> A Chance Meeting
>  by Archy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> A Chance Meeting - Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“MAGNA!”

There was a loud tramping of hooves as Translite, her mother, came up the stairs and practically barged into her room. The thin door rattling as she violently pushed it open with her forehoof.

“MAGNA… oh for goodness sake, can you even hear me?”

As she finally took some stock of  her daughter she realised her yells for her attention were most likely fruitless. Eyes closed, completely absorbed in whatever music she was listening to and completely splayed out on her bed. She moved directly in front of her, and gingerly waved a hoof in front of her face to see if the sudden wafting of air might get her attention.

Nothing.

A small prod on her side then.

Still nothing.

‘Oh well, nothing for it…’ she thought, finally deciding to bite the bullet and just push down so the cables pulled the headphones from her ears. Her daughters eyes opened and her serene smile immediately turned to a slightly annoyed frown as she raised her head from the mattress and looked up into the face of the mare who had spent the last minute trying to get her attention.

“Mum! I was listening to that! Urgghhhhh.”

Before Mags could shove the headphones back into her twitching ears she decided to give her the spiel she had been saving for the last week. She hated seeing Mags lie around her room doing nothing, it was such a waste of the young lady’s time. Oh sure she had the odd piece of work from time to time but this had been an especially long break and she had decided, as her mother, something needed to be done…or at least said. She only reserved calling her Magna when she was slightly peeved and her daughter knew that, the full name came for times when she was angry with her.

“Magna…Mags, dear. You’ve been cooped up in this room for a solid week. I mean what are you even doing? Listening to music? I’m sure that’s a useful way to pass the time.”

“Works slow mum, everything in town is working for a change, what am I supposed to do? Go out and break ponies stuff just so I have a job to do? I don’t think that would be very smart…”

She hated it when Mags actually had a point, but that was the trouble with her chosen path in life. If everything was working there was nothing for her to go out and sort… Still it didn’t mean she should be lounging around in her room all the time.

“Yes, well that’s no excuse to be stuck in here all the time. There is a whole town and by extension, world out there you know. Have you even looked out the window, or drawn your curtains in a week?”

She trotted over to the single window that occupied the outer wall and tugged on the curtains with her teeth. Not blessed with Magic like her daughter she pulled back the fabric the traditional way. Rays of sunlight entered the room and illuminated it. Translite smiled and looked round, to see Mags covering her eyes with her forehoof.

“…Thanks mum, really helpful… There’s a light you know.” Mags scowled at her slightly, dropping her hoof back on the bed and rolling her eyes.

“I’m just trying to well… Wake you up dear. You’ve hardly moved in a week. Have you even bathed?” She moved in and gave her mane a sniff. “Hmm, I thought not. Right, that’s it. I can’t have you in the house all week without at least getting out for a small break from it. Go bathe, and then I want you to go out. It’s a beautiful day. I don’t care what you do, just go do…something, anything! And I don’t want you back here until Princess Luna raises the moon, is that clear young lady?”

“B-but mum! Seriously? I don’t know anypony in town unless it’s something for work. What the hell am I gonna do?”

“I already said it doesn’t matter, and don’t take that as a means to do literally anything! Trouble is not what I meant and you know it! Besides I’ve not been able to get into your room properly for a week. The dust in here must be unimaginable, it needs a clean and I can hardly do that properly with you in it.”

“Fine, I’ll go – but I’m taking an extra-long bath and you can’t stop me!” Mags huffed, fairly annoyed at the prospect of having to go out. She had no idea what to do. She hauled herself off the bed and made her way towards the bathroom. Her mother with eyes on her watching her leave.

“You could probably use it after not bathing for a week! And don’t go out buying lots of food, I have a meal in the oven for tonight!” Translite shouted after her as she kicked her bedroom door closed behind her and slowly made her way across the upstairs landing towards the bathroom. A whole afternoon and early evening having to go out…what was she going to do? What indeed…

“And remember what I said, no returning at least until the moon is up! Now off you go.” Her mum said, practically pushing her out the door and quickly shutting it behind her. Magna looked around and sighed, usually she went out for 2 things. To go and do some work, or to eat – the second one being the preferred choice and she couldn’t even do that. She mentally sighed this time before starting a trot down the street and trying to desperately think of somewhere to go or something to do before she made it into town. It was a nice day, perhaps something outdoors? 

Go to the park? No that really needs friends to be of any fun. What about just a nice stroll around town? Hah, what a terrible idea, she’d be bored after 5 minutes and be looking for somewhere to plonk her behind down.

Well okay, just because it’s nice out doesn’t mean she has to do something outdoors. Bowling? Nope, friends needed for that one again. What about stopping by Princess Twilight’s castle and seeing if she has any new books? Hmm, can’t do that either, she still has one of hers out and she’s such a strict pony. No way will she allow her to take another one out before the one she has goes back, and she couldn’t get it now.

Magna scrunched her face in annoyance slightly, was it really this hard? Just thinking of something, anything to do? She had nearly reached the centre of town and unless she wanted to stand there looking silly because she couldn’t even think of anywhere to go she decided she had better get on and pick something. Okay, so mum would be mad but she had some bits in her pocket. Old habits die hard and all she could think of was stopping by the usual haunts for something to eat. It had been at least 2 days since she went to that nice little hayburger stand that had set up shop just down the street from Sugarcube corner, and that would also give her an excuse to go there for something afterwards to take home as a snack.

The grey pony smiled and flicked her tail as she started to make her way down the road from the town hall, the usual hubbub adorned the streets as she duly took some notice of the happenings around her. The town was actually unusually quiet for such a nice day, usually when then sun was shining and the birds were singing as they were today there were noticeably more ponies around. Not to say that there weren’t any, but Mags only spied 5 or 6 as she trotted on towards her target. She did wonder where they might have disappeared off to, but that thought quickly disappeared when the succulent smell of frying hayburgers crossed her snout.

Quick Fry was doing a good trade, he had made a name for himself in the short time he had been set up in Ponyville. He’d probably come across the one place in all of Equestria that didn’t have a street Hayburger stand. Oh sure the town had fancy restaurants that served them, but ponies had to sit down, wait, eat there and finally pay a bill. It was… not the fastest of transactions. At his stand they ordered, paid, and in two minutes they were trotting away with a meal of their choice either suspended by magic, or between their teeth, however they took it didn’t matter. It was quick, easy and he had yet to receive any negative feedback. Ponies seemed to love them and he had already earned a number of regular customers. Even on a day like today where trade was a little slow one of them had already come and ordered and another was just trotting up the road towards him.

His keenly trained nose suddenly snapped him back to reality from his train of thought and he pulled the finished burger off the grill and placed it between two buns. A bit of seasoning…some sauce and finally a small square of cheese on top. Wrapped up and then placed in the bag he turned around to his customer and gently dropped the bag on the counter, which hardly even touched it as the mare who had been waiting eagerly grabbed it between her teeth.

“Thanks again Miss Felicity, come back soon okay?”

“Mmm-hmmm!” was all the mare could manage to get out, having the bag firmly wedged between her lips. As she turned around she never even noticed another pony had gotten in line behind her, and after just one step their heads bonked together in unison as both of them rather ungracefully tumbled to the floor.

Mags was the first to speak. “O-owwww…”

“Oh dear…I’m so sorry, are you okay? I didn’t even see you there, I thought I was the only one at the stand.” Felicity rubbed her forehead slightly, it was a little sore from the bump but nothing too serious, she stood up and pulled the grey unicorn she had sent reeling to the floor up with her, who was now scowling at her…and clearly cross.

“I’m fine, but watch where you’re going. That wasn’t exactly a pleasant experience. Are you in a rush or something?” The grey unicorn replied. She was still frowning slightly. Felicity hadn’t come across this pony in town before, but then she didn’t get out too much. The only thing that was noticeably different about her was the purple jacket. Ponies didn’t usually wear so robust clothing, but it matched the purple streaks in her hair somewhat. Before she started to wonder about fashion her mind brought her back to the present situation, and she realised the mare was now eyeing her oddly. Most likely because it had been a good 30 seconds and she hadn’t replied and had just been staring at her without saying a word.

“…R-rush? Oh no! Sorry I’m a little absent-minded sometimes. I really didn’t see you there.”

‘Absent minded Pegasus, I bet that makes for some fun flying…’ Mags thought. She had taken stock of her while this Felicity had been staring into space. Mostly unremarkable apart from the coat colours. Green and blue certainly was an interesting mix, and her cutie mark had piqued her interest…rather plain red blocks arranged in a pattern on her flank. It really wasn’t a clear indication of what this pony did, but sometimes they weren’t. Mags wasn’t really one to be complaining about that, hers was a bit of an enigma sometimes. She had lost count of the amount of times she had to explain to ponies what it was supposed to be. The wristbands were interesting as well, at least she wasn’t the only pony in town that wore something there.

“Alright, but just be careful. You’re not the only pony in town you know.” Mags huffed, her day wasn’t going great and this hadn’t exactly made it better. She trotted past her and decided now was the time for a comfort hayburger to ease her mood. She hardly heard the almost whisper of a “S-sorry…” as Felicity picked up her burger and disappeared down the road, not wanting to give her anymore grief. 
“Some ponies huh Quick Fry? Just the usual please.”

“No problem Miss Magna, but she’s here as often as you are you know. I’m surprised you two haven’t bumped into each other before.”
“Mags is fine Quick, I’ve told you that before, and seriously? As much as me? I was starting to think I was your best customer.”

“Hmmm, too close to call between you girls. Couldn’t say.”

A small brown bag was placed on the counter in front of her as Quick Fry finished speaking, the smell of the hayburger assaulting her snout again as she grabbed it with a levitation spell.

“That was speedy.”

“Hah, I think that bump on your noggin did something to your sense of time.”

She raised an eyebrow at him, it always got him to confess to his little shenanigans, and Mags always found it fun when he tried to get one over on her.

“…plus I knew you’d ask for the usual and I started preparing it as you two were speaking. Jeez Mags gimme a break.”

“I’ll give you a break when you stop making such great burgers.”

“Hah, and on that day I’ll take a long vacation because that will be the day I retire. See you later.”

Mags manipulated the burger with the spell and pulled it from the bag, unwrapping it and taking a large greedy bite. She didn’t even know why Quick Fry bothered to wrap it, he knew she was going to eat it as soon as she left. They were just too good to keep in the bag and wait until she got home, and today especially she wasn’t taking this one home.

‘Well that used…10 minutes. Auugh!’ Mags mentally groaned, she still had no idea what to do. The next logical move was Sugarcube corner as it was only a short walk away, she turned away from Quick Fry’s stand and made towards another of her favourite spots in town.

Still very few ponies came towards her as she continued her journey, although she didn’t have far to go. Quick Fry wasn’t just a clever pony having set up his shop in the only town without a Hayburger stand, but placing it so close to another well-established eatery was a stroke of genius that most would have dismissed as monumentally stupid. Mags recalled the day he had set up and as he did, even though all the permissions were in place she remembered the words Mayor Mare had uttered to him as he put the finishing touches to the stall.

“Well we are glad to have you here mister Fry, it is just, of all the locations in town you could have picked I don’t know if so close to Sugarcube Corner is the best idea. You’re going to have a hard time competing for business. Ponies have trusted them for snacks for years.”
“Don’t worry Mayor, I do have an idea. Nothing un-sportsman like mind you…” was all he had said in reply and winked at her, leaving Mayor Mare confused to trot back to the town hall.

Turns out the plan was ‘Kill the competition with friendship’. In that as soon as he had finished setting up shop, Quick Fry had marched straight into Sugarcube Corner and laid down his intention to have to two premises work in co-operation. A simple deal, he would only deal in savoury food items of Sugar Corner and the Cakes would also promise only to deal in sweet. That way he figured it would work like a symbiotic relationship where the two businesses could bounce the same customers off each other. Ponies would want something sweet after a savoury snack from his stand and oddly it worked the other way round too with the ponies who didn’t have such a sweet tooth but went to Sugarcube Corner with their friends and then wanted to clean their palette.

The plan had worked, Quick Fry had no previous sales to compare to but the Cakes told him that they had a number of extra customers come in asking saying things along the lines of “I fancy something sweet to snack on after just having a hayburger”. Both businesses benefitted and for now they sold their treats in harmony alongside each other.

Her recollection of the day that seemed like a lifetime ago now came to an end as her hoof made contact with the lower step on the entrance to Sugarcube Corner and made her way inside. It had for her, like many other ponies in town become such a familiar stop. She hardly took notice of the familiar surroundings anymore. The cutesy treat-inspired tables and entire décor that just screamed ‘Everything here should remind you of a cake!’ just became a very obvious part of the already overly-themed building after a while.

The place was again…empty. Aside from one pony at the counter talking to Mrs Cake. Green and Blue coat…Pegasus…

‘I am not making the same mistake, or rather, I’m not giving her the opportunity to bump into my like that again’. Mags decided, still taking a position in her very own one pony long queue behind Felicity but a bit more of a distance back this time.

They were just chatting about…well not a lot, but the questions were the sort of things she might ask herself. “When are you making more of those double chocolate chip cookies?” “Do you think you’ll ever make those blue cupcakes again? Those were my favourite…” “Got any plans to expand the shop? I bet then you could get even more customers!” Okay maybe she was a bit more chatty, Mags usually asked about 1 or 2 treats if she noticed they were sold out and that was it.

5 minutes…

10 minutes…

The questions seemed to be going on forever, now they were discussing plans to expand the shop twofold and add on a deli? Okay this was getting ridiculous and she was still hungry.

“Eh-hem?” she tried making a gentle little Hey I’m waiting! polite cough and when that didn’t work, decided to tap her assaulter on the back, who was so deep in conversation she practically took off.

“EEeeeeeeppp!”

“Um, I’d like to order something if you’re done talking?”

The Pegasus looked at her, slightly embarrassed. “Oh I’ve done it again, to the same pony! I’m so doubly sorry. C-can I make it up to you somehow?”

Mags was hardly the one to turn down something for free, and money was a bit tight not having had much work recently so she decided not to refuse the offer.

“Oh um, sure – what do you like from here? I’ll have one of what you’re having.”

“Oh great! That makes it easy, and we can wait together. Sorry that’s why I’m standing here like a klutz not taking in my surroundings. Mrs Cake can I have a second strawberry milkshake for um…what’s your name?”

“Magna-Save.”

“For Magna-Save. Hey that’s an interesting name. What’s a Magna? And do you save stuff?”

“Uh, I don’t know my parents gave me the name, I never really questioned it…”

“Oh um…well that’s okay. I’m Felicity Stars, are you new here? I don’t think I’ve seen you around town before…”

Mags hated this question, because it was always the same answer, and she always got the same level of feigned shock in the response.
“No I’ve lived in Ponyville all my life. I just don’t get out very often. Um, got any appliances? Electrical things? Broken things? I fix them. You’ve probably never seen me because when I go do a job I just go do it and sorta lock myself away to get it done, eheh…”

Suddenly the green and blue mares eyes widened slightly…here it comes…

“Ohhh you’re the fixer everypony talks about! Yes I do know you! Well I mean I know about you, I’ve heard from lots of other ponies who have used you to have their things mended. I might have to ask for your services later on…”

Huh, things were looking up – a free milkshake and a potential job. At least mum couldn’t be so mad now she’d actually found something to do.

“Oh sure, whatever it is, I can probably fix it.”

“Great!” came the totally non-expected enthusiastic reply, she seemed to have glossed over the fact most ponies focus on, that Mags had lived here her entire life and only just now were they noticing her. She put it down to the absent minded-ness. Just as it looked like Felicity was about to spill the beans on what she wanted looking at, two frothy and rather pink strawberry topped tall glasses were pushed in front of their muzzles as Mrs Cake had finished their order.

“Four bits for two deary, and oh hello Mags, nice to see you again. Would you like your usual?”
“Oh of course, thanks Mrs Cake.”

“I’ll just go prepare it, in the meantime why don’t you enjoy your shake with your friend here. I’ll be a few minutes at least.”

“Aha…what a great idea…thanks Mrs Cake.” Felicity didn’t seem to detect the slight edge of sarcasm she was attempting to lay on her reply. All she did was smile at her as she took her shake and made her way towards the nearest table. Ah brilliant…more conversation with her, well at least it would lead to work.

There wasn’t actually any audible sound of a jaw drop, that would be silly. But Mags had hardly parked herself at the table and well…the milkshake was gone. Poof! Drunk within seconds, and all that seemed to be left was a very empty glass and a Felicity with a grin so wide it looked like her mouth might actually go off the edge of her face. All that seemed to be left was the cherry which had once adorned the top, which Felicity was now rolling between her hooves…savouring it. Although at the speed the milkshake had disappeared she wasn’t sure if this pony was capable of savouring anything, at least not for a long while.

“…You mentioned you might have had something that needed fixing?”

“Oh yeah, right! So I have this toaster, and well – I wanted to see what would happen if I tried spreading a super-thick milkshake on bread and toasting it. I was trying to make a toasted milkshake…thing. But the toaster sorta went pop about a minute in and it hasn’t worked since.”

“Well I can probably guess what’s wrong before I even look at it, but I still need to look at it. You know how these things are.”

“Oh sure! You know I’m really glad I found you, I seem to break things a lot. Up until now I just bought new stuff but if it can be fixed that would save me so many bits…and that means more milkshakes!” At this point she expertly rolled the cherry to the tip of her hoof, flicked it at the last second and the cherry almost pirouetted through the air before landing on the tip of her tongue, which retracted into her mouth at lightning speed before her maw started to work on chewing. Mags took her first sip of milkshake, she wasn’t sure how long it would be before the inevitable ‘You gonna drink that?’ question appeared.

“So yeah, I really don’t have anything planned today…or any work. What are you doing today? I could take a look if you want this afternoon.”

“T-today? B-but my place is such a mess! Oh um…I wasn’t expecting so soon…do you mind mess?”

“I fix things, I practically live in mess – so a little mess is no big deal. I’m more impressed you have your own place, you seem kinda young.”

She swore she caught glimpse of a little blush before Felicity launched into her explanation. “Oh well I’ve always lived in Ponyville…mum and dad are here too but they travel so I don’t see them too often, it made sense to not stay at home in a big empty house. I kinda fancied something a bit more cosy I could call my own, I still check on their house when they’re away and stuff and visit lots. I love my parents but they’re just not here enough. Dad’s always called away to work on something and mum is kinda a big-wig teacher who travels to where she’s needed. They thought it made sense too…”

“Oh well that’s…reasonable, I live in town too but I still live at home. I don’t really want to move out, I only need a room and well, my parents are home all the time. Not that it doesn’t get a little tedious. In fact that’s why I’m out right now, my mum kicked me out.”

Felicity’s big wide smile turned into a pursed set of lips, enjoyment had quickly turned to concern. “What? Kicked out!? That’s terrible! Oh you can stay with me if you like…I’ve got a spare room.”

“…If you let me finish, kicked out for one day. Mum said I needed to get some work before I went home, and well – I’ve found it so you can stop panicking.”

“Oh uh…” the blush was back, in even more force than before as Felicity realised she had jumped the gun slightly. “Well um, perhaps for now just looking at my busted toaster would be okay? I wasn’t serious about the staying.”

“You were though.”

“Okay maybe a little.”

“Just be a little careful okay, some ponies might take advantage of that generosity.”

“S-sure…anyway my place isn’t far away. Like I said it’s kind of messy but if you don’t mind mess I don’t mind you coming over!”

“Alright, oh um…I still have a lot of milkshake left.”

Here it comes, 3…2…1.

“Well, I’m pretty fast with a milkshake. I could finish it.”

Mags smiled a little and pushed the shake across the table with her hoof in front of Felicity.

“Sure, I mean you did pay for it.”

“Ohhh, yummy! Hehe I wasn’t expecting you to give it up so easily.”

“Don’t worry, it’s nice to share.”

“Hmmm? Wharff whaasss saatt?” Was all that came back between the slurps and sucks of the shake as it was quickly disappearing, and then yet again in seconds completely gone. No jaw dropping this time.

“Ahhhhh, delicious! They really do make the best ones here.”

“I can tell, it didn’t last long.”

“Anyway, let’s get moving!” the spry young Pegasus practically leaped from her stool, beckoning her new friend towards the door.
“You’re pretty athletic for somepony who drinks and eats like I do.”

“Oh yeah, I do lots of Yoga, that’s kinda my thing.”

“Yoga?” Mags replied with a slightly perplex look.

“Sure, it’s fun! Don’t worry – if you stick around you’ll see.”

“Alright, if you say so. Lead on McDuff.”

“McDuff?”

“Um…nevermind.” Another little grin on Mags face, she hardly grinned this much and dutifully followed Felicity out of Sugarcube corner and into town.

The two of them walked slowly down the main street, side by side. The town was starting to liven up a bit as more ponies were appearing, waving their hoofs and saying the occasional “Hello!” or “Hi!” to each of them as they continued their meander towards Felicity’s place.

“It’s not too far away, I live near the river actually where the bridge is that crosses into town.”

“Hmm? Oh right.” Mags had hardly said a word since they had started their walk, she honestly didn’t know what to say. Although the reason as to why she was following this Pegasus returned to her brain, and suddenly she was curios.

“So you said it broke because you were trying to make a…toasted milkshake?”

“Oh um…yeah.”

“Can I ask why? I mean that seems a bit silly.”

Felicity blushed slightly as they continued to walk, and her eyes widened slightly as her brain tried to come up with an excuse or sensible reason, but failed.

“Yeah…it was silly. I just love milkshakes so much, they’re my favourite thing ever. I thought maybe if I could make the mixture thick enough it would act like a spread, you know? Sort of like butter?”

“Yeah but, when you make toast, the butter goes on after you um, toast the toast.”

“I know that, but even after I made it the mixture wasn’t quite thick enough to spread properly, it was still kind of liquidey so I thought maybe if I put it in the toaster already on the bread it would harder up, sort of like a pop tart?”

Mags grinned at her. “And let me guess, it didn’t, flooded the inside and now you have a toaster that’s full of milkshake?” She continued to grin, almost on the verge of giggling.

“Well, I think so. It doesn’t work anymore. I tried to get most of it out but um, no magic and hooves only makes it hard. I know not to put a knife inside at least.”

“If you did that you probably wouldn’t still be here.”

“Which is why I didn’t, and I’m really glad I found you!” she beamed again, Mags was sure her smile was going to leave the edge of her face at some point. This was clearly a very positive pony. The chit-chat had consumed some time as well, and they were very nearly at the edge of town where Felicity lived.

“Ah, here we are. Home sweet home.” The young Pegasus chirped as they both came to the front door of a very typical Ponyville cottage. Mags may have passed by but the houses in town were all so similar that she hardly took notice apart from the street names and numbers that identified them. She watched as Felicity produced a key from inside the folds of her wings, placed in gently in her mouth and turned it in the lock to open the door.

“Doesn’t that fly out as soon as you take off?”

“Huh?”

Mags pointed with her hood to the key. “Your front door key, as soon as you move your wings wouldn’t it just get flung out?”

“Oh um, yes…I suppose.” Came the reply, a clear dodge at answering the question. “Anyway come in, this is my little home!”

The front door brought them both straight into the living room, which was spartanly furnished apart from a few things around the edge. A book shelf, a small sofa, a little table that still had a plate on covered in crumbs. There was a little fireplace towards the back wall that looked as if it hadn’t been lit in years. The middle of the room was dominated by an extremely large mat that took up most of the floor and was square in shape, it looked rather thick and more sturdy than the average rug. Despite Felicity’s earlier protests of mess the room actually looked quite clean, but then apart from the mat there wasn’t actually a lot in here.

“Well it’s…nicely furnished?” was all she could manage. It was hard to describe a room with very little in.

“Oh right! The mat! That’s for my yoga, you need a decent mat to do all the stretches and stuff.” She smiled sweetly at her.

“Doesn’t seem very messy either.”

“Oh um, the kitchen is a bit of a mess, not here. Not a lot in here to mess up!”

“Okay, well show me to this broken toaster.”

“Sure, it’s still in the kitchen, follow me.”

They trotted through a door to the rear left of the living room which opened out into well, a kitchen. At least it might have looked like a kitchen if you could see beneath all the pots, pans, dirty dishes and all the other things that seemed to cover all the work surfaces.

“I-I said I hadn’t had time to clean…heh.” Felicity was blushing yet again, clearly more than a little embarrassed at the state of the room. The walkway in the middle was just about clear enough for her to weave through and she worked her way down to the end, Mags following behind and bumping off work surfaces. She wasn’t quite as slender or had the agility of her yoga-obsessed friend. Inevitably she knocked something over, a stack of unwashed pots came crashing down behind her with a almighty WHAM on the floor as she accidentally pushed her hips into them without paying attention.

“Don’t worry, magic! See!” As she levitated the pots back into position, her horn glowing softly as she fixed her mistake.

“Sometimes I wish I was a Unicorn, magic must be really useful. I hate having to put stuff in my mouth to use it, metal always tastes…bleh.” Felicity stuck her tongue in disgust.

“I bet flying is great though, I’d love to be able to get around really fast. You could be to Sugarcube Corner and back in minutes.”

“Oh yeah, um…it’s a blast, can’t beat it.” Again the reply was filled with a nervous sort of confirmation and even more-so, the most fake grin that Mags had ever set eyes on. Her eyes were darting from left to right as well…was she trying to make it that obvious she was lying about something?

At the end of the kitchen was another small table with a single chair pushed up against it, set in a corner.

“Aha, table for one I see.” She smiled.

“Well I do live alone, anyway the toaster is there.” Felicity pointed with her hoof at the small silver box that sat squarely in the middle of the table. “Do you need anything? Do you mind if I disappear while you work? I could use this time to practice.”

“No, got my tools right here – although usually I don’t need them as the magic does the trick but they’re for stubborn screws.” Mags patted the pocket of her jacket to indicate she had them hidden away. “And practice what?”

“My yoga silly! I try to do at least 2 hours a day to keep my hoof in!”

“Sure, I’ll just get to work. It should be fine, I think it’s probably just because the insides are likely covered in liquid milkshake it’s not working. I’ll give it a clean and take it apart and see if I can fix it without having to get any parts.”

“Great! If you need me I’ll be in the front room.” And with that Felicity disappeared out the kitchen, shutting the door behind her. Mags started her work on the toaster, this shouldn’t take too long.

It was incredible, Mags couldn’t recall really seeing anything quite so…goopy.

She had popped the toaster apart, a mix of magic and using her tools to get it open. There was milkshake everywhere. Liquid tends to leak, and this had coated everything. She put a little on her hoof and brought it to her lips, licking a small part off…definitely chocolate. She started to work her horn, a light removal and then water spell should do the trick to get it all off and the insides clean at least. It took her a few moments to remove all the milkshake and then after filling a bowl she gently doused it is water to get the really stubborn stuff out.

‘Well I suppose just put it back together and see if works, better let it dry a little first.’ She decided, leaving the innards exposed. She got up, looking around, it needed time to dry and she wondered what the pony that had brought her here was up to. Glancing around the kitchen all that crossed her mind was ‘If my mum left any part of the house this messy…well, it would never get this messy, she’d go spare.'

Even though the door was closed Mags could hear a gentle rhythmic tone working its way through the door and invading her ears. ‘Must be music.’ As this time she gently and slowly worked her way through the mess back towards the door in which she had entered, careful this time not to knock anything over.

Ever so gently she opened the door, just a hare to peek into the living room. She didn’t want to disturb whatever Felicity was up to.
On the tiny table the plate was pushed aside and a small boom box had appeared, playing some sort of generic workout music that was always heavy on the bass. Felicity was smack bang in the centre of the mat, on all fours, completely motionless.

‘Doesn’t look like much of a workout to me…’ A thought quickly dismissed by what happened next.

Within about 30 seconds there was a hop, a twist and an incredible array of motions that only a very, very flexible pony could achieve. Mags eyes widened as she watched through the crack in the door as the Pegasus seemed to do things with her body that seemed impossible for the average pony. Her legwork was the most impressive thing, contorting her forelegs and hind legs into positions that seemed to defy what they were capable of without something nasty happening to whoever was doing it.

As the music continued Felicity kept on moving her body in rhythm to it, gentler motions this time to what she had been doing in that last 30 seconds, the music had calmed in tone and she had as well. Gentle turns and twists were adorning the mat as she turned 180 degrees for her next manoeuvre, and her eyes came to rest on a slightly ajar kitchen door with a sliver of grey and a single eye staring out of it. She came to a very abrupt stop in the middle of a movement, not realising she only had two hooves on the floor made her extremely unbalanced. For the second time in a day she went crashing to the floor, face first this time. There was a slight splatting sound as her face smooshed into the soft mat below her.

“Ohhhh…not again.” Came a whimper.

Mags pushed the door fully open and with a bit more speed than usual made her way over to the crashed Pegasus, she didn’t look too hurt, the mat having taken most of the force and easing any injuries she might have sustained.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to peak and startle you – I just didn’t want to interrupt what you were doing.” Mags tried to explain as she extended a hoof, gladly met on the other end as she pulled Felicity up onto all four legs.

“No, that’s okay. I just wasn’t expecting you to be there. I don’t think anypony has ever watched me do any yoga heh.” She rubbed her face with her hoof, her cheek was a little red but nothing lasting that wouldn’t disappear quickly.

“I gotta take a little break to let the toaster dry, I had to clean it a bit. I heard some music coming through the door, just wanted to see…” She trailed off, both of them were staring at each other as each one tried to explain away their reasons for doing what they were doing. There was a grin at first, then a smile before both of them burst into laughter nearly at the same time as they both realised how silly they were being. Felicity spoke first.

“Ohhhh, hehehe. Don’t worry, this isn’t the first time I’ve hit the floor today. At least this time it was only me!” she giggled. “How long does the toaster need to dry?”

“I should give it twenty minutes at least, it was only a super light dusting of water droplets but I just want to make sure.”

“Okay, hey wanna watch me practice? At least this time I shouldn’t be all surprised because I know you’re here! Take a seat.” She pointed with a hoof over towards the sofa against one of the walls, Mags trotted over and plopped herself down on it, turning to make sure she could see what her friend was about to get up to.

“So do you just move in time to the music?”

“I try, you can’t always but it makes it more fun.”

“Cool, well let’s see what you got. What you were doing before was pretty impressive.”

“Okay, here goes!” Felicity positioned herself in the middle of the mat again, the music on the boom box came back into play and she once again started her routine.

“…Felicity.” 20 minutes had passed, but the blue and green mare seemed totally into her routine, twirling and twisting herself to the beat of the music.

“Felicity?”

Still nothing, Mags knew she was going to have to shout.

“FELICITY?”

“Wha- huh?” The music came to a stop as she finally realised Mags had been trying to get her attention, as did her almost ceaseless motions.

“The toaster should have dried by now, and was that really yoga? I thought yoga was more relaxed and gentle motions?”

“Oh, well it is, but I like to give it a little bit of a kick. Regular yoga doesn’t really fit my style so mine is a little more fast paced, plus if you do it as much as I do regular yoga gets boring really fast.”

“So that’s like super yoga for the advanced?”

“I guess so hehe.”

“Ah right, well it was really…interesting that’s for sure. You’ll have to show me more some time.” Mags blushed, it really had been an interesting experience, she didn’t think she had watched another mare so much for so long but something about all those flexible movements she just hadn’t been able to take her eyes off the entire time.

“Anyway it’s time for the moment of truth. Shall we see if its fixed?”

“Oh yeah! Man I haven’t been able to have toast for like…ever! I’d really like to have some tomorrow morning for breakfast, cereal is getting kinda boring…” Felicity frowned and looked at her tummy, although no on-queue gurgle happened.

“Well, let’s get back to it then.” This time Mags led the way back into the kitchen, as both of them once against eased their way through the mess.

The toaster was put back together, and Mags suddenly remembered something vitally important.

“Got any bread?”

“Oh yeah, hold on – just gotta find it.” Felicity disappeared back into the mess. Somehow she managed to pull out a bag of bread with her teeth without knocking anything over, plucking it up and bringing it back towards the toaster with the bag hanging out of her mouth. She gently eased it onto the table top next to the machine.

“Thanks, I can take it from here.” Mags said, untying the small plastic ribbon on the end and then levitating a piece of bread into the slot before finally using her magic to lower the armature down so the bread disappeared inside. Felicity looked impressed, but also gave her a slight annoyed frown.

“See, magic! You know it takes me at least 5 minutes fumbling about with this thing to get the bread in. You seem really good with it by the way.”

“I’ve done levitation spells a lot, it’s just too useful not too, but there isn’t much else I’m good at. I’ve nowhere near the ability of some ponies.” Mags huffed a little, she’d love to be as powerful as some of the princesses, or even some other unicorns, but she was a lazy pony and only really put effort into what she needed rather than putting more effort into her magic.

The toaster seemed to be working…seemed to be, as both ponies stared intently at it waiting for the bread to pop back up as nice warm crispy toast. Suddenly there was a little POP and tiny puff of smoke as the bread popped back up, thoroughly untoasted. Felicity frowned again and Mags sighed.

“Hmm, this must be worse than I thought, I bet that milkshake mixture has gotten inside one of the parts.”

“Ohhhh, I guess that means no toast for breakfast tomorrow?” Came the reply from an extremely pouty and unhappy face.

“Well, I need to take it home and look at it more. Um, how about you come to my house tomorrow for breakfast? I’m sure my mum won’t mind, and she’s always harping on at me to make friends. Maybe if I actually show her one she’d be pleased.” It was the least she could offer, having not fixed it right away.

“Oh that sounds great! I’d love to…and I’m your friend?” Her big beaming smile had returned and she swore there was the teeniest tiny tear in the corner of one of Felicities eyes as she stood there waiting for her to reply.

“Oh well…um, sure. You seem really friendly, I don’t have lots of friends, and often they’re busy so I don’t see them lots.”

“I’d love to be your friend! Oh a real friend, this is so exciting!” Felicity was almost bounding up and down, giggling with glee.

“Wait, what do you mean a real friend? Don’t you have friends?” Mags said, stopping her new friend in her tracks as she returned all four hooves to the floor, who looked at her with a slight amount of embarrassment.

“Oh um, well…no. I don’t leave the house much because I practise my yoga so much. I only really leave for necessities and maybe to get something sweet or tasty to eat, I mostly keep to myself.”

“But you could fly anywhere, why keep yourself grounded here and hardly ever go anywhere?”

“Oh right yeah, fly anywhere – that’s me all over. I just love to fly…” There it was again, that semi-sarcastic response that seemed to trail off as her voice almost faded to a whisper. Mags decided to keep ignoring it, she’d attack the reason this appeared to be flightless Pegasus when she knew her a little better.

“Well, whatever you do if you’re around town a lot I am too. We could meet up and do things, perhaps. Let’s see if I can get this toaster fixed first and actually get you some toast for breakfast tomorrow.”

“Okay! Well get home safe – oh! Home! Of course, where do you live? And what time should I be there?”

“Just the other side of town, on Trottingham road. Number 25. I’d say arrive around 9:00? Our family isn’t early risers so that’s the earliest my mum will make any breakfast, and if not I can let you in. We can find something to do.”

“Sounds great! I’ll be there. Better let you out and say goodbye, oh dear I really must get this all sorted out. If you have to come back I don’t want you bumping into things again.”

“That would be nice…” Mags replied as for the final time both ponies weaved their way through the kitchen and back to the lounge. Felicity opened the front door and watched as Mags departed with her toasted levitated by her side, waving a hoof as she left. “Byeeeeee, see you tomorrow! Looking forward to some yummy toast!” She enthusiastically said, before shutting her front door. Mags heard the boom box come back on muffled through the walls of Felicity’s house, that pony really did like yoga.

She gently levitated the still broken toasted by her side as she headed back home. Two birds with one stone! Okay, it would have been nice to have actually fixed the toaster but at least she had something to show that she had some work, and she was sure her mum would be happy she had met another pony who friendly as well. She smiled a little as she trotted onwards as the sun gently started to set over the horizon. Another day was drawing to a close.
> A Chance Meeting - Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Ahhhhhh.” The sun was rising above Ponyville, dawn had creeped over the horizon and was quickly becoming mid-morning. Mags, yawning, gently raised her head from…the workbench, great. She’d fallen asleep in the barn yet again, but at least this time she was doing something that was proper work rather than the tinkering she was used to.

The toaster was back in once piece though, she hardly remembered the last things she did as her heavy eyes kept inching her closer to falling asleep last night. 

It was mostly quiet, apart from the usual chirping of the birds that went on every morning. There was also a faint knocking noise, and she could almost swear she could hear her name being called but ever so faintly. Suddenly she remembered, and looked at her wristwatch.

8:30 AM

Oh Celestia, she was here already! She quickly picked herself up and levitated the toaster next to her, she’d have to put it to the test somehow to make sure it worked again before giving it back. Her mane was a mess and she didn’t exactly smell like roses, not having had a chance yet to sort herself out.

Hastily opening the barn door and sprinting across the garden she entered the rear of the house through the back door, quietly pushing it shut in case her parents were still asleep, although she was just a little too late. Her eyes almost popped out their sockets as she realised her mum had beaten her to the door by a mile. The two of them were chatting so much neither of them had taken notice of her, maybe she could sneak by before they did and quickly leap in the bathroom…

“Hey, Mags!”

Drat.

Felicity waved a hoof at her, Mags gave a half-hearted wave back before she trotted over to the front door. She could feel the glaring and judgemental eyes of her mother on her already before she had even got there. She had forgotten in her haste to get in and sort the toaster out to tell her she would be coming over.

“Well it’s lovely to meet you Felicity, I’m always saying Magna should make new friends! Take a seat, Magna – a word?”

Double drat.

“So I see you made a friend…”

Here it comes, ‘Why didn’t you tell me last night when you came in? I haven’t made enough breakfast! What are we supposed to do!?’ She closed her eyes and braced herself for the coming onslaught.

“That’s great!”

“…What?”

“I said that’s great dear, my my you needn’t have to look so worried. She’s more than welcome to stay while you finish up fixing her toaster. She was just explaining how you two bumped into each other yesterday. You’ll have to tell me the rest later – I had better get on with some breakfast. She mentioned you invited her over, we can manage but a little heads up would have been nice. Let me know in the future, okay dear? Oh, and go wash up as well, your mane looks a mess.”

Her mum gave her a little rub on her cheek before disappearing into the kitchen, Felicity sat waiting on the sofa of the small living room. What just happened? Did she just totally forget to tell her mum something and cause her a slight amount of distress…and she just dealt with it without yelling? What was happening here?

“Your mums really nice, I was just telling her about how we ran into each other yesterday!” Mags turned herself to face her friend who she’d nearly forgot in the confusion, if she hadn’t said something she might have forgotten she was there entirely. Felicity gave her the usual super-wide beam of delight that seemed to be becoming a trademark smile across her face.

“Y-yeah, hey mind if I just disappear for five minutes? I um…spent all night fixing your toaster and haven’t had a chance to clean up.” She said, gently putting the toaster down on a small table that was in front of the sofa with her magic.

“All night? Wow you really are dedicated! Must have been a doozy to try to fix! Is it working now?”

“Um, sure. All working!”

Triple drat. She still hadn’t had a chance to test it. Why even lie?

“Yaaaaaay! Toast here we come!” Felicity said with a jovial tone to her voice.

“Just um, don’t try it until I come back. I need to make absolutely sure.”

“Sure thing, I’ll wait! Ohhh Cosmarepolitan magazine…”

Not wasting a second Mags darted up the stairs, 5 minutes should be plenty to freshen up, then for the breakfast which oddly, she was looking forward to for once. She was not looking forward to watching the toaster break yet again. Please, please work…

5 minutes later and she was well, not perfect but much better than she looked after having fallen asleep at a workbench. At least her mane was no longer a mess. She never understood how some mares could spend hours and hours in a bathroom going over every inch of their body to make themselves look perfect.

As she left the top of the landing and started to trot down the stairs the smell of cooking permeated the air. ‘Mums started on the breakfast then.’ She thought. It wouldn’t be too long now. Felicity was still sat on the sofa, reading the Cosmarepolitan magazine she’d picked up and gently flicking through the pages.

“Anything good?”

“Oh hey, you look better sleepy head! Uhm, not especially. There’s an article about yet another boutique opening in Manehatten and somepony giving fashion advice but that’s about it.” She closed the magazine and put it down on the table, clearly talking to her friend was much more interesting.

“Oh, well mum always buys those. I don’t really have any interest in them…” Mags kicked her hooves off the edge of the sofa slightly. She was never hugely good at small talk, in fact it was a miracle she had managed to say as much as she did yesterday. Then she remembered she did have something to ask, wondering to herself if the question would be dodged yet again.

“Soooo, yesterday…”

“Oh yeah, wasn’t it great? I’m gonna remember that day forever. It was so much fun.”

“Well yeah, but like yesterday at points I kept asking you about flying and it’s the only time I’ve seen you look a little nervous. Although I’ve not really known you that long anyway…” She gave her a little bemused grin, somewhat trying to ease the tension but she had to ask. She could already see Felicity clamming up a little.

“Oh uh really? I don’t remember…”

“Oh come on! I asked you about 3 or 4 times and you always came up with some sort of vague answer or avoided it. You must remember at least one of the times I asked you!”

“I uh…”

Mags looked at her new friends face, clearly this was a very uncomfortable line of questioning. Her eyes weren’t focusing, again. Her lips were slightly pursed and she had moved her hooves to grip around her body, as if she was a little insecure about it. Maybe she’d asked too much? Mags gave her a little smile.

“Okay, look. You haven’t got to answer. I’m just curious about that sort of stuff. Don’t worry, I don’t really mind one way or the other.”

“T-thanks, look um like you said this is a little uncomfortable for me to talk about. Can I tell you when I get to know you better?” She un-tensed her body and facial expression and returned the smile.

“Sure, no problem. I like that was a when and not an if you get to know me better.” She giggled a little, enjoying the enthusiasm in the response.

“Oh uh, I always try to go for the positives.” She said, still returning that smile.

“Girls!?”

Translite came trotting out from the archway to the kitchen and started placing plates on the table.

“Breakfast will be a few minutes.”

“Thanks mum, hey – isn’t dad joining us. You only set 3 places.”

“Oh I meant to say dear, he left for work early this morning to work on a project. He had his while you were still snoozing in the barn!” Mags blushed slightly and Felicity giggled, she didn’t know her mother knew she had fallen asleep out there. Obviously she hadn’t gotten away with it. “I’d have come and woken you but you looked so peaceful I just left you to snore.” She carried on.

“O-okay thanks mum! Don’t need the whole story!”

“Anytime dear, you know I like to tease a little.” She laughed before disappearing back into the kitchen to finish sorting out the rest of the breakfast. Mags and Felicity moved off the couch and over to the small dining table at the end of the living room. They sat and Mags offered Felicity a some toast.

“From ours, I still need to test yours. But here, at least you can have some now.”

“Hehe, you don’t disappoint Mrs Save. Beats cereal!”

“Mrs Save? Please don’t start calling me that.”

“Haha I’m just kidding, I like giving people little alternative names. Makes life more fun, although you’ve already got yours Mags.” Felicity chortled as she started spreading butter on her toast, helping herself to a little jam.

“Stick with Mags, Magna at a push. I don’t really have any others.”

“Maggy?” Felicity asked, just about to push a slice into her muzzle.

“Please no.”

“Ooookay, Mags it is.” She finally took a bite, and immediately sunk into a small toast-induced moment of pleasure as Mags watched her face ever so slightly melt. “Ohhh I’ve missed toast, I haven’t had it well…since the toaster broke.”

“I know, just make sure not to put anymore milkshake in it huh? No matter how thick it looks.”

“You got it.”

“This is really good, you’re mum sure knows how to make toast.”

“You mean she’s good at putting the sliced bread in and pressing the lever down?” Mags put a hoof on her face and giggled slightly.

“Well…yeah.”

“I’m sure she’d love the compliment, you should tell her when she gets here.”

“I will!”

At that moment her Translite re-appeared with a frying pan that seemed almost packed to the brim with a large cooked breakfast. She never went this far out of her way to make food. Clearly it showed as both Mags and Felicity’s eyes locked on the pan and didn’t leave it until she started to use a spatula to begin scraping things onto their plates.

“W-wow mum, that’s quite the feast.”

“Oh I know dear, but when Felicity here explained she’d been resigned to eating only cereal for Celestia knows how long I thought she could use a decent meal.”

“You uh, didn’t have to go through much trouble Mrs Save. The toast is really good…” Felicity managed just about to squeak out as she watched her plate piled high with food.

“Haha, yes I do excel at pushing the lever down on the toaster. And call me Translite dear” She laughed, again. She never laughed this much in a week let alone in a day. She made her way over to Mags plate and pushed a generous portion onto there as well before finally giving herself the remaining modest amount. She sat down at the table with her daughter and new friend placing the pan down to one side.

“Well this is nice, you know Mags hardly ever brings anypony back here. In fact I think I could count all the friends that have ever come home on my hoof!”

“Mum! Can we talk about something else…please? Anyway I had friends at school.”

“I know dear, but you seemed to lose touch with them rather quickly after it finished. It’s just nice to see you getting on with someone. I guess making you go out yesterday wasn’t such a bad thing after all.”

“…You kicked me out.”

“I sent you out for work, like any responsible parent who sees their child cooped up in the house all week would have.”

“…Still kicked me out.” Mags mumbled under her breath, she knew she wasn’t going to win this one but at least she could have the satisfaction of getting the last word in. Her mum had already turned to Felicity who had polished off half her breakfast already, clearly enjoying each mouthful.

“So Felicity, you’re a Pegasus? I bet that must be exciting. Flying off all over the place.”

Felicity stopped chewing for a moment to answer. There it was again, clamming up, face starting to contort into a strange uneasy gaze. “Oh yeah, it’s great. I just love to fly…”

“You don’t sound too enthusiastic about it dear.”

“Oh well, it’s okay. I suppose. This breakfast is great! I haven’t eaten like this for ages! You make a really good breakfast.” ‘Nice try changing the subject there.’ Mags thought. ‘That will never work with mum.’

“Well I’m glad you are enjoying it dear. I’d have thought you would have gotten good breakfasts elsewhere being able to fly off to wherever you like.”

“Oh um sure, breakfasts from other places are great…”

“Have you ever flown to Manehatten? Whinnyappolis?”

“Oh uh…”

“You must have relatives all over Equestria you visit?”

“Sure but…”

“Ever flown at night? That must be great in the cool night air.”

“Uh….uhhhh….”

Mags just watched, she could see it happening in front of her eyes. Felicity clamming up more and more as her mother tried her usual tactic of a relentless onslaught of questions that usually got her the answer she wanted. It usually worked on Mags pretty well, but she didn’t know Felicity really. She was waiting to see what happened.

“Yes dear?”

“I CAN’T FLY!” Felicity almost practically screamed. The onslaught of questions becoming far too much, fed up with the barrage of endless flying-related queries. She quickly put her hooves to her mouth looking completely shocked, eyes wide staring at both of them.

There was a moment of silence as the three of them sat there. You could have heard a pin drop as Felicity slowly moved her hooves away from her mouth. Mags smiling and her mother looking a little perturbed.

“S-sorry, I don’t usually shout like that. I uh…can’t fly.”

‘I knew it’. Was the only thought that entered Mags head.

As it was her line of questioning, Translite thought it best to compose herself first and say something. She looked at the poor girl, who was now ever so slightly shaking and looking extremely glum, before choosing her next words very carefully.

“My dear, I’m so sorry. I had no idea, please don’t worry about it. I’m sure there are plenty of Pegasus who can’t fly.” She reassured her, before shooting Mags a glare of ‘You could have said something’. Mags shrugged her shoulders at her in a ‘I didn’t know.’ Reply.

“Yeah.” Felicity started to say. “There are, just not really any in Ponyville. I don’t really talk about it, it’s not so bad. I can get around on my hooves like every other pony. I have tried, I just…clam up.” She smiled a little awkwardly, somewhat able to talk about it now she had let them know.

“Funny, you know for somepony who’s as athletic as you are I’d have thought flying would be a breeze.” Mags commented as she took another bite of breakfast.

“Oh well, all that yoga stuff I do helps my body and legs and things sure, but wings not so much. They just sit folded on my back and don’t really move, probably why when I have tried I can’t move them so well. They always feel so stiff, I guess through lack of use.”

“Well makes sense, if you never fly.”

“Most I do is give them a little stretch to clean them or get something out that’s trapped in them, oh and get my key of course.” She giggled, finally returning to her regular self and taking a few more mouthfuls of her food.

“Have you always lived in Ponyville?” Translite interjected.

“Oh yes, my whole life. I’ve always been here, which is why I’ve never needed to fly anywhere. If I do ever travel it’s never very far, or I take the train.”

“I suppose this isn’t really the time to be asking but, is there a particular reason you don’t fly?”

Felicity put her hoof on her chin and thought for a moment, one eyebrow raised as she pondered the question. “No, no real reason. I’ve never really needed to. I could maybe learn or take lessons I think? But I guess I just never really got round to doing it properly. Like I said I have tried, I just find it hard and it does hurt a little.”

“It hurts?” Mags gave her a slightly concerned look.

“N-not much! Just a little, again I think I might be doing it wrong or like, just from not really having done it.”

“It seems like a bit of waste.” Mags mother chimed in. “It would be like if Mags didn’t use her magic, although I still don’t think she does to its full extent…” She looked at her daughter a little motherly stare of encouragement but still a small amount of disappointment. Mags rolled her eyes in return.

“I know, maybe it’s something I’ll try to look into soon. I just spend so much time doing my yoga, or being in town, or trying to sort my house out. I still need to do that!”

Mags giggled. “It is a bit of a mess…”

“Says my daughter, queen of the untidy rooms. I swear if that room had any more random bits and bobs in it I’d start calling it a workshop.” Mags blushed and Felicity chuckled a little. They returned to eating breakfast which was finished within the next 5 minutes, all 3 plates completely cleared and the toast rack emptied.

“That was great Mrs Sa… Translite. Thanks for letting me come over to eat.”

“Well no problem.” She started to clear the plates away. “I’d like for you to come back in the future, you seem like a nice girl. I hope you two stick together for a little while anyway.” She said, taking the dirty dishes.

At this point Mags decided it was her turn to interject. “So now we’ve eaten, lets test the toaster?”

“Oh yeah! The whole reason I’m here, how could I forget.” Felicity gently got down from the breakfast table and came round to meet Mags on the other side. “Shall we give it a test run?”

“Of course, I’ll provide the bread this time.” Mags laughed, and disappeared into the kitchen to grab a slice.

Shunk

“I-it’s supposed to do that right?”

“…what do you mean? Of course it is. You have used this before.” Mags replied with an ever-so slightly sarcastic tone of voice.

“Well duh, course I have. But you know, breakfast. Lots going on, the toaster is like something you just press on once and forget about until it goes ping!”

“Ping? Your toaster…this toaster goes ping?”

“Uh maybe, honestly it’s been a while since I used it so I kinda forget what noise it makes.”

Felicity moved her snout close to the slots on the top and sniffed a little, then moved her head back and gingerly extended a hoof over the top.

“Well it feels hot, and it smells like it’s doing something.”

“Trust me, it’s not doing anything bad. I know the smell of burning electronics, it’s extremely distinctive.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, it’s a burning smell but…different to like a normal burning smell. Once you’ve experienced it once you don’t ever forget it.” She sighed a little, remembering the first time she accidentally did some not-so good work on her game and spent the next 3 hours digging around trying to pull out a very small melted chunk of plastic. “Yup, it’s bad, more like you wish you weren’t smelling it bad because something somewhere has gone wrong.”

“Ah okay, well hope I don’t ever have to smell that then!”

The two of them looked, the toaster seemed to be doing its thing. Felicity, somewhat impatient kept hovering her muzzle around the top of it as she stared at the bread still trapped inside.

PING!!

The toast shot up, coming to a gentle rest at the top. Felicity jumped back in surprised and nearly backed herself into a wall. Mags let out a roar of laughter, all this happening within about 5 seconds. Felicity pulled herself together and frowned.

“Is scaring me really that funny?”

Mags gave a chuckle “Heh, no it wasn’t that. Well it was a little that. I just didn’t think it would actually go ping! Where did you even get this thing?”

“One of the shops in town, I can’t even remember which. I was just buying whatever was cheap and would go into my house. I was just moving into it then.”

“It will probably last a few more years, but you might want to look at replacing it then. They don’t last forever.”

“I will, but hey – it works! Cheaper than getting a new one! So what do I owe you?”

“Well you bought me that milkshake, and I’ve had fun the past few days. Wanna call it five bits?”

“Five? But a new one costs fifty! You’ve saved me a lot of money, and I’ve had fun too…” A very faint shade of red started to coat Felicity's cheeks as she finished her sentence. Shifting herself a little and staring at Mags with her big green eyes. There was a very short moment of silence.

“…Toasts getting cold.”

“Huh, what?”

“The toast, we made toast to test to toaster remember?.”

“Oh yeah, of course! Um, but we just had that super big breakfast.”

“Well…be a shame to waste it, and it’s only toast, it’s not that much. C’mon mum left the jam out. One more round?”

“Ohhh okay. Might as well enjoy it while I’m here.” Felicity smiled and the two of them made their way back to the table and parked themselves. There were still a few small plates and Mags decided to make things a little easier this time, manipulating a knife with her magic so she spread each of their slices with jam. Another opportunity for conversation presented itself.

“So earlier, are you okay? I’m surprised you didn’t blow up before with both of us asking you things about your flying.”

“Yeah I’m fine, thanks for asking…and being concerned.” Another small smile filled with affection graced her face. “It’s just, I can get away with it. Nopony sees a Pegasus walking and thinks about it twice. It’s not like we fly constantly. You gotta be on the ground sometimes.” She sighed, and took a bite of toast and contemplated it a little more as she munched. “I’d say I never got around to it like I told your mum, but really…I’m afraid.”

“Afraid?”

“Yeah, just of well, all the stuff that comes with it. Like you hear stories of Pegasus ponies clamming up mid-flight and just falling out the sky, or injuring themselves because they’re flying and not looking where they are going. There’s like a thousand different reasons why I don’t want to do it and only two why I do.”

“Well what’s the two?”

“Number one I guess is the obvious one, because it would be faster to get around. I mean duh! I could fly across town in like ten seconds, how great would that be?! I could fly to Sugarcube Corner, get a shake to go and be home in about a minute!”

“Well I suppose that is obvious, so now what’s the other one?”

“Fun.”

“Fun?”

“Yeah fun, I bet it is super fun. I’d just wanna scoot around the clouds, maybe even lie on them. I bet they’re super springy and would make great yoga mats.” Felicity giggled. “At least…that’s what I’ve thought in my head.”

Both of them sat there, Mags didn’t really know what to say. Words of encouragement weren’t really her thing. She took the last bite of her toast and got down, coming round to Felicity and giving her a friendly pat on her shoulder with her hoof…she really didn’t know what else to do.

“Thanks, it’s okay. I’ve been like this my whole life! I think I can survive the rest of it as I am. Plus I love using my wings as storage, it’s super convenient.” She smiled weakly, and finishing up her toast as well got down from the table. “I’ll just look for your bits, I usually keep some in here somewhere.” Felicity turned her head and started rooting around in her wing feathers with her hoof.

“Sure, just give me a minute. Mums still in the kitchen. Just want to take the jam in.”

“Oh no problem!” Felicity replied, still rooting around.

Mags picked up the Jam and made her way towards the kitchen, being her usual self and shoving the door open abruptly with her hoof. A “Hey!” met her and her mother’s slightly annoyed face who looked as if she had been bolt upright against the door with her ears pressed against it.

“Just bringing the jam in, also I knew you’d be listening.”

“Well how could I not!? This is the first friend you’ve invited here since forever. I wanted to make sure it was going okay. I couldn’t help overhearing the poor girl…”

“…Of course you couldn’t.”

“She sounds so conflicted! I mean really, A Pegasus that can’t fly? I mean yes sure it happens but usually only if they are injured. They don’t just choose not to.”

“Well, she clearly has. You did overhear every word?” Mags retorted, putting the jam away.

“Magna, you know what I’m saying. The girl clearly needs a friend and a little bit of confidence. Confidence often comes with friends.”

“Well you don’t have to worry there mum, I like her too. She’s nice. I’ll probably see her again when she inevitably puts milkshake in her toaster.”

Her mother frowned. “You know what I meant. You should give her a little more of a chance. You two clearly get on well. She already thinks you’re her friend.”

“Well…maybe because I said I was. But I meant more like casual friend! She got all excited mum and was bouncing up and down. I couldn’t correct her.”

Her mother gave her another judging stare.

“What?”

“Magna, you can’t tell this girl you’re her friend and then leave her in the cold. She’s already shared a more personal secret with you. She clearly trusts you to tell you something like that.”

“Or your incessant barrage of questions dragged it out of her…”

Her mother continued, ignoring that one. “You can’t just tell somepony you’re their friend and then drop them like that. You either need to let her down easy and do the right thing. Or you never know, why not see her a few more times? You might be surprised. Why not offer to meet her somewhere tomorrow just for a catch up and see where it goes?”

“A catch up? Mum you can’t catch up after one day, there’s nothing to catch up on.”

“Fine, then use something. Tell her you want to make sure her toaster is still working okay or something. Just tell her something. Otherwise you know all you’re going to do is be trapped in your room again, and all I’m going to do is kick you out…” Her mother gave her a little wicked smile, Mags knew she meant business.

“Okay fine, I’ll come up with something. She’s still rooting around for the money for the repair.”

“You charged her?”

“Of course I did! She really messed that toaster up mum, I had to use some parts I now need to replace to fix it.”

“What am I saying, of course you did. I told you to go out and get work and that includes payment!”

“Look mum, calm down. You’re getting all worked up. Stay here, give me 5 minutes and I’ll sort something out with her. Okay?”

“Okay dear, just be nice.”

“Of course I will be.” Mags said, trotting back through the door. Felicity was sitting on their sofa again, and a shiny give bit piece was sat upon the coffee table in front of it.

“Found it! Only took five minutes! Maybe I should get a pouch or something…” Before she could drift off in her head Mags picked the bit up and put it in one of jacket pockets. She smiled at her.

“Thanks, glad to have helped…”

“Okay great, well this was fun. I’d best be going…” Felicity stood up, and Mags levitated the toaster onto her back and watched as Felicity moved her wings slightly to grip it, making sure it didn’t slip.

“So um, see you around?”

“Oh yeah sure, see you around…” The two of them stared at each other before Mags trotted over to and opened the door. Felicity walked outside the house and turned to wave.

“Wait.”

Mags trotted outside and gently closed the door behind her, just in case curious ears were listening.

“Look uh, I need to make sure it’s still working okay. I’m in town tomorrow. Can you have toast for breakfast again and just tell me that it’s working okay?”

“Oh, sure!” Her face instantly brightened up. “Where shall we meet?”

“Sugarcube corner? I could go for another shake.”

“Ohhh great, that sounds ideal. I’ll meet you there just around mid-morning? Sound okay?”

“Sure, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Byeee!” Felicity finally trotted off towards her home, looking much happier than a few moments ago. Mags sighed, maybe it would be okay. Maybe she just needed to spend a little more time with her. She did seem fun, and she had really had a great time over the past day. There was something about her that made her enjoyable to be around, despite what she had told her mother. She didn’t want to let on that she liked her as much as she did just yet, that could come later. Her mother always fussed and if she told her she had a new best friend well, she’d never hear the end of it or would she leave her alone about it.

The grey Unicorn flicked her tail, turned around and opened the door to go back inside, gently shutting it behind her. She couldn’t wait for tomorrow morning.
> A Chance Meeting - Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was nice to be able to sleep in, somethings that Mags always enjoyed. The sun was rather high in the sky before she flicked open one of her eyes and took a glance at her clock that sat on her bedside table.

10:05

Well it certainly was mid-morning, no doubt about that. She shuffled around, dozed for another 5 minutes and then finally with a small amount of effort hauled herself up and out of bed. ‘Funny how you can go to sleep and be fine and then wake up and look like you’ve been attacked by a stampede of cows.’ She thought to herself and sighed, and made her way across the landing to the bathroom to do her morning ablutions.

As she lazily wandered down the stairs, still somewhat half-asleep she noticed that there was…no noise, nothing. It was oddly quiet, usually somepony else was home. It seemed they had all gone out again. Dad usually went to work and mum…well, she wasn’t sure. A note on the dining table caught her eye and she trotted over to it and picked it up with her magic, levitating it in front of her face to read it.

Morning Mags!

She loved her mother’s optimism that she would be up early enough for that still to be the case, luckily it was. The note continued.

I’ve gone out with the girls for a few hours. If you are reading this…I’m still out. There is a small snack in the fridge if you want it, otherwise get something at Sugarcube Corner with Felicity. I’ll see you later.

She’d even signed it. Ah well, plenty of time to get into town. She grabbed her jacket from the back of one of the chairs round the table and put it on, she thought she had better wear it in case it was a bit chilly out but she had no idea what the weather was like. She slipped the front door keys into her jacket pocket and opened the door to be greeted by yet another sunny say. Ah, she was going to be hot instead. Excellent. She shut the front door behind her and started to make her way into town.

As she got closer and closer to Sugarcube Corner she started to wonder about Felicity. Why had she never seen her before? Looking around it become more and more apparent just how strange it was she had never even caught sight of her. Ponyville was a pretty small town, she knew probably a large majority of its residents just through working with them. Felicity had said she kept mostly to herself but…she surely would have seen her, even just wandering around. Mags had a pretty good memory, even ponies she had never spoke to she would recognise if she saw them more than once. They were a distinctive race, hardly any two were the same, even if sometimes she got asked if she gave music lessons. That was somewhat annoying.

Regardless, she looked at which ponies were in her field of vision. Carrot Top was speaking to June Bug about something, she couldn’t quite catch the words. Cheerilee was just about to pass her carrying a few books on her back heading back to the schoolhouse, more supplies. Roseluck was hauling a cart of more flowers to become beautiful bouquets. She spied Fluttershy just about to enter the local feed shop, more than likely to stock up on more food for her furry friends. She recognised them all…so where had Felicity been in all this?

She finally made it to Sugarcube Corner and gave a small huff of relief. She hadn’t quite counted on it being this hot, she decided she was going to lose the jacket once she got in. She trotted in, Pinkie was manning the counter today and gave her a wave. A few other ponies were inside, buying confections. Felicity was already there, sat at the same table they had occupied yesterday and already half way through her milkshake and sucking the rest of it away quickly. She gave a smile and like Pinkie a wave. Mags slipped her jacket off and laid it behind the stool as she took her seat at the table.

“Jacket off so quickly?” The Pegasus giggled and gave her a little slick smile as she went back to sucking down her remaining milkshake.

“Hey it’s hot, but at least we picked the best place for something cool.”

“Oh you bet, hold on. Pinkie!”

The pink earth pony came bouncing across in her trademark bounding. Often Mags had wondered how she kept in such great shape for a pony that lives in a business that sells nothing but fattening treats, and Pinkie wasn’t exactly one to hold back on the sweets.

“Hey girls, hiya Felicity! What can I getcha?!”

“2 more strawberry shakes please!”

“Okie dokie!” The pink pony bounded away as quickly as she had come and disappeared behind the counter to sort out their shakes. Felicity turned back to Mags after watching Pinkie go.

“So, did you manage to have toast this morning?”

“Oh yeah, it’s working great! Thanks so much again.” Felicity gave her another little smile.

“Oh well good, I guess that means it’s fixed for good then.”

There was a small moment of silence between the two of them while they still waited. Felicity fiddled with the straw from her now empty milkshake glass. A few moments later Pinkie came trotting over this time, as she was carrying two milkshakes on a small tray with one hoof and being careful with them.

“Here you go! I’ll add them to your bill Felicity, okay?”

“Sure thing Pinkie, thanks.”

“No problem!” And back she went to bounding, returning behind the counter to serve ponies coming in to pick up food. Mags and Felicity started to suck on their shakes, Mags staring a little at once again how quickly Felicitys was disappearing. Her friend seemed to notice and stop, dropping the straw from her mouth and letting it sink into the thick mixture.

“What?”

“Uh, um. Not much, except – you drink them so fast. Why?”

“…because I like them?”

“Oh yeah, of course.”

They went back to drinking again in silence, a few moments later Felicity stopped again and pushed her unfinished shake to one side.

“You didn’t have to meet me here today you know, you could have just decided it was fixed and I’d come to you if it broke again.”

Mags looked down a little, and put a hoof on her forehead trying to think of a reasonable response that was ‘I really like you I wanted to see you again!’ She decided to try to at least play it a little cool.

“I know, but I was having fun like I said. I was kind of hoping maybe for a little more fun…” She blushed ever so slightly, cheeks a pale shade of red.

“Well, we can certainly do that. Anything fun is always a winner with me.” Felicity laughed. “You don’t have to be so worried, hey I’m just really glad I made a friend! I’ve been kind of lonely for a little while.”

That brought Mags to her next question. “That was something I was going to ask, I know most ponies in town just through work. Even ones I hardly see I sometimes recognise, Ponyville is a small place. But I’ve never seen you, ever. The first time I’ve ever come across you was at Quick Fry’s place. How have you been hiding yourself so well?” She queried.

“Well I did say I keep to myself…I might take it a little to the extreme…”

Mags raised an eyebrow and looked at her, even more puzzled. “Extreme? Howso?”

“Well I only leave the house to come here, or there, or get food supplies and other things I need…I just try to make my trips out as quick as possible. I’d say 95% of my day is spent indoors at home. I come here to have a shake and leave after 5 minutes because well…you see how long they last.” She gave her a awkward smile. “So you’ve probably just missed me because I spend so little time out.”

Mags thought it made sense, and would buy it for now. If she really did spend that little time out then well, it was a surprise she had even run into her at all.

“Alright, sorry it’s just for me it is surprising to see a face in town I don’t recognise, unless they’re not from here. Hope you don’t feel like I was putting you on the spot.”

Felicity laughed again, a little more freely this time. “Not at all! It’s nice to know somepony took a little notice of me.” She pulled her shake back in front of her, and once again in less than a moment it had disappeared. She pushed the empty glass to one side again, a satisfied “Ahhhh!” left her lips and she licked them. Mags finished hers as well as quickly as she could, a little impressed she had managed to almost keep pace without getting a brain freeze.

“So you want a little more fun?”

“Well yeah. I’m enjoying spending time with you.”

“What about a day of fun? We’ve already started it here, how about a few more things. Will your mum mind if you’re out most of the day?”

“I doubt it, she’s happy if I’m out the house.” Mags giggled. “If she thinks I’m looking for work she’s happy.”

“Great, well I’ve got an idea. Now we’re finished here.”

“Alright.” Mags stood up and slipped her jacket back on. It was still rather hot out but she would manage. “What did you have in mind?”

As the day was drawing on the heat was becoming worse, Mags really did regret picking that jacket up without seeing just how warm it was first.

“Are we there yet? And can I get something cold to drink when we arrive?”

“Not much further…and maybe? Hmmm I’m not sure…” Felicity wandered off into her mind whilst she tried to think if anything would be available. “Maybe, but probably something healthy.”

“Healthy? Where are you taking me? I don’t do healthy.”

“I dunno, I think you might like this – and if you don’t we can do something you like after. Come on!”

She reluctantly decided to follow the excitable Pegasus. They continued a short way through town before coming to what looked like, at least to Mags, a fairly modern build that was nestled between the standard Ponyville architecture. It stuck out like the bowling alley and that gaudy crystal castle at the end of town, except in a different way. It was mostly glass, with some steel support beams painted an almost luminous green that went all around the edges of the build, it only occupied a single story so sat low against the buildings that surrounded it.

“…Nice, surprised I’ve never noticed it, but this yet another part of town I don’t come to that often. Sooooo what is it?”

“Yoga!”

“…It’s yoga? The building is yoga?”

Felicity giggled and pointed towards the front door with her hoof. “No silly, inside! It’s a fitness centre but they sometimes hold yoga classes here, it’s one of the few places I used to come but they only offer the basic stuff so I stopped. I thought you might like to try it though!” She beamed at her, clearly excited about the prospect of introducing her friend to her favourite past time, before turning and starting to walk inside.

“Wait, hold on! I don’t know the first thing about yoga!”

“Doesn’t matter, it’s beginner! And I’ll help. I know you were curious before, I thought this might help your curiosity a little bit. Come on, it’ll be fun I swear!”

“But I don’t have any gear! Don’t ponies usually wear stuff when they do this?”

“Optional! Seriously come on.”

The slightly perplexed but also mildly curious unicorn followed her friend in. The inside looked pleasant enough, a small reception with an yellow coated earth pony manning the desk met them as they walked in. She smiled as Felicity trotted up to her, and almost leaned over the desk for a hug. Mags assumed the two of them knew each other.

“Felicity dear! It’s been far too long. You haven’t been to classes in forever! I hope you’re keeping up your routine.”

“Of course Dusky, I practice every day at home! Oh, Magna-Save this is Dusky, she owns the place!”

“You can call me Magna, and nice place. Felicity wanted to show me.”

“Thanks! We’ve been open a while, keeping fit is important you know. I expect Felicity only told you about our yoga classes but we do all sorts here. We’re a fully stocked gym with a heap of keep fit equipment.” Dusky pointed behind the reception desk to the corridor that led away from them and down a hall, a number of doors dotted along that each lead to a different part of the building. She raised an eyebrow at Felicity.

“I expect you’ll be wanted the yoga class though? Starts in 10 minutes, down the hall, second door on the left. It will cost you 5 bits for the session.”

Felicity raised a hoof to get Dusky’s attention. “Mind if she uses my membership? I won’t be participating.”

“Oh sure honey, you haven’t been here for a while so that’s fine. I’ll mark it off.” She smiled and flicked a ledger on the desk open to a page and scribbled in it. “Have fun!” she said, as Felicity and Mags walked down the hall to the yoga group. Mags was not sure how much she was going to enjoy this…

There was a huge amount of huffing, and panting, and a whole host of other noises as only 5 minutes in Mags was starting to feel the pressure of trying to make her body contort and shift. Yoga was relaxing, but she hardly ever did any exercise, and even though this wasn’t quite as fast paced or crazily energetic as what she had witnessed Felicity do it was still causing her to strain a little. She looked over in between her bodies protests at her friend, who was totally content and easily gently shifting herself around. This was clearly a step down for her.

“You okay there?” Felicity giggled slightly, the question clearly not meant to evoke a response of platitude from her huffed out friend.

“I-I feel like I-I’m gonna flop over…” Mags squeaked as she tried to follow on with the rest of the class. 

“Why, what’s wrong? This is relaxing and gentle silly!”

“N-not when…” She wheezed a little, before carrying on. “Y-you’re this out of shape!” She made a mental note as she struggled on to either, give up her favourite fatty foods completely…which was quickly dismissed, or never EVER attend another one of these wretched things. That seemed like the better option.

She looked up, there wasn’t lots of other ponies in the class, but all of them mares. It was supposedly a mares thing to do, the instructor was a mare of course. She was a few rows back but Mags could make her out. No idea of the name as they came in just as it started but she had rather long yellow hair and a light purple coat. She was clearly just as flexible as Felicity and was leading the class with ease, hardly breaking a sweat. But then again no other mare was…it was only Mags struggling along.

“55 more minutes class…follow my lead!” She barked as she leaned forward to touch the tips of her hind legs with her hooves, bending her body round to get to them as they were splayed out in front of her on the floor.

“Oh…Celestia…”

She wasn’t sure how much more she was able to take of this.

55 minutes later, and a very sweaty, very tired and extremely achy Mags emerged from the room, staggering on her hooves out the door and almost comically collapsing against the opposite wall. She was exhausted, completely. Never in her short life had she ever exercised that much. Even though it was gentle, it had worn her out. As she lay there, not wanting to move an inch she felt a hoof prod against her side as Felicity loomed over her.

“Um…did that really make you that exhausted?”

“…Yes.”

“You know there is a bench by reception you can sit on.”

“Can’t move.”

Felicity rolled her eyes a little. “Don’t be so dramatic, come on.” She extended a hoof and offered it out, helping her friend stand on four very wobbly legs as she limped her way down the hall and yet again collapsed onto the bench, Felicity taking a seat besides her.

“Okay wow, I didn’t think it would do that to you – it’s hardly very exacting on your body unless you do what I do.”

“Yes but…I am very, VERY out of shape Felicity.” She sighed, wanting to talk as little as possible to conserve some energy, but Felicity pushed on regardless.

“Oh come on, you fix things for a living! You must do some exercise!”

“Yes, but I fix things mostly with magic. I hardly do anything that requires much effort and even then I have tools when the magic doesn’t work. Being fit is not a requirement of my talent, I can’t actually remember if I’ve ever really done any exercise…”

“I um…might have made some assumptions there then…” Felicity smiled, giving her friend a friendly pat on her middle with her hoof as she lay there motionless. “Maybe you can just watch me in the future.”

“…That might be best.”

“Okay, so fun thing number one wasn’t so much fun…but I have another idea, fun thing number two might be better!”

“Does it involve any form of exercise?”

“No…”

Mags finally got up from the bench, having rested enough to get some energy back.

“Then count me in.”

The two mares wandered back into the main part of town, Mags body still twinging slightly from her not-so-intense but unexpected work out session. 

“Okay, so the first one was a little bit of a bust…” Felicity started to say. “But I think you might enjoy this one.” 

“Well I’m not holding my breath so far.” 

Felicity giggled “Don’t worry, it’s not scuba diving or anything, you won’t need to!” 

“Uh…” She decided it wasn’t worth explaining she was using a phrase, regardless they carried on walking with Felicity leading the way. There passed plenty of other ponies as they walked. 

“Is this thing you want to do actually close or anywhere close? I’m still kinda hurting a little bit from earlier…” Mags asked, a little glum. She wasn’t a huge fan of walking very far either. 

“Don’t worry, not far…” 

They rounded a few more bends, they had left the main town centre and were just coming to the edge of it. A few shops were dotted here and there but mostly houses. At the end of the street they were on a single shop occupied the corner, a low slung roof made it distinctive from all the high thatched cottages that occupied the road. Mags squinted and stared at the sign as they came closer. 

“A clothes shop?” 

“Yeah, they make pretty much anything here. I come here because they put together some pants that Rarity doesn’t often make, at least it’s not part of her usual line up.” 

“I didn’t think I’d be buying clothes.” Mags chucked. “Although I do wear this jacket an awful lot, I think I might be one of the few non-fashion conscious ponies who wears clothing. Saying that it’s not like I wear anything else…” She stopped, and then pinged herself back to reality. 

“So why are we here again, what do they make you want me to try and or buy?” 

“Well you know how I love yoga?” 

“Oh yeah, I’d never have figured that one out, in fact I can still feel your love for yoga shooting up my spine in pain. Ouch…” 

“You it helps a lot if you have the right clothing.” 

“Right clothing?...” She scanned her brain, trying to think what Felicity was talking about. Oh no, wait. Not those awful black pants that she sometimes saw ponies sporting? The ones that absolutely hugged your figure and left nothing to the imagination? Not that it made a lot of difference, she was naked from the waist down anyway, but still. There was something about them that often made ponies stare more, and she couldn’t quite put her hoof on why. 

“…Are you suggesting we buy yoga pants?” 

“Awww, you spoiled the surprise! Maybe I shouldn’t have said so much, and no – I’ll buy you some – my treat seeing as the last think didn’t go so well.” 

“Aren’t you going to get some? They seem more your thing.” 

“I’ve got like 20 pairs back home! I don’t need more. Come on.” 

“Alright…” Mags said, a little glum. Clothes shopping was never her idea of fun, it’s why she only wore 1 item of clothing ever, and more because it was practical. Not fashionable. 

Both mares made their way inside, a small bell above the door tinkled to signal their arrival. There were a few other ponies in the store, browsing the racks and whatnot, but Felicity made a b-line straight for a section towards the back, Mags following behind her. 

“See, told you they stocked them.” 

“Oh yes, how um…great.” She was presented with a whole rack of varying sizes of yoga pants. She had never seen so much black in her life. Mags prodded through the rack, different sizes of course. Felicity poked through with her, and started moving down. Mags was still in the M section, Felicity had moved down towards XL and XXL. 

“Excuse me?” 

“Huh? What?” 

Mags raised an eyebrow. “Extra extra large? Do you really think I have hips that wide and an ass that lardy?” 

Felicity immediately went red, and tried to hide herself between the displayed pants, realising there was nowhere for her to go. She gently pulled herself back out, turning her head to speak to her friend. 

“S-sorry…it’s just, well, even you said you’re out of shape.” 

“Well, yeah but…” She huffed, and gave in. “Fine, gimme the damn XXL pants. I’m not struggling in the XL ones, I’ve made that mistake before.” 

Felicity giggled a little, trotting over and placing the XXL pair on Mags back. “There’s a changing room just over there. Promise me one thing.” 

“What.” 

“Show me them before you take them off and say you don’t like them, please?” 

“…Fine, I guess that is the least I can do seeing as you’re paying. Oh you know XXL is more expensive right?” She shot Felicity a sly smile as she flicked her tail and started towards the changing room. 

“It’ll be worth it, I don’t mind.” Felicity said, following Mags to the changing room as she watched her go in, pulling the curtain shut behind her. Only her hooves moving around, just slightly visible under the slightly too short curtain. Felicity parked herself on a chair next to them and waited. 

A few moments later Mags voice emanated from within the booth. 

“Okay, I got them on. Would you laugh if I told you they feel a little tight round my thighs?” 

Felicity had to stifle herself from what would have been a very audible giggle. “Oh um, no! Of course not. I guess I could ask if they had XXXL ones…” 

“Don’t even think about it!” Came the retort from inside, and a hoof appeared at the edge of the curtain to slide it back. 

Felicity watched, it was like one of those peep shows she’d heard about where ponies slowly remove clothing, which she didn’t really get because most ponies were naked all the time anyway. First she saw Mags head, then her usual purple jacket, and then finally her flank to reveal… 

“Wait I’m confused.” 

“…That’s your reaction? I was hoping for some sort of jaw drop here.” 

“No no, it’s not that, they do look great.” 

“Then what’s up?” 

“How are they purple? When you went in they were black like the rest of the ones on the rack.” 

“Oh right! Well yeah they were black, but honestly with my grey coat it just didn’t look right, so I made them purple with a touch of magic. Looks better huh?” 

Felicity looked on at the pair of yoga pants adorning her friends rear, they certainly did stand out from all the other pairs that was for sure. For some reason though something was bugging her, and she pointed with her hoof to a sign next to her head in the middle of the 2 chairs next to the changing rooms. 

Magically altered clothing must be paid for immediately, no exceptions – Management 

“Did you not see the sign? Guess I am buying them now regardless.” Felicity chuckled, standing up and walking over to her friend, coming a little close to her rear. 

“Hey don’t touch, just look okay?” 

“Fine, I just wanted to see how they looked. Man those are tight. You know really should cut down on food in the future, do you really want to be wearing XXXL clothing?” 

“If I cared do you think I’d be wearing XXL and complaining about how tight they are in the first place?” 

“Suppose not…” She couldn’t resist giving Mags a little prod around her thighs, the yoga pants had almost tightened, hugging her figure at her middle, her rear and on her hind legs. The material felt incredibly soft on her, and her tail poked nicely through the opening at the back just right. 

“I said no touching!” 

“I know, I just had to, a little. It feels good on you, and hey. Might help you if you want to try it again, just with me this time though, even gentler? I won’t take you to a class.” She removed her hoof from her friends thighs, and took a step back from her to let her out. 

“You can wear them home if you like, I mean they do look good on you. I’m not just saying that, they really do.” 

Mags raised a hoof and rubbed her chin, she couldn’t fail to notice Felicity staring, mostly at her rear portions. She had an idea. 

“Tell you what. I’ll wear these allllll the way home, on one condition.” 

“One condition? What’s that?” 

“You have to come over some time and play pinball with me.” 

Felicity smiled. “Wait, your condition is something that sounds fun? Of course I’ll do that. You’d have to try and stop me doing that!” 

“Good, shake my hoof.” The two mares raised their hoofs to each other and then shook, securing the deal. Felicity smiled, and then pulled a few coins out of her wings. 

“This should easily cover it, but I think you gotta take them off to pay.” 

“Not this time, I think I can have a little fun.” 

“Oh um, what are thinking of?” 

“Just follow me, all you need to do is pay.” 

“Alright.” 

Mags made her way towards the cash registered, manned by a deep blue and rather regular looking stallion, who spent most of his day keeping an eye on the store and taking bits for the clothing that was available. His eyes widened at least twice as much when he set eyes on a rather portly mare trotting towards him, wearing a pair of their yoga pants as she turned herself sideways too him, nearly blocking his vision of the isle she had come down with her wide flanks. 

“Hello, I need to pay for these please. Sorry I accidently made them purple because I thought they looked a bit better on my chunky thighs. Wouldn’t you agree?” 

The stallion struggled to speak, but eventually a “…U-uh huh. T-two bits.” Softly left his lips as he couldn’t help but stare, just as Felicity had been doing a few moments ago. 

“Ah I’m glad, Felicity please pay the kind stallion, and I’ll meet you outside.” Mags gave him a wink, making his cheeks go a slightly pale red as he almost fumbled the two bits Felicity had put in his hooves, not even checking to see if it was correct before opening the register. Felicity managed a “Thank you!” but the words never even registered in his brain as he watched the mystery mare trot away from him, her cheeks hugging the yoga pants as she trotted out the door, closing it behind her. He had hardly noticed another impatient customer had come to the register, coming back to with a startled yelp before snapping out of his yoga pants induced coma. 

Outside, the two mares erupted into laughter for a good solid five minutes. Mags could hardly contain herself, almost spread eagle on the floor as Felicity laid next to her laughing her head off as well. Eventually their laughs turned to chuckles as they composed themselves, Mags speaking first. 

“I’ve used that trick a few times, I wanted to see how well it would work with something like that. Usually my large rear is enough to set them off but man, these pants apparently have more use than just for yoga. Did you see his face? His eyes did not leave my butt except to blink! You know I was thinking of backing out our little bet but I will wear these home, see if I can set a record for stares. Hahaha!” 

“I know! He hardly said anything, he was practically slavering over you the entire time. I think I could have just given him some worthless metal coins and he’d have just pushed them in the register!” She giggled a few more times before getting up herself. 

“See, told you I’d have some fun.” Mags smiled, she was so glad she had given this mare another chance, she really was a lot of fun. And she had done some very nice things for her all day, not all successful but this had been the icing on the cake.  

“I do need to get home, the day is drawing in. But we need to do more things in the future. I know where you live, you know where I live. What about an open door policy where we can just meet whenever. Sorry I know that isn’t a really great idea but I like spending time with you…” Mags blushed a little. She never really said these things, she wasn’t even sure if it was the right thing to say but she was relieved when Felicity smiled back at her. 

“Me too, and it’s so nice to have a real friend. And I like that idea, I’m often free.” Felicity shuffled her hooves and looked around, they were alone on the street. No other ponies occupied it. It seemed like a good natural end to the day. 

“Well like I said, heading home. See you soon then?” 

“Of course! My homes the other way, but I’m sure you knew that.” Felicity grinned, turning herself around to head home. “See you soon friend!” 

“See you soon.” Mags said, almost with a little lift in her tone of voice. She started to make her way home. She was going to have a fair bit of explaining to do, her mum was going to immediately ask about the purple yoga pants, but she was sure the truth would be fine this time. She was also waiting to see just how many stares she was going to get, maybe keep a mental count and let Felicity know when she saw her next, she was sure she’d get a giggle from it. Whatever happened, she felt she had made an exceptional friend and knew it wouldn’t be long before she would be seeing her again. She smiled to herself, and began her journey home.