Chapter 6
When the Crusaders returned, all three were carrying bulging saddlebags. When I tried to peek inside, Applebloom swatted my hoof back.
“No peekin’.” she said.
They walked into the kitchen, and closed the door behind them. I stared after them, confused. What were they so determined to hide?
“Are they back?” called Rarity, who was on the other side of the shop.
“Yes.” I called back.
I walked to join her and Caramel. Caramel was grinning nervously, and I guessed Rarity must have been interrogating him.
“There you are North!” she said, batting her eyelashes at me. “Caramel and I were just discussing how you two met!”
“You said you already knew.” I said. “You said Applejack told you.”
“Oh, she did. But it’s so wonderful to hear it from someone who was actually there.” She was using her most seductive voice, her very posture begging for more information.
“There’s not really much to tell.”
Rarity pouted, sticking out her bottom lip. “Oh, but I want to know every juicy detail!” she said, leaning forward. “Pleeeease?”
“Fine!” I sat down on the spot. “After the plow crashed, I went for a walk in the orchard. I sat on a hill all day bleeding to death. When the sun started going down, the stallion responsible showed up with a couple of his sycophants. He knocked me over, and kicked me a few times. Caramel and Braeburn showed up and told them to leave me alone, and the guy backed off. When Caramel helped me up, the stallion pushed me from behind, and we kissed, alright?”
“And then what?”
“I’m not sure what happened afterward. It’s all a big blur.”
“Um… I know.” said Caramel. Rarity shifted her attention onto him.
“Do tell.” she said.
“Well, North and I both froze up when… y-you know…”
“Yes, yes, and then?”
“Well, when the stallion called North a… a coltcuddler… he, that is, you… sort of… attacked him.”
“I remember now.” I said, my ears twitching. “But… go on.”
“Well, it was kind of amazing and scary. The guy couldn’t touch you, but you flattened him. And when you’d finished, you shouted some stuff at him.”
“But, that can’t be what you meant when you said you kissed.” said Rarity. “When else have you two been up to?”
“Well, um… we…” I stuttered.
“Ready!” shouted Applebloom from the kitchen.
“Let’s go see what they’ve been up to.” I said quickly, grateful for the interruption.
I walked quickly for the kitchen door, which Applebloom had cracked open. She stepped out quickly, closing the door behind her. She was grinning at us in a very suspicious way.
“Come on in.” she said, opening the door.
I froze when I saw what was inside. Rarity’s table was covered in a dark blue tablecloth. The electric lights were off, and the curtains were drawn. A single lit candle stood on one side of the table, with a vase of red flowers stood opposite. Two plates were set in front of the wooden chairs. I glanced to either side, to see that Rarity and Caramel were also frozen in place, both staring through the door into the room.
“Oh! What’s all this?” asked Rarity.
“It’s a romantic dinner!” squeaked Sweetie Belle. She and Scootaloo were standing next to Applebloom, and they all looked extremely pleased with themselves.
"Whoever for?"
I’d figured out what was going on. I started backing away, flattening my ears and trying to look small. I was almost away, when Scootaloo answered.
“Caramel... and North!”
Rarity stared at Caramel, then me. “What happened?”
“I kissed North.” said Caramel.
“You already told me-”
“No, not that time. Um… earlier-”
He told her about earlier. As he spoke, both he and I got redder and redder. When he’d finished, Rarity was smiling in a way that made me very uncomfortable.
“Well,” she said, “you two are cute together.”
“Rarity.” I said. “Would you please not use the word ‘cute’?”
“Why ever not? You are!”
“Because… because I’m not sure about this.”
“Aren’t ya going to sit down?” asked Applebloom.
I’d forgotten about the fillies, who’d been watching the three of us. I was going to say no, then I saw the looks on their and Caramel’s faces. He wanted to give this a try, and to be honest… I kind of wanted to too.
“I-I… fine.” I said, my face still a bit red. “Caramel, would you like to have dinner with me?”
“S-sure.” said Caramel.
The three fillies zipped over to the table. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle pulled the chairs out, and Applebloom stood in front of the table. She’d thrown on fancy black-and-white server’s uniform (where’d she get that?).
“Your seats, sirs.” she said.
Rarity growled, frustrated, and stormed off. What was her problem? I glanced at Caramel, who also looked embarrassed. I decided to go along with it, for now.
“After you?” I said.
He nodded, smiling nervously, and walked forward, and I followed him. I waved the fillies away, and they backed off. Caramel took his seat, and I pushed him up to the table. I walked around to the other side, and sat down. I felt my chair move forward, and looked back to see Applebloom. She was still grinning widely, and she walked around to the side of the table.
“Salad?” she asked.
“That would be fine.” I said. Obviously, they wouldn’t have anything but what they offered.
“Alright then.”
She clapped her hooves, and the other two walked over carrying a salad on their backs. Together, they carefully set it on the table, and Applebloom set down a pair of salad tongs.
“We’ll leave you two alone.” she said.
The three of them withdrew to the door, and they left, closing the door behind them. I switched my gaze to Caramel. He was smiling nervously, his eyes flicking between mine.
“Um… salad?” I asked, lifting the tongs.
“Alright.” he said.
I gestured with the tongs, and he pushed his plate forward. I served him, being careful not to spill anything. When I’d finished, he pulled his plate back, and I served myself. After a few false starts, we began eating. The Crusaders had done a pretty good job. The greens were fresh and crisp, and they hadn’t drowned it with the dressing.
Before long, we were exchanging leisurely conversation. Caramel told me about himself, and it turned out we were both into ancient history. He spent a great deal of his free time at the library, reading about all the earliest civilizations. He professed a particular interest in the Romane Empire, and we got caught up in a discussion about the Colosseum. I’d seen it while I’d travelled with the Doctor, so I was able to tell him a great deal about it.
After the salad, the CMC (as I now referred to them in my head) replaced it with a fantastic (vegetarian) fettuccine alfredo. We thanked them, and they bounced out. I dug in, enjoying the creamy texture. Our conversation moved on to the ancient ruins of Tenochtitlan. Neither of us had ever seen it, so we speculated about the ponies who’d built it.
The final course was a delicious apple pie. It was still hot, but when I asked Applebloom about it, she just winked and left. I cut Caramel a fairly large slice, and a smaller one for myself.
“Not hungry?” he asked, noticing the difference.
“It’s probably best if I don’t have too much.” I said.
“Okay.”
When we’d finished eating, the three fillies came in and took the dishes away. I thought they were done, but then they came in carrying… a wine bottle? They started trying to uncork it, but I stopped them.
“I don’t drink.” I said. “And besides, how on earth did you get a wine bottle? You’re not even close to old enough.”
“We had a little help.” said Scootaloo.
Behind her, the door burst open, and a pink hurricane whirled in. It resolved itself into Pinkie Pie, who was wearing a flamboyant party hat.
“So, are they besties yet?” she asked. She disappeared and popped up next to me.
“Or are they a bit more, huh?” she asked, elbowing me in the rib.
“Pinkie Pie.” I said. “I should have known.”
“If you’d know it wouldn’t have been a surprise!” she said, bouncing around the table. “Sorry about the wine, I didn’t know you don’t drink. But now I do!”
“Well, thank you.” I said. “You too girls. But now it’s time to take you all home.”
“I can do that!” said Pinkie. “You two got somewhere to go?”
“Well…” I looked over at Caramel, who was smiling hopefully. “It looks like I’m spending the night at Caramel’s.”
His smile turned into a happy grin, and Pinkie popped up next to him.
“Excellent.” she said, her voice changing. She sounded like she’d gained a century, her voice deep and mysterious. “Most excellent. Soon your doubts will be crushed and you two shall be adorable lovebirds.”
“Why does everyone have to use words like that?” I asked, talking to no one in particular. “Cute? Adorable?”
“Because that’s how it works!” said Pinkie, her voice now back to normal. “You two go on! I’ve got these three.”
“You sure you can handle them?” asked Caramel.
“I’m positive!” she said. “I Pinkie Promise!”
I didn’t understand this, but Caramel seemed satisfied. “Thanks. North?”
“I’m coming.” I said, getting down from my chair. Together, we exited the kitchen, going through the main shop towards the door. To my left, I heard something move. I took a stab in the semi-literal dark.
“Bye Rarity.” I said. She emerged from the darkness (which was a bit creepy).
“How’d you know it was me?” she asked. “It could’ve been Opalescence.”
“You’re bigger than a cat.” I said. “Even if you do have a wonderful figure.”
“Oh.” she said, blushing. “T-Thank you.”
“Bye.” I opened the door for Caramel, then followed him outside.
In the distance, the sun was almost below the horizon. The sky was a beautiful rainbow of twilight colors, the snow clouds having receded. I followed Caramel, who was smiling happily. He led me through the snow covered streets of Ponyville, going slowly, allowing me to look around properly. The architecture was very similar to that of Everfree, though it was a great deal more colorful. A few ponies still roamed the streets, finishing their late business or returning home. He took me down one of the side streets, and led me up to one of the houses that lined the street.
“Your place?” I asked.
“Yeah.” he said. He unlocked the door, waving me through. “Come in.”
I went in, and he closed the door behind us. We were in the living room, which contained a single couch and one chair, next to which stood a low-lying table. A bookcase stood against one wall, it shelves filled with books, as well as a few picture frames. The walls were painted a light pastel blue, and the furniture was green (also pastel).
“Um… you can use the shower if you want.” said Caramel.
This was when I realized I still didn’t have my collar and bowtie. Before I could say anything, though, a pink blur flew out of the chimney.
“This is yours!” said a soot-covered Pinkie Pie, who was holding the very items I’d been thinking of. Unlike the rest of her, they were completely spotless. “And this!” she added, handing me the sonic screwdriver.
“Thank y-” I started, but before I could say anything, she was gone, back up the chimney. “-ou.” I finished.
“Uh-huh.” said Caramel. “Um… like I said. Feel free to use the shower. It’s upstairs.”
“Thank you.” I started upstairs, but I stopped halfway. “Um… how do I take care of these?” I asked, pointing at my wings with my nose.
“Er… I could… help.” he mumbled. I felt my cheeks heat up.
“I… I’ll figure something out.”
I was soon proven wrong. I’d taken care of everything else, but I couldn’t get under my wings. I growled, frustrated. I made another fruitless attempt to move my wings, but only managing to give myself a splitting headache. I gave up, snorting out some water I’d gotten up my nose.
“Caramel?” I called. After a moment, I heard hooves outside the door.
“Yes?”
“You were right. Could you… help me?”
“Sure. Just a moment.”
He unlocked the door, and came in. I looked away from him, feeling embarrassed. In spite of the fact that I didn’t look any different than I had all day, it felt weird to have someone else in the bathroom with me. His face was a little red too, but he came over anyway.
“What should I do?” he asked.
I handed him the wash cloth I’d been using. “I don’t know either. I guess you should just… try to get underneath?”
He nodded. Carefully, he slipped the washcloth under my wings. I cringed slightly, and he stopped.
“What?”
“Nothing.” I said. “It’s just a bit… sensitive.”
“Feathers?”
“Feathers.”
He started again, going more slowly and gently. He stopped, sighing frustratedly.
“What?” I asked.
“I can’t bend my arm enough to do it from here.” he said, showing me.
“Well…” I said, an idea coming to me. “If you don’t mind getting wet, you could… get in the tub.”
His ear twitched. Then slowly, he stepped over the edge, sitting down behind me. Now that he was in the right position, we were able to finish quickly. We dried off, and left the bathroom.
“Thank you for trusting me.” said Caramel. He was looking very happy.
I nodded. “So… now what?”
He thought on it for a second. “Want to play a game?”
“Like what?”
“How about… checkers?”
“That sounds good.”
He went over to the bookcase, and reached upward. He wasn’t tall enough, so put a hoof on a shelf and tried again. The board game still eluded his reach.
“I could-” I started.
“I’ve got it!” he said, cutting me off.
He shifted the chair so it was next to the bookcase. Standing on top of it, he tried again. Even with the chair, he couldn’t lay hoof on it. He put one of his back hooves on the top of the chair, pushing himself higher.
“Almost… got it.” he said, his voice strained. The chair started to tilt over, but he didn’t notice until it was really moving. “Ah!”
“Gotcha!” I said, catching him as he fell. He laid shaking in my arms, breathing hard from the adrenaline rush he must have been experiencing.
“Thanks.” he said, once he’d steadied himself. He looked down at my arms, which were still holding him up. “Um…”
“Sorry.” I made to put him down.
“No, it’s fine.” he said, leaning his head on my chest. “I… I kind of like it.”
“Well,” I said, my cheeks hot, “I can’t hold you like this for long. How about that game, hmm?”
“Right.” he said, letting me put him down. “Could you please get it?”
I flipped the chair upright, then I balanced myself on a shelf and pulled the box down. He looked a little embarrassed, but he sat down opposite me at the table I’d noticed earlier. We set up the game, and played. As we played, I noticed that it was absurdly easy for me to win. I could actually think ahead in the game. More Time Lord stuff? Either way, I held back and let Caramel win a few games. He seemed to be enjoying himself, and I was too. As we played, we talked some more. This time, about my past. He wanted to know more about Everfree, which worried me. Didn’t it still exist?
“Caramel,” I said, wanting to find out, “How far away is Everfree?”
“Oh, um…” he said, flattening his ears. “It… it’s… gone.”
“It’s… gone?”
“For a thousand years.”
“A thousand?” I said, incredulous. “I’ve been gone a thousand years?!”
“Oh! I’m sorry!” he said, looking upset. “I forgot!”
“It’s not your fault. But where… where is he?” Where was the Doctor? Why had he left me here? A single tear traced down my cheek.
“It’s your move.” I said, changing the subject.
He glanced down at the board. “Really, I am sorry.”
“I know. But it isn’t going to do me any good to think about that right now.”
He nodded, though he still looked worried. He moved a piece, and we continued the game. When we’d both had enough, we put the pieces up. He let me return the box to it’s place.
“Do you need a toothbrush?” The question was so unexpected, I thought for a second I’d misheard.
“A what?” I asked.
“A toothbrush.”
“Oh. I guess I do.”
“Here.” He offered me one, still in its packaging.
“Thanks.” I said, taking it.
I went upstairs to the bathroom. After I’d brushed my teeth, I returned to the living room. Caramel was standing next to the bookcase, reading out of a small book. When he saw me, he put it back on its shelf.
“Um…” I looked up around for a clock. I found one; it said it was nearly eleven. “How long have we been playing checkers?”
He looked over at the clock, blinking in surprise. “Nearly four hours.” he said.
“Bedtime?” I asked, yawning.
“Looks like it.” he said. “And um… do we…?”
“Do you want to?” His eyes flicked between mine, then he nodded.
“Okay.” I said, smiling lopsidedly, feeling strangely excited at the prospect.
I followed him upstairs, into what must have been his bedroom. It was nice, the bed was carefully made and the room was clean. He walked over to the other side of the bed, and turned down the covers. I stayed near the door, looking around. Beside the bed was a small wooden table. The foot of the bed faced a small chest of drawers, and there was a closet to my immediate right. Caramel turned to face me.
“Coming?” he asked.
I glanced around the room, then nodded. I set my sonic screwdriver down on the table, and pulled the covers down on my side. I looked up at him, to find him smiling nervously.
“We don’t have to.” I said. “If you’re not sure.”
He watched my face for a moment, then he climbed into the bed.
“I’m fine.” he said. “It’s just… a new feeling.”
I nodded, also climbing into the bed. “It is.”
He turned his head to look at me, eyebrow raised. “You sound like you’ve done this before.”
“There’s a reason I don’t drink, or have salt-blocks.” I said, staring up at the ceiling. I explained what had happened, and when I finished, he nodded.
“I can see why.”
I turned my head. “Thanks for letting me stay the night.”
“You’re welcome.” I leaned over and kissed him, just briefly. When I pulled away, he had a happy smile on his face.
“Goodnight, Caramel.” I said, pulling the covers over myself.
He did the same, rolling himself to face me. “Goodnight North.”
I closed my eyes, letting the warm twilight of sleep take me.
___________________________________________
At Canterlot Castle
___________________________________________
Luna, Celestia, and of course, Discord, watched as North kissed Caramel goodnight. Luna’s eyes were filled with tears, and Celestia appeared emotionless. She looked over at Discord, who was eating popcorn at a simultaneously outrageous and unnecessary speed.
“Discord,” she said, “why must you torture my sister so?”
“It’s not for her.” he said, sitting up. He actually looked serious. “I’m protecting him.”
“How is this protection?” asked Luna, looking incensed.
“He has a future.” he said, ignoring her. “An important role to play. But I don’t know what that is.”
“You really expect us to believe you?”
“Believe what you wish.” he said, picking his popcorn back up. “Maybe my friend here can convince you.”
“What friend?” asked Celestia.
“Celestia!” said a voice, very similar to Discord’s. “Long time no see!”
The two princesses whirled around, to find a unicorn stallion had appeared behind them. He was light brown, with a short-cut, light charcoal, graying mane. His gray eyes sparkled merrily, with a dash of dangerous power behind them.
“R!” shouted Luna.
“Now now, Luna.” he said. “First of all, you’re a princess, not a pirate. Second, it’s Q. Q. You know, the letter before R?”
“Hello Q!” said Discord. “You doing well?”
“Oh, hi! Discord! Yes, I’m just fine.”
Celestia rarely had reason to worry, even with Discord around. But with Discord and Q…
Facehoof.