I rested my head on the table and stared at the wall while Blossomforth had me in a wing-hug. She had come over the moment that she knew that I was one of the ponies who had been affected by the love poison incident. Neither she nor Derpy had been involved, thank Shadow.
I took a deep breath and leaned into Blossom, allowing her to cradle me with her other wing. "I don't want to ask if you're okay, but can I do anything to help?"
I shook my head. "No. I'm not even sure what would help at this point."
"I'm sorry," Blossom muttered. "I know that he was your friend."
"Yeah." I closed my eyes and facehooved. "Honestly, though, it was more than that. It was my strongest platonic relationship with somebody that I didn't accidentally disembowel when we were foals." I gave an unamused snort. "So you can imagine why I'd enjoy his company."
"So you never even thought about banging him when you hung out?"
I shrugged. "Sure I thought about it, but not seriously. As a matter of fact..." I pulled away from Blossom and looked out the window in the direction of TD's house. "I'm not sure I would have banged him, even if he had asked."
Blossom frowned and cocked her head. "Really? That seems a little uncharacteristic of you."
I shot Blossom a slight glare. "Oh come on, you know there's more to me than just banging." I sighed and leaned my head against my forelegs. "Look... banging is awesome. I'm never going to get tired of it, and it’s always something that I'm going to try to enjoy with other ponies. It shows that I love them." A shadow of my old confident smile returned. "And there is a lot of Cloud Kicker love to go around."
Blossom rolled her eyes, but allowed me to continue. My smile faded and I shook my head. "Having said all of that, I'm not going to deny that there can be complications to it. Some ponies get the wrong idea about it, some ponies want me all to themselves, and so on." I glanced over at Blossom. "Look, I know you care for me too, and I know you are always there for me, but it was kinda nice to have a relationship where banging was never on the table for either of us." I snorted, and this time there was a hint of amusement behind it. "The Gala aside, obviously."
Blossom copied my snort. "Obviously."
"But once our relationship got established, it was kinda nice having a friend that I could just meet for drinks every Friday where banging never crossed either of our minds." I ran a hoof through my mane as the events of that morning crossed my mind. "Look, a big part of why we established that early on was the fact that he's not attracted to ponies. I get that. He's attracted to his own species. When I saw the look on his face when we discovered the rings and the marriage certificate on top of the fact that he had to deal with the fact that we made out..." I shook my head. "He looked kinda scared. Really scared, actually."
"I can understand why he'd be feeling that," Blossom admitted. "Waking up married to somepony would be pretty shocking and terrifying if it happened randomly like that."
I groaned and rubbed my temples. Huh, I guess we was rubbing off on me a little bit with that. "Technically I am still married to him. I'm legally still Mrs. Cloud Powell."
Blossom flinched back at that. Given that her crush on me had recently come to light on top of the fact that she was starting to butt heads a little with Derpy meant that it couldn't have been easy for her to hear that. She was hoping that she'd get me, and here I am married to a friend who didn't want it to happen any more than I did.
In fact, I think that the love triangle that I was currently going through was a big reason that TD and I had bonded so quickly, though I would never tell Blossomforth that. We both had huge problems that we were going through, and we would just hang out for a night and either rant about our problems or just completely forget them altogether for a few precious hours. Rainbow Dash was definitely a platonic friend, but if you ever tried to sit her down and have a conversation about your feelings with her, you'd find out that, despite her best efforts, she wouldn't really give advice that you could use very often. Sure, bluntness worked some of the time, but it wasn't something that worked in every situation, and Rainbow Dash didn't really understand that.
"Well, at least you didn't actually bang, right?"
I nodded and traced my hoof around the table. "Yeah. Ninety-nine percent sure."
Blossom raised an eyebrow. "Wait, Ninety-Nine?"
"Yeah." I rested my face on the table. "He woke up fully clothed, so that's a pretty good sign that we didn't, but frankly with me I can't be completely sure, and I think that he knows that."
"Which would just make this whole thing worse for both of you," Blossom guessed.
"Yeah." I started tracing the table with my hoof again. "Yeah it would. If we banged, it would destroy everything that the two of us found special about our relationship. On top of that, he's already kinda got an eye on a mare."
Blossom frowned and cocked her head. "Wait, really? I thought you said he wasn't attracted to ponies."
"You can love somebody and not be physically attracted to them." I raised my head and looked Blossom in the eye. "And I'm not talking about family either. I know it's not something that I've ever really had, but I can at least understand the idea behind that. I think that TD has those kinds of feelings for..." I closed my eyes and shook my head. "Well, I think I'd be betraying his trust if I said who it was."
"Makes sense." Blossom folded her forelegs over her chest. "Does she love him like that?"
I shrugged. "I can't say for sure, but I know that if they ever did take it somewhere then him and me being married would definitely have a negative impact on their relationship. Sure it would be accidental, but..." I scoffed. "How much do you wanna bet that Rarity and Applejack's relationship is going to drastically change now that Rarity has been married to another mare?"
Blossom grimaced and flattened her ears. "Good point."
"I mean, I doubt that the Elements of Harmony are going to break up or Applejack isn't going to want to be with Rarity anymore, but it's kind of hard to casually hang out with your ex-wife."
I tapped my hoof on the table. "I just... I'm not sure what to do."
* * * *
That Friday saw TD and I sitting in the Blue Moon bar again. We had pretty much avoided each other that week, but we had both talked for a few minutes and decided that we should at least try to make things normal again on the suggestions of Twilight and Blossomforth.
Our marriage, and the marriage of everypony else, had been annulled within a few days, so I was officially TD's ex-wife. Yep. Back to Cloud Kicker. I had decided against telling Mom or Alula about it. Alula wouldn't really understand, and I'm not sure I could stomach the idea of telling my mom that I had accidentally gotten married. That would generate all kinds of conversations that I did not want to have.
Of course, I wasn't sure I was ready to have those kinds of conversations with TD. Not sure he was either. The two of us were just sitting across from each other, sipping our cider and not saying a word. We hardly made eye contact the entire time. I knew that both of us wanted to say something, but neither of us really knew how to start off a pretty heavy conversation. Occasionally one of us would half open our mouths as if we wanted to say something, but the words died in our throats every time.
Yeah, it wasn't going to work tonight, and both of us knew it. No doubt that we'd have a conversation about this very soon, but neither of us felt that the time and place where we used to relax around each other was the time and place. We gave each other subtle nods, he tossed a few bits on the table, then walked out the door.
Well, they must feel awkward. But, I am curious as to where you're taking this story from here.
dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/sillyfilly_Sweetie_Belle.png
Oh come on!
This chapter was such a tease...
I hope something actually happens to progress the plot next chapter.
...So, wait... it's nice to only have relationships where banging is always "on the table"?
I think you've made a mistake somewhere in there...? Either that or I'm balls.
3136100 She's saying that it was nice to not have a relationship potentially complicated by sex.
3136114
The double negatives cancel out; thus it could alternatively be read as its inverse.
"On the table" is an idiom that means "currently being considered", so...
I believe you meant to write something like the following.
That should be synonymous with "it was nice to not have a relationship potentially complicated by sex."
Awkward non-conversation is extremely awkward.
3136149 Ah, yes. I see your point. Yes, the latter was my intention.
3136204
Yay, I'm not balls!
Glad to help.
For some reason the song currently playing on my computer - One Tin Soldier from the movie Billy Jack - seems oddly appropriate.
"On the bloody morning after, one tin soldier rides away." Ouch, eh?
3136087 I can tell you from experience it's more than awkward. Amicable divorce, but nothing's ever the same. It just can't be.
Good But who's the mare that TD likes?
3136687 Do you want to know? Would you even be okay with me shipping him?
3136737 I'd cast my vote as "Why not, you guys."
Seriously, it wouldn't degrade the story into clop or what have you, TD wouldn't skip around meadows wearing pink clothes and singing gleefully, and Oswald will still be a special child.
That being said, I've already written an intimate shipfic between TD and one of the ponies in ponyville. Check it out here.
I'm getting on EQD for sure with this one.
3136812 Okay, I get that I've teased it a lot, but trust me: I will tell you. I Pinkie Promise that I will tell you. There will be drama, there will be comedy, there will be development! Everything you wall have ever wanted out of a TD story. By jove will it go somewhere!
I kind of feel this is getting drawn out. Yes neither are happy with the situation, we get that. Either focus on both parties dealing with it or stop wasting our time!
That said it's a pretty minor complaint, what you're doing isn't a bad way to increase the drama of the situation and such but, the two of them really aren't dealing with the most interesting aspect so it feels like a lot of walking around the issue at hand.
3136938 Well there are probably only two or three chapters left, and next one is a doozie.
Well... uncomfortably awkward? Yes.
3136947
I await it with baited breath!
Is it bad that this line completely cracked me up?
Also, it's a bit pedantic, but technically if the marriage was annulled then Cloud's not his ex-wife, because the marriage was never valid in the first place.
3136687 Think about it, he wants to be a teacher, right? So which pony does he have the most in common with?
Unless there's another pony that Pinkie Pie set on fire...
3137949
It was terrible Chengar, but we all still love you.
Less TD, more Gwenwyn... that said, TD is still awesome. Nice update :D
Lesbians, lesbians everywhere! It reminds me this story, only with lesbians instead of changelings. Either way, it's not for me. I'm out.
3138701 What? No, those shippings weren't romantic. it was accidental. Word of God, none of the lesbian 'shippings' had sex. I think you're missing the point of what happened. It was two ponies who just happened to be next to each other when they ate the apples. I'm not a guy who does shipping, so it was pretty much the first names to pop into my head.
Besides, it's such a small portion and not at all important, I fail to see why you both need to unfavorite it and thumbs it down. The story is about how TD and CK try to figure out their relationship, not lesbian shipping.
3139141 'Love Poison' pairing was RarixTwi, but here you mention RarixAJ, and there's RDxPP, and also Blossom that got hots for Cloud, and is in relationship with Derpy, I think (don't know what 'butt heads' means). I'm not against lesbians, but I'm not very fond of F/F shipping in MLP, and only one that I've got nothing against; out of canon characters, either main or background; is LyraxBonBon.
I did unfavorite this story, because; as I won't read it; I don't want it to clatter my Fav folder with unread chapters, but I didn't thumb it down. I don't thumb down the story that I stopped reading, and if I thumb it up earlier, I leave it at that, and I did gave you green. I don't know why you thought otherwise.
I hate stereotyping, that's why I hate turning RD into lesbian on note of 'tomboy=lesbian' or 'rainbows=gay', and with Rari... just no.
I know that's not the focus of this story, but I have a bit of a OCD, and knowing that 'it's out there' will poke me in the back of my head when reading.
PS. I still read "Wanderings" and "TD Princess" so don't fret, you won't lose a reader.
PS2. And if in those stories are some F/F parings, I don't remember, and please, don't remind me about them.
3139269 1. There are no f/f pairings in the TDverse.
2. This takes place int he Winningverse by Chengar Qordath, so those shippings are his not mine.
3. I thought you thumbsed it down because you unfaved it and I saw another thumbs down. I appreciate that you didn't.
4. Those shipping pairs aren't mentioned again. But if you do want to stop reading, I won't hold it against you.
5. I hope you enjoy the other TD stories.
3139557 I understand, thank you.
About fourth point, if it's true I might return to it at some point then, but certainly not now, since I've got around 20-30 stories tracked here, and started reading some big ones (200K, 700K) on FFN.
This is trudging along at a pretty steady pace. But it feels like something is missing... I just can't seem to set my finger on it.
3140469
3140482 You know, finger. Dextrous little digits. Five on each hand, one hand on each arm, two arms on the top of the torso connected via the shoulders. You know... Fingers.
3140510 I get that, but I'm not sure what the comment means. I know, I'm missing something.
3140525 I was pointing at it by example. In but let me spell it out since you're clearly seeing the point.
I was being a snark. And that is what this version is if not missing then its lacking. The copious amount of snark and sarcasm that make TD the glorious jerk he is.
IMO this is getting to touchy feelingy for a TD story. Altough some random stupidity could easily fix that.
PS: I am not the story writing expert, and these are just my opinions. They could be completely wrong. And if they are, then they can be disregarded without a second glance.
PPS: Anyhow I could not pass up that opportunity to be snark.
Well it's not like nothing happened, we got quite a good perspective on Cloud Kicker's feelings on what happened. And you also built the story with information regarding Blossomforth, Derpy, Rarity, and AJ. So I'd say this chapter is a win, as well as being a nice wind down chapter.
I'm quite eager to see the mystery mare's identity revealed, although I stand by the guess I made in my comment on Td's Little .
3156668 Mystery mare? Like who he has a crush on?
3157565 Yes. And the only thing that makes me think it's less now is his comment about dating tougher girlfriends than the griffon princess, which means he might be attracted to more hot-blooded types, which would mean I'm probably wrong and it's actually probably...Rainbow Dash? Or if he just likes dangerous women, possibly...Twilight. No idea if he's crazy enough to go for one the girls who beat the crap out him, though.
Anyway, yeah, I think you should go for him having a completely-non-sexual romantic relationship. In like, another sequel of the TDverse, possibly set after Wanderings. (assuming Cadance can't surpass her aunts in portal magic by using the Crystal Heart or something.)
P.S. If you forgot who I guessed it would be, it was a certain schoolteacher, due to them spending a lot of time together teaching and have educating and caring for children in common as what they're passionate about. Just having a little fun trying to guess the mystery.
3162061 Not actually. The Secret Life of Rarity did that too, and it's a reference to something else on top of that.
3137949 The marriage might be over, but the emotional impact goes on.
Mfw everyone is just freaking out and unfavoriting because of shipping like it's a big deal.
But actually, guys, calm the fuck down, you'll live.
Unbeknownst to Cloud Kicker, she is carrying the first human-pony hybrid, YAY!!!
Also, I Love this story.
It's fantastic ,thanks for this story.
3211722 .....A Centaur?
3430680
Centaur, Ipotane, Hayagriva, mǎ miàn (Horse-Face), Tikbalang, Nuckelavee, they would all work and give unique aspects to the child. I'm not actually learned enough to know this, I just googled it.
3432576 Centaur is most well known,And seems to allways be known as a crackshot with a bow
3163069
Dammit man, throw me a bone here; How's TD got the hots for!?! It's been bugging me all week!
3453464 How's?
3453470
Who's; my bad, but you know what I mean. CONFESSS!!!!!!!
3453538 Alright! I'll say. Sheesh.
It's either Rainbow Dash, Celestia, Luna, Fluttershy, Cheerilee, Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, or Applejack.
And boy did I heavily tease one of them at the end of Wanderings.
3453567
So it's either Twi or Flutters?
3453595 Did I say that?
3453913
No, not directly, but when you said "one of them" that makes me reasonably sure that it's either Twilight or Fluttershy (I'm leaning Twilight because of the Wanderings of a Non-brony)