Over at the Alchemy manor, the impromptu family of Nightcrawlers and one normal pony were still getting on with their lives. It has been three months since Echo and Sunset had foiled a conspiracy that would had spelled bad news for the Nightcrawlers, and had taken in a group of former 'terrorist' group, The Shadow Stalkers, into their home. Each and every one of them had successfully reintergated back into society, and seem to had been doing well for themselves, but even then, they never left Echo and Sunset, feeling a sense of belonging with them.
As of now, they were currently having breakfast.
"Mmm-mmm, gotta love pop tarts." Nano smiled.
"It's funny, really." Moana admitted, as he finished her toast. "We've been living on fruits and berries for so long, I'm still having trouble adjusting to civilized food."
"I know what you mean, my dear." Willow declared. "I'm so used to going out and foraging for food. It's slightly unnerving to be able to just get some out of the fridge."
"I don't know about you, but it feels good to gorge again." Wave smirked. "When I was a rapper the first time around, I'd stuff myself silly. Nice to know I can do that again..."
"Not too often, though." Sunset glared at him, in the middle of feeding Arcane, who was still in his pajamas. "Just because you're all pitching in on the bills doesn't mean you can go crazy with the eating."
"Perish the thought." Willow declared.
"My body is a temple." Artorias declared. "I never eat more than I need."
"Come on, Arty." Wave snorted. "Pig out. Live a little! Dragons never get fat. I bet that goes double for dragon ponies!"
"Please don't." Echo asked. "I can't have one of my best students out of shape."
"Rest assured, I do not 'pig out'." Artorias smiled.
"Teacher's pet." Wave joked.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
"I'll get it." Echo stood up.
Echo opened the front door to see his father, Deathgaze, a rucksack slung on his shoulder.
"Hi, son." Deathgaze smiled.
"Hello, father." Echo grinned. "Taking a break from righting wrongs to spend time with your family?"
"Something like that." Deathgaze nodded. "Mostly, I missed seeing you."
"Come in." Echo urged. "We were all having breakfast. Care to join us?"
"Definitely." Deathgaze nodded. "I'm starved!"
Echo led Deathgaze into the kitchen.
"Well, look who's back." Sunset noted.
"Geh!" Arcane waved at his grandfather.
"Hello, everypony." Deathgaze smiled. "Did you miss me?"
"Hey, dude." Wave nodded.
"Welcome back." Nano declared.
"Hi." Moana waved.
"Greetings, weary traveler." Willow said dramatically.
"Deathgaze." Artorias said curtly.
"Good to see you again... 'Dark Messiah'." Elatha joked.
"Very funny." Deathgaze snorted at the name given to him by Nightcrawlers back in the day. "So, what's for breakfast?"
"We've got toast, pop tarts, waffles, cereal... take your pick." Sunset offered.
"I'll stick with toast, thanks." Deathgaze grabbed a slice.
"So, what brings you here?" Nano asked.
"I was in the neighborhood, thought I'd drop by." Deathgaze smiled. "It's good to have a place where I can just rest and relax. Not to mention get to spend a little time with my family."
"You're always welcome here, father." Echo declared. "I just wish you'd drop by a little more often."
"Buh!" Arcane reached for his grandfather.
"Arcane does, too." Sunset chuckled.
"Miss your grampa, did you?" Deathgaze chuckled, as he clutched Arcane's side and lifted him up. "I missed you too, you little rugrat!"
"Yeh!" Arcane squealed, as Deathgaze bounced him on his knee.
"As much as I'd like to stay and bask in the glow of a loving family moment, I'm afraid I've got to get to work." Echo declared. "Those new recruits won't train themselves... Coming, Artorias?"
"Right behind you." Artorias stood up.
"As for me, I have to get the theatre." Willow declared. "We're about to start our production of Richard The Herd."
"And I'm doing a special on teen abandonment on the show today." Moana added.
"As for me, I've got a record deal to sign today." Wave smirked.
"And I'm taking Snow to the park." Elatha added.
"Yeah!" Snow cheered.
"As for me, I've got to catch a flight to Bitaly." Nano revealed. "I'm having a chat with the new Prime Minister over there regarding some peyote trafficking. Something to do about 'Napoleons' and stuff, I don't know. Hopefully, I'll be back before long..."
"So, looks like it'll just be the three of us today." Deathgaze told Sunset.
"Pretty much." Sunset nodded. "I'm not expecting any guests..."
"Have fun." Echo kissed Sunset on the cheek.
"Have a good day, sweetie." Sunset smiled.
"You too." Elatha told Artorias.
After Echo and Artorias left, the rest of the Pack departed one by one, until there was just Sunset, Deathgaze, and Arcane left.
"Well, guess I'd better starting cleaning up." Sunset declared.
"Please, allow me." Deathgaze offered.
Passing Arcane to Sunset, he furrowed his brow in concentration, his eyes growing wispy. All the plates and glasses starting glowing, and were lifted into the air. The remains of the food were dropped into the trash can, and the taps in the sink were turned on. Brushes and washing up liquid flowed over the dirty dishes, cleaning them. Finally, the dishes were returned to the cupboard, spick and span.
"Wow." Sunset gaped, while Arcane giggled, amused by the show. "Not bad."
"Just a little something I picked up from a Nightcrawler over in Seaddle." Deathgaze smiled. "She used it to great effect in her job as a housekeeper."
"She, huh?" Sunset smirked.
"Before you ask, nothing happened." Deathgaze said bluntly. "But we did spend some time together as friends, after I saved her from some thugs. The ability I copied from her has come in useful, and not just in the kitchen; It's done wonders for cleaning up my tracks whenever I had somepony on my tail."
"Well, that explains why you've managed to stay undiscovered for so long." Sunset smiled. "Would you mind keeping an eye on Arcane for a minute? I've got to put the laundry out to dry."
"With pleasure." Deathgaze took back Arcane. "Ready for more fun with grampa, little guy?"
"Yay!" Arcane squealed.
Sunset smiled as he headed into the laundry room. With her own parents deceased, she had once believed that Arcane would never have grandparents to love him. But, to her delight, she was proven wrong. The appearance of Deathgaze had changed all that, and the old Nightcrawler clearly adored the young one.
After dealing with the laundry, Sunset returned to find Deathgaze playing pretend with Arcane's stuffed toys.
"And then the bunny went hop, hop, hop, all over the field!" Deathgaze smiled, making the toy "hop" across the room.
"Eee!" Arcane giggled, clapping his hooves together.
"Well, well." Sunset smiled. "Who knew a nomadic mystery stallion could be so good with kids?"
"I'm surprised myself. I never interacted much with children in my travels..." Deathgaze admitted. "Then again, maybe I'm subconsciously trying to make up for missing out on raising my own kids..."
"Well, I know Arcane loves having you here." Sunset smiled.
"And I love playing with him." Deathgaze nodded. "He's a really special kid. Really special." He emphasized the last two words."
"I know." Sunset nodded.
"So... how have Arcane's powers been developing?" Deathgaze asked. "Maelstroms have been known to develop abilities quickly, and I can sense a lot of power brimming within him."
"He's been doing fine." Sunset smirked. "Echo takes a little time to run some tests whenever Arcane's powers are used. But he never likes to do it, especially on his own son. But it seems to be pretty clear to you."
"Well, I can tell you now that he has been developing a bunch of new powers. Last I saw him, he had just Echo, Snow, and Aether's powers. But now... I can sense all of the Packs' power within him... I hope they hadn't been much trouble." Deathgaze mused.
"Oh no." Sunset shook her head, "Aside from Arcane accidentally hypnotizing Wave a few times, Arcane rarely uses his powers, even by accident."
"That's good." Deathgaze gazed adoringly at his grandson, "All that power does take away from his general adorableness."
"Not for me." Sunset beamed. "To me, he's always a cute little bundle of joy.
"Ah, a mother's love." Deathgaze grinned. "So pure..."
"I am curious, though." Sunset mused. "Do you think Arcane could touch you and sample your powers?"
"Hard to say." Deathgaze shrugged, "According to what Echo told me in the letters he sent me, Arcane copies and learn a Nightcrawler's ability when he touches them. He believes that Arcane can somehow dive into one's memory and absorb the ability through there."
"Kinda like you." Sunset pointed out.
"Not really." Deathgaze shook his head with a smile. "Unlike Arcane, I actually had powers before discovering my Maelstrom traits: my dark smoke ability. And I learn new powers by observing them being used by other Nightcrawlers. Nocturne once told me that when I look at them being used, it's like I'm 'scanning' them, and once I've seen enough, it becomes hard-wired into my head." He then smiled at his grandson, "However, it usually takes me weeks to learn a ability and even more just to master them. Arcane here can learn them in an instant."
"So... could it be possible for Arcane to learn everything you learned?" Sunset questioned.
"Who knows?" Deathgaze admitted, "However, if he does learn abilities through others' memories, I can bet that he won't be able to tap into any of my powers aside from my smoke ability. Even then, I don't think Arcane could get much use out of them."
"You'd be surprised." Sunset declared. "Just ask Wave. But like I said, he doesn't seem to use those borrowed powers too often."
"Well, he's only a foal, Sunset." Deathgaze mused. "It took me months to figure out how to tap into my new powers, and Arcane has very little control over his own magic, so they would probably come and go." He then frowned. "To be honest, I do not know how to feel about this. On the one hoof, Arcane could stand to become one of the strongest Nightcrawlers around, learning the abilites of every Nightcrawler he shakes hooves with. On the other, he may learn too many powers too fast to be able to control them. He would need somepony to teach and train him when that day comes..."
"Like you?" Sunset asked.
"Well, I am a Maelstrom and his grandfather. And like you said, our abilities are similar." Deathgaze declared, before frowning. "Unless you and Echo don't approve."
"It would be something that me and Echo would have to talk about...but in my opinion, I believe I could think of no better teacher." Sunset smirked. "It's better than risking him going out of control... or get led astray by ponies like Aether..." She frowned deeply. "I don't get how a Maelstrom like him could turn on his kind like that..."
"Oh, Aether was never a Maelstrom." Deathgaze shook his head.
"He wasn't?" Sunset raised a brow, "But Aether said-"
"Aether always had this complex about him." Deathgaze explained. "Ever since he heard the term Maelstrom, he thought that the power he sensed within himself was that of a Maelstrom... but in reality, he was just a pretty powerful Nightcrawler. But when his powers began to decline, he kept denying that he wasn't a Maelstrom, blind to the fact that his own mind was causing his powers to fail him. In the end, Aether was a broken stallion."
"No wonder he turned out the way he did." Sunset frowned. "Almost makes you feel sorry for him..."
"Yeah... anyway, I'm sure Arcane will be fine for the moment. He is still a foal, after all." Deathgaze smiled.
"Yeah, he is." Sunset smiled. "The most wonderful foal in the world."
"No argument here." Deathgaze chuckled. "And he has a pretty good mother too."
"Flattery will get you nowhere." Sunset declared jokingly.
"What flattery? It's the truth." Deathgaze insisted. "I've been watching you and Echo. Not just any mare would have the strength and courage to withstand a life like this. Your love is the source of Echo's strength and dedication. Without you, none of this would have been possible. You really are a wonder, my dear. Echo's lucky to have you for a wife, and I'm lucky to have you for a daughter-in-law."
"Oh, thanks..." Sunset blushed. "I do try..."
"And succeed." Deathgaze grinned. "If anypony can deal with raising a Maelstrom, you and Echo can."
"Well, luckily, we're not doing it alone." Sunset smiled. "We have a lot of help. Even if that help isn't always around."
"Hey, I can't ignore the responsibility to use my powers to help others." Deathgaze shrugged. "But I am getting on in years. You know, I always thought that I would be spending the rest of my life trying to make up for all the wrong I brought upon my family... but now that I am here, with my grandson, it does get me thinking about retiring. Especially, if I have all of you to come back to."
"I know we'd all like that." Sunset smiled. "But for now, we're just glad you're here at all."
"Thanks." Deathgaze smiled.
Soon after, Elatha and Snow returned.
"Hey, guys." Snow smiled.
"Welcome back." Sunset grinned.
"Hey, Arcane." Snow cuddled the foal. "Miss me?"
"Yah, Sno!" Arcane giggled.
"Hope we weren't interrupting some family bonding time." Snow declared.
"That's okay." Sunset smiled. "We were just having a father-in-law/daughter-in-law talk."
"All good, I hope?" Elatha grinned.
"Definitely." Sunset nodded.
The rest of the day went by quietly. By the early, everypony (with the exception of Nano, of course) had returned.
"How was your day?" Sunset asked Echo.
"Productive." Echo smiled. "Our new recruits are doing quite well."
"In time, they will become fine champions of the peace." Artorias added.
"Faust knows we could always use more." Elatha noted.
"How was the play?" Moana asked Willow.
"Coming along swimmingly." Willow said proudly. "And what of your show?"
"It was good." Moana smiled. "I think I helped those kids work out some major issues."
"And I recorded what is sure to be another number one hit." Wave grinned.
"And I swung supper high on the swings." Snow boasted. "So we all have something to proud of!"
The group chuckled over her remark.
After dinner, Wave caught up to Elatha.
"Hey, E?" He said nervously.
"Yes, Wave?" Elatha asked.
"I was thinking..." Wave started.
"Uh-oh." Elatha smirked.
"Very funny." Wave snorted. "Anyway, there's this get-together, over at the Opal Olive Garden. Bunch of high flyers in the music business, having a big, fancy party. I was invited, and the invite came with a plus one."
"I see." Elatha answered, aware of what was to come.
"So, I was wondering if you'd like to come." Wave finished.
"As your date?" Elatha asked. Though she had gone out to dinner a few times with Wave, they didn't really have what could be called a relationship just yet.
"Why not?" Wave asked. "It'll be fun. Besides, you've haven't had the chance to party in a long time... if not ever. And if anypony deserves the chance, it's you."
"Well, it would be nice to go somewhere other than the park and the market..." Elatha mused. "But I'm not so used to big crowds."
"It'll be fine." Wave assured her. "They're all nice ponies. Always been good to me."
"That's as maybe, but..." Elatha muttered.
"Come on, E?" Wave pleaded. "Don't make me beg. Because I will if I have to."
"Okay." Elatha chuckled slightly. "I guess it wouldn't be so bad..."
"Sweet." Wave grinned. "The party's this Friday, seven sharp."
"I'll be ready." Elatha nodded. "I'm sure Sunset would let you borrow one of her dresses..."
The next day, Elatha was trying on some of Sunset's dresses, Sunset helping her out.
"So, you two are going out again, huh?" Sunset smirked. "What is this, the fourth and fifth night out?"
"It's not what you think." Elatha shook her head. "I'm his plus one."
"Sure you are." Sunset grinned.
"Honestly, I'm not quite sure what we are right now." Elatha shrugged. "Wave can be sweet at times, but he can also be so insufferably big-headed. He can annoy me, and he can impress me. We have so much history as Pack members together, which only makes it harder to come to a decision about being friends, or something more. I just can't quite decide whether the two of us dating is a good idea or not."
"Well, maybe this night out will help you decide." Sunset suggested.
"Maybe." Elatha shrugged, as she tried on another dress.
"The blue one really looks great on you." Sunset smiled.
"Thanks." Elatha smiled. "And you'll be okay looking after Snow tomorrow?"
"Actually, no." Sunset frowned. "Echo's booked a meal for him, me, Arcane and Deathgaze at the Gilded Grape."
"But... can't you cancel?" Elatha asked.
"I'm afraid not." Sunset answered. "It took a lot of work for Echo to get those reservations on such short notice. He's really set on us going out as a family, and who knows when Deathgaze will be back next."
"Oh. I understand..." Elatha sighed.
"I'm sure you can get one of the others to do it, though." Sunset declared. "Any of them would love to do it."
"You're right." Elatha nodded. "Either Willow or Moana could do it, gladly."
Unfortunately, Willow and Moana were similarly unavailable.
"I'm afraid I have to perform that evening." Willow declared.
"And I'm attending a charity event to raise money for orphans." Moana added. "It would just break their hearts if I wasn't there to help..."
"Sorry." Willow apologized.
"That's okay." Elatha sighed. "I still have one other choice..."
The last choice wasn't an ideal one, but it was Elatha's last shot. And it was a request she knew couldn't be refused; A request to her brother, Artorias.
"Artorias, could you do me a favor and look after Snow while I'm out?" Elatha asked.
"Me?" Artorias frowned. "Can't somepony else do it?"
"Actually, everypony's busy." Elatha declared. "So it's down to you to look after her."
"Oh...Elatha, you know I am not a foalsitter." Artorias groaned.
"Artorias, please..." Elatha pleaded, "I know more than anypony that you aren't comfortable with her, considering... well, everything. But she's still your family, and so am I. I wouldn't ask you if I had any other choice, but please do this for me... brother."
"...Alright, fine." Artorias sighed. "I'll do it."
"Thank you." Elatha hugged him. "You're the best brother ever."
"I know." Artorias sighed. "I just can't help it."
The next afternoon, Elatha and Wave made to leave.
"You be good for uncle Arty, okay?" Elatha hugged Snow.
"I will, mom." Snow nodded. "We're gonna have so much fun!"
"Yeah... fun." Artorias gave a fake smile.
"Remember to put her to bed around seven." Elatha told Artorias. "If she's having trouble getting to sleep, some warm milk will do the trick."
"Understood." Artorias nodded.
"Don't wait up." Wave smirked.
"Just remember to mind your manners." Artorias glared at Wave.
"Like I'd ever treat this vision of loveliness with anything less than the adulation she deserves." Wave remarked, wounded.
"Hey, leave the fancy words to Willow." Artorias grunted.
"Thanks, Wave." Elatha smiled.
"No problem." Wave grinned. "Now let's go. Time's a' wasting."
As the two departed, Artorias was left alone with Snow.
"So, what do you want to do?" He sighed.
"I wanna..." Snow mulled it over. "Play tea party!"
"Of course..." Artorias cringed.
"I'll go fetch our guests!" Snow rushed away.
"Faust, take me now..." Artorias groaned.
A short while later, Wave and Elatha arrived at the party. The building was packed with celebrity guests.
"Wow." Elatha gaped. "There's a lot of ponies here."
"Relax." Wave urged. "They're good folks."
As expected, Elatha being a Dracony drew some looks. Fortunately, most of the guests, already aware of Wave's status as a Nightcrawler, took this in their stride.
"Glad you could make it, Wave." The legendary singer Coloratura ("Rara" to her friends) smiled as she approached them. "And who's your... exotic-looking friend?"
"This is Elatha." Wave smiled. "My date."
"For tonight." Elatha said awkwardly. "Not his marefriend."
"Yet." Wave said confidently.
"Nice to meet you, Elatha." Rara smiled.
"The feeling is mutual." Elatha nodded.
"Enjoy the party." Rara urged.
"Oh, we will." Wave chuckled. As Rara departed, Wave turned to Elatha. "See? This ain't so bad."
"I guess..." Elatha said
Back at the manor, Artorias was grudgingly attending Snow's tea party, sitting on a chair that would have made a normal-sized stallion look ridiculous, and himself look like a giant, and surrounded by plush toys.
"One lump or two, Mr Pointy-butt?" Elatha asked a stuffed Bugbear. "...Two it is, you sweet-tooth, you. And what about you, uncle Arty?"
"...One, thank you." Artorias said flatly.
"Okay." Snow "added" the sugar. "Go ahead, drink up!"
Artorias "drank" from the cup, painfully aware of how little time had passed since Elatha had left.
"More?" Snow held up her plastic tea cup.
"Why not?" Artorias shrugged. "My thirst has yet to be sated..."
"Hold on, let me get some milk." Snow offered.
As Snow went off to the corner of her room, Artorias glanced away in frustration. As he did, he saw a picture on the wall, drawn in crayon. It featured a large stallion in golden armor, and a pair of wings.
"Wait." Artorias squinted. "Is that... me?"
"Hmm?" Snow turned. "Oh. Yeah, it is."
"Why am I in gold armor?" He asked.
"Because you're great." Snow smiled, "That and I didn't have any gray crayons, so I couldn't draw your other armor."
"Wait, you think I am great?" Artorias asked.
"Yeah." Snow nodded. "You always worked so hard to protect us all. You're so brave and strong, like a knight in one of those old stories."
"You think so?" Artorias said, surprised. He had always kept Snow at a hoof's length due to the circumstances of her birth. He never imagined she would have such a high opinion of him because of that (that and the fact he nearly banished her and her mother shortly after meeting Echo and Sunset). But there was the proof, right there on the wall. "Thank you, Snow. I know I haven't been the best..." He thought about saying 'father'... but that would just ruin the moment. "...uncle. I just had a lot of issues to work out on my own and I didn't want to burden you or your mother with them."
"I know, but you were always a great protector." Snow declared. "I always feel safe when you're around. You know, kinda like a dad..." She gave a sad chuckle, "You might not be my dad, but you feel like one."
"Well, perhaps it's time for a change." Artorias noted. "Perhaps I should spend more time with you. Things aren't as hectic as they were back in the den, and I often find myself with free time to kill."
"Really? That would be great!" Snow smiled.
"But for now, let's get back to our tea party." Artorias grinned. "I'll take two lumps next time."
"Coming right up." Snow beamed.
Meanwhile, things weren't going well for Elatha. Being surrounded by so many ponies wasn't a good experience for her. She felt as if every eye in the room was on her back (while some were staring, not all of them were). It didn't help that they were packed in so tightly; Elatha didn't like being touched by strangers. However, Wave was in his element, chatting and schmoozing like a pro.
"So, I said to the producer..." Wave told some other guests.
"Wave, can we go?" Elatha asked. "This isn't working for me."
"Say what?" Wave frowned. "Come on, get into the party spirit!"
"I'm feeling a little claustrophobic." Elatha urged. "Let's just go."
"Come on, babe, don't be a drag!" Wave urged, "I was starting to have fun here!"
"And this is all about you, is it?" Elatha scowled. "I'm just your 'plus one'?"
"Whoa, look, just cool it." Wave told her. "The party'll wind down in an hour or so, then we can go. It wouldn't hurt to just flow it"
"But I'd prefer to go now." Elatha scowled. "Or doesn't my opinion matter to you?"
"'Course it does." Wave snorted. "But come on, ever since I left the den, I wanted to cherish all the time with my fellow bros and dudettes that I never got the chance to when I was stuck in that bunghole."
"Again with the 'me'." Elatha growled.
"This coming from the 'I wanna go home' gal?" Wave snorted. "Who's being selfish here?"
"You are." Elatha said, her voice rising.
The rest of the guest started taking notice.
"Hey, easy." Wave frowned. "You're drawing a scene."
"What's the matter?" Elatha frowned. "I thought you liked the spotlight."
"Come on, E." Wave urged. "You're ruining the party."
"What do I care?" Elatha snarled. "I didn't even want to come here."
"But all of these folks did." Wave declared. "You really wanna mess up this night for all of them? Are you that selfish?"
"I am not being selfish!" Elatha yelled. "You're the one who wanted to go here!"
The crowd started mutering to themselves about their spat.
"Hey, it's not like I dragged you here." Wave declared. "I asked, and you said 'yes'. The least you can do is try to have a fun night out."
"But this isn't fun!" Elatha insisted. "Not to me!"
"You wanna yell like that? Fine." Wave said derisively. "Then let's go somewhere where all the yelling won't ruin anypony's good time."
"Don't talk to me like I'm a child!" Elatha snarled, her temper steadily rising.
"Well, you're sure acting like one." Wave retorted. "So maybe I should treat ya like one."
"Why, you smug, striped..." Elatha seethed.
"Maybe you should go to the corner and think about you've done." Wave grabbed her shoulder, a little more roughly than he should have.
The force of his grip brought back bad memories of the night Elatha had been abused by the gang of thugs Aether had hired to attack her and Artorias (as part of his plan to mould Artorias into a perfect attack dog). All the pain and anguish that night had brought her rushed through her mind all at once. The things they did to her, the way they touched her... As Elatha screwed up her face in grim remembrance, her eyes grew wispy...
Suddenly, Wave's shoulder caught on fire.
"Yeow!" Wave yelped. He grabbed a glass of wine and poured it over his shoulder, dousing the flame. "What the buck?!"
"I'm out of here." Elatha scowled, as she turned and left.
"Are you okay?" Rara asked, "How the heck did you catch on fire just now?"
"It's a long story." Wave grimaced, rubbing his now sore shoulder, as he looked towards where Elatha left. "Sorry, but I have to go after her."
"Of course you do." Rara smiled. "Good luck."
"Thanks." Wave nodded, as he rushed after Elatha. "I'm gonna need it..."
Wave found Elatha sitting on a bench outside.
"E, I'm sorry." Wave apologized. "I didn't-"
"No, it's my fault." Elatha sighed. "I don't know what came over me."
"I don't mean to agree... but you practically went ballistic when I touched you." Wave frowned. "Did I touch you wrong or something?"
"It's not you, Wave..." Elatha groaned, "It's me."
"What the heck does that mean?" Wave asked.
"...It's... just after what happened that night... with those thugs and Artorias... I hadn't felt that sense of normalcy that others do now." Elatha confessed. "Nowadays, I can't even fathom most things, like dating other stallions or having an intimate relationship." She explained, as she frowned deeper. "I can't even stand to be touched by another stallion."
"Wait, what? That can't be!" Wave frowned. "I mean, Artorias and that traitor scumbag Aether touched you, didn't they? And me, Nano, and Willow touched you all the time."
"That was different. Artorias is my brother and the father of my child, and the other times, it was either an accident, them trying to help me, or tend to my wounds. But tonight..." Elatha didn't bother to finish that sentence.
"Oh... I see." Wave gave a small scowl.
"It's nothing against you. Far from it." Elatha explained, as her eyes grew misty, "...I'm just a broken mare. I don't know why you'd want to be with somepony like me..."
"Why wouldn't I?" Wave asked. "You're so kind, and sweet, and beautiful. And even if you do drive me crazy sometimes, you're still the best mare I've ever met. In fact, you're way too good for me..."
"Don't say that." Elatha urged. "True, you're not the most sensitive stallion in the world, but you're dedicated, and dependable. I wouldn't have agreed to this in the first place if I didn't see something in you. At least, I thought I saw something. I just don't know anymore..."
"Neither do I." Wave agreed. "For so long, I wanted a chance to date you. But now... it's nothing like I thought it would be. I thought it would be perfect, but it's not not."
"Everypony back at the party can attest to that." Elatha added sadly. "I really did make a scene, didn't I?"
"Look, I am sorry, E." Wave sighed. "If I knew about you not liking to be touched, I wouldn't have acted like a bonehead..."
"It's not that, Wave... the fact is... we are just two different ponies." Elatha declared. "We just have very different ways of lives."
"I guess we do, huh?" Wave frowned.
"Maybe we're just better off as friends." Elatha declared.
"Yeah, I guess..." Wave sighed. "If that's what you really want."
"Thank you, Wave..." Elatha kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you for understanding."
"That's me." Wave smiled half-heartedly. "Mr. Understanding."
"I promise, Wave, you are going to make somepony a very happy mare someday." Elatha assured.
"Oh, I never doubted that." Wave chuckled. "And I'm sure you'll find a great stallion to love you one of these days. Not as great as me, of course..."
"Never change, Wave." Elatha chuckled. "Can you do that for me? As a friend?"
"You got it." Wave nodded. "And as a friend, could you do the same for me?"
"Gladly." Elatha grinned. "Here's to being friends."
"Ditto." Wave beamed. "That's what feels right, and that's the way it should stay."
"My thoughts exactly." Elatha smiled.
As they returned home, and up to Snow's room. Elatha was surprised to see Artorias seating a sleeping Snow in his lap, having read her a goodnight story.
"Whoa." Wave gaped, similarly surprised.
"Shh." Artorias whispered. "Don't wake her."
"No empty glass of milk." Elatha smiled, impressed. "Nice job."
"Thank you, sister." Artorias smiled. "It turned out quite rewarding, after all."
"Think you could foalsit again sometime?" Elatha asked.
"I would like that." Artorias nodded. "Now, let me just put this little one to bed..."
As Artorias carried Snow to her bed, Wave looked at Elatha.
"Will wonders never cease?" He chuckled.
"Guess this night wasn't a total loss after all." Elatha shrugged.
The following afternoon, the extended family were all enjoying a wonderful dinner together.
"How was your trip, Nano?" Elatha asked.
"Pretty good." Nano nodded. "We ironed a lot of stuff out. How were things over here?"
"Eventful." Wave declared.
"The play was a smashing success." Willow declared.
"And we raised over a million Bits for those poor orphans." Moana added.
"Uncle Arty, do you want to play stuffed animal joust with me later today?" Snow asked.
"Why not?" Artorias nodded.
"Look at us all." Echo smiled. "All living our lives together."
"Yeah, it doesn't get much better than this." Sunset smiled.
"Nothing better than eating a meal with your family." Deathgaze smiled, as he fed Arcane.
"As far as I'm concerned, everypony here is our family." Echo declared.
"That's right." Sunset nodded. "As long as you live under this roof, you're all kin to us."
"Thanks, Sunset." Elatha beamed. "I'm sure we all feel the same way."
"A toast." Deathgaze raised a glass of milk. "To family."
"Family!" The group all raised their glasses.
It had been an eventful few days for the unconventional household. But days that none of the inhabitants would soon forget.