I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
Edited by: FluttershyTheChangeling, Gambit Prawn
Dinner went smoothly, or as smoothly as Twilight could have made it. It turns out that the only thing worse than a teasing Masquerade, was a teasing Masquerade with a nosey adopted brother known as Spike. Together with their super powered collaboration skills forged from memories of the one certain lavender mare, they teased Twilight ‘Twinkle’ Sparkle and embarrassed her to no end!
Thankfully, the two did stop after a while when Masquerade had asked Spike on what he did as Twilight’s “Number one assistant”. She was glad the two got along well and not get into a situation with a suspicious drake and unsure stallion eyeing Spike like a miniature attack dog. Celestia knows how awkward it would be for Spike to assume him as her coltfriend!
Masquerade had also told Spike how he use to watch over him at times and practice his acting a bit with both him and Twilight as an audience. When Spike had asked what sort of acting he did, Masquerade merely lit his horn in what Twilight sometimes felt like eerie green glow and lifted out a white mask and a white cloak, fastening them on his face and neck before standing up and moving away from the table.
With what she could only describe as carefully practiced ease, he lit his horn again, sending the room into shadows with green mist, making slight illusions of trees with vines and began his act by weaving a tale of the forests of the Everfree. He would narrate his story with his normal voice and ever smiling white mask before his horn flashed and would change both the mask and cloak’s, color and form, using a voice not his own to continue the tale. She was surprised at the skill he had compared to when he was a colt. Before his voice would change only a bit, but now it was hard to tell if he wasn’t actually a mare in disguise to begin with!
It also didn’t help that his skinny frame worked well, as he would use a spell to make the cloak almost mould around his body to make it seem he had a body of a mare or stallion of his choosing. The tale he gave was about a demon that lurked in the shadows of the Everfree, searching out foolish guards to torture or virgins to torment, and he ended it with a witty jester for a hero that laughed in the face such fear-inducing danger.
Overall, when he was done and released the illusion, both Twilight and Spike gave him an applause for his acting and giving them a nice dinner show. Being the performer he was, he bowed and said he would be doing acts for free if given a free meal.
However, after the display Twilight had all but attacked the poor stallion asking as to how he made such well-crafted illusions. She had to ask because he had used the illusions to make his cloak mimic bat like wings and made his mask took a demon like shape, scaring Spike and Twilight out of their wits, even more so with a malevolent voice. He only smiled and asked if she really wanted to know. She nodded, so he went to her ear and whispered “It‘s magic!”
This response made her fall to the ground, and Masquerade laughed at her sheer surprise. He forgot how fun it was to be around her!
After Twilight had righted herself, she gave a semi-stern glare to the stallion. This was reciprocated by the stallion with a smug--but playful--smirk. Masquerade then levitated both the mask and cloak off and back into his bag and returned to eating the fruit salad Spike had made. He complimented the young dragon on his cooking skills, saying he very much enjoyed the fruit that was chosen for the ingredients.
In the end, they all headed to bed with Spike leading Masquerade to the guest room for the night while Twilight went up the stairs to her own room she shared with Spike. She didn’t forget to grab the book she was reading earlier that day when she bumped into her old friend by chance. She was on a rather juicy chapter, and was very much eager to see how it turned out.
It was some time before Spike made his way up the stairs himself and plop down into his basket sized bed, where upon he wrapped himself in a cocoon of blanket and fall asleep soon after. Even to this day, Twilight Sparkle could not contain her giggles at how adorable he looked when he did that. Sure, he sounded like any ten year old colt, but he was still technically a baby for his species. Then again, even if he was ten year old colt, he’d still be adorable in her eyes.
With morning’s dawn light, the inhabitants woke up and greeted the day. Or, most did. In the case for one dragon, he could really care less about waking up, and would rather stay in his little soft den of warmth. This was the common sight for Twilight to wake up and see every morning. Like clockwork she’d get up, clean herself up, and go down to the kitchen, heat up a cup of coffee, warm up some food, go back up the stairs to wake Spike and then come down to eat.
Only, the black lump that was sitting at the table with a book on physiology got her to stop and do a double take. Turning to him, she could only look in some shock at the books he had. In two neat piles on either side of him were a few books, mostly of psychology, physiology and sociology.
“Masquerade,” Both of his ears shot up at her voice and his eyes locked onto her from. For some reason, a small smirk worked its way onto her face, making his eyes look a little panicked.
“Are you studying?” She asked with a false smile while walking up to him. Looking left and right as if looking for an escape route, he said “Well, I wouldn’t say study, more like…” Screwing up his face as if to look for the right words he settled for, “Curious and fascinated on a few subjects I wanted to go more in-depth on?”
“Mmhmm…” She hummed with the same smirk on her face “It sounds like you’re studying to me!”
Looking down at the book before him, then back at her and back down, he pointed a hoof accusingly “I blame you for turning me into a more studious unicorn.”
She laughed at that and just continued on to the kitchen to get her morning caffeine. As she left the stallion behind, she could hear some quiet grumbles of “Females and their bossy nature when at a young age.” She giggled at that to, as it had something to do with her dragging him off for studying sessions.
Stopping just past the doorway, she called back “Would you like coffee?” A brief moment passed before a thump and a rhythm of clip-clops met her ears as he walked in saying “No thanks, but you did help remind me to eat something.”
Sparing a quick look over the kitchen before lighting his horn to pluck up a orange, peel it, drop the non-edibles in trash and bring it out the door with him in just seconds.
Blinking a few time she asked, “Are you sure that’s enough?”
“It‘ll do!”
Breakfast was interesting having Masquerade around. Normally it was spent in some silence with Twilight going over the daily activities and reminding Spike about tasks or upcoming things. On this morning while it was silent for a time, it changed when Masquerade begin talking. He would read the book he had before him a bit, then stop to listen in on Twilight going over the list for the day; comment on what she said, and then dive back into the text and maybe eat some of his orange.
It amazed her that it took 15 minutes for him to eat that one orange just because he was so lost in the book. The whole time it just hang in the air, slowly orbiting his head. Spike found it rather funny and tried stabbing it a few times, only for it suddenly dodge out of the way like it had a mind of its own.
When Twilight finished breakfast, she left Masquerade at the library where he had pulled out a map and some bits saying he would like to spend some time planning as to where to go next. He might have also mentioned something about finishing the last few books in his reading pile.
Twilight quickly found herself giggling to herself again over his ever strange actions. The colt did seem to be one pony show in the literal sense. Even more so with his talents being closely knitted with acting.
“Well, somepony‘s in a certainly good mood today.” A sophisticated voice said, gaining her attention.
Looking in the direction of the voice and putting on a smile, Twilight waved, “Hey girls.” She made her way over to both a white unicorn mare with an elegantly curled mane and to a butter yellow pegasus mare with graceful long pink mane.
“Hello Twilight.” The shy pegasus softly greeted. The other unicorn walked up to Twilight with the pegasus close behind and asked, “Now, what has you such high spirits today darling?"
Looking to her rather eager friend, Twilight replied, “Well Rarity, I had just ran into an old friend of mine that was also a colleague at the school I attended as a filly.”
“Really now?” She asked interested “Perhaps you could tell us about this pony while you accompany us? We just came from the spa and were heading out for a small bite.” Hoping to pump Twilight of more information about this friend of hers.
“I just ate…but maybe I could sit in and chat for a bit.” The lavender mare compromised, soon following the two. Taking a few moments to gather her thoughts on the pony in question, she started with his name.
“His name’s Masquerade.” garnering both other mares attention, “And as I said, I knew him back when I was part of the School for Gifted Unicorns.”
“Was he good at magic?” Came the soft voice from the pegasus. With a smile, Twilight said “Sometimes, Fluttershy. But if anything, his real strength was his control.” She looked at Rarity, “Something like to your magic Rarity: less power but more delicacy in usage.”
“He’s nice, if not a bit shy at times. Then again, that was when he was just a colt, I don’t know if he’s still like that.” For a moment Twilight took her time to think that over. Bringing up last nights activities she decided on, “No, I think he‘s past his shyness now.”
Giving the lavender unicorn a curious look, Rarity asked, “What makes you say that?”
Getting closer to her home and workplace, she began to work out what sort of tea would go nicely for this conversation and what treats that would fit in with such tea.
“Well, he got to meet Spike last night, who didn’t remember him because he was so young at the time, and seemed to warm up to his more friendly personality.” This was soon followed by a grin and added, “His little performance during dinner probably helped to.”
“Performance?” Fluttershy asked, following closely after Rarity who stepped through the threshold of her home and make her way to the dining room.
“Yes, Masquerade has a unique talent for acting, and uses his magic to make illusions that help his performance and acting when he told the story.” Rarity smiled at what she was hearing and couldn’t help but comment, “It sounded like you had a fabulous evening with him. Tell me, is he visiting or something?”
The question made Twilight go quiet and think about her old friend’s predicament. She had thought about it a few times but hadn’t tried to pry into his business on the matter. She wasn’t sure it was her place to really ask the more she thought about it.
Only when Rarity came back into the room with three cups of tea and some snacks did Twilight hesitantly say, “Not exactly.” Trying to find the right words to say.
Fluttershy, picking up on her friends distress, asked, “Is everything alright Twilight?” The pegasus wasn’t sure what brought up the shift in mood over the question, but it seemed a little upsetting to her.
“I‘m not sure Fluttershy.” Twilight relented, “When I ran into Masquerade yesterday, he was apparently looking for a place to stay. He told me he had left home because of some…family matters.” She floated the offered tea to herself before taking a light sip and setting it on its saucer.
Concern seemed to come over Rarity’s features gasped, “I hope the dear’s alright?”
Waving a dismissive hoof Twilight assured, “He‘s fine from what I can see. Not to mention just as stubborn and annoying as always.” At this point she had looked to the side making a mental note not to let it slip about his tendency’s on teasing her. She wasn’t sure if she could live with that level of embarrassment.
Both the yellow and white mares looked at the other over there lavender counterpart and thought about the reason behind her interesting choice of words. She had said he was nice earlier, and now stubborn and annoying? Rarity decided she would ask, “Twilight, I thought you said he was a nice fellow?”
Almost snorting at that she replied, “He is, but sometimes he can be difficult with trying to be proper or less burdensome.”
“Maybe that’s how he was raised?” Fluttershy offered while watching Twilight work that line of thought over. After some time, she shook her head, “I wouldn’t know. I don’t know anything about his family.”
Taking another sip of her own tea Rarity said “In any case, maybe you could introduce us to this stallion some time?” She got a negative shake of the head.
“He was only passing through when I saw him, so I doubt he’d stay around for long.” Twilight told them both. Rarity asked once more, “Has Pinkie Pie met him yet at least? The poor dear would feel heartbroken knowing she missed greeting a pony.”
Rolling her eyes at that statement Twilight just said, “Rarity, plenty of ponies pass through town, I doubt Pinkie can set up a party for every single new pony that sets hoof in town.” But then got a sudden recollection, “That reminds me, have either of you seen her lately?”
“Not I.” Rarity denied, not seeing hide nor hair or the pink maelstrom of party mayhem rushing around as of late. Both turning to a not surprisingly quiet Fluttershy, who only said, “I think Rainbow Dash mentioned something about a day out with her.”
Some distance away in an apple orchard, Applejack bucked away at the surrounding trees gathering bushels of apples and piling them into a cart before repeating the process. Once it was full, she could head back to the barn and have a nice lunch and deserved nap before getting to work on one of the old rotten fence posts in the west side of the orchard.
She went up to the next tree and readied her rear legs for another strong hit-- but a set of really loud horns went off causing her to miss-fire the buck and fall to the ground. This was soon followed by two distinct laughing forms in both a tree and a cloud, with ear protectors and air-horns in both hooves.
“When my ears stop ringin', Ya‘ll better get out ‘ere and ‘xplain yer selves!” The apple farmer shouted, still partially deaf and vainly searching for the direction of the dull laughing that had suddenly restarted after her irritated shout.
“I‘m sure what ever they’re doing wont get them into trouble.” Fluttershy nodded with rarely shown confidence and returned to drinking her tea. The two unicorns were a little doubtful about the two most rambunctious of their little circle of friends to staying out of trouble when working together, but there was nothing they could do but drink their tea.
So, drink their tea they did. After all, they might as well enjoy the peace and quiet while they can.
“CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS: INTERIOR DESIGNERS! YAY!”
They all let out a sigh as the peace and quiet was shattered into tiny little bits.
Spike watched with some minor interest as Masquerade looked through multiple books on Equestria's cities, towns, villages, and even well known camping areas while looking over his map, scrutinizing it before looking back at the books. The orange from that morning was long gone and the books he had were read through, leaving him only his traveling plans. So far he had yet to decide what to do, as he would trace a plan out, count his bits and repeat the process in slightly different ways as if planning for a different scenario.
It was almost like watching Twilight plan out her time away from home, only his was more focused and heavily considered.
“Do you even know where you’re going?” Spike finally asked, ignoring his comic book for the time being. It was a nice read, but watching what he could almost see as slight variant of Twilight work was more engaging than the comic at that moment.
“Not really” Masquerade admitted after a brief silence, moving one of the books orbiting his head to his face, where he proceeded to trace out a path with his eyes and count out bits again.
Curiosity finally taking a strong hold over him, Spike closed his comic book and placed it on a small table near his seat before getting up and walking over to the larger pony to watch him work. Lifting a scaly brow he asked, “What are you doing exactly?”
Sparing the younger and curious mind next to him, he explained, “Plotting possible paths, expecting possible weather conditions, possible breaking spots, possible sleeping spots, possible monetary costs and earnings as well as setbacks from other possible problems.”
He stopped all work when he felt two eyes just look at his in confusion and heard, “You’re planning all that out?”
“Maybe,” He replied, “But I’m starting to think I’ll be stuck settling down here.” He looked back down at the map before him trying to find something that could work out.
“Something wrong with Ponyville?” Spike asked almost offended, and crossed his arms. Yet, even after that, the stallion continued to work with the same level of speed and efficiency as before, as if he didn’t hear him at all.
“Oh, quite the opposite my young friend.” He stated, counting out the bits he had again as he traced a new path. “It’s rather nice here.” Counting out an amount of bits into a pile before pulling them back and running the probability of the idea working, but finding it lacking.
“Nice ponies, friendly atmosphere, clean air, open fields.” He continued to name off the things he had seen, “This place also has a nearby group of the Apple Clan, that’s a plus no matter what!”
“You know Applejack’s family?” Spike questioned.
With a shake of his head he said, “Not personally, only met her yesterday when getting a few apples to snack on. But my family knows of them and likes to purchase food goods from them.”
The young dragon nodded to that, more than understanding that line of thinking. “There‘s also you and Twinkles,” Masquerade added, making Spike snicker at Twilight’s nickname, “You both live around here, so it might not be to bad to live around some familiar faces.”
With that final bit he folded up the map and floated it to his saddle bag, packing it away. The future was looking rather peaceful for now to him. Maybe he can start something new after all?
He then cast his gaze outside the window to all the ponies milling about their lives and their constant smiles, he could only confirm to himself: yes, perhaps this little sleepy town will do just fine.