effort. 

Two horns forced their way from the top of her head, ripping through the skin and fur, leaving trickles of green magic running down her face. Her eyes didn't change until the end, kept open and wide through the whole process, like she was in a great deal of pain. Her eyes flashed green for a moment, before melting away leaving behind yellow and red eyes staring right at Jack. Lily landed softly on the ground, her hoof clicking against the floor. She surveyed the group, her eyes darting from one to the next. 

In the next few moments everything went to hell; Brutus pulled out a rifle, Paul pulled out ebony and ivory, Crackshot pulled out a pistol, Ruby ran to grab CB but tripped over Brutus who also moved to do something. CB was sent flying as Jack leap from his seat, screeched and tossing her across the room. As Jack screamed, I think I shouted, but instead of random noises I managed a single word, a name actually. “Discord!” I managed before tumbling backwards. The form Lily had taken was meant to shock and mystify, which she managed. 

Lily managed to spring forward wrapping her arms around CB, cradling the little girl. The long twisting creature floated into the air, rolling over itself cackling at the reactions of the people around her. “That's. So. COOL!” CB shouted, waving her arms around excitedly. “But you don't look a thing like a bug!”

“That's not her real form,” I said, recovering quickly from the shock, “that's Discord.”

“You mean the dragon thingy from your story?”

“Yeah, he was a Draconicus.” Lily said in the deep, rich voice of Discord.

“Uhh, Lily, maybe you should change back, you're scaring the stiffs.” I said, gesturing to the basically paralyzed humans.

“Oh shit sorry.” Lily flashed with green magic again, and, much more quickly this time, transformed into her normal form, setting CB down with the help of a magic field.

“Now this more what I was picturing.” CB said, looking Lily over curiously.

“Guys...say something.” I said, looking at the rest of the group.

“Uhh...Cool?” Brutus said, forcing a weirded out grin.

“Jack?” Crackshot asked, nudging the other ghoul, who had pressed her to the wall protectively, pulling his guns, which were still pointed at Lily. She pushed him forward and he seemed to snap out of it finally.

“Wait...wait...You kin talk!” Jack said, looking at me in amazement.

“Are you kidding me?” CB demanded. “She turns into a dragon thingy and you say it's weird that he can talk?”

“E'ye...E'ye need a drink.” Jack said, finally holstering his guns.

“Well good thing you have that bottle of Craig.” I said.

“True enough my little pony.” Jack grabbed the bottle and took a long pull off of it, sighing deeply.

“Well I guess these are all mine.” CB said, grabbing up the caps and tossing them into her sack.

“And you'er welcome to 'em lassie.” Jack nodded.

“You want to tell the story this time?” I asked, looking at Ruby and Brutus. “I'm kinda tired of telling it.” 

“Sure.” Ruby said.

“Thanks.” I said, smiling gratefully.

“You, however, should be getting to bed young lady.” Ruby said to CB. “It's late and you've had a rough couple days, AND you have school tomorrow.”

“Aww come on Ruby, I'm not tired!” She whined, still poking curiously at Lily. 

“Don't be that way CB, you have school and I'm not letting you ditch. Think of the awesome story you'll have to tell everyone about the slavers.” Ruby said.

“Hey, how about you show me the way and I'll take you to bed?” Lily asked, stepping back and transforming back into her human form.

CB sighed in annoyance, but she knew it was a losing argument. “Yeah alright...” She nodded, taking Lily's hand. “Come on. Good night Cane.” She said, coming over and kissing my cheek.

“Night CB.” I smiled. She did a quick round with all the adults and then headed out with Lily.

“Alright, where to start?” Ruby asked.

“Well how about you two tell the story as best you can and I'll fill in any bits you absolutely can't remember.”

“Fair enough.” Ruby said, nodding and starting into the story.

//////////

“So then Cane and the others fled in the Vertibird...”

“Sky Wagon.” Brutus corrected.

“Sky Wagon...and made their way to a hospital a few miles away and set up shop there.”
Ruby paused when the door opened and Lily returned, sans CB.

“No problems with her?” Ruby asked.

“No no, not at all, bed time stories are a lot more interesting when you can actually transform into the characters and not just do the voices.” Lily replied, smirking and coming over to sit down on the couch beside me. Everyone had settled into spots in the small living room while Ruby and Brutus had been telling the story. “I just have two questions,” Lily said. “One, how old are you guys?”

“What?”

“Well...CB said she's turning eight years old in a few weeks, but the CB in our reality is almost 13.”

“I'm 22.” Ruby said.

“Our Ruby is 27.” I replied. “I'm turning 30 next month.” I looked at Paul

“I'm 24.” Paul said.

“So there's a five year time difference between realities...” I said thoughtfully. “That's really weird.”

“It also doesn't explain how Paul is already thawed and out and about.” Lily said.

“Also true.” Paul said. “We know the realities aren't identical, maybe time flows differently here too.”

“Possible.” I replied, nodding to myself. “But temporal mechanics are beyond me.”

“Just one more question to answer.” Paul said. I shrugged and made a mental note of it for later.

“What was the other question?” Brutus asked.

“Oh right, I saw that weird insect armour in your room, what is it?” Lily asked.

“Oh,” Ruby said softly, “that's my old Enclave Tesla Power Armour.”

“Do...Do you think I could buy it off you?” Lily asked hopefully. “I don't have a lot, but I just feel this connection to the armour, I think I could do so much with it.”

“Do you know how to use power armour?” Ruby asked.

“In my world I almost LIVE in power armour. I'm sure it's not that hard to transfer those skills to this armour.”

“You know what? You saved not only our lives, but kept my Vertibird in a salvageable condition. Consider it a gift.” Ruby smiled.

“Really?” Lily's eyes lit up, literally, they started to glow green. “Oh thank you so much Ruby.” She said, hugging the other woman tightly.

“Alright alright.” Jack said, finishing off the last of the Craig. “Lets finish this story and call it a night, some of us have guard duty in the morning.”

“Oh right.” Ruby said, returning to the story of my life. Lily decided it would be fun to transform into each pony as the story was told so everyone got to see what they looked like in pony form, though Jack was kind of disappointed that he didn't seem to have a pony counterpart, he let it slide.


///////////


“So Paul, why don't you crash in my quarters.” Brutus said as we made our way through the halls of the base an hour later.

“Yeah, and you and Cane can sleep in mine.” Ruby said to Lily.

“Well that hardly seems fair.” Paul said. “Why does Cane get to sleep with all the ladies?”

“Because I'm soft and warm and cute.” I countered.

“Plus you know he's hung like a horse.” Brutus said and he and Paul and Ruby laughed, leaving Lily and I to look dumbly at each other.

“Sorry, it's a human joke I guess.” Brutus said. “It's an expression that means you have a big penis.”

“Oh. Well I do have that.” I smirked.

“I've heard stories.” Lily nodded. “Mares who couldn't walk straight for days after spending a night with him.”

“She actually fell down the stairs because they were really drunk and it turned out she'd damaged her brain and was never able to walk straight again.” Paul said, roaring with laughter.

“Hey now, don't tease the poor pony.” Ruby said, hugging me defensively. “If I want to sleep with a pony in my bed that's my business.”

“Oh so suddenly you're at my defense.” I said. “You want me to for cuddly warmth and you're my best friend, but if it makes me look bad in front of my friend and I can't argue it you throw me under the wagon.”

“Oh come on Cane, I'm just teasing.” Ruby laughed, tousling my mane.

“Geeze Cane, you're unbelievable.” Lily said. “You always manage to befriend Ruby in the most sexualized way possible, even if she's a different species.”

“Well he IS cute.” Ruby shrugged.

“See? Cute.” I nodded.

“Whatever...” Lily rolled her eyes. “Yeah I'm good with that arrangement. I have plans for that armour of mine.” She smirked. “Probably won't sleep tonight...I don't need to sleep much.” She added.

“Alright, well goodnight then guys.” Brutus said, starting down a side hall with Paul.

“Don't fall asleep first Paul.” Ruby called. “You might wake up with a sore butt!”

Brutus flipped her off without turning around, but Paul's response was simply to wrap an arm around Brutus's waist and continue on silently.

“Alright, well this is us.” Ruby said, opening the door to her quarters, and, big surprise, it was strewn with clothes and random salvage. There were four other doors in the room.

“The constants between universes are AMAZING.” I chuckled. Lily giggled and moved to a set of armour sitting beside an open closet, it really did look very insectoid.

“Oh, pulled it out and everything already?” Ruby laughed.

“Well I was hopeful, and I was admiring it from all angles.” Lily smirked, blushing a little.

“The guest room is in there.” Ruby said, gesturing to a door on the left. “CB's is that one.” She pointed to the one beside it. “Mine.” She gestured to the one across from CB's. “Bathroom.” The last door.

“Perfect.” I said, heading for the guest room.

“Hey hey, I didn't say I was done with you.” Ruby said. “Come on.” I followed her into her room and she patted the bed, which I hoped up onto and lay down on the soft mattress. “Do I need to worry about changing in front of you?” She asked seriously.

“Honestly? I have seen naked humans. I find your anatomy weird and off putting. I'm kinda hoping you'll let me close my eyes so I don't have to see you naked because I might throw up a bit at the sight of it.” I smiled. “No you don't have to worry. I'm a perfect gentle-colt, and I really don't find anything about you to be sexually interesting.”

She just rolled her eyes and pulled off her armour, tossing it in the corner before shedding the shirt and jeans. Without really thinking I scooped the armour up off the floor and set it on the dresser, something I had done time and again for my Ruby, and tugged my armoured barding off and set it down on the dresser beside her armour.

“Oh, human's have cutie marks too?” I asked, looking at her back and seeing a half black sun on her back.

“What? Oh...oh no.” She shook her head, pulling a nightgown on and flopping down on the bed, resting her head on my side, I twisted my head to the side so I could look at her. “So Cane, can I ask you a personal question?”

“Well you already got me in bed.”

“True...” She smiled. “Have you ever thought about...you know...” She sighed and blushed. “Have you ever thought about hooking up with your Ruby?”

“Thought about? Yes...I'm thinking about it right now. I plan on thinking about it later while I pleasure myself.” This wasn't my Ruby so I was probably more comfortable and candid than I should have been, but it was too late, and really she just chuckled.

“Have you two ever hooked up?” She asked, looking up at me.

“What's it to ya?” I asked.

“Well I just...Paul is really nice. He's smart and funny and good looking...”

“Yes I am.” I interrupted, and got a pillow to the face for my trouble.

“I haven't felt that way about a guy in a long time...I just figured if you and Ruby had ever seen if you were compatible then maybe it would work for me and Paul.”

I sighed deeply. “Promise not to tell anyone I told you?”

“Scout's honour.” She nodded.

“I don't know what that means.”

“I promise not to tell anyone anything you tell me.” She said, playing idly with my mane.

I grabbed the saddlebags with my magic and floated them off the dresser back over to me. I dug into one of them and came out with another picture, one that sat in the same protective sleeve as my pictures of Rosa. I set it down for Ruby to look at. 

It was me and my Ruby, on Ruby's birthday, late into the night before we'd headed home from the party, though it was winding down around us. Ruby was snuggled into my neck, half asleep, a wing wrapped around my back. I was resting my head on hers and my eyes were closed. We hadn't even known the picture existed until a few months later when one of the scavenging parties returned from the remains of the base with memory cards and they were found to contain thousands and thousands of pictures, everypony had been grateful for the memories we'd been able to restore with those.

“See that?” I pointed to the band that wrapped around the base of Ruby's wing. “That's an engagement band. We're getting married.” I smiled stupidly. “We're even trying for a foal.”

“A baby? Really?” Ruby asked, taking the picture and studying it.

“Yeah, only in the last few days or so, but yeah.”

“Wow, that's really great.” She said, holding the picture back out to me. I took it and tucked it away again, putting the bag back on the dresser.

“I should get to bed, Paul and I are going to take a stab at the computers tomorrow.” I said.

“Nu-uh.” Ruby said, shifting on the bed and pulling me along with her. “Warm pony stay.” She said through a yawn, snuggling against my back.

“Well if you insist.” I shrugged, yawning myself and drifting off to sleep.

Footnote: 5% to next level. (What? You didn't do SHIT to earn any EXP this time around, don't complain when you don't level if you don't put a little effort into the grind)