As soon as Rose Quill entered the living room, Wob Niar hit her with some questions.
“Why did-”
“I'm taking you out to get to know you better.” Rose explained. “If you're going to live with me, I'm going to get to know you. It's up to you if the dinner is romantic or friendly, though I suspect you want the former.”
Wob blushed. “How did-”
“Honey, not only am I myself an open fillyfooler, I date mares rather often. After a while, you get a sense for when a mare is into you.” Rose explained.
“But I'm-”
“You being a changeling doesn't bother me.” Rose said. “I don't judge ponies by what they are, rather who they are. And I can tell just by looking at you that you don't wish to harm anypony.”
“...How do you do that?!” Wob asked.
“This isn't the first time I sprung a date on somepony.” Rose explained. “It's my preferred method. And, as I said, whether it's a romantic or a friendly date rests on the mare I'm dating. Or griffon in one case.”
“You dated a griffon once?”
“Yeah. I don't quite remember her name, though. It started went alright, though nothing really came of it. Said something about needing to reconcile with an old friend or something.” Rose said.
“Huh.” Wob said. “So, er, where are we going?”
“First, the park.” Rose said. “Then, we'll hit up a bar afterwards.”
“Okay, that sounds kind of nice.” Wob said. She reached for her cloak, but Rose stopped her with a hoof.
“You won't be needing that.” Rose said.
“But what if-”
“I can protect you if somepony wished to harm you.” Rose said.
“But you're just a writer.” Wob said, unconvinced.
“Yes, but I am also a Knight of Harmony. Specifically, of Honesty.” Rose replied. “I don't think Trixie dumped you off here randomly.”
“Huh. So... Why are you called the 'Knights' of Harmony?” Wob asked. “Is it just for a night pun?”
Rose shook her head. “No, we have military training, all 6 of us. We're stronger, faster, and more agile than your average pony. Plus, I know 6 different ways to kill you right now, in this room, with just my hooves.”
Wob looked quite startled by the last part.
“Don't worry, I'm not going to attack you.” Rose said. “Unless you attack me first, obviously.”
Wob gulped.
“So, as I said, I can protect you. If it makes you feel better, I can get Radiant to stand guard during the picnic.” Rose said as she put a foreleg around Wob.
“Who's Radiant?”
“Radiant Silver. He's the head of the guard here at Crescent. He's also the Knight of Loyalty. Dependable, but doesn't have a sense of humor at all.” Rose said.
“Ah.” Wob replied. “So, he's my- er, Rainbow Dash's counterpart. Who are the others?”
“I'll tell you about them once we get to the park.” Rose replied as she went over to the kitchen and used her magic to grab a picnic basket.
“Sure, I guess.” Wob said.
- - -
Wob and Rose laid down on the checkered cloth, sharing a rose petal salad.
“So, I suppose I can start with the one you know already.” Rose said. “Trixie Lulamoon is the Knight of Magic. She's actually quite powerful, though her ego can get on my nerves at times. She's gotten better with it recently, at least.”
Wob chuckled.
“Anyways, then there's Generic Oblivious, Knight of Generosity.” Rose continued.
“Oh, I remember him.” Wob said. “Met him when I went to the bookstore last night.”
“Ah. Yeah, he's a good soul. He can be pretty hard on himself, though.” Rose said. “He hasn't even told me his real name. But, he's rather friendly and is always willing to help others.
“I already told you about the Knight of Loyalty, and I'm the Knight of Honesty. There's also the Knight of Kindness, Derpy Hooves.”
“Derpy?” Wob said, her head tilted. “She lives here? That's strange, in my world she lives in Ponyville as a mail carrier.”
“She does that here, too.” Rose said. “Well, she used to. Now she runs the local post office.”
“Nice.” Wob said with a smile.
“Yeah. Finally, there's the Knight of Laughter, Cheese Sandwich.” Rose said.
“Huh. I'm not all that surprised.” Wob said. “Is he a traveling party planner here, too?”
“Actually, he's a stand-up comic known for his music acts.” Rose replied. “Great guy, though a little bit oblivious at times.”
“Huh.” Wob said. “I wonder if I'm different in this universe?”
“Well, are you prideful?”
“Yeah.”
“Loyal?”
“Of course!”
Rose sighed sadly. “Suffering?”
Wob's smile faded. “What?”
“I didn't think so.” Rose said. “I haven't spoken with her much, but the few times I have... Well, she used to be so full of life and competitive. A real fun mare to know. But then... That filly died. I've seen the pain in Rainbow's eyes, she's hurting really bad.”
Wob cringed a little. “Who died?”
“She was a small filly, couldn't be more than 8 or so. I never met her personally, but from what was said about her, she was a lot like Dash. Trying various things to get her cutie mark.” Rose said, looking away. “I don't remember her name. She was orange, had a purple mane.”
Wob's jaw dropped. “Sc... Scootaloo?”
“I think that was it. She was in your 'verse too, wasn't she?” Rose said.
“Yeah...” Wob said, sniffling. “But she'll never see me again...”
Rose pulled Wob into a hug. “Don't worry. We'll find a way to get you back.”
“You think so?” Wob asked.
“I know so.” Rose affirmed. “Now, let's get your spirits up. Or drunk. Hopefully both.”
“Yeah, I could use a drink.” Wob sighed. Both mares stood up, and Rose gathered the blanket and the empty bowl, then placed both into the basket.
- - -
The skies were clear of clouds out on the open sea. The full moon's shimmering reflection wobbled on the water.
Soft hoofsteps behind her. Probably Fluttershy.
A pause, then intense pain in the middle of her back. She turned around to face her attacker, but she was pushed over the edge. Falling, falling towards the water below.
- - -
“GAH!” Wob screamed as she shot up, panting and sweating bullets.
“Wob, are you alright?” Asked a voice next to her. Rose put her hooves around Wob.
“Just a...” Wob said, panting, “Just a bad dream, that's all.”
“Would you like me to get you some water?” Rose asked.
“Yeah... I'd like that.” Wob said, nodding.
“Alright. Sit tight.” Rose said as she left the bed and went into the bathroom. After a moment, Wob heard the sound of a sink spewing water into a glass.
What was that? It was more than a bad dream. That was how she died.
Rose returned with the water, and helped Wob take a sip. “Thanks. By the way, what exactly happened last night?”
“You mean at the Frolicking Filly?” Rose asked.
“Yeah. It's kind of hazy.” Wob said, blushing.
“Oh. Well, not much. We got some drinks. I had vodka, you had hard cider. You got pretty drunk, so I helped you home. I let you sleep in my bed. It was cute, the way you kept trying to cuddle me.” Rose replied with a chuckle.
“Huh, I guess I did get pretty drunk, then.” Wob said a little nervously. “I didn't make any... 'advances', did I?
“Oh my yes.” Rose replied. “Not that it was unwelcome. I'm pretty curious what it would be like. But, I'd rather not take advantage of you like that. It's more fun when we're both sober anyways.”
“Shouldn't I have a hangover?” Wob realized.
“Oh,while you slept I cast a little spell on you to prevent that.” Rose said.
“Um, well, thanks.” Wob replied.
“Now let's get back to sleep.” Rose said.
Wob sighed and got back under the covers. After a pause, she snuggled up to Rose.
“Apparently you snuggle sober, too.” Rose said.
“Sorry... I'll probably have a hard time going back to sleep.” Wob admitted.
“'Cause of the dream?”
“Yeah.”
“Alright then.” Rose said as she put her hooves around the changeling. Wob blushed a bit.
The two stayed like that for what felt like hours before falling back asleep.