> Family is Who You Love
>  by Kind of Brony
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anon entered his small apartment like a zombie and plopped onto the couch. Another date, another runner.

It'd been going pretty well he had thought, the blind date mail service he had joined having supposedly matched him up with a mare he was compatible with, and she seemed nice. They talked about books and literary styles over a nice dinner, and as it neared it's end, he invited her over for coffee. Of course, he mentioned that they'd have to be quiet so as to not wake his daughter.

Then he saw it, the familiar maelstrom of emotions flashing behind her eyes as she said dully, "You have a foal?"

Yes, yes he did. He had a wonderful eight year old daughter named Jane Doe Mous. She was from a one night stand when he was eighteen. It had been a graduation party that the whole class attended, and he ended up sleeping with a goth girl that usually kept to herself.

They had been drunk and stupid, and when she found out she was pregnant, they tried to make it work. One month after the baby had been born, however, she was gone and Anon was a single father. Luckily his parents were supportive and helped care for their granddaughter, and little Jane Doe had a pretty stable life until she was six.

Then the portal to Equestria sucked them up and their life was uprooted. Two years since, and Anon had managed to get their new life on track, getting a book published after hundreds of edits. Finally off of welfare and able to support himself, Anon tackled the next issue in his life. The loneliness.

Sure, his daughter was a bright light in his life, and both his editor and agent were good friends, but he was still a man, and a man had an almost instinctual need for a woman. Or a mare in this case. He was an open-minded fellow. Only problem was, he couldn't find one willing to settle down with a single father, and like tonight, many got up to use the bathroom and never returned.

"Dad, you alright?"

"Jane? Why aren't you sleeping?"

"I was waiting for you," the little girl responded, standing in the entryway in her too-small PowerPuff pajamas she refused to throw away.

"You shouldn't have. Tomorrow's a school day."

"School's easy and I wanted to know how your date went."

Anon sighed, running a hand over his forehead. "Not... Not so good."

"Oh..."

"It's fine, you should go to bed."

Instead, the little girl walked closer to her father, stopping in front of him. "Was... was it because of me?"

Anon looked up, words of denial dying on his lips as soon as he saw her sad, knowing eyes. There was no point in lying. "Yeah..."

"... I'm sorry," she whispered, leaning in to hug him.

He wrapped his arms around her, rubbing small circles into her back. "I'm not," he said. "She was a bitch anyway."

The girl smacked a palm weakly against her father's chest and mumbled, "Bad word," into the crook of his neck.

Anon smirked. "Sorry, baby girl. Come on, let's tuck you in."

"Will you read me a bedtime story?"

"Sure, which one?"

"Lord of the Ring?"

"We'll be up for hours."

"So?"

"You'll sleep through your classes."

"They're easy," was the glib response.

Anon sighed. "Fine."



"Told you you'd be tired," Anon said to the daughter slung over his shoulders as they walked home, her head resting next to his and her eyes closed. "Maybe you should start listening to your old man."

"Mm'not that tired," Jane muttered, failing to suppress a yawn. "I'm wide awake."

"Leave the story telling to your dad, kiddo, you're horrible at it," teased Anon with a smile. "Your teacher was pretty upset about you snoozing, too."

"She's just mad 'cause I answered all her questions even when I slept through the lecture," Jane retorted. "Her class is easy."

"Hey, ease up on the mare, she just wants you to do well."

"She should teach us harder stuff then."

"Well, pony academics aren't the same as back on Earth-"

"It's easier," Interrupted the girl.

Well, Anon couldn't exactly argue with that, schoolwork here was lower by a notch or two. Ponies learned in third grade what he remembered from second, so his daughter was basically repeating a year when she first enrolled. Even after being moved up a grade, she was still having an easy time with the schoolwork, but that was more due to her naturally sharp wit.

He'd actually considered moving her up another grade, but wasn't sure yet. "You're just too smart," Anon finally decided on saying. "Is the class easy for the other students?"

"Kinda..." she answered uncertainly. "I guess Sheet Iron got a D on her last math test."

"See? Had the teacher made things harder, Sheet would have got an F. Don't expect everyone to be able to do what you can do, we all have our strengths and weaknesses."

"Like how Sheet can bend iron bars with her hooves."

"Uhh, exactly... You're nice to Sheet Iron, right?"

"Yeah, she's my friend. Why?"

"Nothing, just glad you're getting along with her. Make sure you stay on her good side, though." Anon really didn't want to get a call that his daughter got bent into a pretzel by one of the foals for picking fights.

Jane perked up and pointed sideways. "Can we stop at the library?"

Anon turned his head to see the Canterlot library and hummed. "We could, but you sure you don't want to go home and take a nap? We could come back later."

"Na-uh, let's go now," was the stubborn response.

Anon can't help but chuckle and give a little shake of his head. His daughter had really taken after him when it came to her love of reading, and add onto that Equestria's lack of cable television, and all Jane ever wanted to do was bury herself in books.

"If you really want to, I guess we can make a quick stop," Anon conceded easily, secretly wanting to go inside himself. "Just try not to fall asleep in one of the beanbag chairs again, okay?"

The girl blushed slightly. "No promises."

This time, Anon's laugh is loud and he gets more than a few strange looks from the ponies walking the streets around them. "That's fair. Those beanbags are pretty comfy. Come on."

With that, the two humans entered through the large- by pony-standards, anyway- doors and into the larger library. Lowering the little girl to the floor, she took off between the shelves as if she were not just about to fall asleep on her father's back a second ago.

"Hey! No running in the library!" Anon yelled, only to flinch at the echo of his own voice.

He flinched again when he heard another voice clear besides him. Whipping around, the man was greeted by the sight of an old, blue-grey mare with a light purplish mane and thick, gold-rimmed glasses.

"Er, sorry Miss Scroll," he mumbled to the old librarian. In truth, he was pretty sure she didn't like him, but he couldn't imagine why. Sure, his daughter could get a little over rambunctious at times while in her library, but she was always good about putting books back in their proper places and being quiet.

"Stallions," the mare mumbled after a moment, walking past the human. "Runnin' around without a herd. Yellin' in libraries. Filly ain't gonna turn out right..."

As she continued her borderline insane mutterings, Anon released his held breath. Whatever, if the old mare didn't like him, then oh well. As long as she didn't do anything to hurt his daughter or kick them out, she could think what she wanted.

Anon wandered towards the fiction section, intent on reading some of the more popular stories he could find. It was more for research than entertainment as it helped him understand what themes and styles sold and which didn't. His first few attempts at getting a book published fell flat because he had written them as he would for a human audience back home. But this wasn't home, and these weren't humans.

Equestria was significantly more peaceful than just about anywhere on Earth, and ponies were far more sheltered as a result. Before he fully grasped that fact, he traumatized a few agents with his more... gritty manuscripts. The book he did finally get published read like what you'd find in a middle schooler's backpack, and yet was still marketed towards adults as it was apparently too mature for younger audiences.

For his next story he would try to write for young adults to help maximize sales, which is why he found the most popular story he could through some asking around of other library goers. Eventually he sat down with the first installment of Daring Do. A classic, all the ponies assured him.

Judging by the thickness of the book and size of the print, this would take maybe two hours to finish, plenty of time for his daughter to enjoy herself and get tuckered out.



Jane wandered between the shelves, head looking this way and that for any titles that sounded interesting. Her exhaustion was temporarily chased away by the prospect of new books to read. Most that she'd read since arriving in this strange world had been kind of predictable, but they were also so happy and uplifting that she always felt her spirits rise after reading them.

Being as focused on her task as she was, Jane didn't notice the pony in front of her until she bumped into the mare's rump.

"Eep!" The pony whipped around to look at the little girl through dark rimmed glasses. "Ah! What- who-?!"

"Sorry," Jane blurted, taking a nervous step back. "I- I wasn't watching where I was going."

The beige mare seemed to have calmed down some, looking around for a second before letting her eyes settle on the girl. "It's, um, it's alright, no harm done. You just spooked me a little, is all. You're very quiet."

Jane tilted her head. "Thanks? I guess it helps when you only have two feet and they aren't hooves."

The mare giggled some at that. "Huh, maybe...."

The following silence was awkward, even in a library, and the girl quickly tried to fill it. "I'm Jane Doe, a human."

"Oh, well, I'm Moondancer... a unicorn."

"Yeah, I could tell," Jane commented, tapping her own forehead where a horn would be. "It's kinda hard to miss when it's glowing."

Moondancer's eyes moved upward as if to spot her own horn past her bushy eyebrows. Sure enough, it was alight with a pale aura, the same that coated the floating book next to it. "Right..." she muttered, cheeks going pink.

Jane pointed at the book. "What'cha reading?"

"This?" the mare began, blush remaining. "It's just a book I liked when I was a filly. I saw it on the shelve and was... reminiscing, I guess."

"Is it good?"

"W-well, I think so."

"Can I read it?"

Moondancer blinked, levitating the book down into the girl's waiting hands. "Sure..."

"Thanks," Jane said, scanning the cover for a few seconds before looking back up. "Wanna read it with me?"

"E-excuse me?"

"Books are best when you're reading them with someone, that's why I like story time with my dad so much."

"Oh, I see," Moondancer replied, not really seeing.

"So do ya?"

"I don't know. I came here to pick up some research mat-"

"Please?"

Moondancer didn't know how she ended up with a hooman filly pleading for her to read a book, but one look into those shimmering green eyes, and she couldn't find it in herself to refuse. "Okay."



Anon yawned, finally closing the cover of Daring Do after an hour and ten minutes of straight reading. The final verdict... it was okay.

It felt like what Indiana Jones would have been had it been an actual PG movie and not what led to the creation of the PG-13 rating after the Temple of Doom. The adventure was sweeping, the violence brisk and contained to only a few pages total, and the good guy, or girl in this case, triumphed over the comically villainous Ahuizotl.

At least the bad guy was more unique than Nazis and was a pretty cool creature. Anon wondered briefly if such a being actually existed here or if it was a mere work of fiction. As much as the logical part of his brain said it was the latter, the part that had been living in magic pony land for the last two years was a bit more permissive of the idea.

Regardless, he was feeling a little tired himself now and figured that his daughter was probably passed out somewhere and ready to be tucked into bed. Returning the book to its proper place so as not to bother the grumpy librarian, Anon set out in search of his daughter. It wasn't long, nor surprising to find her on a bean bag, eyes barely open.

It was, however, surprising to see a pony he did not know sharing the bean bag, curled around his daughter as the girl leaned back against the mare's side. Out in front of them was a book floating in a pale pink aura that the unicorn was reading.

"-And so the little lost filly left the woods, tired but safe, never knowing that the forest spirit, Puck was watching over her the whole time. With his ward on her way back home, the little sprite nodded his head, releasing another chime of bells the very same he used to guide the filly, and flew back into the forest, ready to tell all of the woodland creatures of his most recent adventure.

"He giggled silently to himself, imagining the look on BunBun's face as he regaled her with his harrowing tale. She always said he got up to the strangest things."

With that, the mare closed the book with pleased smile, and asked, "So, what did you think?"

"Eh, wasn't the worst ending I've heard," commented Anon, leaning against a bookshelf and crossing his arms. "Kind of curious about the filly, though. It didn't even say if she actually made it home, but maybe that's just my inner parent fretting."

"Daddy?" his daughter breathed, sitting up to rub her eyes.

Anon smiled.

"Yep. You okay, Jane?"

"Yeah," she said, yawning. "Miss Moondancer was reading me a story."

"I can see that. The two of you seem pretty comfy, snuggled up on that beanbag together."

That was enough to finally get a reaction from Moondancer, who had frozen up and was gaping until then at the tall human who walked in on her story telling.

"Ah, oh! Um, this- this isn't what it looks like, I swear! W-we were just reading, sir! I didn't- I wasn't-!" While she spewed assurances, Moondancer tried to scramble out from the bean bag while not jostling the girl practically sitting on her, eventually face planting off of the squishy seat.

Both humans simply stared as the mare righted herself to reveal her glasses askew and face beet red. "... You're not going to call the guards, on me, are you?" She whimpered, staring up at the father who's child she'd just been snuggled with.

Anon raised a brow. "Guess that'll depend. First, who are you, and why were you sitting with my daughter?"

"I already told you, Dad. She's Miss Moondancer," Jane commented, moving to pick up the book the mare had dropped to begin inspecting it for damage. "And we were sitting together because the red bean bag chair is, like, a hundred times better than the blue one. Plus Miss Moondancer's sweater is super soft and warm to lay on."

Anon turned his eyes back to the mare who had straightened her glasses and was now in the process of tugging on the hem of the aforementioned sweater. She looked up and gave a nervous smile.

Anon sighed. "Did you ask her to read to you?"

"Um, kinda?"

"So that's a yes," Anon said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Okay, from now on, add 'don't ask strangers to read to you,' to the list of things you shouldn't do."

"Ahh, but why?" Jane groaned, crossing her arms with a huff. "First no candy from strangers, and now this?"

Ignoring her, Anon turned to Moondancer, who was looking at the little girl with a smile and barely contained giggle. "Listen, Moondancer, right? I'm sorry if my daughter was bothering you. She can be a little... unaware of others, if that makes sense."

Which was to say, she had trouble taking into consideration the wants and needs of those around her sometimes, but it was never malicious.

Luckily, Moondancer seemed to get what Anon meant, or at least wasn't upset, as she smiled. "It's fine, I didn't really mind. If anything, it was nice to read Puck and the Fae Woods again. It was one of my favorites when I was your daughter's age."

"See, Dad, she liked it," Jane stated triumphantly. "And I had a lot of fun, too. Miss Moondancer did a whole bunch of silly voices for all the characters. You could learn something from her."

At this, Anon actually looked offended. "Hey, I do voices every time I read you a story."

Jane simply rolled her eyes. "Yeah, like, the same five voices over and over. You even use the same voice for a bunch of character in the same book. That's just confusing."

"Well, excuse me for not being Mel Blanc."

"Who even is that?"

"A legend, that's who!" Before Anon could start informing his daughter of the auditory talent that was the Looney Toons voice actor, an important part of her human heritage, Moondancer interrupted with a giggle.

"What's so funny?" Jane asked with a tilt of her head. "Did you remember a good joke?"

"No," the mare answered around the hoof held up to her mouth. "I'm sorry, it's nothing." Clearing her throat, Moondancer stood up and tried to look composed, but by the way her lips kept twitching, it was a struggle. "It was really nice meeting you both, but if you aren't going to call the guards on me, then I should probably let you be on your way. Wouldn't want to keep your herd waiting. They could worry."

"Herd?" Jane questioned curiously while Anon scratched the back of his neck.

"Uh, I don't have one of those actually. Heh, ideas still kind of weird to me honestly."

Moondaner blinked. "Oh, sorry, um, your wife, then-"

Anon hissed through his teeth and hunched his shoulders, feeling embarrassed despite himself. "Ah, don't have one of those either."

At this, the mare's mouth falls open slightly as she gawks. "You're... single?"

"Yeah..."

"But you're a dad."

"I am."

"... Oh," Moondancer finally managed. Then her mouth snapped shut, her eyes went wide, and she blabbered, "Oh wow, look at the time! I should get going! It was nice to meet you! I had fun, Jane! Bye!"

With that, the mare turned tail and ran, getting Anon's shoulders to drop dejectedly and Jane to tilt her head. "... But what about your book?" the little girl asked the now empty space. "I thought maybe you'd check it out and read it at home since it's one of your favorites."

"Don't worry, Jane. I'm sure if she wants to read it again, she'll come back and check it out." Anon said, placing a hand on his daughter's shoulder and getting her to look up at his tired smile. "How about we go put it back on the shelf so she'll be able to find it easier?"

"Okay," she agreed, hugging the book to her chest. Once she looked away and they began to walk, Anon let his smile drop.

Another mare ran for the hills after finding out he's a single father. It's not just dates affected by whatever stigma these ponies have against single parents, it would seem. Suppressing an exhausted sigh, the father and daughter returned Puck and the Fae Woods to its proper place before leaving the library.

Meanwhile, a beige mare with her back pressed up against a shelf is cradling her head in her hooves, muttering to herself. "Stupid, stupid. Why are you so stupid, Moondancer? While you were at it, maybe you should have used some of Minuette's pick up lines, really made sure he'd never want to see you again. Couldn't have been much worse than bringing up an absent mother, right?"

With a groan, she threw her head back, thumping it on the wood behind her. "How'd that even happen? That stallion was so sweet, so kind, there's no way a mare could be stupid enough to leave a stallion like that, let alone such a wonderful little filly. She must have- have died, or something even worse. That poor stallion, he's probably so broken up inside, but he's still staying strong for his filly, and then I have to go and drudge up past trauma."

Letting her head drop, Moondancer slowly got to her hooves. "I really am the worst," she said, trudging towards the exit. She no longer had the desire to do research after having just made a complete fool of herself, as well as ruining a stallion's day. She was going to go home, thump her head off a wall for fifteen minutes while berating herself, then wallow under the sheets in her dark bedroom for the rest of the day. it's what she deserved.



Later that night, Anon was tucking his daughter into bed, running a hand over her head as she looked up at him.

"Hey, Dad?"

"Yeah, sweetie?"

"Do you think we can see Miss Moondancer again?"

Anon's hand slowed. He was afraid something like this would happen. Ever since she had woken from her nap, Jane had been talking about the book and the mare who read it to her from the library. Apparently, Jane had stopped the pony multiple times to ask questions, like if all the strange animals Puck and the filly encountered were real, and wanted to tell her Dad all about it.

This Moondancer was a well of knowledge, it would seem, never once getting annoyed and always willing to give detailed answers to every question. The more his daughter talked, the more Anon could tell how taken his little girl was with the pony. And the more he feared she'd have her feelings crushed when she learned Moondancer wanted nothing to do with them.

"I... don't know, sweetie. We didn't exactly exchange information," Anon tried, hoping to guise the mare's avoidance as mere bad luck.

"Oh... Maybe we can go to the library tomorrow and look for her," the girl suggested, getting Anon to wince minutely.

"Yeah... maybe," Anon agreed noncommittally. "That's tomorrow though, and I doubt a half hour nap is going to be enough rest to get you there. How about you focus on getting a good nights sleep, huh? Besides, you still have school in the morning."

Jane frowned. "Moondancer taught me more than school. She's super smart."

Anon chuckled despite himself, ruffling the girls hair before finally getting up. "I'm sure she is," he said. "But even smart people need to go to school. I'm sure even Moondancer did, and you will, too, so go to sleep."

Jane grunted, but shut her eyes, signaling the end of their conversation. Anon's smile became the slightest bit sad as he moved to the door, taking one last glance at his daughter before flipping off the lights. Though Anon wished he could protect his little girl from all the hardships of life, it was times like this that he truly felt how impossible the task really was.

All he could hope was that Moondancer never returned to the library, or more realistically, Jane could handle the rejection when the mare did.
> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Moondancer groaned and tried to pull the blankets tighter around her ears, but alas, there was no blocking out the sound of incessant pounding as somepony didn't get, or ignored the silent message that she did not want to be disturbed even after five minutes. When Moondancer finally did slink out of bed, it was more to prevent damage to her door then to talk to whoever was there.

Making her way down the hall, she grumbled to herself all the things she'd say to the excessive knocker, until finally, she reached the entrance. "Can't you get that I don't want- Ow!"

Just as the beige mare flung open the door, a blue hoof came flying in to conk off her head. "Oh! I'm so sorry, Moondancer! Are you alright?"

"Minuette?" Moondancer said before hissing and rubbing her forehead. "Are you trying to bust my horn?"

"What I was trying to do is get my friend to come to the door, which I did," the blue unicorn explained almost smugly once she saw Moondancer wasn't hurt.

"Yeah, you did," Moondancer grumbled, letting her hoof drop back to the floor. "Is there any particular reason you had to knock on my door for over five minutes for that?"

Minuette rolled her eyes at her friend's grouchy attitude. "I'd say you missing brunch with us girls at the very reasonable time of noon is a pretty good reason. Did you forget Lyra was visiting today?"

"That was today?" Moondancer questioned.

"Yes, and it's one o'clock, which I'm mentioning because I can tell you're just now getting up."

"How do you know that? Maybe I just felt like staying in today."

"Because your mane is still down," Minuette stated pointedly. "What's wrong."

Moondancer's ears folded back as she broke eye contact to stare over her friend's left shoulder. "What makes you think something's wrong? My alarm could have broke, you know."

"Are we really going to do this, Mooney?"

"Do what?"

Minuette sighed, stepping close to the other mare to speak in a quieter voice. "Last year, you were a shut in who avoided all of us like we were strangers, and we let you do it because we thought you just didn't want to be friends. Then Twilight came back, and we found out the truth, found out how sad and lonely you were, and how we all just let it happen."

Moondancer felt her cheeks redden and lowered her eyes as she remembered how she used to be. A hoof coming to rest on her shoulder had her raise them again though. "We all felt awful when we realized that. We felt like we failed as your friends," Minuette continued with a sad smile. "And none of us intend to mess up like that again. You're our sis, Moon, and we'll always be there to help you out, whether you want us to or not." Her smile turned mischievous when she added, "It's a lot easier if you don't try hiding stuff from us though. I mean, we'll find out anyway, and at least we won't have to call Twilight."

"No, don't!" Moondancer nearly yelled. "I'll tell you, but don't call Twilight!" While her Canterlot residing friends could be a bit overbearing when it came to looking out for their bookish friend, Twilight was practically a father cock. Whether it was lingering guilt or merely her status as Princess of Friendship, the purple alicorn tended to overreact to any perceived friendship problems Moondancer wrote to her about.

The last thing Moondancer needed right now was a princess bombarding her with questions and filling lists with plans and backup plans meant to help her out. Not to mention any of her crazy adventuring friends she might bring along. Fluttershy was okay, but Rainbow Dash was loud and brash and always flying into her bookshelves.

All of these thought's must have been visible on the beige mare's face, because Minuette started laughing. "I knew that would change your mind. So, you gonna invite me in, or do you want to spill the beans right here in the open? I don't mind, but you know that stallion neighbor of yours is an awful gossip."

"No, no, come in," Moondancer said, feeling tired despite getting over twelve ours of sleep. Sometimes she questioned why she gave this friendship thing another go when life was so much simpler as a hermit.

Showing Minuette to the living room, Moondancer excused herself to the bathroom. She hadn't left bed in half a day and she could feel the gotta-go jig coming on. After doing her business and putting her hair up, she made a quick stop at her bedroom to snag her sweater before heading back to the living room.

Minuette was looking through a book, quite obviously struggling to make heads or tails of it when Moondancer entered. "What even is this stuff? Doesn't look like any spellbook I've ever seen," the blue unicorn said, turning the book upside down in her magic as if that would suddenly make it understandable.

"That's because it's an alchemy book," Moondancer explained, snagging the tome with her own magic. "It's a form of magic that utilizes the planet's natural energies channeled through specially constructed circles to transmute materials. It's an ancient art that has largely been abandoned due to unicorns simply being able to achieve similar, as well as various other affects with their magic, but I feel like it may still have practical use in our modern-"

"Boring!" Minuette interrupted. "Seriously, forget I asked. If I'd known you'd go into lecture mode on me, I wouldn't have, anyway."

"Rude," Moondancer deadpanned, getting her friend to smirk.

"Yeah, but you still love me."

"The results are still pending on that one," Moondancer countered, placing the book down on the coffee table and ignoring who friend's affronted expression.

"We're besties, and you know it!"

"I don't know, Twinkleshine's a lot less annoying."

"I can't believe you'd say that," Minuette began, pulling up her saddlebags. "And after I brought you your favorite poutine from the restaurant." As soon as the takeout container was out of the bag, the room was flooded with the salty, savory aroma of cheese and gravy, and Moondancer's mouth began to water.

Ears perked up and eyes wide, the bespectacled unicorn was in front of her friend in an instant, grabbing for the container held aloft in her the other's magic just out of reach. "Gimme, gimme!" the beige mare begged, her hunger for unhealthy food clouding her judgement and making her forget that she had magic of her own. "Come on, I haven't eaten since last night!"

"I don't know," Minuette mused contemplatively, rubbing her chin. "I mean, this stuff isn't cheap, so buying it, then hoof delivering it to somepony's house seems like something only best friends would do for each other."

"But we are best friends!" Moondancer exclaimed, now hopping up at the ever rising potato dish, forelegs waving at the peak of each jump.

"Really?" Minuette questioned.

"Yes, the best! You're my bestie, Minuette!"

"See! I told you!" Minuette cheered. "And for my bestie, I have some tasty poutine." As soon as it reached her hooves, Moondancer was again on the other side of the coffee table, container open atop it and her face buried in gravy-goodness.

Despite the grotesque sight of a grown mare muzzle-deep in french fries, gravy, and melty cheese curds, Minuette smiled. "You're welcome," the blue mare said as she leaned back into the couch cushion and waited for the other mare to finish her meal. With how fast she was devouring the dish, she wouldn't be waiting long.

Two minutes later, Moondancer finished lapping up the last drops of gravy and fell back on her rump with a satisfied sigh. "Good?" Minuette inquired needlessly.

"The best," Moondancer answered, muzzle covered in the remnants of a thoroughly enjoyed brunch. After a quick trip to the kitchen to drop her takeout container in the garbage and wipe her face with a wet cloth, Moondancer returned feeling much better.

"Thanks a bunch, Minuette, that really hit the spot." Moondancer said, plopping down on the other end of the couch.

"No problem," Minuette answered, leaning on the other hoofrest so that her body is turned slightly to face her friend. Suddenly, her expression became serious. "Now, tell me what had you shut up in your house all day."

Despite having just ate, Moondancer felt a hollow pit form in her stomach. "Oh, right," she said, twiddling her hooves. "It's really not a big deal, kind of stupid actually, so maybe-"

"Moondancer..."

looking up at the stern tone, the beige mare could see all levity gone from her friend's eyes now, and sighed. "Fine. It is stupid though... I was stupid."

"It can't be that bad," Minuette encouraged.

"I brought up a most probably dead mother to a single father after having snuggled with his filly for an hour."

Minuette's expression froze. "Um, okay, yeah, that doesn't sound... good, but I'm sure that's not the whole story. Come on, details are important. You said probably dead mother, what's that supposed to mean?"

With another sigh, Moondancer went into detail. She told her friend about how she went to find a book on the history of alchemy for her project. How she met a girl named Jane Doe who convinced her to read her a story. How the father arrived to the two sitting together on a beanbag and was suspicious, before becoming apologetic on behalf of his daughter. And most importantly, how Moondancer proceeded to stick all four hooves in her mouth like an idiot.

By the end, Minuette was leaning forward, listening intently. "So that's it? They left right after that?"

Moondancer raised a fuzzy brow. "That's it? Minuette, I brought up an absent mother to a single father. Of course he left, he probably couldn't wait!"

Minuette put her hooves up, placating, "Wow, girl, calm down. I'm not saying he probably wasn't a little hurt, but come on, you can't blame yourself for not knowing. Plus, from the sound of it, this guy was real chill; I doubt he was too mad after."

"You can't know that-!"

"And neither can you," the blue mare interrupted. "Listen, Moondancer, maybe you made a itsy-bitsy, honest mistake. It happens. But hiding in your bedroom and ignoring your friends isn't going to change anything. In fact, It'll probably make things worse."

"Well what do you suggest, oh Wise One," Moondancer snapped, self hatred turning to outward anger. "What? Should I go wonder the streets of Canterlot looking for him so I can say I'm sorry?"

Minuette rubbed her chin. "Mmm, you might be onto something, actually."

"Please tell me you aren't serious," Moondancer said with a flat look.

"Hey, I'm just saying that, if you really feel like you were in the wrong, then maybe apologizing will make you feel better. Do you know his name so we can track him down?"

"... No," Moondancer finally said once she determined that, yes, her friend was being serious. "I never asked."

"Darn," responded Minuette. "Well, maybe we can ask around, describe him to ponies and see if they know where to find him."

"Yeah, like that wouldn't come off as creepy, a mare going around asking for the address of a stallion they don't know. How 'bout we just lock ourselves in the dungeons, save the guards the trouble."

"Don't be such a neigh-sayer," Minuette chided. "This could actually work. Come on, tell me what he looked like."

"Fine," Moondancer caved. "Um, let's see, he had a short, kind of shaggy brown mane, green eyes, he was wearing clothes, which I guess is notable, he was probably eleven or twelve hooves tall-"

"Wait, what was that?"

"Um, he was tall?"

"Twelve hooves tall?" Minuette asked skeptically. "Moondancer, did you meet an alicorn at the library yesterday."

"Of course not," the beige mare answered with a snort. "That'd be crazy. No, I'm pretty sure he was that hoo-man that showed up, like, a couple years ago... What?"

Minuette was staring, jaw hanging open at her flummoxed friend. "Moondancer, for being one of the smartest mares I know, you can be really dumb sometimes."

"Hey!"



Anon put down his book with a sigh and looked at his watch. Already six in the afternoon and still no Mooondancer. He wasn't surprised, but he had hoped beyond hope that he wouldn't have to say the following words. "I think we should head home now,"

Jane's head shot up from her schoolwork to look at her father with wide eyes. "What? But I haven't gotten to see Miss Moondancer yet!"

"I know, sweetie, but the sun will be going down soon, and you haven't even had dinner yet."

"But I'm not hungry," she argued. "And I'm still doing my homework."

Anon gave his daughter a flat look. "First, I can literally hear your tummy grumbling from here, Miss Fire Pants, and second, you had all your homework done an hour and a half ago. You've just been checking it over since then."

The girl's gaze darted to the side "I was studying for a test, too."

"Which is good, but you need to eat, and we can't do that in a library. It's against the rules and Miss Scroll would kill me."

"No she wouldn't," Jane said doubtfully. "She's old."

"And a pony," Anon responded matter-of-factly, standing up. "You know these ponies have magic, and for all we know, they could get stronger with age, like wizards."

While still looking skeptical, Anon could tell his daughter wasn't sure. "That's... probably not true," she said haltingly, thinking of the few old ponies she had seen shuffling about. None of them struck her as particularly powerful, but then again, Princess Celestia and Luna were supposed to be the strongest ponies around, and super old. At least, that's what all the foals told her.

"Well, it doesn't really matter," Anon said, picking up his books. "Because we aren't going to be finding out at the hooves of Miss Scroll today since we're going home to eat now."

Jane looked ready to protest, so Anon preempted her. "I know you aren't hungry, but your old man is, and you don't want your poor dad to go hungry, do you?"

That clinched it as Jane let out a dramatic sigh. "Fine, we'll go get you something to eat," she said as if she were the parent. "We'll just have to come back tomorrow to look for Miss Moondancer."

Anon wanted to tell his daughter that they probably wouldn't be seeing the mare again, but held off. It would do no good to break her heart here in the middle of the library. He'd wait until they were in the privacy of their own home at least so she wouldn't have to be ashamed of her tears.

Putting the book he had been reading away while Jane packed her bag, the two slowly began to make their way out of the building. It just so happen to be at the same time two mares were entering.

"Come on, Minuette, they probably aren't even going to be here."

"Couldn't hurt to check. Lyra said this guy was an author, right? He probably loves being around books."

"Those things are hardly correlated."

"And that attitude is hardly going to help us find this Anon guy."

"I'm still surprised Lyra new his name. She was kind of creeping me out with all the stuff-"

"Miss Moondancer!" Before Anon could stop her, Jane had slipped her hand from his and was running full-tilt at the unicorn from yesterday.

All the mare managed was a yelped, "Jane?!" before being tackled by fifty-eight pounds of excited girl. Moondancer managed to stay upright, rearing back on her hind legs as Jane wrapped her arms around her withers, the small girl swinging suspended for a second before Moondancer fell back on all fours.

"I knew you'd show up! Dad didn't think you were gonna because it was getting late, but I knew we just had to wait a little longer!"

"Y-you were waiting for me?" Moondancer stammered, clearly confused and a bit shocked.

Anon arrived to gently tug his daughter back, freeing the beige mare from her impromptu human necklace. "Jane! What were you thinking, running at her like that? One or both of you could have gotten seriously hurt!" the man chided, though some of the heat was missing due to his own surprise.

She actually came back? He kind of figured she was going to avoid the place for at least a week, not return the very next day.

"She sure did!" the other mare cut in. "She was just looking for the two of you."

"You were?" both humans responded, one giddy and the other surprised.

"Um, well, yes," Moondancer answered nervously.

"Why?" Anon found himself asking.

His daughter decided to provide an answer for the mare by saying, "Because she's my friend and she wanted to read more together."

"That's... not exactly the case," Moondancer began, though quickly continued when she saw the hurt in the young girl's eyes. "Not that I don't enjoy reading with you. That sounds fun."

Anon was about to ask what the hell she was talking about when a throat cleared behind him. Turning, he saw Miss Scroll giving them all a flat look.

"Would any of you like to explain why you are standing around in my library, shooting the breeze like it were your own personal garden party? I'd love to hear how you all simply forgot the universal rule of being quiet in the library."

While Moondancer started stammering and the blue mare glared, Anon decided to run damage control. "I'm sorry, Miss Scroll, we were just about to leave and ran into some friends. We should have stepped out before catching up, though."

The old mare looked the group over before nodding. "You should have. I catch you doing something like this again, Mr. Mous, and I'll ban you from the library."

"Of course," Anon said while ushering his daughter out of the building. "Thanks for letting us off with a warning, it won't happen again."

Moondancer seemed to be pushing her own friend out while the blue mare looked ready to say something. Luckily, Miss Scroll doesn't see the tongue the blue mare stuck out at her as she turns to walk back to her desk.

Once outside, the mystery mare grouched, "That old ding-bat is such a party-pooper."

"Minuette! Language!"

"Oh, get off your high-horse, Mooney. You think so too."

"Actually, I get along just fine with Miss Scroll most of the time... Wonder what's got her so upset."

"Yeah, sorry about that," Anon cut in. "I think she might have something against me. Can't imagine why, though."

Minuette sent a glare back towards the building and mumbled, "Probably a stallion-beater back when she could actually lure them in. Guards should investigate..."

"Anyway," Moondancer began, moving the conversation back onto a lighter topic while a filly was listening. "You two said you were just leaving, right? I hope we aren't keeping you from anything important."

"Nah, we were just going to have dinner," Jane piped up, before gasping. "Oh! Hey Dad, can we have dinner with Miss Moondancer?"

Anon thought about it a second, then answered, "I suppose, if she would like to. We could maybe stop at a diner or something. Heck, I'm always for a night off from kitchen duty." Looking to the beige mare, he asked, "So, what do say? Want to grab a quick bite? You can tell me what it is you were looking for us for while we're at it."

"I mean, I wouldn't want to intrude-" Moondancer began before her companion hopped in front of her.

"That'd be great! She'd love to!" the blue pony exclaimed. "Isn't that right, Mooney?"

The last bit carried an undertone Anon couldn't quite place, though Moondancer clearly could. "O-oh, uh, yes, I suppose, if it's not too much of an inconvenience."

"Of course not," Anon answered, adding jokingly, "Just as long as you don't expect me to pay for anything too expensive. Feeding this little monster costs enough already."

As he clamped his hand on his daughter's shoulder she looked up, offended. "I don't eat that much, liar."

"Not healthy food, to be sure," Anon replied with a smirk. "But ice cream and cookies get expensive fast when you have to have it twice a day."

While the girl puffs out her cheeks indignantly, Moondancer found herself giggling. "So, where are we going?" she asked.

Anon thought about it. "Not sure... You got any ideas, Moondancer? Minuette?"

The blue mare blinks a few times before shaking her head. "Oh no, I won't be coming along. I've got important... stuff, to do, so it'll just be you three."

"You sure? I wouldn't mind," Anon said, but the mare simply smiled.

"I'm fine, really. You just enjoy this one's company, eh?" She wrapped a leg around her friend's shoulders and pulled her into a casual hug. "She's a real great mare. One of the best I know. I'm sure you're gonna have a great time."

While the mare being complimented is stammering with a blush on her face, Anon shrugged. "Well, if you're sure."

"Yep!" Minuette chirped, then her eyes widened. "Oh, but you should totally go to the Tasty Treat. They have like, the best curry you've ever tried. When you take a bite of the extra spicy stuff, It's like Celestia's Sun just powerbombed your tongue!"

"Well, I guess I can't ignore that glowing recommendation. How about you, Moondancer, sound good?"

The beige mare nodded her approval and offered to guide them, but before they set out, Minuette pulled her aside. "Okay, Mooney, you've got your hoof in the door, now it's time to come inside." she said, beginning to grin. "And by come inside, I mean him inside of you."

"Minuette! I'm going to dinner with him and his daughter! This isn't a date! That...! is definitely not going to happen. "

"Not with that attitude. Come on, stallions need to be shown what they want."

"Just- just get out of here, you perv!"

"Alright, but you're giving me all the details later. Dirty or otherwise."

"Go!"

With a few more laughs, Minuette said her goodbyes and the trio were off.



Moondancer had been nervous about the dinner, but since sitting down, she had become far more relaxed. That was in large part because of her company.

"So then Gandalf is all like, 'You shall not pass!' and slams his staff down to make the whole thing collapse, monster and all."

"Wow, that must have been some pretty potent magic," Moondancer speculated. "Destroying such a massive stone structure certainly isn't unbelievable, especially with magic, there are probably even a fair number of earth ponies who could do it, but all together, that's still not a whole lot of ponies."

"Yeah, Gandalf is pretty cool," Jane agreed, taking a bite of her bun loaded with thick vegetable curry. "But when the Balrog fell, it caught Gandalf's leg with its fire whip and pulled him down."

Moondancer gasped. "Oh no!"

"Don't worry," Anon said. "He actually ends up beating the Balrog and coming back as Gandalf the White and with a lot more magic."

"Wait... How does that work?" Moondancer questioned, trying to place the mechanics of such an occurrence outside of Ogres & Oubliettes. In the tabletop game, killing such a formidable beast solo probably would net you quite a few levelups.

Anon could only shrug. "It's a big long thing, but it really boils down to plot convenience. Can't fault the author, though. Even I've done that sort of thing in my own writing."

Moondancer perked up. "That's right, you're an author," she said, thinking back to what Lyra had told her. Apparently the book he had written had quickly become one of the green mare's favorites, and she had since become very interested in the author. Maybe a little too interested judging by how she knew his name, age, birthday, and address.

Moondancer had thought of making use of that last one until Minuette pointed out how creepy it would be to just show up at his house and so they decided to flush the tidbit of info out of their heads and check the library first.

Still, other than knowing the title of his work, Moondancer didn't know much else. "I've never actually met a published author. Well, outside of book signings, anyway, but that's usually only a few seconds before the pony behind you pushes you out of line," the mare said.

"You know about that?" Anon asked. "Since I only have one book published, and it's not even a bestseller, I never expected to be recognized for it." Then he looked down at himself and chuckled. "Then again, I guess I am kind of an alien. That probably makes it easier for ponies."

"From what I've heard from a friend who really likes your book, it's very good," Moondancer commented. "She insists that it's bestseller material, but because you don't have a large following yet, it's not getting the praise it deserves."

Anon rubbed the back of his neck. "I'd tell your friend thanks for the compliment, but I think they're over exaggerating a bit. It's not that good. I'm honestly still trying to get used to how Equestrian story-telling goes compared to what I'm used to seeing back home."

"Hey, Dad," Jane said, tugging at her father's shirt to get his attention.

"Yes, sweetie? Do you need something? Are you liking the pav bhaji?"

"Mmm, it's pretty good," she answered, looking at her nearly finished plate. "But I was gonna ask if I can use the bathroom."

"Of course, here, just let me get up and I'll take you," Anon said, sliding out of the booth as Jane blushed and sent a fretful look at Moondancer.

"I can go to the bathroom myself, Dad, I'm a big girl. I just needed you to move," she said, trying to sound mature in front of their guest.

"Are you sure? What if you fall in again like that time at school? I can't exactly bring you an extra pair of clothes."

"Dad!"

"Okay, okay, I get it. Go on, but be careful." The little girl grumbled as she slide from her seat and walked to the bathroom.

Once she was out of earshot, Moondancer released her giggles. "She fell into the toilet at school?"

Anon smiled himself. "Yeah, but don't hold it against her. That was when we were still pretty new here and she hadn't quite mastered pony toilets. Even I can admit taking some time to get used to them."

"I guess it's something I've always taken for granted," Moondancer said.

"Same as doorway height, I bet," Anon mused. "I smacked my head off of more then few door frames before I got used to ducking all the time."

Moondancer giggled. "Sorry, I shouldn't be laughing, but I can only imagine. I wonder if Princess Celestia had the same issue ever? She's about as tall as you."

"With that horn? Probably," Anon agreed. "Yikes, I may not have one, but I bet that smarts, smacking your horn on low frames. Probably worse than stubbing a pinkie toe."

"I don't know what a toe is, but yes, our horns are sensitive," Moondancer agreed.

"Never thought I'd pity royalty," Anon joked, getting the two to laugh. Silence settled over them after that as they both went back to picking at their meals.

The curry was good, if a bit spicy for Moondancer, and she only got mild. Meanwhile, Anon ordered extra spicy and was hardly sweating. He was a tough stallion to be sure.

"Hey, Moondancer, sorry if this seems out of the blue, but what was it you wanted to talk to us about?"

"Excuse me?" Moondancer said, looking up from her plate.

"Earlier, you came to the library looking for Jane and me, I was just wondering why."

"Oh yes, right... that." Moondancer broke eye-contact to watch her hooves tap together.

"Is something wrong?" Anon asked, frowning.

"No..." she said, forcing herself to look up. "I mean, it's just, I don't know how to say this." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Anon, I'm sorry for yesterday."

The man blinked. "Excuse me?"

Moondancer gulped. "It was insensitive of me to bring up your absent wife like I did. I didn't mean to drudge up painful memories."

"Wife? You mean Jane's mother?" Anon asked, brow raised. "You didn't- wait, you mean when you said that stuff about not keeping my herd or wife waiting?"

Moondaner winced, but nodded. "Yes, that."

Anon stared for a few seconds, causing the beige mare to squirm. "Moondancer, I'm not upset about that," he began slowly. "I wasn't even upset when you first said it."

"R-really?"

"Of course not," he answered. "Why would I have been? It's not like you knew before you said it." He looked down as he stirred his curry around on his plate. "If I'm being completely honest, I was more upset with how you took off like you did. I could tell something was wrong and thought you just wanted to get away from me after finding out I was a single father."

"I would never do such a thing," Moondancer told him, voice rising slightly. "What kind of mare would?"

Anon shrugged. "Quite a few apparently. I've... actually tried dating recently, and, well, whenever I tell a mare about Jane, they end up running for the hills. Last one got up to use the bathroom during dinner and never came back."

Moondancer gasped quietly. "That's horrible! Who does that?"

"No idea," Anon answered truthfully. "I guess maybe they don't want to deal with another girl's kid."

"But Jane is so sweet," Moondancer argued. "You both are. Any mare would be lucky to have you with them."

Anon looked up. "You think I'm sweet?"

Moondancer, realizing what she had said, started to stammer, "Er, I mean, I don't know you that well, but you seem very kind. And Jane is just so-so-"

"So what?" a childish voice peeped. "Are you guys talking about me?"

"Jane!" Moondancer turning in her seat to stare down at the girl with a blush. "You're back."

Jane tilted her head. "I was just using the bathroom. I don't take that long."

"Looking dry," Anon commented with a smirk. "Guess you managed not falling in then."

The girl's cheeks burned and she whined," Dad!"

"Sorry, sorry, I couldn't resist. Come on, sit down and finish your dinner." Jane huffed, but slid into the booth as Anon got up.

Moondancer still felt a awkward and was having trouble looking at Anon for a bit, but Jane remedied this by once again regaling the table with stories from Earth.

These Power Puff Girls could rival the Power Ponies, even outnumbered, with how ridiculous their abilities were.



By the time they had finished eating, much of Moondancer's self-consciousness had faded and she could honestly say she enjoyed herself. She even offered to walk the father-daughter pair home. It was her duty as a mare to ensure they made it safely, after all.

"Well, this is us," Anon said as they reached their apartment building. "Thanks for keeping us company on the way home."

"Yeah, thanks Miss Moondancer," Jane chirped, giving the mare a brief hug. "It was a lot of fun having dinner with you."

"Moondancer is fine," the unicorn said, blushing. "I think we're friends enough to do away with the formalities."

Jane smiled wide and nodded eagerly. "Okay, thanks, Moondancer!"

"Hey, it's getting cold out here," Anon told his daughter, reaching into his pocket. "Why don't you take the keys and get inside. I'll be right up."

Accepting the key to their apartment, Jane agreed and ran inside, taking the steps to the entrance two at a time. She stopped at the door to give Moondancer one last energetic wave which the mare returned before going inside.

"She seems happy," Moondancer noted with a smile.

"She did get to hang out with her cool new friend all day," Anon said. "Wouldn't you be?"

Moondancer rubbed one foreleg over the other. "Me? Cool? Nah, I'm just a nerd."

"Eh, we're nerds, too, and you're nerd-cool." While Moondancer is lost for words, Anon's expression became serious. "I mean it, though, what you did today, it meant a lot to Jane. She doesn't have a lot of friends in school, and none that she spends time with outside of it, so you spending time with her really made her day."

"It... it was nothing, really. I should be the one thanking you guys for the meal. I mean, I would have paid if you'd let me, but..."

"Hey, my guest, my bill," Anon declared, smirking. "If you wouldn't have caved, I'd have fought you for it."

Moondancer, being reminded of the banter she'd sometimes share with her sis', taunted back. "Yeah? Well I'd have just pinned you with my magic. Checkmate."

"Jeez, only one dinner in, and you're already talking about pinning me. How scandalous," the man teased, getting Moondancer's smile to fall and eyes to go wide.

"Wha- No! I- I Didn't mean it like that, I swear! I wouldn't never- Not like never as in you aren't, you know- Like, never do such a horrible, repugnant-"

"Wow, wow, calm down there, Mooney, I was just joking," interrupted Anon. "I was being an idiot, is all. Nothing to get bent out of shape over."

"O-oh... of course, I should have figured as much," Moondancer answered with an unconvincing laugh. "Heh, guess I'm a little out of it after such a long day."

Mercifully, Anon didn't question the poorly delivered lie and nodded. "It has been a long day. I think I'm gonna head inside and crawl under some blankets for the next eight hours."

"Good plan," Moondancer agreed quickly. "I'll do the same... In my own bed, I mean!"

Anon stared down at her. "Right... you do that," he said, turning towards the building and walking up the steps. He stopped at the door and looked over his shoulder.

"Ah, hey, if you want to see Jane and me again, we're on the second floor, apartment two-o-one. We also go to the library on most days after school."

Moondancer is shocked at first that this stallion would still want to interact with her even after such an embarrassing blunder, but she forcefully shook it off and smiled. "Thanks! I spend a lot of time at the library, too, so I'll definitely see you there!" That was a small fib; ever since Twilight gave her the key to her old tower, Moondancer did most of researching there unless she was unable to find the book that she needed, but she'd definitely be visiting the public library more often from now on.

Anon smiled. "Good, I'll look forward to it." With that, he went inside, leaving the motionless mare alone.

Slowly, her smile split into a grin. Taking a deep, chest-filling breath, she turned tail and started running. It wouldn't do to start dancing in the street like a buffoon for every pony to see. No, she'd save that for her room with the shades pulled. Why, she might even sing in the shower, neighbors be damned.

Anything to release the bubbly feelings filling in her tummy and threatening to spread down to her hooves. Minuette and the others were going to freak when she told them about tonight.



Anon shut the door and locked it behind him. He knew the chances of them being robbed by a pony were slim to none, but old habits died hard, and there wasn't much of a reason not to do it. Not where the safety of his daughter was concerned, anyway. When it came to protecting his child, it was always better to be safe than sorry.

"Moondancer didn't come up?" Speak of the devil.

"I didn't realize she was supposed to," Anon answered.

Jane frowned. "You could have invited her in for a glass of water. Maybe she was thirsty after that walk."

"I'm sure she was fine."

"Still though..."

"Hey, come on, don't worry about Moondancer. She's a big pony, she can take care of herself," Anon told the little girl, flopping down on the couch and holding an arm out.

Jane took the silent invitation and went over to sit next to her dad as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "I guess," she muttered, leaning into his side. "It would have been cool though."

"Ah, and now the truth comes out," Anon hummed. "You just wanted to spend more time with her."

"So?" the girl returned, tilting her head back. "Moondancer is really nice."

"She is," Anon agreed.

"And smart."

"That is true."

"And super cute."

"What?"

"Don't you think so, Dad?" she asked innocently.

"Um, I guess. I mean, most ponies are pretty cute."

"Yeah, but Moondancer is cuter, right? She has the best eyebrows and wears a comfy sweater all the time."

Anon leans back to give his daughter a curious look. "Okay, what is going on in that little head of yours?" asked the man.

"What? It's the truth," Jane said. "Plus she really makes those glasses look good. Almost makes me wish I had a pair."

Anon chuckled and shook his head at that. "I think you've stayed up too long. You're obviously getting loopy. Come on, off to bed."

"What? But I still have an hour 'til bedtime!" protested the girl as Anon stood.

"You've done a lot today, though, and need the extra sleep because of it."

"I'm fine," whined Jane even as her dad picked her up around the middle and carried her under his arm, letting her limbs dangle down.

"And you'll be even more fine after a good night's sleep." Jane grumbled, but didn't fight while her dad put her in bed and pulled the blankets up to her chin. "Get some sleep, sweetie, and after school tomorrow, we can head to the library," Anon told his daughter. "Besides, you have a test, right? Got to make sure you're well rested for that."

"You remember?"

"Your dad has a mind like a steel trap." Jane snorted as Anon turned off the light and said, "Good night, Jane."

"Good night, Dad, even if I'm not tired." It was Anon's turn to snort as he flipped the light switch off and shut the door. A few seconds later, once the little girl was sure that her dad was out of earshot, Jane yawned loudly.

"I heard that!" Anon called from the hall. "See! I knew you were sleepy!"

"Stop listening through the door, weirdo!"

"Never!"

Jane pulled the covers over her head and turned her back tot he door, blocking out the laughter from beyond. Anon continued laughing until he was back in the living room. Looking around, the man contemplated what to do next before shrugging. It really had been a long day, and he did tell Moondancer he'd be hitting the sack once he was in.

At the thought of the mare, Anon's smile lessened, but maintained it's warmth. The pony was full of surprises and Anon couldn't help but marvel at how she had inserted herself into their life so quickly. In less than two days, Moondancer had become one of his daughter's precious friends, and, if he was being honest, one of his, as well.

Besides his editor and literary agent, Anon didn't have a lot of friends. Friendly acquaintances, sure, but actual friends? And yet, here was this little bespectacled mare going to dinner with him and his daughter, having long conversations about books, laughing, and making the meal all around more enjoyable than any he'd had in years. Heck, even the dinner dates he'd gone on recently weren't as engaging as tonight's impromptu outing.

With a sigh, Anon shook his head and went to the closet, grabbing his blanket and pillow from within. Setting up his makeshift bed on the couch, Anon laid down and began the arduous process of getting comfortable. Moondancer was a mystery that could be unraveled tomorrow after a good night's sleep. Strangely, Anon was looking forward to learning more about the unicorn.

... Jane was right, though. She really was a cutie.
> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"And then he invited you inside for drinks, right?" Minuette interrupted, leaning forward on her chair and matching the postures of the other two mares. All three had been intently listening since having sat around Moondancer's kitchen table. The bookish mare wasn't used to hosting guests at her house, but she could understand the special occasion. It's not everyday one of their ilk had such a major interaction with the fairer sex, after all.

"Um, no," answered Moondancer. "After Jane went inside, Anon thanked me for making her happy and said some other stuff, then he went inside too."

Minuette groaned in disappointment, falling into her seat while Lemon Heart and Twinklshine eased back. "Well, I guess that makes sense," Lemon Heart commented. "I mean, things were already pretty unbelievable up to that point."

"Seriously, just running into a guy when he's with his daughter, and then getting asked out to dinner by him?" Twinklshine agreed. "That's, like, romance novel levels of lucky."

"Still could have asked if you wanted a glass of water though," grumbled Minuette, folding her hooves. "Maybe you were thirsty after the walk."

Moondancer raised a bushy brow. "But I wasn't."

"But you would've been after riding his cock for an hour," Minuette countered. "Then you'd definitely need to rehydrate 'cause all your fluids would be in his lap."

"Minuette! His daughter was there!"

"So?"

"Now, now, calm down you two," Twinkleshine cut in. "Minuette is just thinking with her clit. We're all guilty of that sometimes."

"Hey! My clit is a certified genius!"

"Which is why you're a virgin like the rest of us."

"At least I've gotten a kiss, Lemon Lips!"

"Girls!" Twinkleshine slammed her hooves on the table, quieting her two companions. "This is no time to be arguing among ourselves! We have a sis here with a real shot at getting with a stallion, and we have to make sure she makes that shot."

Moondancer blushed. "Can we not put it that way?" the bespectacled mare asked. "It kind of sounds shallow. Anon's a really nice stallion and Jane is super sweet. It's not like I'm cozying up to them just for... that."

"No need to go paladin on us," Minuette defended. "We know he's nice, but that doesn't change the fact that he's a guy and he's obviously interested in you."

"Or he just wants you to raise his filly," the yellow mare added absently, pulling chip from the bowl Moondancer set out for them and munching it. When she looked up, there were six eyes staring at her. "What?"

"What's that supposed to mean," Moondancer asked first, looking genuinely confused while the other mares looked angry.

Oblivious to any wrongdoing, Lemon Heart explained, "You know, a mare loves him then leaves him with a foal, and he tries to sucker a different mare into raising the other mare's filly."

"S-sucker?" Moondancer stammered. "Anon is not some sort of-of conniver!"

"Seriously, I only met him for a few minutes and even I can tell he's a chill guy," Minuette said.

Lemon Heart, mind finally catching up with her mouth, looked to Twinkleshine frantically. "Hey, it's not like I'm the only one who thought that! You were worried too!"

With eyes now on her, Twinklshine sputtered. "I never said that!"

"Yeahah! After Lyra got on the train and Moondancer and Minuette left, you were saying how weird it was that Anon is a single father and you were worried that he could have scared the mom off!"

"Twinkleshine!"

The pink-maned mare waved her hooves frantically out in front of her as Moondancer gave her a betrayed look. "Wow, okay, that's way out of context!"

"And what kind of context is there to make that not sound bad," Minuette questioned skeptically.

"I didn't know anything about him at the time besides that he was a writer and that he had a foal," she explained. "I was just speculating. It's not like I was for sure thinking he was crazy or something."

"Anon is not crazy," Moondancer growled, feeling something primal stir inside of her. "And I'll fight any pony that says he is."

"Just calm down now, there's no need for any spell slinging," Twinkleshine said nervously. "It's just something that crossed my mind, and I'm not saying it's right, but you have to understand at least why I'd have thought that, right? I mean, think about, if you got with a stallion, had a foal with him, what would it take to make you want to leave?"

"Nothing," the three other unicorns affirmed with steel in their eyes.

"Exactly," Twinklshine agreed. "And yet, here's this stallion with a daughter and no mom in sight. Honestly, Anon's said every mare he dated ran off when they found out about Jane, right?"

"Yes," Moondancer confirmed hesitantly.

Twinkleshine nodded. "I bet they thought the same thing and were afraid something was seriously off about him and wanted to get while the getting was good."

"But he's not crazy!" Moondancer asserted. "I may not know exactly why she left since I'm pretty sure she's not dead, but it had to be on the mom. There's no way it was Anon."

"That mare must of had some serious issues," Minuette mumbled. "Like, to actually get a stallion on your back, and then just buck him off like old saddlebags? That's cold."

"Well, it's good for Moondancer, right?" Lemon Heart piped in, trying to cheer her friends up. "One mare's trash is another mare's treasure, after all!"

While Moondancer's jaw clenched and Minuette made a disbelieving gesture, Twinklshine rubbed her temples and closed her eyes. "Lemon, sis, I love you, but you really have to learn to keep your mouth shut."

"Ah, come on! What'd I say this time?"

Ignoring her, Twinklshine looked back at Moondancer. "Despite her less than stellar phrasing, Lemon Heart sort of has a point. Anon is single and clearly ready to mingle if he's hit the dating scene, so we have to plan your next move fast. When are you meeting him again?"

"Oh, um, I was thinking about going to the library again around the time school gets out. Anon says he and Jane go there often."

"Good," said Twinklshine. "And you're going to ask him on a date there."

"What!?"

"I don't know," Minuette mused, rubbing her chin and ignoring Moondancer's outburst. "Wouldn't it be weird to ask right in front of his filly?"

"He's a single dad, though," Lemon Heart chimed in. "That pretty much means she'll always be around when she isn't at school."

"Good point," the blue mare conceded. "Mooney knows where he lives, though. Would it be weird if she went over while Jane's in school to ask?"

"Hmm, they've only known each other a couple days; that might be a little too forward," Twinkleshine reminded. "He'll probably feel more comfortable out in the open."

"Or pressured," Minuette argued. "Like, he may not want to make a scene or embarrass Moondancer with a public rejection. He seems like the kind of stallion that thinks that way."

"And what about Miss Scroll?" Lemon Heart asked, "You said she was pretty mad about you all talking at the entrance."

Minuette waved off her friend's concern. "Bah, that sourpuss can go suck an egg."

"I'm sure it won't be hard to find a moment alone with him away from both his daughter the librarian," stated Twinklshine confidently. "Plus, that gives us about three hours to get Moondancer ready."

"Girls, I'm seriously right here," Moondancer snapped. "Can I at least get a say in my own romantic life?"

They all blink owlishly at her before Twinklshine answered, "Do you... not want to ask Anon out on a date?"

Moondancer blushed , crossing her forehooves. "I didn't say that, but you're all talking about it like I'm not even in the room," she huffed, then, after a moment, added, "And what did you mean get ready? I'd just have to show up and ask him right?"

The other mares shared a look, then turned back to her. "It's just, if you're going to try and get a date, appearances can matter."

"And you look like you had a fight with a hurricane," Lemon Heart finished for Twinkleshine. "And lost... Badly."

"Hey!"

"Sorry, Mooney, but she's got a point," Minuette agreed, eying the beige mare's head. "Are you using a thundercloud as a pillow? How is your mane that frizzy?"

"Do I look like a pegasus?" Moondancer grouched even while self-conscientiously patting a hoof to her head and wincing at the extra volume. "It's not... that bad."

"It really is," Twinkleshine said sheepishly. "What did you do before going to bed last night?"

"Nothing, I just took a shower and went to sleep."

"And was your mane still wet when you did?"

"... Yes."

"Yeah, that'd explain why it looks like a rat's nest," stated Minuette dryly. "You're going to need another shower to fix that." Then she sniffed the air and added. "It'll help with the musk, too."

"I didn't want to say anything, but yeah, you don't smell like you just took a shower last night," observed Lemon Heart, tilting her head. "Why is that?"

Moondancer hunched in on herself. "Okay, maybe I didn't go straight to bed after the shower. Anon is pretty cute, after all."

While all three were confused at first, it's Minuette who realized first, eyes going wide. "Oh, come on! You mean you smell because you spent all night jilling off!"

"It wasn't all night!" Moondancer was quick to defend. "It was only for an hour. Two, tops!"

Before any more excessive information could be shared, Twinkleshine held one hoof up while the other was planted between her eyes. "We don't need to know! It doesn't matter!" she said shortly. "Just... go take a shower Moondancer. We'll take turns brushing your mane out when you get out. You'd be exhausted if you tackled that thing by yourself."

While the beige unicorn grumbled about over exaggerations, she still got up to leave. When she reached the archway of the kitchen, however, Twinkleshine called out, "And leave the sweater out here. The smell needs to be washed out of it, too."

Face burning, Moondancer, nonetheless complied, tossing the sweater back at the group. While Minuette made gagging sounds from the sweater landing on her head, Moondancer escaped into the shower for a few minutes of solitude from her overbearing friends. She knew they meant well, but by Celestia, did they have to make everything so painfully awkward?



Anon was not in a good mood as he sat at the table of the library, arms crossed and staring at his daughter. Frankly, he didn't even want to be there, but his daughter had pleaded, and while she may not have been in any position to make requests, she did make a good point. One hour was all he'd allow though, and she was stuck doing her homework in silence in the meantime.

If it weren't for the chance that Moondancer would come by looking for them, they'd be home and the little girl would be in her bedroom all night without dessert. It was times like this that Anon truly despised this world's lack of telephones, and pegasus message couriers weren't a very cost-effective way to have a conversation.

And so they waited for the unicorn to show up so Jane could tell her why she was in trouble. It was a suitable punishment in itself considering how much she'd grown to look up to the mare in the last few days.

Anon heard hoofsteps and turned around. As he suspected, Moondancer was coming from between some shelves, eyes quickly landing on the pair. She looked a bit fluffier than Anon recalled ever seeing her, and her mane was less shiny with oil. She smiled, but it faded when she noticed Anon's serious expression.

"Moondancer!" Jane said, perking up and sliding from her seat.

There's a smile there as she prepares to run over to her favorite pony, but it drops when her father speaks. "Jane, now is not the time."

"Is something wrong?" Moondancer asked, looking between the humans in concern.

"Yes, there is," Anon began, gesturing towards his daughter. "This one got in trouble at school today."

"It wasn't my fault," the girl mumbled, scuffing a shoe off the floor. "Miss Abacus is just being stupid."

"You do not talk about your teachers like that," Anon reprimanded. "That's why you're in trouble now."

"But it's true," she shot back, voice rising. "She's nothing but a stupid old pony who can't leave me alone!"

"You were sleeping in her class again!"

"I answered her stupid question!"

"Maybe we should take this outside," Moondancer interrupted, looking around nervously, no doubt expecting Miss Scroll to come around the corner any second.

Anon took a deep breath through his nose and stood. "You're right. Jane, grab you bag. We're heading home."

"But-"

"No buts. You're spending the rest of the night in your room."

"Should I..." Moondancer started, though was lost for words.

Anon sighed. "We probably won't be back here for at least a few days as part of Jane's punishment, so if you need to talk to me, you'll have to stop by the apartment."

"Oh..." The mare gulped.

"Can I at least use the bathroom first, Dad," Jane said angrily, a tight frown on her lips as she yanked her bag off the back of the chair.

"Don't take that tone with me," Anon said sternly. "And yes."

The girl huffed and marched towards the front of the library where the bathrooms were. Once she was out of sight, Anon released a heavy breath. "I don't know what I'm going to do with her."

"What, um, what happened?" Moondancer began hesitantly. "If you don't mind me asking."

"That's right, I was going to have Jane tell you herself," he said absently, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Guess I lost my temper."

"It's alright if you don't want to tell me. I can tell you've had a long day."

"It's fine," he responded. "She slept during class again today."

"And she... does that often? Is she not getting enough sleep?"

"No, at least, that's not the case this time," he explained. "Jane's just..." He stopped a moment, trying to find a way to say the next part without sounding arrogant, but gave up. "She's too smart for her classes. She loves to learn, but she doesn't feel like school is teaching her enough."

Moondancer nodded slowly. "I can see that... She's a very clever girl."

"Not clever enough to stay awake during class and not talk back," Anon said with a shake of his head. "The teacher woke her up and asked her to answer the question on the board, which she did."

"That's good though, right?"

"Yes, except that she then told the teacher to stop bugging her with stupid stuff. Her words according to the principle who caught me outside when I came to pick Jane up after class to tell me about it."

"Oh, that's... not so good."

"No, it's not," Anon agreed. "She's lucky she doesn't have detention, but that's only because the principle expects me to ensure that this sort of thing stops happening."

"Do you have any plans?"

"I don't know," Anon answered truthfully. "I've thought about it, like maybe having her moved up another grade, but she's already been moved up one, and honestly, she'd probably have to go up two more to be challenged enough."

"That doesn't sound so bad," Moondancer said after a moment. "It sounds like you should be proud."

"I am, but I don't think it's the right thing for her," he said. "She already has a big ego forming as it is; telling her she's three years ahead of the other kids won't help that. Plus, she'll be in class with a bunch of eleven and twelve-year-olds she doesn't know, and she already isn't great at making friends."

"Well, what else can you do?"

"I've considered homeschooling," he admitted, though the tiredness in his voice told of his weariness on the subject. "But I don't know. Being a father is hard enough, and then piling teacher on top of that? I'm not exactly a scholar, either..."

"I think you can hire private tutors for that," offered Moondancer, trying to be helpful. "They're even board certified."

"And how much do those cost?" the human asked. "Cheap enough for an author with only a single published book to afford?"

Moondancer blushed and looked away. "... Probably not."

"Yeah, that's what I figured. I have to get another book published before the year's out if I want to be able to even keep my head above water."

"Maybe you can, I dunno, find some pony willing to help for free?"

Anon looked incredulous and said, "And where would I find a pony with both the time and willingness to teach Jane for free?"

Moondancer actually looked like she was trying to puzzle it out, face scrunching for a few seconds before her eyes opened wide. "I could do it."

"That's what I'm saying, there's no one like- Wait, what?" Anon met the mare's wide-eyed gaze.

"I could be Jane's home school teacher, or at least help," Moondancer offered again. "I have a lot of free time and I'm probably as qualified as a pony can get without actually being a teacher."

Anon suddenly remembered a conversation from last night's dinner. One of the rare few that wasn't about Earth media where Moondancer explained she made her money through private research projects. Apparently she had a wide variety of scholastic pursuits that lead to either Celestia's School or the Crown itself buying the results from her. She had explained that the pay wasn't incredibly consistent, but that it was enough for her frugal lifestyle.

Despite himself, he couldn't deny that she certainly seemed qualified, and he had to shake his head. "No, I can't ask you to do that, Moondancer. It's too much and you hardly know us."

"But we're friends," she argued. "I'd be happy to help, and it doesn't honestly sound like that much trouble."

Anon raised a brow. "Teaching an eight-year-old girl for the next nine or ten years doesn't sound like a lot of trouble?"

The mare blushed. "Well, it's a long commitment, I'll give you that, but I'm sure I can handle the work part just fine. Especially with how smart Jane is. You said it yourself, after all, she's already a few years ahead, so that's just less I'd have to teach her."

"Moondancer, I don't know..." Anon said, rubbing the back of his neck. "This is a pretty big deal. Definitely not something that can be decided on a whim."

"It's not like it's set in stone," Moondancer returned sheepishly. "Just an idea. Maybe think about it for a day or two, and if we decide to try it, we see if it works."

He should have said no right there, but he can't help but be curious about the idea even though it sounded crazy.

Unfortunately, before more could be said, a voice piped up. "Try what?" Jane asked, coming from between some bookshelves with dry, but bloodshot eyes and a curious frown. "See if what works?"

Anon would have said nothing, not wanting to get the girl's hopes up, especially since she was still technically in trouble, but Moondancer beat him to it. "If I could be your home school teacher so you didn't have to go to regular school anymore," the mare explained

While Jane's eyes went wide and her jaw slowly dropped, Anon couldn't help but stare at the beige unicorn disbelievingly. Moondancer, for her part, simply looked between the two, confused, before her eyes suddenly mimicked theirs and a hoof flew to her mouth. "I mean, we weren't talking about anything, right, Anon...? Right?"



Moondancer stumbled into her home, intent on going straight to her room to smack her head against the wall, but she was stopped by her friends in the living room, who had been waiting eagerly for her return.

"So?" Minuette began. "Did you ask him out? Did he say yes?"

"No," Moondancer mumbled, staring blankly at the three mares.

Twinkleshine tilted her head. "No, he didn't say yes, or no you didn't ask him?"

"No, I didn't ask him..."

"Ah, come on, Moondancer, we even practiced before you left," Lemon Heart whined. "Why didn't you ask?"

"Because I ended up pulling a you, instead."

The yellow mare blinked. "You pulled a Lemon Heart? What's that mean?"

The other two friends didn't share Lemon's confusion however, as they both had expressions of horror. Minuette was up and in Moondancer's face in seconds, shaking the other mare by her shoulders. "What? What did you say, Moondancer? What did you say without thinking!?"

"I... I offered to home school his daughter. She's really excited about it."

Minuette dropped her head against Moondancer's shoulder and moaned while Twinklshine covered her face.

Lemon Heart just snorted. "Wow, that was pretty dumb of you. What kind of pony just says something like that?"