It felt strange being back inside of Sugarcube Corner. Tarnish was huddled into a corner booth, mindful of the amulet around his neck, which happened to be a pleasant shade of blue at the moment. He was quiet, subdued, and not saying much.
Across from him, Maud and Pinkie Pie were together. Pinkie Pie was pressed against Maud, Maud had her forelegs around Pinkie Pie, and Maud’s chin was resting on top of Pinkie Pie’s head. Maud looked every bit the bigger, older, more protective sister.
Between the three of them, sitting on the table, there was the remains of the cold lunch platter. Assorted salty pickled vegetables, cheese slices, a fine selection of greens, and piles of fresh pita bread. It was not a common menu selection for Sugarcube Corner, as most ponies came in here for delicious treats and to pig out.
“Aaaand… ear hug!” Pinkie Pie’s face contorted into one of concentration, her tongue sticking out from her effort, and her eyes peered upwards, trying to watch her ears. After a moment of effort, both ears pressed into the sides of Maud’s cheeks, and Pinkie Pie performed her ear hug.
Unable to help himself, Tarnish laughed. The leg covered in a cast rested upon the table, his other leg was lifted and he covered his mouth with his hoof as he chortled. He could see a twinkle in Pinkie Pie’s bright blue eyes, a special happiness that Pinkie Pie seemed to experience only when Maud was around. It was something that Tarnish understood; Maud made him happy as well. There was something about the three of them together, the time spent together, Tarnish never wanted it to end.
“You’re feeling a sense of belonging and family,” Pinkie Pie said as she stared Tarnish in the eye. “I bet it’s confusing, but you’ll get used to it.”
“What?” Snorting, startled, Tarnish sat up, now feeling unsettled.
“You heard me.” Pinkie Pie winked and then wiggled against her sister.
After just having sat up, Tarnish slumped down in the booth. Pinkie Pie had peered inside of his head again. He watched as Maud’s hoof made little circles against Pinkie Pie’s barrel, just over her heart. It occurred to him that he missed the other members of the Pie family.
“You did good, Maud.”
“Mmm hmm.”
Tarnish stared at the remains of lunch. He spotted a sliver of pickled beet. Lifting it up, he stuffed it into his mouth and gobbled it down. He ate a little more cheese and as he was chewing, the door to Sugarcube Corner opened and a pony walked in.
The earth pony was disheveled looking, wearing a robe, and appeared to be distracted. He stood in the doorway for a full minute, blinked, and then walked over to where Tarnish was sitting. Tarnish, watching him approach, felt nervous. This was one of his mother’s friends, Tarnish realised he recognised this pony. It was one of the ponies that he suspected of being his—
“Hey, man... are you Tarnished Teapot?” the pony asked, interrupting Tarnish’s thoughts.
Man? What an odd word. Tarnish felt a little confused by the lackadaisical question. He glanced at Maud and Pinkie, and then his eyes returned to the pony speaking to him. “Yes, I am he.”
“Far out, man… has it really been sixteen years? Where does the time go?” the pony said to himself. “Man, you’re doing great for yourself. Two mares on a lunch date. I feel kinda proud.”
Tarnished Teapot felt a growing tension in his stomach and he stared at the earth pony standing just a few feet away. “I can’t remember your name.”
“My name is Jeff Letrotski. Professional bowler and rug merchant. I have a knack for bringing a room together. This place could use a rug.”
“Mister Letrotski, what is your purpose here?” Maud asked in a flat monotone.
“Man, I don’t know what my purpose is. Can anypony truly say what their purpose is?” Jeff blinked and looked confused; overwhelmed even. “This pony abides. I guess that is my purpose.” Turning, Jeff Letrotski wandered off, muttering to himself as he approached the door.
“Wait,” Tarnish cried out. “You’re my mother’s friend… are you…” Try as he might, Tarnish could not bring himself to say the words.
Jeff Letrotski paused at the door. “We all have dreams, man. Pinny Lane had a pretty far out dream, a dream she so loved. I never shared that dream, but I loved her for having it.”
“Then why are you here?” Maud asked.
“I just checked in to see what condition my condition was in,” Jeff Letrotski replied. He then pushed open the door, stepped outside, and then was gone.
Staring, Tarnish sat there, feeling an odd sensation in his chest as the tears began welling up in his eyes. The tightness grew unbearable, but it was more than tightness. It was as if a crushing weight had been placed upon him and he found it difficult to breathe.
“This has become a bad scene for Tarnish. Maud, get him out of here and get him some place private,” Pinkie Pie said, squirming around to glance at her sister. “Tarnish, are you okay?”
“No,” Tarnish replied in a strangled voice. “No…”
“I’m tempted to go after him and give him a—”
“Maud, Tarnish needs you.” Pinkie Pie was turned around now, and looking Maud in the eye. “I think you need a timeout Maud… you look angry. He’s not worth it, Maud.” Pinkie Pie patted her sister. “I’ve never seen you look so angry. Maud, I’m kinda worried for you now… look, I’m going to ask for the afternoon off, and we’ll all get out of here, and you can look after Tarnish, and I’ll look after you, and everything will be okay.”
Pinkie looked over at Tarnish and could see that his eyes were squeezed shut. His necklace was also a somewhat darker shade of blue. Pinkie Pie felt a growing sense of alarm, and her Pinkie Sense was screaming at her that it was long past time to flee the scene. The sapphire stone seemed to grow darker as Pinkie Pie looked at it.
“Maud, help me, we need to get Tanish out of here now.”