> Comet Chaser - Busy for a Birthday > by CometChaser > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Spitfire's Stallion > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comet Chaser walked wearily home from the Wonderbolts garrison in Canterlot. His dark blue fur could be seen weaving through narrow alleys between white pillars of stone, crowned on top with a gilded roof. The last rays of dusk light were still glittering on some of the tallest towers. He considered the receding light and sighed, he had been busy that day and knew tomorrow he’d be even busier, for tomorrow, the Wonderbolts would be arriving in Canterlot. At least tonight I’ll have a few hours of sleep before returning duty as Master Sergeant, he thought, dismally imagining having to stay awake long into the night. While other ponies would be celebrating and partying, he would be managing supplies, making sure everypony knew their assigned task, were following orders, as well as dealing with every minute issue that came up over the night, of which there would be many. He could handle stress, the Wonderbolts staged performances in Canterlot all the time, but why did it have to be tomorrow of all days. It was his birthday tomorrow and Comet Chaser had been looking forward to taking the day off, maybe read a nice book or explore the Canterlot museum. When the news came from Captain Spitfire that the Wonderbolts would be staying in Canterlot for the coronation of Equestria’s newest princess Comet Chaser’s hopes of a peaceful day to spend by himself were dashed. As he neared his small apartment, he shrugged off his worries about the busy day tomorrow. I’ll make it up to myself later by taking the day after off he told himself. Then he remembered he’d have to organize a cleanup and restocking crew so the garrison was operational in case there was a sudden need for the Wonderbolts to use the facilities again. He shook his head trying to forget all about his woes and concentrate on getting a nice relaxed sleep. His landlady greeted him at the door. “Good evening Mr. Chaser, Another long day at work?” “Yes indeed Ma’am, my day will be especially long tomorrow so I wouldn’t recommend waiting for me to get home.” “As it happens I’ve been waiting on you for just that reason. My sister Fleur de Lis got me an Invitation to the coronation and after party tomorrow, and I don’t plan on being back ‘till the morning after. Would you be a dear and lock up when you get home?” She handed him the keys to the apartment “You’ve been a good tenant for several years, and I trust you’ll do exactly as I tell you and nothing more.” Comet Chaser was familiar with taking orders and promised to do exactly as his landlady had asked. After exchanging farewells, he headed up the spiral staircase to his second-floor apartment room. He was tempted to flop on the bed in exhaustion but knew to do so would be to condemn himself to a hungry, sleepless night. A brief glance into his refrigerator revealed that he may, in fact, have no choice in the matter. A week old salad and a small bag of oats were all that greeted him. His job paid well enough, but he spent so much time performing the administrative tasks required by his post he never had the time to do serious food shopping, or for that matter house shopping. Though he didn't mind his quaint little apartment, he knew he should get a real house, especially if he ever planned on finding his special somepony and having a family. Pleasant thoughts of a future with a nice house and a lovely wife filled his mind as he drifted to sleep. His blaring alarm woke him in the morning. He sat upright and silenced his, ‘Winter Wrap Up’ themed alarm. Wiping his stubble covered face with his hoof, he lumbered out of bed. Comet Chaser recalled his days and a young spry airpony going through the academy boot camp. At O’five hundred, sharp taps would blare through the speakers, immediately ending any hope of further sleep. He and the other cadets would leap from their beds and immediately start folding their sheets as per regulation. He recalled standing at attention, praying to Celestia the Sargent wouldn’t notice his hastily folded socks. He noticed, he always noticed, and punishment swiftly followed. Failure was harshly reprimanded. Shaking his sleep groggy head, Comet Chaser set aside his old memories of boot camp and went to make his morning coffee, assuredly the first of many he’d be having today. After ironing his suit, he donned his class A uniform and headed out the door, making sure his landlady’s keys were in his coat pocket. En route to the Canterlot Wonderbolt base, Comet Chaser passed by Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. He gazed ponderously at the magnificent building that was the Royal Canterlot Archives. Distracted by the sight, he failed to notice a light blue pegasus rushing towards the school, many treatises in hoof. “Oh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to hit you!” Said the mare, helping him up from the ground. “Ah, don’t you worry about it. I’ve been hurt a lot worse.” Comet Chaser groaned as he accepted the mare’s outstretched hoof. “I’m Comet Chaser by the way.” Once he’d pulled himself up he helped the mare who was frantically collecting her fallen books and scrolls. “May I ask you name ma’am?” He inquired “I’m afraid I’m late as it is and haven’t got much time for pleasantries I must be in class teaching by…“ Her voice trailed off as the Canterlot bell tower tolled the seventh hour of the day. “Shit,” She said. Comet Chaser had stacked her books in her arms, but one fell as she tried to sprint towards the school. Comet Chaser bent as if to pick it up but the mare said, “Fuck it, I got to go now” Without a further word, and with a swish of her purple tail, she rushed away towards the school. He picked up her dropped book and pondered the title, ‘Strange Objects and Where to Find Them.’ Comet Chaser watched as the mare ran along the cobblestone path to the school, her wings pushing her forward, giving her an extra boost of speed. He watched as she entered the building and the door slammed shut behind her. The loud noise woke him from his trance-like fixation, and with a shake of his head Comet Chaser went on his way to his office, carrying the book under his arm. “Sir someone is asking a see you right now!” Young Dazzle Tail burst into Comet Chaser’s office without so much as knocking on the door. “The coronation is about to start I haven’t got time to..” But he was cut off by the unruly subordinate “But sir she’s…” At that very moment Spitfire, captain of the Wonderbolts walked in. “Sir! Airpony first class Dazzle Tail reporting for duty sir!” With a wave of her hoof, she dismissed the young pony. Comet Chaser rose from his desk with a small groan which betrayed his age. “Master Sergeant Comet Chaser at your service sir, what is it that you need? The coronation starts in only half an hour.” Spitfire cracked a cocky smile and moved over to lean one hoof on the desk. “I’m really impressed with your coordination. You’ve done an awesome job setting everything up for us, but I’ve gotta ask you for a favor.” Comet Chaser let out a sigh a little louder than he’d meant to but he quickly replied; “Yeah sure how may I help you.” “Well, you see… Earlier today I met a rather striking stallion... “ Seeing he didn’t follow Spitfire elaborated. “We met at the bar the royal guards frequent, and he bought me a drink of cider. You see… What happened is, I may have promised him a spot inside the coronation room, and I was wondering is you could…” Comet Chaser loudly sighed. This was exactly the type of bullshit he’d grown to expect from the Wonderbolts. Cocky, arrogant and extremely skilled, it seemed as though as long they could fly faster than anypony else, they would get away with anything. “This has been on the agenda for weeks! Procedure dictates you announce any guests in advance. What you’re asking is utterly impossible. I’d not just have to order another seat, but have the cooks prepare a new meal, and rewrite my seating chart! There’s simply no way to fit in one more pony.” With a stamp of his hoof Comet Chaser had made up his mind. Although she was an Officer and outranked him, this was still his operation and when it came to making decisions with regard to the coronation his word was final. “...Well, I was kinda hoping, instead of adding a new spot, we just swap two ponies.” “Oh? Did you arrange for somepony else to give up their seat for you?” Disarmed, he regretted his brief rant and tone. “You see… That’s kinda what I’m doing right now.” As she said it she looked directly at him. “You’re asking me to give up my seat at the coronation!?” Comet chaser replied, bewildered. “I’m sure you’ve got plenty of work to attend to. Besides, what represents the Wonderbolts best, a strong Stallion, or a middle-aged member of the old way Wonderbolts.” Taken aback by the younger pony’s brazenness, Comet Chaser found himself unable to speak. “So I guess I’ll take that as a yes?” She put one hoof on the door cracking it open. “Sure. Sure, whatever.” With his hoof, he rubbed his temples. “Oh thank you! You’re the best!” With that, Spitfire dashed down the hallway. Comet Chaser slumped back in his seat. He let out a sigh and reached for his coffee mug. “Sir? How did it go?” He hadn’t even noticed Dazzle Tail sneak back in. Quickly, he sat up in his chair and set the mug down a little too forcefully, splashing coffee droplets all over the papers on his desk. “Well fuck.” He said looking at the now ruined official documents. His eyes rested on the book the mare he’d bumped into had dropped. The expensive looking white leather cover was now speckled with drops of coffee. He swore to himself that if he saw the pony again he’d return her book and pay whatever damages the coffee might have done. “What did you want Dazzle?” “Just wanted to wish you a happy birthday and ask if you still needed me to patrol the perimeter tonight.” “Aww, thank you. No, buddy, I’ll take over for you tonight. You go ahead and get home, I’m sure your special somepony will appreciate you getting home early tonight.” “But sir, aren’t you attending the coronation?” Thoughts of Spitfire’s cocky smile entered his head. “It seems I won’t be attending tonight. But that’s no reason for you to have to stay late, get home, get rest, go party, have sex. Do whatever you young ponies do.” “Umm… Ok, sir, I’ll be going then.” Poor Dazzle Tale was clearly shocked hearing his superior talking in such an informal and blunt manner. He watched the hazel colored pony trot down the hallway, he regretted that he hadn’t kept his cool around the young airpony, who undoubtedly looked up to him due to his position of authority. He looked up at the clock. Fifteen minutes before the start of the ceremony, he figured he ought to start his patrol of the perimeter. > The Mysterious Mare > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Look, buddy, we have this under control. We have direct orders from Celestia to guard the palace perimeter.” “But you must understand, I’m a Wonderbolt Master Sergeant!” “Sorry, but orders are orders, I’ll let you in if you’d like but you can’t go flying all around the palace. Go check out the archive or the gardens if you prefer.” “Fine” Comet Chaser had no luck speaking with the two, buff looking, Royal Guards standing at attention at the palace entrance. He flew past the garden, ignoring the countless rare animals and flowers. A lone gardener waved as he passed but he hardly noticed. He wanted to go to the Royal Guard Memoriam, a list of every deceased Royal Guard who had survived the realm. He wanted to look upon his father’s name etched in the stone pillar next to the guard's barracks. He hadn’t had a chance to visit the site since the funeral, and figured this was the best chance he’d get to pay his respects undisturbed. On his way, he flew past the ballroom where the ceremony was being held. He nearly crashed into a tree when he saw something he very much did not expect to; the blue and purple mare he’d run into just hours earlier. Stopping dead in his tracks, he stared at the mare, her mane reflecting the dusk light. She was hovering a few feet above the ground peering through the window at the ceremony taking place. She watched with such intensity and focus that she hardly noticed the dark blue Wonderbolt sergeant walking up behind her. “Ma’am I believe the coronation is taking place WITHIN the palace,” he said with a smile. The mare whipped around so fast her wing the glass and she fell to the ground. “Shit”, She said rubbing her bruised rump, “I gotta stop meeting you like this” “Ha! Hardly, I find it endearing,” He said in his most casual voice so as not to betray his unhappiness. “But I must ask, why are you out here watching instead of waiting in the the courtyard with everypony else?” “I should ask you the same question. Judging by the medals pinned to your chest and the Wonderbolt uniform I’m guessing you aren’t supposed to be wandering around outside the palace.” “Why don’t you ask that bitch Spitfire.” Comet Chaser immediately regretted saying that, even though her actions were inexcusable, she was still his superior and it wasn’t right to address your superiors like that. Even when they weren’t around to listen. The blue mare must have noticed the hardened expression on his face because she didn’t press the issue further. “Back to the issue at hand, what’s a mare like yourself doin’ out here anyways?” He said hastily ending the brewing silence. “Well you see, I am a professor at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, and while I’m thankful for my job I really don’t get paid enough to afford one of those tickets. Besides, I don’t do well in crowded places. So I just figured I’d hang out here where I feel safe.” She paused for a moment and saw the confused look on Comet Chaser’s face. “OH RIGHT! Of course! I’ve forgotten to introduce myself properly. My name is Breeze Chaser, I am the professor of Enchanted Object History. You’re Comet Chaser if I remember correctly.” He silently nodded his assent before gesturing questioningly at her wings. “Ah I see, you wonder how a pegasus can be a professor at Celestia’s school for gifted UNICORNS. Well lemme tell you something, there are a lot more types of magic out there than unicorn magic. In fact, there are a lot more types than pony magic out there.” “So what do you actually do then?” “Well I’m curator of all the magical artifacts kept in the school, I give lectures every week about various items and their properties, and on occasion, I do my favorite task: finding new enchanted objects to bring back to the school.” “That sounds interesting, how long have you been working there?” “For years, honestly if only I were a unicorn I’d already have tenure and earn three times what I make now.” Breeze Chaser rolled her eyes at the thought of the unicorn elitists who ran the school board. “They would never have even let me in honestly if Celestia hadn’t vouched for me.” “Wow, you know the princess? How did…” He was cut off by the sound of aahs from the palace and singing from the new princess’s entourage. “Oh no, you’re going to miss the coronation!” Said Comet Chaser as he made to leave. She looked back up at the window and then down at her newfound friend. “I believe I have found something far more interesting than a mere crowning.” > Older Brother > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “That’s him, ‘Thunder Charge’, my old man.” “I’m sorry for your loss, were you two close?” Breeze Chaser looked with concern upon the face of her companion. Stone faced, he stood to stare at the marble pillar covered with the names of fallen Royal Guards. “No. He always liked my older brother better. My father came from a long line of Royal Guards. It stretches all the way back to the original EUP Guard. My father even was a chariot barrier for Celestia’s royal carriage. He was a tough father, always expected the best from us, wouldn’t accept any less. My brother, Sapphire Shield, followed in his footsteps and quickly rose through the ranks of the guard. I wouldn't be impressed though if I were you, he’s a jackass who bullies anyone competing with him out of the way.” Said the stallion, staring straight forward, unflinching without emotion. “Oh.” She wasn’t sure how to respond, how do you console someone for having an asshole older brother? “Don’t worry about it,” He said, turning away from the pillar. “He’s posted on the north wall tonight so no chance we see him tonight.” The two ponies walked side by side down the cobblestone path back towards the palace. Breeze Chaser piped up cutting through the silence, “Hey, I know a tower we can go to that overlooks the balcony where the princess will be speaking!” “Really? Then let’s go, we’ve probably missed the first half of the speech but we can catch the end.” They hurried to the tower left of the palace balcony overlooking the courtyard where hundreds of ponies from all over Equestria were gathered. Climbing the spiral staircase they emerged onto a ledge from which they could look down at the newly crowned Princess Twilight. The wind drowned out Twilight’s words and Breeze Chaser leaned on the balcony next to Comet Chaser. They were so high at the top of the tower she moved in closer to him to share his body warmth. “So where is this, ‘Spitfire’ anyways, I wanna see what she looks like.” “Oh, she’ll be right over there in the Wonderbolts section…” He tailed off as he indicated to Spitfire. Looking concerned she asked, “What’s wrong?” “That stallion she’s with, that’s Sapphire Shield. Spitfire replaced me with MY BROTHER!” “I should have known! This is exactly what I’d expect out of my brother. In fact, he probably put Spitfire up to it. I wonder if she knows what she’s getting herself into.” “His bed.” He shot her a murderous glance, “What? It’s true. You know mares like her would fall for a stallion like that.” “I’d rather not think about my brother’s sexual exploits” “You know he’s probably got mares lined up around the block trying to get a chance to hook up with him.” “Why would you say that? Would you wanna hook up with a stallion like that?” He cocked his head sideways at his newfound friend. “I mean… I haven’t been with that particular stallion before but I know his type. They’re fantastic in the bed but when you wake up the next morning the only thing on your mind is how to get rid of them before they start thinking they’ve got a shot with you.” “Ah, I see, been with many stallions have you?” Comet Chaser asked somewhat sarcastically. He immediately regretted the extremely personal question. It wasn’t like he’d judge her for getting around but still, he had just met her and worried she’d be made uncomfortable by the question. She didn’t seem at all bothered by the question, however, “Well I’m basically an archivist and professor so I really don’t have stallions throwing themselves at me, but sometimes when I’m particularly in the mood I’ll hang around the Canterlot Cantina, there’s almost always at least one pony there who’s up for a roll in the hay. Although that pony doesn’t necessarily have to be a stallion.” She said with a wink. “Any friends at the school?” He asked, not sure how to process the new information. At this question however, her demeanor changed, “Yeah there’s this creepy professor who keeps hitting on me. He teaches classes on using levitation magic to aid during surgery but he’s really old and gross.” with a shudder she continued, “after school one day, he tried to get me to have sex with him in exchange for his vote for my tenure - oh by the way he’s on the school hiring and tenure board - anyways I refused and thus I could get fired at any time.” Comet Chaser moved in to comfort his friend but as he was about to say soothing words the crowd erupted into cheers. The coronation ceremony had concluded but he didn’t regret missing any of it, he had found a far more interesting pony than some princess he’d never met. The blue mare stood up, “Look!” She said, tugging on his shoulder. “What is it-” Just then, the purple princess zoomed past the tower on her new wings. “Wow, she’s already a good flier.” At that moment, the princess’s adrenaline wore off and she started struggling to maintain her altitude. Two ponies rushed to her aid, one being her friend Rainbow Dash, the other, to the annoyance of Comet Chaser, was his brother. “Of course he gets to play hero, that’s just like him.” He said with a grunt of disapproval. He watched the three ponies descend back towards the city, making their way to Princess Celestia’s castle, where presumably she was lowering the sun. “Ignore him, come on, the show’s over.” She said walking towards the staircase, “I can give you a warm bed tonight, unless you prefer staying up here, freezing your ass off.” Without looking back to see If he followed her she started going down the tower. Comet Chaser watched with admiration as she walked away, her hips swayed from side to side nicely animating her moderately plump rump. Her cutie mark, which appeared to be a magical aurora, nicely flanked her blue hindquarters. It was the first time the stallion truly appreciated the beauty of his new friend. Her light purple hair curled at the ends giving it a very vibrant and bouncy appearance. Her mane dangled in front of one eye and cascaded down the back of her neck, barely touching the base of her wings. As she walked her tail swished seductively from side to side. Suddenly Comet Chaser realized the beautiful mare he was admiring was disappearing down the stairway. Shaking his head he galloped to catch up with her. “Why do you do that?” She asked, not looking back. “Do what?” “Shake your head. It’s like you’re about to reach some epiphany but then shrug it off before you can finish the thought.” “Oh, that? It’s just a habit, my dad would always tell me to get my head out of the clouds, to live in the real world. He told me if you’re always chasing comets you’ll never see the stars.” “Aww. Would you mind telling me about that last comet you were chasing?” She said with a knowing smile. “Wasn’t anything important... “ He trailed off implying the exact opposite. “So you up for comin’ to my place or what?” She asked, clearly wanting a direct answer. He was about to say yes, of course, thinking that his birthday was about to get a whole lot better, then he remembered the promise he’d made to his landlady. “I need to get home.” Breeze Chasers sighed in annoyance, “Oh come on, I won’t take you too long, you can go home after we’ve had our fun.” “But I told my-” He didn’t get to finish his statement because she had put a hoof over his lips. “Come with me.” “Ok” > Temporarily Homeless > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Comet Chaser! Where have you been!” His landlady had been waiting just inside the door of his apartment building. He’d been hoping to sneak by without a confrontation and was glad to see nopony standing around the front door, but apparently, it had been a trap which was now sprung on him. “You better have a pretty damn good excuse. I got called away from my party last night when a colt left his keys in his apartment. I kept my spare set of keys on me so I was able to let him back in. It was still early so I decided to wait for you before heading back but you never showed up. I missed EVERYTHING! And on top of that, you made it seem like I’d done it on purpose! Like I wanted to ditch!” Comet Chaser stared down at his hooves in same. “I’m sorry, I really am. I was unexpectedly occupied all last night.” “What could you have possibly been needed for after the ceremony? The cleanup crew didn't start till this morning. Didn’t you spend all last week making it just perfect? So this very thing wouldn’t happen?” He knew he couldn’t lie, even if he thought she’d believe whatever bullshit story he made up, he refused to violate his own moral code. “I’m sorry ma’am. I met a very nice mare and we were talking for quite awhile. Time got away from us.” His landlady's eyes widened in understanding, then swiftly narrowed in anger. “Oh now I see what this is about! You got a special somepony who’s more important than your obligations. I’m sure you two were ‘talking’ all night. Well, Comet Chaser, frankly I’m disappointed. Why don’t you pack your stuff.” “But ma’am! I give you my word. I wo-” She held up her hoof cutting him off mid-sentence. “Clearly your word isn’t what I thought it was.” She sighed with exasperation, “Just go, I want you out of here by sundown. If you need a place to stay I happen to know the Canterlot Hotel has some empty rooms now that the coronation crowd had moved on.” “I’m sorry, I’ll have my things ready to go by noon.” With that, he slowly trotted past his still upset landlady, who was watching with narrowed eyes as he passed. He ascended the stairs for what may be the last time. Walking through the narrow hallway leading to his room, he wondered how the other tenants had spent their evenings. It was pretty early but still, he should have started hearing Octavia across the hall practicing with her cello, or even her roommate Vinyl Scratch playing his… What had she called it..? Dub? Dub step? Yeah! Dubstep! He figured Octavia must be catching up on sleep missed last night since her four pony ensemble had played at the start of the coronation. And undoubtedly “DJPon3” as he was known had been out partying all night. Entering his room, he suddenly felt like his soon to be former home was incredibly bare. Compared to the house he’d spent last night in, his looked so plain. He hadn’t put up any pictures or posters on the wall, hadn’t decorated in the slightest. His furniture consisted of one mere bookshelf, his bed, and nightstand, the table he drank his morning coffee at, and the kitchen counter with stove, standard in all apartment rooms. Thinking back to Breeze Chaser’s house he remembered her huge chest of drawers, china cabinet (Although he could’ve sworn those plates were glowing), dressers, and most of all, BOOKS! Books, books everywhere. Scrolls and old tomes littered the floor next to the latest Daring Do novel. Shelves absolutely bursting with massive volumes of encyclopedias. Book towers which nearly reached the ceiling. It was nearly overwhelming to be surrounded with so much literature. Shaking his head, he returned to the task at hand. Getting his old Wonderbolt boot camp duffel bag, he started neatly sorting and gathering his things. He wanted to give away all his furniture, as well as most of what he had, keeping only the minimum of what he needed and the few objects of importance to him. He wondered how his mother would have thought about him living this way; almost nomadic. It took him maybe fifteen minutes, with only a few uniforms, and one or two personal items, he put all his belongings in a small bag which he held in his mouth. He decided to leave everything else for anyone who wanted it, maybe he’d tell Dazzle Tail about it, after all, he and his special somepony were trying to move in together, and he figured he’d need all the furniture he could get. Not wanting to have to see his landlady again, Comet Chaser opened the window. He peered down the three story drop making sure no one was below him. Having confirmed that the street below was indeed free of traffic, he chucked his duffle bag out the window. It landed with a loud thwap. He wasn’t particularly worried about his few shirts and unfinished scrapbook being damaged by the fall. He then prepared to jump out the window himself. Stepping back a few paces he galloped towards the open window. As he leaped he tucked his front hooves in and tried not to touch the window frame, but his back hoof caught on the sill. Put off balance, the dark blue pegasus started falling towards the pavement. At the last moment, he managed to unfurl his wings, catching himself right before ungracefully landing on the ground. “Damn. Back in boot camp I could’ve gone through a hoop half that size. I’m bigger than I used to be I guess.” He said aloud. He picked up his bag, threw it on his back, and started flying towards the house of the wonderful pony he’d meet last night. Thinking about it, he wondered if meeting her had been his birthday present. It certainly made up for the transgressions of Spitfire and his brother in his eyes. He hoped that he and the mare could start seeing each other more often. Maybe she could even give him the family he’d wanted so much for so long. He very much hoped Breeze Chaser felt the same. Surely she too had felt the spark of love between them, since they’d first met he knew it was destiny. With all the determination he could muster Comet Chaser started flying towards the side of the mountain overlooking Canterlot. > Memories & a Special Somepony > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Breeze Chaser’s home was rather interesting. Not only was the interior absolutely filled to the brim with books, but the outside was invisible except by the use of a magical dragon breeding stone the mare wore around her neck. The previous night he had seen her touch the stone as they neared the top of the mountain revealing the hidden location of her cloud home, which floated next to the side of the cliff. He didn’t have the stone, but could remember approximately where the house was. Hovering next to the cliff-side, he started trying to feel around to find the house. Finally, he found what must be the side. He followed the poofy walls of the invisible cloud home until locating what must be the door. He knocked his hoof against the door twice, unaccustomed to cloud homes (They had been banned above Canterlot due to the blocking the sunlight from the gold and white city). His hoof just squished the door in a little bit. Not knowing how to knock without sounding like he was slapping a big marshmallow, he pulled on the door. With a pop, it opened and he could see inside. The fourier was vacant. Slowly, he entered the house and looked around for his new marefriend. His ears perked up as he heard singing from across the house. Following it, he saw Breeze Chaser neatly folding the covers of her bed. Smiling, he remembered what had happened to get those sheets so messy. Comet Chaser knew he couldn’t continue standing there awkwardly and decided to announce his presence. Loudly, he cleared his throat. Breeze Chaser’s ears perked up. She stopped singing and spun around to look at the unexpected intruder. “Ummm…” She said glancing at the clock on the wall, “We weren’t supposed to meet till noon and it’s still eleven thirty. Also, I’m pretty sure we agreed to meet at the Canterlot café, not sure if you remember what this place is but it’s kinda, ya know… my house.” “I can explain!” “You had better cause lemme tell you. I’m not running a brothel. My house is invisible for a reason. You can’t just come in any time you get and urge.” “No, please! I’m not coming here for anything like that! Look.” He threw his duffle bag onto the ground between them. “I got kicked out of my apartment, I need a place to stay for just a few days until I can find a place of my own.” The mare seemed a little taken aback. “Oh. well… Yeah, sure I guess that’d be ok.” “Thank you so much. Sorry to spring this on you, but I had not other way to contact you. By the way, your book is in that duffle bag so don’t let me forget it in there.” “No, I get that. You’re free to crash here for a little while.” She picked up his bag and set it at the foot of her bed. “So like, still wanna go get lunch? I mean you’re already here if you feel like having lunch right now.” “Yeah, sure. Besides, I should start saving my money for a new apartment.” “I don’t really have all that much…” Breeze Chaser put a hoof on her chin as she examined her kitchen. “Let me look. I’m a pretty good cook, I can make do with whatever you’ve got.” “Woah, a stallion who can cook.” She looked impressed by his ability. “You learn a lot in boot camp.” “Mmm! You make a wonderful sunflower and mushroom soup!” Said Breeze Chaser, her snout still dripping broth. “Yeah, I learned the recipe during my tour in Hooviet Roosia. After the reformation of the Crystal Empire, Princess Cadance has been trying to reconquer the independent provinces which now form the Hooviet Bloc.” “WOAH! You’ve been on the eastern front! Where were you?” “In the Yaket Mountain Range, I helped run supplies to the front line. I wasn’t involved in the fighting. Celestia’s forces were kept off the front line. We just aided the crystal ponies in their fight.” “Wow, it’s so weird to think that there’s a war going on beyond the border of Equestria yet we hardly notice day to day.” “That’s cause Celestia sees the conflict as between the crystal ponies. After the fall of the Crystal Empire its satellite states rebelled and broke off from King Sombra, many started favoring the radical ideology of Cavellettism.” “Wait isn’t a cavalletti the wooden post thing you learn to jump with?” “Yeah it is, Cavellettism comes from their ideology that people should succeed or fail on the basis of their skills and abilities, not their birth as nobility. Like how in athletics the pony who jumps the highest over the Cavalletti gets the medal, regardless of their birth. Basically, they’re opposed to all forms of class structured society and especially dislike monarchies.” “Ah, it makes sense then why they don’t want to rejoin the crystal empire. Princess Cadance and Shining Armour are fantastic rulers right now but what happens if another despot like King Sombra replaces them?” “Well don’t feel too sympathetic to the Roosians, Their leadership is kinda-” Comet Chaser made a stamping motion with his hoof “-oppressive.” “Oh. That’s too bad.” Breeze Chaser stood up and walked over to her cabinet. “Whatcha doin’?” He asked. “All this politics, I need to take the edge off.” Reaching into the wine cabinet she pulled out a dark brown bottle of aged hard cider. “Wanna glass?” She offered. He waved his hoof, “No thanks, I don’t drink.” “Oh? Wonderbolts don’t allow that?” “Oh they do, It’s just… I’ve seen what drinking can do if not done in moderation…” He trailed off and something in his tone told Breeze Chaser not to push the issue. Pouring herself a glass of cider, and him a glass of water she sat next to him. She leaned in, looked into his eyes, and the atmosphere suddenly became very serious as she put her hoof over his. “What is it?” He asked confused. “I need you to be real with me, why did you come to me for a place to stay? I don’t have a problem with that I just want you to tell me what you’re up to. Where do you think this is going?” Comet Chaser was taken aback by the bluntness of her question. He’d kinda just hopped over the course of spending time together they’d form a romantic bond. “Well, I guess there’s not really any way to put it other than, I was hoping you’d be my special somepony.” He desperately hoped that was the right answer. He was afraid she thought he was taking things too quickly. But instead, she leaned back with a look of utter relief. “Phew, I thought you were setting up for some sort of platonic fuck friends relationship thing. I had a stallion try that on me and I kicked his ass out. I need somepony who’s willing to commit. I have a policy, either we fuck once and that’s it or we date, I don’t do ‘friends with benefits’.” “That’s good, ‘cause I’m not into that either.” He replied, glad this had been a good turn of events for him. “So..? Does this mean we’re a thing?” “Yeah. I believe it does.” Breeze Chaser smiled, “My special somepony.”