Midnight hummed a small tune as she walked through Canterlot. She’d ditched her guard armour, opting for a simple cream-coloured dress and a wide brimmed sunhat. The smaller mare walking next to her wasn’t wearing anything, but then, that was the whole point of this little outing.
The section of Canterlot they strolled through held a lot of the high-end boutiques. Designers like Hoity Toity, Photo Finish and Rarity Belle were common names here.
“Hmm, I wonder where we should stop first darling?” Midnight had even adopted the snooty accent that Canterlot was famous for.
“Please don’t speak like that every again…” Pockets deadpanned. Midnight was yet to tell her what they were shopping for… but she had a really good idea. Still, there was a glimpse of hope in her mind, just a slight sense of hope that she was just assuming things and that they were gonna go for ice cream or something, “Batty, please tell me we’re just passing by. Please, oh please don’t tell me we’re actually going to shop for…” She shuddered at the thought of that, “Clothes…”
There was also the fact that there were more, as Pockets would put it, Canterlot snobbies per square hoof than she had ever seen. Her horn itched as she tried to quell the compulsion to rob the lot of them blind.
“Like I said, we're here shop dahling!” Midnight accentuated that last word to skin crawling levels, the unicorn cringing to unimaginable levels. They stopped in front of one boutique, a new one that recently opened and received an explosive boom in popularity due to a single dress. Now it sold much more and had made quite the name for itself. Midnight smiled and motioned to the store, “Here we go.”
“Carousel Boutique?” Pockets quirked a brow.
“Interesting name,” Midnight nodded. “I heard that the Element of Generosity herself owns this business.” She then all but dragged Pockets inside, only to be greeted by a slender unicorn mare with an orange mane.
“Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where everything chic, unique and magnifique~” She smiled happily. “My name is Sassy Saddles. And how can I help you fine fillies today?”
“Good afternoon,” Midnight nodded her head. “This one needs a dress for a dinner date tonight.”
Sassy looked Pockets over and tilted her head. “Well isn't she a big filly. So, her Cutecenara party then?”
Midnight lasted all of about three seconds before she fell sideways, laughing her flank off.
Pockets deadpanned, she was done. So done. A bazillion times done, “I'm not a filly…” She mumbled.
“Oh my, I am very sorry,” Sassy bowed her head. “Please, I really am and… is she going to keep laughing?”
“Ahahahahahaha!!” Midnight cackled and waved her legs. “Oh Celestia, I can't… I can’t breatheaahahhahahaha!”
Pockets walked towards her and with the most unamused look, lifted her up with her magic, shaking her around, “Do ya want me to slap you? ‘Cuz I'll do it, I really will. “
“Ahaa, okay… I think, I'm done,” Midnight snorted as she got to her hooves. “And no, this absolutely beautiful marefriend whom I love with all my heart, she is more radiant than the sun itself. She needs a nice dress for dinner with my parents tonight.”
“Yes… more radiant than the sun itself…” Pockets said coldly, a vengeful glint in her eyes. She could probably freeze molten lava with that look. She hated wearing clothes, they were uncomfortable, snobbie, unnecessary, snobbie, and didn’t let anyone see her sexy as heck petite body, also it was too snobbie for her.
“Well, fret not dears,” Sassy smiled and led them into the shop. “Now, do you have something in mind for what you'd like, a preferred style maybe?”
“Naked and happy.” Pockets snorted.
Sassy paused and looked at the snarky little unicorn. “Hmm, I'm guessing you're not a fan of fashion then?”
“I’m a fan of her,” Pockets pointed at Midnight, “And that’s the only reason I’m doing this. So...”
“Hmm, well I think we can still arrange something for you,” Sassy smiled as she trotted over to one rack and started flicking through the articles there. “Hmm, taking your colours into account, eyeshape, build… ahah!” She took a short, a gorgeous maroon short-cut dress with beautiful white linings and a rather classic look, and held it out for her. “Would you be comfortable in this one?”
“Hmm… I dunno. I like it and all, but… it feels a bit too girly for me.” Pockets sighed.
“I think you'd look pretty in it,” Midnight spoke up.
“Yeah maybe, but I wouldn’t feel too comfy on it. Hmm… do you maybe have something more modern and urban?” She quirked an eyebrow, “Something that screams character and sexiness, you know what I mean?”
“Hmm…” Sassy looked around and tapped her chin. “I can see where you're coming from. Let’s see…” She poked around another rack, and floated out another dress. “How about this little ensemble?”
“Hmmm too big.” Pockets shook her head. The taller unicorn presented another dress, yet Pockets once again shook her head, “Too flashy.” And then came dress, after dress, after dress.
Sassy let out a weary sigh as she floated out the… well, she lost count. Midnight was napping on one of the couches as she floated out the last dress the store had. The dress in question, was… well it was something alright.
Pockets walked around Sassy and the dress, and eyed the dress carefully, looking at every detail, every color, every stitch every inch of dust on that fancy yet subtle and modern piece of clothing, everything, “Well… it isn’t exactly what I was looking for. But at the same time it kinda is. Strange… why do I feel like I could see myself wearing this and liking it? It feels so weird, I legit don’t dislike this dress at all…” A mental image formed inside her head, herself in that dress, catching the eyes of everypony as she walked by, could it be? “I… think I actually like that one.”
“...Seriously?” Sassy sighed . “Oh thank Celest—!”
Yet Pockets quickly silenced her, glancing at the still sleeping Midnight and grinning, “Ok, I have a plan~”
Midnight groaned as she opened her eyes. She must have been more tired than she thought if she drifted off like that. She let out a loud yawn and licked her lips…
Wait…
Something felt… off. She opened her eyes and looked around, seeing that Pockets wasn’t in the room.
“Hmm, did she run away while I was napping?” she said aloud as she got up and stretched her limbs. “Great… it’ll take all day to find her now.”
That is when she saw a small paper note on the floor. She quirked an eyebrow and picked up, reading it aloud, “Go to the stage area and get ready for the show.” She tilted her head and blinked. “Show, what show?”
Well, only one way to find out. She trotted from the room and soon found what the note described, seeing a stage against one wall with a heavy curtain surrounding it. As soon as she approached it, the curtains were closed and the lights turned off, the only source of luminosity being the two reflectors that pointed at the center of the stage. Sassy Saddles strode out and gave a small bow.
“Welcome to this one time presentation,” she smiled warmly. “May I present this lovely and radiant mare, the very vision of the twilight hour. Miss Midnight Pickett!”
The curtains opened, and revealed something that blew Midnight away. Pockets, for the first time in forever, was wearing a dress. The dress in question was slim and form fitting, sleeveless and shimmered softly in the light, highlighting her slim yet athletic build. It rose off of the rump and started in a bright gold, before transitioning into a deep purple, making her flank look a tad more generous than what it really was. The hem of the dress was dotted with black stars, the small golden details making the piece of clothing glimmer with the lights of the reflector. The unicorn simply posed with a mix of beauty and sensuality, glaring at Midnight with a ‘Hey Beauty’ look followed by a wiggle of her eyebrows.
Midnight stared with wide eyes as she swallowed hard. She wasn’t sure if she liked that dress… or the idea of ripping it off of Pockets so she could ravish her.
“Sweet mother of Luna,” she whispered. “You’re beautiful.”
Pockets giggled and blushed a bit, “I know, but thanks for reminding me. So I take it you like it?”
“Mmmm, more than like it,” Midnight purred and draped her forelegs around Pocket’s neck, drawing her in for a deep and passionate kiss. Pockets eagerly returned the kiss, humming into the thestral’s mouth and feeling rather relieved that Midnight liked the dress as much as she did. After a while, Pockets broke the kiss and shot her a smirk.
“Well, if you loved this dress, you’re gonna love what else I bought… turns out dresses are not the only sort of thing Sassy here sells.” She glanced at the taller unicorn, who blushed and looked away coyly.
Midnight quickly put two and two together. Ohhhh buck~
“Forget later, I wanna tear that dress off and ravage you right now~” The mare growled playfully and nipped her ear.
The unicorn giggled and pushed her away playfully, “Hey now, I’m not against the idea. But if you do that then I’ll have to wear the other outfit I bought to your parents’ place and… well let’s just say that it would be incredibly awkward.”
“Hmm, but I certainly don’t mind," Midnight wiggled her eyebrows before Sassy gave a delicate, but deliberate cough. Midnight blinked and realised they still had company. Ah well, there was always tonight. She trotted over to Sassy and they shared a few words that Pockets didn’t hear before they walked back over to her.
“Well Miss Pickett,” Sassy spoke up. “Will you be wearing that out? Or shall I wrap it for you for later?”
Pockets glanced at Midnight, “I dunno, it depends on two things. What time are we supposed to meet with your parents? And also, do you promise to not do anything to this dress at least until we are done with them?”
Midnight made an odd face. That second request was going to be hard to follow... still…
“Well, since you’ve been here for…” She checked a wall clock. “Two hours. We don’t have much time left to meet them. And I’ll promise the second if you promise me something.”
The thief quirked an eyebrow with a curious smile, already having an idea of what she was going to ask, yet still curious anyways. You could never be too sure with Midnight, “And what would that be, you crazy bat?”
“Try not to act like a spaz in front of my parents,” Midnight said dryly.
Well, she had to be honest with herself that was not the request she was hoping to get, “Welp… I don’t have much of a choice now do I?” She mused, tapping the floor with a hoof nervously and biting her lip. This was like asking a fish to not swim anymore, it was part of her D.N.A. at this point. She was weird and she loved it. “What you are asking of me is… well, a real big deal.” She murmured, before stopping all her body movement and looking at the thestral with a sigh, “Fine, it’s a deal. Gosh the things I have to do for you.” She smirked at her, booping the thestral’s nose.
“You’re such a weirdo,” Midnight giggled and shook her head. “Well, thank you for your help Miss Sassy. Sorry for taking up so much of your time.”
“Not a problem Lady Song, and do say hello to your mother for me.”
Midnight cringed at the use of her title, but nodded and ushered Pockets out of the store after that. “Okay, now that you’re all prettied up, do you want that ice-cream I promised?”
“Depends, can I share a big one with you and say cheesy things while we eat like a normal couple just to see you blush like crazy?” The thief grinned, bumping Midnight’s rump with her own.
“Hmm, I think we could share a big one if you like~” Midnight smiled salaciously and trotted ahead of her.
Pockets took a while, before finally getting the joke, “Oh you nasty motherbucker!”
A little later in the evening, Midnight was leading her date through the Cloud District, home of the aristocrats, nobles and other high-society members of the city. Seriously, some of the mansions here could have housed a small village in the same space.
Midnight saw Pockets’ eyes darting from house to house and she nudged her with a wingtip.
“Pockey, these houses aren’t for stealing from okay?”
“You sure? Because they look pretty stealable to me.” Pockets said in what Midnight hoped was a joking manner, “Damn… this place is so weird and flashy. I feel like I just walked into Grumble’s wet dream.”
“Ew, now there’s a mental image I did not need,” Midnight shuddered. “Just… ew…”
The unicorn giggled and nuzzled Midnight, kissing her cheek, “Oh I love making you cringe, you’re just the most adorable thing when you use that ‘Eeew’ face of yours.”
Midnight made the face again, just to hear Pockets giggle again. And soon, they stopped in front of a large mansion. The front gates were made of a black iron that made Pockets’ horn itch for some reason. When Midnight saw her scratching at it, she chuckled.
“Anti-magic wards, a small security measure,” she said as she opened the gates and led her along the path that led to the front door.
“Really? Why’d you install that sort of crap, not like a small unicorn thief was planning to teleport inside, get a bag full of valuable goodies, and then teleport out.” She said playfully, taking a good look at the house itself. It was big, fancy, and surprisingly different from your typical mansion. Well that was her summarized description anyways. The house itself was more like a small castle in size. There was some pegasi influence in the design, with the tall pillars and sloped, elegantly curved edges. But, there was also something else that Pocket’s didn’t recognise. The stonework for one sort of looked like cobblestone paving, only it seemed much more solid. There was also a lot of dark and heavy-looking timber. Two stone gargoyles stood above the doorway and Pockets could swear the damned things were watching her.
“Ok… a nice friendly and colorful household it seems, myyy favorite.” Pockets said sarcastically as she stepped closer to Midnight, keeping an eye on those gargoyles which she really hoped were no more than statues.
“Hah, yeah those things are creepy. Dad used to tease me that they were actually petrified monsters that would gobble me up if I wasn’t a good filly.” She eyed them carefully as they passed under them and into the entrance. She raised her hoof and pulled the chain for the doorbell.
And a few moments later, the familiar scowling face of her father greeted them. “Ah, Midnight… and guest.”
“Dad, be nice or I’ll kick your ass,” Midnight replied as she hugged him.
Meanwhile, Pockets had no idea of what to do. A part of her still didn’t trust the stallion because of what had happened earlier in the day, with him not wanting her to be near Midnight and all, and overall just generally being a dick. Yet another part told her she needed to act… normal, whatever that meant, “Uhm… hello Mister Gramp- I mean, Gossamer. It is nice to see you again.”
“It is?” Gossamer asked her. “I was a total ass to you.”
Pockets smiled awkwardly, “I guess you were just trying to protect your daughter. You still don’t know me too well, and you don’t want her to end with the wrong pony or thestral or being, so… “ She raised a hoof, “Why don’t we change that and get to know each other a bit better?”
“Okay…” Midnight held up a hoof. “I rescind my previous request, polite and decent Pockets is creeping me the hell out.”
“I have no idea what you are talking about my magnificent dear.” Pockets smiled innocently with a very forced Canterlot accent that would put Grumble’s to shame, the smile being the creepiest thing coming from her, “I always try to live by high society's social standards, didn't you know?” She was going to make Midnight pay for making her act normal.
“Oh Goddess! Make it stooop,” Midnight cried and ran inside the house. Gossamer snorted and held the door open for Pockets.
“Ladies first.”
“Why thank you.” Pockets giggled, and proudly stepped inside. Her job here was done. “You know, you seem quite chill and nice when you’re not trying to kick me out of the city, or the country for that matter.” She said without looking back to him, her eyes darting around from side to side and looking at every single detail and decoration in the room, whistling in awe. While the place looked expensive, it didn’t have that pretentious feel like Grumble’s office. Sure, it had the odd painting or item here and there. But there was also a lot of personal effects too, like photos and the like.
“Ahh, nooo!” Pockets heard Midnight call out from another room. “Ahhh, leeme go!”
Pockets blinked and looked at where the pleads for help came from, “What room is that and why do I feel like if checking it out will be my doom? “
“That’s the living room,” Gossamer chuckled. “And it looks like Midnight couldn’t escape her fate. You’d better get in there, or she’ll hunt you down too.”
“Judging from the cries of help, I am not tempting fate.” Pockets chuckled and made her way towards the open door that lead to the living room, poking her head into it to see what was going on.
The room itself was quite spacious, with a high ceiling that had heavy, wooden beams that crossed along it. A huge, roaring fireplace that staved off the chilly Fall night and a few chairs and couches. And in the middle of the room, Midnight was being snuggled to death by a unicorn mare. The former thief chuckled and knocked on the door frame, looking at Midnight with a very amused look.
The mare turned her head and saw Pockets, dropping Midnight instantly and getting to her hooves. It was then that Pockets got a good look at her. The first thing she noticed was that she was gorgeous! Like, absolutely stunning. Her white coat looked like freshly fallen snow and her mane and tail shone like woven gold. There was also her eyes, her deep, emerald eyes that looked far too familiar to Pockets for some reason.
“Is this her?” the mare said. Even her voice sounded familiar, and when she turned, Pockets noticed her Cutie Mark, a full moon with a trio of musical notes.
“Pockets,” Midnight gasped, finally released from the mare’s vice-like grip. “This… This is—”
“Moon… motherfreaking… Song…” Pockets said with a dropped jaw, “The main star and/or singer in some of Equestria’s greatest movies like ‘Lullaby for a Princess’ and ‘Past Sins’!”
Midnight just groaned and facehooved. Of course Pockets was a freaking fanfilly.
“Oh my gosh! My adoptive father used to take me to the movies all the time, and the ones you starred in were some of my freaking favorites! The Mare of the Killer Emerald Ey—” She blinked as realization hit her, looking at Midnight, and then at Moon, and then back to Midnight, and then at Moon, “Wait… a second…”
“Pockets… what’s my last name?” Midnight asked her calmly.
“Song…” Pockets muttered, before finally nailing it down, “Oh my sweet Celestia! You’re Moon Song’s daughter!?”
“That she is,” Moon giggled and dragged Midnight Song over with her magic, hugging her again. “My little Middy is just the cutest isn’t she?”
“Oh for crying out… Mom!” Midnight groaned and pushed her off. Moon just shrugged, then pulled Pockets into a hug.
“So, you’re the filly that has my little Middy all in a fluster. You’re just so cute~!”
With anyone else, Pockets would have been a bit pissed at being called a filly... Yet this was Moon motherbucking Song, famous actress and one of Pockets’ many idols. She could call her a 1-inch foal if she wanted to and the unicorn wouldn’t mind in the slightest, heck, she would thank her for the compliment! “H-hehe… thanks…” She blushed with a sheepish grin not able to believe she was actually having physical contact with freaking Moon Song of all ponies. Yet after a while, he usual instincts kicked in, and she found herself smirking at Midnight, “But I think it’s more of a mutual flustering kind of thing. She really is a cutie after all.”
“Mhm,” Moon nodded and pat her mane before releasing her. “Oh, and that dress is simply divine. You look amazing dear. But there really was no need to get dressed up like that. I told my dear Moonlight as such.”
Midnight was slowly tiphoofing out of the room.
“Middy…” Pockets said in a cold, dangerous tone, not looking towards her yet knowing the mare all too well to know her intentions, “I just want to know… why did you make me spend an entire afternoon looking for a dress…. IF I DIDN’T NEED ONE?”
Midnight flinched and chuckled nervously. Oh dear, she was a dead mare.
“Because I wanted to dress you up,” she admitted. Well, at least she could die knowing she was honest.
“I would kill you right now, but A, I love you too much to do that, and B, I am not getting blood on my dress.” Pockets sighed, looking at Moon Song with an apologetic smile, “Sorry for the shouting, Miss Song.”
“No, it’s quite alright,” Moon giggled as she dragged Midnight back to them. “But I will say this in my daughter’s defense, you do look quite stunning in it. My dear Moonlight has excellent taste in mares.”
“Aw… stop it, I’m not that big of a deal.” Pockets blushed and rubbed her left foreleg, “Actually don’t stop, I like being praised.” She smirked playfully.
“Yeah, any more and we’ll need to move out the back to make room for her head,” Midnight smirked, before her mother shot her a bemused look.
“Now now, like you’re much better Miss ‘I’m good at everything I do’.”
Midnight grumbled and folded her forelegs as she pouted.
“Ohhhh dat burn tho, and from your own mother! How does it feel?” Pockets snickered as she leaned closer to Midnight, pecking her cheek.
“Something like this,” Midnight replied, before using her favoured wake up method on the unicorn.
Pockets eeped and jumped away, holding a hoof to her bitten flank before shooting Midnight a death glare, “What happened with ‘Not acting like a spaz’!?”
“That promise vanished when you sicced my Mom against me,” Midnight shot back as Moon Song giggled at their antics.
“Ohhohoh, this is wonderful to see,” she smiled and hugged Pockets again. “Thank you dear. Truly.”
“For… what again?” Pockets blinked, not quite following along.
“For falling in love with her,” Moon smiled and let her go. “Now, who’s hungry. I feel like cooking someth—”
“And I already have dinner prepared,” Gossamer said, appearing out of nowhere. Eye colour wasn’t the only trait that Midnight had earned from her mother. “Don’t worry about it dear, you only just got back from Neighpon after all.”
“Fiiiine,” Moon sighed and rolled her eyes. “You never let me cook.”
“Because I didn’t feel like calling the fire brigade,” Gossamer mumbled under his breath.
“That’s alright Mom, he never lets me cook either,” Midnight replied and rubbed her back. “So, tell me all about Neighpon. How was it?” The two fell into a deep discussion after that, allowing Pockets a few minutes to look around.
Even though she was incredibly impressed by the furniture, she had to admit that it wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be, it didn’t scream luxury like what she had first imagined, yes it was fancy but not overwhelming. And a few of those characteristics could even apply to Midnight’s parents as well, they were not quite as bad as Midnight had said they’d be, the father was a bit overprotective yet it was justified and it was obvious he really cared about his daughter. And the mother was freaking Moon Song, not only that but she seemed like a fun, enjoyable pony. She kind of felt like home there, well she couldn’t be sure considering the closest thing to a family she ever had was a street gang.
Then a thought occured. This was Midnight’s house.
Which meant she had a room. Which sent so many different ideas through her head, including… “Excuse me? Do you mind if I borrow your bathroom?”
“There’s one upstairs,” Moon replied, breaking the conversation for a moment. “Take the staircase there, third door on the left.”
Got it!” Pockets smiled innocently, too innocently in fact. And before anyone could ask or say anything else, she darted towards the stairs with a giggle. She reached the second floor, and hummed in thought. Sadly she couldn’t use her magic to check what was inside any of the rooms, yet that didn’t mean she couldn’t take a wild guess, “Eeny, mini, miny, moe!” She chanted before opening one of the doors, and finding nothing but a bunch of cleaning equipment, “Nope.” She kept going through the hall and checking random door after random door.
One room had more insects in it, like a bigger version of Gossamer’s office. Another was a bedroom, but it clearly didn’t belong to Midnight. Must have been him and Moon’s… Wait, ohmigosh! That was the dress she wore in… no. Pockets. Focus! You have a mission!
She kept checking a couple of rooms, wondering if perhaps she should just forget about it and move on… yet there was something about a particularly eye-catching wooden door that caught her attention. It was beautifully carved and seemed to be made of a material different from the other ones. Maybe… a quick peek wouldn't hurt.
She tried to open the door… and failed. It was locked. Well, that would be where any regular pony just gave up and stopped trying. But Pockets was no regular pony, she was a thief, and a simple door knob meant nothing for the mare!
Somehow, she did it. How she did it without magic was a secret the former thief would never reveal. She stepped inside, and her jaw dropped to the floor…
So. Much. Pink!
A massive four poster bed, complete with pink and white frilly bedspreads and drapes around it. Light pink walls and girlish furniture. There was a large vanity mirror with lights around it, along with a small bright pink book with a gold lock on it. A ponequinn in one corner had… what must have been the pinkest and frilliest dress Pockets had ever seen before. Complete with holes for wings and one of the cone-shaped hats with a veil on it. There was even an expensive-looking silver tiara.
The entire room just screamed filly princess.
At first, this all seemed too strange to Pockets. Maybe Middy had a little sister? No, she would have mentioned it. Maybe this was just a random room they had… for visits? No, that was just too dumb. Maybe… just maybe… Was this Midnight’s room when she was little?
The unicorn curiously looked around, trying to find any connection to the mare she knew and loved, and then she saw it. Sitting on the nightstand. A picture frame of a younger Moon and Gossamer, though they looked like they hadn’t changed much. Damn, how old were they?
And a little filly thestral. Quite possibly the most heart-wrenchingly cutest thing Pockets had ever seen. And those massive emerald eyes of hers… those eyes she would recognize anywhere.
“Sweet… Celestia…” Pockets whispered, before trying to hold in a laugh, and failing, her back on the floor as she let out an incredibly loud laugh.
“Laugh it up,” a voice said from the doorway as a very unamused Midnight stood there. “Cause you won’t be after I throw you out that window.”
Pockets cleared a tear, and looked at her. A while ago, that death stare would have sent shivers down the unicorn’s back, yet at this point she was pretty much used to it, “Ok…” She took quick breaths, trying to calm down, “First, you made me wear a dress, let me have this. Second… my goddess you were so freaking cute and girly and pink!”
“I’m going to beat you to death with your own legs,” Midnight replied as she stepped closer and then saw her diary on the desk… as did Pockets. “Don’t you even dare!”
“... I’ve lived a good life.” Pockets said before rushing towards the diary, grabbing it just in time before Midnight stopped her, and hopping belly down on the bed and placing the book down, opening it and clearing her throat to read a random entry, “Dear diary…
"Eeeee~ Today I learned that Prince Blueblood invited me to his birthday party. He’s the most handsome colt in Canterlot and he’s a Prince.” She gasped dramatically, “Ooh! Maybe I’ll get to meet the Princesses as well. Ahh, but who cares. He’s cute and he invited me~’
“Pockets… stop,” Midnight started.
Her survival instincts told her to leave the diary alone, and live to see another day… eh, it was a pretty nice night to die, “Dear diary…
‘I… I’m a monster. Freak! That’s… that’s what he said to me. He didn’t… know I was a thestral. H-he said… he wouldn’t have invited me. That, I should just go and live in a cave with the other dirty bats…’ the text trailed off as the rest of the page was stained.
“Happy now,” Midnight replied coldly.
Pockets closed the diary, and sighed, “Well that… took a dark tone. I’m sorry, not because of your diary,” She said with a small saddened grin, hopping off the bed and walking towards the thestral, locking eyes with her, “I’m sorry you had to meet such a stupid, blind, ignorant fuck like this Prince Blueblood. Because to say such things to a mare as incredible as you? You must be insane.” She said softly, nuzzling her marefriend.
“Read the next page,” Midnight replied, not putting any hints on her tone.
Pockets quirked an eyebrow, and walked back to the bed, picking up where she left off and reading the next entry, “Dear Diary…
‘Okay, so today I’m grounded. Mom’s really mad and Dad… well, I dunno. He yelled at me with Mom… then gave me cookies later and said not to tell her. Huh? Why am I grounded? Ohh. Well… so maybe I took a walk past Bluesnots house. And maybe he came out to tease me… and maybe I kicked him in a place where Daddy says hurts… a lot…well, Bluesnot squealed like a little filly at least.”
Pockets blinked, before bursting out in laughter, “My gosh! First a kick in the feels, and then a kick in the freaking nuts! Oh gosh filly Middy, you go girl!”
“Coincidentally, Blueblood has never insulted me since,” Midnight chuckled darkly. It hadn’t been the last time she’d kicked his ass either. “Still… you snooped through my stuff. I do hope you’re ready for the punishments that’ll follow such an act.”
Pockets froze. Well… she didn’t know whether to be afraid, really afraid, or incredibly afraid, “Please don’t…”
“You reap what you sow,” Midnight replied. “Now come on, dinner’s ready.” She turned and left the room as her wing caught the closet door and it opened.
That… was not the closet of a little filly. A little filly wouldn’t own so many whips and hoof cuffs and… was that a dragons—!?
“NOPE!” Pockets immediately closed the closet door, “My butt is not ready for this! I am so scared, Celestia or Luna if you’re hearing this… have mercy,” she whimpered, hoping she wouldn’t have to walk too much the next day.
Okay, so Pockets was experiencing a lot of new things tonight. One of which being dinnertime here. That… that was a lot of food. And expensive food at that. Salad with croutons. Potato and leek soup. Fresh bread that smelled divine. Boiled fish was also there for the more carnivorous fellows. And… was that pizza and pasta!?
There was a little known fact about Pockets. She had a ton of unaccomplished dreams she had always wanted to try out. One of them, was combining pizza and pasta, and make the ultimate “Prime Perfect Power Pasta Pizza” and add that to her alliteration-related meals list.
“Wow Mister Gossamer, this all looks amazing!” Pockets said with a hungry grin.
“Thank you,” he nodded his head. He had to learn since both females in his life could incite the apocalypse if they were to enter the kitchen. “It's been awhile since we've had the whole family at the table huh?”
“Yeah, and now we have this little weirdo as well,” Midnight smiled and kissed Pockets cheek.
“Midnight! Don't call your fillyfriend names,” Moon chided her daughter.
“Yeah batty, don’t call me names.” Pockets said in a sarcastically serious tone.
Midnight stared at her with wide eyes as Gossamer dropped his spoon, staring in abject horror.
Pockets realized what she had done, and quickly covered her mouth, “Uhm… oops?”
“That’s… how could you!?” Moon exclaimed, clearly distraught.
“I… I… I’m sorry! It’s just that I’m used to calling her like that and…” She panicked, eeping in fear, “I’m sorry! I won’t do it again!”
The three sat there for a moment, Gossamer was the first to crack as he snorted, before his wife and daughter joined him, the three ponies laughing quite hard.
Pockets deadpanned, “Wut…?”
“Oh I'm sorry,” Moon Song wiped her eyes. “I just had to tease you.”
“And we just rolled with it,” Midnight giggled.”Seriously. If it offended us, don’t you think I would have told you?”
Pockets kept her deadpan, yet… after a while she couldn’t help but snort as well, giggling when she realized that Midnight was right, she had been played and she had been played good.
“Again, I'm sorry dear,” Moon giggled. “Now, let’s tuck into this meal before it gets cold hm?”
“No worries, it was a good one. And sure thing!” Pockets nodded, looking around the table expectantly, “So what about dessert? Hay, lilies? Ooh are we having tropical fruits? I can’t wait to see what Mister Gossamer has in store!”
“Actually, we have two desserts this evening,” Gossamer said. “A pony one for you and Moonie, and a more thestral one for me and Midnight.”
“Oh? A thestral dessert?” Pockets quirked an eyebrow, “What is it?”
“Not something you'd want dear, trust me on that one,” Moon Song said with a small nod as she piled some salad onto her plate.
Pockets did the same, yet couldn’t help but see that as a challenge, “Hmm… Mister Gossamer, what would you say if I wanted to try that thestral dessert?”
“Well, I'd say you’re a brave mare. Not many ponies would try that particular bit of thestral culture.”
“Well if I’m going to be living with one, I better start learning and getting involved on that sort of stuff!” Pockets nodded, prepared for whatever was coming, “So bring it on! Let’s see what this is all about!”
“Eat the dinner first,” Moon chuckled. “Regrets can come later.”
Pockets giggled and got down to eating, enjoying a bit of everything there was, even going for seconds and also using this opportunity to add some pasta to the pizza. The Power Pasta Pizza was absolutely delicious~
“This is soooo good!” Pockets grinned, cleaning her mouth with a napkin, “You are my new favorite chef ever Mister Gossamer!”
“Heh, you'll make an old stallion like me blush,” the thestral chuckled. Moon coughed and his wings twitched. “O-Of course, I love my darling wife and… you're screwing with me aren't you.”
“Not in front of the kids,” Moon giggled and Midnight facehooved.
Pockets couldn’t help but laugh softly, “Sweet Celestia, you two are awesome! I have no idea why Midnight was so nervous about me meeting you.”
“I have no idea either,” Moon replied and glanced at her daughter. “Though I have to ask, how serious is your relationship?”
“How... serious?” Pockets blinked, blushing a bit, “Well… I mean… I… I love her, and… well…” Soon, that small blush took over her face, not really knowing what to say. This question was hard, a false move and she could probably screw everything up. Could she just say that she hoped to one day marry that mare? Or was that too rushed and brash? Or should she say something less… extreme? But what if that meant disappointing or even angering her parents or worse, Midnight herself?
“We're taking things one step at a time Mom,” Midnight replied as she came to the rescue. “We've only know each other a couple of weeks after all. So no, we're not getting married just yet, nor will you get grandfoals to spoil.”
“Oh poop,” Moon Song pouted.
“Yeah... but hey! At least you might get a new daughter.” She grinned, pointing at herself before chuckling, “That is if you guys do accept me instead of, I dunno, threatening me with kicking me out of the city again.”
“One threat, and nopony lets you forget it,” Gossamer grumbled as he left the room to get dessert. In the meantime, Midnight moved so she was sitting beside Pocket’s chair and then bowed down.
“I accept your proposal. We shall get married in the morning.”
“Oh cool. But we at least need to get a cake or else it will be all for naught.” Pockets giggled and booped Midnight’s muzzle, making it scrunch up adorably. “You are crazy, ya know that?”
“Aww, she’s growing immune,” Midnight pouted.
“It’s fine, she gives up plenty of fuel for that fire,” Moon chuckled as Gossamer returned, and placed four covered trays on the table. Moon lifted hers to be greeted with a mango sorbet, to which Midnight gulped heavily and nearly drooled over. Still… she took hers off as she saw a variety of chocolate-coated items, as well as some shiny black things that Pockets didn’t recognise.
But dessert was dessert! Pockets picked one of the shiny black things and tossed it into her mouth, munching down on it with a hum, it was sweet, with just a hint of bitterness. Crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside. “You know… this isn’t actually that bad… I could get used to eating these.”
“Wow, I didn’t think you’d jump right in like that,” Gossamer replied, rather impressed. “Most ponies can’t stomach the thought of eating them.”
“Mhm,” Midnight replied as she popped a few of the chocolate ones into her mouth. “Mmm, it’s been too long since I had these~”
“Really?” Pockets quirked an eyebrow, trying one of the chocolate snacks as well, the sweet taste of chocolate making the previous combination even more enjoyable, there was something else, a texture she didn’t recognise. “I mean, they’re just really crunchy snacks, I rather like ‘em. Why would you ever say no to these?”
“Heh, not a lot of ponies would eat chocolate and sugar coated insects,” Gossamer chuckled as Midnight bit one of the chocolates in half, showing that it was a chocolate-coated grasshopper.
Pockets froze, her munching slowing down while the gears inside her head turned. “Am I eating grasshoppers right now? Please be honest.”
“And sugar-coated black beetles,” Midnight nodded. “Tasty huh? I don’t get why ponies can’t stand ‘em.”
Pockets used a lot of her willpower to not puke right there and then, feeling very, very, very nauseous, her face getting greener by the second, “Heh...heh…. Yeaaah I don’t get it either! Heh… so… mind passing me some… water?”
“Oh dear,” Moon sighed as she floated a glass and the pitcher of water over to her. “Are you alright dear? I did try to warn you.”
“I… I’m fine,” She smiled awkwardly, gulping the whole thing down, “It was just the shock… yeah… nothing weird with eating bugs.”
“You’re really creeped out by it huh?” Midnight deadpanned and then chuckled. “It’s fine, really.”
“No! I’m not creeped out by it. Cultures are different, but different doesn’t mean bad, right? Heck, give me another one!” She said both confidently and somehow nervous as heck.
“Pockets, your hoof is shaking,” Midnight giggled, but passed her a rather large grasshopper. “Well?”
“Well.. I… ah…” Pockets stuttered as her hoof brought the covered insect closer, and closer… “Oh buck it!” She munched on it, her body trying to reject it yet her willpower keeping it inside her mouth. She munched, and munched, before giving them an awkward grin, remains of ooze and legs between her teeth.
“Aaand I am no longer hungry,” Moon resigned and pushed away her dessert. Midnight chuckled and then kissed Pockets, her long tongue cleaning out the remains quite happily.
A muffled “Worth it” was heard while Pockets returned the kiss, quite liking this new mouth-cleaning method.
“D’aww,” Moon cooed.
“Really? At the dinner table?” Gossamer sighed and shook his head.
Midnight broke the kiss and licked her lips. “Mmm, yummy~” she smiled and licked the tip of Pocket’s nose.
“Are you talking about the bugs, or me?” The thief smirked, not really caring about acting decent anymore.
“I can only pick one?” Midnight smiled lewdly, before her mother pulled her back with magic.
“Midnight, not on the dinner table. Though I doubt we’d see anything we already haven’t…”
“You get caught with twin dragon brothers once and nopony let’s you forget it,” the thestral mare sighed.
“I want to ask what happened, but I am not sure if I can laugh that much.” Pockets smirked, “Actually, I kind of do want to hear that story,”
“Later,” Midnight sighed and blushed slightly. “Anything else you’d like to embarrass me with Mom?”
“I’m sure I’ll think of something,” Moon said and then gasped. “Oh! I do have an idea actually. It’s been so long. Would you sing with me Middy?”
Midnight sighed and rolled her eyes. “Yeah, we can do that. Living room though, once dessert is finished.”
“Finished.” Pockets said with her muzzle full of bugs. Yeah it was still weird, but she’d do anything to hear her two favorite singers in Equestria, no, the world, sing together.
“Well, somepony’s excited,” Moon giggled.
“Nah, that'll come later… and so will she,” Midnight grinned as her mother gave an exasperated sigh.
Pockets rolled her eyes with a snort, making sure no bug would fall from her muzzle. She chewed and chewed with slight difficulty, looking at the two with wide eyes full of cheer excitement.
Once dessert was had and cleaned up. That was another thing Pockets noticed, they didn’t employ any servants. No maids, chefs or butlers. Moon’s reason was that none of them were home often to warrant it, and that why pay somepony to do what you could simply do yourself.
And now they moved to the warm living room as Midnight and Moon discussed what they should sing.
“Oh, how about that new song you did for your Neighpon tour?” Midnight asked. “I haven’t gotten to sing that before and I really like it.”
“You sure?” Moon asked. “It is in Neighponese. You think you actually can sing…” She trailed off when she saw Midnight’s deadpan stare. “Right. I forgot about that.”
Pockets meanwhile just looked at them with the eyes of the biggest fanfilly in the planet, unable to wait a second longer,
“You know, we better start before Pockets explodes,” Midnight chuckled and shook her head. Gossamer reclined on a couch, sipping at a glass of whiskey. Moon Song moved to the record player and placed one on there, lowering the needle as a tune started to play.
They started out just standing stationary, but quickly got into the swing of things as it practically turned into a professional performance. The two mares were perfectly in sync, like they’d rehearsed this a hundred times over, rather than this being the first time Midnight had even sung the song.
Pockets on her part just stared in complete awe, unable to say a word and even drooling a bit due to her wide open jaw. They were soooo goood! The two mares danced and sang, and even the normally stoic Gossamer tapped his hoof to the beat of the song.
Midnight’s eyes danced with joy as she sang, more than Pockets had even seen from her. It was quite something really. The small unicorn could watch this forever, hypnotized by the dance moves, their melodious voices, and the sheer happiness and joy the mares emanated. The crescent moon on Midnight's flank seemed to glow a little as she sang.
But many of the good things in life always have an end, and like any good song that end was around the four minutes mark. And even though for Pockets it was like a glorious eternity, she couldn’t help but feel rather sad that it had to end, a sadness she did not portray when she began to tap her hooves and clap for them. “Wooo, that was AWESOME! You two are so freaking amazing!”
“And you are such a fanfilly,” Midnight giggled as she and Moon Song both took a bow.
“I still didn’t understand a word of that,” Gossamer replied.
“It doesn’t matter, because music is deeper than words. Whether you understand them or not, music has a way of getting its message across,” Moon smiled and rubbed Pocket’s head. “And I’m guessing you’d like something.”
“I want many things right now, like seeing that performance a couple hundred more times, but… maybe an autograph if it isn’t much bother?” She smiled uncomfortably, not knowing if that was the sort of thing to ask your marefriend’s mother. But eh, the moment was as good as any.
“Hmm, are you perhaps talented in mind reading?” Moon smiled and floated something over. A first edition copy of one of her earlier records.
‘To my cute little fan Pockets. May you continue to bring love to the Moonlight~’
The unicorn squeaked in delight and held the vinyl disc close, “Oh my gosh! This is so awesome, Papa Spirit will be so freaking jealous!”
“I’m glad you like it dear,” Moon giggled as Midnight moved next to Pockets and hugged her close.
“How about an early night? We have to be up early tomorrow morning for training after all.” Midnight asked.
“Well if your parents don’t mind, I guess we could sleep here tonight. That is, if someone promises not to strangle me while I sleep.” She shot Gossamer a smirk.
“No promises,” he replied, showing his fangs as his golden eyes flashed.
“We’re double-locking the door tonight, aren’t we?” Pockets asked Midnight in an actually serious tone.
“It’ll be fine,” Midnight smiled as she lay her head on Pocket’s shoulder and her voice dropped to a barely audible whisper. “I still have to punish you remember~?”
The blush in Pockets’ face was way too strong, “Oh no…”
“As long as you clean up your mess,” Moon sighed, long used to her daughter’s antics. “Come along dear, let’s leave these lovebirds alone.”
“Yup,” Gossamer agreed and left Pockets to her fate.
“No! Don’t go, haaaalp! I am not ready, my butt is not ready!” She begged, trying to crawl out of this to no avail.
“Oh, we’re going to have so much fun~” Midnight giggled as she carried the unicorn mare off to her bedroom.
Pockets really hoped she didn’t have to walk much tomorrow. She was probably gonna be in bed for an eternity after that night “I’ve lived a good life...” She sighed.
