Artex slept as peacefully as he could ever remember. He slowly awoke to encompassing warmth all over. The blankets were the perfect insulator against the prevalent morning chill which spread all over the mountain. He snuggled up closer to the warm, fuzzy pillow he was spooning. He pulled it tightly against his chest and stomach and he felt his morning erection press firmly against it. As he snuggled up and slowly came awake his thoughts drifted, 'Man this pillow is awesome... kind of firm though... and... fuzzy... and... warm... and... b... breathing?' he blinked open his eyes to the sight of an ear nestled upon a black and white stripped head with long mane flowing down around it like water.
Artex slowly propped himself up on his right elbow and looked down on his bed mate as recognition slowly dawned on him,
"... Oriana!?" he asked out loud.
The Zebra's eyes shot open and she raised her head an immense blush reddening her cheeks,
"I... I'm s... sorry. I fell asleep." her ears flattened, "I never meant to..."
Artex rolled out of the bed and landed on his feet right on the floor, his hands immediately brushing through his hair,
"It's fine!" he said hastily, "It's fine." if he was being honest he spoke more for his benefit than her's.
Oriana's eyes drifted to his mid region and she turned her head away shyly,
"Is that why you wear clothes all the time?" she asked quietly.
Artex looked down and his cheeks tinted brilliantly red. It was one thing to play a prank, like he had the previous morning, but it was another thing entirely to have his schlong stared at by somebody he had just slept with, even if nothing happened. He had never shared a bed with any female he was not married to and the situation was startling to say the least. What he was feeling was beyond awkward and Artex found himself extremely embarrassed. His hands flew to cover his crotch as he turned away from Oriana's virgin eyes.
"It's... normal for Human males... in the morning... look, just keep your eyes turned away so I can get dressed please!" Artex said nervously.
Oriana giggled and politely shielded her already averted eyes with her left forehoof. Artex dashed around the room frantically picking up his clothes and slipping them on, not necessarily in the proper order. Once he had the clothes in hand, he dashed into the bathroom and slammed the door behind him. He whipped off his clothes and hopped into the shower. He needed a shower.
As he turned on the hot water and ran it through the shower head he began scrubbing vigorously while thinking about the unusual and highly awkward situation where he had found himself, 'That was SO embarrassing! My... I was poking her in the flank with... myself. It's weird, I feel like such a pervert now, but yesterday I didn't care when I freaked out that maid. It's the same thing, but it feels so different somehow. Maybe because I was the instigator yesterday?'
He finished washing and turned off the water then wrapped a towel around himself. He stepped up to the sink and mirror and ran hot water so he could shave, 'Alright the big question this morning is: 'Why was she in my room in the first place?' he pondered the question while he lathered up some soap on his face then began to run the straight razor over his moistened mug, 'Wait a second, when I spoke with Anduria and Evitte yesterday they offered me a gift and I asked for knowledge and wisdom. They also mentioned that Oriana was old enough for them to choose her path and she had not done so yet, which was why she didn't speak. Yet she spoke this morning. The three paths were service, traveling, or... oh no! No, no, no, no, no, no! Don't tell me... did I end up in some strange arranged MARRIAGE because of what I asked for!?'
He dropped the razor and ripped open the bathroom door. Oriana was standing at the desk in the room writing something with a pencil in her mouth. At the sound of the bathroom door opening, she turned toward the sound only to see Artex standing there in a towel with half his face clean of whiskers and the other half still covered with lather and looking distraught.
"Are we married?" he asked loudly.
Oriana was so surprised by his outburst she dropped the pencil out of her mouth,
"No!"
Artex' body sagged with relief,
"Oh thank God."
"Why..." Oriana's question was interrupted by the bathroom door slamming closed, "Would you think that?" she finished, speaking to the empty room.
Within the bathroom Artex sighed, relieved that he had not gotten himself into another pickle,
"Okay," he said in a breathy voice, "If not marriage and she's still talking then it must be a service or traveling. Honestly either one works just fine." he decided to let the matter drop for the moment, promising himself to bring it up with Oriana after he was finished shaving and brushing his teeth.
Seven minutes later Artex finished with the bathroom, still with the towel wrapped around his waist. He opened the door and looked around. Oriana was still writing on the same piece of paper on the desk. Ignoring the Zebra mare for the moment, Artex grabbed his clothes off the bathroom floor and carried them over and set them on the bed.
"The bathroom is free if you need to use it." Artex said offhandedly while he focused on his clothes on the bed.
The sound of the bathroom door closing was the only answer he needed.
By the time Oriana finished her morning routine Artex was dressed and ready to talk.
He sat himself on the bed and looked at the Zebra mare with a smile,
"I apologize for everything that happened earlier," he began, "It was startling and I wasn't expecting it. Okay now, I'm not upset or anything, just to be clear. You probably waited in here for quite a while and you just fell asleep. I can't blame you for that. The interview did take a bit longer than I had planned. So," he said clapping the palms of his hands together, "I admit to being a bit confused about this situation. When I asked for knowledge and wisdom, I expected a book or something. However seeing as you're here, is it safe to assume that you chose or were chosen to stay and provide the knowledge and wisdom I asked for?"
Oriana blinked and cocked her head,
"Yes. My grandmother and mother both agreed that a time of service would be good for me. It would give me a chance to see the world and when I am finished I can come home and continue my life or stay on as long as you will have me. Why did you ask if we were..." she swallowed hard, "Married? Is... is there a custom with Humans that evokes a state of marriage if two sleep in the same bed?"
Artex shook his head at the frightened looking Zebra,
"Not unless somebody starts up a 'common law' bill." he waved his right hand dismissively, "Don't worry about it Oriana. Let's head on out and get something to eat. We can discuss specifics over breakfast. Sound good?"
Oriana nodded,
"Very much so. I am quite hungry."
Artex stood up from the bed and headed for the door,
"Come on, let's go see if Razor is awake yet."
Artex opened the door and held it open for Oriana then closed it behind her. The maid from the previous day was nowhere to be seen but Artex felt confident he had a solid 3% chance of finding the dinning room again without her. He walked over to Razor's door and knocked twice. Razor Wit opened the door almost immediately, indicating that she was about to leave also. She smiled up at Artex then her eyes drifted down to Oriana.
"Oh hello, Oriana was it?" Razor asked politely, "I would have thought you went back home with your mother and grandmother."
Oriana shook her head,
"I am afraid not miss Razor Wit. They both decided I would be better working with you and Emissary Artex Rias."
Artex chuckled as Razor turned and looked back up at him curiously,
"Believe me I was startled as all hell this morning. See last night I was so tired that I stripped off all my clothes and just crawled into bed. Then I wake up this morning and I realize I'm all cuddled up to Oriana here. Can you say awkward?"
Razor's expression twitched for only the most brief of moments before she schooled her expression back to her usual casual half smile,
"Well it could have been worse. At least nothing happened."
Artex rubbed the back of his neck and averted his eyes,
"Well... I was naked and everything, but no, nothing happened. I will say this though, mornings are... firm for me."
It took Razor a few seconds to put the pieces together, but once she did her countenance fell drastically,
"Artex Rias," she spoke very quietly, "Do you mean to tell me that you..." she drifted off and took a deep breath, "You know what, never mind." she closed her eyes and turned her head away taking four slow deep breaths before composing herself, "Nothing happened. Nothing happened so... nothing happened. Let's just... get to breakfast."
Razor turned and headed away from Artex and Oriana,
"Did I do something..." Artex mumbled.
* * *
Kolo Calvin leaned casually against the side of Town Hall as people and Ponies lined up to receive keys to their new homes. The entirety of the C.W.G. was present and satisfied looks were being subtly exchanged all around by the Officers. The Community Welfare Guardians had been awake all night and had quietly guided every delivery Pegasus to each and every new home in the town. Princess Celestia had arranged for every home to receive a substantial care package which included everything a new home would need. Furniture like beds and couches, kitchenware like pots and pans and silverware and plates, bedroom furnishings like beds and frames and dressers, bathroom necessities like shampoos and soaps and towels, as well as massive gift baskets full of food and drink had been hustled into every house the previous night. Not a single soul had been the wiser and the C.W.G. Officers were waiting until people started going into their houses.
There was some colossal new mysterious construction going on in the forest beyond the fields to the North, but nobody was concerned with it; they wanted to see their new homes.
The air was charged with excitement. Everybody had been waiting months for this day. The rule was that you received your key and waited outside your house until one of the Pegasi set off a thunder clap then everybody could go on in. The system Morris had devised was streamlined and efficient. People and Ponies waited in line until they made their way to the front. Once there they signed their names on the appropriate lines and received an information packet that they had to return within one week. They would receive their keys then make room for the next person in line. The Community Welfare Guardians had all agreed to receive their keys and house assignments last.
The New Humansville General Hospital building was completed and Bobby and Leo had been helping the medically trained Ponies carry crates of equipment in to set up. The different wings served a multitude of functions and the emergency room was capable of housing twenty patients at a time. The bank had been fully stocked and furnished and the C.W.G. had no complaints that the bank management decided to bring in their own security force. The bank employees were nervous around the Humans but they had not caused any problems yet. A small apartment complex had been constructed for inexpensive housing and the bank employees took up almost every single space. The mental health facility was nearing completion and two Psychologists, a Psychiatrist, and two Councilors had already been scheduled to arrive in the evening.
More than four dozen shops and restaurants had gone up and already Humans and Ponies had budding business relationships. A part of the care package for every Human citizen was a bank account filled with five thousand bits so businesses would begin regular patronage quickly and the town's economy was preparing to kick-start. The citizens of New Humansville had all agreed on an appropriate amount for sales taxes as well as the National tax paid every year. Financial compensation had been discussed between employees and employers and thus far everybody was ready to begin. The businesses would open for their first customers the following morning. The talk of the business community had been the restaurant and lounge that Alex Ludwig had spent his bits to purchase and prep. He had petitioned for access to his account early and his request had been granted. It was to be the first restaurant in all of Equestria to cater to every sort of species. Alex had spent almost every bit he had to order cookbooks with recipes from every nation he could find. He also had the only restaurant to serve authentic Human and Changeling cuisine.
Town Hall was being prepped for renovation. The C.W.G. needed a proper base of operation and they had agreed with a vote that they needed a building dedicated to them and for housing suspects. Town Hall was to be the center of the town government while the C.W.G. Headquarters would be a separate building. Captain Joyner had received word that some sort of armor was going to be shipped within the next couple of days. He had no idea what to expect, but when he mentioned it in an Officer's meeting Vacca had snickered conspiratorially. Mike had yet to pull an explanation out of Chris, but he was certain he had something to do with the new armor.
Mike had been working hard on the academic aspects of the Officer training program. He had seen Darryl, Eduardo, and Bobby working on their own aspects of the training program. They would begin the official training as soon as the last Human, Pony, or Changeling was settled into a home. The topic of equipment and weaponry carried by the C.W.G. Officers had come up several times recently and Mike had been working with Cessily on a proper load out which would be for standard issue to all Officers. The Kavim Officers looked like they were going to have an easier time with equipment because none of them would need a weapon and Mike once again thanked his lucky stars that every patrol would be walked by one Kavim and one Human. Already three mares had applied to join the ranks of the Community Welfare Guardians and while it would be a significant adjustment for the stallions, the Humans were sure to have no issue with it and their attitude would hopefully rub off on the hesitant stallions.
Kolo watched as the last of the line entered Town Hall. He leaned off the wall and casually strode into the municipal building. People and Ponies were lined up in front of almost every house and the sound of their excited voices could be heard for blocks away. The massive young man smiled hugely as the last Pony received their key and departed. Alana and Vaiawa had asked to be housed together and had likewise been accepted as housemates to Bobby Jewel. The Officers of the Community Welfare Guardians lined up and received the keys to their own homes.
With every resident cleared and eagerly waiting to see their new homes, emotions were running high. Many of the Humans were so relieved and excited they openly wept for joy. The weather Pegasi flew overhead and landed on their clouds, ready and awaiting for their signal to sound their assigned thunderheads.
The tension built in the air and finally the signal was given.
*BOOM*
Humans and Ponies dashed toward the doors of their new homes.
* * *
A lone messenger peeked out of the edge of the Emerald Forest and stared East toward Canterlot shaking in trepidation. She clenched her fists and adjusted her impromptu skirt. She was determined to finish what she started.