Chapter 85- Honest Opinions
It was a beautiful morning for a train ride. The sun was high and bright and there wasn’t a single cloud in the sky. The morning dew could still be seen glistening off the green plant life. The train was right on schedule with very few passengers around to make it a rather quiet ride. A single yellow earth pony with an orange mane and an orange filly with yellow mane were the only ones to board the train to Rainbow Falls. The two took a moment to look for a seat next to a window.
“Momma?”
“Yes, dear?” The yellow earth pony addressed her daughter.
“I like them!” The filly smiled, pointing at the only other passengers in the cabin.
“Be polite dear, you don’t-” The mother stopped talking, lifting her head to look at the passengers. “Now, how could I’ve missed them?”
“Morning, peasant,” Sombra bowed his head in a greeting. Oddly enough, his voice was deep but pleasant, for he was enjoying a modern treat- an ice cream cone. Next to him, Chrysalis sat down to give the other ponies a bored look. The queen ruffled her insect-like wings for a second, creating the chirps of a grasshopper. Behind her, the queen had a small entourage of four changelings in their own booth. To pass the time, they were playing a phonograph.
Master Xehanort had his head down and smiling, enjoying the records of Vinyl Scratch. But, the old man had a book in his hands.
“Ah, Nightmare Moon, you are best pone,” Xehanort chuckled to himself. It appears he was reading a history book.
“Next stop, Rainbow Falls!” A conductor called out.
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Applejack picked up her head, turning to look at the sound of the train coming up to the station in Ponyville. But this time, she was alone. Nopony came to see her off and she had no luggage. The orange pony simply kept her head up, eyes closed halfway. While the day was beautiful, AJ was very conflicted about this mission. All of the other ponies were busy getting the show ready, laying low or trying to help in any way they could. Yet, she had been called over by Princess Celestia herself to join her in the wargames negotiations.
She had no idea why- This event was more important than the show Shores was going to put on. Even if the show didn’t go well, the humans could still compete in the wargames in a secure location. And come to think of it, it made more sense to have Twilight at the side of the princesses. Applejack snapped out of her thoughts once the train came to a stop. When the doors opened, the cowpony stood up and walked to the doors.
“Ah, good morning, Applejack.”
“What ‘n tarnation?!”
“Oh, pardon me. Did I surprise you?” Princess Celestia smiled, sitting down across from the doors. The princess had to duck her head a bit, her long mane still flowing. Even inside the train cabin.
“Princess!” Applejack quickly bowed, closing her eyes to show her proper courtesy. “Sorry, but Ah wasn’t expectin ya, you know...”
“Rise, and step inside. There is a reason I called for you. I even made this train an express to reach Rainbow Falls,” Princess Celestia relaxed her eyes a bit. “Now I remember why I don’t use trains,” She mumbled in a low voice.
“But why?” Applejack quickly picked herself up and hurried into the train. The doors closed behind the mare, getting the train to start once again.
“Well, there is a reason I travel by chariot. Trains carry ponies, and to have them bow before me every single stop and attend to my needs...” Celestia shut her eyes and shook her head. “Oh wait, you meant as to why I summoned you?”
“Uh, yeah,” AJ turned her head to the sides, inspecting the cabin. From what she could tell, there was no other ponies riding with her. She took a second to decide where to sit, wondering if it would be better okay to sit next to the princess. “Ah’m not exactly the diplomatic type.” The cowpony simply decided to sit across the princess to make it easier to talk. Seeing that the princess was not even sitting on a booth seat.
“Do you remember the night of the explanation over the Elements of Change?” Princess Celestia followed the movements of the orange pony with her eyes.
“Yes?” AJ sat down, tilting her head to the side a moment.
“I recall you were the only pony to raise a hoof when the vote about prosecuting Twilight Sparkle was passed.”
“Not exactly one of mah finer moments,” Applejack said and moved her left hoof to raise her hat over her eyes. Now she could see the alicorn much better. She didn’t feel bad over it anymore, true, but it was still an event that made her feel regret.
“I called for you, because I need an honest opinion.”
“Not using the royal we?” AJ asked, noticing for the first time.
“It is just the two of us. I think it can be our little secret,” Celestia chuckled. Applejack also smiled, allowing herself to relax.
“But Princess... An opinion on what, exactly?” The earth pony raised an eyebrow, having no idea what the Princess could ever want another pony’s opinion. Much less her own.
“Applejack, these last few days-” Celestia picked up her head to look out the window as they traveled. The scenery looked so peaceful... “What has caused more of an uproar? The humans, or the ponies’ reactions to them?”
“...”
Stunned with that question, Applejack’s eyes opened wide. She was not expecting that sort of question.
“I see. Take your-”
“Ah want to say ponies- But it’s humans, isn’t it?” Applejack relaxed her eyes, looking down at the ground. Princess Celestia smiled, tilting her head to the side to look down at her subject. It seems that they way Humans could think was finally catching on.
“You are not wrong, but not totally right either. Humans do not belong in this world. But ponies-” The Princess had to take a moment to think of the words.
“Bigots?” AJ offered.
“Heh. No dear Applejack. It’s understandable to react negatively and even fear the unknown. It’s natural to fear a meat eater. I was going to say, ‘too positive.’”
“Come again?” Applejack raised her right eyebrow up. Too positive?
“Too positive,” Princess Celestia nodded. “Do you remember back when there was the Running of the Leaves?”
AJ blushed at that, another time Princess Celestia witnessed one of her blunders. She nodded.
“From what I was told, that came about because you complained about the wing power Rainbow Dash used,” Celestia picked up her head and looked straight ahead of herself now. “Can you imagine how much trouble could’ve been spared if you just spoke out sooner, instead of holding it in?”
“Well, I guess,” AJ shrugged.
“Or how about the Mare-Do-Well?”
“Now that was a lesson-”
“Albeit good, still placed the Elements of Harmony in danger,” Celestia interrupted her. “Many of the lessons in friendship you all learned had danger or conflict in them. The Gala, the Running of the Leaves, the parasprites...” Celestia moved her head to look down at the cowpony once more. “But do you think, that the humans would’ve come with the same solutions you all did?”
“Ah’ reckon not,” AJ replied. “Dan himself could handle the problems on his own. And the fact Ah know this, scares me.”
“Now, because of this- The humans must return. But...” Princess Celestia stopped there, smiling a bit as how Applejack immediately picked up her head, almost teary eyed. “I think I will make a colony or give the humans their own land. Let them stay in Equestria.”
“Princess?!” Applejack immediately cheered up, knowing that she wouldn’t be the only one happy with the news.
“Providing the show goes well.”
“Whut?”
“While I do want the humans to stay, I do want for the champions to be cleared. Thanks to The Doctor,” Celestia spoke in a low voice, “We must make Ponyville accept the humans once more. Even if we win the war games, the changelings will be allowed into Equestria. The country cannot have a three way stalemate against each other.”
“Aw horseapples. Now this show has to be better more than good,” AJ complained.
“Which brings me to our next point,” Princess shut her eyes halfway now, lowering her voice. “Do you truly love the human champions? You’ve only been with them a few days...”
At this point, the Element of Honesty really wanted to be the Element of anything else. “Ah can’t rightly say, Princess.” Applejack moved her hoof to her hat and lower it a bit. “Ah always heard of stories of love at first sight. Of crushes and simple good feelings...” She shook her head to the sides. “But mah Granny did have one surefire way to know.”
“And what was that?” Princess Celestia raised her eyebrows.
“When yer not with ya special somepony- You feel hollow and empty inside. When they are in pain, you feel it too.” AJ raised her head to look at Celestia’s face. “Ya miss them very much. You wonder if they are ok, and wonder if Ah could’ve done better.”
“Sounds more like a break up to me,” Celestia lowered her face to study Applejack’s eyes better. The shadow over the cowpony’s eyes made it hard to tell. “Do you feel the others feel the same?”
“Ah’m sorry. I haven’t paid much attention to mah friends,” AJ also frowned. “With all this going on, Ah almost forgot there was a farm to run.” Applejack moved a hoof to wipe her eyes. “But I think they do. We all got drunk and-”
“Let’s skip that night,” The Princess frowned. That prank was going to come and bite them all in the flank. “But other than that?”
“Rainbow was pretty broken up over Phoenix’s vanishing,” Applejack moved her right hoof back to rub her chin. “And in a way worse than when she makes a blunder. Ah think it rattled her harder than normal. Maybe it was a death, but Ah think it was love.”
“And the others?” The Princess raised her head to smile, glad that changing the topic made AJ focus.
“Well, Pinkie is engaged,” Applejack had to stop and shudder. Dan was mostly harmless before, but now he was a leader of champions that even Celestia feared. And there was his Brand. “Can’t say much ‘bout Twi and Otta, we did split up and Otta was not with us at the start. But they are awfully close. They has lots in common, awfully smart, and they do look cute together.” Applejack smiled. “Fluttershy and Soma...” Applejack had to to stop and think. “I think they are fine. Flutters does like Soma a lot. She told me they finally kissed.”
If you only knew Applejack. If you only knew. Luna was never going into her dreams again.
“And you?” Celestia teased.
“Ah...” Applejack blushed, “kissed him first.”
“That leaves Nathan and-”
“She likes him, hard to say if Nathan likes her back. But I think they do like each other very much,” Applejack shrugged. “Nate’s poisoning took a lot out of her. Given Nate’s awful childhood, Ah can understand how he’s got a wall around his heart.”
“Such awful pasts they all carry, isn’t it?” Celestia nodded, closing her eyes at the memory. “Do you think they want to say?”
“Ah can’t say. Nopony wants to send them back to face their awful worlds again. They die and they fight for ponies, only to get sent back? It doesn’t seem fair, Princess.”
“What about the others? Luna’s and Discord’s champions?”
“Ah know less than others, but they all seem good folk. Maybe not all of them in love, but some of them, yeah... Spy is a true gentlecolt with Zecora, and Snake keeps Trixie in check. Ash and the Mayor got something going, but not sure what...” Applejack tried to think of the others. The best she knew next to them were the KND, the others from Team Ponyville. “The human colts and fillies seem okay, though they get into trouble. No more than tha Crusaders though.”
The alicorn kept silent, listening to Applejack. She chuckled.
“What’s so funny?”
“Well, besides your honesty, I picked you for another reason,” Celestia couldn’t stop grinning.
“Oh?” Applejack raised her eyebrows in question.
“If this was Twilight, I would receive over thousand cue cards or five hundred page report on them all.”
Applejack took a moment to think about it, and then they both broke out in laughter.
“It is good to laugh,” Celestia admitted. “Now, did the humans give you their wargame events?”
“Come again?”
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“I hate this stupid castle!” Gilda shouted out loud, laid out on top of Sora.
“Get off of me, please!” Sora groaned, face first in the cold, musty, and dirty floor.
“Hmm? Oh hey, after giving me you a ride, you should keep your mouth shut,” Gilda hoisted herself after a moment to look around. Even with her enhanced griffon vision, it was still hard to see this far down.
“My ribs,” Sora complained, moving get on both knees and place a hand on his chest. “But yeah, these ruins are so boring...”
“Boring?!” Gilda roared out. “Headless statues, stupid pipe organ music, traps, hidden doors! And not to mention this whole place feels wrong! This place is spooky!”
“Aww, are you scared Gilda?” Sora teased. “I’ll protect you.”
“I’m... Griffons don’t get scared!” Gilda blushed, the red appeared on her feathered cheeks. “I’m just making sure you’re not scared.”
“Scared?” Sora finally stood up, looking around the area. “I’ve been to Halloween Town. This place is nothing.” Both hands moved to dust himself. “I find it boring because there’s not a single fight or sign of the humans. You’d think we’d fight a monster or find a clue. We haven’t got nothing.”
“Not that you mention it,” Gilda regained her composure and looked around. “I don’t smell them here either. We just found that room with candles and notes on the second floor.” Her wings stretched out, flapping a bit to get her dust off. “We’ve been looking for a while and zilch.”
“Let’s head back then.” Sora made his keyblade vanish, making Gilda flinch a bit. Human magic was way different from unicorn’s or griffon’s magic.
“Don’t tell me what to do, dweeb,” Gilda frowned, moving ahead to lead the way.
“Want me to hold your paw or something?”
“So help me...” Gilda growled, feathers getting ruffled. Though, her tail waved like a dog that was happy.
“I’ll stop teasing you when you call me by my name,” Sora teased with a big, stupid grin on his face.
“Alright already! Sora! There, happy?!” Gilda roared out, turning her head at him. Her cheeks were red, though from anger this time.
“There, was that so bad?” Sora said, undaunted by her outburst. He stepped out to her right side, and moved to place his hand on her head. “Let’s go.”
“You are so...” Gilda moved a claw up to rub her eyes. “Not worth it.” Still, a wing moved to rub his back as they both headed looked for the entrance.
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“What to do you mean, war games list?” Applejack raised an eyebrow. “None of us saw them since they took off.”
“Are you telling me, not a single one of you took breakfast for the humans? Or even check to see if they spent the night alright?” Princess Celestia asked.
“Well, Ah thought we weren’t supposed to come into contact with them. And they, no offense Princess, could level a country by themselves. Why not send Twi a letter?” Applejack offered.
“Well, normally I would, but the humans should have a crystal ball.” The Princess moved her head down, giving her large horn a chance to channel magic without hitting the cabin roof. An audible ‘pop’ and a crystal ball appeared and hovered in mid air.
“That was anti-climatic,” AJ observed. “I mean, you had a servant bring you a ball at the castle.”
“Says the pony using the term anti-climatic,” Celestia frowned a bit. Still, she brought the ball to rest on a seat. “And this is a two way crystal ball. The other one is just used to view. Humans champions, please respond...”
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“Hmm?” Sora picked up his eyebrows. “You hear that?”
“What the...?” Gilda raised both wings a bit, leaning forward a bit. “It’s coming from that blanket.” The duo had managed to make it back to the entrance, going over the only rooms that had clues that humans had once been there. Sora approached the bedding, getting down on his left knee to lift the roll and spot a crystal ball.
“Hello?” Sora asked, lifting his left eyebrow.
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“Oh, that took a while to respond. For a moment- You are not one of the human champions...” Celestia frowned, peering into the image of Gilda and Sora. “A griffon?”
“Where’s Dovahkiin?” Applejack snarled, moving her face into the ball.
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“Who?” Sora asked, still confused.
“Hey I know you. One of Rainbow’s friends right?” Gilda asked. “There’s no humans here,” Gilda shrugged. “Never even heard of Dovah Whatever.”
************************************************
“What?!” Applejack shouted, making the alicorn wince. “Sorry Princess. Gilda? Is that you? Who is that human?”
“If you allow me...” Princess Celestia moved the ball away from AJ.
************************************************
Sora stared back at the view of the ponies, a bit surprised by what he was looking at. The images being displayed were a bit distorted, like looking into a spoon’s reflection. “I’m Sora. And there are no humans here. We’ve been looking for a while, and there’s no clues of where they went.”
“There was signs that something was here though,” Gilda said, though a bit worried. Where was Sephy then?
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“Twi did mention a way to send the champions back...” Applejack lowered her head a bit, thinking. “Ya think some humans got sent back, and the others went to look for them?”
“That is a possibility,” Princess Celestia said as she lowered the ball a bit. “But to sent them all out to look? I think they would leave the KND and a caretaker with them.”
“Yer right. The Crusaders don’t have Cutie Marks,” Applejack agreed.
“Do you mind explaining what is going on?” Sora asked from his end.
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Meanwhile, at Rainbow Falls...
“Alright, this looks like a good spot,” Roger Smith said, looking around the large green field. Not too far away from the town, but it offered some hiding places from the general public. Should it break out into a fight or something. He wasn’t sure what the other something could be, but this was a land of magical rainbows. “Four tables need to be set up. Two large table across from each other, about ten feet apart from each other. Running perpendicular to each other.”
“And the other two tables the same, so each table is in the North, South, East, and West?” Discord asked. Once more in his true form, the chimeric spirit of chaos chuckled. “Traditional, but nothing wrong with a classic. I would’ve offered a round table.”
“Discord, enough. We have little time to waste til noon,” Princess Luna chided him. Ever since he lost his ‘Distant Star’ form, Discord was all but unbearable.
“Why four tables though?” Snape asked.
“Well, the two largest factions will each have a table. Ponies, and the Changelings.” Roger nodded as Discord made things appear. “One of the smaller tables will be for me, since I will be directing the negotiation. The other table are for other possible guests.”
As he talked, Discord snapped his ‘fingers’. With each snap tables, chairs, refreshments, kept appearing. Roger used his right hand to point to where he wanted things placed. Luna kept frowning, unable to deal with the draconequus’ items though. Each item he materialized had a weird color or pattern on it.
Or came to life and starting singing Be Our Guest.
“One more thing,” Discord said as he floated over the negotiator. He placed a single digit from his claw arm to the forehead of Roger. A Darkbrand appeared, though the burning ring of fire didn’t appear to be alive. “This will let you have a curse mark, yet will explain why your mark is being blocked.”
“I hate you, this place, these ponies, and this whole farce,” Roger responded, eyes never betraying his professional demeanor. He was too much in his negotiation mode to care. There was a lot to still prepare for. Each hand moved to adjust his tie. “But I must admit, I think I’m more suited for this than The Doctor.”
“Oh hey now, I’ll have you know I’ve negotiated plenty of times before...” The (11th) Doctor harumphed.
“Have you ever been in a negotiation where you felt on equal standing with the other sides? Was there ever a time you never felt above the others?” Roger asked, still sore about being tranquilized.
The Doctor frowned, but stayed silent.
“If you two are done bickering,” Luna sighed. “Is there anything else we need?”
“How is security?” Roger asked, moving over to his table. It had enough room for two others... “I want a black table for myself. The Ponies’ side will be plain, as the Changelings.”
“A plain table?” Discord asked. “How boring.” But he complied, glad to be able to use his magic again. Oh, how tempted he was to throw a monkey wrench on these proceedings!
“Each side is allowed to have an entourage, but for security reasons, only two guards per ruler.” Luna answered.
“Perfect. Plain tables will mean they are on equal standings. No colors to offend anyone, nor encited pride or aggressive behaviors.” Roger then turned to look at the Doctor, as if to give him a lesson. “Each side is already hostile, and there is enough to worry about without offending a side- Much less any favoritism. Since you can time travel, I’m surprised you don’t set up proper meeting rooms.”
“Time is wibbly wobbly. It’s doesn’t always work like that. Timing is sometimes more essential,” The Time Lord shrugged.
“Ladies, can we continue?” Discord asked, getting bored. There was things to plan, and people to visit.
“Team Doctor is standing by,” Edgeworth walked over, Lighting Dust at his side. “Though I feel Mr. Smith will not need our interception.”
“As much as I don't like being knocked unconscious, I blame The Doctor for your actions,” Roger nodded. They both looked at the Time Lord with serious looks.
“While Roger is supposed to look like Phoenix, you two are so much alike, it’s not even funny,” Lighting Dust tried to lighten the mood. She moved her head, making her mane settle a bit. “But Edgeworth is sexier.”
The Demon Prosecutor blushed, his head being knocked back, as if he took a boot to the head.
“We will need some writing utensils also,” Roger said, trying not to look at the sultry looks Dust was giving Edgeworth.
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Back in the train
“So that’s the whole story in a nutshell,” Applejack explained. The cowpony was trying to keep her composure. Nevermind she was anxious over Dovahkiin’s disappearance, the real danger was if Twilight or the others find out. Twilight or angry Pinkie was more frightening than Pinkie’s Zecora song.
“And I thought my world hopping travels were too much,” Sora said from his end. “At least I know what’s up.”
“The Griffon Empire is not going to like this...” Gilda sighed.
“Griffon Empire?” Celestia raised her eyebrows. “But they are providing assistance in Baltimare. But did you find any clues?”
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“Well, there was this,” Sora said as he reached into his pockets. He placed Otacon’s notes about the wargames to the ball. He laid out as flat as he could against the round surface. “These look like a side quest mini games.”
“Side quest?” Gilda asked.
“Link would know what I’m talking about,” Sora shrugged. He turned to look back at the ball, as a white glow moved to scan the list. “Is this important?”
“You have no idea. One thing at a time,” Celestia sighed in relief. The ball replicated a copy of the list for her.
“Now what though?” Gilda asked. “Talking via ball is annoying.”
Sora shrugged.
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“We can’t let the others know, not yet,” Celestia frowned, moving to sit up. It was finally time to get seri- “Ow.” The alicorn bumped her horn with the top of the cabin. Sora and Gilda had their eyebrows raised, not sure what to make of the white horse.
“You alright, Princess?” Applejack asked, forcing back a giggle.
“Back on point,” Celestia said, eyes closed. “We can’t let the others know. The show needs to finish, and after that we can have a team look for them. But I have the feeling The Doctor is involved somehow.”
“Not Distant Star?”
“No, this is not chaotic.” Celestia opened her eyes and sighed. ”What are you up to, Doctor?” She mumbled. “In any case, may I ask for you, Sora and Gilda, to stay there in case the humans arrive? And please not talk to anypony else?”
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“No can do,” Sora said, moving to stand up. He was tired of kneeling anyway. His left hand still had the ball out so he can look down at the images. “I’m here on my own mission. And while missing humans is an emergency, it’s not why I’m here.” A bit older than when he first started, he learned some maturity and priorities.
“Really? Then what?” Gilda asked.
“My mission is to seal the rift from this side,” Sora said. “I’m a Keyblader, chosen to keep the balance between worlds. Once I seal the Rift, then I can find the humans and help them get back home.”
Chapter proofreaded by LyonAzakura.
Bonus:
“So, word around the grapevine is that you kissed Fluttershy,” Nate chuckled. The Elements of Bromance perked up their ears, turning to look at Soma.
“Did you have to tell them?” Soma looked around, starting to sweatdrop as they converged on the teen with predatory eyes.
Dan grinned, having also witnessed the event. “Go on. Tell us what it was like...”
“Er...” Soma moved a hand to tug on his collar. “I’ll talk if you tell me what it was like to kiss your ponies.”
“Is that all?” Dan asked. “Pinkie tastes like pure unadulterated frosting.”
“Applejack tastes like apples, and did you expect her to taste like anything else?” Dovahkiin rolled his eyes.
“Twilight...” Otacon blushed, eyes closed and right hand behind his head. “She tastes like Lucky Charms.”
“Lucky Charms?” Nate asked.
“Magically Delicious.”
Even Phoenix facepalmed at that. He shook his head to the sides and then sighed. “Rainbow Dash tastes like-”
“Skittles?” Nate asked.
“No, like spicy Fruity Pebbles.” Phoenix replied, blushing a bit.
“I don’t even...” Soma shut his eyes a bit, not sure what to make of those answers. They all turned to look at Nate.
“What?” Nathan moved his hands behind his head. “I don’t kiss and tell.”
“Have you even kissed Rarity?” Dan asked.
“Fine.” Not about to be outdone, the treasure hunter walked over to Rarity. The white unicorn raised her eyebrows, wondering what Nathan was doing.
“Nathan, dear? What are-” Rarity stopped talking, turning her eyes to follow his left hand. Fingers cupped her cheek, while his thumb moved up and down to stroke her cheek. Smiling, Nate moved to his right knee and lower himself to shut both eyes. Rarity immediately shut her own eyes. Finally! She held her breath and leaned her head up to kiss her champion.
“Damn, smooth operator,” Otacon replied.
“Like marshmallows, ok? Sweet, gummy, gourmet, fluffy, soft, marshmallows...” Nate whispered, big smile on his face. He even begun to drool, moving away from Rarity’s face.“I want to kiss her more now.”
“I guess it’s my turn...” Soma sighed. “Fluttershy tastes like-”
“Butterscotch?” Dan guessed.
“Mrmhhp,” Nate guessed, Rarity having drawn her hooves up to make Nate kiss her more.
“Caramel?” Dovahkiin offered.
“Maybe lemon pocky?” Otacon wondered.
“Yellow easter peeps?” Phoenix took a stab at it.
“No... She tastes like meat,” Soma finally replied.
“Meat?” Dan raised his eyebrows.
“Well yeah, meat. She raises so many critters. She often nuzzles or kisses them. She even smells a lot like animals. So it’s like kissing soft, tender, meat.” Soma shrugged his shoulders. The Champions picked up their heads, turning to look at Fluttershy and lick their lips.
*Poomf*
“Oh my...” Fluttershy blushed.