//------------------------------//
// 37 - Wander 
// Story: Gladiator 
// by Not_A_Hat 
//------------------------------//

"You're learning the synth?" Luna placed a stone. We'd compromised on board games and were playing Go. It was strategically rich compared to checkers, but wasn't a parallel like chess. It only had two rules so remembering wasn't a problem. We were both amateurs but learning fast, though we still played on a smaller board.
 
"Yup." The board was floating in the air. We sat on a cloud, hovering far above a bright blue ocean. For once it was day in the dream, bright yellow sun streaming down on all sides. "I'm at least trying. Lyra claims music theory will help me learn her fighting techniques."
 
"Fascinating." 

I nodded and made a move.
 
"I just wish I could remember more." I grimaced as Luna took several stones. "There was some really cool synth music back on Earth, which would be neat to bring over."
 
"Wouldn't that be cheating?"
 
"I don't think so." I shrugged. "In all I do, I stand on the shoulders of giants. Why should I feel any different about music?"
 
"Hmm." She nodded. "Fair enough. Is human music beautiful?"
 
"Erm. Well, lots of it was pretty awful, but that's true of most things." I shrugged. "There were definitely masterpieces. But once we started recording and selling it to everyone, there was just so much of it. More good, but lots more bad. Still, I had sounds I liked, and I followed them."
 
"I see."
 
"Do you play any instruments?" I frowned at the board, considering my strategy.
 
"Most of them."
 
"Huh?"
 
"There are only a few base skills to playing an instrument. You need to know what sounds to make, and then you need to know how to make your instrument produce those. If you're skilled at music, after you learn a half-dozen instruments or so, the rest follow fairly naturally." I stared at her, jaw slack. "Synthesizers may be more complicated, since they have far fewer restrictions than, say, a flute."
 
"Dang." I swallowed, placing a stone. "How are you so…so normal, despite having thousands of years of life experience behind you?"
 
"I'm not so different from you." She shook her head and made another move.
 
"What?"
 
"You stand on the shoulders of giants." She shrugged. "I've built myself up, but if I'd learned more from others, I might be further yet. A smart pony learns from their mistakes. A wise pony learns from the mistakes of others. You've taken the better course, in many ways."
 
"Huh."
 
"You know, memories are much easier to recall in dreams, due to the subconscious connection."
 
"Huh?"
 
"You spoke of recalling music. You might remember some here. Consider this dreamscape." She waved a hoof at the wrinkled blue ocean and the fluffy clouds. "You remember flying at least once." She frowned. "Which is a little odd, considering your winglessness."
 
"We had machines for that." I rubbed my jaw, thinking. "I thought this was your dreamscape."
 
"No." She quirked an eyebrow. "You said my dreamscape was 'boring'. It doesn't change easily. So tonight we're in your head."
 
"Oh." I thought about that for a minute. "Mind if we pause the game? Let's play with this a bit."
 
"Not at all." She dropped the stone she was holding and the board vanished.
 
"OK." I cast my thoughts back, trying to grasp some half-remembered thing. Finally, my mind settled on what seemed like a fitting and useful test. I drew a deep breath and intoned:
 
"Three times Randolph Carter dreamed of the marvelous city, and three times was he snatched away while still he paused on the high terrace above it." As I spoke, the ocean beneath us vanished and stone appeared beneath our feet, the transition deceptively soft in the manner of dreams.
 
"All golden and lovely it blazed in the sunset, with walls, temples, colonnades and arched bridges of veined marble, silver-basined fountains of prismatic spray in broad squares and perfumed gardens, and wide streets marching between delicate trees and blossom-laden urns and ivory statues in gleaming rows; while on steep northward slopes climbed tiers of red roofs and old peaked gables harboring little lanes of grassy cobbles." The city was now becoming visible, shaped from mist in the red glow of a sudden sunset. The green grass, golden stone, and white ornaments solidified as I continued.
 
"It was a fever of the gods, a fanfare of supernal trumpets and a clash of immortal cymbals. Mystery hung about it as clouds about a fabulous unvisited mountain; and as Carter stood breathless and expectant on that balustraded parapet there swept up to him the poignancy and suspense of almost-vanished memory, the pain of lost things and the maddening need to place again what once had been an awesome and momentous place." I stopped, letting the atmosphere of the words finish shaping the scene. When it was done, I felt a cool breeze brush past, and grinned. The city, beautiful and inviting, rolled out below me just as I'd envisioned it. We were standing at the top of a high spire, overlooking the whole thing.
 
"Wow. That really worked." I looked out over an unmistakable dreamscape. I'd been able to recall both the words and what I'd originally felt reading.
 
"What is this?" Luna gazed over the city. "It's beautiful. But…empty?"
 
"It's from a book on Earth."  She walked towards the stairs, but I stopped her. "In the story, he never explores it in his dream."
 
"But this isn't his dream; it's yours."
 
"Well, sure." I shrugged. "But we can quest for unknown Kadath later. For now, let's have some music."
 



 
<"No up, no down, emotion gone."> I hummed as I walked down the path. Luna and I had spent most of the night grooving. I'd introduced her to disco floors, something I'd always wanted to actually try. <"No blood, no soul, automaton.">
 
Despite not understanding English, Luna enjoyed the experiment. It had even worked, to some extent; in my dream, I'd been able to summon the music I was thinking of, usually just by humming it. I even woke up with a song stuck in my head.
 
Unfortunately, the dream was mostly blurry and unclear on waking. Even songs I'd replayed several times were smeared. I did remember dancing on the roof of Canterlot Castle, though. Luna had recalled classical music, too, once even summoning something like a zither and performing it herself. I'd responded with what I remembered of Earth's greats, and she'd enjoyed them as well, at home with both Metallica and Mozart. I even conjured a karaoke machine, and we sang for a while.
 
Still, even if I did manage to remember I couldn't play anything until I built my synth and learned to play.
 
So I was headed into the Everfree. I planned to visit the Caverns of Shade and Sound and come back with supplies for Vinyl and myself. I carried an overnight bag, a sample hammer, and a chisel.
 
I stopped as I heard voices on the path up ahead.
 
"Why would he spend time with you? He's waaaaay to cool for your stupid club!"
 
"Hey! We're not stupid! He was totally fine with joining our club!"
 
"Yeah! He's got the cape and everything!"
 
"What? Why would he even do that?"
 
"Um, hello?" I came around the bend, announced myself, and tried to assess the scene. On one side of the path, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were arrayed in adventuring outfits; khaki blouses with pith helmets. They looked adorable. On the other side stood a slightly older pegasus, light pink, with a curly cream mane. Her cutie mark was a blossom of some sort. I saw the match immediately. "Oh, my mysterious savior," I nodded to her, "and my fellow Crusaders. What's up?"
 
"See?" Scootaloo said triumphantly. "He does so hang out with us!"
 
"Of course." I had no idea why they'd been fighting about me, but there was no way I'd turn against my compatriots. I swept my canvas hat off my head, displaying the 'cape' I'd been given tied underneath as a bandana. "As you can see, I'm a bona fide, cape-wearing member of the Cru."
 
"Oh." The pegasus seemed nonplussed.
 
"Anyways, I never got your name. You are…?"
 
"Oh! I'm so sorry! I'm Cherry Blossom."
 
"Nice to meet you." I held out a fist, which she tapped gingerly. "You accidently left a book with me last time. If you want it back, feel free to drop by."
 
"Really? I can come visit? To your house?" Her eyes widened in excitement and she hopped up and down slightly.
 
"Sure." I was a little surprised by the enthusiasm, but ignored it. "After supper might be best? I'll return your book."
 
"You…" She looked down abashedly. "You didn't read it, did you?"
 
"Of course not," I replied firmly. And you have no need to know about Dash.
 
"Oh. Good!" She sighed, relieved.
 
"Anyways, what are you three working on?" I turned to the CMC.
 
"We're going to try cragodile hunting!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed. "We think that might work!"
 
"Hmm." I rubbed my jaw. No good telling them not to try, but maybe I could re-direct them into a safer path. "Then what are you doing out here?"
 
"Huh?" Scootaloo gave me a flat look. "What do you mean?"
 
"Isn't the nearest cragodile at Sugarcube Corner?"
 
"Hmmm." Apple Bloom thought for a second. "Oh! You mean Gummy!" The three shared a look. "That might be a bit easier."
 
"I just thought you might want the closest one." I shrugged. "And he is a real cragodile. So I'm sure it would count."
 
"Ok!" The three clapped hooves and yelled "Let's go!" before piling into their wagon and zipping off. I sighed in relief. I would have had to drag their sisters into it if that hadn't worked.
 
"Anyways, Cherry, I'm headed into the Everfree for the weekend. I'll be back by Monday, if you want your book back." I nodded to her and set off down the path.
 



 
I was being stalked.
 
I moved quietly. It was still an hour or more to the Caverns, but I'd been making good time.
 
 I'd been using magical sensing to keep myself out of trouble for the whole hike. Now I sensed several auras behind me, matching my pace. I palmed my horn and thought.
 
At Lyra's urging, I'd disguised Splinter's horn. It was wrapped in a square of silk and wound with silver wire. I'd tied it to a strap and it hung from my wrist. I thought of it as a wand. I'd even been considering fabricating a solid metal case. I figured Rarity had the tools; she'd lent me the use of her workshop, the wire and the cloth.
 
I snarled in annoyance as one of the presences swung forward, trying to cut me off, herding me towards the cliffs. By now I had some idea what I was up against so I found a clearing and took a stand.
 
Sure enough, soon after I stopped moving, my aggressors showed. Timberwolves. I sighed. This was troublesome. Not very dangerous, but definitely annoying. I shrugged my backpack off and set it on the ground nearby.
 
The pack started to move in, snarling and posturing. I affected an attitude of indifference, pretending nonchalance. Their approach slowed at my confident display.
 
Just a bit closer…
 
I was about ready to start my counter when I heard a pony yell.
 
"Yaaaaaaaaaah!"
 
"Cherry Blossom!" I yelled in exasperation as a familiar cream-maned filly dived towards a Timberwolf. Not just any wolf either, but the Alpha, a big, gnarled Oak. "Bad, bad, bad idea!" I grumbled, even as I leaped to the rescue.
 
One hand fell to my pack, grasping a firebrand. My other slipped into my pocket and seized my lighter. I'd taken advantage of Rarity's generosity with her workshop to knock off an imitation zippo. I flicked it open and lit it all in one smooth movement. The brand ignited with a whoomph, and the wooden creatures took a step back. I flicked the torch out before me, the flame roaring at the movement. The circle widened again, but not far enough to keep them out of my reach. I dove forward, targeting the Alpha as he snapped at Cherry, coming away with a few feathers.
 
The plucky little filly was brave, if silly. She lashed back at the timberwolf, managing to throw it several feet. I struck as it landed, beating it with my torch.
 
I'd made these firebrands out of a thick branch of green wood dipped in pitch. I'd alternated layers of pitch with scraps of cotton, ensuring the whole thing would burn brightly and for a good length.
 
It also meant they were basically clubs with a sticky, napalm-like blob on the end. With every hit I landed on the Alpha I left behind a patch of blazing pitch. In seconds he was burning in a half-dozen places. I even heard something crack.
 
The fight left him pretty quick.
 
The whole pack, seeing we weren't about to roll over and die, turned tail and ran. As soon as the danger was past I carefully extinguished my torch and turned to my feathery follower.
 
"Cherry Blossom, you have got to stop doing this!" I thundered. Just like last time, my disapproval crushed her.  I sighed as her wings and head drooped to the ground and she started sniffling.
 
"I-I just wanted to help." I rubbed my eyes, trying to sort out my thoughts. Finally, I knelt by her and offered a gentle hug.
 
"And I appreciate that. But, I'm not helpless. I'm perfectly capable of defending myself and in all honesty, if you got seriously hurt trying to help me, I would be devastated. Just…I dunno, let me take care of myself." When her sniffling didn't stop, I was a little worried. "Hey, you OK?"
 
"I…I think I hurt my wing."
 
"Figures." I tried to hide my disapproval, but she quailed at my voice. I had no idea why my attention meant so much to this filly, but I mentally kicked myself for a lack of self-control. "Sorry. Ok, let me see." I sat down cross legged on the grass so I could get a closer look. "Which one?"
 
"Left." Her voice was very small.
 
"Can you spread it?" She tried, and actually got pretty good extension. But it was clear the wolf had broken important feathers; there was a visible gap, and traces of blood. "It looks like he took a bite at you and got mostly fluff. I bet there are nasty scratches underneath. Let me get my first aid supplies." I shuffled in my pack for a minute and came up with a wrap, some gauze, and antiseptic. "Hold still." I carefully parted her downy feathers and cleaned the wound as best I could. It was no more than a nasty scratch, but it probably stung like crazy. She was silent through the whole process, but shivered as I swabbed her wing with salve.
 
"That's not too bad." I attached a gauze pad, using the wrap to secure it as well as I could. "Is it uncomfortable? The cut should sting less as the salve kicks in."
 
"It's Ok."
 
"Hmmm." I rubbed my jaw. "So, um. What are you doing out here, anyways?"
 
"I…" Her voice faded away.
 
"Huh?"
 
"I just…want to be your friend."
 
"Um." I stopped, unsure of what to say. "But…following me into the Everfree?"
 
"Sorry." She hung her head. "It was pretty silly, wasn't it?"
 
"Yeah." I sighed. "Does your wing hurt too much to fly on?"
 
"It's ok…but it's unbalanced." She bit her lip. "I have spare feathers; I might fly, after getting it imped. But…they're at home."
 
"Well, Ok." I thought for a minute. As silly as her flying out here had been, being grounded was worse. I couldn't just leave her here. "You have got to stay with me. Do you understand? You're stuck with me now. Stay in my sight at all times. Got it?"
 
"Yes." She meekly bowed her head.
 
"Uh." I scratched my head in thought. "When do you need to be back?" It might be a bad idea, but if we hurried, we had time to make a quick visit to the Caves. I would have to forego my planned exploration, but I might be able to gather the stone I needed.
 
"Dark."
 
"Well…if you're Ok with it, maybe we can continue on a bit, before turning back? I'm gathering supplies, and if you don't mind coming, I think I have time."
 
"Ok!" She perked up immediately and gave me a big smile. "Let's go! It will be an adventure."
 
"I hope not," I said, with heartfelt emotion as I picked up my pack. "Walk with me, then. I'm curious; what did you mean when you said you'd have your wing imped?"
 



 
"No, I meant, does anypony use something besides a real feather? Like, an artificial one, or-oh! Here we are." I nodded to the entrance to the Caves. Imping, as it turned out, was a particularly pegasus medical treatment, where broken feathers could be fixed by 'grafting' a new one in. A splint was glued into the hollow shaft, and a replacement feather could be attached. Most saved feathers from molting. They worked just as well as new if the graft was done right and would be lost normally at the next molt.
 
"Ooo, cool!" Cherry pranced forwards, eagerly examining the door in the crevice. I scrutinized it before opening it, ensuring that none of my safeguards had been displaced; everything seemed in order, so anything nasty would have come up from the caves.
 
I paused at that thought.
 
"Cherry, I'm going to open this door, but I'm not certain it's safe. I want you to step behind the cliff and wait a moment. It should be fine, but I want you out of the way while I double-check. And if something is wrong, do not try to help."
 
"But-"
 
"Cherry!"
 
"Fine."
 
I cracked the door slowly, listening. Nothing. I used my wand; background magic, only. I flung the door wide and stepped back. No response. I sighed, taking a good look around the guardhouse. I examined the trapdoor and cracked it wide; a few strains of music escaped.
 
"What's that noise?"
 
"The caves. Wait a minute, I'm not done." I checked the wood pile I'd left behind and the fireplace but found nothing, not even a snake. "Ok, you're good. Come on in."
 
"Coooool!" The young mare gawked In wonder as she nosed around. I closed the door after us and pulled two glass jars out of my pack, placing them on the mantle. They glowed with a silvery, moonlight radiance, giving the room an unearthly sheen.
 
"What are those?"
 
"Dried flowers from a dusk-blooming chokevine," I answered absently, while I fastened the door securely. "They absorb natural magic and use it to glow in the dark."
 
"They're beautiful."
 
"Thanks." I'd made them myself, cautiously gathering full blooms from the dangerous plants in the forest and drying them carefully before packing them into glass phials and sealing the lids tightly. As long as I'd done my work well, they ought to glow for years, fueled only by ambient magic.
 
"Cherry, I'm going into the caves for a half-hour or so. You stay here and wait for me." I set out some of my food; since I wasn't camping, I wouldn't need it. "If you get hungry, eat this. There's water over there." I waved to the cask I'd left last time. "If you get bored, you can play with my experiment over there." I nodded to my proto-synth. "You okay with that?" She nodded and I turned to the trapdoor, one of the bloom jars in my hand. "Thanks. I'll be back soon."
 



 
The flashing caught my attention.
 
I looked at my watch, and found the alarm I'd set for leaving was going off, the night-light blinking warning. I sighed and turned back to the entrance.
 
I'd managed to find a good-sized stalactite. It hadn't taken long to knock down. However, the hammering meant the Caverns were vibrating fiercely. I would be glad to hear again, but I'd been mapping and may have found the entrance to another section. Which would have been much more exciting if I'd had the whole weekend to explore.
 
No way to know now, though.
 
I'd also found several quartz crystals. None as nice as the one I'd tricked Rarity into buying, but Vinyl would still be excited. The harder rock had much better audio properties.
 
"Cherry?" I climbed out of the trapdoor, and let it fall closed. For a second I was afraid she'd gone, but quickly realized I still had earplugs in. I tweaked them out.
 
I turned, hearing a tinkling noise behind me. The young pegasus was picking notes out on my experimental instrument, staring blankly into the distance.
 
"Cherry?" She started as I nudged her. "I'm back. We need to get moving."
 
"Ok." She gave the instrument a regretful look.
 
"You can keep that, if you like." I offered. She lit up immediately. "I'll carry it for you." I tucked the framework into my pack, carefully placing it on top of the stone, wrapped in blanket in an attempt to muffle it. It seemed to be work. She yawned. I retrieved the second bloom jar and led the way out into the bright sunlight.
 



 
An hour or so later, I noticed she was limping slightly.
 
I mentally cursed myself; what had I been thinking? Of course she wasn't used to hiking for hours. Besides being a child, she was a pegasus!
 
"Do your feet hurt?"
 
"I'm Ok!"
 
"Listen." I stopped. "Cherry, I've been trying to make this clear for a while now, but I don't want you to hurt yourself! Be honest, now; do your feet hurt?"
 
"A bit."
 
"Hmmm." I checked the sky. I hadn't factored breaks into our trip. If we stopped often, we wouldn't make it back before dark. We could probably make Zecora's, but I didn't want to ask a filly to stay overnight at somepony else's house. Besides, her parents expected her. "No help for it." I shrugged. "I'll carry you."
 
"Huh?"
 
"We need to move faster than this. Unless it really bothers you, I'll give you a piggyback ride. We should make better time, and you'll be able to get off your hooves."
 
"O-oh."
 
"Um…if you really don't want to, we can keep walking."
 
"N-no. It's ok."
 
"Hold still, then." I carefully picked her up and slung her over my shoulders in what would have been a fireman carry for a human. Her feathers tickled my neck. I'd carefully placed her hurt wing outwards. She was lighter than I expected, being a pegasus, but still wasn’t a trivial burden. I wouldn't have tried this with Applejack. At least not for a three-hour hike. "You Ok?" I turned my head; her nose brushed mine.
 
"Yeah." She spoke softly into my ear. "I'll be Ok."
 
"Off we go, then. Tell me if you need a break."
 



 
"Well, I did not expect that."
 
We stood in front of Ponyville. I'd carried Cherry out of the Everfree, putting her down when we neared the village after confirming her hooves were feeling better. The whole way she'd bombarded me with questions about humans. I'd answered with short breaths, trying to conserve my energy for hiking, but she'd continued insistently.
 
Ponyville, however, wasn't very welcoming today. For some reason a huge dome covered the whole thing. I thumped it with my fist. Thrumming ripples spread from the impact.
 
I waited, but nothing happened.
 
"Stay here…or, actually, hide." I motioned for Cherry to get out of sight. "We have an hour or so before sundown. I'm going to circle to the left a bit; maybe there's a way in elsewhere. If not, we're going to Zecora's. She'll put us up for the night if need be." I slipped my pack off, setting it beside her.
 
"I want to come too!"
 
"How are your hooves? We have more walking to do later."
 
"They're feeling better…"
 
"I'm going to jog. Can you keep up?"
 
"I'll stay." She hung her head, disappointed.
 
You're waaaay to focused on me… I set off at a light jog, planning to cover as much as I could as fast as I could. While I ran, I tried to puzzle out Cherry's actions. They just didn't make sense to me. She followed me around, interfered in my business, but was crushed by my disapproval and practically floated on a kind word? What was going on here? I studied the town as I ran, freed from the weight of my pack. Still need to take up jogging.
 



 
"Did you find anything?" Cherry greeted me with a smile and wave as I returned.
 
"Nope." I shrugged. "But there are decorations strung up, something about 'The Great and Powerful Trixie.'"
 
"Oh." She made a glum face. "Her."
 
"I'm sensing a story here."
 
"Well, here's what happened last time…"
 



 
"So, wait. Tell me more about these star-beasts."
 
I'd been shocked by the description. I always looked for parallels between Equestria and the Earth I knew, trying to deduce the resographical connections, but this was particularly strong one. An Ursa Major and Minor? Even my scant knowledge of Earth constellations pinged at that.
 
"Sorry, that's all I know." Cherry hung her head, shamefaced.
 
"Oh. Well, nevermind then. Um." I wracked my brain, looking for a different topic of conversation. "Uh, last time, when we escaped that alleyway together, you wanted to ask me something, but Twilight interrupted. What was that?" I recalled her shoving her journal into my hands, and stammering a question, right before disappearing.
 
"Oh! Well…" She paused, nervously glancing around. "I was wondering if you could write down some human names for me."
 
"Like, a human version of your pony name?"
 
"Oh! That would be really cool! But…I actually meant just some names that humans use. Your name, Wesley, is different from pony names, and I thought that was way cool. But does my name have a human version?"
 
"Actually, it kinda does." I rubbed my jaw, thinking. "See, there are lots of different languages in the human countries. Most human names come from another language, so while they do have meanings, they're much more obscure. My name actually means 'of the west field'. There's a language where Cherry Blossom is a name. I don't know much, but I think I know the word for it."
 
"Really? What is it?" She bounced a few steps, excited.
 
"Sakura. Maybe. If I remember right."
 
"Oooooo." She grinned, hugely pleased with the name. "So! Call me Sakura from now on."
 
"If you insist." I waved. "There's Zecora's firelight ahead. We're almost there." The forest was starting to grow dim; we were right on the edge of dangerous territory. But we'd made it, and nothing would bother us at Zecora's. As I turned, she stumbled and fell, landing heavily.
 
"Owch!" She climbed slowly to her feet.
 
"Are you Ok?" I looked down, worriedly. I'd pushed her a lot farther than a young pegasus was used to.
 
"Phooey." She brushed herself with her good wing. "I got leaves in my mane." She smiled demurely up at me. "Pick them out for me?" She arched her neck, inviting my assistance. I almost complied, but something stayed my hand.
 
Didn't Rarity say something about this…? I cast my thoughts back, to when I'd saunaed with Rarity. We'd spent a while discussing the difference between human courtship and pony courtship. Some things were the same; giving flowers and candy, for instance. Some things were very different. Hugs could be very casual for ponies. On the other hand, grooming, especially grooming a mane….suddenly, the way Cherry Blossom had been acting all day snapped into focus.
 
She has a crush on me. I froze, mind whirling. I had no idea how to deal with this. I wasn't a 'smooth operator'. I didn't think of myself as loquacious or eloquent, although I knew I could turn a phrase occasionally. I had very little experience with romance; my one attempt, back on Earth, had been an unmitigated disaster, and I'd avoided it since, waiting until I was a bit more mature. I didn't want to hurt Cherry, but I didn't want to send mixed messages, either.
 
"Isn't that a little…forward?" She deflated at my words. I winced; she'd obviously been psyching herself up, and my rejection hit her hard.
 
"Um-um-um-"
 
I dropped to one knee, and hugged her, both for comfort and to make sure she didn't bolt.
 
"Listen, Sakura." With a some effort, I picked her up like a child, and carried her towards Zecora's. "I don't know what you're feeling about me. But I want to be clear on this. I'm not getting involved in anything like that while I'm in Ponyville."
 
"But I just want to be part of your herd!" She mumbled into my shoulder. I nearly dropped her in shock. Resolving to investigate that idea later, I knocked on Zecora's door with my foot.
 
"Hello? Any zebras at this residence?"
 
"Oh, my far-flung friend." Zecora stuck her head out. "You've also been excluded from Ponyville?"
 
"Also?"
 
"Indeed. Come in, bring the filly, have some soup, and we four outcasts will hold council."
 
I stepped inside and found Twilight sitting by the fire. I gently set Cherry Blossom down and nodded to her. "Bad day?"
 
"You have no idea." She rolled her eyes. "I'll tell you later. But let's eat; my stomach's killing me." I nodded and joined the circle. Of course there would be enough. Zecora always had enough.
 



 
"So you plan to con her?"
 
It was late in the evening. The fire had burnt down completely; only coals were left. Zecora had piled our dirty dishes in the sink with her alchemical equipment, and curled up in the loft. Sakura had been tucked into the bed; Twilight and I were sitting by the fireplace, wrapped in blankets, conversing by the dull glow.
 
"Yeah. Flutttershy headed back into town. She'll alert the others."
 
"Cool."
 
"You really think so?"
 
"Hay yeah!" I crossed my arms. "There's no shame in using everything at your disposal. The ends do not justify the means, but 'fighting fair' is for chumps." I shrugged. "This seems fine to me. I mean, honestly; she's cheating with her booster thingamajig. Wonder how that works?"
 
"Beats me, but it's the real deal. Age spells are ridiculously difficult; I've barely touched geromancy."
 
"Huh." I glanced at the young pegasus, sleeping soundly. "So, I told you about Cherry Blossom. But I didn't mention the oddest thing that happened." I rubbed my eyes. "All day, I was trying to figure out why she was acting the way she did. Right before we got here, I think I figured it out. She-"
 
"She's got a crush on you."
 
I stared at Twilight, slack-jawed.
 
"What? How did you know?"
 
"Puh-lease, Wes. It's obvious from how she looks at you." She frowned. "She is a sweetie. You'd better not break her heart, Wesley Kilmer."
 
"I'll do my best to be kind." I shrugged, and sighed. "As we came down the path, she asked me to groom her mane."
 
"Ooo." Twilight frowned. "I'm surprised you caught that, honestly. You're pretty clueless."
 
"Pff, thanks. But, well, you're right. I only caught on because Rarity and I discussed it once. I brushed her off." I paused, as Twilight's eyes widened. "I mean, I brushed off her feelings, not her mane. She was really disappointed."
 
"No surprise there," she sighed, "but it's better than stringing her along. You're serious about not seeing ponies like that, right? You've said so several times."
 
"Totally." I nodded decisively. "The most I want from any pony is snuggles and friendship." I frowned. "Does that sort of thing happen much? Relationships between…well, <xenos>?"
 
"On and off." She waved a hoof. "It's not exactly common. But here and there."
 
"Huh." I thought of the second thing Sakura had said, and winced. "Um, this might be an awkward question, but after that, she mentioned something about…herds. Was she talking about…"
 
"Basically a marriage." Twilight shrugged. "But with more than two participants."
 
"Oh." I poked the fire. "Is that common?"
 
"Not so much anymore, but it still happens here and there. Ponies haven’t needed to focus on survival as much for the past thousand or so years, so things have slowly changed. I don't think it will die out, though; at least, not until somepony stops the rumors about the Royal Guard being full of handsome stallions because it’s Celestia's personal…well. Does the idea bother you? Surely it's not completely foreign. English has words for it, right? <Polyamory, harem>."
 
"<Harem> is not really the same…" I stopped, considering. "Well, most people-" don't do that, I almost said. But that was a very America-centered opinion. Lots of the world did do it, right? And America, of all places, had fringe groups. I frowned. Also, some of the people I'd met in school… "Actually, you know what? I guess it happened back on Earth just about as much, or maybe even more? But in my culture, there was a pretty strong taboo."
 
"Why?"
 
"Tradition, I guess." I shrugged. "I never really considered it. Although, now I do…" I thought of the way things often went for the guys I knew who tried maintaining several relationships at once. "You know what? I think most of the people I knew were just really bad at it."
 
"How so?"
 
"Like…" I waved a hand vaguely. "Mostly, it fell apart in pretty short order. It just doesn't seem like a good idea to me. Though, to be fair, a lot of them weren't very serious about relationships, either."
 
"It does take a lot of investment, from everypony involved. Still, it has advantages." Twilight yawned. "Anyways, I’m bushed." She gave me a soulful look. "Do you want some pony snuggles?"
 
"Well, I won't say no." I curled up in my blanket and we set our backs against each other, sharing what warmth was left from the fire as we drifted off to sleep