Kai frowned.
Kai sighed.
Kai was… confused.
He’d had breakfast with Trixie and Pinkie, and was now walking around Ponyville as the azure unicorn pointed out anything of interest. They’d been at it for what… an hour?
And yet.
Nopony had run away screaming in fear. Most had watched from a small distance, but they weren’t ducking and cowering away.
“Okay… what the hell is going on?” the human muttered and approached one mare. She had a cream-coloured coat and a two-tone pink and red mane.
“Excuse me?” he decided to try talking to one. “Hi there.”
“H-Hello?’ she replied with a shaky voice. “Can… I help you?”
“Just a little confused really,” Kai said. “If I could be so rude to ask. Why aren’t you running away from me?”
“H-Huh?” Roseluck blinked and then gasped. “Oh, the Mayor said you were okay, and this was just the Zecora Incident all over again.”
“Trixie will never get used to the idiocy this town will sink to,” the unicorn sighed. “What is there to fear when Trixie is here?”
“Trixie, you ran away from one of Fluttershy’s bears only a week ago,” Roseluck deadpanned.
“And you and your sisters faint at the sight of a bunny stampede,” Trixie shot back. “Pot. Kettle. Black.”
“Equestria is weird,” Kai shook his head and nodded to Roseluck. “Well, if you’re all cool now, that makes my life a little easier. Thank you Miss…?”
“Roseluck, part owner of Dream Valley Flowers,” she smiled. “My sisters Daisy and Lily help as well.”
“Well, if I ever need flowers, I’ll stop by,” Kai said and Rose handed him one of her namesakes.
“A little sample, you’ll not find anything more delicious.”
‘Delicious?’ Oh, ponies ate flowers. Well, he could always give it to Twilight or something. He nodded and tucked it into his bag that Rarity had lent him before he and Trixie went on their way.
“So, the goal is to find you a job yes?” Trixie tapped her chin. “Rarity said she’d look into it. But one must always keep their eyes and ears open. No harm in looking ourselves.”
“True enough,” Kai smiled. “Plus you’re pretty cool Trixie. I wouldn’t mind hanging out with you for a while.”
Trixie stumbled and faceplanted when he said that, before quickly righting herself. “W-Well of course Trixie is cool. Trixie shall credit you for realising that so soon.”
“So… why do you do that?” Kai asked as they walked. “Referring to yourself in the third person?”
“Trixie does not know what you mean,” she said unconvincingly.
Kai figured she didn’t want to talk about it and dropped the subject for now. “Alright then Trix. Where should we start?”
“T-Trix?” she blushed lightly at the nickname. “Well, should we try Sweet Apple Acres? Trixie believes that Applejack is always looking for willing farmhooves… er, whatever it is you have.”
“Farm work, yeah. No.” Kai crossed his arms in an ‘X’ shape. “No way am I fit enough or willing enough to do farm work.” Though the sheer irony of ponies running a farm made him smile.
“Well, how about Sugarcube Corner?” Trixie suggested.
“If I could bake,” he replied. “I can cook a few things at a subpar standard. But I’m no Masterchef. So yeah, pass.”
“You are difficult to please,” Trixie snorted. “Hmm, how about…”
They spent the next few hours wandering around, asking a few places for something to do. But they either were too wary of Kai to hire him, or the human flat out refused the work. He had quite the aversion to anything outdoor related.
“Trixie… gives up,” she sighed as she fell onto the grass. They’d gone to the park to rest for a bit, but the unicorn was done.
“The video arcade would have been a cool place to work too,” Kai sighed as he recalled the retro-looking place. Sure, they had video games alright. But they seemed to have only gotten as far as 16 or 32 bit games.
The PS4 would blow their little pony minds.
“Well, thanks for helping me Trix. Even if today was a total bust, we still had fun right?”
“Trixie agrees that today was well spent. Trixie has been feeling… out of sorts lately. Too many shows and not enough time to just… unwind.”
“Don’t you have friends to hang out with?” Kai asked, yeah, like he was one to talk.
“A few, but Trixie is always busy with the library, or out of town with performances. Trixie… does not have much time for friends.”
“Whereas I thought friends themselves were just a waste of time,” Kai admitted. “Well, until I met Twilight. And even then, I dunno… I guess I just couldn’t connect well with others.” And then he came to Equestria, the land of adorable tiny horses. “But here? I like they way things are here. There’s no… pretentiousness around you ponies.”
“Clearly you have not seen all of Canterlot then,” Trixie snorted.
“Probably not, but every pony that I’ve met seems pretty nice. So, I guess we could be friends if you want?”
Trixie rolled over in the grass and looked at him. “Trixie… would like that.”
Thou are I and I art thou.
Thou hast befriended a member of the Magician Arcana…
“Yeah, right,” Kai snorted and shook his head. “Well cool. Friends then.” He held out a fist and Trixie bumped it with a hoof.
Twilight frowned.
Twilight sighed.
Twilight... screamed in frustration and tossed her book across the room.
“Darling,” Rarity said with a weary sigh. “Do try and calm down. Why on Equus are you grunting like one of Applejack pigs?”
“This portal… is really… GAH!!” She’d left a lot of her notes in Canterlot, and thus, had to make do with what she could remember.
“Why don’t you go and get some fresh air?” Rarity suggested. ‘And I can get some peace and quiet in which to work’
“That’s a good idea,” Twilight agreed and got to her hooves, stretching not unlike a cat. “Do you want me to get some groceries?”
“That sounds wonderful,” Rarity nodded and produced a list. She added a few more items, as well as a note for Pinkie Pie.
‘Twilight is upset. Cheer her up will you?’
That should keep the alicorn busy for a while~
Twilight took the list and note and trotted outside, taking a deep breath and walking towards the market.
Or she would have.
Had a golden chariot not caused her to dive to one side and avoid the obituary pages.
“HOHMYGOSH!” A pair of hooves helped Twilight to her hooves, dizzily trying to clear her mind as the pony checked her over. “I told the driver to watch out. I swear they just don’t listen sometimes…”
“Wha…” Twilight shook her head and halted the pony with her magic to get a look at her. “Wait… I know you…”
“Lieutenant Flash Step,” the mare would have saluted if she wasn’t floating in the alicorn’s magical grip. “A pleasure to meet you again your Highness.”
“Kai’s friend…” Twilight blinked and then smiled. “Well, aside from that close call. It’s nice to see you again, but what are you-”
“We come bearing gifts!” Flash Step smiled as a second chariot landed, one laden down with several large crates. A white unicorn stepped off of it and looked around.
“Well, this place is certainly… rustic,” Blueblood mentioned. “Good afternoon Princess Twilight. I hope you are well?”
“For the most part,” Twilight said and winked at Flash, who just blushed and giggled nervously. “But… what is all this?”
“Princess Celestia sent us,” Step smiled and pointed at the crates. “That there, is all your research and materials from Canterlot.”
Twilight’s eyes slowly widened as she stared at the mare. “Y-You're serious?”
“We do not jest Princess,” Blue added. “Auntie Celestia has spent the last two days seeing to it that every scrap was packed and meticulously labelled.”
“This… This is…” Twilight grabbed the nearest pony, that being Flash Step and planted a kiss on her lips. “Thank you sosososo much! This helps me out more than you could know!”
Flash Step just blushed profusely and touched her lips with a hoof.
A thought occurred and Twilight frowned. “But this won’t fit inside Rarity’s home. Not by a long shot…”
Then...
Twilight had an idea.
“So you beat this ‘Ursa Major’ thing? All by yourself?” Kai asked as he and Trixie walked back to Rarity’s boutique.
“Indeed I did, t’was a feat of magical might the likes of which you have never seen!” Trixie boatsed and smirked widely. “Perhaps I could regale you with other tales of greatness?”
“Maybe,” Kai said as something caught his eye. “Hey, what do you suppose all that is?” he asked, pointing at the chariots outside the boutique.
“Curious,” Trixie tilted her head. “Trixie does not know…”
“TRIXIE!” Twilight called and then teleported in front of her, causing her and Kai to stumble backwards. “Trixie, I need your help! The library. Are you using the basement right now for anything?”
“The library has a basement?” Trixie asked, answering that question. “W-Well, perhaps I am. What of it?”
“Please,” Twilight said. “I need a place to do my research and the library’s basement is the perfect size. It should still have soundproof charms, so noise won’t be a bother. And you’ll barely know I’m there. I could even teleport in and out!”
“And pray tell, why should Trixie do you this favour?” she said haughtily.
“Cause we’re friends now?” Kai stepped in and put a hand on her head. “She’s researching a way for me to visit my home again. So… please?”
Trixie frowned
Trixie sighed.
“The Great and Powerful Trixie… will allow the use of her basement,” she finally said. “In return, you, Twilight Sparkle, shall owe Trixie a favour of her choosing.”
“I fear I’m making a deal with a demon,” Twilight muttered under her breath and held out a hoof. “Okay Trixie, you have yourself a deal.”
Trixie shook her hoof and looked at the chariots. “You there, servants. Take that to the library in the center of town.”
“S-Servant?” Blueblood spluttered and Flash Step facehooved.
“Here we go,” she sighed and rolled her eyes. She motioned for the drivers to follow her, she was going to avoid this shitstorm as quickly as possible.
“I am no servant!” the stallion spat as he stepped closer to Trixie. “I am Prince Blublood, you-you common showhorse!”
“Showhorse!?” Trixie puffed herself up and glared at him. “You pompous, uncultured swine! I am the Great and Powerful Trixie!”
“Loud and Obnoxious Showpony!” Blueblood countered with all the grace and humility of a schoolyard foal.
“Prince Greasemane!”
“GGAAH!”
While that was going on, Twilight had teleported ahead to the library and was in the middle of setting everything up.
“The door is locked your Highness,” Flash Step said as she rattled the library door. “We’re going to have to wait for that unicorn mare to—”
“No time for that, we have research to do,” Twilight said as she unlocked it with her magic and strode inside, floating the crates behind her.
“And thus Twi becomes every JRPG protagonist ever made,” Kai muttered and shook his head. “Hey, should I start breaking all her vases and pots?”
“Why would you even do that?” Twilight asked as she looked for the basement door.
“Ma’am?” one of the guards asked Flash Step. “Did the Princess… just break and enter?”
“The Princess is levitating two tonnes of unknown magical equipment and artifacts,” Flash sighed and shook her head. “She can do whatever the hell she wants really.” Princess Celestia had warned her that ponies in this town were… unique.
“More like crazy if you ask me,” Step muttered.
“So, Steppy?” Kai asked as Twilight started moving a large, light up mirror that Trixie had haphazardly put in front of the basement door. “Wanna bet on who’s going to win out of Trixie and your brother?”
“Twenty bits says Bluey will win,” Flash said without missing a beat. “I have never met anypony more stubborn.”
“I dunno… Trixie looks…” Kai waved his hand in a small circle as he looked for the right word. “Scrappy. I’ll put twenty on her.”
“Deal,” Step nodded and the two bumped fists/hooves.
“Finally!” Twilight exclaimed as she got the door clear and swung it open. Kai shuddered a little, remembering the time they shared minds.
And the fact that one of her personalities was chained up in the basement…
“Well, why are you all just standing around?” Twilight asked as she walked inside.
“Because you’re doing all the work?” Kai suggested to no one in particular. It got a giggle out of Flash Step though. The guards were posted outside as Step and Kai followed the alicorn into the basement. It had definitely seen better days, as everything was covered in dust and cobwebs.
Flash Step noticed a significant decrease in Kai’s steps.
“Everything alright?” she asked.
“That’s… a lot of cobwebs,” he said, now stopping a third of the way down the stairs. “You know, I think I’ll go and, uh, the thing, that’s gotta be… yeah!” He turned and started walking stiffly up the stairs again.
“That’s… weird?” Flash tilted her head in confusion. “I wonder what that’s all about?”
“Flash Step?” Twilight had set the crates down, coughing at the dust they kicked up. “”Ack! W-Where’s Kai?”
“He just… left,” Flash replied. “Rather abruptly too.”
“Nopenopenope,” Kai said, putting as much distance between himself and the potential spider-horde as quickly as possible. And they were probably massive Equestrian spiders too, like… Skyrim-size spiders.
“Fuckin NOPE!” he said with more resolution as he stepped outside and promptly tripped over a pony. He groaned and rubbed his head before looking to see that he’d tripped on a Trixie.
“Bloody random encounters,” he sighed as he picked her up and set her back on her hooves. “Hey Trixie, you win that argument?”
Trixie shook her head to clear it and turned her head to face him. “Huh? Oh, that… Trixie is… unsure.”
“Unsure?” Oh come on, he had a bet riding on this and he had no money here. “How can you be unsure?”
“Does one win by agreeing to go out for coffee later?” Trixie asked.
“You… got into an argument,” Kai started to piece it together. “And that somehow becomes you two going out on a date?”
“A d-d-date?” Trixie stammered and backpedaled. “T-Trixie would never date such a brute! Trixie is only in it for the free coffee.”
“Unbelievable,” Kai sighed. “Well, if you're looking for Twilight, she’s probably battling demon-spiders in your basement.”
“Strange, Trixie could have sworn she locked the door…” The mare tilted her head and searched her memories. “Wait, demon-spiders!? TWILIGHT SPARKLE! Trixie will get the glory! Not you!” she roared and raced inside.
“Yeah… no,” Kai turned away and started heading back to Rarity’s. He could really go for a cup of her tea right about now.
The guards standing at the door shook their heads. They didn’t get paid enough for this.
“Trixie!? What are you-? Nooooo!” The library shook with a small explosion.
The guards wisely chose to ignore it.
“I’m sorry darling,” Rarity said as Kai sat on the couch, sipping tea and eating shortbread with her. He liked Rarity. She was classy.
“It’s not your fault, I don’t have a resume, and there’s the whole ‘different species’ thing and all,” Kai shrugged. “I’m just sorry I can’t help pay for food and stuff.”
“As I said, you really don’t have to,” Rarity added. “I am more than well off enough to provide for a good long while. In fact, I’m looking at opening up a Boutique in Canterlot soon. So you needn’t worry about it.”
“Yeah, still…” Kai sighed as the door’s bell tinkled softly as a mare walked in. Kai recognised her as the flower mare from before. Rose-something.
“Oh, hello dear,” Rarity greeted her and stood up. “What can I do for you Roseluck?”
Kai snapped his fingers, Roseluck, that was it. A hat on a nearby rack fell off onto the floor. Rarity picked it up and paused.
“Strange, I don’t recall using a rose on this design…” She shrugged and put it back. “Sorry, you were saying?”
“Oh, I was hoping for a quick repair,” she said and held up a saddlebag. “It snagged a loose nail on my stand and tore a small hole. I already lost a few Bits before I realised…”
“Oh dear, that’s no good,” Rarity said and checked the bag. “The seams are fine, just a small tear. I can have it done by this afternoon. I have some rather large commissions that I simply must finish as soon as possible…”
“Oh, that’s fine…” Roseluck said as Kai walked over and looked at it.
“Hmm, give me a minute,” he said. “Rarity, do you have a needle and some cotton thread I could use?”
“You wish to fix it?” Rarity asked, a little shocked.
“Well, I can do something as easy as that at least,” Kai nodded as Rarity floated the required tools over. “You, don’t mind do you?”
“Mind? I do not,” Rarity nodded, more curious than anything else.
“As long as it’s fixed,” Roseluck agreed. “I’d do it myself, but I’m all hooves when it comes to needlework.”
Kai nodded and sat on the couch. He threaded the needle and went to work. Rarity was enraptured, watching the way his fingers delicately worked the needle and the look of concentration in his eye. After about ten minutes or so, he’d fixed the tear and held up the bag.
“There, I think that should do it. I hope…”
Rarity eyed the work, it was rough and could definitely use refinement… but the repair work itself was solid.
“Yes, I believe that will do nicely,” Rarity said and handed Rose her bag. “Well now dear, not everypony can claim to have their repair work done by Equestria's… only… human?” She trailed off as a thought occurred. One that made her release a giddy laugh.
“Oh… kay?” Kai raised an eyebrow and shook his head. “Ponies and their crazy…” He smiled at Rose and motioned at her bag. “So, is that all for today Miss Roseluck?”
“O-Oh, yes… thank you very much,” she nodded and gave him a few bits. “I’ll see you around,” she said as she left the store.
Kai looked at the money and placed half of it on the table. Sure, he’d fixed the bag, but he’d used Rarity’s materials.
“And would you stop that creepy laugh?” he said, turning to face the unicorn. “Seriously.”
“IIDEEAAAA~” She said in a tone that made him wince. Forget classy, now she sounded like a cat in a tumble dryer. “I have finally found a suitable job for you Kai.”
“Huh?” Kai blinked.
“You can work for me!” she declared. “That was rather impressive, and I can refine that work even further!”
“Uh…” Kai had no idea how to respond to this. He picked up his teacup and sipped it, allowing his mind to reboot. “Well, okay then,” Kai nodded. “If you’re sure I won’t be a bother, who am I to turn you down?”
“Excellent,” Rarity clapped her hooves. “We shall discuss it further over dinner tonight. Now, I had dillydallied enough. I must get this work finished.” With that, she vanished into her workshop and left her human be.
“I can’t believe you thought we were fighting demon spiders,” Twilight deadpanned as she cleaned up the last of the dust. “I mean, honestly Trixie?”
“Trixie regrets nothing,” the mare replied, now sporting a nice lump on her head from when Flash Step smacked her out of surprise. “For if you were, the glory would have been Trixie’s.”
“You’d have screamed and run away like a filly,” Twilight sniped back. “Or is Trixie forgetting who cleaned up her little Ursa incident?”
“That was the fault of Snips and Snails,” Trixie countered as she wiped down the chalkboard. “And nopony asked you to help. Now who’s the glory hound?”
“For the love of Celestia… they never stop,” Step sighed as she sat in the corner, flicking through one of Twilight’s books. She couldn’t wait until this job was over and she could cash in her holiday time. She was gonna hang out with Kai, play pranks on Bluey and eat her own body weight in ice-cream.
“At least my proto-gate is undamaged,” Twilight sighed. “Though you’ve completely ruined the crystal matrix inlay. I’ll have to wait until i can get some more from the Crystal Empire before I can complete it. And…” Twilight’s eyes gave a dangerous twitch. “Ahh! You burned some of my notes as well? TRIXIEEE!!”
All that remained of the mare was some scrawling on the blackboard.
‘The Great and Powerful Trixie haz left the building!’
“I don’t believe that mare,” Twilight sighed and hung her head. “Still, at least I have this space to work.”
“So… is it true?” Flash Step asked. “Are you really going to send Kai home?”
“That’s the plan,” Twilight nodded, but continued before Flash Step could voice her concerns. “He’s given me several good ideas to run with. One being a kind of homing beacon. He could go through the portal here, and when he wants to return? Just activate the beacon and he’d bounce right back. In a way, it’d be similar to how I returned to Equestria. Just… hopefully not as painfully.” That day had sucked, well and truly sucked. It was a day the alicorn never cared to repeat again.
“He’d come back?” Flash asked hopefully. “That’s good…”
Twilight paused and smiled. “You seem to be pretty good friends with him, despite not knowing him for long.” She got a mischievous looked and smirked. “I hope I don’t have to worry about you trying to steal him away from me?”
“W-Wha?” Flash Step blushed, panicked and waved her hooves. “No! It’s not like that I promise! We’re just friends!”
“Relax,” Twilight laughed as she took out a few more objects. “I’m just joking around Miss Flash.” She pulled out a few items, one of them being an old, failed experiment of hers. “Oh, I remember this…”
“A ring?’ Flash looked at the ornate silver band, it looked like it was designed to fit over a pony’s hoof. “What does it do?”
Twilight sighed and held it up. “It was supposed to allow a non-unicorn to cast magic. For example, I imbued this with some basic matter manipulation. Telekinesis and some basic elemental control should have been possible.”
“But it doesn’t work?” Flash asked.
“No, it didn’t. Every test subject was a total failure. I even tried some non-ponies, like a griffon, a Diamond Dog and even a Changeling.”
“Oooh, that’s why Sunny Daze was so upset that one afternoon,” Flash nodded, recalling a particularly bad day for the Changeling maid.
“Yes, I’d gotten quite irritable that day.” Twilight sighed and passed the ring to Flash. “Why don’t you keep it? I don’t care for jewelry much. Consider it a token of our friendship.”
“Princess, I really couldn’t-” Flash started before Twilight placed it over her hoof.
“Please, you’re Kai’s friend. And I’d like to be your friend as well.” She snorted as she slid the ring into place. “I’m not trying to buy your friendship or anything. But it does look nice on you.”
“T-Thank you,” Flash Step blushed and looked away.
“Wow, I leave for an hour and you go and propose to my friend?” Kai said from the stairs. Flash and Twilight blinked and looked at their position from that new perspective. Twilight was holding one of Flash’s hooves and had put an ornate silver ring on her…
Both mare exploded into a furious blush and scrambled to put some distance between themselves as quickly as possible.
“I-I-It’s not like that!!” Twilight stammered as she lifted a few books.
Flash Step was too stunned to even reply.
Kai was just laughing at their adorable reaction. “Ahhahaha, oh man. That was priceless. I wish I had my phone to record that.”
“Oh shut up!” Twilight hurled a book at him, which he barely managed to dodge. “And where did you go? Are you the reason Trixie blew up half my stuff?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Kai whistled innocently. “Buuut, if you don’t want lunch…” he’d used the money he got from Roseluck to buy himself and the two mares something to eat. “While I don’t eat daisy sandwiches, maybe the guards outside would like some?” Truth be told, he’d brought some leftover cupcakes from Rarity’s for them.
Twilight’s and Step’s stomachs gave a loud gurgle to voice their protests at such an action.
“All is forgiven, you may enter,” Twilight said airily.
“Many thanks your Highness,” Kai bowed and headed down the stairs. Now that all the cobwebs were taken care of, he was much more comfortable. He handed Flash a sandwich, which she took while fighting to get her blush back down.
“And for the lovely Princess Sparkle,” he said and produced a simple daisy sandwich. What? Rose hadn’t given him that much money. And that restaurant was expensive.
“Thank you,” Twilight giggled and took the sandwich. “Ohh, Savior’s place? His food is delicious~”
“And pricey,” Kai shook his head. “Oh yeah, the town seems to be pretty good regarding me now. So there’s that too.”
“Zecora Incident?” Twilight asked between bites.
“Zecora Incident.” Kai nodded, not really getting what it mean. But he guessed it wasn’t the first time the town had dealt with strange outsiders. “So… aside from marrying my friend. What else have you been doing?”
“Urgh!’ Twilight rolled her eyes as Flash Step blushed again. “You’re an ass. As for what, just cleaning and unpacking really. I can’t even start researching until that’s out of the way.” Then she practically inhaled her sandwich with record speed before getting back to her unpacking.
“Well, that was both impressive… and a little terrifying,” Kai said at that little show. He took a seat on one of the empty crates and just watched her organise things. “So Steppy?” he asked. “Where are you and Bluey staying while you're here?”
“Oh, we’ll be heading back later today,” Flash Step said. “Buuut, I have some vacation time owed. So I’ll be back really soon. Blue will… probably do whatever he wants as usual.”
“Oh, speaking of that,” Kai said. “Turns out that neither of them won the argument. They’re going out for coffee apparently.”
“Wait, what?” Flash Step groaned and facehooved. “Of course. And that idiot brother of mine probably didn’t even realise what he said.”
“Imagine the foals?” Twilight idly said as she started to set up the ring portal. “Their egos would be so over-inflated, they’re likely to just float away.”
“Hah, that’s an understatement,” Flash Step laughed. “Most foals first words are Mama or Papa. Theirs would be asking for some more gel for their manes.”
Twilight broke down into giggles as she imagined the most fabulous foals in existence. “Oh dear, that’s just, ahahaha!”
“Well, I’ll just pretend I know what you two are cackling about,” Kai shrugged. “Oh yeah, Rarity wanted to ask if you remember the groceries.”
Twilight blinked and facehooved. “Ah dang, I had a feeling I was forgetting something.” She looked at Kai expectantly as she held out a list and a bit bag.
“The things I do for you,” he sighed in an melodramatic way and took the items. “Well, fetch-quest time it is. See you later?”
“Yes,” Twilight nodded and blushed when he kissed her cheek. “Mm, just the cheek?” she asked.
“Such a spoiled princess,” he smirked and placed a chaste kiss on her lips before turning and heading for the stairs. “If I’m not back in time, come by Rarity’s before you go Steppy.”
“Sure,” she said and they bumped fists/hooves before the human left. Once he’d gone, the mare turned to Twilight with a mischievous smirk.
“Sooo, that was a cute little display there~”
“The princess orders you to shush,” Twilight blushed and turned away. Flash Step just giggled and continued to needle her for information.
“And then I said, ‘Pancakes? That’s genius!’” Pinkie bounced in her seat.
“Uh… what is she talking about?” Kai whispered to Twilight.
“Just smile and nod,” Twilight replied, not having a clue herself.
The four ponies sat around the dinner table, Pinkie was… telling a story of some description. Rarity and Kai had also discussed the particulars of the job she'd offered. She'd spend a while teaching him some more advanced techniques and eventually, he could watch the Ponyville boutique when it came time for her to start her Canterlot one. The door to the Boutique chimed as Spike walked in, holding the hoof of a filly around the same age as Sweetie Belle and her friends. She had a silvery-grey coat and violet eyes. Her mane was like woven silver and tied up into a long braid.
“Oh, there you are!” Twilight said to the drake. “Where have you… oohhh.”
“Yeah…” Spike scratched the back of his head. “It’s a lot better than swapping letters all the time.”
“Hmm, but your writing is a lot more eloquent than your mouth,” the filly giggled and poked him. “Though they way you fumble your words is pretty cute.”
“M’not cute. I’m cool and awesome,” Spike mumbled, his masculinity well and truly deflated.
“Yes, yes. You’re a big strong dragon,” she giggled again and kissed his cheek.
“So… that your girlfriend?” Kai asked and wiggled his eyebrows. It had the desired effect of making the dragon blush through his scales.
“I am,” the filly nodded. So this was the ‘human’ that everypony was talking about. She didn’t know why they were all so worried. He looked harmless enough. “My name is Silver Spoon. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“And it’s nice to see you face-to-face again Silver,” Twilight smiled and got up from the table to trot over to them. “You’ve been taking care of Spike?”
“Mm, yes. he’s a little troublesome-”
“Hey, I’m right here,” Spike grumbled. “I take offense to that statement.”
“He can be,” Twilight nodded. “Just steer clear of his sneezes, or you may find your mane transported to Princess Celestia.”
“Statement. Offense.” Spike said, but was ignored.
“But he is nice and warm to hug,” Silver Spoon added and nuzzled him. Spike blushed again, but returned the gesture.
“Uh, is it alright if Slivey joins us for dinner?” he asked.
“Of course,” Twilight smiled. “After all, how can I share embarrassing stories about you if she’s not here?”
“Twwiiiii~” Spike whined and then something clicked. “You do that, and I’ll return the favour,” he threatened, looking at Kai.
“Ah…” Twilight froze and stared at her little brother. “That isn’t fair.”
“All’s fair in love and war,” he sang as he took a seat next to the human, and Silver next to Spike.
It wasn’t long before Pinkie brought out the dinner she’d been cooking. And unlike her last one?
“Oh. My. God…” Kai inhaled the scent of the food and groaned. “This smells amazing~”
“I had a feeling you’d like it,” Pinkie giggled as she sat at the table. “Some freshly baked bread for dipping and a hearty vegetable soup. This should fill even Twilight’s belly for a good long while.”
“Oh har har,” Twilight deadpanned as she tore some of her bread with her magic. “At least my appetite can be sated.”
“You have no idea,” Rarity sighed and poked Pinkie in the sides. The pink mare giggled and batted her eyes at the unicorn.
“I think I’m too young for this conversation,” Silver deadpanned and Spike nodded in agreement.
“Pinkie needs an off switch,” Kai replied as he dipped his spoon into the soup and took a sip. Oh wow, this was amazing!
“Pinkie Pie has no off switch!!” the pink mare declared loudly and waved her butter knife like a sword.
“A great development oversight,” Kai nodded grimly. “I don’t know how you do it Rarity.”
“Nor do I,” the mare giggled and Pinkie suddenly gasped.
“You know, this is totally a three-way date!”
“What?” Twilight said flatly.
“Well, me and Raribears. You and KaiKai and Spikey and Silvey. This is now a three-way date. Yup yup.”
Twilight blushed at the implication. “Our… first date,” she mumbled and giggled to herself.
“Oh boy,” Spike rolled his eyes and Silver just smiled and leaned against him.
“Well, I think that sounds like a wonderful idea,” Rarity said and kissed Pinkie’s cheek. “I’l give you this one Pinkamena.”
“Whoo!” Pinkie said and pulled the tablecloth. EVeryone winced and closed their eyes, expecting chaos.
Instead…
The table now had a nice velvet cloth and a candelabra sat in the center, giving off a gentle glow.
“Pinkie, darling…” Rarity gasped and put a hoof to her chest in relief. “A heart attack like that is not good to have on a date.”
“Aww, but this is more romantic now,” Pinkie pouted and giggled when Rarity ruffled her mane.
“Our first date,” Twilight giggled again, now latched onto that particular thought and not letting go. As was Silver not releasing Spike’s arm.
Kai just shook his head and rolled his eyes. “It’s a sweet gesture Pinkie. Thanks.”
“Whoohoo, the Kai Seal of Approval,” the mare cheered and turned back to her soup, gulping it down hastily.
“Believe it or not, she was rather nervous on our first date,” Rarity giggled. “And she looked so divine, all dressed up like that. I wanted that night to last forever.”
Kai nodded and a thought occured. He leaned over and whispered to Twilight. “Hey, wanna go out tomorrow? Just the two of us?”
Twilight erupted into a blush and nodded slightly, now giggling nervously at that thought.
“Whoo, you go playa!” Pinkie whooped before Rarity ordered her to sit.
Dinner had to end eventually and Spike was off to escort Silver Spoon home. Rarity got a mischievous smirk and grabbed Pinkie’s tail with her magic.
“Come now darling. We’re going to give Twilight and Kai a little space. Plus…” her voice dropped an octave and the tone she used sent a shiver up Pinkie’s spine. “I believe I owe you a punishment,” she purred before dragging Pinkie off.
“And now I’ll have to make sure my room has soundproofing charms,” Twilight deadpanned as they left. She turned to Kai and rubbed her hoof nervously. “So uh… you really sure? About tomorrow?”
“Well, yeah,” the human replied. “We’re dating aren’t we. Or, you know… trying to. So it’s only natural I’d take you out on an actual date sometime.”
“Y-Yeah, of course, I knew that!” Twilight said a little too hastily. “Um, I suppose I should get some sleep then.”
“If you want,” Kai smiled. “Would you like a good night kiss Twilight?”
The mare now exploded into a blush. The way he said that, mimicking Rarity’s earlier tone made her wings shoot out of their own volition. “Ah.. um… I…”
“I’ll take that as a yes,” he chuckled and leaned down to place a gentle kiss on her, his tongue brushing against her lips and eliciting a soft squeak from her before he broke it. “Well, good night Twilight.” he said.
“G-Good night,” she squeaked out and nearly bolted from the room. How in the hell was she going to sleep after that? Her heart was pounding a mile a minute.
‘Annnd I think I scared her, good job me. Good job.’ Kai sighed and climbed into his makeshift bed.
‘We’re going on a daaa~aate~’ Twilight sang to herself as she skipped into her bedroom. She could hear a few noises coming from Rarity and Pinkie’s room and quickly erected a barrier to block anymore. ‘That was really weird, but I’m going on a daaa~aaate~”
Downstairs…
Kai buried his head under his pillow. Of course Pinkie Pie had to be a bloody screamer!
“Gooooooooooood!” he moaned. “Smite me now!”