If there was one thing Spitfire and Rainbow Dash had come to learn about musicians in their time hanging out with Kale, Sky, and Niko, it was that there was never just one song. After Sky and Kale had given them a quiet, slow acoustic piece to dance to, Niko and Kale almost immediately fell into their music. Their talons plucking at the strings of their guitars to form new songs that flowed from melancholic to jubilant. Spitfire and Rainbow could only watch in silent appreciation for the love that the brothers poured into their craft.
The music came to a rather abrupt end when one of Kale’s strings snapped with a loud twang. His hand recoiled from the guitar and a quiet curse escaped his beak. Niko simply chucked while Sky moved to her husband’s side.
“Ow! Son of a—” Kale growled, rubbing his sore wrist. “I hate it when they bite me.”
Sky reached out with her forelegs, gently taking his strumming hand between her hooves. “Here, let me see.” Inspecting the limb for a moment, Sky feigned a pout and gently kissed his palm. “Poor thing.”
“Get a room,” Niko teased them.
Sky answered by sticking her tongue out at her brother-in-law. “Technically we’re in a room.”
“Hardy har, Sky,” Niko said, though the corners of his mouth showed a modest smile. Standing up, he slung his guitar over his back and took Kale’s with his hand. “I’ll go put these away, be right back.”
“Wanna grab some drinks while you’re up?” Kale asked.
“You’re a big griffon now, Kale, you can get them.”
“But I got a boo-boo” the younger griffon pouted, holding up the offending limb.
Sky grinned as she snuggled up to Kale. “Yeah, Nik, have a heart!”
“You two give love a bad name. Alright, I’ll be just a minute.”
After Niko disappeared through the door, Spitfire, Rainbow, Sky, and Kale settled into a relaxed conversation. The subjects were not much more than simple small talk on topics ranging from weather management to life on a tight tour schedule. Rainbow had listened intently to that exchange. After all, she planned to be a Wonderbolt herself one day.
The elder griffon returned soon enough with four ciders and a glass of seltzer water with a lime wedge floating in it. He handed out the ciders to the mares in the room, starting with Rainbow and Spitfire. Once everyone had their drinks and was settled comfortably, he took his water and plopped into the cushy pillows with an audible sigh.
“You sure we can’t pay you for these?” Spitfire asked, “I’d hate to take advantage of your hospitality.”
Scoffing, Sky waved a hoof at the Wonderbolt in a dismissive manner. “It’s no biggie, we get this stuff for free.”
Spitfire raised her cup in a simple toast. “Fair enough.”
“You’re not gonna have any?” Rainbow asked Niko, feeling a little more relaxed now that the star-struck nerves were wearing off.
Niko shook his head and scratched his belly. “Nah, I don’t drink anymore.” His eyes shifted to Sky and his expression saddened. “Suffice to say it’s better that way.”
“So, Sky,” Spitfire started, trying to steer the conversation away from what she sensed was a sensitive topic. “What do you say to ponies that have a problem with…” Spitfire rolled her hoof in the air, vaguely gesturing to Sky and Kale. “You know...your relationship.”
After taking a moment to brush an errant tuft of mane from her eyes, Sky offered Spitfire a simple shrug. “I just smile, tell em to ‘have a nice day,’ and then I’m on my way.”
Kale, who had been lounging on the well fluffed pile of pillows sat upright as though he were possessed. “Babe, say that again?”
Sky leaned slightly back from her husband, her eyes widened from the surprising fervor behind his request. “Which part?”
“That thing you said you tell ‘em!” Kale’s left paw gesticulated wildly at the mare while he reached for a pencil and paper with his opposite paw.
“Have a nice day?”
“Yes!” Kale exclaimed, frantically writing the words down. “Gods above, this is why I love you, Sky!”
Sky chuckled and stuck her tongue out at her husband. “And here I thought it was because I was fantastic in the sack.”
“That’s certainly a perk!” Kale shot back, not missing a beat.
Niko simply rolled his eyes and shook his head with a quiet chuckle. He scratched at the back of his neck as he looked to Rainbow and Spitfire. “Watch out, they might forget we’re here and start screwing on the floor.
“Say, what are the chances you guys will be doing a show in Ponyville?” Rainbow asked Sky, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Cause that would be the best thing ever.”
“Where’s Ponyville?” Niko asked with a tilt of his head.
“Central Equestria, southwest of Canterlot.” Sky answered after a drink of her cider. “Pretty nice place from what I remember last time I was there.”
Rainbow nodded eagerly. “Yeah, it’s pretty awesome for a little town. You guys wouldn’t happen to be doing a show in that area anytime soon, would you?”
Sky tapped her chin with a hoof and thought for a moment. “Let’s see, we’re in Baltimare next week, Troton, Neighagra Falls, Vanhoover, Canterlot…hmm.” Her eyes snapped open and a bright toothy grin pulled her lips apart. “You know what, I think we are in Ponyville in a couple of months!”
“Oh my gosh!” Rainbow squealed, her hooves pressing her cheeks together. “That’s so awesome I could kiss you!”
Spitfire shot Sky a snarky grin. “If you don’t want it, I’ll take it.”
“Be my guest, mares ain’t my thang” Sky said with a good natured laugh.
The feverish writing ceased for a moment as Kale looked over to the mares. “I’ll give you a hundred bits to kiss Sky.”
Rainbow and Spitfire both leaned back in surprise as they exchanged a glance.
“Really?” Rainbow asked first.
“Really really,” Kale answered, ignoring Sky’s bemused glare.
“Why?” Spitfire followed up.
“Cause mares totally are my thang.” Kale said, waggling his eyebrows.