> My Mothers
>  by Ravvij
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> CH:01 The Ride Home
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The lights of the train car were a stark contrast to the darkness outside, even with Luna’s moon casting its light over everything. In the reflection of the window, Anon could easily see the most immediate passengers and even their reflections in their respective windows. Listening to the soft clicks of the train wheels against the tracks and leaning his head against the cool glass of the car window, Anon spends his ride home from work like any other night, trying to fall asleep for the two hour ride. The ride wasn’t all that bad, in his opinion. It gave him time to think, or read if he brought a book. Most of all, it gave him time to rest. The gentle motions of the train always made him sleepy, seemingly more easily than his soft bed at home.

Heh, maybe I should become a train conductor. He mused to himself. But I could have a car all to myself if I outright owned a train. Maybe that’s what I should do. Buy a train. Lots of ponies use it . . .

“Shut up!”

Anon was ripped from his musings, eyes snapping open, when a series of shouts bellowed from the seats next to him. He sat up and looked over. What he saw wasn’t really anything new, two colts were fighting, but a recent experience pointed out exactly what was happening. There was no mistaking it.

Those two colts were fighting in front of their mother, about their parents. The mare wasn’t stopping them, which would seem odd, if not for the copious amount of tears she was shedding. She looked broken and fragile sobbing in her seat, her sons not seeming to really care or notice.

“You’re making mom cry! You’re the problem, not me,” the younger one said in a low voice. The angrier he got, the more the little propeller on his beanie would spin. It would have been funny, Anon thought, under any other circumstance.

“At least I wasn’t a mistake. How much older am I?” the older colt leered down at his brother.

“That makes you the mistake! I was the one mom wanted!” the younger one yelled. Anon couldn’t believe what he was seeing, but the colt’s brown fur raised up like hackles on a dog.

Anon heard a soft huff across from him. He looked over to see Twilight Velvet, who had also been disturbed by the commotion. Her disapproving glare held a hint of familiar pain behind it and was not lost on Anon. She had gone through a divorce nearly a half-year earlier and had similar experiences with her daughter and son, which Anon had been –uncomfortably– privy to.

Seriously. Aside from the yelling, having two high-level unicorns throwing random, harmful spells around at each other was some scary shit. Anon had been lucky to get away from it with only his hair singed off and a few bruises. Admittedly, a few of those spells had been hilarious, looking back on everything.

Twilight Velvet glanced at Anon, suddenly aware that her discomfort was on display and the memories they shared obviously on both their minds. He gave her a sympathetic smile, which she did not return and, instead, turned to look out the window.

Anon’s attention was suddenly ripped back to the fighting colts.

“I hate you! You’re not my brother anymore!” the younger one screamed.

“You’re probably right about that,” the older one quipped. His mother gave one loud sob and covered her ears with her hooves.

Alright, that’s enough. Anon stood up and walked over to the two colts and stomped his foot in front of them, snapping them out of their hateful ranting. “You two done?”

“Piss off, monkey! This has nothing to do with you,” the older one spat.

Anon nearly snarled at him. He gripped the back of the colt’s mane and got right in his face –¬his startled, wide eyed, face. Anon spoke slowly, pointing the colt’s face toward the crying mare in the other seat.

“You’re disturbing the other passengers. More importantly, you’re upsetting your mother. IF you really love her, you’ll calm down.”

“Dad wouldn’t have left if it wasn’t for her!” he shouted at Anon.

After the sudden shock of those words faded, Anon was pissed. He gripped the back of the colt’s mane even harder and Anon hauled him up into the air as he stood. He looked down at the other colt, who’d been watching the whole thing unravel,

“Go sit with your mother, she needs a hug.”

The young colt nodded and hopped up onto the seat with his mother. He wrapped his hooves around her neck. She, still sobbing, was shaking visibly and had buried her face in her hooves.

“We’re going to have a little chat,” Anon said, turning his face toward the colt in his hand, “Man to man. Or, Stallion to colt, in your case,” and walked to the rear of the train.

Ponies that had been staring quickly averted their eyes when Anon passed them, pointedly avoiding his gaze should he look down.




**********




Three cars later, Anon and the mouthy colt stood in the empty rear car. Anon sat down between the colt and the door back to the other cars.

“So . . . what’s your problem?” Anon asked, pointedly.

“I hate her! Dad left because of her! Why do you care, anyway? She’s nothing to you. She is nothing! It’s not your problem,” he sneered.

Anon rolled his eyes and spoke calmly, “Maybe, but she’s still your mother. Where I’m from, I’d have been slapped if I talked like you have been.”

“You gonna hit me? Go ahead, monkey,” the colt huffed and looked away, “I hate her.”

“Do you now?” Anon challenged, “I remember you and your family. I live in Ponyville, remember? The times I have seen you with your mother and brother you were smiling and I very explicitly remember you giving you mother a hug and telling her ‘I love you’ after she gave you a few bits to play the arcade machines near the market,” Anon pointed a thumb over his shoulder, to where the colt’s mother was several cars up, still –probably– sobbing,

“You hate the mare who raised you? Who cared for you more than anyone has a right to? Who walked you to school? Gave you food? Helped you when you needed it? “Anon watched as every word seemed to push the colt further and further out of his anger and into guilt, “You’re going to tell me that you’re going to hate the mare who loves you more than you deserve? Really?! You hate the mare who freely gave you her love?”

“I-I . . . I–,” the colt began sniffling and shaking.

“–Don’t know how badly your words hurt her just now! Because I do! You might as well have thrown her off this train and down the mountain to be smashed by every rock and tree she lands on! I’m sure bleeding out and having every bone in her body being broken would feel better than being told ‘I hate you!’ by one of the two people she loves most! So go right ahead. Hate her to your heart’s content. Because right now, you’re nopony’s son. You’re a little coward out to hurt others because you think the world’s unfair.”

“I am not!” the colt shouted, angry again, “He left her! My dad left her because of something she did.”

“Not that it matters –because your behavior is really uncalled for– but what happened?” Anon reasoned to the colt.

“I just told you. He left her. He just handed her some papers and mom started crying and he left us there in the courthouse. He said he had a surprise for us . . . and then that happened,” the young colt began weeping softly, “I don’t understand. Why would he leave her? Why did he leave us?”

“I hate to break it to you, kid, but some people are like that. Ponies, griffons, humans . . . people can be selfish,” Anon looked pitifully at the colt.

“He left because mom was being ‘selfish’?”

Anon face-palmed, “No, colt. Your dad was being selfish,” he put a hand on the colt’s shoulder, “Your dad might have left for any number of reasons, but, I’ll bet none of them were your mom’s fault. He just handed you mom those papers?”

The colt nodded.

“He didn’t say why and your mom was surprised to?”

The colt nodded again, “She begged him to stay and kept asking him why, but he wouldn’t say.”

“Then you can’t blame your mother. If I were you, I’d be mad at him, not her.”

“I am, though! I’m mad at him because I don’t understand why he left . . . “

“I can’t say I know why, because I don’t. I’m not even going to guess, it won’t help anypony here, especially you or your mom. You might find out later if you’re unlucky. But just do your mom and yourself a favor. Don’t become like your dad. Be better than him, okay?” Anon smiled down at the colt, who looked up at him brokenly.

“Y-yeah. Okay. I can do that. I don’t think I would do what he did, anyways.”

“Good. Now,” Anon stood up and opened the door to the next car, “let’s go see your mother. You need to apologize and tell her you love her.”

The colt nodded and went back to his seat with Anon in tow.




**********




As Anon approached his seat, he saw that the mare who’d been crying minutes earlier was staring out the window sadly.

“Mom?” the older colt approached hesitantly.

When she looked over to him, her cheeks showed matting from all her crying. Her eyes were bloodshot and her nose had been running as well. Her light brown mane was disheveled from her current state. She was a mess, inside and out.

“I-I’m sorry. I really am. I don’t hate you,” He scuffed his hoof across the flood and kept his eyes down until he was ready to speak again, “I love you. I’m just mad and . . . I’m sorry.” He hung his head again.

The cream-colored mare smiled at him tiredly, “I love you too, and, I forgive you. I’m quite mad at h-him too,” a tear rolled down her cheek and landed on her hoof.

The colt stood up on his rear legs and embraced his mother. The younger colt shied away from his brother until he saw his brother smile and wave him over.

Anon sat back down in his seat. He looked over at Twilight Velvet, who was smiling at him. “Um . . .“ Anon looked himself over then back a her, “What?”

“Oh, nothing.” She said in a sing-song voice and feigned disinterest, still smiling and occasionally looking over at Anon. He gave her an odd look and she winked at him. He swallowed visibly. Anon lied over the seat, pointedly trying to get comfortable enough to take a nap, and he heard Velvet giggle –probably at him.




**********




Anon awoke from his nap by way of a hoof prodding his shoulder.

“Anon. Anon? We’re here,” came a voice sweet as honey.

Anon opened his eyes to see Twilight Velvet poking his arm and smiling at him.

“Have a nice nap?” she asked.

Anon sat up and looked around the car to see that most of the other passengers had left, “Mmm, yeah. Thanks for waking me, Ms. Velvet,” he yawned and stretched his arms.

“You’re quite welcome, dear. Do you sleep on the train often?” she asked, the apparent interest in her voice and expression delighted Anon.

“Yeah. I’d live on that train if I could. There’s something about the way it feels when it’s moving that just makes falling asleep easier,” Anon stood up, twisted sideways once to stretch his back, and began walking out of the train car beside his fellow passenger.

“Like being rocked to sleep?” Velvet asked, giving him a sly look.

“Maybe?” Anon blushed at the silent joke, “I used to do it back on my world too. I’d fall asleep in any moving vehicle.” Anon stepped aside, letting Velvet out before himself –giving her a slight bow and extending his hand to indicate his gesture of ‘ladies first’.

Velvet nodded her thanks and stepped out, “That must be nice. I can’t fall asleep in anything that moves. It feels like I’ll fall out of the seat or something,” she let out a little giggle.

Okay, something was up with this mare. Anon couldn’t quite figure it out, but she was paying more attention to him than usual. And why was she calling him “Dear”? That might have just been the way she talked to others, Anon knew Velvet through her daughter for quite some time, but if she had ever called him that before now, well, he just couldn’t recall.

“I’m sorry to hear that. To each their own, I guess?” he said stepping out beside her once more.

Velvet nodded and the two began walking off the platform.

“How have you been, Velvet? I don’t see you around very often anymore.”

“Oh, I’m sorry about that, dear. I’ve just been keeping myself busy to take my mind off of things,” she gave a regretful little smile, “But if you’d like, I’ll make time to see you more often.”

“I . . . I’d like that. Is there some time in the morning you’d like to get together?” Anon’s mind raced as he tried to figure out her motives.

It seemed like she was interested in him, but he couldn’t figure out why. He wanted to ask her if she was, but any time he’d asked a girl that, he always got the same answer, ‘I was just being nice.’ But she wasn’t just a girl. This mare was older than him by at least ten years, not that anyone would be able to guess by looking at her. She showed almost no signs of aging. Based on her looks, she could have any stallion she wanted. That had to be it. She was just being nice.

“How about the market? 10:00 A.M. sound good? I usually go there for breakfast and if I remember right, you jog by there in the mornings?” she said, scraping a soft little arch in the dirt with her hoof.

“Sounds good to me.” Holy hell, this mare is adorable! Why, in the name of Luna, would Night Light have ruined this?

“Perfect! I’ll see you then, Anon.” she said, a bright, happy note in her voice and a little clap of her hooves. She turned to her daughter’s Library and began humming softly.

Anon watched her leave, a noticeable skip in her step and an occasional flick of her tail as she did so. His mind sprung a gear as he realized this could very well be a date or the beginnings of dating if he played his cards right. From what he knew of Twilight’s mother, she was a writer and had been a singer once. He made a little mental note to bring those up in conversation tomorrow.

Anon shook himself from his thoughts when he realized he’d been standing in the same spot for a few minutes just thinking. He made his way home quickly so he could be all rested for the morning after. His mind kept fighting him saying it was a date while his rational mind kept warning him it might only be a friendly little get together.

Did you see the way she kept watching you?

What about that she’s never shown much interest in you other than mild curiosity and being one of Twilight’s friends.

But SHE offered to hang out. She likes you!

Because you stopped the shouting.

Because you’re good with kids. A lot of women like that in a man. Even if she doesn’t have kids.

Dude, she’s Twilight’s mother! How awkward do you think that’s going to be? “Hey, Twili! Dad’s here for a visit!”, “Ew, no, Anon! You’re not my dad!”

She very well could like you more, “Daddy! How are you? I’m so glad you and mom are together, I really needed a real fa–”

BAM

Anon suddenly walked face-first into a tree. Thankfully, shaking him from his train of thought. He deliberately shifted his thoughts over to getting home before they went into unwelcome territory.

Standing there holding his face and attempted to rub away the pain, Anon recounted the events on the train. Most specifically, the crying mare and her children. Looking back, Anon wished he had said something to her, but really, what was he going to say? He wasn’t about to apologize for the male race. That would mean admitting he was the same as the jackass that had hurt her. She looked nice enough, and from what her son had said, she didn’t deserve to be dumped like that.

An idea struck him. Anon wanted to show her that not all males were like that. A bit pretentious, thinking she didn’t already know that, but he wanted to show her anyway. Maybe just give her some kind of pick-me-up to lessen the pain she was feeling.

Anon marched to the only place he knew would be open this late. The bar.




**********




Upon entering, Anon’s senses were assaulted with the stench of spilt booze and smoke, loud conversation and laughing, and the dim lights that afforded the patrons of Ponyville’s finest bar a mood for the evening. Behind the bar counter he saw a few ponies mixing drinks and taking orders. One of whom he was there to see specifically.

That same mare glanced up and saw him. A wide grin spread across her face and she greeted him, loudly, “Heya, Anon! Come for a drink? Or, ya just here for little ol’ me?” she teased.

“Both.” he said and sat down on the nearest bar stool.

Berry Punch chuckled heartily, “I’ll be right over, hun!”

Berry finished tucking away a few bottles of her top-shelf stock and made her way around to where Anon sat at the bar. She propped herself up on her elbows and rested her chin on her hooves, giving Anon a sly smile as she waited for him to speak.

“Cider. Hard as it gets.” Anon said flatly.

“Not the usual? Too bad. I was hoping for a little relief tonight,” she huffed playfully.

Berry turned around and opened a small icebox below the mug racks and pulled out an “Apple Family’s Barn Raiser”. She popped the top and set it down in front of Anon, who immediately took a few swigs, swallowing loudly.

“Hot damn. You alright?”

“Yeah I’m fine, I think. I may have scored a date . . . or she scored me. I’m not sure at this point,” he shrugged.

“A little full of yourself tonight?” she giggled.

“No. She asked me out to breakfast. I’ve known her for a while but this is the first time she’s shown an interest in me,” Anon put the bottle to his lips but only let a little sip into his mouth before putting it back down on the bar.

“That’s a problem?”

“It’s Twilight’s mother.”

“. . .”

“Berry?” Anon waved a hand over her face. She didn’t respond. So, Anon did the only thing he knew would work, he took a finger and pressed it to her nose, “Boop,” he whispered.

Berry tilted sideways before catching herself and wiggling her nose. She rubbed the spot he’d touched in an attempt to undo his little poke, “Would you quit with that? It’s weird. You’re weird!”

Anon laughed and took another sip of his cider.

“So. No joke? You really got a date with her?”

“Yup. Though I’m not sure if it counts as dating or just making friends,” Anon shrugged.

“Hun, listen. It’s a date. It’s a small one, a way to test the waters, but yeah. It’s a date,” Berry was still scrunching up her face trying to get the poke sensation off her nose. Anon loved doing that to her. It seemed to have the longest lasting effect on the purple mare than any other pony he’s done it to.

“That’s why I wanted the drink, but I needed to talk to you about something else.”

Berry stopped her rubbing and balked at him again, “How can you be so flippant about this! She’s–she’s–“

“Just the mother of a good friend of mine,” Anon finished for her. He knew she idolized Velvet. Velvet was an impressive person by anyone’s standards –if her career was anything to go by.

“Urgh!” Berry groaned, “At least get me an autograph, will ya?”

“Fine, fine, I’ll get you an autograph,” Anon conceded.

“Good. So what else did you want to talk about?”

“This doesn’t leave your lips. Ever, Berry. No rumor, no gossip,” he warned her.

“What do you think I am? Loose-lipped? You should know, I had them around your–“

Anon slapped a hand over her mouth and held it there, “Yes, you did and yes, I do. I need help cheering somepony . . .” he started and regaled her with the events of the train concerning the crying mare. Frequently, he had to bring her attention back on track after every mention of her idol sitting next to him.

“That sucks. Damn. More than I care to think about,” she frowned, “Yeah, I’ll help. I may even have a few ideas to help her feel better, just, generally.”

“And that’s all I’m after. Thanks, Berry,” Anon stood, his Cider long drained, and he leaned down to plant a kiss on his friend’s head, “A tip for my favorite wine’o.”

Berry giggled, “It’s too bad. I wish things had worked out between us, Anon.”

“Yeah, me too. I’ll see you around, Berry,” Anon walked to the door and waved as he left. He had stifle a pang in his chest at the memories of his former marefriend. He still loved her, but he couldn’t go back to the chaos that was their work schedules. Truth be told, he also dearly missed Ruby as well, that little filly could talk his ear off for days if he let her. He let a single tear roll down his cheek before steeling himself and walking home. Tomorrow would be a good day. He was going to meet up with Velvet, have a nice breakfast, and send something to the poor mare from the train.
> CH:02 Fur like Velvet
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Up until his meeting with Velvet, Anon’s morning couldn’t have gone worse. He slept in, stubbed six toes in his rush to get ready, and nearly forgot to brush his teeth. He’d managed however, somehow, and arrived to meet Velvet in the markets without a trace of a poor start.

The sun had just come over the tops of the houses, warming the streets with Celestia’s pleasant light. The two of them, human and pony, sat at a table in front of a nearby coffee shop. There, they talked about the smaller things, watching the residents of Ponyville as they milled about. With the obvious pleasantries out of the way, such as “how are you,” and “how are your loved ones,” the two began exchanging stories about their lives, much to their mutual delight.

Anon listened intently as Velvet spoke, his jaw rested in his hand, elbow propped against the table and his mouth formed into an ever present, bright smile. He'd always loved listening to others tell stories and Velvet had plenty to share. He'd learned just how mischievous she could be and, contrary to her current tale, how caring she was. With every passing moment he wanted to know more and more about her. None of his past relationships had been this interesting, and it really helped that the mare before him had such natural beauty all on her own. She was cute, much like her daughter, but also intensely beautiful, like a Victorian lady.

Anon had to contain his growing adoration for Velvet, suppressing the occasional pleased sigh as he listened to her. It helped that she was currently telling him about the trouble she used to get into with her teachers in school; one teacher in particular, Anon took note, she seemed to have it out for. 

"So . . . she was prone to paranoia? Aaand you made it worse," Anon chuckled.

“Right, she was paranoid,” Velvet said with a mirthful smile and a soft nod. “So, me being the incorrigible little filly I was, I kept leaving little notes on her desk. Every time she walked off, I’d put another letter on the note before she got back to her desk!” Velvet’s mischievous smile gave way to gleeful enjoyment, her hooves clapping excitedly while she practically bounced in her seat. "She was trembling for an hour after that!"

“Oh dear god. What did you write on it?” Anon asked, his grin stretched from ear to ear in anticipation.

“I. Will. Get. You.” she spelled out before giggling into her hooves. Barely containing herself, she then sputtered through her laughter, “You--you should have seen her for the next f-few weeks! Every time...every time she entered the classroom, she’d--she’d checked the doors and windows first, then her desk and chair, th-then our desks and chairs!”

"That long?! You’re horrible," Anon blurted. Smiling deviously, he leaned forward, putting both hands on the table to balance himself. “Ok, what happened next?”

“Hey, you’re laughing too, buster!" Velvet said in mock defence, her smile and giggles betraying her. "Anyway, after the paranoia faded a bit, I put another note on her desk, ‘Got ya!’ and just when she read it, I jumped through the window and threw a paint-filled balloon at her!” Seeming unable to control herself, Velvet giggled madly. “G-Guess what color! Well go on, guess!”

“Orange?” Anon sniggered knowingly.

“Like a traffic cone!” Laughing uncontrollably, Velvet wrapped her hooves around her barrel. “You--you should have seen the look on her face! It popped and covered her and the entire back wall, and then--and then she chased me! All over the school yard! For an hour!” 

And at that, the two of them laughed uproariously for the next few minutes. Whenever they’d tried to stop and make eye contact, the smallest giggle or chuckle from either one of them would start the whole fit over again. Many times, Anon would wipe the tears from his eyes, only for them to return in another bout of laughter. He could see that Velvet wasn't faring any better, as she was doing the same. After what felt like several minutes later, Anon finally managed to calm himself enough to speak, his stomach and sides hurting as if he'd been running on a full stomach.

“You know, Velvet, I never pegged you for a trickster,” he said after sighing contentedly. “You’re just so serious all the time.” 

After visibly taking a few steadying breaths to compose herself, Velvet spoke. “Well, admittedly, I didn’t used to be this serious. I could introduce you to a few ponies who’re still wary of me for what I did to them in my youth.”

“What, you’re not young? When did you start aging?” he teased, waggling his eyebrows at her, drawing a blush from the older mare.

“Oh stop. You’ll make me blush – even more,” she said as she turned her head to avoid his gaze, covering the side of her face with a hoof.

“Oh? So this delightful shade of pink isn’t your natural color?” he smirked, pointing a finger at her nonchalantly.  He didn't think it was possible, but Velvet’s blush seemed to deepen and reach up to her ears. Sporting a curious smirk, he reached over her hoof and gently took hold of one of her ears, its soft and furry texture feeling hot beneath his kneading fingers, feverish almost. "I didn't think ponies could change color," he said in a near whisper.

Seeming annoyed, despite her incessant blush, Velvet swatted his hand away, only to stick her tongue out at him in a playfully. Bringing a hoof up to her head, she rubbed at her blushed ear, as though Anon had been a fly that landed on it.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to invade your personal space," Anon apologized with a hint of nervousness in his voice, his hands folding atop his lap after realizing his little faux pas.

“Oh, no, it's alright.” Velvet stopped and turned to him, a gentle smile gracing her lips. This, Anon noticed, was a genuine smile. A smile that was intentional and honest, reaching her eyes and cheeks, not just her mouth. “U-um . . . Anon? Do you think we could do this again? I’ve really enjoyed myself today.” she said as she began rubbing her fetlocks together. It looked to Anon like she would be wringing her hands nervously, if she had hands. “Maybe . . . maybe get breakfast again sometime?”

“We just had breakfast?” he chuckled, teasing her. The small act helping him recover from his embarrassment.

They’d been talking so long that it had become mid-day before either had realized it, as all the ponies around them were starting the mad rush that was lunch time. A curiosity to Anon was that, even here in Equestria, it seemed like lunch was still a big deal for some. People and ponies alike, rushing around just to take a break. I suppose some things are the same in every culture, he mused. The sun had now risen high above them, much like ceiling lamp, but many, many times brighter and hotter. Another thing he noticed was how the climates were identical to that of Earth’s, only the air was thicker and warmer, yet, not so much that he felt he was drowning. If anything, the air here was cleaner and richer.

“I consider a good conversation to be as good as food, I’ll have you know,” Velvet said in mock offence, huffing and crossing her hooves over her chest as she turned her face away from him, her snout raised to the air. Her smile however, crept back onto her muzzle, betraying her enjoyment of the moment. Opening one eye, she saw him with his elbows on the table and his chin on top of his laced fingers.

Smiling smugly at her, Anon teased again. “I see. Then I’m sorry I didn’t notice you stuffing your face, my lady.” Feeling a bit playful himself, he decided to wink at her. 

Velvet scoffed softly. “A lady never stuffs her face.” she chided playfully, closing her eye and going back to her mock, huffing, offence.

“How about ‘gorging herself’?” he offered, grinning widely.

Turning back to him she punched his arm, shouting, “Oh shut up, you.” But, once again, her happiness gave way to a smile and she couldn’t keep up the facade.

Anon played along with Velvet’s act, he gasped and brought his hand to his chest in mock surprise. “Such violence, and language. And from a lady! Oh, what shame, the scandal!” He raised the back of his hand to his forehead as he’d seen Rarity do countless times.

I should get an award for “Best Impressionist,” he laughed inwardly.

Velvet giggled and rolled her eyes at him. “Ha ha. Very funny. Okay, smart guy. Let’s hear about your childhood," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. She turned to face him fully and adjusted herself in her seat, sitting slightly back to rest against the backrest.

“Hmm, let’s see. A good story about my childhood . . . “ he sat back and thought for a few moments. He pinched his chin between his fingers and looked down and to his left as if searching for something but unable to see it. He smiled deviously and looked back at Velvet, “I know just the one, but it isn’t from my childhood. Okay, so, you know that where I come from, we use a lot of machines–”

"–instead of magic, yes. I remember Twilight telling me something like that,” Velvet nodded.

“Okay, so this story involves a broken dryer, a remote controlled toy car, and some fireworks. The dryer is pretty straight forward. It’s a hollow metal box to dry clothes. The remote control car is basically like a toy train but it has little motors in the inside that drive it forward and you use the remote to tell it where to go. Kind of like a unicorn can make things float through the air and so on,” Anon explained, motioning his hands in front of himself as if he were using the controls of the remote.

Velvet nodded, waiting for him to continue.

“Anyway, I'm sitting on the couch all bored, and I know he's not coming home for a good thirty minutes. So I got an idea. I rigged up the motor of the toy car to some fireworks I had laying around the attic.Then I hid them in an old dryer we had in the shed behind the house.

"It was my brother’s turn to trim the grass and weeds around the yard, so, I hid the rake and weed-whacker beside the dryer in the far corner where I know he won't see them unless he goes looking for them. Not so much to be suspicious, but just enough to make him think I'd needed to put them there for some reason, you know?

"I hid on the roof of the house and just as I get up there he pulls into the driveway. I hear him moving around in the house and getting ready to come outside. Finally, he opens the door, crosses the yard, and went in the shed . . . “ Anon started snickering at the memory.

Velvet was grinning widely, “Yes, yes, go on!” she shooed a hoof at him to continue, her eye wide with anticipation.

“I give him a couple of seconds and then turn remote on. And not even a second later second later I hear, POP! BANG popopopopopop! Band bang! He-he come ripping out of the shed, running into the door on his way out, and tripped over his own feet in the middle of the yard!” Anon laughed loudly, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone move so fast!”

Velvet snickered, holding a hoof to her lips.

“Oh, it gets better!” Anon announced, holding up a finger.

Velvet looked up from behind her hoof, “Oh no, how could it?”

Holding back his laughter Anon continued, “He fell face-first in the piles of dog crap he was going to clean up! He got up and was all gaggin' and spitting!” His sides threatened to begin hurting as he fought to keep from laughing too hard.

“Oh, you’re evil!” Velvet grinned at him.

“Well, I didn’t get off scot-free. I was laughing so hard I rolled right off the roof and into a rose bush,” Anon admitted, scratching his chin embarrassed.

“Hah–!” Velvet burst out loudly, but just as quick, she held her hooves over her mouth. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to laugh at your pain but that is pretty funny too,” she smiled apologetically then took a deep breath and let it out to steady herself, “Well, Anon, this has been the most fun I’ve had in a while. I hate to cut it short but I need to get back to Twilight. When can I see you again?”

“I have the day after tomorrow off. Would you like to get lunch then?” Anon smiled at her, the soreness in his cheeks reminding him that he’d been smiling too much, which he was sure shouldn't be possible.

“I think I could manage that. I’ll see you then, Anon.” Velvet gave him a little wink and turned to leave.

“See you then, Velvet.” Anon waved to her as she walked away. Once she was out of sight he did a fist pump and nearly shouted, “Yes!”

Giddy and unable to sit still, Anon stood up and made his way home. He couldn't stop going over all the things he and Velvet had talked about over their foodless breakfast. Anon had a front row seat to Velvet and Night Light's breakup almost two years ago, and the divorce the followed soon after, so, obviously, he made sure to steer the conversation away from such topics.

Turning his thoughts back to more pleasant things, there was now another thing Anon discovered he and Velvet shared, their mutual dislike of mornings. Velvet regaled him with how her daughter had to wake her, by simulating an earthquake, because Velvet refused to get out of the "soft, warm, thick" blankets she'd bundled herself in.

Yeah, screw mornings. As much as I like Celestia, she shouldn't be waking anyone so early.

Velvet had chided him for laughing at her, but he admitted to needing a little help getting up in the mornings, which smoothed over that little speed bump; by which he meant that he hired an excitable green unicorn to come over to his house and bug the ever-loving crap out of him till he got out of bed. He didn't regale her with all the juicy details, much to Velvet's disappointment. He just couldn't, so, he told her about the less embarrassing wake up calls.

Anon felt his cheeks burning at a particular memory of being woken. He'd been especially difficult one morning and so Lyra had decided to enlist Bonbon to help her. The dastardly duo decided to dispel his dreams by putting him in an awkward situation, and by awkward, they'd put themselves in compromising situations around him, and thus, making him uncomfortable enough to wake. What he saw then could only be described as hot and bothered. Lyra was fooling around with his morning-glory while Bonbon took to hoofing herself over his chest while watching her marefriend at play.

Things escalated quickly and, needless to say, Anon never had to worry about waking up to the sounds of Lyra and Bonbon's voices. The latter he now had to pay bits to for her help in waking him up, like a the protection fee people pay to the mob. Bonbon might be sweet and charming openly, but behind closed doors, she was ruthless and conniving.

Anon learned three things that morning. One, that Bonbon was not as innocent as he'd assumed and was in no way going to let him forget it; two, that being with two mares was the hottest thing he'd ever experienced up to that point; and three, how to keep his mouth shut because of the threat of physical harm Bonbon had imposed on him.

Anon shook his head to clear his thoughts. Luckily, he arrived at his house before the memory of that morning could affect him publically. He ducked into his house quickly and shut the door, resting his back against the large, carved, wooden slab with a delighted sigh. He let his mind wander, due to the hot and bothered memory and due to Velvet.

Anon paused when he realized, Velvet was damn sexy! He'd had the thought before, but only in passing. Now however, it was the thought that permeated his thought processes. Her wide hips, gentle smile, tight and curving features, her sparkling eyes, and her voice. Oh, how her voice sent shivers down his spine. Although very mature and dripping with experience, she had a sound that reminded him of a teenager going through puberty, breaking every so often and almost raspy, deep and sexy while still having high pitches throughout. Some people may find it to be annoying, but Anon loved it. She didn't sound like every other mare, or even every other female, he'd ever known.

I wonder if that's why Twilight sounds so different . . . it definitely makes her cuter. He mused and chuckled.

Anon shook his head again to reign in his thoughts. He'd been propped against his door far longer than he'd intended. "Okay," he said to himself, "Time to get ready for work." ... after a much needed trip to the shower.


********


Anon rapped his knuckles against the hard wood of Twilight Velvet’s door, the sound echoed down the cavernous hallways of the crystal-tree that was Twilight Sparkle’s new home. As he stood there, Anon rocked on his heels, the small bouquet he held trembled slightly as he tried to calm his nerves, chiding himself for being so nervous. Two weeks had passed since Anon and Velvet went out for breakfast, and they'd had several very enjoyable and enlightening encounters since then. In Anon's opinion they were smitten with each other.

“Just a second! I’m almost done,” came Velvet’s sweet voice from behind the door.

Anon adjusted the red tie around his shirt-collar, Damn these things are uncomfortable. It wasn’t so much that his tie was too tight but that it felt like it was choking him just by being there. He silently made a pledge to never wear a tie again if he could help it. The tie wasn't helping his internal struggle with his shaking hands.

The door opened and Velvet poked her head out before fully opening the door, “Anon! I’m glad you’re here. How are you?”

“It’s good to see you too, Velvet. I’m fine, but apparently not as fine as you,” he smiled and gave her a wink and a quick look-over, “Wow . . . I think you may have just out-dressed the whole of Canterlot.”

Velvet giggled, then looked herself over, Anon followed her gaze. She wore a black dress with black-sequined accents and dark purple accents, all topped with lavender stitching. Her mane had been slightly puffed and had a silky sheen to it. Her tail had much the same treatment, sans bun. Anon couldn’t help but let his gaze wander all over her.

“See something you like, stud?” she said in a low, sultry voice, snapping him out of his wonderment. She fluttered her eyelashes when he looked back to her lavender eyes. She wore the slightest amount of eyeliner and eyeshadow.

Anon, noticing his own starring, pulled himself from his wandering, blushing lightly. He swallowed hard and his hands, although were no longer shaking, were losing their grip on the flowers he'd bought for his date.

Velvet put a hoof to her lips to stifle a giggle upon watching his cheeks turn, “Thank you, Anon. I’m glad you like it.”

“No! Er, yes! I like it but I wasn’t staring!” he stuttered, “I mean, I was and not that you aren't worth staring at . . . can I go dig my grave now?”

Velvet laughed, “Oh, it’s quite alright. You know, I didn’t take you for the type to get embarrassed this easily.”

Neither did I. She could weaponized her brand of sexy. Anon chuckled to himself, fidgeting with the flowers in his wavering grasp.

“In any case, are you here to pick me up, or are you just just window shopping?” she teased, giving him a half lidded "come hither" stare as she turned to the side and put herself on display, posing like a runway model.

“I am.” Anon smiled at her and took a deep breath to regain some of his composure.

“You are . . . what? Here to get me or just look?”

“Yes.”

“Well, which is it?” she turned back to face him fully.

“Yes.” Anon teased, his calm smile cracked and let her see the playful smirk that'd been building inside him.

“Alright, smart guy," Velvet giggled again. A sound Anon was coming to appreciate more and more each time he heard her do it. Velvet closed her door, her purse slung comfortably around her neck and over her shoulder. She then looked at the flowers he'd been holding, then looked up at him, "You going to eat those?" she teased.

"W-what?" Anon looked wide-eyed between her and the bouquet, realizing he'd forgotten why he'd bought them, "Oh! Yeah. For you. Something to look forward to later," he said, and passed her the flowers.

Velvet reached out a hoof with all the dexterity of an earth pony and took the arrangement. She sniffed them and sighed happily, "These are lovely, Anon! Thank you. I'm sorry but would it be rude of me to ask how you knew this is a promissary gesture?"

"Not at all. You'd have to try pretty hard to offend me. I'll admit, Little Twilight had helped me understand it years ago when I first tried dating a pony," he admitted.

"Did she happen to mention that this is also a marriage proposal?" Velvet winked at him.

"W-what?" Anon caught himself as he nearly fell over. His mind raced to put together the puzzle he'd just been given. He could feel his face drawn taut with fear, like he'd accidentally ripped a multi-million bit painting. No wonder the mares he'd given bouques to turned him down at the end of a date! He'd unknowingly asked to marry them! No wonder things between him and Berry Punch had been so awkward at first!

Anon was snapped out of his every growing freakout when he heard that chiming sound of Velvet's giggling. It dawned on him then, "Oh . . . You're mean! Jesus, Velvet, don't do that to me!" but it was too late. Velvet was nearly doubled over and laughing at him. Anon crossed his arms with a slight pout.

After several more moments in her elation, Velvet calmed herself and looked up at Anon Smugly, "I'm sorry."

"No you're not," he he rolled his eyes.

"And you're not mad at me," she suggested.

"What makes you think that?" he said, looking off to the side.

"This," Anon felt the hard edge of a hoof press on his chest and another geltly drawing his face back towards Velvet. When he caught sight of her, she kissed him. At first his reaction was to pull away, but the softness of her lips on his stayed him. It was by no means a passionate kiss, but long enough to be a tender kiss. When she released it and smiled up at him, Anon could only stare at her with a goofy grin creeping onto his features.

"Should we be going? The train will leave soon," Velvet said softly, giving him a half-lidded stare.

"You should be an illegal substance," he said happily, and chuckled. He placed a hand over the hoof on his chest and took a deep breath, "Yeah. Let's get going. I'm starved."

"Me too," Velvet smiled and hopped back down on her hooves. They pair made their way out of the castle with content smiles visible for anyone who saw them.

As they made their way to the train station, Anon noticed a bounce in Velvet's steps. She also seemed to be swaying her hips more than most mares did when they walked. He thought it might be because she was happy, if the pleasant smile she sported the whole way to the station was any indication, or, she could be doing it on purpose as to keep his attention on her. Velvet was devious when she wanted to be and very playful. That playfulness was one of the things that had attracted him to the mare in the first place.

He thought back to all the little encounters they'd had and, after thinking about it further, Anon realized that, as much as he was chasing her, she was chasing him. The little game of saying the right thing, teasing just enough to be playful, or even allowing the full weight of an emotion or thought through for the other to see . . . he wasn't the only one trying to control the situation and test out the other person. In fact, he was quite sure Velvet was better at this game than him.

Anon, still watching Velvet more so than where he was walking, came out of his revelation when Velvet turned her head to look at him. They shared a moment of curiosity before Anon smiled at her. Not the kind smile of a friend or the smug smile of someone who'd just learned his enemy's weakness, this was the smile of "I know what you're doing and I like it."

Velvet met his smile with her own, seeming to catch on to his train of thought. She bumped her hip against his leg and he flicked her hip with a finger. She grinned playfully but before she could do anything, Anon reached out and caught her ear in his hand. He rubbed the velvety flesh between his fingers and worked his way down to her skull, rolling the cartilage gently where it connected. Velvet nearly stopped as she slowed her pace to enjoy the scratch. She cooed softly and leaned into Anon as they continued on.

When they arrived, their delight took a small blow when they learned that the train was not only late, but also that it would be running slower than usual due to some engine problems. The train was still going to Canterlot, but only because it needed repairs. Anon and Velvet also agreed that they should be prepared should they need to stay the night in Canterlot after their date.

“Should we reschedule?” Velvet wondered aloud and tilted her head to the side.

Anon leaned his head back to look at the evening sky and thought for a second, he noticed three stars had begun to show as the bright even sun was setting. “Naw. I don’t think it’ll make a huge difference. Besides, we’ll have more time to talk and enjoy the view,” he offered, "Really, how often do you get to just sit on the train and watch the sunset?"

Velvet rolled her eyes playfully, “Which view? The one out the window, or the one that’ll be sitting across from you?”

“Can’t it be both?” Anon grinned at her.

Velvet gave his leg a gentle hip-check and smirked at him. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were trying seduce me.”

“Is that what this is called? I had no idea.” he said and waggled his eyebrows at her. Velvet grabbed his tie in her magic and pulled it tight at his sarcasm, much to Anon’s displeasure.

Anon, fumbling with the tie, coughed and sputtered. His tie had somehow caught on itself and, no matter how much he pulled, it wouldn’t come loose. He dropped to his knees and desperately tried to get Velvet to help him. At first she thought he was playing around, but Anon grabbed her hoof strongly in his hand and gave a desperate squeeze. He face, feeling rather stiff and warm, turned a deep red as he pulled on the legalized noose to make room for his windpipe.

“Oh, Celestia!" she fretted. Velvet used her magic and forced the tie to completely unknot. "I’m so sorry, Anon!”

Anon took several much needed deep breaths before he spoke, “It’s okay. It’s okay,” he waved her off, “Thanks though.”

Velvet smiled apologetically and turned her attention towards the oncoming train, but as Anon watched, Velvet didn't seem to relax and, if anything, she looked like she might be trying to hide her distress over nearly hurting him. With the mood spoiled for the moment and the train coming to a stop moments later, the two stepped onto the train and found their seats, waiting for the train's departure. They both looked out the window, chins resting on a hard or hoof, and elbows on the windowsiil. Velvet sat across from Anon dangling her back legs over the edge of the seat. They glanced at each other wordlessly before turning their attention back to the scene beyond the glass.

Anon brushed his foot against the outside of her left hoof to try and comfort her. The stiff, faux, polished leather slid against her fur effortlessly. Upon feeling his shoe against her, she looked over at him. He smiled kindly at her but when she smiled back, her's was more apologetic. The minutes seemed to crawl by and Anon racked his brain trying to think of a way to fix the current declining mood. Suddenly, like a falling star, Anon got an idea. Not having anything to do with the falling star he’d just seen out the window. Nope, not at all.

“Velvet?” Anon grabbed her attention and faced Velvet fully. The light of the setting sun flooded the car as a cloud passed from before Celestia's charge through the opposite windows of the car, casting Velvet in a golden light as if she was the Sun herself.

“Yes?” she smiled at him, hopeful for a better topic than the one they’d both been thinking about for the last few minutes.

“What would you do, if you could do absolutely anything? No limits.”

Velvet’s hummed a moment before answering, “That’s a difficult question to ask. What brought this on?”

“Just, wanted to see if I could get some insight on you,” he chuckled.

“Hmm . . . well,” she looked away, thinking and obviously weighing her choices, “I think I’d like to–OW!” she suddenly put her hooves to her horn, grimacing at the sudden pain. A marble landed on the train floor at their feet.

“Velvet?” Anon moved quickly to cross the small space and knelt down before her, looking for the source of her discomfort. He had more or less seen what had happened. Something came rocketing from around the seat behind him and nailed her at high speed. He looked down and saw the marble.

Velvet, still holding her horn and trying to keep from crying, had begun to curl into as much of a ball as she could without losing her balance, bringing her knees and chin to her chest.

Picking the marble from the floor, Anon stood up and turned around for whoever had thrown the glass ball. He spotted a young, teal and gold, unicorn filly playing with marbles. She was floating them through the air harmlessly, her mother sitting next to her, praising her for the magical efforts the filly made to levitate the little glass orbs. The mare was nearly identical to her foal, but lacked the vibrant colors the filly had.

“Excuse me?” Anon called over, raising his voice to get the mother's attention. His brows were knitted and and his annoyance he put on full display for the two ponies he stared at.

The mare looked up at him, “Yes?” apparently unaware of what had happened.

“Can you tell her to be more careful? Your daughter just shot my friend here.” Anon said calmly, gesturing to the filly and then to Velvet, holding the marble up as he did so.

“Hmm?" the mare hummed, only to realize what he meant and quickly shifted to a more apologetic tone, "Oh! I’m so sorry. She’s just learning how to use her magic,” the mare said nervously.

Anon sighed and turned back to Velvet only to see another marble whiz by and strike Velvet’s cheek. Anon whipped his head around to see the mare smiling nervously at him. As Anon stood to confront them again but Velvet put a hoof on his hand, stopping him mid-rise and shook her head, smiling at him as if to say "let them be."

Anon sat back down and sighed. Well, this date is going swimmingly. Maybe we really should call it quits for tonight? He thought back to how the date had started, and, all things considered, it had been very nice. His highlight was Velvet's kiss, and he guessed her's was the ear scratch on the way to that station. So, maybe this could get better, he thought, so far it's 50/50 on good to bad. I'm sure the restaurant and dinner will more than make up for this little setback

As soon as his thoughts had finished, a whole barrage of marble missiles showered him and Velvet. They covered their heads as best they could but each glass ball managed to find a particularly soft and easy target. When the barrage stopped, Anon stood and turned, standing between himself and Velvet. What he saw then disgusted him. The mother of the shooty-foal had dozens of glass marbles in her magical grasp, obviously aimed at himself and his date. She smiled at him menacingly.

“What is your problem!” Anon yelled.

She fired more marbles at him, “You are! We don’t need any talking apes here. Go back to the jungle where you belong!”

Anon, holding his arms up to shield himself from the seemingly endless stream of marbles being sent at him, was too stunned by her words to really feel the anger he knew he should be exibiting. Instead of lashing out, he shook his head sadly at the mare and then turned back to Velvet. He smiled sadly at her, she frowned at him. Anon helped her to her hooves and lead Velvet to the next car, using himself as a shield against the marble missiling maniac on the other side of the train car.

After finding new seats in the next car, which thankfully was completely empty, Anon went about checking Velvet for any more injuries. Suddenly the train lurched forward and Anon found himself uncomfortably close to Velvet. His lips nearly touching hers. The two acutely aware of how close they were to each other. His heart pounded in his chest and Anon could swear he heard a giant's footsteps in the distance. With half-lidded eyes fixed on her lips, Anon moved forward to kiss Velvet, and, for a moment, it seemed like Velvet might reciprocate. Velvet, however, pulled away before their lips had more than grazed each other.

Anon looked up at Velvet, wondering why she pulled away. She hid her muzzle behind her hooved, blushing deeply and looking at him both emberrassed and sad. Anon sighed and sat down next to her. He pulled her to his side, holding her warm shoulders against his chest. They both shared a smile and turned their gaze out to the rising moon and the passing landscape. The sun had long since set behind them and let the moon bathe the land in her soothing luminance.

Anon, unknowingly, began idly stroking Velvet's chest fur with the hand he had wrapped around her shoulders, scraping the tops of his nails through her fur gently, he teased her flesh at the the hem of her dress. Velvet cooed and Anon felt a shiver run through her. When he looked down to see what was happening her quickly pulled his hand away.

“Oh! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that,” he nervously held his hand, which was now shaking, away from her body.

Velvet smiled contentedly and looked into his eyes. She shook her head slowly and used her hoof to place his hand back on her neck, prompting him to continue his ministrations. She leaned further into him and he could feel her warmth radiating like like the sun that had flooded the other car minutes ago.

Anon sighed, relieved, and continued to move his fingertips through her fur. He heard her sigh again and, now that he had permission and was aware of what he was doing, put more effort into massaging her neck. The more pressure he put into his touch the more she leaned into it. Anon slid his hand up to her ear and gently rolled the soft flesh between his digits.

Velvet nearly collapsed at the feeling of Anon’s fingers caressing her ear. A goofy grin plastered on her face the likes of which she had never shown before. “Oooh, yeah,” she whispered softly, “Oh! Just like that!”

Anon, upon hearing her words, turned red from stem to stern. He felt the heat of his blush in his cheeks and burning his ears. He wondered –because his mind decided to take the plunge into the gutter– if these might be the same sounds she made during sex. She cooed and moaned lightly, which was diving Anon crazy and giving him a pleasantly painful pitched tent. He wanted to stop, if only to spare himself the growing embarrassment. He couldn’t bring himself to, however. Velvet looked as though she was having the massage of a lifetime. How could he stop this and deny her? He couldn’t.

The remainder of the train ride consisted of Anon massaging Velvet. Her shoulders, ears, neck, the exposed portion of her back. Needless to say, Velvet was on cloud nine. Anon, however, was in hell; flustered, red-faced, and excruciatingly aroused. Many times he wondered if she was doing this to him on purpose, many times he asked her as such. But, each time she only winked at him or stuck her tongue out at him.
> CH:03 A night of Disaster
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Warm and bright. The heat of the fire washing over Anon's face felt pleasant. Velvet stood beside him, watching the rolling flame. The two stared on as the fire engulfed the restaurant Anon had booked for them this evening. When they'd arrived on this street in Canterlot, having just turned the corner, the two were greeted by the view of a dozen fire-fighter ponies in the process of dowsing water on the enkindled building. The smell of soot mixed with assorted burning things and water-soaked wood stung their noses. The thick smoke rose up as if to touch Luna's moon.
 
Anon and Velvet turned slowly to their date, and stared at each other for one incredulous moment or two. Things like this were usually a bad omen, especially after their little adventure on the train. Each wondered if they should cancel the date and reschedule... 

...naw! 

Just like they did with the ash falling around them, they smirked at one another and simply brushed it off.
 
"Um... so…” Anon started, a crooked smile etching itself onto his face, “want to go get a bag of marshmallows with me? We could roast them over the restaurant and still have the best seats in the house if we hurry." 
 
Velvet giggled. "Well, as much as I love the idea, dear, I think we should let the fire-ponies do their job. I didn't get dressed up so I could play the part of Cinder Bella as she leaves the grand ball." She winked at him.
 
"I guess you're right. Eh, I'd heard mixed reviews about that place anyway," said Anon, trying to downplay the moment as if there was some hope of salvaging the situation. "There was a fifty-fifty chance we'd end up with an order of raw crab anyway."
 
Velvet scrunched her face and lifted a hoof to her chest as if some infested creature brushed against her hoof. "You hyuumans eat the weirdest things. Those poor crabs."
 
"Tell me that after you've had one chase you with those pincers. Eating them is a mercy," Anon shot back, sticking his tongue out at her. 
 
"Have you mentioned that to Twilight's friend Fluttershy?" Velvet said, her expression falling flat "I'm sure she'd love to educate you on how animals have lives too."
 
"I did,” answered Anon, crossing his arms over his chest. “About every kind of creature I can eat. I made her turn every color of the rainbow when she asked about me and my eating habits. Especially white and green." he smiled devilishly, "You should have seen the face she made when I said I could cook her pet rabbit into a stew.” He then cupped his chin with a hand.” I'm still considering it, do everyone a favor."
 
"Everypony." Velvet corrected, prodding him with a hoof.
 
"Tomato, tomahto." Anon shrugged. "So, you know the area better than I do, where do you suggest we have dinner then?"
 
"Just don't eat any small critters in view of the colts and fillies. As for dinner... hmm..." she tapped her chin, "I know of a few places... No, you'll only get in that one if you have an invitation or are a princess. You wouldn't happen to be a princess in disguise, would you?" she teased.
 
Anon rolled his eyes playfully. "Oh, yes, I'm the most important person from my planet. That's why I live in a small town and pay rent to a pony I live next door to."
 
Velvet giggled. "You could be a Garbage Swan! Everypony would come for miles around to have court in the cardboard boxes you keep in the alley-way."
 
Fixing her a smirk, Anon swiftly pointed a finger to her, saying, "Don't tempt me. That sounds like a blast."
 
Velvet scuffed her hoof against Anon's shoe. "Anyway, I think I know one I haven't been to in a while. You'll like it, I think. It's a bit old though."
 
 



 
 
Despite the change of venue, the two had a pleasant walk to Velvet's suggested restaurant, talking and laughing as they made their way. Mostly casual teasing and poking fun at one another. Anon, for his part was having a blast. He'd never met a more interesting pony, or even just a person. She listened and picked up on details most other ponies would miss entirely, even turning the most mundane thing into a joke that would nearly cause Anon to double over in laughter.

Listening to her talk about her children wasn't a chore like with most parents, the ones who kept two hundred pictures in their wallets. No, she recounted endearing qualities and great stories of her children that anyone would love to hear.
 
She should be writing a memoir if she isn't already.
 
To say Velvet was a delight to be around would understate how Anon felt about her in this moment, and he couldn't help but wonder why he hadn't noticed this about her sooner. She looked so drained when he first met her, but compared to how she was acting now, he thought she might have been a different pony entirely.
 
"Were those seats hot or what!" Velvet laughed, "I think Tartarus could use that place to serve gridle-marked guests to its inmates."
 
"Sure! Add a bar and I'll go. I might even take along my sexy date as well. She's already pretty hot." Anon waggled his eyebrows at Velvet.
 
She giggled and bumped his shin with a hoof. "Thanks, but I think you may be trying to seduce me, good sir."
 
"Trying? You mean all this charm is going to waste?"  Anon brought the back of his hand to his forehead in faux-dramatic fashion. "Oh, and I tried so hard!" He looked down at Velvet who snickered and tried to keep herself controlled. "Guess I'm not the stud you think I am." he leered at her.
 
Velvet stopped and looked at him, a confused expression adorning her face before recovering. "Oh, yeah, I got my hopes up. Silly me.” She then stood up on her rear hooves and crossed her hooves over her chest, throwing Anon's faux dramatics back at him with a hint of seduction perfectly woven in as she said, “Take me right here, right now stud!" 
 
Anon chuckled, reaching out and taking one of her hooves. "Come on. If we don't get to this mysterious place of yours soon I'm sure it'll close."
 
Velvet nodded and the two got back on their merry way. Happy, content smiles showing on their faces, and a pleasant silence lingered between them. Truth be told, though, Anon found her  display more than a little hot. He was sure he was blushing, but Velvet hadn't teased him about it yet, either because she didn’t notice or she chose to cut him some slack. Whether it was the former or the latter, it was difficult to tell with her.. She didn't always tease him in the way he'd expect, and many times her wit simply blind-sided him.
 
Velvet suddenly found herself moving forward with purpose next to her date, as she hadn’t had this much fun in years. She felt as giddy as a filly, her heart fluttering so much she wondered if she would float off the ground. Her ex-husband never treated her sarcasm well, even when they'd started out together; he couldn't handle her brand of humor. Soon enough, Velvet began to wonder what it was she even saw in Night Light that made her stick with him.
 
Oh, that's right, she thought, the corner of her mouth tugging back. He calmed me down and reigned in all the excitement. Way to kill the mood, Velvet.
 
Noting the sinking mood and the sour look forming on Velvet’s face, Anon spoke up. "Having fun so far?"
 
"Huh?” she uttered, a blush forming as she was snapped from her stupor. “Oh, yes! Sorry. I didn't mean to do that... again." She sighed. Just another habit from her former marriage she'd been trying to squash.
 
After contemplating her response, Anon stopped in front of his date, forcing her to stop and stare at him curiously. He knelt down so the two could be at eye level and looked into those sparkling teal eyes of hers, a soft, gracious grin tugging the corners of his mouth.
 
"Wh-what?" she asked, knitting her brows. Did she make him angry? Was he going to stop the date here?! No, he couldn't do that. They were having too much fun. Velvet swallowed thickly, feeling a dryness wash from her throat.
 
Anon pointed right at her, saying, "You've got something on your face."
 
"Huh? Where?" Velvet said before pawing at her cheeks with a hoof.
 
"Right..." Anon's finger swirled around just inches from her face, stopped, then jerked forward, "there!"
 
As his finger lightly pressed against the tip of her nose, Velvet flinched and crossed her eyes, surprised by the sudden contact. She opened her mouth to ask what had been there, but--
 
"Boop!" he said, his voice having raised to a soft, high pitch.
 
A weird sensation overtook Velvet’s nose, causing her to scrunch it in response. She then pulled away from Anon’s finger, flexing her muzzle to rid herself of the strange feeling. 
 
"Anon, what—"
 
"Boop!" said Anon, repeating his action, only much faster this time.
 
"Stop—"
 
"Boop!"
 
"Anon," she warned, the tinge of irritation in her voice attempting to distract him from the flushing cheeks and pouting lips she was sporting. Which, only served to make her that much cuter.
 
As he moved his finger in to poke her again, Velvet, just as quick as Anon, bit down on his finger, catching it between her teeth. It was more of a nip, really; no pressure or pain involved.
 
"Spop ipt," she warned around his finger. 

Despite her attempt to sound serious, she couldn’t hold back her ensuing smile as she stared at her.  Moments later, she released his finger, feeling the familiar heat rise to her cheeks. 

"Thanks. I needed that," she said, sitting on her haunches.
 
"Heh, it was my pleasure." Anon chuckled, cupping her cheek in his hand.
 
Velvet sighed contently and pressed into the warmth of his alien extremity. His soft palms cradled her cheek in a way she'd never expected, it was new and comforting, and she wanted it to last.
 
Anon withdrew his hand, stood up, and gestured to the direction they were heading. "C'mon, let’s get something to eat. Otherwise I might actually consider hunting Angel if we don't."
 
Her excitement renewed, Velvet darted forward, pulling up along-side her date. Her smile and blush clung to her face as naturally as her own skin as she walked beside him, looking up at him all the while.
 
 



 
 
Upon reaching the new restaurant, a sort of Mom'n'Pop cafe with very homely aesthetics, the two were quickly seated by a young stallion and given menus. Anon remarked to himself that the older colt looked a bit tense, aggravated almost. His dark mane wasn't quite as clean-cut as it probably was when the lad got to work earlier; his uniform looked to be ready for a cleaning, and his baggy eyes suggested a very long or just very stressful day of work.
 
After offering them water, the colt left to fetch their drinks while they decided on their meals.  Once he was gone from earshot, Velvet cleared her throat, Anon's attention snapping fully to the lovely mare before him.
 
"Poor kid, right?" Velvet commented.
 
"Oh, yeah. He looks like he could use a day or two off." Anon looked back to the waiter, seeing him duck into the kitchen.

Velvet hummed in agreement, then turned her sights on the menu as she skimmed over its selections.
 
"So, what on here looks good to you? I know from our past encounters that you need to eat meat." Her voice just dripped sarcasm like a snake with little to no venom restraint "Though, I'm a little curious,Anon. Do you eat meat for pleasure?"
 
Looking over his own menu, Anon shrugged. "Sometimes, yes. Does that... make you uncomfortable?" He looked up from his menu, trying to gauge her reaction.
 
"Oh no, not at all,” Velvet answered, shaking her head a bit. After shifting uncomfortably in her seat, she raised the menu closer to her vision as she followed up with, “Just... don't tell me where the meat came from. I couldn't bare the thought of some poor bunny being gobbled up."
 
"Except maybe Angel Bunny," Anon quipped, a playful smirk chiseled itself to his face.
 
"Yes. Except maybe Angel Bunny,” Velvet agreed with a curt nod. “Roast that maniacal little two-bit extortionist with his hide on and still alive." Velvet's features then darkened as she recalled her memory of her first encounter with the fluffy little white demon.
 
"So,” Anon said, laying the menu flat on the table. He tented his fingers, then placed them just below his chin as he stared at his date. “You're giving me your blessing to roast him on a spit. You won't think any less of me if I add seasonings and name the dish 'Velvet's Revenge'?"
 
Velvet laid her menu flat as well, then smiled coyly at Anon, nearly beaming. "Oh, would you?"
 
Anon chuckled, then rolled his eyes. "Only if I can sneak him away from his owner. She's actually quite aware that I'd eat him just for the fun of it."
 
"Damn..." cursed Velvet, bopping the table with a hoof as she turned away. “That's a shame. I might have even joined you."
 
Anon nearly shot out of his seat. His fingers and hands fell out from under his chin, dropping his face between them. His head shot back up, "You would?!"
 
"Nope. But it's a nice thought." Velvet twirled her hoof in the air nonchalantly before she gave a very girly giggle.
 
Anon noticed, after their short little banter, that even on the way here, Velvet didn't oppose the idea of him eating that particular rabbit. A poor little crab perhaps, but not a rabbit, this particular rabbit.
 
After a few moments of thinking, he just had to know what exactly the little terrorist had done to her. "You know, I've been meaning to ask,” said Anon. “What exactly did he do to you that was so bad?"
 
"Unspeakable things," she answered, keeping her eyes glued to the menu she held between her hooves. Her grip tightened around the edges,nearly crinkling them.
 
HIs curiosity further piqued, Anon leaned forward, his hands on the edge of the table. "That's it? That’s all I’m getting?” he questioned, raising an eyebrow. “What's so unspeakable that you can't tell me?"
 
Velvet looked up, glaring spears and javelins at him and theperverbial tiny, furry object of her torment. "Un. Speakable. Things." She growled.
 
Now this was a secret Anon would have fun dragging out of her... eventually. Maybe not tonight, but eventually. That wasn't about to stop him from teasing her though.
 
"Totally unspeakable?" He asked coyly.
 
"Yes." She looked back down at her menu.
 
"Undeniably unspeakable?"
 
"Yes."
 
"Like, 'lifted your skirt' unspeakable, or, 'made you lose ten thousand bits' unspeakable?"
 
"Unspeakable, unspeakable things..." Velvet shivered.
 
"Like, made you cook for him unspeakable, or, made you give him a blowjob unspeakable?" He smirked.
 
"I– what– unspeakable things." she said pointedly, raising her voice. "Celestia's pearly-white butt, you're so weird sometimes, Anon." She rolled her eyes and shook her head slowly.
 
Anon chuckled darkly. "Ha, yeah. But I bet you'll never get that image out of your head," he said and wiggled his eyebrows at her.
 
"You're the one who said it."
 
"And now you're the one who's thinking about it." Anon tilted his head back, resting his chin between his thumb and forefinger. "Hmm. I wonder… would it be like sucking on a straw or– Ow!" Anon jerked his knee up from a sudden hoof to the shin, banging his knee on the underside of the table as a result. His face twisted in pain as he tried to keep from yelling at the double-whammy to his leg.
 
Velvet looked through her menu as if nothing had happened, smiling smugly while she read over her options for dinner.
 
After rubbing some of the pain from his shin, Anon picked his menu up off the floor. As he did so, he snuck a glance at Velvet's legs, because what male wouldn't at least try, and thought he saw a silver sheen from what appeared to be a piercing. What kind of piercing, he could only guess.
 
Anon straightened out and propped his menu in his hands and began reading. He'd just gotten half-way down the list when their waiter came back with two glasses of water and a pitcher, which had been carefully balanced on his back.. He placed the glasses on the table, then fished a notepad out of his pocket along with a sleek black pen.
 
No matter how many times I see them balancing things like that, it's still impressive, Anon thought.
 
"Now then,” started the waiter. “What would the two of you like? Ma'am?"
 
Velvet perked, then looked back to her menu. "Oh, umm... how about, the Summer Sunset Salad?"
 
"Ooh, good choice!" he mumbled uninterestedly around the pencil in his mouth as he scribbled away her order. "And for you, sir?"
 
The waiter didn't even turn to Anon and instead kept watching Velvet. Rude as it was, Anon quickly doused his annoyance and scanned the menu. Near to the bottom, he spied something he was sure would make the colt trip.
 
"I'll have what she's having, but, could you have the chef throw on some dead bird?"
 
As expected, the waiter blanched, nearly sucking in and swallowing his pen before spitting it back out, fumbling to collect both it and the pad.
 
Their waiter snapped his head towards Anon and gave him an incredulous look. "I-I'm... Excuse me?"
 
"Dead. Bird,” Anon repeated, grinning at him. “You know, the fried chicken? Oh, and an egg, if you don't mind." 
 
"Uh, yes... sure. I'll see what the chef can do." With wide eyes, the colt nervously retreated to the kitchen.
 
Velvet turned to Anon, her expression conveying her shock at his antics. "You're evil. Brilliant, but still evil."
 
His self-appreciative grin never wavering, Anon shrugged. "Hey, he was eyeing you and ignoring me. Pretty sure he was going to write down whatever came to mind while he looked you over."
 
Velvet cleared her throat. "Yes, well, in my defense, it's not often I get dolled up like this. Twilight and her dramatic friend were having a field day with my mane." Velvet rested her elbow on the table and her hoof against her cheek, all the while smiling at the memory of being pampered by her daughter and Rarity.
 
"Heh, I can imagine. Though I'm only good at messing up manes, not taming them." Anon then followed that up by winking suggestively at her.
 
Velvet huffed, amusedly, then yanked the napkin from her silverware before tossing it at his face. "I'll ignore the obvious lewdness of that comment." 
 
"So violent for a pony." he leered, shifting his weight a tad.
 
A groan of wood rang out from under Anon's side of their booth and he felt himself sink nearly an inch. Instinctively he slid to his left.
 
No telling when that would go.
 
Velvet watched him. Her eyebrow rose and then she felt her own side of the booth creek and sink. She slid over as well, and they looked at each other knowingly.
 
"If that happens again, I'm requesting another booth," Anon offered. Velvet nodded.
 
An idea came to Anon as if from nowhere. 

"Say, Velvet?" he asked. 
 
"Hmm?"
 
"What were you like when you were younger? Younger than your daughter, I mean."
 
"Nice save," she said, looking at him pointedly. "Well... hmm... I used to be very rebellious, if you can believe that."
 
"I can't,” Anon admitted. “You? A trouble maker? Snarky, yes. Conniving, yes. But not rebellious."
 
"Would you believe me if I said I used to dye my mane black and spike it, put in 13 piercings –just on my face and ears alone– wear ripped leather and jeans, and carry around a knife that had notches in the handle?" She then gave him the most saccharine smile while flutter her lashes, punctuated by her chin resting on her hooves and her elbows on the table.
 
"Right now, definitely not." He admitted, feeling the heat rising to his cheeks.
 
Another ominous creak was heard, though not as bad as the first. The two wordlessly decided it wasn't enough that they’d need to move to another table yet, and instead just scooched closer.
 
"Well, I was,” Velvet admitted with a smile. “I ran away from home because my parents hated the music I loved. I became a punk rocker and even ran with a crew, which I eventually took over from the previous boss. Then, as everypony started growing up a bit more, we all left and went our separate ways."
 
"That's it?” Anon asked, stunned. “There's got to be more to it than that."
 
A small smile on her face, Velvet waved her hoof dismissively.

"There is, but it's a very long story. Longer than we'll have tonight."
 
"Uh-uh, we’re doing this now--this I need to hear!” Anon said excitedly, rubbing his hands together. “How about you just recount a few things? Pleeeeeeease?"
 
"Fine, fine,” Velvet relented, rolling her eyes “You're such a child, Anon."
 
"Makes you feel old, doesn't it." Anon rebutted, sticking his tongue out at her.
 
"Hey, you're no spring chicken either." Velvet's cheeks flushed and her voice rose a bit.
 
Anon chuckled a bit.
 
"Fine, no story for you. You can eat your dinner in silence." she huffed.
 
Anon chuckled. "Yes, mom."
 
As if on queue, their orders had arrived, and Anon made no effort to talk while they ate. However, it happened again. The seat creaked loudly and Anon sunk a noticeable way down. 

He had but a moment to look at Velvet before he went crashing through the seat. Due to the pitching boards, Velvet was raised forcibly and went sliding heavily onto Anon. He let out a strained grunt and would have curled up into a ball had Velvet not been on top of him. Acting fast once she recovered her jumbled senses, Velvet quickly got off of injured human.
 
"I'm sorry! Are you alright?" she said, offering a hoof to help him out of the splintered mess.
 
Anon coughed, then slowly reached for her. He missed Velvet's hoof a few times, trying hard to blink away the tears in his eyes, but ending up placing his hand on the table. As he tried to push himself up, the table flipped, spilling their meals all over the two of them. Stunned, and at a loss for words, the two just looked at eachother.
 
"Waiter!" Velvet yelled.
 
The colt from before came slinking out from behind the reception desk. He hesitantly locked eyes with Velvet, who was practically pinning him to the floor with the daggers she was glaring at him.
 
"Is this some kind of joke?!” she shouted, foodstuff being flung as she shot out her hoof. “I've been coming here for over a decade and this is the state of repair you allow this place to be in?! I should report you to the Celestial Canterlot Cleanliness Bureau! You've obviously paid off somepony to look the other way! I wouldn't be surprised to see an infestation." Velvet yelled, scolding the wide-eyed colt. "Parasprites! Twittermytes! And in my soup, no less!"
 
Panic setting in, the cold waved his hooves frantically. "Okay! Okay! Calm down!" he waved frantically, "I'll get you another seat. Just don't go that far! Please! We're almost shut down as it is!"
 
Velvet harrumphed, sticking her nose into the air like the high-society ponies she was used to being around. 

"I should hope you do. I feel sorry for the cook. That poor pony's wonderful meal just got thrown onto this very expensive dress. Not to mention that my date has to have all his clothes hoof-made by the Minotaurs and shipped all the way here. Maybe I should just send you the cleaning bill."
 
The cold winced as if struck. "No, no! There's no need! Here," he darted over to a large table and pulled out a chair for both Anon and Velvet. He erged Velvet and a limping Anon to the restaurant's premium seating, "Your meals are on the hou--” Velvet gave him a stern glare. “I mean... on me."
 
"Good. Now, my friend and I need some space."
 
"Y-yes. Of course, miss." And with that, the colt bolted into the kitchen, where Anon and Velvet could clearly, if a bit muffled, hear the chef yelling at the waiter.
 
Velvet's features then softened, and she turned to look at her date. "Are you alright? I'm so sorry... hurting you like that."
 
"I'm fine, or, I will be. It's not your fault." Anon answered with a smile Beneath the table, however, his hands cradled his aching family jewels, every pulse from his blood sending fresh waves of pain through his tender baby batter factories.
 
"Well, now I feel obligated to do something for you; to help you feel better. Anything you want?" she offered, her smile as sweet as honey.
 
"A kiss," Anon blurted out.
 
A blush creeping onto her face, Velvet pulled back as she blanched. She then turned her head away, just far enough to look away from the human but so she could still see him. "You're quite bold. Taking advantage of my kindness and all," she teased half-heartedly.
 
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Besides, I've been dying to know how your lips feel." he admitted, smiling at her.
 
After fixing him a smirk, and receiving one in return, Velvet moved. Smooth as silk and with a confidence that Anon rarely saw in anyone, she closed the distance between them, sliding out of her chair and stepping over to Anon where they were then face to face. She was so close, he could feel her breath on his face, and--
 
"Ahem," the waiter interrupted, much to the unicorn and human’s annoyance.
 
Anon and Velvet's attentions snapped to the interrupter. Their features twisted into frightening scowls.
 
The colt, however, seemed bored and uncaring.

"Here's your meal," he announced.
 
Anon could only figure that this young pony just lost his job if he wasn't worried about Velvet's earlier threats.The look on the colt's face basically said, "I've given up and I don't care anymore."
 
"You ever hear of something called 'tact'? Or 'subtlety'?" Anon chided. "How about common decency?"
 
"Whatever,” the colt said with a shrug. “You and the milf enjoy your meal. I don't care anymore." he said pushing the platter of food between them and onto the table, then quickly went over to the reception booth and stared out the windowed doors.
 
Anon was just about to voice a comment when two loud drunks suddenly burst through the doors to the restaurant, carrying wine bottles in their hooves and sloshing the contents of those bottles all over the floor. The stallion looked at Velvet at, then waggled his eyebrows at her suggestively.
 
Velvet reeled back and Anon stood up.
 
"We're leaving."
 
"Agreed." Velvet hopped out of her chair.
 
The two of them pushed passed the drunks, but not before the stallion took a very inappropriate whiff of Velvet, which she felt. She spun around to face him, tucking her tail between her legs. She slapped her hoof across his face, only for the drunk mare the stallion came in with to turn around and scream at Velvet.
 
"Hey! He'sh my date! Get your own! ...And what do you think you're doing slapping him!"
 
Straightening her posture, Velvet huffed. "Your pervert of a date just sniffed my tail! Why don't you raise your standards, hmm? Like, from millimeters to miles!"
 
"Go screw your pet there,” countered the mare, throwing a hoof up at Anon, then at her date “I've got 'standards' in spades with this one."
 
Velvet laughed. "Ha! Yeah, sure, 'cause this pervert's got an ego to counter his micro-penis!"
 
That retort seemed to anger the mare. "And how would you know, whorse!"
 
"Because I dated him, nag!” shouted Velvet. “I left him for every reason I can think of! Pervert, micro-penis, filly chaser, boose hound! Should I go on?"
 
Velvet and the drunk mare went on, but off to the side, Anon had been having a very different confrontation.
 
"The fuck is wrong with you!" Anon shouted at the drunk. His fists were clenched, and his knuckles had turned white. He didn't know where he got the strength to hold back from just reaching out and grabbing the stallion's mane and pummeling him into the wood floor, but it was that barrier that kept him in place, if only by a hair.
 
"Hey, dud,” the stallion slurred. “You shouldn't have a fine mare like her. She could do better than some weird animal like you. She could be with me! Oh, how I'd screw her into the grou--" The stallion's words were lost, as Anon fist made perfect contact with his snout.
 
Blood sprayed the floor and Anon's fist. The stallion swayed and recoiled, shocked that he'd been hit, and with that much force. Nopony'd ever stuck him, apparently. 

Tears and embarrassment welled in the drunk's eyes, and he lunged for Anon. Anon grasped the stallion's mane and pushed it into the cobblestone as the stallion was forcefully redirected outside. The stallion tried to lunge at Anon again after staggering back up, but an indescribable pain shot up through Anon from his already tender groin. A hoof, the same pink color of the drunken mare, had stuck out from under him.
 
A split second later, Anon was gut-checked by the stallion, whose muzzle he smashed and was sent tumbling into the restaurant. The last thing Anon heard before the dark edges of his vision collapsed in on everything was Velvet swearing to cut both the drunks into a wall. After hearing her say that, it was then that he could imagine her as a street thug clad in leather and piercings.
 
And then, nothing. Everything was gone from him.
> CH:04 Mother May I? [CL0P]
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pounding. A searing pain between his thighs, the tightness in his gut, and... soft flesh under his bruised head? Anon emerged from the painful darkness of his K.O. to see Velvet above him. He assumed his head was resting on her thighs, unless Equestria had heated pillows. She stroked the side of his head lightly with a hoof. Despite the serine imagery of the moonlit tree behind her, as well as stars shining in the dark canvas of the sky like pure diamonds, Anon's gaze was focused solely on Velvet's smile. As Anon’s vision gradually returned to him, he noticed that, surrounding them,, were thick bushes of varying types backlit by unseen lanterns. Anon guessed she'd taken him to a park, somewhere quiet for him to rest until he came to.

Were it not for the pain, Anon would have considered himself to be in some corney scene from a bad fan-fiction, or some common DeviantArt painting he ashamedly would favorite and save to his filth-ridden hard drive.

"How do you feel?" she said sweetly. Her eyes sparkling lightly.

Wow… Motherly? Yes. Lucky Sparkle children.

"Not sure. You're blocking my senses," he lied, but her visage was doing quite a lot to help him forget his traumatized baby-batter-kinder-candies.

Velvet giggled cutely, her hoof coming to her lips as her cheeks flushed. She reached out to touch Anon's bruised stomach, pushing on it a bit more roughly than he would like. He winced, immediately grabbing his stomach.

Her smug grin came out in full force as she stared down at him, "Liar."

"What can I say? I like making you happy."

Anon winced again as Velvet put pressure on his stomach again. "And cheesy. Celestia! Have I found a sap."

Anon chuckled, allowing the filter between his ear and mouth to cease, he said, "Hey, I can be sticky-sweet aaalll over you."

Velvet threw her head back, laughing uproariously. Her laughter filled the small space they occupied, and she threw herself forward, pressing her snoot to his chest as she continued laughing.

Anon got a face-full of her chest fur, Velvet's shampoo and a bit of perfume filled his nose. Or it could be her natural scent. He wasn't sure. Most ponies tended to smell like fruits or spices to him. They said they couldn't smell it, but that might be because humans have predatory features as well as herbivores'.

Aside from the gentle smothering, Velvet was quite warm. Not that he expected her to be chilled or anything, but she just felt so very warm.

He then noticed the distinct lack of laughter from his date. Her laughter had turned to pleasant giggles, but when had she stopped laughing altogether? He pushed himself up a bit with an elbow and looked at Velvet, who was looking at something else, and then he saw it. Anon was pitching a tent he hadn't even noticed. Strange. He hoped the party-crashers he and his date fought with hadn't caused him any harm.

He turned his attention back to his date, though his cheeks felt a bit hot. "Velvet? You alright?"

She shook her head and looked back at him, he cheeks flushed and a certain longing in her eyes. Anon knew that look. He'd seen it on her before from time to time, usually when a "hunky" stallion walked by.

"I guess you're not too hurt, if your gutter-brain is still working." she teased.

"Oh, hah ha," he rolled his eyes.

"Hey, I'm not complaining." She smiled darkly, sex evident in her eyes, "I'm taking that rod before this night is over. I want to end this fuck-tacular evening on a high note."

Anon felt the heat in his face increase ten-fold. "Be gentle?"

"Maaaybeee." she sang sensually.

Anon placed his hands on her chest, running his fingers through her fur, also pushing her off him a bit. Her confusion at his actions lasted only a moment. Anon moved his hands around to her neck and then to her cheeks and he guided her face to his. The spiderman-esk position was a bit strange at first, but her felt he could get used to it quickly.

"Before I taste your hunger," he started, looking at her lovingly, "I want to kiss you. For many reasons… but, it just seems right to start this way."

Velvet smiled at him. She lowered her lips to his and pressed lightly. They sat there, just enjoying the semi-wet muscles and skin tickling each other for a time. Velvet gradually began pressing more and more into the kiss, as if driven by a need. That need, Anon already knew, was going to turn them into putty before the morning. Just, a feeling he had.

Anon noted how hot Velvet's lips felt against his own. Any preconceptions about how ponies tasted now firmly out the door, he let the taste and warm sensations of the soft mare above him fill his mind and attentions. Gently, he reached up to her and wrapped his hands behind her head, bringing her as close as he could without shoving the two of them into each other's throats.

Velvet moaned softly, continuing her pleasantly aggressive assault on Anon's lips. A desire struck her, a need powerful enough to have her question if she should act upon her desires.

Would he like it? Will he get mad?

Her fears threatening to kill the mood, Velvet steeled her decision. She wanted to taste the human, badly. Every fear her mind conjured up would have to wait, but even so, she didn't just dive in. Still playing on her sensibilities, Velvet teasingly licked and prodded Anons lips with the tip of her tongue.

Anon, feeling his partner's wet muscle pressing to his lips, parted his lips and allowed her passage. Her tongue slipped further into his mouth and explored. Her tongue flinched a bit at first when it made contact with his rows of sharp teeth.

Velvet's spine shook almost violently with excitement. A shiver both primaly afraid and sexually driven, at the feeling for each point making contact with such a vulnerable part of herself. She longed to have him "hunt her down" and take her. A thought, she noted, that she would save for later. She knew Anon had some weird kinks from previous interactions, but she didn't know if he liked that. Best save it for later, she thought.

Anon could taste a fleeting sweetness on her and decided to guide her further in. He placed his tongue atop hers and pulled her further in. That fleeting sweetness now fully in his mind, reminded him of a warm, moist cake with hints of grapes, blueberry, and red velvet. He sighed heavily, breathing from his nose, he could feel his breath collide with her neck and return to his cheeks. It was hotter than he'd expected.

Velvet delighted in Anon's forwardness and even more-so at his flavor, something like salty-sweet with hints of wintermint and bread. The latter no doubt from their earlier meal. She slid her tongue along his, back and forth, caressing him. A light moan escaped him, delighting Velvet.

Velvet needed to move now. Her growing arousal becoming uncomfortable pinned between her thighs and the ground. She moved slowly, allowing Anon to adjust as he needed.

Anon opened his eyes upon feeling Velvet rise. He loosened his grip on her head. He'd felt the shiver run through her and now that she stood over him, he wondered if she was alright. He released her lips from his own, her eagerness causing an audible pop once their lips were free of each other. He watched as her eyes went wide when he parted them.

"You okay?" he whispered sweetly.

Velvet smiled and her gaze lowered to one of a much more seductive nature. Her thighs felt hot where pressure built between them, a pressure she hadn't felt in a long while. It was like an old friend had come home from a long journey overseas. Like a desire so pure and not born of obligation.

She hummed and nodded. "I'm alright. More than alright actually. But I want more," she shivered, "sooo much more."

Anon chuckled, "greedy noble."

"Filthy serf." she giggled.

Velvet placed her hooves on either side of Anon's head then gently lead him into turning over and sitting up. Once that was done, she kissed him softly, then  leaned back slowly and drew him along with her even when their lips had parted; not unlike having a leash tied to him.

Anon, now on all fours, felt himself being drawn over Velvet by an unknown pressure. Not magic. If it had been magic he'd have felt the little sparks of electricity jumping across his skin. No, this was a pressure like the gentle hands of a lover guiding him forward and he willingly followed. Velvet's touch-less magnetism excited him in ways he couldn't describe. His heart raced and pounded. The heat from his skin felt like a furnace, and when he felt Velvet's own heat waft over him, she was like a burning coal under him.

The exotic-ness of the sensation lent him a renewed sense of need, a need Anon didn't know he had, but now that her did have it he never wanted to let it go. He climbed over her and from this position Anon took in the picture of Velvet beneath him. She was excited, blushing, and had her belly exposed to him while her hooves crossed over her chest. Her back legs were relaxed and twitched every so often. she kept arching her back and restraining herself from the action; which Anon found exciting and cute to watch. She looked vulnerable even when he knew damn-well she was anything but. He lowered himself onto her and kissed her again, hungrily. His hips found hers quite naturally and ground themselves against her heavily, slowly.

As Velvet watched him come down on her, that excited-fear shook her again. Her skin beneath her coat felt as though it was on fire when he touched her and his weight on her made her tense pleasantly. When he kissed her she relaxed some but her excitement only furthered her desire. That pressure between her thighs was becoming greater and she knew she'd be begging him to mount her soon. Just the idea made her moan softly. That's when it happened, Anon's hips met hers and his thigh pressed against her hot, moist clit. She gasped and her hips bucked forward of their own accord.

Anon lifted off his lover for a second and he smiled down at her. He placed his hand on her cheek and she leaned into it. He took the opportunity to lean forward once more and kiss her neck. Velvet moaned curtly and when he ran his teeth over the coat and skin she shivered almost violently. His hand trailed from her cheek to her neck and over her chest, teasing the fur and causing her to moan louder.

Anon raised back up to look at her face. He wanted to watch her reaction for what he did next. His hand slid down over her taut belly and towards her nipples.

Velvet's blush came back in full force and this is where he could really see the resemblance between mother and daughter. Velvet normally had an air of elegance about her that her daughter lacked, but Twilight had a cuteness to her that her mother lacked most times. Now however, Twilight Velvet looked more like her daughter than Anon was willing to admit. The origin of that cute book-ish, shyness that Twilight normally displayed was out in full force.

One-up for genetics!

Anon's fingers met with Velvet's teats and she hid her face, well and truly embarrassed at this point. She'd forgotten about them in her lust filled state. She was no old mare, but neither was she young and without the signs of age and motherhood.

"A-are... those to your liking? Don't lie." Velvet nearly mumbled.

Anon, a bit shocked by her embarrassment, grinned at her. He leaned down to her ear and whispered,

"They're just fine. Nice even. Plump too. I'll have to tell you about human physiology sometime."

He rolled the fleshy mounds between his fingers and Velvet's reaction was just as cute as before, only with little moans and sighs mixed in. Especially when his fingers or palm grazed over her nipples. Her thighs clenched and she rubbed her knees together. Velvet fidgeting while he teased her flesh only spurred on her desire. His silver tongue didn't hurt much at all, if she was honest with herself.

Anon slipped his hand lower and watched Velvet's reaction closely. Over her soft mounds and the thin fur between them and his new target. The tips Anon's fingers made contact with Velvet's clit. First over the plush outer lips and then to the slick pink flesh of her slit. He was surprised to find how unlike his expectations she felt. Very soft, hot, and slick. He'd expected her to feel taut or firm in some way, but as he played with her folds he found she was quite malleable and her sex just got hotter the more he ministrated her.

Velvet's reaction was immediate, she gasped loudly at having her hot plot touched after so much build-up. Her breathing deepened and she found herself struggling to maintain control of her lungs. Every stroke over her lips felt almost laborious and with enough pressure to keep her on that figurative edge. She moaned softly and squirmed more than before. She looked up at Anon and realized he'd been watching her reactions. She felt a need to hide her face from him but her hooves her to busy pressing his hand to her wet mound.

When did those get there?!

She now felt well and truly exposed to him, so, she did the only thing she could, she buried her head in the crook of Anon's neck between his shoulder and his jaw.

"Don't stop. For the love of Luna, don't stop anon!" she rasped.

"Mmm, sensitive much?" he hummed.

Anon took this as his queue and pressed his fingers harder into her and even slid her little button between his knuckles, to which she replied by moaning low and long. Her hips were bucking against his hand and so to keep her from sliding around too much Anon, propped up by his left elbow, slid his forearm behind Velvet. It helped. She was now more steadily grinding herself on his ministrations.

"More! I need more!" she pantingly urged from his shoulder.

Anon slipped a finger inside her wet, dripping tunnel. Velvet latched onto him, wrapping her right, rear hooves around Anon's left leg. She'd managed to will her front hooves to wrap around Anon's neck tightly. She held on dear life as her lust over took her. The building pressure within her felt like a wave being held back by a wall of wind. She needed a push, something, anything to let that wave crash over her and wash away everything.

This wonderful, caring, alien creature she had known for so long was pleasuring her with almost no regard for his own lust, which she could smell on his neck. She breathed deep his scent between moans. He smelled of coriander and an earthy mint soap along with the sweat and heady musk assailing her senses.

Anon slid his finger in and out of Velvet's dripping passage. His finger tip grazed a rough-ish nub inside her. Velvet gasped and clenched both her hooves around his body and her pussy around his finger. He figured this was a good thing and slipped another finger inside her to help with his access to her trigger. Her groans from being filled further and spread were like music in his ears. He stroked in and out of her a bit, feeling her hot, moist breath on his neck before stroking her g-spot again. The rough nub giving no resistance.

Velvet gasped again and her voice let loose a torrent of moans and near-squeaks, she felt helpless to his control.

"Nearing your peak?" Anon whispered.

Velvet nodded stiffly. She unburied her head from his shoulder and looked up at the tree above them, her tongue lolling out of her mouth as she opened and closed it, trying to swallow her saliva between breaths. She was so close, so very close. A fleeting thought entered her, a threat to the universe.

If we're interrupted now I'll grow wings and torture whatever thing dared to ruin this!

Somewhere out in the void, Velvet felt something shy away from her.

Velvet was brought back to her extacy when Anon used both his fingers to circle around her g-spot. She squirmed, trying in vain to force his fingers onto it. Suddenly his fingers left it and she felt the pressure ease and a longing replaced it, only for him to tap his finger down directly onto her spot again. She clenched and contracted against him. He did it again, his fingers were gone and then just as quickly they were back. Every time she relaxed a little and then clenched back onto him.

She was quickly growing tired and her orgasm remained on the edge of a cliff like a safety rope ready to snap because of the weight.

"Anon! Please! Ah! I need to cum! I-I Ah- want to cum! S-stop teasi-ih-ing!"

Anon opened his mouth as if to speak, but turned his head and instead bit her neck. That extacy-filled-fear came back full force on Velvet and she felt him push his finger into her as deeply as he could.

Oh, gods that be! More! Her mind screamed.

Then he pressed his thumb onto her little button and her g-spot at the same time and rubbed them furiously. She clenched again and grit her teeth.

And it hit her. Velvet's orgasm crashed over her, washing her in a torrent of endorphins and pleasure. She cried out to the stars. Her body remained tense as her fluids gushed out and over Anon's hand, a hand with was still wriggling inside her, coaxing out as much of her orgasm as it could. Velvet felt that blast of wind push her for what seemed like minutes upon minutes before it let up. She slowly relaxed and sank back down to the ground.

Anon felt more than he saw. Velvet's clenching sex around his fingers. Her flexing stomach against his own. Her hooves digging into his back. Anon was reasonably sure she would have bit him if she was biter. He was, which she would discover shortly.

Velvet relaxed now that the waves finished crashing over her and dragging her to wherever. Her fetlocks, shoulders, stomach, and hips felt spent and she was covered in sweat, a fact making itself known when a chill breeze swept over her and forced a shiver. She gazed up into Anon's eyes. He was smiling gently at her. She knew that look. It was one she hadn't seen in so long she'd nearly forgotten what it felt like to be looked at like that. He was falling for her, maybe truly in love with her. Not many ponies stared that intently at another, unflinching.

"You know, Anon, I might just be up for another lousy date if it ends up like this again." she smiled and giggled. Her matured demeanor returning in full force, if a bit exhausted.

"Oh yeah? You like seeing me covered in food? Who's the predator species now." he slipped his fingers out of her and watched her shiver.

"Oh, it's definitely you. But, I wouldn't mind gobbling up a part of you right now. In fact, lose the trousers, I'm hungry." she smirked and pointed at his crotch.

Anon, having had pitched his tent for a while, felt as if his iron-rod just upgraded to steel and would make its way out of the confines of his pants with or without his help. He rose off Velvet and stood on his knees, each on either side of her hips. Velvet watched intently as Anon unbuckled, unbuttoned, and unzipped his pants. He slid the pants down along with his underwear, only about down to his thighs, and his steel sprang forth, free from his clothing.

Velvet studied him. The shape was different than she was used to, obviously, but nothing like what she'd expected. Still, knowing how the male ego works she opted not to comment on the length and instead going for shape.

"I'm glad it's not spiked or anything like that, thrilling as that would be." she smirked at him.

Anon snorted, trying to hold back a laugh, "What? You expected, maybe, a manticore or duck dick?"

"Duck?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Ugh, ask your daughter. I'm not going to explain that one, nor how I know what it looks like."

Velvet giggled, "fair enough. Now, I'm hungry," she practically purred and rolled over, hind hooves tucked under herself. She shuffled forward and, once her muzzle was within reach, she slid his length along the sides of her muzzle. She breathed deeply, took in his scent. His musk made her head swim a little.

Anon hissed at the softness of her fur against his most sensitive places. The feeling alone was intoxicating. Velvety soft, indeed. He'd noticed her softness before, of course, but this was different. It was as if her fur tickled without tickling, was a bit cool at first and then heated up the longer it remained in contact with him.

Anon's hiss aroused Velvet, lighting her fire again and she felt a small trickle slide from her clit to her teats and then off to the ground.

A warm, wet, spongy sensation made itself known on to Anon's member. Anon looked down to see Velvet licking his dick. She made slow, broad licks along his length. He groaned low and closed his eyes to focus on the sensation.

Velvet felt quite proud of herself, the corners of her lips curled upwards. With every lick, she watched Anon sink further and further from his knees and onto his rear, sitting on his heels, until he was forced to hold himself up with his arms behind himself. She never lost contact with his dick.

Anon opened his eyes to look down at Velvet. When their gazes met, she winked at him and her lips latched onto the head of his dick. She sucked on him a bit and teased it with her tongue, making long , circular motions with her tongue. Anon could only moan shortly and squirm, this sensation felt overloading and disorienting to his already lust-filled mind. When he could, he breathed in deeply and he felt how hot his breath, which surprised him.

Anon kept his gaze on Velvet. She released his dick from her mouth, but used her hooves to hold it steady as she ran the bottom of the wet muscle over the head of his penis, still making those over-powering, disabling, broad motions. The sensation assaulted his senses again, his breathing became erratic. His arms shook and trembled. Every swirl of her tongue over the head of his dick made him want to collapse onto the grass below them.

"Velvet--! Huh... I can't take much more of that. Uhn!" he rasped.

Velvet paused, but kept the pressure of her hooves, which were softer than Anon expected now that he could think more clearly, on his dick. "That so, dear? Maybe I should do this then."

And without another word Velvet enveloped his cock with her mouth. The sudden heat and slick sensation had Anon arching forward, his hand finding new purchase on Velvet's mane. She'd taken him all the way to the base of his member and he could feel her lips tickling the skin around his dick. She swallowed and the undulating pressures massaged him in ways that left him a near-babbling mess. Though for the sake of feeling more, Anon held back his load. This feeling was too good to let himself end it so soon.

Velvet slid back almost releasing him, but as she neared his head she plunged back down, taking him back into her throat. She lapped her tongue at the underside of his length and sucked as hard as she dared. Anon had grabbed hold of her mane and, truth be told, she loved the feeling of her mane being pulled. Emboldened by the new sensations, Velvet bobbed her head ever quicker over Anon's cock. He wasn't as long as some stallions, but his girth and shape made this act much easier than she remembered it being. She couldn't put into words his salty favor, but the more of him she tasted and could smell, the more she needed to have him in her mouth.

"Velvet! I'm g-getting close... Hnnggg!"

Velvet didn't stop, instead she wrapped her hooves around his hips and held him there.

Anon couldn't help but use his hand to help guide Velvet's pace, every stroke inside her hot, slick muzzle had him wanting more and as fast as she could go. He hoped she didn't suffer from motion-sickness easily.

Then Anon felt it, that peak and the end of a long climb. The last few pushes were all the harder until you reach the top and then release washes over. He thrust into Velvet's mouth at his peak, and his release hit him. Spurt after spurt of his load shot down Velvet's throat as he held her head as close to him as he could. Each shot of cum filled and emptied from his dick in thick, smooth rushes. He could only describe the sensation as heavenly.

Velvet nearly gasped when he sudden thrust and held her head to his crotch. Her nose was squished against his hips almost uncomfortably. His sudden strength surprised her, she hadn't guessed that he could be this strong. Sure he'd picked her up before, but she wasn't the heaviest of ponies. She and her daughter were blessed to be as slim as they were. But, as Anon coated her throat with his seed she was acutely aware of the fact that she couldn't move if she wanted to. All she could do was ride out his waves.

Anon finally released Velvet and collapsed onto his rear, sliding out of her mouth, and he allowed himself to lie back on the grass. His chest heaved and his vision blurred slightly, unable to clearly focus on anything.

Velvet swallowed thickly, only getting a partial taste of her lover's seed. Disappointed, she leaned forward and cleaned the cum and saliva from Anon's cock, which was slowly softening. Upon her ministrations however, he returned to full mast quickly.

"Ooh~!" Velvet cooed, "Not a one-pump-chump, I see."

"N-no, but give me a minute. As great as you are, not to mention "cute" and 'sexy-as-all-hell', I don't want my heart exploding just yet."

"Aw~" she cooed again and climbed over him on onto his rising and falling chest, "Me? Cute? You're too nice, dear."

"I meant every word." he said between gasps, "You're adorable. I can see where Twilight gets it."

Velvet giggled, a bit of blush heating her cheeks once more, "Well, thank you. I appreciate the compliment. Now, are you going to kiss me, or will I have to steal it from you?"

"I kinda want to see you stealing it," he chuckled.

"Turning me into the riff raff, are we?"

"Hah! If you're riff raff, then Celestia's a middle-class mother of octuplets living off food stamps and hand outs."

Velvet didn't retort, she leaned forward to kiss him, and Anon dodged away, smiling wickedly.

"Nu-uh. You gotta steal it, remember?"

"Oh?" Velvet lidded her eyes, the corners sweeping into that bedroom look that made stallions weak at the knees, and she leaned down to whisper in his ear... then she bit him.

Anon yelped and nearly bolted up. He opened his mouth-- and her lips were upon him. She'd stolen her kiss.

Their lips parted and Anon rubbed his sore ear, "Touche."

Velvet giggled cutely before grinding her hips and lips against Anon's length, "Now, your few minutes are up and I want to feel like a water-balloon with legs."

Anon swallowed hard. Damn she was lewd when she wanted to be. This is going to be a looong ride.

"By the way, Velvet," Anon asked.

"Yes?" she said cutely.

"What happened to your dress?"

"Oh," Velvet giggled, straddling his hips as she climbed onto him, "In the same state my pussy had better be in by sunrise."

Anon raised an eyebrow.

"Ruined"