The day had gone well. The kids ended up having a battle with Celestia, Discord, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash. Celestia and Pinkie were firing back with duplicates of the cannon. Discord had summoned his own version, which had multiple barrels. Dash was flying back and forth, perfoming bombing runs. Problem is they ran out of ammo, where as Discord just kept summoning more, forcing them to put up the white flag. He eventually got bored and turned his weapon on Celestia, the kids rolling with laughter after looking through the telescope to find her dyed pink.
That afternoon they did some orienteering, and after dinner, to which everypony joined in with, Luna taught them how to navigate using the stars. Eventually they were left alone again, and soon the foals started to get sleepy, but they were only feining it. After around half an hour, Rumble cracked open his eyes and peeked out of his tent, seeing the smouldering remains of the camp fire. He nudged Pipsqueak, who in turn nudged Spike. He looked the other way and saw Scootaloo waving at him, letting them know they were ready.
They gathered their bags and snuck past the other tent very carefully, not wanting to wake the occupants. Once they were out of ear shot, they started walking to the cave the had spotted earlier, Luna's lesson helping in the dark. Once there, they made sure it was empty, and Spike used his fire breath to light some candles. Rumble and Pip laid some blankets on top of each other so they had something soft to sit on. The fillies had brought along the snacks, and were placing them around. Once everything was set, Rumble got a battered cardboard box out and revealed the game inside.
If there were any adults around, they would snatch the game away and explain why they should not be playing it at their age. Unfortunately for them, there was an adult nearby, sitting just outside the cave. Fortunatley for them, he knew what was in the box, and after seeing them take note of the cave, had placed a camera inside it. He was only there to make sure they could get back to camp safe, and nothing would attack them during the night.
Once the board was laid out, the spinner in the midde with the cards next to it, they rolled a die to see who would go first. Sweetie Belle rolled a six, and set it off with a flick of her hoof. It slowly spun round before endig up pointing at Rumble. "And now the fun begins! Rumble, truth or dare?"
"Truth."
She reached forward and picked up the first card, cheeks flushing as she read. Out of the three, Sweetie Belle was the most mature, so knew exactly what it said. "Okay, have you... ever t-touched... yourself? If so, when?"
"Uh... I, um..." He sank down to the ground as he tried to think of away out of it.
"Come on dude, this is how it's played! Or did Thunderlane not explain it to you?" He whipped his head up and glared at Pip.
"Fine! Yes, I have touched myself, and it was the other night! Happy now?" Ignoring the open mouthed ponies and dragon staring at him, and slapped the spinner. The others attention returned to the board, waiting with anticipation as it started to slow. It finally came to a rest facing Pipsqueak, and Rumble smiled cruely. "Okay Pip, truth or dare?"
"Dare."
"I dare you to kiss..." Rumble watched as the fillies eyes lit up, Applebloom's especially. "...Spike."
"Huh?"
"Kiss who now?" The sound of laughter came into the cave, and they all started to panic. A light shined through the cave, and Alec walking in, a big grin on his face. They scrambled to cover up the game, but he put his hand down on it.
"How about we stop playing and get back to bed? But I believe the rules state that the game is not finished until the current question or dare is completed. So, Pip... wait, where's Spike?"
"He is outside, hiding behind me!"
"Thanks Luna. Come on then, back to camp. Oh, and I think I'll keep hold of this for tonight." He picked up the game and placed it away, smiling at the ponies. "What's the matter Applebloom?"
"It's jus' Ah... Ah mean Ah... nevermind." She cast a glance a Pipsqueak, and then trotted out the cave. Alec picked up the rest of the stuff, waited for them to leave, and them picked up the camera. He smiled and then led them back to camp, and after checking that there would not be a repeat of their little escapade, went back into his tent and snuggled down next to Luna.
"So, how did you know they had that with them?" She rolled over and draped a foreleg across his chest.
"Easy, Thunderlane told me he had it. He saw Rumble sneaking out of his room and found it missing."
"I see. Why did you stop it when you did?" She nestled her head against his shoulder.
"Are you kidding? I didn't want them to start fighting. You heard what Rumble dared him to do. I would've punched him as soon as he said it if that was me."
"Mmhm. It is quite peaceful out here, don't you think?" Before he could answer, she started nibbling his neck, placing her hoof under the cover, and rubbing it over his underwear.
"Luna, do you have to? There are foals present." She stopped wit her hoof at the tip, leaving him at full attention.
"That's true I suppose. Very well, sweet dreams." She rolled over and rested her head on the pillow.
"Oh, you bitch. I'll get you back for this, trust me." He turned to his side and allowed her to press back against him, rolling on to one arm as he held the other around her. She nuzzled her head under his chin and smiled. She couldn't wait.
I slowly awoke to someone prodding my shoulder, and rolled over to find Sweetie Belle with a big grin on her face. "Morning Sweetie, what can I do for you?"
"For me? Nothing. I've come to let you know breakfast is on." I looked past her and saw the others crowded round the cooking equipment. It was quite cloudy out, and the ground was wet, so they had put an umbrella up. "It shouldn't be too long." She trotted over to the table where Spike was laying out the dishes.
I rolled back over as Luna went from asleep to dozing, and kissed the back of her neck. "Mmm, good morning." She flipped over and kissed my cheek, then finally opened her eyes. "Oh, the weather has changed! This changes things."
"Yeah, I know. We'll pack things away after breakfast and then head back. I don't want to be stuck on the ridge if it starts pissing down. You go ahead, I'm going to get changed." She drew her head back and started pouting.
"Don't you want me to see that body of yours?" She darted in and gave my neck a lick, pulling away with a grin on her face.
"As much I want to say yes, the kids are up and cooking. I need you to make sure they don't burn... any of it really." She smiled and clambered across me, making sure to accentuate the movement of her hips.
I closed my eyes to clear my head, and waited for her to leave. Once free, I moved to the far end of the tent and to my bag. Reaching in something felt weird, and as I pulled out the clothes I knew what it was. There was a hole in tent, and it had pooled in the corner where my stuff was stored, soaking through the bag... and my clothes.
For now, I grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around me. After breakfast, much to the disappointment of the kids, we packed the tents and other bits away. Once done, I picked up the majority of them, and we started off back down the hill. Luna dropped back and walked beside me. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." That was bullshit, I was freezing my tits off, due to the fact the clothes I was wearing were still damp.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. Let's just get these six home safe."
"Fine." She stomped off in a huff, and I just shook my head. Whatever that was about could wait.
Sweetie Belle trotted through the door to Carousel Boutique, seeking out her sister. She tried the workroom, kitchen, and sitting room, finally finding her hanging out the washing. "Rarity!" She swooped round and pulled Sweetie Belle in to a hug.
"Hello Sweetie Belle! What brings you here so soon?"
"Miss Cheerilee asked my to make sure Mr Luckes was okay. Can I see him?"
"Oh, and I thought you may have wanted to see me!" The smirk she was giving told Sweetie that she was joking. "As for Alec, well..." ACHOOO "He's not very well at the moment." Her ears twitched and turned in the direction of the building. "IF YOU ARE OUT OF BE AGAIN, I WILL SEND A LETTER TO LUNA! Sorry Sweetie Belle, he is a little sick at the moment, and Nurse Redheart said he must rest."
"Oh. So... he can't help us tonight then?" Rarity nodded at the downcast filly. "Well... we'll just have to go to the farm and get Mr McIntosh to help us."
"Make sure you tell mother and father where you are going." With a nod and hug the little filly was on her way, a quick stop to tell her parents where she would be and then leaving, meeting up with Pipsqueak on the way. They carried on to Scootaloo's house, smiling as Firefly answered the door to their enquiries.
"Sorry you two, but Scootaloo isn't here right now. She's off somewhere with this charming little pegasus colt. So rare to find one with manners such as his these days." They smiled to each other and headed towrds the park, arriving just in time to see Rumble leaning back against the arm rest of a bench as Scootaloo leaned forward, eyes shut and lips pursed.
Rumble pushed further back, and fell over it, ending up on the floor. "Ow, that hurt!" Taking her chance, Scootaloo jumped over and landed on top of him, again bringing her muzzle close to his. Rumble shook his disorientation off and pushed her away. "Look, I like you Scootaloo, but don't you think we're a little... young to have special someponies?"
This got her attention, and she suddenly flipped from affectionate to angry. "Too young? You're never too young for love!"
"But I don't love you, I just like you!"
"You... don't love me? But... I thought... that..." Rumble looked up to see something he had never imagined he would. He had caused filly to cry. Before he could apologise, Scootaloo tore off out of the park. He gave chase, but even being able to fly, couldn't catch her when she was on her scooter. He plopped down in the midde of the street and hung his head. What would Thunderlane say? His parents? What about when her sister found out? How could he spend his life hiding from...
"Heya squirt." He shot up in shook, eyes staring forward with pinpricked pupils as the voice from behind him spoke.
"Hello Miss Dash."
"Heh, you can drop the 'miss' part, I'm barley twenty! So, care to explain what just happened?" The colt's mouth shut, so she trotted in front of him and sat down. "You know I was watching right? That I heard everything you said?" He finally looked her in the eyes.
"You... did?"
"Yep, and I agree with you. You are too young to have a fillyfriend, and Scootaloo is way too young to have a coltfriend. But what about in, say, three years time? Or six even? Would you give her a chance then?"
"Well... she is quite pretty." A dreamy smile had gone across his face as he closed his eyes.
"Whoa, slow down there colt! Get that kind of image out of your mind!" His eyes snapped open and he saw his wings unfurled to his side, cheeks turning pink in an instant. "Well, at least you know you shouldn't be having those thoughts just yet! I gotta fly, so next time you see Scoots, just be polite and she'll get over it." Rainbow took off, revealing that Sweetie Belle and Pipsqueak had been sitting behind her the whole time.
"Rumble? Do you want me to go talk to her?"
"No thank you, Sweetie. I will sort this out."
"Okay then. Now, I was going to ask if you and Scootaloo wanted to come to Applebloom's to work on our maths, but I think we should all just go home." The two colts nodded and after saying their farewells they went in three separate directions.
"IF YOU ARE OUT OF BE AGAIN, I WILL SEND A LETTER TO LUNA!" I ignored the shout from outside and made my way into the kitchen looking for something to eat. After finding nothing of interest in the fridge, I thought I'd look in the cupboards, but upon shutting the door found myself pushed to the floor and face to face with an eerily calm Rarity. "And what do you think you are doing, hmm?"
"Getting something to eat. I'm not that sick!"
"Would you then please explain why I was able to put you down with minimal magic effort?" I avoided her gaze as I looked around the room. "I thought not. What did Nurse Redheart say?"
"At least two days bed rest, I know. It's been one day and I'm bored shitless. I need to do something!"
"What you can do is get back in to bed, and why not work on that game of yours?"
"It's finished. I did the final coding last night, now all it needs is a test."
"Well, why don't I help you then?"
"I don't think it's your kind of game. The idea is to find and destroy your oppenents equipment."
"Sounds fun. You go get it ready and I will get some snacks together." I nodded and stood back up, heading to my room. Once inside I picked up one the storage boxes and pulled out the double computer I hade made by salvaging equipment from my ship. I let the software boot up as Rarity came in, levitating a tray of assorted foods and drinks in, placing it by the bed. "So, what is it called?"
"Back in my time, Battleships. You have two grids, one to place your ships on, and one to use for targeting. The original game had a ten by ten grid for each one, but as this is computer powered, I changed it a little. It is now ten by ten by ten, makes things more interesting." I turned one of the screens round to show her how to play. "Okay, so you set your ships up, and the can be placed one of three ways. They can go front to back, left to right, or up to down." I quickly placed a few units, making sure to include the new axis.
"I see. So how do we 'hit' them if they are in the air?"
"Well, for simplicity, I have given each axis a letter. So, back to front is 'a'. If you want to hit this square here," I highlighted one on the bottom level. "It would be 'a3, b8, c1'. And for the one above it, you would use 'a3, b8, c2'. Think you can work it out?"
"I shall do my best." Her hoof flicked the other computer round and she started to type in her fleet positons. I did the same and nodded when ready. An evil grin spread across her face. "Oh. It. Is. On!"
"A4, B5, C7." Luna stopped in the entrance way to the boutique when she heard the voice. She didn't comphrehend what was going on, and the next shout made her angry.
"Dammit Rarity, how do you keep finding all my good spots?" She shot forward and shoulder barged the door, tearing it from the hinges in her anger.
"WHAT DOES THOU THINK YOU ARE DOING? HE BELONGS TO US, AND NO OTHER! EXPLAIN THYSELF THIS ISNTANT!" She finally looked at the pair, sitting on the bed with a stange contraption between them, and a tray of ravaged food stuffs to the side. She then noticed their blank stares. "Ahem. Pardon the intrusion, but what is going on?"