> Lost Muse
>  by David Silver
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> 1 - Big Expectations
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Surely you understand." The larger mare loomed over the filly. "You've a bright future ahead of you. You will be something grand, something big! Something worthy of this family."

She frowned a little, imagining the last part was the most important part. "Uh huh... so... end of next week?"

"Yes, precisely." She paced around the filly. "I'm so proud of you, taking this as well as you are. I know this will be a tough transition, but you'll only be stronger for it." She put a hoof on her daughter's shoulder. "In the future, they will speak your name only with respect and awe."

"Sounds neat," she said without much conviction. "Thanks for letting me know. I'll be back later, for dinner."

"Libelous Word." She winced. It was never good when her mother spoke her name. "Go on, but you better be back in time, or I will not be amused, young lady."

"Yes, Mom." Her teeth were set, but she kept a smile on her face despite it, dipping towards her haughty mother. "I'll be there, promise."

"See that you are."

Libelous fled as quickly as a 'proper' little filly could, which turned into a full gallop the moment she felt sure her hooves would not be heard. She threw open a door, wings unfurled, only to almost run into a refined stallion. "Oh,  hey Butters."

"Ma'am," replied the butler. "Going off to see your friend?"

"Sure am."

"Very good." He inclined his head faintly. "Are you wearing protection?"

Her cheeks warmed rapidly. "I can handle that on my own."

"I'm certain you can, Ma'am. Shall I launder your things while you're away?"

She waved a wing dismissively as she stormed past. "Yeah, yeah, see you later." Libelous fled out the front door and took to the skies. The air never judged her, at least not any test she couldn't pass. She did a little twirl, casting aside the grey clouds of her mind for a time in favor for a wild spin.

Below her, she saw a familiar top of a pony. A pony with a pointy bit. He was a forest green unicorn, walking along while a sketchpad floated beside him. She guessed he was drawing something, even if she couldn't make out the details from so far away. "Hey, Splashie!"

Color Splash looked up at the call and his expression brightened to a warm smile. "Libel!" He waved a hoof up at her, standing on the other three. "Come on down here, you crazy mare."

Libelous Word came in at a shrieking angle, pulling up at the last moment to skid to a halt in front of him. "As if you could talk." She reached with a wing to swat at his pad. "What are you drawing, some kind of surreal landscape?"

"What?! No!" He hid the strange angles that made up the landscape he had been working on. "It was, uh, a portrait."

"Portrait of who?" asked the filly, bouncing closer on her hooves.

"Uh... A really nice mare I know." He rubbed behind his head with the same hoof he had waved, his eyes darting away.

"A mare?" she sang in a teasing tone. "Is  it a mare mare, or a filly mare? Are you growing up, Splashy-Boy?"

Color Splash glanced around wildly, "Oh, um, you wouldn't know her anyway."

"Oh, c'mon. There aren't that many ponies in this town." She prodded him in the chest and trailed her hoof as she went around him. "Spill it, or just show me the picture and let me guess."

He kept the picture floating perfectly opposite of Libelous. "What if it's... of you?"

She stopped, crashing to her haunches. "What? Oh! I mean... Sheesh!" She slugged his shoulder. "If you wanted to draw me you just had to ask, moron."

He laughed nervously as he tucked the pad away while she was distracted. "I'll do that next time, honest. Not my fault you're photogenic."

"Stop that." She bopped at him again, but was smiling. "Uh... speaking of that..."

"Yeah?" Color Splash canted his head curiously. "What's wrong? You look upset."

"Well... they did it..."

"Did what?" He leaned in a little, concern written on his face. "Was it your parents? What'd they do this time?" He groaned sympathetically. "Whatever it is, I'm here for you."

She thrust a hoof up and away, at the distant mountain that was barely a shape. "Soon I'll be there, learning stupid stuff my mother wants me to learn, because she knows best."

He grunted, a low noise full of his annoyance. "Well... So?"

She perked an ear at him. "So?"

"So what if that's what she says. Maybe we should... just go, in the opposite direction." He pointed with his horn in the other way. "We'll, you know, find something. Maybe something better?"

"Color Splash..." She stepped closer, an unsure half-step. "We're... just foals... We don't know how to... you know... We can't do that."

"We'll learn." He sat on his haunches and crossed his arms petulantly. "Better than going there because she said so."

"You're... nice... but she'd just find me." She turned away towards her home. "She has the bits, and the ponies. They'd just find us, and we'd get in all kinds of trouble... No... Two weeks, then I go. I have to... Please, be good, alright?"

He was suddenly beside her, rushing her. "Stop talking like you already lost!"

"I did already lose!" she screamed louder than she had intended, huffing for breath. "She wins, alright...? Look, I'll be an adult someday, make my own shots..." She spread her wings slowly. "Do what I want, but... for now, I'm her precious little filly, and I have to do what she says."

He took a step back, still facing her, tears stinging in his eyes. "It's not fair..."

"Nope." She stepped in, closing the distance. "It really isn't..."

He reached for her, hugging his favorite filly friend tight. His nose twitched and his snout wrinkled a bit. "Uh, you smell that?"

He had never been thrown before, but he learned the experience as he crashed back to the ground, flopped and limbs spread before a heaving Libelous. "Nothing! It's nothing!" She turned to flee, but his magic grabbed hold of her tail, preventing her easy escape.

Color scrambled back up to his hooves. "Hey, hey, we're friends. You sit in something? It's not the end of the world, c'mon."

She glanced around, not that there were many other ponies in the sleepy little town on that specific road at that specific time. Despite that, she threw a wing around him and fled off between buildings. "Look, stop asking questions."

"You know that won't happen." He smiled softly at her. "Now, really, what's up? You need to stop by my place and wash up?"

"It isn't anything," she hissed angrily like a tea kettle that was left on for too long. "Now forget it. I don't need you laughing at me."

He set a hoof on her shoulder. "Libel, I wouldn't laugh at you."

"You've laughed before," she noted with a half-lidded glare. "What makes this special?"

"You're scared." He sat down lightly. "And you're being sent off to who knows where? I mean... I don't want you to remember me as the colt that laughed at you. We're friends."

"It's... look..." She thrust a hoof at him. "I just have... a little thing. I'll grow out of it, and I wear protection. I need to go home and change."

"You sound like you're quoting your mom."

She turned bright red. It didn't help that she literally had been doing so. "It's true! You promised you wouldn't laugh!"

He held up both forehooves. "And I'm not laughing, and I won't. You're still an amazing filly. I mean, uh, we all have our... things. I can think of worse."

"Worse than... that?"

He rolled a hoof. "You could be like Chip Tooth, always chewing on something he really shouldn't be." Color shivered softly. "I've seen some of the things he's stuffed in there before... Nope!"

Libelous laughed softly at that, some of the tension fading. "He has no control over himself. If it isn't nailed down,  he'll get it in there, and sometimes..."

"How did he even get to the top of that flagpole?" asked Color with a laugh. "See, compared to that, you're fine. Besides, you'll grow out of it." He bumped into her gently. "I'll agree with your mom, just this one time."

She hopped back. "Well, um... I better do that." She took off into the air, trying to sort her feelings as she went. She expected far more scorn and mockery. Color Splash was a good colt, she decided. Pity she'd soon be living far away from him.





Libelous was sent off to school, as promised. There she refined her skill at editing and journalism, just as her mother had wanted. She was a part of the Word family, and scholarly works were part of what made them who they were. By the time she graduated, she was demonstrating her ability to find lies and deceptions in writing, be it unintended in the form of mistakes and typos or those that the author fully tried to seed.

She touched noses with a mare she had learned to like the company of. "How's the final project coming?"

The mare rolled her eyes with a heavy sigh. "It's a mess! The pony I'm supposed to interview won't answer my calls or letters. How am I supposed to write under these circumstances? I mean, really, you know?"

Libel gave the unicorn a stroke along her side with a wing. "Don't even worry about it. Make his refusal the project. Document how much he's trying to hide from you and go hard into details about that. You'll get a good grade."

She perked up. "You think so? Huh... Major tycoon can't or won't face the press." She tapped at her chin thoughtfully. "What is he hiding?!" She burst into giggles. "You're the best, Libel! Thanks!" She took off in a gallop, looking determined to get to her writing.

Libel spread her wings and took to the air. "You'll grow out of it," she muttered in mocking tones, trying to imitate the inflection of her mother. "Yeah, right." She had grown into a capable young mare, and still she wore that... thing. She kicked out a hind leg lightly as she sailed, which let her feel the angry little symbol of her failure to grow up like every other pony in the world.

She landed on the balcony of her room and opened the door easily with a key she had tucked away. "Home sweet home." When she entered, she saw a letter laying on the counter, all official with a seal she hadn't seen in a while. Her blood ran cold and she cringed away from it.

But there was no hiding from her mother. "I'm basically an adult, why are you bothering me," she hissed at the envelope,  but it provided no meaningful response. With a resigned sigh, she stalked towards it and tore it open, allowing the letter inside to spill free.



It's Been Too Long,

You're overdue to  be matched with a suitable gentlepony. I've arranged for you to attend a proper matching ball where you'll be wined, dined, and paired up with a stallion fitting of your name and station. Show up clean, well coiferred, and in something respectable.
This is how I met your father, so I know it can work. Bring this letter with you, it will get you past the front door, though I imagine noting your lineage would suffice if need be. It's not in good taste to bandy one's name about like a bludgen bludgeon, however. You know that.

Catch a Good One,



Below that was not a signature. It was a stamp, all flowery and fancy with the family crest worked in and around it to such a degree that there could be no mistake that the mare who used it took pride in her family.

She had taken great pleasure in fixing her mother's typo.
> 2 - A Proper Partner
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Libel arrived, landing just in front of the gates. Being Canterlot, she saw there were many unicorns about, with pegasi and earth ponies forming a decidedly small minority in comparison. "Mother knows best," she grunted out, folding her wings in close.

She wore a dress, voluminous and unwieldy. She had to fly slowly with the darn thing on, but it made her look like a 'proper' mare. It also kept her horrible secret hidden from view, so at least it did something right. She saw a unicorn looking over slips of papers before other well-dressed ponies sauntered past him.

She joined the line, tail lashing agitatedly behind her. "This is so stupid."

"You're telling me?" asked a unicorn stallion behind her. "I mean, really. As if I couldn't select a partner on my own. My parents are so regressive it's physically painful at times."

Libelous turned an ear back. "You got forced into this by the folks too?"

"As if I'd be here otherwise." He rolled his eyes and tossed his soft blue mane. "At least you look interesting. I don't see very many upper-crust pegasi, but you have the feeling."

She smiled wryly at that. "Trained into me over years of 'proper education'."

"I know the feeling." He reached over, giving her rump one pat. "Let's endure this together. Perhaps we can find a friend worth having, if nothing else. What is it you do, something weather related?"

Libelous frowned at that. It was so easy to assume all pegasi handled weather... "Journalism," she spat out. "Libelous Word, of the Words. Nice to meet you, Mister..."

"Oooo, a Word, of course." He nodded his head quickly. "How absolutely absurd of me for not guessing that." He gestured at himself. "I'm Cargo, of the Pants."

Libelous looked over Cargo Pants curiously. Fancy Pants was not a name she was allowed to not know. "Nice to meet you. So, what do you do?" If  it was fair to ask her, turnabout seemed alright.

"Attend nonsensical balls." He gestured ahead. It was her turn.

Libel stepped up to the doorpony and offered the letter from her mother. He glanced it over and gestured with his horn for her to move past. She was in. She hesitated though, long enough for Cargo Pants to rejoin her. "As you were saying?"

He stepped up to her side, them no longer being in a line. "I'm still feeling out the field, as it were. I was thinking to get into logistics?" He raised a hoof to gesture about. "The methods of getting things from here to there in a timely fashion are fascinating to me, and lucrative besides when done properly."

She felt her interest die a little. He looked about her age, and he wasn't already chasing after a goal? She had been in school to become what she was for years already. He was just loafing about? What a lazy... She stopped her thoughts, crashing mentally. She was thinking like her mother. It was her mother that had put her in that school, insisted she not trot or walk but gallop towards what she would become.

"Are you alright?" he asked, interrupting her muddled thoughts. "Would you care for some refreshments?" His horn glowed, grabbing a small glass of wine from across the room and floating it over. "You look like you could use a sip."

She reached with a wing, accepting the narrow fluted glass. "Thanks. So... you know how this is supposed to work?"

He lifted his shoulders. "Half of it, I am told, is simply getting a good collections of eligible stallions and mares together in one place. Should things work out equitably, all the better, but..."

"It doesn't end there." Libel rolled her eyes before taking a good pull from the wine. She had a feeling she'd need more before the evening was done. "They wouldn't waste time on just hoping we'd pair up."

"Precisely so." Caro nodded lightly as he took a more reserved sip from a second glass he had grabbed. "Mixed in with us--" He was whispering, leaning in close to her. "--Perhaps as waitstaff, or even other attendees, are match makers. They're watching and taking notes. They know what family we belong to, all of us, and they know what each pair will mean, politically, as well as learning about our dispositions."

Libel's nose wrinkled as her free wing pulled out a notepad from the depths of her fluffy dress. "This is worth getting down."

A hoof came from nowhere, gently swatting the notepad away. "I'm sorry," spoke an elderly female voice. "No reporting at this event, Miss Word." An older unicorn mare stood near them, smiling thinly. "We've been told about you, young lady."

"Hey, don't bully her." Cargo moved to intercede, putting himself between the elder and Libel.

Libel huffed softly. "I can fight my own battles." It had been a kind gesture, she admitted silently as she appraised the older mare. She looked familiar... "And you are...?"

"A concerned elder, here to ensure you little ponies get off on the right hoof." She inclined her head towards Cargo Pants. "Do you like him? A Pants-Word union might be quite equitable to both families." She waved it away. "But no rush. Enjoy yourself, meet others. No need to hurry ahead into a mistake we have to live with."

Libelous edged away from him, not entirely out of a need to avoid what the older mare was suggesting. Was it the wine, or her sudden appearance? Whatever it was, she needed to get out of there, to somewhere quiet and private.

"Don't mind her," insisted Cargo, closing in on her. "I'm not here to force you, Miss Word. If we simply became friends, that would be more than enough, I figure. You seem like a..." His nose wrinkled, and her world shattered.

He knew, and she knew that he knew. Pony noses were frightfully sensitive, and she did not produce subtle scents. "I have to go!" She hurried away from him, scurrying through the crowd as quickly as she could, tears trying to escape her eyes despite her attempt to control it. This was part of her miserable little life. She had to be strong, and tall.

She was gone from the room in a flash, leaving only a trail of her scent behind, for other to turn up their noses about. Whispers began to spread. It didn't take a lot of deductive work to figure out what the source was, that pony that had hurried away so suddenly.

When she returned, the others avoided her, giving her an uncomfortably wide berth despite the otherwise-filled nature of the room. She milled around for a time, but everywhere she went, it was the same. The entire room, it seemed, had decided she needn't be talked to, nor approached.

She saw Cargo Pants and walked towards him, holding onto a small shred of hope. He had seemed interested in her, enough to protect her from that older pony. "Hey..."

He glanced at her, then looked away. "Oh, you. Look, um, Libelous was it? I can't... associate with that, sorry. Best of luck to you." He walked away, leaving her to stew in her shame.

She put on a brave face. She would not cry. She would not cry. It wasn't like she had even wanted to be paired with some random idiot anyway that was only good for being born to the right couple. She walked stiffly from the room, none mourning her passing.

Outside, she stomped a forehoof, the tears spilling free without the social pressure of the room to hold them back. "Damn it all..." She felt certain her mother would place all the blame right on her head. Of course it's her fault. Whose fault could it be? Did some other pony decide she would be a horrible, stinky, freak? She stomped the ground again, her wings spreading.

The party was a bust. Even if the match makers did assign her to someone, it would be with someone else equally as repugnant. She took to the skies, away from that possibility.





Color stuck out his tongue a little as he held up a hoof, examining the large easel that held his work. "Almost..." He floated over a brush and made the smallest dab of color. "It's horrible." He smiled despite his disparaging words. "Which means it's perfect."

He had long ago learned that an artist would never be fully satisfied with their own work, and how to recognize when he was being overly critical of himself. It had proven to be a valuable skill. "What do you think?"

Another stallion looked up from the couch, looking across the small apartment they shared to see the work of art. "She's pretty. Does she exist, or did you make her up?"

"I based her off a friend I had a long time ago." He sighed gently as he floated the easel aside and put up a fresh one in its place. "I bet she's forgotten I even exist. It was years ago, and we were just foals."

"If she's that pretty, you should go find her." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively despite the sleepy look on his face. "You owe it to your fellow stallions."

"I won't get in her way." He began applying broad strokes. The start was the easiest, he had decided. You only worked on the rough details, and it was easy to roll over any mistakes you made as you went. "I bet she's super important. Probably has like a dozen million awards already."

"Yeah?" He flopped across the back of the sofa, foreleg dangling as he watched Color Splash do his work and engaging in no work of his own. "What's she do?"

What did she do? He paused a moment, thinking back. "Something with, you know, words. She's from a family of writers. It's what they do, and she liked writing things even as a foal. She was so cute, writing with her wings."

"Aw, you really miss her." He grinned dopily from the couch. "Tellin' you, you should go find her."

"I don't even know where she is!" He threw up a hoof in denial. "I'd just be a ghost from the past. It'd be awkward for both of us."

"Maybe..." He tapped a hoof against the back of the sofa, still watching him. "Or maybe not. You gonna be happy not ever knowing?"

Color turned to his friend. "What do you know!?"

"Not as much as you." He grinned lazily, much like the rest of him. "What's her name?"

"Uh, Libel, no, Libelous. Libelous Word." He tapped at his chin, teasing the memories free. "Yeah, that was it."

"Word? Like the big mansion?" He pointed up at where the biggest building in the little town stood. "Oh man, you have a secret princess crush and you aren't chasing that? You better get going!"

"That's exactly why I'm not going." He teased a bit at the easel, forming a few clouds in a sea of blue. He imagined her kicking one, though she never had much interest in weather management. She could do it, if she wanted. That was part of being a pegasus. "She's probably so busy she won't even have time to say hi, if she even remembers who I am at this point." He lifted his shoulders softly. "Such is life."

"Such doesn't have to be life." He fell over, flopping over the back of the sofa bonelessly to end up in a heap just behind it. "You have her name. If she's so important, how hard can be it to find out where she lives?" He rolled over up onto his haunches. "Just think about it. Go over, say hi. If she doesn't know who you are, what did you actually lose?"

"Time?" He dabbed a color gently. "Money?" He made a quick stroke, forming a tree. "Dignity?"

"Aw, don't be like that." He hopped up to his hooves. "Look, leave this to me."

Color Splash felt more relaxed. If he was leaving it to his roomie, that most likely meant it would be forgotten and untouched.
> 3 - Young Lady
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Libelous perked an ear at a knock. Her cheeks warmed. She wasn't wearing anything but... protection. "One moment!" She called.

The door swung in anyway. It was her mother, a dour and serious look on her face. "There you are. We need to talk."

Libel shrank back a step. "What are you doing here?!"

"I'm allowed to visit my wayward daughter." She arced a brow at Libel. "Or has that changed?" She approached, brows creasing into a frown as she went. "Look at you, still wearing those... I hear that got you chased away and the family name sullied. Sullied, just like those." She prodded the diaper, only managing to prod a strap as Libel span around to avoid having her mother behind her.

"It's not a choice," hissed Libel, scowling at her mother. "You think I like wearing these?"

"Well, it was certainly you that has all of Canterlot talking about how you took the piss on the Word family name." She raised a trembling hoof, but it slowly fell back down. "And here you are, after attending the ball, and still no suitor. Still no partner. It was literally guaranteed, and somehow... you managed." She shoved a hoof forward, thumping Libel on the chest. "Why did you leave?"

"I didn't want whatever leftover dregs they'd lump me with." She half-turned away, her wings fluttering agitatedly. "Look, I can't help that,  but I won't be settled in with some loser of a stallion. Whatever I--"

"--You stop that right there." She circled to be in front of Libel again. "Having a partner is a key part to being a successful businessmare. It simply is. Get that thing off, learn to go like every other pony on this planet over the age of one, and get your act together." She suddenly turned for the door, stomping with each step towards it. "You're throwing your life away and dragging us through the ammonia-scented mud while you do it."

With a loud bang, her mother had departed. Libel sank to her belly, face red, mind whirling with different thoughts. "It's not... me... I don't want this!" She glared back at her diaper as if it was all its fault. "I was supposed to grow out of this!"

She rose to her hooves, heaving for breath she was slowly regaining. "Stupid mare... I can get a partner, and it'll be my partner, that I choose." She thought of the senior-year student she had been helping. "She's nice..." Had all the right curves and a personality she liked. "I should check in on her." She went to her closet to get some clothes. She had no interest in showing off her padded shame to the pony she hoped would become a marefriend.

She stepped out into the hallway, a little smile worn along with a sensible set of jeans and shirt that covered up anything she wouldn't want seen.

"Going somewhere?"

Her blood ran cold. Her mother hadn't left, simply waited.

"Good to see you looking more presentable. Now where are you going?" She stood up from the chair she had been in.

"Why are you stalking me?!" She hissed under her breath, turning to face the older mare. "Look, I'm not a child anymore."

"You still act like one." She approached with half-lidded eyes. "Now, as it turns, I have an answer to your 'little problem'."

Libel's ears raised just a little. "Wait, you can fix--"

"--I have a suitor that will match you just fine." She reached a wing back and drew out a folded letter, offering it to Libelous. "You will meet him, make introductions, and send me a fine letter speaking of how famously you two hit it off."

Her ears fell. No, no fix for that, just... "Thanks... I'll be sure to reach out." Around never, she added silently. "Is that everything?"

"Just one thing." She leaned in dangerously close. "I read your article in the Canterlot Canter. Quite well-written, my dear. You haven't made a waste of your education at least."

Libel felt a smile struggling to appear, but she crushed it back. "Thank you, Mother. Speaking of that, I should confer with a peer of mine regarding a potential future project."

"Oh! You should have mentioned that sooner." Her mother stepped out of the way, gesturing with a wing for Libel to pass. "I look forward to hearing about it. Do us proud."

Libel strode past her mother, her steps stiff and formal. They always were whenever she knew the old mare was around, watching and judging. As soon as she was pleasantly out of sight and hearing, she launched herself out the nearest window and took to the skies.

She thought of her mother. That crazy old bat rarely flew, as if she had forgotten she was a pegasus at all. "Hmmph." As if being a noble was some kind of replacement for it. Libel twirled in the air, savoring the sweet freedom of the sky. "Never." She would never forget that. Being a pegasus was part of what she was, and it was a part she loved dearly.

Libel turned her eyes to a small two story but long house that held the students, including the one she had her sights on. "Just wait there a moment." She dived in, wings unfurled wide to catch the air. No matter what bothered her, the air always supported her, carrying her forward with all the speed and grace she felt she lacked at times.

She landed gently right on the side of the building, hooves catching on the lip of a window beside her target. She reached a forehoof and tapped lightly.

"Libel? Is that you?" Libel had to smile at the words. It was far from the first time she'd dropped in like that. "Just a moment." The window opened, revealing the face of a smiling mare. "There you are. Get in here before somepony sees you!"

Libel flipped through the window, almost crashing into the mare. She accepted the excuse to hug her and keep her upright. "Hey there, Blue Shore."

"Hey hey, Libel!" Blue hugged back firmly, then stepped back. "Your idea was great! I've been writing non-stop and I feel for sure I'm gonna get an A + + +! Can you get four plusses? Gonna try!" She bounced in place, grinning widely. "I may not be top of the class like some mare I know, but I'm on the case!"

Libel smiled warmly at her friend. She remembered being that excited in school. It felt like a long time ago, even if it had only been just the previous year. "Yeah? That's fantastic. Are you writing right now?"

"I just put down the last dot on the chapter." She tossed her horn in the direction of a collection of papers. "One more to go." She prance in place, giddiness naked and on display. "Almost!"

Libel gently patted her friend's back. "Hey, let's go ahead and finish that. After that, let's go celebrate. We'll do something fun, together."

Blue gasped, turning to Libel. "You're a treat! This isn't instant, you know that. I better get back to it." A quill floated over to her, her horn glowing. "You don't have to watch me write though, that's no fun." She stuck out her tongue a little as she sat down to get back to work. "Gonna work twice as hard though, knowing my tutor's waiting for me."

Libel's ears span back against her head. Sure, she was her tutor, but... "Well, sure, yeah, but I'm a friend too."

Blue glanced up. "Huh? Yeah, sure, of course. Nobody wants to be tutored by someone who they can't be friends with." She began writing busily on a fresh parchment. "Don't be silly."

Libelous considered her words carefully, feeling she was on dangerous ground. "Blue... What if... I... wanted to be friends, real friends, you know, more than just 'that mare who can give advice about writing'?"

Blue glanced around nervously, her quill dropping to the desk. "Oh! I mean... Uh..." She clapped her forehooves together. "I mean, aren't we that already?" She burst into nervous laughter, not sounding very genuine in her faltering expression of mirth.

Libel felt her posture slacken a little. "Blue... you're the same age as me." Not all mares were shipped off to school as early as Libel had been. "I... like you."

"I like you too," responded Blue as she picked up her quill and resumed writing. "That's why we're friends, right?"

"I like like you," blurted out Libel, perhaps a bit desperate to have her feelings returned.

Blue set her quill down carefully and sat up, taking a slow breath. "Libelous."

"Yes?" She smiled hopefully.

"We're not... friends that way." She looked over at her senior who was the same age. "Besides, um... you... have problems." She put a hoof behind her head. "And that's alright. You're an awesome writer and I super appreciate our time together and wouldn't trade you for another tutor in a million years, but, uh..."

Libel felt her world collapsing around her. "You knew?"

Blue pointed a hoof at Libel. "How much time do we spend together? Do you think I'm blind and dumb? I mean... Libel..." She stood up, approaching slowly. "Libel... I... Please don't  be mad at me..."

"You're just like..." Like who? Everypony?! "I didn't ask for this!"

"Woah woah, I didn't say you did, just, uh... A bit... Look, I need to focus on this writing, alright?" She pointed a hoof back at her papers. "Take it easy, alright? I'll, uh, see you after I get the grade for this." She glanced left and right. "Here's to that A with all the plusses the teacher can manage."

"Yeah..." She reached with a wing, knocking the window open. "Good luck..." She jumped free into the air, leaving a trail of stinging tears behind her as she fled away from the botched attempt to declare mastery over her love life.





The drowsy-looking stallion stepped off the train with a sleepy smile. "Alright..." There he was, in Canterlot, city of unicorns and snobs. He wasn't either of those things. He still felt confident he could find what he had sent himself there to find. "How many Libelous' can there be?" He stepped down off the platform and set off into the city.

"He's gonna be so surprised." He grinned to himself, imagining the look on Color's face when he had an address. "Oh! Oh! Maybe I'll just bring her right back to him." He had to sit and clop his hooves at the thought. "He'll fall over when we come in, his princess under one of my legs."

He approached a random pony. The mare was very dressed. She looked at him oddly, like he didn't belong there, and especially should not be approaching her. Despite that, up he came. "Hey! I'm looking for, uh, Libelous Word? Do you--"

She held up a hoof. "Even if I did, why would I tell you? Who even are you?" She looked up and down his naked form, taking quick measure of his unrefined demeanor. "Go away."

He tipped to the side slightly. "Aw, don't be like that. I'm just trying to help a friend by finding an old fillyfriend of his."

"Charming." She turned up her nose and walked away in a stiff and formal little trot, not looking at him anymore.

"Aw man..." His search for the missing princess would take a bit more work than he had originally planned. "I won't give up," he promised himself with a pump of his hoof. He trotted off in a different direction, looking for a place to stay the night and try again after some sleep.
> 4 - Fancy Meeting You Here
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

He ambled at a casual stroll through the lanes of Canterlot. "This city is so..." What was the right word? He wasn't sure. It was so everything... He watched the fancifully dressed ponies wander past. He watched the fancifully dressed pegasi soar overhead. He watched the procession of a jillion unicorn horns, all turned up away from him.

"Excuse me?"

He turned to see a pegasus. She was dressed as a postal mare and her eyes were misaligned. She was smiling hopefully and didn't even seem to mind his existence. "Yes, hello. I'm looking for somepony."

"Woah, me too!" He offered a hoof towards the mare. "It's like we're brothers."

She smiled at that. "Wow! I didn't even know I could be a brother!" She sounded just as happy as he did, meeting his hoof with her own in a loud clop. "My name's Derpy. Derpy Hooves, and I'm looking for Day Dreamer. Do you know them?"

"Woahhh freaky!" He rocked back with the power of the coincidence. "I'm called Day Dreamer. What are the odds of two ponies with the same name?"

Derpy tilted her head thoughtfully, then blinked. "Wait. Maybe you're the pony." She coiled on herself, pulling out a letter and presenting it balanced on two hooves. "I've brought you a letter!"

Day accepted the letter, gazing at it curiously and placidly somehow at once.

Derpy tilted her head at her newfound brother. "Aren't you going to open it?"

"Oh yeah..." He ran a hoof along the top, popping it open. Inside was a folded letter that he flipped open. "Color noticed I was gone," he laughed at, scanning his eyes back and forth over the paper. "Aw, I didn't mean to worry him. Uh, can I write a letter back to him?"

Derpy landed on the ground lightly and dug out an empty envelope, a sheet of paper, and a quill. "Here you go. Anything for my brother!"

"You are a righteous mare." He took the quill in his mouth and started scribbling at the paper, making quick words.



Hey Bro,

I'm doing alright, so stop worrying about me. I'm in Canterlot. They are so stuck up around here! So many noses in the sky all around me. I'll find her though, don't worry! As soon as I do, I'll head back, maybe with her. Won't that be awesome? You keep working on that sweet art of yours. Oh, I left this month's rent under my mattress if I'm too long, so don't worry about that.

Peace and Love,
Day Dream



He clumsily stuffed the letter in the provided envelope and handed it to Derpy, not entirely contained. "Here you go. Get this back to Color Splash, please."

Derpy got to getting the letter to fit in the envelope better and sealed it shut. "You got it. So are you coming over for Hearth's Warming? It's not right, my brother staying away during the holidays." She waved a hoof at him in a firm reprimand. "You better be there!"

Day stood up on all fours. "I'll be there, uh, where is that?"

Derpy rolled her eyes, a dramatic display with neither going in precisely the same direction. "Silly Brother." She gave him an address and lifted into the skies a little. "I have to keep delivering things. A mailmare's work is never done! Good luck finding the pony you're looking for. Say... who is it?"

Day tilted his head a little. "Her name's Libelous."

Derpy blinked softly. "Her name is a bad thing?"

"Nah, bro." He waved a hoof lazily at Derpy. "Libelous Word, that's her name."

"Oh! I have to give her a letter too. Wanna write her too?"

Day considered that. That would be convenient, but... "I really need to talk to her, you know?" An idea came to him though. "Hey, why don't you let me deliver her letter?"

"Well, I shouldn't..." She slowly landed again. "But, for my brother, I guess I could make an exception."

"You are a completely righteous bro, bro." He held out a hoof, but instead of getting a hoof in return, a letter was placed on it.

She pointed with a wing. "She lives up there. Since you aren't a pegasus, you'll have to knock. Tell them you have mail, 'cause you do, and they'll let you in. Be sure she gets it! I'll get in trouble if you don't, and you wouldn't do that to me, right brother?"

"Right." He nodded firmly and tucked the letter away. "I'll get right on it."

She flew away, confident that the matter was in good hooves.

"Just after lunch." He wandered towards an eatery that was emitting scents he approved of. "Questing is hungry work."





Libel peered in the mirror. "I'm not ugly..." She was, so far she knew, a perfectly pretty mare. She turned left and right, taking in her reflection from different angles. "Everything's in the right place. Nice mirroring..." She spread her wings and brought one before her eyes. "Properly preened..." She gnawed against the feathers a moment, working them into perfect position between her teeth.

She was a lovely mare, or so she worked to convince herself.

She just had one little problem. Her eyes half-lidded, peering at her back end in the reflection. "This isn't even the first time..." She sagged a bit. Her latest attempt to pursue romance was far from her first clumsy attempt. Though that had been the first time the other person had spotted her.

"It was the longest," she noted to her reflection. Maybe that was why they noticed... Give them long enough, and anyone'd notice eventually. She couldn't hide it forever...

"I can't hide." She turned to the door, frowning. "Maybe she's right..." She just had to grow up. "It's time I stopped holding myself back." She thumped the floor and marched to the door, throwing it open with a wing. "Tell anyone that calls for me that I went out on business."

"Yes, ma'am," replied her secretary. It made her smile to think she was successful enough to have one of those.

She just had to stay that way. Libel popped open a window and took off, flying away towards the closest hospital. It was time she got things looked at properly, and a solution was found.





Day Dreamer arrived at the gates to the building he had been pointed to. "Canter Publishing," he read from the sign with a tilted head. "Sounds important." He reached for the gate and tried to push it open, but it was quite immobile.

"Can I help you?" asked a voice without an obvious source, seeming to come from somewhere in the iron bars itself.

Day Dreamer smiled softly. "Woah, wish my door talked to me. That would be cool."

"Can I help you?" repeated the voice. "Do you have business here?" The voice sounded female, and bored.

"Sorry to harsh on your buzz." He coiled on himself and pulled out the envelope. "I have a letter I need to deliver."

"Oh, a courier." With a soft click, the gates fell open a precious inch. "Come in. The gate will close itself after you're past it."

Day Dreamer slipped through the narrow gap, just for the gate to snap shut the moment he was past, clicking loudly with the lock it presumably had. "Freaky." He ambled towards the front entrance, only to stop half way. A flower caught his attention and he had to stare at it a moment. It was a riot of colors, red and purple in wild patterns that made his eyes dart around it, trying to capture it all at once. "Nice..."

He leaned in and took a soft scent, savoring the sweet aroma as it drifted almost as lazily as he moved. "Oh man, I'd love to have a few of these." His voice was empty of jealousy, simply happy to have found such a wonderful flower. "You keep on growing, little buddy." He raised a hoof and patted the flower carefully before resuming his trek.

He had a different kind of flower to find. Ascending the steps towards the building, he was almost knocked aside by another pony hurrying into the building. "Hey?" He got no response from the unicorn that dashed into the building and let the door close on its own slowly behind them. "Wonder what has their tail in a knot..." Still, it was Canterlot. All the unicorns had different things tickling at their back ends.

He reached the top of the steps and turned around to look at all the steps he had defeated, quietly savoring the moment of success. Maybe that'd be a good place for a nap? Nah... He had a thing to do, and ponies got upset when he took a nap on their door for some reason. He pushed on with all the lazy determination he could muster. "Libel? Miss Word? I'm here..."

He had to rear up and get the door handle in his mouth to pull it open then slip inside. It was immediately colder inside in defiance of the warmth outside. Ponies were seated at desks, typing busily on either side. There seemed to be a large desk in front of him with a mare also typing, clacking away at a two-buttoned typewriter quite busily. She looked up when he entered. "The courier? Who's the letter or..." She trailed off, seeing he held a letter. "Nevermind. Who's it for?"

"Libelous Word," he proudly declared. "I have a letter and a message for her."

The mare's brows both went up. "Oh, the mystery deepens. I won't pry." Being an office of journalists, prodding too much into the sources of others was a good way to cause no end of trouble. "Her office is on the second floor, 204. Knock before entering."

Day Dreamer nodded at her. "Righteous. You've been great." He moved to walk past her and her big desk. "Where's the stairs?" She pointed the way. "Thanks." And off he went, walking in no particular hurry.

The secretary watched him go a moment, shaking her head. "Slowest courier around... I wonder why they keep him around." Her eyes fell back to her own work and her typing resumed in a furious click-clack, the matter dropping out of her mind in favor of more pressing issues.





Libel sat on a cushioned table. She wore nothing. Not even that. "Is this... alright?"

"If you make a mess," insisted the doctor, who was a stallion. "It won't be the first or the last I've had to deal with." His horn glowed, bringing a stethoscope over to press against her chest, working it into her fur. "Now take a deep breath."

She inhaled powerfully, filling her lungs.

"Let it out."

She leaked like a balloon with a small hole. "What's this have to do with... that? I mean it's not a lung problem... is it?"

He let the tool drop, dangling over his neck. "Since I have you, no reason not to do a complete checkup. Things can be connected indirectly, and if you were sick in some other way, you'd want to know about it, wouldn't you?"

Libel hiked a brow. "Well, sure, but I have a more pressing problem..." She gestured back at her hindlegs. "I just want to be able to go to the bathroom, like any other pony in the world. I don't feel like I have to go until it's already too late, sometimes not at all. Just... like that, I'm making a big wet mess."

The doctor moved over to the sink. With a glowing horn, he turned on the faucet. "Does that feel any different?"

She blinked dumbly at the faucet. "What..." He turned it off, paused, then turned it back on. "What are you doing?"

He turned it back off. "Some ponies sympathetically feel like they have to go when they watch water flow like that. Is this a recent thing, or...?"

"Since I was a foal." Her cheeks lit up, painfully hot. "Forever... I... never had control."

"I see..." He made a note with a floating pen. "We'll need more tests."
> 5 - Test Results
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The unicorn doctor pointed with his horn up at a plastic sheet that showed a cross-slice of Libelous in monochrome. "As you can see--"

"--I can't see much out of that." She hiked a brow at the picture. "What do you see?"

"You appear to have all the parts in the right places." He reached up and tapped. "This is the passage that concerns us, no blocks." He traced it up to a pouch. "And here's your bladder. No stones or other impediments. Now, a question. Have you ever had a time in your life when you felt most relaxed? Take a good vacation or something similar?"

Libelous considered that, tapping a hoof on the cushioned table she was seated on. "After I graduated, Mom paid for one. I was really surprised, but... it was nice. I didn't owe anyone anything for a little while. I was... It was nice." She nodded softly. "What about it?"

"Did the symptoms decrease during this time?" His quill made a few scratches on a pad that floated beside him.

Libelous thought to her vacation. As lovely as it had been, she still had worn her protection, and it had proven a lifesaver more than once. "Y-yes... It didn't get better. Is that normal?"

He sighed as scratches happened. "It means this likely isn't an entirely stress-related condition, so that's out. Tell me about your diet."

She went over her usual meal plan. It wasn't a very complicated one. "I don't like spending too much time worrying about it, so I stick to a regular schedule."

"Sounds reasonably nutritious." More writing happened. "I'd like to examine your muscles. They may be weak, but there are ways to strengthen them. Now, this will involve some... Just close your eyes and relax for now."

She blinked softly, but the doctor seemed to be on her side. She closed her eyes.

His magic went where she would not want his magic to be and she squeaked. "Alright, now... can you try to imagine you do have to go, but you're holding it back?"

She made a face, squirming in place. At least it made sense why he hadn't wanted her to wear her protection. "Uh..." She wasn't very experienced with that sensation, but she gave it her best shot, imagining the hated sensation of needing to go but trying to not make a mess.

"Mmm..."

"Does that mean I did it right?"

He gently patted her side with a hoof. "You can stop." She let out a breath and felt his magic withdrawing. "I can't be sure. I'm going to give you some exercises to do. We'll work on strengthening those muscles, which will hopefully help. Even if it doesn't stop the problem entirely, it may give you time to hurry to the bathroom when you feel the urge strike."

She smiled hopefully, a shy expression. "I mean... even... that would be great..." She'd rather be sent in a panicked gallop than make a mess or wear the attending protection it came with. "What do I have to do?"

He patted the floor. "Hop down, then stand up."

She did just that, standing bipedally before the doctor with a curious expression.

"The first one is a simple one, the squat. You've likely seen ponies doing this just to be healthy. Turns out, it's also good for muscles related to this." He reached for her, showing her how to perform one smooth squat. "I want you to do ten of these when you wake up, with lunch, and before dinner. Keep your back straight, and remember to breathe just as I showed you."

She nodded softly. "Is that all?"

"It is not." He pointed right between her legs, where the messes came from. "Remember what I just had you do? I want you to do that, five seconds on, five seconds off, five reps. Do it after your squats. When you feel comfortable with that, expand it to ten reps. Keep at that for a month and we'll meet up again." He made another quick note on his pad. "Hopefully there will be some improvement. Until then, you're..." He trailed off, she was making a mess. "Don't worry about it," he quickly blurted. "We'll have that cleaned... Feel free to use the shower." He pointed and made himself vanish in a soft trot, leaving her to clean herself without his staring presence.

Libel thumped the soft bed with a hoof. They had almost finished... "I'll beat this..." She had something to do. She had a weapon! She grabbed for a towel but hesitated. Did the doctor want her cleaning her mess with that particular towel? She decided to trust he knew how to clean his office. Instead she hopped into the shower and got to cleaning herself. "I'll beat this..."





Day Dreamer mosied from room to room. "201... 202... 203..." There it was. "204..." He reached for the knob with his mouth, ready to just open it, but a dim memory poked at him. "Oh yeah." He raised a hoof instead, knocking with a firm clip-clop. "Libel? Are you there?"

"The door is open," came a female voice from within.

He smiled with placid joy, getting the door open in no great hurry to wander inside. "I'm glad I found you. Oh, I have a letter for you." He held the letter out on a hoof as he approached the one mare he saw, a unicorn behind a desk not as large as the one downstairs.

The unicorn's horn glowed as she took the letter from him, her eyes sweeping across it once. "I'll see that she gets it, thank you. Will that be all?"

Day blinked softly. "You're not Libelous?"

"I am not," she corrected. "I am her secretary. She's been called away on business. I'll be sure she gets the letter, thank you."

Day shook her head. "I have a message I need to give her in person. Can I wait for her to come back?"

The secretary's eyes half-closed. "Take a seat." She pointed to the waiting sofa with some magazines piled on a small table next to it. "Do you have an appointment?" Her magic was already flipping through some papers. "No you do not. I can't promise she'll have time to see you."

"It's cool." He hopped up and laid down across the sofa. He looked around the front office. There was a door that led to, he guessed, Libel's office. It was solid wood with a golden knob. "Fancy." There was a single plant, dangling in a pot that was chained to the ceiling. It was a long tendril of green with big leaves. "Nice plant." He hopped right back down, making his way over to the spot of green. "Needs some water." He could see it was a little dry and began looking around for something to water it with.

A water can bumped into his head, held in the magic of the secretary. She wasn't even looking at him, already back to typing. He grabbed the handle of the water can in his teeth. "Thanks." He ambled to the bathroom at a sedate pace and filled the can halfway with cool water. "Don't you worry, little plant. We'll make you nice and happy." He returned with the can, half-whistling a little tune. It was more of a hum, unable to properly whistle with a can in his mouth.

He hopped up onto a chair, and from there onto a filing cabinet. Despite his lazy motions, his jumps were fairly accurate and he didn't knock anything over for the acrobatic trip. "Here you go." He tilted his head, tilting the can with it and gently sprinkling water over the roots of the plant. As soon as it was reasonably wet, he set the can down carefully. He reached with both forehooves for the pot of the plant, gently rubbing over it. "Good plant, everything's alright now."

The plant gently shed its orange fringes, becoming bright green under the earth pony's tranquil encouragement as if drawing from his earth pony strength to return fully to vibrant life. "Perfect..."

The secretary paused in her writing, watching him slowly descend from where he had climbed. "Are you a botanist?"

"Wha? Nah... I just like plants." He nodded towards the dangling vine-like plant he had restored. "A happy plant makes a whole area nicer. Doesn't it feel nicer?"

The secretary was quiet a moment, tapping out a few things. "You could be." She resumed her work in earnest, but was not silent. "Ponies would pay for a visit from a pony that could make their flowers and plants spring up like that." Her nose twitched. What was that? She realized a moment later that she was actually smelling the plant. It wasn't a flowering plant, but it was putting out a scent. Had it always done that, before their sub-optimal care had eroded its health? She tried to focus on her work, but found herself thinking of how nice the plant was.

Day Dreamer was pleased with himself, and the room. A happy plant was a happy room. He could tell the secretary was happy with his work. She looked more relaxed and her lips were pulled just a little closer to a smile. Content with the world, he sank on the couch and took a little power nap.





Color looked up at a firm knocking on his door. "One moment." He hurried over and pulled the door open with his glowing horn. It was a pegasus, grey coated with mis-matched eyes. She wore a mailmare's outfit. "Oh, hello?"

"Hello! I've brought you a letter!" Derpy presented an envelope with no from and no to written on it at all.

Color accepted it with a peer. "Who is this from?"

"My brother!" Derpy bounced in place. "He's a really nice pony. He was replying to a letter you sent him."

Color squinted a little. He hadn't written any letters to any pegasi recently. "One moment..." He willed the envelope open and pulled out the letter that looked like it had been folded, unfolded, and refolded a few times. His eyes scanned back and forth, reading Day's letter while mouthing the words near-silently.

"You're Day's brother?!" he exclaimed, looking at the mailmare with surprise.

"I was surprised too!" Her wings shot out in either direction. "He's a nice brother though, so you better be nice to him too." She waggled a hoof at him. "You two are friends, right?"

"Uh, yeah." He set the letter aside with a soft huff. "And he's off trying to do something he isn't even equipped to do, as if he'll even find her."

"Libelous? He should already be at her office." She nodded confidently. "He took a letter to her for me, because he's an awesome brother. That freed me up to come straight here and get your letter to you." She offered a hoof forward. "Oh, and I'm Derpy. Derpy Hooves! My friends call me Muffin, and you can call me that too since you're a friend of my brother."

Color reached to touch hooves with her. "Color Splash, nice to meet you, uh, Muffin?" He was still trying to reconcile the idea that his friend was brothers with the pegasus before him. "I guess it can happen..." He'd heard stories of ponies of different tribes even being brother or sister before. It could happen... "Uh, so... oh wow..."

"I know, isn't it nice to have friends?" She looked quite happy.

Color sank back onto his haunches, a hoof to his cheek. "No, I mean... he wasn't supposed to find her. He's gonna make a mess out of everything and then she'll hate me instead of just forgetting I exist and--"

She popped a hoof right into his panicking mouth. "My mom always told me when things look bad, you should remember the thing you are thankful for and count to ten, counting at least one thing each time." She pulled the hoof away. "I'll go first!"

Derpy began listing things as Color breathed a little too hard.
> 6 - The Editor Is In
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Libel made her way back towards her office. She had a mission, and a plan. She gritted her teeth as she trotted along. She would do what the doctor said. She would do it, and things would get better, hopefully quickly, but she'd be alright if they were slow, so long as it got better.

Had the answer really just been there the entire time? She shook her head quickly. There was no point thinking about what ifs and could-have-beens. She was taking it in her hooves.  She would become master of her own bladder! She snorted softly as she went, weaving around the ponies of the city. As if that was some grand... achievement. The others already had that prize.

They likely didn't even think about it. The idea that a grown pony could not have that... repugnant and terrible. A sign of a diseased mind, or illness, or extreme age. Nothing good. Nothing good at all.

She was getting up to the gate of her workplace. "Let me in," she said without really slowing. The gate was unlocked by the time she was ready to push past it without delay. She smiled on hearing it lock behind her. It was nice some things worked just as they should.

Libelous trotted easily up the steps and into the main office. Heads nodded towards her. "Hey Libel!" called a friendly co-worker. She smiled back and waved a hoof on her way past. She was back in her element. Her work respected her... well, work. They respected what she had done and would do. They didn't ask awkward questions.

She paused at the front desk. "Anything I need to know about?"

The secretary nodded her head. "Courier came by. Probably left a letter for you. Check in with your office."

"Got it." Libelous nodded and headed past, wondering what package or letter had come her way. Was it the start of a new assignment? She smiled a little. A little work actually sounded rather nice. She could sink her teeth into some thick verbiage and massage it into perfection. Yeah, that would be nice...

She willed her door to open. "I hear I got a letter?" Libel looked towards her secretary, only for her eyes to slide off toward her plant. It was... What was wrong with it? Or right? It was bright and vibrant green. "What..."

The secretary sat up with a smile. "You have a letter, and a guest." She gestured across the room to a sleeping pony on the couch. "You can thank him for reviving the plant there. I thought he was a bit off, but he really has a touch. I've gotten so much work done." She pushed her typewriter away. "In fact, I'm done, unless you have more for me, Miss Word?"

Libel tilted her head a little. "Excellent to hear, but what does the plant have to do with that?"

She gestured at it. "It's hard to put a hoof on it, but it really... brings the room to life." She smiled brightly, tapping at a pile of papers. "I couldn't stop thinking about it, but I was typing while I did it, and the proof is in the work. Ah, here's the letter." Her horn lit up, bringing up an envelope to Libel.

"Thank you." She popped it open with a deft wing and read over it quickly.



Dearest Libelous Word,

It was quite a shame that we never had a chance to meet that fateful night. You fled, like an angel into the night. Oh, what it must be like to have wings and command the skies as well as you rule over the land of words. I know the ball has come and gone, but, perhaps, we could meet on our own? If I am being too bold, you may quietly discard this letter and forget it ever bothered you.
On the other hoof, if you are interested, call me. The number is listed below, attached to my business card. I'd dearly like a chance to speak with you.

Yours Humbly,
Sir Thumper



She turned the page around, but there was nothing more to see than Tub Thumper's business card, which she casually pocketed. "Huh..." She folded the letter right back up as it had been and stuffed it back into the envelope it had emerged from. "He's here to see me, right?"

"Waiting patiently." The secretary nodded towards the slumbering Day Dreamer. "He fell asleep and stayed that way. He doesn't even snore, like a stone, really."

"That sentence could use work," Libelous chided gently, getting a snort and an eyeroll from her secretary, their in-joke passed successfully. Libel approached her would-be guest carefully. "Excuse me?" She didn't recognize the earth pony. Most of those who would have come to see her wouldn't have the nerve to just take a little nap on her couch like that. "Excuse me." She reached out a wing and lightly slapped him across the face with a few feathers.

He sneezed and sat up in one motion, but he was not entirely awake. He blinked at her without seeing at first, yawning widely. "Oh, um, hmm... Oh!" His eyes went wide as he looked her over up and down rather intently. "Woah, are you... Libel?"

She canted her head faintly. Was it a random fan? That took some cheek, just marching into her office... "It is. Can I help you?"

"It is you!" He hopped up to his hooves. "My friend's been looking for you forever. Um, Color Splash, do you remember him?"

She blinked. That was a name that prodded viciously at an old memory. "Color Splash... It... rings a bell. What about him?"

"He was your friend, a long time ago, when you lived in a little town that wasn't Canterlot." He waved a hoof lazily at her. "My place, his place. Used to be your place. Does that help?"

Dim memories of her old home came rushing to the fore. Color Splash. How could she have forgotten him? He hadn't just been her friend... He had been her best friend... "I hope he's... doing well?"

"Oh, doing great." Day Dreamer nodded softly. "Oh, I'm Day Dreamer. Nice to meet you." He held out a hoof towards her. "And you're the lost princess. You know he misses you like a lot, right? He puts you in some of his drawings."

Libel felt her cheeks warm and she glanced at her secretary. "Since you're all done, go on home. You'll be paid for your full shift."

The secretary rose smoothly to her hooves. "As you wish, Miss Word." She winked softly. "Enjoy the conversation and good luck." she trotted off with a smile.

Day Dreamer nodded towards the departing mare. "She's nice. Oh yeah! You wanna come home? He'd love to see you."

Thoughts of appearing before him, still wearing that same diaper she had left with, made her pale, ears pinning against her head. "No! I mean... no... I... Not now." She turned away to the side. "I can't."

"Did I come at a bad time?" Day Dreamer tilted his head a little. "I can come back tomorrow if that's better?"

She narrowed her eyes at Day Dreamer. Did he really think one day would make all the difference? She did not know Day Dreamer. Was he in her class, back then? She hadn't gotten along with that many ponies... "Did you come all that way just to tell me that?"

"Yep."

She blinked softly. That was the entire answer? He seemed... She shook her head vigorously. "You are a strange pony."

"Yep." He nodded softly before wagging his still extended hoof. "My name is Day Dreamer."

With a huff, she reached to touch hooves. "Libelous Word, but you know that."

"Oh yeah. What's it like, you know, being rich and important?" His head fell a bit to the right. "Is it easier or harder?"

She arched a brow. Rare was the pony that asked which way it was instead of assuming it was easier. "A little of both, to tell the truth. It's complicated."

"What isn't?" he asked with a dopey little smile. "It's nice to meet you. I'm staying in town, so if you need time to think about it, I can relax."

She frowned a little. "You don't... appear to be well-to-do, how are you affording to casually stay in Canterlot?"

He shrugged softly. "I have enough for a week."

She cringed faintly. Was she taking his bits away just by not being more clear? "And if I told you to just go home and stop wasting your bits?"

"I'd think you were just surprised to hear about him and wait a bit." He clapped his hooves together. "You'd really make his day if you visited, even a little while."

Libel heaved a soft sigh, sinking to her haunches. "You are a faithful friend..." She thought of her secretary, but that secretary was also paid. Day Dreamer was paying to help his friend. "I feel jealous right now..."

"Aw, don't be like that." He reached for her, casually touching her shoulder. "I'm sure there are ponies that dig you. I mean, I know one that wants to give it a try. He's a real romantic, and a good artist. Do you like art?"

It was only as he spoke that she realized she had confessed her feelings and brightened in her cheeks. That was not how a professional mare should be before a low-class yokel. He was harmless,  but beneath her. "Go tell him that I'm sorry for not writing a letter. Give me his address and I'll remedy that before the day ends."

His smile was radiant, looking like he had just won a big lottery ticket. "I can do that, sure! I can even deliver the letter if you want. I already brought one to you. Did you get it? Maybe I should be a mailstallion..."

She considered the languid pony strolling along with a bag full of urgent letters and packages. "I don't think that would suit you... You can bring the letter though." If he brought the letter, that meant he would not be wasting his time in Canterlot, and he would leave. That was a complete victory so far as she could determine.

Soon she had a typed letter written, sealed, and ready to go. She held out the envelope towards Day Dreamer. "Here you are. Get it to him as quickly as you can." She didn't imagine that would be terribly quickly with the lethargic movements the earth pony had displayed so far.

He accepted the letter in his lips. "Sure thing. It was really nice meeting you, Miss Word. I hope I get to talk to you again." He started for the door, ambling out the way he had ambled in. "Have a nice day."





Unaware of his friend's current goal, Color Splash stood on the train's platform. "One to Canterlot, please."

"Certainly, five bits please." The bearded stallion took the bits offered and a ticket spat up from a small slot.

Color took the ticket in his magic and trotted up to where the trains should arrive. "I have to fix this..." Nightmarish possibilities had haunted him of what his friend might have been up to. None of them were good! Well, a few were good, but those were entirely unrealistic.

As if she'd drop all the important things she was doing and decide to run away to see some stallion she hadn't seen in years and had likely forgotten about entirely. He laughed softly at the idea. "She'd have to be nuts to say yes to that..." The Libelous Word he knew wasn't nuts.

She would never!

He would go to her, apologize for the mess his friend had undoubtedly made, and then get out of her life.

Maybe it would also be nice to see her, just for a moment?

He shook his head quickly. He was only going to put wrongs to right.

He had no other motivation.
> 7 - Reaching For Better
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The light of a new day shone in through the window. Libel was already on her hooves, two hooves. She was performing squats as music played from a phonograph nearby, filling the room with upbeat and vigorous music for her to move in the tempo with. 

"Nine..." She imagined a life where doing some daily exercises was the height of her problems. "Ten." She clopped her hooves with satisfaction even as she fell forward, catching herself at the last moment, then flopping on her side. The next part had less to show externally as she tried to work those internal muscles. She just had to imagine holding back the great floods.

She would hold them back like any other pony would. She would walk funny, but not make a mess, all the way to the bathroom. "Two..." It was actually a little refreshing, she decided. Getting up and immediately throwing herself into physical motion like that. Sleep fell away with effort, she found, and it wasn't a bad effect. "Four..."

It hadn't helped, yet... But she had just started. She wasn't ready to call it quits just yet. "Five." She rolled up onto her hooves. "Yeah." She felt ready to tackle the day. She trotted over to her kitchen, grabbing a slice of bread with a wing and dropping it in her toaster. "Today's going to be a good day," she told herself with a little smile.





Day Dreamer pulled a key free of his pocket and slipped it into the door, twisting his head to unlock and open the door in one motion. "Hey, Color; I have great news for you." He put the key away and walked inside at his placid rate, looking around. "Color?" But there was no sign of the unicorn anyway.

He wasn't hiding behind his easel.

He wasn't hiding behind the couch.

He wasn't even hiding in the fridge, though there was some tasty leftovers in there that Day took a break to enjoy, mmm... "You're a good cook, bro..."

Day climbed the stairs up to the second floor and casually slipped through an open window, flopping out onto a ledge. Turning and climbing once more got him onto the roof of the house, but Color wasn't even there. "Bummer..." He had a letter for his eyes, and his eyes were absent for enjoying it.

He sat down on the roof and looked up at the sky. The clouds were making nice patterns, he decided. He slowly settled down. He would be ready when Color showed up. First, a little nap. He faded off beneath the warm rays of the sun, reasonably content with the world.





Color stepped off the train, one more unicorn among a crowd of so many others. It was a curious feeling. There weren't nearly so many back home, and there he was, surrounded by points on all ends. Part of him wanted to pause and pull out his paints. The framing of a scene was powerful in his mind and his muse demanded it be paid attention to. "No," he told himself, keeping himself moving straight. "I have to talk to her."

But where was she?

His letter hadn't had an address, coming or going. How had he not thought of that before?! He clopped a hoof against his face. "Right..." He had to approach it logically... "She's an editor..." He looked around, wandering the wide avenues of the city before his target came into view. As he veered towards it, he was cut off by a family of unicorns that peered at him oddly.

He shook his head, moving past once they were gone. "What's their problem?" Sure, he wasn't as fancily dressed... at all... but he was a unicorn, just like them. He strode up into the library with a hopeful little smile. "Excuse me?" His voice echoed off distant halls. The building was large and cavernous, filled with books and studying ponies. the latter hissed at him loudly.

He blushed and went silent, hurrying towards what appeared to be the front desk. "Excuse me," he repeated much more quietly. "I'm trying to find something by a particular writer?"

The librarian looked up past her half-rim glasses. "Hm? Oh, I'd be delighted to help." She pressed her forehooves together lightly. "What is their pen name?"

"Uh, Libelous Word?"

"Ooo, the Words." Her eyes fell as she turned to a filing cabinet that she began to search through. "Very famous, those ponies. What is it Libelous writes..." She frowned a little, a minute passing without results, only increasingly frustrated noises. "I can't seem... to... ah!" Her horn glowed as she pushed herself with magic to the next cabinet. "She isn't a writer, I imagine." She began flipping quickly. "And... mmmm." She searched busily, but seemed to still be having trouble. "She's not a producer, so..." She moved to the next cabinet.

"I feel confident now..." She resumed the search eagerly. "Here we are!" She plucked out a folder and her magic nudged her chair back over towards Color. "She's an editor." She set the folder down in front of him. "Feel free to browse, but that has to stay here; Library policy."

Color nodded as he lifted the folder in his magic. "Thank you. I'll be right there." He pointed to a nearby table. "If that's alright?"

"Go ahead." She smiled a little and looked to the next pony in line.

He walked over to the table and sat down at one of its wide-bottomed chairs, setting the folder in front of him. "There has to be a clue in here." He flipped it open and saw Libelous Word, Editor. There was a list of credits and other things she'd been involved with. It seemed she had written a few things before and he smiled.

It looked like she even tried writing a single bit of fiction, but most of her work was decidedly non-fiction. And most of those, in turn, she had editing credits for. There was a news clipping stuck in there, with another writer calling her praises. "Without her, I would have been lost in the third chapter. She set my words straight and fixed my head while she was at it. I would be nothing without my editor!"

He smiled a little, imagining a pony hugging Libelous thankfully. "Aw, you've made friends." He willed the paper aside to look on. Ah ha! "Current occupation, head editor of the Canterlot Canter." Jackpot! He pumped a hoof quietly, lest he bother the library attendants. It was scary, in a way, being famous enough that any random pony could check who you were and where you lived.

He snorted at the thought. Maybe, one day, his art would be so popular he'd be found in some filing cabinet somewhere for any random pony to look up. That'd be something... He picked up the folder and returned it to to the front counter. "Thank you so much!"

"You're very welcome." She took it in her own magic, returning it to its home. "Have a nice day."

Color turned, just to pause. "Oh, um... Do you know where the Canterlot Canter's office is?"

She hiked a brow, then pointed a hoof. He followed the hoof to see she was pointing at a phone book. "Oh." He flipped open the book and got to flipping through it quickly. Eventually he found a half-page ad advertising the Canterlot Canter, and it had an address on it! You were supposed to write to it to get a subscription, but it was an address and a clue. With a big grin, Color fled the library at a spirited trot.

He moved through the streets, dodging and bobbing around other ponies. How did ponies live so close together?! He didn't grasp it, but he had a mission and he meant to fulfill it. He ducked under a pane of glass two ponies were carrying as if they were just waiting for someone to crash into it. How anyone survived, he did not know.

He passed a store that emitted enticing smells. He hadn't had lunch, but shook his head. He had a mission, and he pressed onwards past it. "Just you wait..."

The crowd began to thin as he went. He was pushing towards a very nice part of town, but also very businessy. He guessed the ponies were all inside the large buildings, working. Towering walls and fine gates kept those that belonged inside and safe and those that did not belong out and away.

He was one of those that did not belong. He peered at the gate in his way. A plaque announced it was the home of Canterlot Canter, or something close enough to it? Maybe some kind of holding company? Whatever it was, he was sure it was the target. He walked up to the gate slowly, hoping quietly someone would just emerge at that time and give him someone to explain himself to.

"Can I help you?" asked a voice without an obvious source, seeming to come from somewhere in the iron bars itself.

Color reared back in surprise. "Oh! Um..." What was he there for? What did he say?! "Is Libel in? I mean, Libelous. Libelous Word."

"Do you have an appointment?" asked the voice, unsympathetic and slightly uninterested.

Did he? Of course he did not! "Um, It will just take a moment. I'm very sorry to take up your time."

A heavy sigh echoed over whatever spell was being used. "Do you have a name?"

He perked his ears at the gate. Name. Yes, he had one of those. "Color Splash. Um, tell her I'm just here to say a quick thing."

There was quiet.





Libel tapped quickly at her typewriter. She was feeling energized and in control. Sure, she still had a problem, but she was facing it. She'd conquer it! First, she'd conquer that prose. As if passive sentence structure would be allowed to stand in her presence. She laughed at the pitiable fate of the words she harshly edited. "You know better than this," she chastised the writer who wasn't there. She knew the stallion, good pony, but didn't learn from his writing edits very quickly.

She pushed the typewriter back to the start of the next line. "Interesting article at least." She didn't often have time to actually read as she edited, focusing on where things fell apart rather than absorbing the material itself. That time she had the chance. She blamed it on feeling in the zone. The words flowed and were shaped at her hooves and wings. "One of your better pieces."

"Miss Word," spoke an intercom just to her right.

"Yes?" She glanced over towards it. "Did I forget an appointment?" She couldn't remember a reason her secretary would need to interrupt her.

"You have a guest at the gates."

Her typing stopped and her brows came down. "Is it that slow earth pony? Day Dreamer or whatever?"

"That would be nice," sighed out the secretary. "No. Doormare says he's a unicorn. Color Splash? Do you know them?"

Her hooves fell and her heart thumped in her chest. Why was he there?! She had written him a nice letter. It was a perfectly good letter that explained, succinctly, that there were no hard feelings and she remembered him well and to not come! And yet, there he was... "Celestia..." She bonked her desk with her forehead, flopping bonelessly a moment. "Alright, I have this. I can handle this..."

"Ma'am, you're still holding the button down. Do you need me to tell them to send him away?" There was a brief pause that Libel jumped on.

"No!" She bounced to her hooves and stormed out of her back office to where her secretary was. "No! No more running from my problems." She took a slow breath. "Cancel any appointments I have in the next few hours. I have a ghost from the past to face." Libel dared a little smile. "Who knows, maybe it won't be so bad?"
> 8 - It's Been a While
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Libelous strode through the halls of her work. She was confident! Or at least she tried to look it. Her eyes were forward, her wings were tightly packed, and her steps sure. She marched past her co-worker, only pausing to return a wave to that friendly pony that always greeted her. "I really need to invite her out..." She was kinda cute, and maybe they could hit it off...

She shook the thought from her mind for the moment, descending the stairs towards the gate. There he was. Her steps slowed, looking at the nervous green unicorn that awaited her presence. "You can do this..." She just had to calmly explain what was happening.

Color drew in a soft breath. He saw her at almost the same instant. Just as he had left her, she had pretty blue fur and a brilliant silver and blue mane and tail. He could see her cutie mark hadn't changed, which was pretty normal. He raised a hoof, waving without thought. "Libel!"

"Color..." She wandered up to the gate but did not command it to open. "It's... nice to see you." She smiled nervously. "What... brings you here?"

He huffed a sigh. "I know my roomie came by." He sank to his haunches. "I'm really sorry for any trouble he may have caused."

She blinked, not expecting that angle. "He was fine, if a little dopey."

"Yeah, he has that going on." He smiled a little. "I hope he didn't cause too much fuss?"

"No... no, not at all." She perked an ear. "Did he give you a letter?"

"Letter?"

She clopped a hoof down on the ground. "You're right, on second thought. Your roommate is a trouble maker." She waved at the gate. "Open." It did open for her and she gestured for him to come closer. "I gave him one job, one little job."

He looked perplexed,  but did advance into the space allowed. He jumped as the gate snapped shut behind him. "Oh, um, what was he supposed to do?"

"Give you a letter, Color Splash." She put a hoof over her face before setting it back down. "Too late for that now, I suppose... Um... it's...  been a while..."

He smiled a little. "It really has... I... hear you're doing really great! You have so many credits." He nodded softly. "Are you enjoying it, being a writer and editor?"

"More editing," she admitted, but her smile deepened. "But I do like it. Mother got one thing right." He laughed, and she joined it. They both knew her mother and her ways. "She hasn't changed."

"But you have!" He reached for her shoulder, but hesitated before touching her. "You're... all grown up and professional and... I'll admit it, you're leading an amazing life."

She frowned a little. "The Color Splash I know wouldn't be pouting at me like that. I'm certain you're also doing right for yourself, are you not?"

Color shook his head quickly. "Oh, no! I mean... I'm not trying to... I'm fine." He raised a hoof to point at himself. "My art's on display, ponies like it, and you can guess my roomie isn't the one paying most of the bills."

She smiled at that. "That's more like it. On display? Any big places? Anywhere around here?" She waved a hoof over the city as a whole.

"Oh, um..." He thought over where his sold pieces had ended up. "Actually, yes. There's one right there." He pointed up at the palace.

Libel's eyes went wide. "You got one right up there with the princess?! You don't get to be envious of me." She bapped him with a wing as she laughed. "You cheeky devil, you're doing just fine."

He returned with a thump of a hoof on her shoulder. "You have famous writers singing your praises."

"Princess. Celestia." She rolled her eyes. "The odds of my work being hung up in her palace approach 0%! So, where are you living now?"

"Same place." He gestured vaguely towards their hometown. "The parents... moved on, and left it to me."

Her smile faded a little. "Aw..." She remembered his parents well. "No more acorn squash..."

He smiled a little. "Day Dreamer actually does a pretty good copy of it when he's up for it."

She burst into renewed laughter. "Is that why you keep him around?" She shook her head firmly. "Oh... It's... really nice... I mean, to catch up..." Why had she been scared to see him? "How long are you in town?"

He had planned to flee, but... this was fun... "I can stay longer, um... did you want to go out?" His nose wrinkled, a familiar scent tickling at him. A distant memory surfaced. "Oh."

She turned a bright red. In her happiness, she had let things go. She turned to flee, but he darted ahead of her.

"Hey, hey, I mean, I know."

She backed up a step away from him. "What do you know?"

"That hasn't changed." He shook his head a little. "I mean..." Sure, he had forgotten until that reminder came, but... "You're an ace editor and a published author. Who cares?"

"I care!" she shrieked, only blushing harder on realizing she had given such an outburst. "I care," she repeated more quietly.

"Well, I, you know... I still want to hang out." He reached up behind his pointed head, rubbing awkwardly. "If you want to?"

She was busy stinking up the place, and he still wanted to  be in her presence? She shook her head. "You're... just as I remembered you." A good friend, a great friend... "Look, let me... clean up. We can meet later." She folded back a wing and produced a business card. "Call me after six and we'll arrange something, alright?"

"Alright." He took the card in his magic. "Hey, do you still fly?"

She blinked. "They'd have to rip these things off to stop me." She turned back for the office. "But right now... I'll see you later, Splashy, alright?"

"Alright..." He watched her go, all blushing and striding as quickly as her wet bottom allowed. He had hoped she would outgrow that, but that clearly had not happened. Still, she was Libelous Word, an amazing mare. He sighed gently. She wanted to see him!? That wasn't how he planned on it going.

He had no room to complain. He turned to the gate and blinked. How did he get it to open from the inside?





She sat down at her desk, changed and dry once more. Running into Color had been far nicer than she had expected... Still, he was a friend, an old foalhood friend. She drew out the card she had gotten in the mail. Then considered the mare that kept waving at her. Those were potential romantic connections.

Of the two, the mare was more appealing. She always had liked the shape of mares, and the way they talked with such soft voices. They smelled nicer too... She took a soft breath, imagining that smiling mare in a more personal setting. "How to ask her out..."

Ah ha. She had an idea. The mare in question was one of the public relation mares. Libel reached for the phone with a wing and got to dialing the rotary slowly, calling the office with a smile.

"How can I help you?"

"I'd like to talk to public relations about an order," she lied baldly. "I was speaking to a specific representative, a Miss Opinion?"

"I'll check if she's in." The line went quiet a moment. "I'll transfer you to her. Have a nice day."

"You too." There was a pregnant pause.

"Hello!" came the cheerful voice of the unicorn she had her eyes on. "Thank you for calling. How can I make your day better today?"

"Public, it's me." She smiled into the phone. "Libelous Word, just upstairs."

"Libel!" Her voice lowered. "You know you shouldn't be calling like this." She burst into giggles. "What's up?"

"I just wanted to chat with you, Public." She leaned back in her chair, feeling happier by the moment. "You don't get enough time with people telling you what a wonderful mare you are."

"Oh, stop that! You're making me blush." More giggles drifted over the line. "Now, really, how can I help you?"

"I was thinking of going to see a show... Would you care to come with me? It'll be a lady's day out, just the two of us, having fun."

The giggles died down a little. "Oh, um... Miss Word..."

Libel cringed. That was not the time to be being called Miss Word!

"You're great, I mean, really great. Everyone loves, you know, having you here..."

"But...?" She knew there was a but in there.

"I'm not... I mean..."

Libel could feel the blush in the words, intense. Wait... "Oh, are you hetero?" That wasn't a crime. "I'm sorry, I thought..."

"Yeah, I... No..."

Libel blinked. She had been ready to accept she was chasing after a straight girl, but... "Then what's the problem?"

"I..." Her voice dropped, becoming a whisper. "I like mares just fine, it's... uh... I don't like you that way! I mean, oh... please don't hate me! I don't hate you! I want us to work together."

Libel flopped back in her chair bonelessly. "Am I not your type?"

"I prefer my mares more... mature." There was a click. She had hung up.

Libel released the phone from her wing, her whole body going limp. More mature? Oh... She was perfectly aware of her problem. If she knew... The whole office knew. They just ignored it, because she did good work.

She cracked a wry smile. On some level, that was good. It meant she was a damn fine editor worth looking past that for... On the other hoof... She reached for the phone with a wing and slammed it down on its base. "I have to beat this!" She clopped the top of her desk with a hoof.

"Everything alright?" asked her secretary over the intercom. "Want some tea?"

"You know what? Yeah. A little tea would be nice." She would have tried her luck with the secretary, but approaching those directly under you was just a bad idea without any other complications. They would remain friends, good ones, she figured. She could use a good friend... "You.... know about... my condition, I assume?"

There was a pause. "Well, yes. Cleaning this office is a part of my duties."

Libel turned a deep red. She wore protection! "I didn't leave things to clean did I?!"

"Normally not," agreed the secretary over the sound of soft typing. "You are a clean mare, but mistakes do happen, and I make them go away without raising a fuss, as is my job. I presumed it was some kind of defect you were born with and didn't mention it to be polite. You don't pay me to pry into private medical concerns."

Libel fell to her hooves, almost flopping all the way. "Yes, I mean... thank you..."
> 9 - Around Town
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Color Splash wandered down the street, a little smile on his face. That had gone well. They had such a nice little conversation. She didn't hate him. She even wanted him around...

That's when he blinked, reality catching up to him. He hadn't planned on staying in Canterlot, not even one day. His horn glowed and he pulled his bit purse into view. "Mmm..."

"Hello!" came an excited and familiar female voice. He barely had time to look up before he was crashed into by a wall-eyed mare. "Sorry about that." She picked herself up and climbed off of him. "I had to say hi to my brother's friend. Did you find that mare you were looking for?"

He scrambled up to his hooves, blinking at the excited mailmare. "Oh, actually, that's some pretty good luck." He nodded to himself. "I did find her, and it went well."

"Yay!" Her wings popped out as she clopped her hooves, looking quite happy for him.

"But I need a place to stay in town for a little while. Do you know a good spot? I don't have a lot of spare bits with me." He jingled the bag he held in his magic for emphasis.

"Oh, hmmmm." She rubbed her chin with a hoof softly. "Well, you are a friend of my brother, so I'll let you in a secret. When they make me stay here overnight, there's a nice little place I go to. They barely charge anything, and they even give you a free muffin." Her smile was quite radiant. "I love it. Um, it's... that way." She pointed. "Just two blocks from the train if you took a right just getting off, then on the first left." She suddenly draped a wing over him.

He blinked at the act of familiarity, but he was more curious than put off. "It's nice to have friends?"

"It sure is." She squeezed him all the harder. "Hey, I have to stay today. Why don't we be roomies? I really should get to know my brother's best friend better." She lifted into the air on flapping wings. "But not right now. I have to deliver things. Go on and tell them you're with me." She burst into giggles. "You'll be roomies with both siblings. That makes you a friend of the family." She threw her hooves wide with joy.

Color smiled gently. It became easier to see how the adorably cheerful pegasus might have some relation to his sedate friend. They both looked on the positive side of things. "It would be an honor, Muffin. I'll head over there right now. Be safe on you deliveries."

She flew off, and he got into a trot, smiling as he made his way along. The day was only improving. He had only met her, but Derpy, or Muffin, seemed like a lovely pony. "He should have mentioned her before." He wondered if his roomie was hiding other interesting relations behind his half-lidded eyes.

He stopped suddenly. To his left was Canterlot Boutique. Dresses and suits adorned the window, gazing at him with unseeing eyes of ponyquins. They were judging him. They found him wanting. He was naked in a city full of well-dressed ponies. This did not bother him back home, but he really wanted to not embarrass the literal pants off of Libelous. "A little peek won't hurt." He trotted up to the front door and head inside.

"Hello and welcome to Canterlot Boutique." A unicorn was approaching him, tall and slender. She wore a smart dress that didn't get in the way of her precise movement. "I'm Sassy Saddles and it will be my pleasure to assist you." She looked over Color with all the judgment of the statues. "Hmmm, not starting with much. Do you have a fashion style you prefer?"

Color smiled back at her. He had met so many mares that day that made him want to draw a picture... "Nice to meet you, Miss Saddles. This is a very nice store here." His eyes wandered slowly, taking in the colors and where they complimented and where they clashed. "I really like the arrangement here." He gestured at one that was a flowing dress. "Not for myself! I mean, but it's still very nice to look at."

Her eyes fell on his rump and the colorful quill that resided on it. "Are you an artist? Thank you for your compliment, but I am not the designer. That credit would fall on the incredibly-talented Rarity. Would that I had half her talent." She gestured to herself. "I am but a humble manager of this store, and your guide to fashion success." She smiled gently. "Now, how can I help you reach that?"

"I am," he confessed with a little half-laugh. "The colors and compositions leap out at me. She must have a good eye for such things." He turned slowly. "Where are you hiding the, uh, more stallion'y fashions?"

"Just over here." She put a hoof on his withers and directed him towards one side of the boutique. It was smaller than the mare's section, but not a corner at least. "Stallions think that a tuxedo is enough to fulfill the display of their inner soul. I disagree! A well-dressed stallion can really command a room. Like... this one." She gestured to a sharp suit that was colored like a sunset. "We'd add your cutie mark right where it belongs, embroidered on to perfection."

Color found himself considering how it'd match with his fur and mane. "Mmm... Not awful... So, let me tell you what it's for. I just had a reunion with a dear friend of mine, a foalhood friend. She's a well-to-do editor for the Canterlot Canter--"

"Ooo!" Sassy's eyes widened a little. "I see the issue. You wish to match her." She gestured at his nude state. "Rather than... not. I see. What is the budget we are working with?"

This trip was becoming more and more costly... He willed out his bit purse, only to have it snatched by Sassy's magic. She gave it a little shaking. "Mmm... Keep it simple, but exquisite! We have a mare to impress." She surrendered the bag back to him. "Something that speaks to the fact that you are a successful artist." She blinked, catching herself. "You are a successful artist, are you not?"

"Oh, yes." He pointed towards the unseen castle. "I have a piece in the castle."

"Tremendous! Put a pin in that thought then." She made a pushing motion with a hoof. "A successful artist meeting a successful businessmare from his colt days, how lovely!" She sat so she could clop her hooves twice rapidly. "Now, how about this..." She pulled out a suit with her magic. "It may seem simple, just an ordinary tuxedo--"

"It isn't," he cut in. "Very nicely made, and that dark blue interweave..." He could see the dark blue streaks that ran along with the deep black, making for an interesting effect. "You mentioned you weren't a designer, but did you stitch this?" He reached for it, feeling the fabric. "Mmm."

"You are full of flattery!" Her eyes half-lidded. "Fortunately for you, that does get you somewhere around here. I will be sure to pass on to Rarity all the nice things you are saying." She moved the suit in her magic so it laid across his side, giving an approximation of what it would look like when worn. "Almost the right size! I'll adjust it, of course. We can't have you appearing with an 'almost' fitting suit, no no no."

He smiled gently at it. "It's perfect. I don't want to, uh, command a room. This makes me reasonable without stepping too far." He produced his bag once more. "How much?"

"If you give me your name and address, we'll do half now and half later." She nodded towards him as she took the suit away. "And I'll get right on getting this adjusted for you."

When had she measured him? He blinked at that, still... "Thank you." Being able to split the payments sounded like a good boon to pay with bits he had at home and hopefully made more of in the meanwhile. "I'll take it." Not that he was sure he had to mention that, since she was already fleeing with the suit.

Left alone, he wandered the store. He wasn't the only one there, he found. There were others, mostly mares, looking at things and considering their own fashions. It was too much. He sat down and willed his notepad to come free, some colored pencils rapidly joining it. He got to drawing furiously, working off his fresh memory of Libelous.

He drew her not as he had romantically envisioned she might be, but as she actually was. Her descending the stairs, like the setting sun, deigning to speak with him. He smiled as he worked on the details with quick strokes. He couldn't help but add just a touch of nervousness to her eyes. She had a little problem she didn't want others to know about.

His pencil drew away and he frowned. Part of him couldn't believe that was still a thing. She was a grown mare, and a successful one! She had everything... but not that... He shook his head softly, wondering how that had impacted on her life. He wanted to find her and just... hug the problems away, but that would probably get him in trouble, and rightfully so. He was not her father or mother. He was a foalhood friend that... kinda really liked her.

He grinned a bit lopsidedly. "And you're being silly," he chastised himself. He didn't know her! She could actually be a huge pain to actually be around... Which is why her invitation to get to know her was so nice. Maybe they'd realize, or at least him, that it would never work out. No harm, no foul, right?

Or maybe it'd... all work... like a story. He sighed gently, thinking fondly on such romantic drivel he'd read before. Two ponies gazing into one another's eyes, all else forgotten. They got married and were happy forever, yay!

That felt very unlikely in the real world. He rolled his eyes and tucked away the pad. He would meet her, for real, and they'd learn about each other, as friends. He would learn if she was the pony he imagined her up to be. Probably not, he figured, but there could be a pony equally as amazing hiding there, and he wanted to meet her, and introduce himself.





Libel tapped the card against her desk, held between two feathers. "I should call him..." She soon had the phone up and it was ringing.

"Hello?" asked an extremely officious sounding stallion.

"Oh, hello. I was sent a letter--"

"Oh! Miss Word is it? I'll go fetch the master immediately." She heard the phone being set down and hoofsteps retreating away.

Steps returned, though they sounded different. "Hello?" called a new voice. "Tub Thumper here. Is this Libelous Word?"

"Yes." She felt silly for saying just that. "This is she. I got your letter."

"I was hoping you would," he joyfully replied. She could feel him smiling. "It's alright. I mean, I heard what happened at the ball, but that's no matter. We're both well-bred ponies who simply want for equitable companionship. I am Tub Thumper, of the Thumpers, have you heard of us?"

She could dimly recall them. They were not a major family, she felt certain. No Blueblood, Pants, or Word. "Of course," she lied nakedly. "What is it you do, Mister Thumper?"

"Oh, don't call me that. We're to be more familiar than that, Libelous." She rolled her eyes but said nothing as he continued, "I sell furnishings; plumbing in particular. Nopony knows a tub like ole Thumper." He sounded quite proud of his accomplishments. "I have two outlets."

Libelous narrowed her eyes a little. He was, at best, middle class in her books. Middle class and sounded horribly boring so far... "I see..." She wondered how the amount he paid the butler figured against his own income.
> 10 - Sleepover
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Color had his new suit, folded perfectly and placed in a bag, floating alongside him. Feeling as prepared as he was ever going to be,  he headed towards the train station, only to bounce off of it and follow Derpy's directions. "First left..." He turned and looked around, but there were a lot of places.

Only a few of them looked like a pony could rest there. One promised to be a bed and breakfast. That sounded right, and he walked in. It was brightly lit, colorfully decorated, and strangely almost empty. "Hello?"

"Hello!" came a female voice from the back. "One moment!" Hoofsteps announced her approach as she rushed into view. "A new customer, hello there! Are you looking to get a room? Breakfast is complimentary!"

Color imagined a muffin was, perhaps, one of those options. Had Derpy gone with that every time? He smiled a little. Muffin lived up to her name. "Muffin sent me, and said I should wait in her room."

Her smile suddenly took on a meaningful tone, brows waggling. "Oh ho, our little Muffin has a suitor? How exciting!" She turned and pointed. "Her room is second on the right. She never locks it, but she never leaves anything, so no harm there."

He brightened quickly, cheeks warming. "No! No, I mean... we're friends, not... that."

She put a hoof on his shoulder. "Pardon me for assuming, but if things happen... she is a nice mare and you look like a nice stallion, so..." She wandered off with that awkward thought in the air.

Color shook his head with a little smile. He headed for her room. "Nice mare." She was looking out for her friend. He couldn't fault her for that, even if he wasn't looking at Derpy with those eyes. He entered the simple room and paused. There was a problem.

Namely it was a tiny room with one bed. Perfectly fine for a traveler that needed a place to collapse at the end of the day... But there were two of them. "How..." He snapped fingers he had formed out of his magic. "Of course." He reached for the bed and pulled off some of the bedding, forming a little makeshift cot on the floor. "I'll ask for replacements, and ta da, two beds." He looked quite proud of himself for his simple solution.

He sank down on his makeshift bed and pulled out his pad, getting to drawing. Since he was thinking of her, he gave Derpy a turn, drawing her in the skies with a big smile and her walled eyes. There was no hesitation there, just a simple joy for a simple mare. She wanted for little, but gave everything to the moment.

"Hello!" Derpy walked in without hesitation, not even knocking, though it was her room. "So glad you came! Oh, what happened?" She looked between him and the bed. "Did I miss an earthquake that threw you onto the floor? Oh no! Are you hurt?!"

Color sat up quickly, turning around to face his temporary roomie. "I just put the bedding down here so I wouldn't be asking you to share a bed."

"Why not?" She tilted her head. "It's plenty big enough." She stepped over and reached for the bed, bouncing a hoof off of it. "But now it's missing its blanket and stuff..."

"We can ask for another," assured Color with a little smile.

"Or I can sleep here." She crashed down right next to him and reached with a wing to fold around him. "Comfy! How did your day go? What's  in the bag?" She was eyeing, with one eye, his new bag.

"That's a suit." He magiced it up onto the nightstand out of the way. "Um, you... really don't have to..." But she was quite happily pressed to him. "I mean..."

"I had a dozen really hard deliveries together." She blinked softly. "One time I ended up at 1202, when I shoulda been at 1220! That was silly of me, but I found it and they were so happy to get their box." She smiled with a happy expression. "Did you get any, oh!" Her wing withdrew, only to scoop up his art pad he had abandoned. "Let's see."

He squeaked with horror and grabbed for it in his magic, snatching it right out of her wing.

She pouted. "Aw... I can't see? You're an artist, right?" She pointed down at his rump. "Says so right there."

He considered, well, what harm was there? He flipped it open with his magic, but her hoof slapped down, stopping it mid turn. "Is that me?! Oooo, do I look that good?" She tilted her head at the depiction of herself. "I look so happy!" Her wings beat against the air, but she remained on the ground. "Did you ever draw yourself?"

He willed the paper to turn once the surprise wore off and Derpy gasped with renewed wonder. "Oooo, look at her!" She tapped at the page rapidly. "She looks so pretty! And important. Like, um, the princess! Yes, just like her." She stuck out her tongue a little. "Those kinda ponies can be tricky to make happy sometimes."

It was the picture of Libelous, descending the stairs. "Do you like pictures?" he asked. "Do you draw?"

"Not very good." She shrugged a little. "Not nearly as good as you do, and you even color in it. Wow!" She nodded firmly. "I'm a mailmare, but I like to think I'm good at that." She tapped at her own chest. "I found you when I needed to, and you got your letter. That's my job."

He set the pad aside carefully, only for her to snatch it back up and get to browsing his other pictures, gasping and marveling at each picture. "You really are good at this..."

He momentarily considered snatching it away, but that, he decided, would make for more hard feelings than anything productive. Instead he gestured at a light, turning down the flow of oil and dimming it. "We should get some sleep."

"Do you have plans tomorrow? I have to work." She set the pad down without any further prompting. "A mailmare's job is never done!"

"I..." He realized he had no plans. He had to wait for Libel to be free and to have dinner with her. "Hrm..."

"Not sure?" She pulled up the blankets over the both of them and snuggled up with Color eagerly. "It's nice having company."

He smiled a little, willing the light out entirely. "It is..." He didn't normally share sleeping arrangements that intimately, but Derpy was doing a great job of making that seem like a thing two happy ponies just kinda... did... "I... don't normally share a bed with a mare."

She perked an ear at him. "You prefer to share it with stallions? I mean, uh, that's alright too!" She burst into airy giggles. "Oh no, I sound like a bad pony. Forgive me!"

"No! No, I mean..." He put a hoof behind his head in the dark. "I like mares just fine." An image of Libelous sprang to mind, smiling at him in that 'I have everything under control' way. "Just fine... I don't, uh, normally share beds at all."

She snuggled in closer. "We're healthy ponies, no sniffles, so no harm." Wrapping him in her hooves, she held him close. "And you're nice and warm, almost makes me forget we're on the floor."

She was warm too, and soft, and... asleep. His momentarily dirty thoughts faded into a little smile. She was delightful, and innocent. He settled beside her and soon they were both asleep, sleeping together harmlessly.

The next morning, he was awaken by a wing tickling his nose. With a sneeze, he sat up to see Derpy all dressed and ready to go. "I have to swing by your town later. Want me to tell my brother anything?"

Her brother? Oh yeah! "Tell Day Dreamer that I'll  be staying a few extra days and I'm alright. And sorry I didn't tell him ahead of time."

She saluted with a wing. "You got it." She grinned with an uncharacteristically naughty expression. "I'll also tell him that I slept with his best friend." She burst into giggles as she fled with an ungainly but speedy fly down the hallway, lost to sight long before he could argue her idea.

Color smiled a little at where she had been. She was silly, he decided as he rose and began his day. "Oh yeah, free breakfast." He trotted off in pursuit of that.





Libel tapped at the top of her desk with a hoof. Her immediate work was complete, giving her time to think about other things, like the date she had with that oaf. He hadn't impressed her all through the conversation. Why had she even agreed to meet him, let alone go out with him? She rolled her eyes with a grunt.

Because her mother had told her to, indirectly. He was a stallion that showed interest in her and he wasn't a total washout. Perhaps it could work out...

Perhaps pigs would take a great flight across Equestria.

She shook her head and lifted the receiver in a wing. No reason to put it off. She heard a click and cut off the butler before he could get much into a hello. "Tell Thumper to be ready for tonight, six." She rattled off an address.

"Very good, Ma'am. His schedule has an opening then. I'll--"

She hung up. There. She had done her part.

That left her time to think some more, about stallions. There was another she was supposed to make time for...

Speaking of him... "In the palace..." She rose to her hooves and strode out. "I'll be back in a few hours." Her secretary nodded as she passed by. Libel launched herself out the nearest open window and took flight directly for the castle.

If he was fibbing about that, that would settle things quite nicely. She landed just in front of the stairs. It was rude to land much closer than that. Propriety required that the guards see one walk up those stairs, and to address them. She nodded to the two taking up the position. A pegasus and a unicorn. "Good afternoon."

"Ma'am," said one firmly, watching her. "How can we help?"

"It's a little thing." She sat and held up two hooves close together. "I'm considering an article, I'm Libelous Word, by the way, Canterlot Canter. I was considering an article about art in the castle. I hear new artists have a chance at being displayed in the palace alongside the older 'more classic' pieces. Is this true?" She was not a reporter, but she had tried her hoof before.

The other guard tossed his head towards the entrance. "We make sure it stays safe, ma'am. If you want to have a look at the art, you're welcome to have a viewing for yourself. Don't open doors or pass by any velvet rope and there shouldn't be a problem."

Libel smiled brightly. That had been easy. "I think I'll do just that. Is there somepony I could interview that would know more about them?"

They both shared a glance before a one shrugged. "Stop by the office." He pointed up. "Third floor, west side. Room 3...30. There's a stallion there that knows the records of the castle like the back of his own hoof."

"Oh, Record Checker?" The other nodded in firm agreement. "He knows everything there is to know about the palace. He's your pony, for certain." The two seemed happier, in content agreement about this fact.

"Record Checker." She pulled out a pad and scribbled with a wing-held quill. "I'll be sure to visit him, if he has the time to spare. Thank you both." She passed them, heading inside with a confident smile. Of course they let her in. She belonged in that city, with important ponies, getting things done.
> 11 - Truth Seeking
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Libel strode through the halls of the castle as if she belonged there. Did she not? She was given authority; even if it was under slightly untrue pretenses. Perhaps she would write that article. The chances were not not that high, she admitted to herself, but she'd never know without having a look.

Her eyes wandered as she took in the stained glass windows. Many of the tables set before pillars had smaller works of art, as often a painting on a wall as it was some sculpture or similar work that one could admire on the way past. Was one of them his? She couldn't be certain.

Had it been that long since she last saw any of his art? What had his style grown into? Surely he had evolved and grown as her own work had. Sure, she had liked words, even back then... but her work was foalish, as befit a foal. She saw circular stairs and began to ascend them, always moving firmly.

She ignored the maids and other ponies she passed. They were not what she was there for, and it would hurt her chances if she were to care about them. A reporter on the case would not, so she could not. Two stories higher she climbed, her wings itching as she went. Were she allowed to just fly there directly, the trip would have already concluded. Alas, propriety.

There it was. A plaque beside the door announced the room beyond it to be 'Records'. The door was open. Good. She had been forbidden from opening any, though she had been ready to knock if need be. She slowed her pace to a casual walk and moved through the open door into the room. It was a large thing, with no less than five ponies reading or scribing. All of those present were unicorns, save one.

She was an earth pony in the back with the biggest pile of books around her. She also appeared to be very old, with big glasses on her snout that she peered through as she read something, mumbling softly to herself.

"Can I help you?" A much younger male unicorn asked with a faint tilt of the head. "You don't appear to be a regular."

"Libelous Word," spoke the elder in the back. "Of the known Word family. Beware, she can live up to the first name, but does not make it a habit." The elder sat up, adjusting her glasses. "And she has little reason to be here."

Libel stiffened. She had been seen through that easily?! "I was hoping to get a fact or two about the art in the palace, then I'll be out of everyone's mane. Might you spare the time?" She wasn't entirely sure if she should address the elder or the younger one. The elder had already returned to what she was reading, and he was looking at her, so she went with him.

He looked around a moment before a book flew in, only to be caught in his magic. "Thanks." He nodded towards the elder that wasn't looking at him. "What did you want to know?" He set the grand tome down and carefully opened it.

"I heard a relatively young artist got their work posted here." She rolled a hoof. "Name of Color Splash? Can you verify that, for a start?"

"Color Splash..." His horn glowed as he flipped through the book carefully. "Color... Splash... Mmm..." He was almost to the end of the great tome, flipping quickly. "We have a lot of art pieces in the palace. Record Checker could tell you exactly how many, but she's busy."

Libel glanced at the elder. Was she Record Checker? "That's quite alright. I'm more interested in how the new and old art is being used together to create a unique experience."

"Ah, hmm..." He was just a few pages from the end and a hoof came down just beside the book. "Here we are! On display, Hall 24, the spring noon atrium."

Libel's brows rose.  It was good to be a princess and have such a specific room for such a specific time. "Any other details about it?"

"It was donated." Libel felt a frown coming on. "By a castle worker." Her frown eased. "They thought the princess would be cheered by it. I guess they were right, since it's still there." He shrugged softly. "Did you want to see it? It's not spring, so the room isn't in use." He climbed to his hooves. "I'll have to go with you though. You're not allowed to just walk in there without an appointment."

He turned and dipped his head towards the elder. "Is it alright if I take her?"

She responded without looking up, "you may wish to let her answer before you offer, but I have no objection."

Libel smiled gently at the unicorn. "I'd be delighted." She backed up and waved for the door. "After you. Have you seen it before?"

"Oh, no. I suppose I should look at it too." He trotted past her, leading the way down the hallway. "Do you, um, write things, about ponies?"

"I'm an editor," flatly corrected Libel. "Speaking of that, was that Record Checker?"

"One and only." He nodded with certainty, weaving through the halls with familiarity. "She's amazing, and busy. Usually both at the same time. We do our best to take the pressure off of her." He peeked over his shoulder. "If you're an editor, why are you, uh... here?"

Libel coughed softly, realizing her error. "Just because I am hired as an editor doesn't mean I never perform any other function." She had written articles before, and likely would in the future. "Are you much of an art fan?"

"Um, a little?" He turned down a narrow hallway, leading her along. "I have a few paintings... I kinda got them because I thought it'd, um... make me look more, you know, refined."

Libel had to smile. Faux-regal. It was a popular sentiment, especially among the lower born that wanted to live up to the fine examples of ponies around them. "Did you find any meaning in them?"

"One of them, uh, not really. It's... nothing but lines... The other one though..." He paused in his steps. "I really like that one. It's a portrait, a landscape of a summer day. It's away from the city, from civilization, from ponies... Just butterflies and birds and a squirrel... It's... I glance at it every morning." He sighed softly with appreciation. "That one I like. Uh, how about you?"

"I prefer pony portraits." She nodded softly as she walked. "When an artist can truly capture a pony's essence, that is a marvelous thing, especially when it's a pony worth marveling. It's an immortality, in a way. It may outlive you for some time, for other ponies to see and remember."

"Wow... Uh, here we are." He nodded to the two guards standing watch. "She's with me. We're just looking at a painting in there." He pointed inside past the closed door.

The guards nodded as one. The right one had an eye on Libel. "Please refrain from touching anything or moving anything. The princess has specific requirements for the position of all of her things."

"Of course." She nodded lightly. "I will touch only with my eyes and take only with my notes." She waggled the notepad held in her wing.

That seemed to satisfy them, and one opened the door for the two.

She advanced swiftly, trotting past the record keeping pony. The room drew her breath away. It was open-roofed, as befit an atrium, allowing the sun to spill in at an angle. "No wonder it's called the noon atrium..." She could only imagine how splendid it was when the sun was directly over their heads. Even at the angle, the effect was wonderful, bathing the room and its artifacts, bidding them to glitter and shine with the light.

He easily caught up with her stunned form. "Isn't it great? Celestia has a great sense of aesthetics, and encourages others to develop theirs. She didn't, you know, design this herself, but it was her bits and encouragement that made it come into being." He turned in place. "Now where is it... There." He pointed to the wall to the side of the table, not on either end of it.

There it hung. It was a portrait of a pony. That pony was Princess Celestia. She was not standing regally. She was surrounded by other ponies. They were all tiny ponies, foals, with big eyes and bright smiles. They swarmed her and she sat among them, laughing. It was a gentle and sweet picture of the princess taking time to be with her smallest subjects.

Several of them were climbing on top of her, with one making good efforts to scale her long neck. Everyone in the painting looked happy to be there, or simply determined in the case of the brave climber. It was... warm, and... Not what Libel expected when one would have told her a picture of Celestia awaited. And yet, it was there. It was there right in Celestia's sitting room, where she could be meeting with other important ponies. It was tacit admission that she agreed with the sentiments in the picture. She was a mother.

"Are you alright?"

Libel blinked, looking to the record keeping stallion. "Why would I not be alright?"

"You were staring, um... It is a nice piece." He nodded at it. "Really reminds you how nice the princess is... I wonder if he'd do one of Princess Luna? I mean... Not that I could afford to commission an artist. Anyone good enough to get their art here must be super expensive."

That raised a question. "You mentioned it was donated. Any idea how much the pony who obtained it originally paid for it?"

He shook his head quickly. "That isn't a mandatory question when someone donated a piece of art. We just need to know when, where, and how they came to have it, and that information was clearly filled out."

Libel smiled. "There's a hint. Where was it obtained?"

"From the artist's home." He nodded softly. "I remember that."

That could mean several things, or nothing. A truly well-to-do artist would have things in art shows and museums and other prestigious places. On the other hoof, if he was popular enough, he could expect worthy ponies to come to him and demand that right. The mystery was still there. She looked at the piece briefly. If nothing... he was talented. She smiled a little, wondering a moment if ever she could be captured so grandly. Even with all the foals, it was clear that Celestia was in charge, a mother,  not a babysitter. A grand and powerful presence.





Color tapped at the ground lightly. No call had come that day. Had he been stood up? Was she just busy? Was he waiting for nothing? He refused to give up that quickly. She was his friend! That had become so clear when they started talking. Even if nothing else ever happened, he wanted to reignite that. He wanted her back, as a friend.

They knew each other, from their foalhood days, and understood each other. He had started to wonder what her life was, since then. What was her average day like. What made her laugh, or cry. What made her groan in frustration or cheer in celebration. He wanted to know, and to share his own life with her. Even if romance never happened, he wanted his old friend back.

"Hello!" Derpy sat down across from him. "You look like you're thinking about something super serious. Everything alright?"

There was another pony he was growing to like having as a friend. "Anypony ever mention you're nice to have around?"

Her wings shot out as she burst into merry giggles. "You're so nice! Hey, um... Can you draw another picture?" She leaned forward. "I always wanted to see what I'd look like, doing a sonic rainboom."
> 12 - Big Nights
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Libel landed lightly on the night street, the lamps shining down on her dress. She was gussied up, lashes extended, makeup gently applied to her fur, nose and ears where the flesh showed. Her hoofs made strange clops, adorned as they were with glittering shoes. On her head sat a little tiara. Not at all competition for the sort a princess would wear, but enough to be clear she was an important mare.

"Pearls before swine," she muttered to herself, but she held onto faint hope. Perhap he had been nervous over the phone. When they actually met, he'd be an acceptable pony, and they'd get along well enough... She approached the wrought iron gate that barred his house from the road. She could see the house, a two story affair. It wasn't a hut, but it wasn't a mansion either.

He was comfortably middle class. He was doing well for himself, if you looked at it from a particular angle. Considering how little of a house he hailed from, it was a lovely achievement. He should be proud.

She should have been proud enough to look for better.

With a soft sigh, she reached a hoof out, daring not sully her wings against the bars. They opened without resistance, proving to not be locked. She walked, not trotted, towards the door. "Look on the bright side." Maybe he was, dare she hope, a deeply fascinating pony with all manner of inner complexity. She'll feel silly for not giving him more of a chance.





"Color Splash?"

It was a mare, on the phone. Color hadn't used phones very often, and had been quite surprised to be told he had a call. "Um, that's me. Who's this?"

"A concerned friend," spoke the female in a proper tone. "I will not be adding a name to that. Tell me, Mister Splash, what are your intentions for Miss Libel?"

Color arched a brow. "Why exactly would I be telling that to somepony I don't know?"

"You do know me, or rather, she knows me." There was a brief pause. "I am a concerned friend. Answer me truthfully, and I could help, or blow me off and kiss your chance goodbye."

Color frowned a little, holding the phone away in his magic to scowl at it properly, not that it could see him... he was fairly sure. "Uh... alright? She's a foalhood friend. We were best friends, BFFs, but that last F may have stood for Forgotten. I want to... be friends again. She's an amazing pony."

"She is," agreed the mare on the line. "Exactly why we're having this conversation, Mister Splash. She may act tough, but she has a soft side. Friends stand by their friends in their vulnerable times."

"I did that!" He hopped up to his hooves from a sitting position. "When... And..." All the times he could think of were private. "That's between us..."

"Good... keep your secrets. She wouldn't want you sharing them with me." He could swear he was sure she was smiling, whoever she was. "Describe her, in your own words."

He bit his lips. "A lot of what I know is from the past. I want to learn her... new self. I want to learn what makes her tick now. Where she's gone. I know where she's come from." He sighed softly. "Look, she's, uh, real popular. You could be some pony trying to get dirt on her."

"I could be..." There was another pause. "Look... Let's meet, in person. We'll put the cards on the table. I only need one thing."

Here it comes... "Which is?" He braced, expecting something unreasonable.

"Promise me you won't hurt her."

He blinked at that. "Oh, uh, I... will try not to? I can promise that."

"It'll have to do..." She gave an address. "Come quickly."

Color looked around the front room. Other ponies were chatting or lazing near the fire. It was cozy, and not at all reflecting the tension he felt. That was an opportunity. "I'll be there." He set the phone down on its base and hurried for the door. There was no time to wait.





Libel sat down across from him, smiling gently. He was overweight. On one hoof, not the ideal look of health and grace. On the other, he wasn't a muscle-bound example of masculinity. She nodded towards him,  half an eye on the menu she had little interest in. "So... come here often?"

"Only for special occasions." He gave his mane a toss. It was straight and fell like a carpet across the right side of his head. in a flowing of blonde. "It has the Tubthumper seal of approval."

She was quite certain the small eatery they were in was proud of that recognition. She leaned forward a little. "What do you recommend?"

"The stuffed linguine is to die for," he heartily recommended. "But that's an aside. I'm here to gorge myself on good company. The food can wait."

Her eyes fell to his curves. She figured he gorged enough without help. "Tell me, what do you do, outside of work?" Hidden complexities. That is what she still hoped for. Maybe he was truly a fascinating pony.

"Work does take up a good portion of the day." He shook his head. "Ponies would lose their heads if they were not attached. You know the feeling, I'm sure, but I'm there to pick up the pieces and set them back on course." He clopped his forehooves together. "When I get time away from them, I like to collect things."

"Such as?" There were quite a number of collecting hobbies... "Antiques?"

"Stamps." He waved it away gently. "I know it's not for everyone, but there is a rich history there, and it's an echo of the one we live in. You can really see the timeline of Equestria through the stamps that were printed and used, even the more recent ink and rubber ones."

Libel allowed a little smile. That sounded... almost... nice. It was delightfully harmless and almost amusing. "What's the rarest stamp you have?"

"Hmmm..." His eyes darted to spot a waiter. "Can you get us two reds, top shelf?" He wobbled a hoof. "And two orders of the stuffed linguines with an appetizer of garlic bread, extra butter. Thank you."

The waiter scurried away without writing anything down. She guessed his order did not deviate far from his usual selection. He looked at her expectantly. "Well?" She rolled a hoof at him. "The rarest stamp?"

"Oh, yes! It took months of tracking..." He slowly swept a hoof over the table. "But I laid a hoof on it. The very first actual 'stamp' stamp. Rectangular and made of unusually thick paper, it was hoof-drawn to perfection. I had to pay a restorationist to bring back the shine to it. It had faded badly over the years." He smiled quite proudly at his accomplishment. "It showed the princess flanked with a member of each of the three tribes. They were all decked in armor, showing the military mind of the time. It was about the time that the Wonder Bolts were a fond thought, still a few revisions away."

Libel nodded softly, imagining the little stamp. "And you still have it?"

"I couldn't keep it, no... I... just couldn't."

Libel raised her brows as one. "Why not? Isn't collecting stamps what you do?"

"Not that one." He gave a soft little smile. "It was too precious... Too important. I will never forget holding it, but I gave it up to a museum, where other ponies could see it and learn from it." He coughed into a hoof. "But nevermind that..."

She considered it, watching him start to ramble about a recent business trade. Was he afraid of feeling things? She reached across the table and set a jewel-clad hoof on one of his forelegs. "Hey. Don't do that."

He was shocked into quiet. "W..." He glanced around. "What should I not do?"

"That was nice. You did the right thing, and you feel things about it." She nodded softly. "Don't regret that." Her mother would have laughed at her for saying that. It was not a proper pony's place to get publically sentimental.

Good thing she was not her mother. "Did they at least put your name on the display?"

He smiled at that. "Oh, yes. I'm right in the corner." He gestured. "Donated by:" He laughed a little. "I thought you would think I was a sentimental fool for having... Nevermind that. Tell me about you! I've been monopolizing the time. What is it you do when work isn't calling?"





Elsewhere, Color sat down across from a mare that wore something on everything. He could barely tell it was a mare. "Um... hello?"

"Hello, Mister Splash," she said in a familiar voice. "Order what you want, my treat." She glanced away, brilliant amber eyes focusing on something behind Color a moment. "Now, it's just me and you. No recordings. No notes." She spread her gloved hooves. "Just you and me."

"This is... very clandestine." He dared a little smile. "You're a good friend, maybe?"

"You have one of those." Her eyes half-closed. "Day Dreamer left a mark behind. Behind those sleepy eyes slumbered a great if tranquil pony."

Color blinked at that. "Not sure I'd put it that way, but he is a good pony, yeah. That's why we're friends." And who else would put up with his particular habits? He loved the pony anyway, as a friend. Besides... "Wait, you met him?"

"He came here just to deliver a message."

Color winced softly. "I hope he didn't make a mess of things." He had forgotten to talk about that with Libel. "I'll help clean up!"

"He left no mess." She laid a glove-clad hoof on the table. "He was fine. A gentlepony, if you didn't mind that spaced out look... He seemed a good judge of character. The fact that he likes you is a good mark in your favor."

Color smiled a bit at that. "Oh, well, thank you. So, you wanted to know about us? I mean, Libel and me?"

"Yes, if you please." She sat up taller. "How did you meet?"

"We went to school together, as foals." He thought back to the distant past. "She was a little firecracker, always ready to pick a fight if she had to, and she often did. I liked her though. Uh, maybe a part of my silly colt self saw her as a fellow colt. She liked getting rough and tumble. She loved flying and getting physical. I loved it, and hung out with her a lot."

The mare smiled. He couldn't see her face, but it showed in the subtle lines around her eyes. "She isn't as physical, these days. You know what she does for a living, don't you?"

"She's an editor," he quickly replied, then pointed at himself. "I'm an artist. Neither of us are spending all day getting into that kind of trouble anymore. We're, you know, adults."

"Just making sure..." She tapped one glove to the other. "If everything went absolutely perfect, how would it go?"

Color blinked softly. "That's a big question... I mean, I'd be happy if we touched bases and became friends again." He brought his own hooves together. "I mean, beyond that... I'm just fantasizing. I mean..."

"Do you like her?"

He shrank back at that, coughing softly. "Well, I mean... If I say yes to that, I'm admitting to being a creep. I don't know her, you know... now. I want to! I want to become friends. Anything past that, well, we'll see when we get there."

She pointed past him silently.

He craned his neck to look across the eatery and the other ponies, and Libel sitting across from a rotund stallion. The two were clearly having a chit-chat. Appetizers were just arriving, being set at their table by their waiter.

His mysterious host gestured at the menu. "Better order, we'll  be here a little while."
> 13 - Day Dreaming
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Dreamer ran a hoof gently alongside a mostly-empty easel. Color had started work on it, then abandoned it, like he had abandoned the house... "Where are you, Dude?"

Sadness was not an emotion he had to wrestle with often, but not having Color around was doing it to him. "I hope you're alright." He returned to the couch and flopped down on it.

He may have fallen asleep, or not. He wasn't sure, but someone was knocking on the door. He looked up through bleary eyes. "Yeah? Who is it?"

The door suddenly burst open. "Brother!" It was Derpy, smiling brightly. "I hope you do--Woah! Why's my brother looking so sad!" She landed in front of him with a concerned look. "Why the frown?"

Day Dreamer put his hooves to the sides of his mouth and pushed upwards in a fake smile. "What, me? Nah, I'm cool."

"Don't you lie to me, Brother." she crossed her arms. "I have a message."

"Not a letter?"

"Nope!" She shook her head quickly. "That's why it took longer to get here. I can't divert for not-packages or letters. Anyway! Your friend says he's alright in Canterlot and he's totally hunting that mare you were trying to find."

Day's funk vanished, a smile spreading on his face. "That sly dog! I didn't even give him a chance to see her letter and off he ran. Do you think he has a chance?"

She waggled her brows at him. "If he doesn't get her, I'm taking him, Bro. Then we'll get married and all live in one house together."

Day blinked softly. "You'd be alright with me staying with you if you were married?"

Derpy set a hoof on his shoulder. "We're siblings and love each other very much! And he already likes you a ton. Why would I kick you out? What kinda sister would I be?! Would you be mad that I'm chasing your best bud?"

"Nah." He shook his head placidly. "So long as you treat him nicely, that sounds cool to me." He bonked his head against hers, making her eyes spin lightly. "You're a great bro, Sis."

"Wait... Am I a sister or a brother? Am I both?" She tilted her head a little. "You're confusing me."

He gestured at himself, then Derpy. "We're bros, good bros, to each other. You are a sister."

"Ohhh!" She perked right up. "I get it now, I think." She hopped up to her hooves. "I better get going, Bro. So many deliveries to make!"

They shared a gentle wave, and Derpy was gone, a few feathers settling to the ground where she once was.





"I have hobbies." Libel softly coughed into a hoof. "I enjoy listening to music, classical compositions."

"On a phonograph?"

"I prefer live performances." She arched a brow at him. "And you?"

He waved it away. "I have a phonograph in my office. I usually prefer lively records to keep the mood going while I work."

She clenched her teeth a little. He was a worker. Was that bad? She was also a worker... But... "I mean for pleasure. The day's over, you're home and wish to unwind... A little music?"

He frowned a little thoughtfully.





The secret pony's eyes were on the couple, watching them talk quietly, their words lost to the noise of other eaters and other conversations. "She didn't seem excited for this arrangement."

Color's ears twitched over to his tablemate. "You talked to her about it?" With his magic, he was casually nibbling at his pasta dish, though most of his attention was where his eyes kept straying, watching Libel, so close, and yet so far away.

"Only in passing. She is a private mare." She leaned closer. "She has secrets she would prefer to not announce."

"Yeah..." He knew at least one of them, and perhaps some more if their foalhood antics counted. "I mean, really, who doesn't have a few?"

"I don't."

It took him a moment to process that, blinking softly. "You're a secret, hiding under those clothes..."

"True..." She wobbled a hoof. "I'm not afraid of you, mind. It is her reaction that I need to be cautious of. She needs to not see me, or it will get awkward for all parties involved. Now, you are aware of her family situation, I presume?"

He sagged a little. "Her mother is the queen of their house, and has high expectations. She's always told Libel what to do and how to do it. Has she gotten out from under that hoof?"

"I think she has." She tapped a gloved hoof against a wine glass with only a muffed little thump to show for it. "In part. Are you ready to be her friend, knowing that puts you in contact with the Words and all that can entail?"

Color sipped gently from the wine in a glass held in his magic. "Gladly. I mean, I'm..." It struck him then. "Oh."

"Precisely." She pointed a hoof at him. "You are nobody. Why would they be pleased about you being with Miss Word?"

He nibbled the edge of a hoof, frowning with obvious thought. "If she's happy around me, does it matter that much where I'm from? I'm not a vagrant or anything."

"That can be a relative term. What is it you do for a living, Mister Splash?"

"I'm an artist, like I mentioned. I draw and paint."

The mystery mare set her clothed snout on her gloved hooves. "Show me."

With his glowing horn, he drew out his drawing pad.





"You're given a week off. Finances are in order. What do you do?" She rolled a hoof as she described the theoretical.

"Oh no, I've been answering these. Your turn. What would you do, my dear?" He took a big bite of saucy linguine, smiling at her.

What would she do? "Vacation. Maybe to Las Pegasus. I'd buy a week pass, platinum. I don't want to stand in any lines. I'd take someone I can talk to with me." She had little interest in speaking to random other vacationers. "I hear it is an experience worth having. I already missed the chance to ride the--"

His snout wrinkled. "Isn't that more of an attraction for common ponies? Not like us."

Not like me, thought Libel silently. "Just the once. I wish I had gone earlier, for the roller coaster." She heard it was so intense even the Wonder Bolts had frequented it with joy. She wondered if they let pegasi spread their wings as they were tossed around... Pity it was gone.

Tubthumper look scandalized. "I wouldn't want to... do that... I... thought you were a refined mare." His eyes wandered over her quickly. "You... have the appearance, but... maybe I should have seen the signs."

Libel blinked softly, wait... Was he...?

He rose to his hooves. "I'm afraid this simply won't work out. Waiter! Send the bill to my estate."

She was left quite suddenly alone. She had been dumped by a pony and she was unsure how to feel about that. The sting of a tear reminded her that she had feelings that were not waiting for her vote on the matter.





The mystery pony's eyes darted over and locked in Libel's direction, her entire form stiffening. Color snapped to look in the same direction. There was Libel, sitting alone, her face buried in her hooves.

He moved to stand, only to feel magic pushing him back down.

"Stay," ordered the mare across from him, a glow in the cloth that wrapped around her head. "She will want to see no one she recognizes. Stop looking at her and pretend the meal is the most fascinating th--" She trailed off as he broke free of her grip and hurried towards her. "Or not..."

He hurried along, skirting past tables and around waiters. "Excuse me, excuse me..."

She looked up, blinking. That was a voice she knew. "Color?"

He came to an awkward halt, getting a better look at how pretty she was at the moment. She was dressed so well, even if tears had caused her makeup to run a little. "O-oh... Libel, I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry about?!" She hopped up to her hooves, scowling at him.

He took a half-step back. "Um... I just..."

"You just what?!" She shoved him with a thrust hoof, following it up with a buffet from a wing across the face. "You here to rub it in?" She struck him with her other wing, a low growl in her face. "What are you even doing here!" She pounced on him, driving him to the ground and beating upon him with her well-adorned hooves.

He flailed at her, trying to ward her attacks away. "Libel, stop it! I... It's alright! It's okay."

"It's not alright!" she shouted at him, but hooves came down on her shoulders and pulled her back. It was one of the workers of the place. Another was pulling Color to his hooves.

Soon they were both tossed out for the peace of the other eaters, landing on their haunches beside one another. Color suddenly laughed.

"Are you laughing at me?" she hissed.

"I'm laughing at us. I haven't been marehandled like that since I was a colt." He stood up with a smile despite the developing black eye, flesh swelling painfully. "Do you feel better, Libel? I mean..."

"Shut up, Splashy." She stood up as well and snorted softly. "Answer me and be honest."

"That's a popular request." He smiled awkwardly. "I'll do my best, promise."

She put a hoof to her head even as she poked him with a wing. Her eyes wandered, watching each person go by. "What do you want?"

"Um, you?" Her face contorted. "Not like that! I want my friend back."

"I'm not the mare you used to play with, Splashy."

He smiled a little. "And I'm not the colt you pushed around, even if you still swing a mean kick."

She colored at that. Being physical with someone was not something she was supposed to do. It wasn't something... "Shouldn't you be more... angry?" She tapped a decorated hoof lightly. "Your face looks terrible."

"It was the price paid for a chance to talk... I'd pay it again."

"You were always a suckup." She gently biffed him with a wing on his shoulder. "Follow me, eyes forward, and keep answering." She began to lead the way away from the failed date, wending through the streets and dark alleys.

Unseen by both, a third form slipped out and pursued them quietly at a distance.

"Someone donated that piece."

"Hmm?"

She glanced back at him. "The one in the palace. Someone gave it. It wasn't you, or we wouldn't be talking... Who did it, and why?"

He colored faintly. "I was... very surprised when I heard. A unicorn came by when I was having a yard sale. He saw the picture, had to have it... He decided it would make Celestia happy and, uh... Where is it? Did you see it?"

She rolled her eyes. "You never saw it where it ended up?" Of course, he was not an upper crust pony. They wouldn't have let him in there. "It's right in one of her atriums, a prize display..."

He sighed happily. "Oh wow... I guess she liked it."

"How much did you charge for it?"

He laughed a little bittersweet laugh. "Maybe not enough, or maybe I should have been paying, to have my art in a place like that..."

"A number."

He quoted how many bits. It was not a lot.

She turned on him. "You're underselling. It should have been a crime. That pony basically stole from you."

He blinked, not expecting that response. "Huh?"

She reached out and booped him right on the snout with a jeweled hoof. "Stupid Splash, head in the clouds. Let us Pegasi handle that."

He looked stunned a moment before a slow smile spread on his face.
> 14 - A New Project
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Color took him to a safe place, her home. It was no manor, despite how she had cruelly judged Tubthumper. It was larger than a single editing mare needed, but not a stately palace as her mother possessed. She would, likely, one day inherit that. There was little reason to invest heavily in a home until then.

It was well appointed, with rose-covered and solid stone walls that kept out the riff-raff. Its gate was clean and polished, in excellent repair. All the plants in the area were doing well. She paid a lot to insure that remained the case. With a twist of a wing-held key, she unlocked the gate and gestured inside. "Stay on the cobbled path unless you suddenly learn how to fly."

Color laughed nervously as he stepped past her. "Where is this? Is this your home? It's fantastic," he sighed out appreciatively.

She rolled her eyes as she followed him, pulling the gate tightly shut as she went. "We have something more important to focus on." She flew along just beside him towards the house. "You should be fantastically wealthy, instead you're just... not." She snorted powerfully enough for the gust to ruffle his mane. "I won't stand for it."

"You're not technically standing at all." He smiled despite his injuries.

"Did I ask for a joke?"

"Seriously though," he said, ignoring her angry bite. "What do you plan to do?"

"I plan to take your life and turn it around." She landed lightly on the patio in front of her door and got out a second key. Her presence was enough to cause a light to flicker on. She had to pay a good amount of bits for that trick. Seeing Color be amazed by it made her think a moment that it had been worth it. "You need a manager. Now, I'm a busy mare, as I'm sure you realize."

"Of course." He dipped his head towards her as he joined her on the patio. "I'm doing alright, promise."

"'Alright' is far from sufficient." She advanced on her front door and pressed a hoof to a panel, causing it to pop open on recognition of her. "You could be doing amazingly, and you're settling with 'alright'. No. You are now my side project and I will not accept 'no' as an answer."

He followed her into the two-story house that began to light itself with their entry. "Libel, you really don't have to."

"But I want to, so here we are." She gestured broadly. "I've seen you ogling my house. You could have one like it. Wouldn't that be nice? You could have ponies whispering to each other about the 'latest Splash work', scrambling to get tickets to where you display your pieces."

She had held it in for hours, even with drinks, and anger, and everything else. Things were becoming relaxed again. She suddenly felt the urge to go, overwhelming and painful. She squeaked and barely made it a few steps before it all came free of her.

Color began to color quickly, watching her waddle a few hurried steps, then the smell of a mare who had not made it. "It's alright..."

"It's not alright!" she shouted at him, ears folding against her head. "I'm a damned successful businessmare and I can't even manage what a yearling gets under control!"

He approached her despite her frustrated anger. "It's alright because you're still an amazing, and successful, businessmare that happens to be my friend. Now, if you want to go get changed, I'll still be here."

She lifted an ear, watching him a quiet moment before her wings shot out and she took flight, fleeing the room.

He sat down with a little sigh. Alone, he looked around. He was just beside the kitchen, which reminded him that he hadn't really eaten much in all that. He had been too busy staring at Libel...

He shook his head softly and wandered into the kitchen, which lit up with his presence. "That is cool..." He willed the fridge to open and peeked around. There wasn't a lot in there. A few chilled bottles of wine, some breakfast supplies... And a to-go box, hm. "Libel? Alright if I eat these leftovers?"

"Go ahead," came her shouted reply from upstairs.

With a smile, he pulled the folded box free and soon had it open. It smelled expensive, even chilled. He made short work of it, enjoying the cold and clammy noodles and the somewhat dried but still tasty rice that went with it. "Mmm." His nervousness abated a little as he washed it down with a big glass of tap water. "I feel like a pony again."

"Stop stealing my words." Libelous was returning, a carefully composed look on her face. "Now... as I was saying." Her eyes drifted from him to the togo box he had just finished. "That's... Nevermind. Do you have a marketing strategy?" His blank look was more than answer enough. "That changes. I'm throwing your art in front of a pony that can spread the word. Get me your best piece by the end of the week."

Color's ears went up as he shuffled. "But what I think is the best might not be what they think is the best. How about I pick the best, mmm, three?"

"That works." She nodded confidently as she sat down next to him. "Your best three, have it here, in my hooves. Do you work by your real name, or a pseudonym?"

"Those are so presumptuous." He stuck out his tongue a little. "We both have great names."

"No argument." She clucked her tongue softly. "Lastly, my secretary gets paid to ignore these things, you don't. Why do you act like it's not even a big deal?"

He took a moment to process that, realizing they have changed topics suddenly. "O-oh! I mean... Libel... You had this problem before... You were amazing before; you've only gotten more amazing since then." He leaned in towards her, touching his nose to her snout before she could back away. "You don't point at a pony missing a leg and make it a big deal each time they stumble."

She winced back at that. "Am I a cripple then?"

He pointed at his swollen face. "A cripple that can kick my rump. A cripple that has most of the the things I don't, and a cripple that's very cute."

She colored swiftly. "Color!"

"That's my name." He smiled gently.

She grunted before setting her ruffled wing down properly. "Damnable stallion... You're not here to date me, idiot. We're here to fix your broken business model."

"Yes, Ma'am!" He saluted, that happy smile not removed from his face. "First step, three best pieces, right?"

"What is your strength?" She arched a brow at him. "The piece I saw was a portrait. Do you favor those?"

"I love them." He clopped his forehooves together. "Capturing ponies as they are, or could be, or pretend they aren't. Speaking of that, what did you think of it? I mean, I know Celestia likes it, but I'd rather hear your thoughts."

Libelous couldn't help but smile. Her opinion was more important than Celestia's... "It was lovely... You really captured a part of her I think we should... Look, this is why we're here. You can do great art, but if nopony sees it, and you never get paid, then what's the point?"

"Making pretty things?"

She rolled her eyes. "Great, so ponies can appreciate it after you're gone? No. Not on my watch." She frowned at him with obvious intensity. "Do you agree to follow my instructions?"

"Yes?"

She leaned in closer. "That doesn't sound committed."

"I have a condition."

She blinked. "I'm offering you something valuable and you have conditions?" She rolled her eyes as she circled him. "What are your 'conditions'."

"Just one." He smiled as he turned to keep her in sight. "I want to help."

"Help with what?" She raised a brow all the higher.

"Your problem. Even if I'm just a coach, I want to be there, for you. I want you to not be alone with this..."

Her cheeks darkened as she shied back a step. "Do you have any idea what you're proposing?!"

"I am asking my friend to not throw things at me when I discuss her serious medical condition and how to combat it." He nodded softly. "That is precisely what I'm proposing. I am also proposing that you not die of embarrassment when you tell me how well, or poorly, a day went and we go over ideas to make the next day a little better."

"Splashy! It's more than that." Her wings were wide and tense. "You're asking a mare to discuss... that part of her, with a stallion... casually..."

"As friends sometimes do." He dared to touch noses with her. "I promise to never laugh."

She put a hoof on his nose, pushing him back and away. "You're also officially requesting to be placed in the friend zone."

"I thought mares denied that existing." He stuck out his tongue a little at the idea.

She huffed. "Be that as it may, I'm not blind... You... like what you see." It was his turn to start coloring. "And you want a pretty mare to start gushing her disgusting medical issues at you?"

He held up his forehooves. "If it helps, I want to hear a lot more than that. I want to meet you, all over again. I want you to meet me!"

"Splashy... Color..." She leaned forward and bonked her head against his. "You haven't changed all that much. Stupid stallion."

He laughed at that, returning the fore-head nuzzle. "You have, and I want to catch up. Will you let me be your friend?"

"I'll let you try." She drew back suddenly, turning away. "On the shared condition that we take your life plans seriously. It's time to get you on the right track." If he became popular, and wealthy, then her mother would have no room to scorn him.

But it wasn't her mother that would decide on him, was it? She shook her head free of the conflicting thoughts. "For tonight, take the guest bedroom, then go home. Send the three pieces, as promised."

He tilted his head at that. "How am I going to keep up to date with you if I'm far away?"

"Call me?"

He frowned at that. "I don't have a phone... I'll go home, get the best pieces, and come back with them. How's that?"

She wearily sighed. "Well alright then. Sleep, wake up, go to the train, get your things, come back." She threw up a hoof. "But you'd better not make a mess out of my house!" she practically yelled at him, ending with an angry little snort. "My eyes are on you." She pointed two feathers at her eyes, then at Color Splash.

"Yes, Ma'am!" He saluted sharply, then got to cleaning the small mess his dinner had created. "Is it... alright if I bring some of my art supplies."

"You're really testing me, Splashy... I'll figure out what room you can use for that tomorrow. For today, go to sleep." She turned to depart. "I'm tired and I have work in the morning. If I'm already gone when you wake up, that's just how that works."

He let her go. When the kitchen was sparkling once more, he nodded. He nodded and realized what had happened. He would be living with the mare he had put up on a pedestal. He was living with Libelous Word, of the Words, who had agreed to try sharing intimate details of her life while shaping his.

He smiled goofily as he thought about it.

The black eye had been entirely worth it, he decided. He'd take another just to not wake up from what could be a dream.

He started for the guest room, determined to make sure it didn't become a nightmare.
> 15 - Life Moves On
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Libelous went to work early the next day. There was no other reasonable course of action, and she didn't even consider any.

Color woke to an empty house, but there was a typed letter in the kitchen, affixed to the fridge with a magnet.



I've left a small stipend of bits. This is not a charity. You are expected to pay them back, with interest, once my guidance secures your financial future. In the off-chance that I fail, provided you followed all given directions, this debt will be forgiven. Look for the silk bag next to the milk.

Have breakfast, then leave. I expect you back in 3-5 days, depending on how sluggish the trains feel like operating during your trips. When you return, our work truly begins. Say hello to Day Dreamer for me.

Eager to Begin,
Libelous Word

PS: Someone left your writing pad on the front mat? Did you drop it? You have talent... It's still on the mat, waiting for you.



He smiled a little, examining her signature. "Not like her mother..." It wasn't a too-fancy stamp. It was hand-scrawled with care and just a little touch of fancy. He liked its look better. He folded the note carefully and tucked it away, not wanting to part ways with it. "Next to the milk..." 

He popped open the fridge with a thought and there it was, a blue and red bag that looked kinda pricey. He plucked it up in his magic and brought it over to feel in his hooves. It was soft and smooth. Silk. Inside jingled the promise of bits. He pulled the string that held it closed and peered inside before falling backwards. Was that a 100-bit coin?! He had never held a coin of such a high denomination before.

Sure,  he'd held 100 bits, but not all in one coin, and he was fairly sure... Another peek confirmed. It was not alone. She had left him a bag of 100 bit coins, like it was nothing. He tucked the bag away more carefully, as if afraid it could combust at any moment.

"I'm not in a rush to spend that..." He'd owe it back, she made that clear!

He skipped breakfast, making his way back to the little inn where his bag resided, reclaiming his suit. "I never got to show it off..." He wasn't sure showing up with it would have changed much with how things went. On the other hoof, it could have gone... "It went fine." He shook thoughts of could-bes away and hurried to the train station. He had art to pick, and a roomie to catch up with.

"He probably didn't even notice I was gone," he said with a laugh, sinking into his seat and waiting to go home at the rate the train carried him.





Libel took a slow breath as she settled into her seat. Her wings stretched with the motion before she brought up  her hooves, starting to type rapidly on the binary typewriter that was the hotbed of a lot of her work. She dismissed thoughts of her foalish foalhood friend and their frazzled financial faculty.

She shook her head and tried to focus on her work, not the drawing. It had been in colored pencil. It was no masterpiece, not worthy of hanging on a wall and admiring... But it had been her. It had been her right on the steps of the building she was working in.

She had that look she was terrified of having. Uncertainty in her eyes, but she was not drawn as simply a meek thing. Like a deer in the forest, it was her domain, but she was ready to flee at an instant's notice. She smirked a little, thinking of the time she posed for the art without realizing at the time.

"I'm not meek," she insisted to the air.

"Need a drink?" asked her secretary over the intercom suddenly.

Libel blinked. "Oh, yes. Something relaxing I think."

"That's not like you. I'll have it in there in a moment."

Libel frowned a bit as she got back to work, click-clacking away with corrections on a paper that she was due to have turned in by the end of the day for print the very next. She had to get it done, and she manically smashed the keys to ensure that was the case.

"You seem happier." Her secretary had snuck in without being noticed. With a glowing horn, she set down a saucer with a teacup resting on it, steam rising from the hot fluid. "Did the date go well?"

Libel felt blood rushing to her cheeks. "He wasn't my type." She was fairly sure that was true, and she decided she had no reason to admit  he realized that first. "Ran into an old friend though. The one that showed up here the other day?"

"Ah," she said,  not sounding surprised. "Did you have a nice chat?"

Libelous lifted the cup with a feather through the handle, sipping gently. "Mmm, you know, we did. He's roomates with that pony you like." It was her turn to needle her secretary for once. "Day Dreamer was it?"

The secretary stiffened. "Is that so? I... trust he's well?"

"They're good friends, but his trip here meant he hasn't spoken in a few days." Libelous shook her head. "I'll have more up to date news when Color comes back."

"Comes back?" She sat down just beside Libelous. "He's returning then?"

"You wouldn't believe it! He sold a masterpiece of a painting for 15 bits! 15!" She threw up  her hooves. "15! He's a fool, and the pony that bought it is a criminal."

The secretary tapped at her cheek. "I didn't see the piece in question, so I can't speak of how foalish he was in the act. What do you plan to do about it?"

"Bottom..." She reached with a wing and plucked out an old newspaper clipping. It had a picture of the painting.

Bottom tilted her head at the painting's reproduction. "It looks lovely." The full majesty of it couldn't be captured with an Equestrian camera, but she could see it was a nice portrait. "What is it you plan to do?"

"Miss Line," she sighed out. "You are single-minded today." She tip-tapped at her keyboard a moment, dropping the conversation, but Bottom Line remained where she was, waiting patiently.

That patience was rewarded with a sigh. "I'm taking the responsibility of his management. I will educate him in basic business affairs and introduce him to the proper social circles to get his art seen by ponies that will give him the accolades, and bits, he rightly deserves. No friend of mine will be a plebian nobody!"

Bottom quirked a little smile. "He's still a friend then? That's nice. I wish I had kept in contact with more friends from the past." She casually dropped a lone sugar cube into the tea.

"Hmm? Of course we are." Libelous rolled her eyes as she worked busily. "Splashy needs some help, and, as his friend, I will step into that role." She took another sip and licked her lips, appreciating the sweetened taste without conciously realizing where it came from. "Something wrong with that?"

"It's a little one sided," confessed Bottom with a wobbling hoof. "Friends should support each other,  both ways."

"Who said he's doing nothing?!" She huffed softly. "He's helping..."

"You sound pouty, ma'am. It doesn't suit you." Bottom rose to her hooves. "I'm glad to hear that. Did you need something drawn?"

"I still have tea." She jumped in place. "Oh, wait, no... I don't... need him to draw something, not for me. He needs to draw for himself, and be recognized for it."

Bottom walked casually from the room, speaking as she went, "Being a close friend, is he already aware of your medical condition?"

Libelous stiffened, reminded that Bottom knew. Perhaps the whole office knew her dirty little secret. "Yes..."

"I'm glad to hear it doesn't dissuade him." She sank back into position in the front of the office, click-clacking at her own typewriter. "It's important to have friends that you can turn to, when it feels... unsightly."

"He's a stallion!" she barked suddenly. "I... Talk to him, about that?"

Bottom lifted her shoulders, even if the action was unseen. "We all have to go, Miss Word. If he's willing to be a friend and offer a supportive hoof..."

"Would you talk to a stallion about it?!" Libelous shook her head rapidly, her tongue poking free and her typing interrupted for a moment.

"If I trusted him," came the tranquil reply. "If I trusted him completely... I would, and I would be happy to have such a dear pony close at hoof." There was a quiet moment. "You're lucky you have one."

Libelous rubbed at her cheek. Her secretary wasn't usually so talkative... "Do... you have friends?"

"A few..." She leaned a bit, her head coming into view. "One of them's a workaholic and a bit of a snob, but I like her anyway."

"Sounds like a hoof-full," laughed out Libelous in a supportive fashion. "Does she give you flack for being a secretary, because you're a damn good one and I won't stand for anypony giving you a sour word for it."

"Oh, no... No... She doesn't mind that part about me." She resumed typing softly, click-clacking away busily. "She's more worried about work-life interference and the like. She doesn't even know I'm there."

"What?! No way! How can anypony not notice you?" She rolled her eyes. "Sounds like a moron. Let's stop worrying about that and get this done."

Bottom Line shook her head at the open door. Her boss was a silly pony, she decided. She still liked them despite it. With a smile, she got back to work at full speed. They both had work to do, and she wouldn't let personal matters get in the way of that. 

Libelous would never forgive her.





Day looked up at the knocking. "Derpy?"

The door opened and a familiar unicorn stepped through it. "You should be so lucky." He tilted his head, realizing. "That reminds--"

He was cut off. The usually sedate earth pony had bolted and tackled him, driving him to the ground in a fierce hug with all four hooves involved in the intense expression of affection.

"O-oh, I... Miss me?"

"A little." He let go of Color carefully, sitting up with a happy smile. "It's so good to see you, bro. How'd it go?" He stood up and casually closed the door that had been left open. "Tell me all about it."

"Oh, well... I ran into her... and we... talked."

"And?"

"And..." He rolled a hoof slowly in the air. "I'm going to pick my best work and bring it to her. She's dead set on making me a big and popular artist."

He blinked softly. "Um, cool, but that isn't... exactly what I'd want from my princess."

Color put a hoof behind his head. "I made a trade."

"Mm?" He leaned forward, eyes sparkling a little with curiosity. "What did you trade for it?"

"The right to... help her with a problem?"

"Her soggy bottoms?"

Color blinked softly. "Does everyone know?"

He tapped at his nose gently. "Her secretary keeps a clean office, but you can't fool this nose."

Color shook his head slowly as he moved towards his many strewn art pieces, eyes wandering from one to the next in pursuit of which he'd take with him. "Uh, well, yeah, that. Speaking of her, she... may have a thing for you."

The sedate pony pinkened a little, but didn't actually look embarrassed. "That's cool... I dug her wavelength too. Hey, are you going right back to Canterlot?"

"As soon as I pick a few..." He pushed sheets of painted cloth around, trying to pick the best one.

"Well, why don't I come with you, for support?"

"And to visit a certain secretary?"

He flopped against Color. "Happy coincidence. Let me help a friend in need, and that one's the best." He pointed at a night time view of Canterlot. "It'll knock those Canterlot ponies flat."
> 16 - Spinster
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hello."

Libelous frowned into the phone that had just spoken the line. "Hello, Mother," she replied, restraining her growl just barely. "I'm at work, working. Who would have guessed it?"

"I heard how things went with Tubthumper. I had to scrape the bottom of the barrel to find a pony who managed to miss the ball. He's almost a nopony and you couldn't even--"

"--There was nothing there, Mother." She rolled her eyes softly. "I have a paper due in an hour. Give me a reason to not hang up."

"Besides your respect for your elders? I'm calling you to let you know I'm giving up." She could almost hear her mother throwing up a hoof as she said that. "You will find a pony on your own, or die an old mare, alone. I don't want that for you, but you've made it clear that I'm wasting my efforts."

Libel sucked air through her teeth in a slow hiss. "Thank you for trusting my decisions then. Right now, being alone isn't sounding that bad. Goodbye." She set the receiver down gently on its base and let out a thunderous sigh.

"Tea?"

Libelous smiled a little at her intercom. "No. That will make me go. I need to focus on this work."

"As you like, Ma'am."

"Bottom?"

"Yes, Miss Word?"

"Don't call me that, please."

"Yes, Libelous?"

Libel smirked a little, considering her steps. "Are you available, to talk?"

"We're doing that, Ma'am. Go ahead." In the other room, Bottom smiled and sat back, slowing her typing.

"Are we friends?"

That had been direct. "I like to think we are, Libelous." Bottom smacked her lips in an audible snap. "You can still fire me if I fail to perform in accordance to the agreed upon terms of employment, of course."

"I..." Libel frowned at the intercom. "You know that's not exactly how that works..." The idea of firing a friend sounded repugnant. "Just keep working hard so I never have to think about that." She wanted to keep  her friend, and her secretary, even if they happened to inhabit the same lovely pony shape.

The thought of trying her hoof at romance flitted in, just to die miserably. Dating her direct inferior was... wrong, on multiple levels. There were so many complications there that it'd be making a mess of both of their lives even if it went well. No, none of that. Bottom Line was a friend. That was lovely, all by itself.

"No, I do not want to go on a date, Libelous. I am still here to talk, however."

Libel felt her cheeks warm instantly. "I wasn't going to ask that!" She slapped the intercom with an aggravated hoof. "You didn't meet Color Splash, right?"

"Actually, I did. We had a brief conversation. Enlightening."

Libel struggled to think when that would have happened. "What feeling did you get? What kind of pony would you say he is?"

"A loyal friend, a stallion, and a romantic. His art is also acceptable. I'd give it a B+."

Libel raised a brow. "Why a B+?"

"He draws what he sees, instead of what he wants a viewer to see." Bottom resumed click-clacking at her typewriter. "I think he forgets he is creating art, rather than just getting down his flights of fancy."





Color doodled with color pencils held in his magic. They were riding a private car back to Canterlot. It had plenty of room for his art to rest easily without cramping either of them.

"Club Soda?" An attendant was there with a tray on her back, smiling as she turned to display all the bottles balanced on the tray.

Day Dreamer reached for one. "Thanks. These are good tickets, Splash. Free soda."

Color mumbled something as he snatched one with his magic, allowing the attendant to wander forward. "Don't get used to it." He popped the top off against the seat's edge. "This is Libel's money, and she'll want it back... I probably shouldn't have even splurged this much."

Day upturned his bottle, the closed end in his mouth. He spat out the top from the side of his mouth without other aid and began drinking it heavily at first, two great swigs before he set it down. "Ooo, cherry flavor..." He licked his lips softly. "Tell her I said to do it. She'll believe that."

"You did say to do it!"

"See?" He nodded placidly. "The truth is the best answer."

Color applied a hoof to the side of his head as he willed the different pencils to work on the pad. "You are something else, Day."

"Gonna drink that?"

"Yes." He sipped from his bottle, nursing the glass lightly as he worked a moment. "You have plenty of your own."

"Yeah, but yours says cream. I want to try it. Trade?" He held up his cherry-flavored soda with a happy smile.

Color floated his bottle towards Day and the exchange was made. As it turned, Color liked the cherry flavor. "Mmm... Why'd you give this up?"

"This isn't bad..." He pointed a free hoof at the slowly progressing drawing. "Are you drawing a landscape?"

"Thought I'd give one a try." He tapped at it with a pencil. "I prefer portraits, but an artist has to grow. To grow, you have to challenge yourself. Maybe I'll add somecreature afterwards."

"All those rocks..." It was a picture of the mountains leading up toward Canterlot. "Maybe a rocky pony, hmm... Maybe that bearer of the elements? What was her name? Something to do with her color... She was... purple?"

Color hiked a brow. "Do you mean Pinkie?"

"Pinkie? That's a silly name for a purple pony." He shook his head in defiance before snorting out a giggle, settling with his soda.

Color smirked as he made a note to hide a pink pony in the piece somewhere, later. For the time, he focused on getting the shading on the rocks just the way he wanted it to be for the time of day he had in mind for the picture he was rendering.

Day propped up against a window to peek outside. "Hey, there it is." He pointed to Canterlot in the distance, coming closer by the moment. "You looking forward to meeting your princess again?"

"Are you?" retorted Color.

"Yes."

Color blinked softly. "It's not fun nettling you if you just admit it like that."

Day Dreamer reached to boop his friend's nose. "Truth is the best answer. Think I have a chance with her? She's a fancy pony, I could tell... I'm not very fancy... Will she get bored if I just want to hang out a little?"

Color softly bopped him on the shoulder. "You're sounding like me. Stop taking after my bad habits. She already said she likes you, and how did you even meet her?"

Day frowned with thought. "I was looking for your princess and she works with her. There was a sad plant that I helped, then I took a nap."

Color rolled his eyes mightily. "So you came in, helped her plant, and took a nap, then she liked you? Pretty sure she'll be alright if you want to just 'hang out'."

"You're saying it like a dirty word, Bro." He shook a hoof. "We can go get something to eat, talk about nothing, just enjoy each other's vibes, you know? You should try that with your princess. You two have plenty to chat about already."

"Maybe we can do a double date," he suggested without sounding convinced. He set his art next to himself on the couch and hopped up to his hooves. "We're almost there. Let's get our things gathered."

"Already ahead of you." He had taken nothing from his one traveling bag, and had nothing to put back into it. He traveled simply.

Soon they disembarked from the land of free soda and rejoined the realm of snooty unicorns. They had barely made it out of the train station when a pegasus crashed just in front of them. Day Dreamer silently held up an '8' sign. A pony, unbidden, joined in with a '7' sign.

Derpy shook her head free of the stars. "Ooo, I'm getting better. Hey, Bro, Bro's bud!" She waved eagerly. The unknown pony wandered away, his job complete. Derpy rose to her hooves, smiling brightly. "It's really hard to deliver mail to ponies on a train, lemme tell ya."

Color offered a hoof to help her up. "You chased us all the way here?"

"Most of it." She wrinkled her snout. "You kept getting mail and no one was home, so I followed you." She leaned forward. "Ready for mail! I have plenty for both of you."

Color shook his head slowly. "While I appreciate the effort, how have you not been fired by now?"

"Because she's awesome?" Day Dreamer moved to stand beside her, leaning against her. She returned with a wing hug, the two grinning with equal goofiness. "Lay the mail on us, Bro."

"You got it!" She coiled on herself, releasing Day Dreamer as she came back with enough envelopes to fill her snout. She put that pile in front of Color, then came back with three more small ones she put in front of Day Dreamer. "There you go. All delivered!"

Day Dreamer suddenly clopped his face with a hoof. "I forgot to show you the letter!"

Derpy's wings shot out wide. "A missing letter?! I'm on the case! Where did you see it last?"

Color tilted his head. "I didn't see you holding any letters?"

Day pointed back towards their home. "I left it in my room back at the house."

"On it!" She took off, fluttering away wildly into the sky.

Color watched her go a moment. "She is a flying miracle."

"Like her?"

Color's  brows fell. "Why are you asking in that tone? I'm... you know, already chasing a mare. What is this, a bad romance? I don't need two mares. The one I have my eyes on is quite... complicated enough, and I'm not even sure if we'll... go that way or not..."

Day waved a hoof dismissively as he plucked up the three envelopes with his cutie mark stamped on them. "You know Derpy totally has a thing for you, right?"

Color's jaw worked soundlessly a moment. "What?"

"I'm not joking, promise. She's a good pony though and waiting to see if it works out with the princess or not. If not, she has dibs, so you better not rebound to anypony else before she has a chance to win your heart fair and square." Day Dreamer tucked his letters away and pointed to Color's many. "Don't forget your mail."

Color set a hoof on the pile, but didn't seem to be in a rush to move anywhere. "How? I mean... we barely met."

"Not how she tells it." He snorted softly and turned slowly in place. "You slept with her, Bro. You talked about your wishes and you drew her like a Prench mare."

"I drew her making a sonic rainboom!" he blurted more loudly than he intended. With eyes suddenly on him, he grabbed up his letters in his magic and stuffed them roughly away into his pocket. "Look, let's... get going. I have to explain to Libelous why I'm showing up with my roomie tagging along and hope she doesn't give me a fresh black eye for assuming that was alright."

"You didn't mention that part." He leaned dangerously close. "You heal fast. So, how'd that happen? Tell me while we walk."

Color got to talking, leading his grinning roomie along through the streets. He suddenly stopped. "Wait. I'm going to change."

"Change into what? You're pretty cool as you are, Bro."

Color blinked softly. "No, clothes. I'm going to put on my suit. Wait here a moment."

He hurried away, hoping that showing up looking like he was serious about being, well, a serious pony would help smooth things out with Libelous.
> 17 - A Prince
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Libelous perked an ear. A soft chime had announced someone at the gate. She walked towards a box and pressed a wing against a button on it. "Hello?"

"Hi--"

The voice was cut off by another male, "heya!"

She recognized both. One was Color, the other was his friend, Day. "Why is Day Dreamer here?" She hiked a brow they couldn't see at her intercom.

"He helped me pick my best art," Color lamely explained. "He also wants to meet your secretary again. I... hope you can forgive me."

"I'll stay out of the way," promised Day.

Libelous rolled her eyes. "One moment, I'll be right out." She released the button and left her home, grumbling on her way towards the gate.

There was a pony there, but she did not recognize the stallion at first. Her heart jumped in her chest as she reared back a little. He was wearing a nice suit with a warm smile. Something felt so safe around that stallion, but it was all off... "Splashy?"

Color smiled a little wider, though still reserved. "Y-yeah." He floated his wrapped pieces into view. "Here they are. Thank you for agreeing to this. I'm ready to help you in return, as a friend."

"Y-yeah..." She nudged the gate open with a wing, her eyes locked on him as he walked in. He was like a whole other pony in the suit. He wasn't a nopony artist. He was... almost respectable, and it pressed her in all the right, or wrong, ways. "Nice suit."

"I got it from Canterlot Carousel," he explained as he walked past her.

Just as she was about to close the gate, another figure emerged from the bushes, calmly striding after Color. It was Day. She raised a brow at him. "Look, if you want to... make a clumsy pass at my secretary, you get one chance. If she so much as frowns at you, I'll have you evicted from the office and banned from ever returning. I take the safety of my employee very seriously and--"

He put a hoof up. "Chill out, Angel. I'm not here to harsh any vibes. If she doesn't want to talk, then that's that. I'm hoping she does though."

Color tossed his head back at his friend. "He's harmless... besides,  he got us, you know, back in touch..."

"I suppose I should be thankful..." She raised a hoof to cough into it. "For now, I'll let you stay in the spare room. I'll show you where it is, then you need to leave us alone. Color and I have business to discuss and we are not to be disturbed."

As Libel led them in, Day wandered next to Color. "Double success. Did you see how she looked at you?"

"Huh?"

Day Dreamer gave a sleepy laugh. "She likes it. Don't blow it." He trotted ahead to catch up with Libelous, allowing himself to be led into a room that would be his for a little while.

Libelous returned with a proper walk. "Alright, now let's see what you've brought me." She gestured with a wing at the first one. "Unveil it."

He cleared his throat. "I present, A Sunset's Reflection." He magiced the covering away, showing a picture of a mare seated on a hilltop, gazing out into the distance. The colors of the sunset were radiant, clashing just right with the mare's own colorations and the flowers around her. Her eyes were full of thought and musing, though what thoughts filled her, one could only guess.

Libelous took a slow breath. "How... long did it take you to do this one?"

"Almost a month," he admitted, crestfallen. "It never felt just right until I had to admit it never would be and I stopped poking at it."

She arched a brow. In her eyes, it was perfect, a lovely piece by all measures. Maybe not museum worthy, but she was no judge of that. "It stays. Next."

He set it carefully aside and floated up the next piece. "Happy Day." He unfurled it showing a mare and a stallion smiling at the painter. Both were dressed for their wedding day in white and black. They were happy, so very happy. One could feel the joy radiating from them. Their union was a good one, perhaps one that would withstand the test of time.

Libelous reached for it, but hesitated before she put a hoof on the painting directly. "Not bad... What was the inspiration?"

Color glanced away, turning dark rapidly. "I... hoped I could be that happy someday, with a pony at my side... That I'd make her just as happy, and..."

She held up a hoof. "It stays. Next."

"Right." He set it carefully next to the first and pulled out the next. "Fetch." He pulled the covering off to reveal a dog mid-jump, just catching a frisbee in his teeth, drool caught in mid-frame. It was a dynamic piece, but...

Libelous frowned at it. It would not fit well with the other two, and while it certainly had merit... "It's not Canterlot." She crossed her hooves. "Put it away. One step of being a successful artist is knowing your audience. There are ponies who want this, but they are not here."

"Right." He set it down away from the first two, covering it back up with a sad look. "The next and last one..." He pulled out the last one and unfurled it. "Princess."

It was not Princess Celestia. It was Libelous, her wings unfurled wide, a tiara on her head, just as bold as any Celestia would wear herself. Jeweled slippers adorned her hooves and she looked into the distance with intensity. Her body was concealed partially by a stunning attire that spoke of her status.

Libelous felt her cheeks burning. "Did you just draw this after seeing me?!"

"No!" He waved his hooves wildly. "I... Um..."

She took a step forward, frowning at him. "Don't lie to me, Splashy. You modeled this after the getup I wore that night!"

"No! I swear!" He bounced up to his hooves, shaking his head rapidly. "I mean it, I swear!"

Her brows fell in a deep frown. "Tell me when you made this?"

"A year ago..." He coughed into a hoof softly. "I... looked up a picture of you and worked off of that. You were winning a prize for your work and looked so proud. I wanted to capture that, of you. You were so... This." He waved a hoof at the portrait. "You are a princess, Libel."

"Stop that!" She half-turned away, cheeks on fire. "I'm not a princess... Princesses don't... They don't wear diapers. They don't get rejected by fat losers! They don't run away from embarrassment, crying the whole time!"

"They don't kick stupid stallions in the face, but I'll forgive that." He smiled timidly. "You're my princess, Libel. You always were, and you just kept getting better at it... I'm only sorry I waited so long to reach out... I was a lousy friend."

She scowled at that. "Don't you go taking the fault for this, Splashy. Friendship is a two way street, and I don't remember trying to write you letters. I don't remember trying to call you." She prodded him on a shoulder. "If you were a bad friend, I was equally terrible, alright?"

He dipped his head and folded a hoof in front of himself as he bowed. "I accept your apology if you accept mine. Libelous Word, will you accept this lousy friend for one more try?"

She grunted softly. "Stupid Splashy..." Her eyes drank him in. In that suit and even that pose, she wanted to tackle him on some level and just... keep him. He would be a stupid ugly stallion. But...  he would be her stupid ugly stallion. "Look, we're getting distracted. Yes, we're friends, alright? Now you put that away." She waved dismissively. "Think of what the critics would say. They'd recognize me and it would not go over well. No no, we keep the first two and we'll be happy with that."

He set it with the dog picture. "Well, um... If you want it?"

She cleared  her throat loudly. "We'll talk about that later. Let's return our attention to the first two. Color Splash, you are an artist. A good one, and you should act like it." She waved her wing at him in general. "See that suit? Get used to wearing nice things like that. Did you buy that with my money? Good choice."

He tilted his head. "Uh, actually..."

"No?" She hiked a brow. "What manner of event would you buy that for?"

He started to go red, squirming in place and not speaking.

"Tell me." She nudged him with a wing. "I won't laugh, promise."

"You promise not to be mad either?"

She hiked a brow at that. "I can't imagine how a suit would make me mad. Try me."

"Promise!" he squeaked, frozen in place.

"Alright, I promise, Color. Now tell me." She crossed her hooves impatiently. "I'm not getting younger."

He waved a hoof back over his clothed self. "I bought it, hoping I could... impress you with it... I'm, uh, glad you like it."

Her teeth set as she looked him over with new eyes. She could see with a fresh look that it was not an expensive suit. It was designed well, perhaps a discount item from a good store. He had mentioned the name, where had that name come from...? Right, the place that had started that Princess Dress fad that overwhelmed Canterlot for a time.

She suddenly shook her head. She was looking for flaws, any reason to hate it and resent the stallion that bought it for her benefit. "It's fine, but we can do better. Did they point you towards it?"

"The mare there, uh... Sassy something? She gave me this once she knew my budget." He raised one leg at a time, looking himself over. "Isn't it... fancy?"

"It could be fancier." She poked him on the side. "We'll visit Miss Sassy tomorrow and get you a real suit, with a real budget. Like it or not, you are judged on first appearances. Unless you want to try to go for the edgy artist, we want you to look smart and refined."

"Edgy?"

"You don't want that." She shook her head firmly. "Not your style, not you."

He smiled a little, some confidence returning. "Alright. I remember where it is. Um, is this coming out of the stipend you gave me?"

"Of course." She hiked a brow. "You didn't waste it all already, I hope?"

"No! Of course not." He pulled out the silk bag quickly and set it on the countertop. "I barely spent any."

She scooped it up with a wing and quickly counted the bigger coins. "Hm, looks like you're innocent, this time, Splashy." She set the bag back down. "It'll come out of that. Look at is this way, you'll be successful, then make enough money that this little starter fund will feel like a paltry sum. You'll laugh when you pay it back."

He tried to imagine having so much money that the bag was reduced from mind-boggingly large to a paltry sum of any kind. "That would have to  be a lot of bits..."

"And you'd keep making them." She set a hoof on his withers. "Just walk with me."

"I will! But you need to walk with me too."

She tilted her head. "It's hard to avoid that..."

"No, I mean..." His horn glowed as he made her bottom wrinkle and crinkle a little. "How is that going? Be honest."

Her face darkened immediately as she backed up a few steps. "First, never do that again, ever... Second, I'm practicing and I think it's helping, a little... I... still have accidents, but sometimes I don't, and that's an improvement." She looked away. "I feel like a damn idiot when I grin like a fool sitting there doing what every other mare ever does without thought."

He put a hoof over her withers and she didn't shove him away immediately. He squeezed ever so gently. "That's fantastic. You should be proud of yourself, not embarrassed."

She pondered why she hadn't shoved him.
> 18 - Dressed For Success
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Libel's eyes fell to one other picture, still wrapped and undisplayed. "Why didn't you display that one?"

"Oh, this is the one Day thought was the best." He lifted it in his magic and pulled the cloth away. "Moon over Canterlot."

It was a dark piece, except where it was not. The moon shone clearly above the dark city, and dots of light gave signs of night life in action. Libel leaned in to examine it closer. "Is that Luna, just at the balcony there? You can barely see her."

"That was intentional..." He coughed into a hoof. "She is a dark pony, in a dark place. She is a subtle presence."

"Subtle..." Libel tilted her head a little. "It can stay." She reached with a wing, moving the picture over with the two other pictures that had passed her test. "Tomorrow, we get you looking your best, then we get to marketing."

"The pictures?"

"You." She pointed a hoof directly at him. "If people care about you, they'll care about what you paint. If they don't, then why should they care what you paint? Great pieces get ignored every day, only discovered long after the artist was gone. How about we hurry that process along, hmm?" She rose to her hooves and moved towards the fridge. "For now, did you eat dinner?"

Color perked an ear, looking past her into her fridge. He didn't see a lot in there. "Do you eat home a lot?"

"Sometimes?" She reached in with a hoof and shuffled around. "I tend to only keep a dinner or two ready, and breakfast. Why, don't see anything you like?"

"It's lovely," he assured. "But you weren't planning for sudden visitors and I don't want to run you out of supplies."

"True." She nudged him. "Go to sleep then. We'll have a big brunch tomorrow and get to shopping." She pecked his cheek and he went stiff as a board. It took her a moment to realize what she had done. An idle peck meant nothing between two mares, like many of her co-workers. "That--"

"Thank you." He cleared his throat softly, rising to his hooves and recovering his stance, lost for a moment. "Goodnight, Libel. Sweet dreams."

"It meant nothing!" she hissed, but he was already walking away, a little smile on his face. He seemed immune to the jangled emotions she threw in his general direction, and she was soon alone with her thoughts. She put a hoof to her face and huffed. It was time for her to go to bed too, so she did just that, throwing herself onto her bed and burying her face in her pillow, groaning at how she had handled that.





The next day, she called in to let them know she'd be in the office later than usual, but that she was chasing something that may interest the paper. "I think it'll be worth the time invested. Once I have it confirmed, I'll hoof it off to a proper writer and edit what they make."

Fortunately, she was trusted. Good things usually came from Libelous Word, so they let her not be there as she chased what could turn dividends. And it would! Though mostly for Color. "Splashy!" she called out as she descended the stairs. "It's time to go. Is Day still here?"

"He left some time ago." Color was in the living room, looking into a mirror and wearing his one nice suit once more. "Brunch first, then shop, you said?"

"That's right." She brushed a wing against his side. "You don't need to wear that. We're getting more just like it, but better." She lifted her shoulders. "Besides, Miss Saddles likely remembers what you got before. It wasn't that long ago, right?"

"Not at all..." With a bit of magic, he began to peel himself free of his clothing, becoming as nude as any pony was likely to become. He stretched when he was free, enjoying the freedom that came with his shameful appearance. "Ready."

Libel smiled thinly. It was easier to think of him as her harmless friend when he was exposed like that. "Let's go." She walked past him towards the door, striding purposefully. "We have a full day ahead."





Day walked calmly down the hall into the main office. Some of the ponies working there offered a nod towards him. The main secretary nodded in kind. "Welcome back. Bring her package to her office." She pointed a hoof along in the direction of Libel's office. "Nice to see you again."

"Nice to be here." He trotted past with his easy smile. Sure, he had fibbed a little, but he was sure he did have something to deliver. So it wasn't really a lie!

He knocked softly on the office door.

"It's open," came her voice that made him smile. It was her.

He opened the door. "Delivery. Can you sign for one stallion?"

Her brows rose, then fell. "I can't be sure of that. I'll need to inspect him before I do that. I've gotten defects before."

"Of course." Day closed the door lightly with a hindleg, then moved for her desk directly. "This is a new model. We fixed the mistake in the forelegs." He raised a hoof in a little wave. "Now it's 40% more chill and comes with an action grip."

"Ooo, an action grip." Bottom Line leaned forward, head on her forehooves as she gazed at him with an amused expression. "You're convincing me, but I'm not quite there. Tell me, what is it you aspire to?"

He tilted his head a little. "I like being with ponies I like, and chilling, and... I dunno... being there?"

She rolled her right hoof, her head still on the left. "No dreams?"

"I dreamed I had a cat, but it was made of chocolate. It liked when I ate it, and popped right back when I was done. It'd go 'meow!' and ask for pets like nothing happened."

Bottom slowly blinked. "While fascinating, that isn't the sort of dream I was searching for." She lowered her left hoof and stood up, descending from her chair. "What do you want to do. Not what you do now, but later, if things worked out right?"

Day tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Mmm, heavy... I'd be surrounded by ponies I dig. They'd dig me back, and we'd all be happy. Like a family of ponies that decided to be together, instead of one that has to, you know?" His eyes wandered to the plant. "You've been watering it better." He reached and stroked the leafy potted plant.

"I didn't want it to get sad again," she confessed with a little smile. "It makes me happy, so... So... Really, you just want to be with ponies you like, and everything past that is extra?"

"Yep." He leaned in towards Bottom. "Wanna hang out?"

She blinked at his question. "Aren't we doing that right now?"

"Nah." He waved a hoof. "Right now you're getting to know me, and that's cool. Hanging out is way more relaxed. We could watch something. Maybe something natural, or not? What do you like to watch, or maybe listen to? We could listen to some nice music."

She peered at him curiously. "What if my 'hanging out' involves talking? What if I want somepony I can just... talk to, freely, all day long sometimes."

He suddenly touched his nose to hers. "Then I'm listening." He tilted his head, making their skin rub on one another. "Everyone hangs out in different ways. That's cool. Oh. Are we hanging out now then? Nice." He looked genuinely pleased at the idea.

She allowed herself a soft bit of laughter. "I spend all day running after Libel, fixing her messes and trying to make things better... I want to be with a pony I can vent with, and talk about things. I want to talk about my dreams, because I have them. I want support and friendship. Does that sound good, or bad?"

Day sat down, drawing his nose back as he plopped onto his haunches. "You got it. Oh, um, should I say what I want?"

"I thought you had?"

"Nah, I mean you." He pointed at her. "What made me come back."

"Oh. Yes. Please, do tell me that." Her ears were perked with curiosity, burning with the need to know what had drawn him back.

"Well, one, you're pretty." He tapped his hooves together. "Now if it was just that, I'd be stupid, but we should start there. You make me happy to be a stallion near you. Two, you're really chilled out." He leaned forward towards her again. "I know a lot of ponies that woulda got mad if I just fell asleep on them like that."

Her nose burned a bright red. Being called pretty in such an unashamed way... He was clearly not a Canterlot pony. He was an earth pony, a real earth pony. He was bonded to the earth beneath them and the plants that grew in it. He was filthy, and he thought she was pretty.

She shook the thoughts away. "You were waiting for Miss Word, and you weren't any problem, I assure... Are there more reasons?"

"You know how to appreciate a plant." He reached up to gently brush the leaves of the plant he had restored. "You made that really obvious when I came back and it's still so green and happy. I like any pony that can appreciate a plant."

He was a dirty pony... And so was she, officially stamped as an equally filthy, desirable, mare. She smiled at him, unsure how to feel. "I am a worker. I show up to work on time, sometimes work overtime with Libel, and get home when I can. Will you be happy waiting for me?"

He held up a hoof. "Woah, too fast." He smiled dopily. "We need to date first before we get to that stuff. Still, uh, since you asked, yeah, I could chill while you're working. Libel has to work, and Color has to work. Sometimes he gets really mad when I try to bother him when he's working, so, yeah, sometimes you gotta chill and wait."

She leaned forward for a change, smirking at him. "I bet you don't always chill."

"Guilty." He smiled guiltily. "Sometimes I bother him anyway... Don't tell him, but I think it helps keep his creative unicorn juices flowing. He makes some really good pieces, or stops fussing on one that's done when I bother him enough."

She reached forward and placed a hoof on his chest. "I... think I want to try this."

"I think I want to try this," he echoed. "So let's do it."

"Let's do it," she echoed, then suddenly smooched him right on the nose. "Where do you live?"

Day was a happy stallion. He got a new girlfriend, and that was totally cool in his book. "I'm staying with Libel right now."

"With Miss Word?!" She tilted her head. "How did you convince her to let you stay in her home? She's... very particular."

"She knew I was coming to visit you."

Bottom slapped a hoof into her face. "Oh no! I'm supposed to read her motives. She just... That mare! She got me..."

Day gently patted her shoulder. "It's alright. We can't win all the time. At least it ended happily."

"Yeah... I guess it did." She coughed softly into a hoof. "For now, I should get back to work. You go toddle on back to Miss Word's house. I'll be around, hmm, 7pm. We'll get a bite to eat, then just chill out. I may talk at you, and you'll talk back at me, and we'll hang out."

"Sounds great." He gave one firm nod as he turned back towards the exit. "Let's get something new, so we can talk about the food. If we get something we already like, what is there to talk about?"
> 19 - Don't Get Sassy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sassy brightened on seeing Color, trotting towards him. "Look who's back, and with a ladyfriend." Her eyes slid towards Libelous with an equal smile. "You look like you hardly need my assistance."

Libel softly nodded, accepting the compliment. "Canterlot is my home, and not knowing its fashion is a good way to lose points." She pointed at Color. "Speaking of that, I like the suit you suggested for him, but I want more, and better. Assume price is no object, what would you suggest?"

Sassy reared back a step, blinking softly. "No object?"

"Never mention it again." She waved away the very idea of price tags. "But deal fairly. A good review could be on the line."

"Of course, Miss Word." She dipped her head. "You have friends."

Color smiled awkwardly at the last part that was aimed at him. "She's, uh, who I bought the first suit for."

Sassy got a wicked smile. "Is that so? I can see why you thought you--"

"--That's quite enough of that." Libel waved a wing with a snort. "Focus. We want him to look like an artist, one with their hooves on the ground. One that is here to capture the scene, control it, and be the focus of it."

Sassy tapped at her chin thoughtfully a moment. "Miss Rarity has a new piece, still quite fresh indeed." She turned and her long horn glowed as she grabbed a suit from a rack across the room and brought it over swiftly. "It's called the 'Shining Armor'. A pun, if you can forgive it." She snorted, seemingly amused by it.

It looked like armor, with a fabric shirt and pants and more padded looking bits on top of it. It featured white and blues that would make one reminiscent of Shining Armor. "It even comes with a helmet." She brought over the white helmet with a faux mane of blues. "The mane is detachable." She yanked it right off, revealing space for one's own natural mane to come through.

Color circled around it, looking at it with an intense curiosity. Libel was far less interested. "Pass. We don't want him to broadcast 'I'm a tough pony'. He's not a guardian or a fighter. Artist. Art. Next."

He mourned its passing as it flew back onto the rack it had come from, but a new suit sprung out to replace it. "This one is called 'Thoughtful Pause.'" Sassy waved at the clothing. It had the lines of a tuxedo as a base, but many of its edges were just a little curved. Its colors went from bright red to a soft blue towards the bottom in a spectrum. "For the intellectual that needs freedom of movement."

"Closer..." Libel waved it away. "Keep going. You're on the right path."

Color made a sad noise as the next suit vanished. "I thought that was kinda nice..."

"Kinda nice isn't enough." Libel rolled a hoof at Sassy. "Do continue."

Sassy nodded softly at Libel, seeming to understand who was the one calling the shots, and paying the bills. "A touch on the nose, as it were, this one is called 'Lucky Accident'." Over came a suit that was a riot of colors, as if someone had splattered it with many paint cans without mercy. "Stitched meticulously out of top-quality fabric, you'll find despite its appearance, this is a top of the line suit that will stand up to the closest examination."

Libel didn't reject it immediately. She tapped at her chin thoughtfully.

Color snorted and hopped in place. "No."

Libel waved a hoof gently at it. "Maybe..."

"No!" He pointed at it. "No. Bring back the second one."

Libel's expression darkened into a frown. "Excuse me?"

Color put a hoof to his chest. "I liked the second one. This one's... just a mess. It speaks to me of an artist that has no idea what they're doing. I like the second one."

Sassy didn't join in the argument, seeing no way to add her thoughts without alienating one pony or the other. She just smiled and waited.

Libel pointed at the riot of colors in front of them. "This one screams artist."

"An incompetent one," huffed out Color. "I'm not an abstract artist, or a new age one, or anything this would go with. No. Second one!"

Sassy brought the second one just beside the third, both hovering there in her magic. "I can have either, or both, tailored if you wish and ready to go?"

Libel huffed softly. "Right, fine. Tailor them both and get them ready to go." She turned away with a scowl. "You don't know Canterlot, Color."

"No..." He walked up beside her on light hooves. "But I do know artists, and myself. I can see myself in the second one. I'll do whatever you want me to do, but I know me. Can you trust me, a little?"

Sassy wandered off with both, quite happy to sell both suits. Left alone, Libel turned back to him. "I'll see both on you and we'll make a decision." She rolled her eyes. "Then you'll see I was right."

"And if you're wrong?"

"I won't be!" She let out a slow breath. "But, for sake of argument, let's say I am wrong... Then I'll do you a favor."

He blinked softly. "You're already doing me a huge favor, Libel... Please don't ever think I don't see that."

She pressed a hoof to his face. "I'm lending time and money. Those are things, certainly, but not entirely unreasonable. When I offer a favor, it's more than that. Think on it, then know you won't get it." She turned away. "Really..." As if her hodunk foalhood friend had any idea about the basics of fashion...

"To be fair." He raised a hoof with a little smile. "We should have somepony else judge. We're both way too invested to make the final call."

"That's reasonable." She smiled brightly, the anger vanishing. "We'll have Bottom Line, my secretary, decide. We won't tell her who picked each one, or even that there's anything on the line. She'll pick one, and that will be that. Now... about when you lose..."

He gulped gently, ears pinning back a moment before coming back up. "Well, fair is fair. How about a favor for a favor?"

"Hmm..." She raised a brow. "Yes, I can think of a favor I'd want from you. Deal." She offered a hoof.

He met it with a loud clop, then a bag draped right over the two. It had the two suits folded up nicely inside. Sassy was smiling happily just a few feet away. "Will that be all, or can I help you further?"

As Color took hold of the bag in his magic, Libel produced the silken bag of bits and offered it towards Sassy. "Here you are."

Sassy's horn glowed as the price of the suits floated out of the bag, then a few coins drifted back inside. "A little group discount for taking both of them together."

Color's eyes were wide at the amount of coins involved, knowing each was a sizable 100-bit. So many had come out! So many had gone back in! They were dealing with a year's income as if it was a trifling.

"Don't look like that." Libel popped his hanging jaw back up into place. "It's not professional, and that's where we need you to be."

"Right, professional." He tucked the bag behind himself and nodded towards Sassy. "It was a pleasure seeing you again."

"You too. We'll put a pin in this visit, but do come back again." She waved gently at the both of them. "After your friend makes you the talk of the city. Won't that be exciting? I'm already looking forward to it."

Libel beamed at that. "There's a mare that knows what's going on. You keep up the good work, Miss Saddles." Not her type, too long and skinny, but she gave it a B+. She trotted out with Color trailing behind. "Shall we proceed to the judgment? Miss Line should still be at the office. Whether I'm there or not, she stays until 5 pm, unless we're working overtime."

Color hurried to be at her side,  bag floating along with him. "We could do that, but is this enough, you know, to be professional? I'll do my best, promise, but I'm still... me, you know?"

"I do know." She put a wing around him, holding him close as they walked. "But you have me. We're going to start drilling some basic rules in how you talk to ponies. Who to defer to, who you should expect to be deferred to. How to do both without being a snob or pushover. It's a fine act, let me tell you, Splashy. I hated it when I first came here."

She rolled her eyes. "Of course, I was taught in a classroom by teachers that didn't have time for me, personally. You get personal tutoring. Be grateful."

"I am!" he hurriedly assured. "Really, I am..." Being pressed against Libel was a nice side effect. "So what's the first step?"

"Knowing your place." She released him. "Right now, you are low." She raised a hoof barely off the ground as she walked on the other three. "A hopeful. You have your eyes set much higher, but you aren't there. If you act like you are already there, you'll either be taken as brave, or stupid, or just rude. Hoping for the first is rarely a good idea."

Color nodded, watching and listening intently. "Alright... Let me try. I mean, let me see if I have this. So... Assume I am low. I should be thankful for you."

"Of course."

"More than that, I mean, for taking your more valuable time for my less valuable time. Thank you for taking today for me."

"You're welcome." She patted his back with a wing. "Just like that, yes, for a start. You should always be grateful when you get valuable time and effort. Now, what about the other way around? You're at a nice place, and the waitstaff approaches. Are they higher, or lower?"

Color frowned at that. "Well, um, I'm low, right? So they're higher?"

She gently bopped him on the nose. "Not an unreasonable guess, but wrong. Unless it is a topic specific to the place you're in, you are the highest thing there to them outside of their boss. You are paying for their submission. Don't make that awkward, of course. Be polite, friendly even, but know that, at least while you eat and enjoy, you are their ruler and they will work for you."

Color made an almost soundless 'ah', trying to internalize what he was being told. "Because I'm a customer. Right... If your customer bows and grovels, that just makes it awkward for everypony involved."

"Precisely." She smiled as she walked along. "You're getting this. I knew you were a smart pony, Splashy. The only time you would be lower than waitstaff while eating is if the meal is being given out of charity. We'll avoid that situation. So let's roleplay a little... You're with a pony that is interested in your art. She suggests a nice place to get a nibble to eat and talk about your piece."

"Sounds good!" He skipped a step, imagining the good event. "So I'd defer to her, since she's higher, and we go where she wants to go. I'd ask her what she suggests, to eat."

Libel raised a hoof higher. "Aw, they're down to only one of her favorite. You can't both order it."

Color squeaked, but frowned almost immediately. "I'd ask her if she'd like me to try some anyway. She probably has a lot of chances to try it, and seeing me try it may be what she wants."

Her hoof came down into a standard walk. "The potential client laughs it off and orders something else. 'I'll get that next time. Now tell me about your art.' Before you can speak, the waitress returns, oops! She splashed some wine right on your new suit! What do you do?"
> 20 - A or B
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the office, Bottom Line pulled the carriage of her typewriter back to the next line with her magic. With a small bell, it announced it was ready to start on the next line, which she quickly began. "--time, I suggest you..." She was speaking the words out loud as she typed just under her breath.

The door swung open without a knock. Libelous strode in confidently with Color just behind her. "--when you deal with Royalty, it gets a bit trickier."

"Trickier?!" He shook his head. "What do you do? I mean... if Celestia walked up to me..."

She raised a hoof. "You would talk to her like any other pony, if you want to be on her good side." She winked at Color. "Trade secret. She enjoys not being on the lofty pedestal she's earned for herself. On the other hoof..."

Color moved beside her once they were through the door, his horn glowing a moment to close it behind them. "There are catches?"

"As always." Libel nodded sagely. "Luna enjoys being deferred to, but not groveled towards. Cadance expects formality, but is quite kind. Twilight doesn't know what formality is, so just pretend she isn't a princess and you'll be fine." She frowned softly. "And... Flurry Heart is a tiny foal, so you probably won't be speaking to her and we don't know her habits yet. We'll worry about that in a few years."

Bottom watched the two of them talk across the top of her click-clacking typewriter, still writing her letter. "Welcome back, Ma'am. Thing go well?" Her eyes were on Color.

Color smiled gently. "It went great, thanks. We picked out two fantastic suits."

"And we were hoping you could help us decide which of them was the better one," finished Libel with a nod. She pointed into her office with a wing. "Go ahead and change into one of them, then we'll show the other."

Color saluted. "We'll try the colorful one first."

"Excellent choice." She nodded softly, watching him go before she turned to Bottom. "Has that sleepy pony been by while I was gone?"

"Earlier in the morning than I would have given him credit for." Bottom smiled gently. "Thank you."

"For?"

Bottom arched a brow. "He told me it was at least partially your fault he was able to be here and surprise me."

Libel smirked at that. "Did that go well?"

"We have a date," sang out Bottom. "And it should be fun...  I never dated an earth pony before... but I feel so... safe around him. I feel comfortable, and relaxed... I like it."

Libel smiled a little more warmly. "You sound like you're about to do something terribly decadent."

"It feels that way." She willed the next carriage along with her magic. "I should likely get over that. He's a pony, not just some... stereotype. I hope that goes away as I get to know him better, even if it does amuse me."

Libel reached out a wing to pat Bottom on the shoulder. "I won't tell him.  Do you like him then?"

"Too early." She waved the thought away. "He interests me, and I want to know more. That's enough." She suddenly got a new smile, deeper. "He taught me that. Let's take it one step at a time. He's a stallion I want to know if I like or don't like, and that's okay."

Libel tilted her head at her secretary. So... casual... It fit what she knew of Day Dreamer. She couldn't live that way. "I hope it goes well, for both of you. But... if he does something wrong, do not even think of hiding it from me. Tell me, and I will tear him in half." She huffed softly, then turned to the door. The very idea of some dopey stallion hurting her Bottom Line...

"That's terribly unlikely." She continued typing along. "By the way, main office wants a report on what you're hunting. One paragraph should be sufficient to placate them."

Libel grunted softly. Perhaps she was not as completely trusted as she had thought. Though a simple explanation was not entirely unwarranted. "I'll have it ready soon, after this." She pointed at the closed door. "First, we need you to judge."

Bottom glanced at the same door. As if bidden by their shared attention, its knob glowed and turned. It swung out to reveal Color in his colorful ensemble. Bright primary colors clashed vibrantly on his suit as he trotted out.

"May I present," spoke Libel, waving at him. "Color Splash, wearing a splash of color. Ready to take on the art scene!"

Bottom softly clopped her hooves. "Very interesting. Striking, yes, that is the word I'd use." Her eyes followed along the lines of the splattered paint. It wasn't actually splattered, of course. Each blot of color had been carefully sewn into place.

Color dipped his head at Bottom. "That's the first one, but we have two. We need your view on which one is the better." He ran a hoof lightly over his front. "It's nicely made." He turned back for the office, also allowing Bottom to see it from a few other angles in the process. "I'll get the other one."

He switched to the other suit far more quickly than he had the first, emerging with the color gradient and cooler shades of the one he preferred. "Ta da." He didn't say he liked it, nor that he liked the other. He turned in place and nodded. "This one is made nicely too." Both were entirely comfortable, but that wasn't the thing being judged.

Bottom stopped typing, instead tapping at her chin thoughtfully. "They both look quite nice..."

Libel rolled a hoof. "But if you had to pick the better...?"

Bottom frowned softly. "What is the impression you're trying to give? Are you a bold new force here to strike the scene?" She gestured towards the office. "Or are you a more measured presence trying to be thought about in a more thoughtful manner?" She gestured at the current suit. "Both are quite nice, but say different things."

Color quickly bobbed his head. "Exactly what I was thinking. You have a good eye."

"A great eye." Libel huffed softly. "One of many reasons she works here."

"If you want me to decide which is best, I'll need to see some of what he's created." She spread her hooves. "I can't judge how it reflects him without knowing what we're reflecting."

With a glowing horn, he quickly produced his sketchbook and floated it over to Bottom. "Here you are, have a look."

"Thank you." She accepted it in her own glow and began flipping through it. "Oh, hmm... Is that Miss Word?" Word began blushing, but Bottom flipped onwards. "Very nice... You have a real eye for portraits. Your landscapes could use more practice, I think. I'm not an expert, mind..."

Color accepted the praise with a smile. "Thank you, and I agree. I'm trying to grow in that direction, but I love drawing ponies and creatures. Give me a face to draw and I'm invested. The stance, the clothes, the setting around them... So much to consider, and I love it."

Bottom set the book down gently. "I have to side with this one." She nodded towards the more subdued of the two. "You're not a wild new force with this art. You're just a nice artist that deserves to be noticed, admired, and patronized. You're not making waves, I don't think."

Libel applied a hoof to  her face in defeat. "Ugh..."

Bottom hiked a brow at that. "Don't like my decision."

"No! No... your decision is fine." She laughed in a strained way. "Just not what I thought..." She turned to Color directly. "You get your favor."

"I want a date," he said without a pause.

She blinked softly. "We spent all of today together. We ate, shopped, talked. Wasn't that enough?"

"Nope." He rolled a hoof. "We spent a lovely day as two professionals dealing with business. While I am eternally grateful for it, it was not a date. I want one where business is not something we talk about. Just you and me, being... together, because we want to be, not because we want to get something done. I want to talk about you. I want to talk about my silly thoughts. I want to have fun with my friend."

Libel took a slow breath in a measured three heartbeats in and three out. "Alright..." It wasn't that hard to imagine being seen with him dressed in that respectable suit... "Alright... I'll make a dinner plan then, and we'll enjoy some time together."

"By the way." Color smiled a bit lopsidedly. "What would you have asked for?"

"Nothing important." She waved it away. "Besides, I didn't win."

"Please?"

"Yes, do tell," joined in Bottom, her typing resumed, but her ears trained on the two of them.

Libel rolled her eyes mightily. "I was going to ask you to draw me... I had a scene in mind and everything..."

While Bottom restrained a snicker with professional grace, Color instead leaned forward. "I'd love to do that. You don't need to 'spend' a favor to ask that."

Libel's ears perked up. "It takes you a month to do a proper painting. You'd do that for me?"

He nodded quickly. "We're still re-learning each other, but I still like what I've seen so far. As your friend, it would be a pleasure to put your likeness on canvas." He bowed formally, a hoof over his chest. "You said you had a scene in mind? Please share that. I bet it's a lovely idea."

Libel softly coughed into a hoof. "I will pay then. I will not steal a month of my friend's professional time and not compensate them for it. This is not a negotiable point."

Bottom rolled a hoof, pausing her typing a moment. "She's serious, don't argue that point." She resumed typing as if nothing was going on.

Color put a hoof behind his head. Part of him wanted to argue! Why couldn't it just be a gift? Still... "Well... alright... You get a dis--"

"--No." She clopped a hoof down. "I am your first Canterlot client. You will assess a fee, a proper one. You're done being taken advantage of. You will be paid for your time, and it will be a fair amount for the talent you are bringing to this project, to say nothing of the supplies you use during it."

Bottom perked an ear softly. "If you'd like, Mister Splash, I can assemble an invoice for you. I just need your hourly rates. I can look up the rest of the figures." She winked, but never looked away from what she was typing. "I'll do that for free, and Miss Word won't stop me."

Libel huffed at that. "Uncalled for, but she is right. I already trust her to know how to manage her own affairs. If she's offering this service, I suggest taking it. Seeing a proper invoice will be good practice for the future."

Color nodded hesitantly. "Alright... Please. And thank you, this is very nice of you to do."

"Anything for a friend of my boyfriend." She burst into titters as she typed. "Not that we're even that far yet, but you can't  blame a mare for dreaming." She began humming to herself happily. "I'll be leaving after this letter, Miss Word. If you want me to deliver your own, you'd best get to typing it."

"Ah, right. Splashy, take both suits home. I'll meet you there, alright?"

He nodded and pulled out the other suit in its bag, floating from inside the office. "You got it. Do you mind if I pick a place, for the date?"

"Are you ready for that?" She hiked a brow. "Picking a venue is critical to--"

"This is a date, not a practice client meeting." He suddenly darted forward and touched noses with her. "Just a date. Let's enjoy it."
> 21 - A Filthy Date
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

She sat across from nothing. She was in a nice place. Soft music played in the background. It was soothing and relaxing and not working for her at all. She glanced towards the restrooms that he had wandered into. Was he nervous? Had she picked too fancy of a place for a simple earth pony?

Bottom shook her head firmly, trying to discard those thoughts. Day Dreamer would say something. He was a grown pony, not some foal that would slink away without saying... something...

In her magic she willed the menu up, but her eyes just slid over it, unable to concentrate on what was written on it.

In the restroom, Day Dreamer gazed at himself in the mirror. "You can do this," he told his reflection. What was the big deal? Just a place to eat. She didn't expect him to know what fork to use for salads, right? Which knife was right for which thing? He sat on his haunches, staring at himself. "You can do this," he repeated at himself.

He wouldn't let cutlery keep him away from that cute little unicorn waiting for him!

He took a slow and calming breath. "I'll just walk out there and eat like I always eat, nothing special... If that turns her off, then maybe that's just for the best." They wouldn't have gotten along even if he waited a date or two before being his real self.

He stood up, nodding with growing conviction.  Better to lay the cards on the table. He would be polite, but he was not... proper. That wasn't his game. He'd eat with whatever thing he happened to get his hooves on first. "You can do this!" he told his reflection with determination.

He started for the door but heard a soft hiss. He looked to the left to see one of the stalls cracked open. A pony snout was barely visible through it. "Good luck."

Day shared a soft hoof-bump with the unknown stallion and strode out with a smile.

Bottom dared a smile, seeing Day returning. "Everything alright?"

"Everything's fine." He climbed up into the seat across from her. "You must come to places like this all the time."

"Well, no, not exactly." Bottom confessed with a small shrug. "This place specializes in Saddle Arabian cuisine. You said we should try something new."

He looked down at his odd utensils, then back up at her. "So you have just as little clue what these things are?"

"Not a clue," she admitted with a bright smile. "Let's experience something new together." She nudged one with a glow of magic. "That is clearly a fork, at least."

"And they have a knife." He poked it with a hoof. "They'll have to tell us about the rest."

"Welcome!" cried out the large waitress with a big smile. "You have come to the place where your tastebuds will not just be excited, but taken on an adventure the rest of you will struggle to keep up with. Are you prepared?"

Day clopped his hooves. "Nope! Can't wait to start anyway."

Bottom's eyes were on their massive figure of a waitress. She was a true horse, easily dwarfing both of them and a true Saddle Arabian. "Oh, um, excuse me." She realized she was staring and shook her head. "I'm being rude."

"You are not the first, nor shall be the last." She held up a large hoof. "If you can refrain from the size-based humor, we will be fine. Now, I suggest a gentle drink to begin this quest into flavor. A mild flavor to prime things. It will get more intense from there, I assure. May I serve either of you?"

Day Dreamer was looking more and more confident as they went. "Please." He tapped the spot in front of himself. "I'd love to try it."

"Me too." Bottom nodded quickly, watching the waitress trot away to get their drinks. "Wow."

"Do you like them large?" asked Day, voice absent of jealousy. "I like them more..." He raised a hoof and wobbled it up and down until he settled right about at Bottom's height. "Here."

Bottom burst into soft laughter. "I prefer stallions to mares. Don't confuse me with my boss. I mean, bless her heart. I hope she finds somepony that works for her. Still, wow! She's... Big." She raised a hoof to point at her horn. "She's a unicorn. What do you think it's like, being strong and having magic?"

"Cheating." Day laughed gently, his tail swishing. "I bet it feels like living. I also imagine she doesn't worry about magic outside of carrying things."

The waitress returned, two mugs floating along in her magic, and a big tray with a carafe balanced on her large back. "I will leave the carafe here." She leaned a little and the whole thing began to tip over before it was snatched in her magic and set gently onto the table. The carafe lifted immediately thereafter to pour out two drinks.

"When it is time for spicier drinks, I will take this away. Now, you two are new, yes? Put away your menus, I beseech. Let us take hold of this ship's rudder and take you on a journey." She pointed towards the bottom of the menu where 'A Journey of Flavor' was listed. "It will give you a sampling of so many delights, so that you can find what you favor, and what you do not. Next time, you can decide."

"We'll take it," They said at once, only to laugh at their synchronous exclamation.

The waitress dipped her head. "Very good. I had hoped you would agree." She waved at the carafe. "This is included in that, and more will come. Take soft sips and prepare yourself." She trotted away.

Day hooked a hoof into the large loop of his mug and took a sip of what had been offered. "Hm." He looked over, waiting for Bottom.

She lifted hers in her magic and dared a sip. "It's... almost water."

"Almost." He shook his head. "I can taste something faintly fruity."

"Just a hint." She sipped lightly. "I'm ready for dinner."

"That was the idea, right?" Day set the mug down gently. "Get the belly rumbling."

The food came, one course at a time, each one small, but with promises of more to come. It was a sampler tour, each one given a name by their large waitress. They exchanged thoughts as they worked through things. Some things Day liked more. Some things Bottom liked more. A few things, they both liked, and some things they didn't favor.

The one thing they agreed on was enjoying the conversation as they worked through it. Stronger drinks came after the second course. "This has spirits," warned the waitress. "Drink gently, to cleanse the palate, but not as a meal itself."

As they were getting towards the end of their 'journey of flavor', talk turned to private things. He asked what she liked doing when she was relaxing, and she asked what kind of music he liked. Things were going well, both silently decided.

"Next time, if we just want to eat, I say we get a huge plate of those kebabs."

Bottom nodded firmly. "Oh, certainly. I wonder if they deliver..."

"We do," intruded the waitress as she whisked their drink away in her magic. "We have a phone number, and can accept letters as well, though a phone call is the faster method by far. The letter is preferred for catering calls, which we do."

Bottom held up a hoof. "Do you have a card?" One was placed in her waiting hoof, then sent to her pocket with a glowing horn. "Thank you. Are we done?"

"Perish the thought!" She gathered plates and most of the utensils. "As you draw into the dock of satisfaction, there remains one final matter. Dessert." She set down a new tray, a small selection of treats spread out across it. "Share and enjoy. Would either of you like some freshly roasted coffee? Just the thing to end a meal and fight off the lethargy of a well-enjoyed feast."

Before the waitress even finished leaving, Day was on his hooves. "Stay right there, Bottom." She watched him curiously as he circled around to her. He pulled a chair over beside her and hopped up onto it. "I want to  be your tour guide for this last part."

"What do you have in mind?" She inclined her head, curious, excited, uncertain.

"Close your eyes."

She blinked once, then twice, keeping them closed on the third try. "Don't prank me, Day. I don't like those."

"No pranks." He reached for the sweet fruit slices and brought it closer, balanced on the end of his hoof. "Open your mouth."

"Ahhh."

He gently touched the fruit to her exposed tongue, but did not let her take it, teasing her with the barest touch. "You're pulling up, my brave taste traveler."

She giggled, a snort mixing into it, a fact that made her blush. "I can smell your hoof..." It smelled of the earth. It was filthy... Filthy like the lovely earth pony that was feeding her. She was eating from that filthy hoof, making her filthy too. Filthy little filly... She began to blush more and more, getting carried away in her silly little thoughts.

"That tastes good, huh?" He was letting her eat, little bites to be savored as he fed her slowly and gently. "Thank you, for all of this... It was a good time, really."

"Very," she sighed in agreement. "May I open my eyes?"

"Not yet." He reached for the next. "Time for a chilly surprise."

"Oh? Oh!" A substance she guessed to be ice-cream touched her tongue and she jumped in surprise, but kept her eyes closed. "Are you holding the ice cream?!"

"A small inconvenience for my new fillyfriend." He seemed happy to feed her, paying no mind to the chill he was receiving for the effort. "She's worth a little coldness."

"Stop that... You don't have to."

"I don't. But I want to." He nodded to the waitress in silent reply to an equally silent question. "Of all the delights we got to check out tonight, nothing could, you know, compare to the mare across from me."

"Stop that!" She was blushing brightly. "You're too much... You probably had plenty of girlfriends before."

"A few," he admitted. "But they were not you. You've had boyfriends before, right?"

"A few," she echoed. "They weren't you either."

"Pity for them."

"Yeah, too bad for them." She smiled, eyes still closed. "Can I look at my new boyfriend?"

"If you want."

She blinked open her eyes to see he was holding a cup away from her. That quickly changed as he brought it closer. It was filled with dark brown fluid. Coffee. She took the cup in her magic. "This is very sweet, but let me drink that on my own, Day. Besides, I like just a touch of cream."


Day reached for the other cup of the stuff. "I like my coffee like my plants. Natural and full-bodied." He took a soft drink of the un-vanished coffee, suddenly melting a bit in place. "Ohh... that's different, woah... Saddle Arabians know how to do coffee."

Bottom tilted her head before trying just a taste herself without adding cream. "Oh my! You're right... Thank you for stopping me from ruining this." She took a second pull, a little longer. "This is... something else." She leaned towards him, bumping her shoulder into his. "Now, about nice things. I enjoyed your company as well, Day Dreamer, but I feel we're skipping a step."

"I skipped a step?"

"Afraid you did." she waggled a hoof at him reprimanding. "Day Dreamer, would you like to try being girlfriend and boyfriend?"

"I'd love to." He nodded gently and smiled. "Let me know if it doesn't work out."

She stuck out her tongue. "Don't talk like that. I'd rather it worked out."

"Me too." He put his free hoof on his chest. "But no hard feelings either way. Let's be adults, you know? Be chill."

"Chill."

They grew quiet, and close, sipping their coffee contently.
> 22 - Date 2, LibelSplash
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Libelous cleared her throat, seated across From Color. "So... what made you pick this place?"

It was a simple place, offering basic Equestrian meals. The only thing that stood out to her as being 'Color' was that of the hung up art that quietly framed the walls of the place. Easily ignored, if one wasn't looking for them. It wasn't much more than a well-decorated diner, she decided.

"I wanted a place that wasn't distracting." He was wearing his first suit, the one he had purchased with his own bits. "You look lovely." He gestured over her dress. "Not that you needed help with that."

She waved the compliment away. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Splashy."

"Is it flattery when it's the truth?" He smiled hopefully at her. "Even when we were this high--" He lowered a hoof off the side of his seat. "I thought you were a pretty mare."

"I was a filly when I was that tall."

"I was a colt, that didn't stop me from thinking my friend was kinda pretty." He snorted softly. "I would never have admitted it, at the time, you know... I mean, we were friends, like two colts. If I just told you, hey, you're kinda pretty, you probably woulda punched me."

"And you would have deserved it." She reached a wing for the menu. "You deserved a good hit sometimes, Splashy."

"And you didn't?" He stuck out his tongue a little. "You got into trouble as good as the rest of us, and we had to bail you out sometimes."

Visions of her mother furiously chasing her down flashed in her mind. "Yeah... Things don't really work that way, these days. We're all adults now."

"Adults with lives." He nodded softly, his horn holding up the menu for himself easily. "But, you know... my life has room for a pony in it... That's why we're here."

"To court me?" She hiked a brow at him.

"To be your friend." He reached across and tapped her menu. "Order what you want, my treat. I mean it... If it never goes past that, I'm still a happy stallion. I was... a moron to just let you wander out of my life."

"I didn't give you much choice," she wryly noted as her eyes wandered over the menu.

"You mom didn't give you much choice." He snorted softly before tapping. "Try the deluxe hayburger with the works."

"You know she's still there, right?" She licked over her lips before setting the menu down. "My mother, that is. She hasn't changed much."

"I bet she hasn't. Why would she?" He lifted his shoulders. "She gets her way doing things that way. Why would she change?" He wobbled a hoof. "Exactly why I'm not even going to worry about her. What'll she do, yell at me?"

She smiled a little at that, imagining her mother bellowing at a Color Splash that was ignoring her entirely. It was a delightfully vindictive little thought... "She has influence..."

"And if she knows how to use it, she won't go after her daughter's friends. Now forget her. I'm going to order a big shake and we're going to share it."

She blinked rapidly at the idea. "What, like two foals? Big over-sized straws too?"

"You got it." He started waving for the waitress. "We're going to enjoy it and nopony can tell us not to."

She burst into laughter before leaning in close, a hoof coming up for privacy. "Moron, shakes are... basically sugar water... It'll make things happen."

"Things we can handle." He tilted his head a little. "You can't hide from life. Let's eat and drink and be happy. We can clean up later."

Her eyes half-lidded at him as she pressed her forehooves together. "Are you turned on by that? Do you just... like dirty mares with infantile problems? I will not be your fetish, thank you."

He looked stunned, left blinking and stiff. "W-what? No! I mean...  no! Libel... I like you. You." He pointed at her, but dropped the topic as the waitress came closer, her horn bobbing with the rest of her head. "Hello! Can we have an extra large shake for two?"

She smiled brightly. "Sure thing! What flavor?"

He looked to Libel, who jumped in place. "What flavors are there?"

The waitress began counting on her hooves. "Vanilla, chocolate, Fruity-Splosion, my favorite, and Mint-Chip!"

Libelous frowned softly. "I was always partial to Mint-Chip. I presume the chips are chocolate?"

"Of course." The waitress made a quick note with her floating pen. "Have you decided on your main dish or should we start with that?"

Libel waved a wing at her already downed menu. "Let me have a plate of homefries with extra garlic if you don't mind."

"Sure thing, sweets." She winged as her magic snatched up the menu from the table. "And for you?"

Color tapped at the burger on his floating menu. "I'll take a burger with the works."

"You want a monster?" She smiled knowingly.

"I was tempted." He held up his hooves. "But keep it to a single."

"You got it." She snatched his menu in her magic. "I'll bring out the shake first." She trotted away, leaving the two alone.

Color looked across at Libel. "So, do you still like flying?"

"What? I mean..." She tapped her hooves lightly. "Yeah?"

"You would hardly be Libel if you didn't... Learn any new tricks?"

Her brows furrowed a little. "I'm an editor, not a trick flyer."

"That isn't an answer..."

She tapped a hoof on the table. "I might have learned a few..."

"Anything... dangerous?"

She huffed, but a little smile appeared on her snout. "A few my mother would rather I didn't try... What about you? You ever learn a spell big enough to be impressive?"

"I never did that." He waved it away with a hoof. "Being able to pick things up was where I cut it off, usually... I did learn a few that were pretty handy for art though."

She tilted her head a little. "Like what? Something to mix paints?"

"Well, yes, but I didn't mean that." He looked around, then his eyes fell to the tabe. "Describe a scene."

"A scene?" Libel cocked a brow. "Mother getting a pie to the face."

"Good taste." His horn glowed and a crude image appeared on the table as if he had very quickly painted it, showing her mother catching a pie with her face, splattering. "It's not nearly as good as taking the time to do it properly, but for a quick picture..."

Libel burst into merry laughter. "That looks amazing! I doubt they want me to take the tablecloth though. You should put that away."

"Oh no." The waitress had returned, setting the shake right between them, two huge straws poking free of it towards either of them. "We love it when ponies draw on the tables." Her head tilted to see it from the right angle. "Nice one. Food's on the way! Enjoy!"

Color smiled gently. "I had a feeling they would be fun here." His horn took hold of his straw, pulling it closer to his snout. "Shall we?"

She rolled her eyes even as she leaned in. With both of their lips affixed to their respective straw, they took soft pulls of the sweet mint-chip concoction. The shake was thick, but not too thick. It flowed easily with their draws, slurped by the two friends.

Libel drew back, licking her lips. "They make a good mint-chip. We shouldn't spoil out appetite though."

"It is nice." He licked his lips before noticing something. "You got something..." His glowing horn snatched a tiny morsel that had strayed onto her chin. "There we are."

"They give us napkins, Splashy." She grabbed one with her wing, dabbing the spot it had come from.

"Why have napkins when you have friends?" He stuck out his tongue a little. "So, about that trick... You get much chance to practice it?"

"Usually... just after I finish a big project." She blushed faintly as she settled. "Cheering and hoofpumps only go so far. The sky understands my victories, and I take flight."

He let out a little sigh. "That sound fun... You know, I always was just a little jealous."

She hiked a brow. "You're a unicorn."

"And?"

"You have magic." She made quotes with her wings. "You can do almost anything your little mind desires, and you're jealous of wings?"

He rolled a hoof at that. "Easy to say, but my horn doesn't do that. I can't fly. If I want to get around, I have to work, just like any other pony that isn't a pegasus."

"You can use one of the advanced-grade typewriters!" she exclaimed with a huff. "You have no idea how much I'd pay for that..."

"Uh... What is that?"

"You don't know?" She reached a hoof into her dress and pulled out a magazine. "Look, here." She flipped it open with deft wing. "Here, that's a normal typewriter." It had two big buttons for hooves to sit on. "Two hooves, two buttons, simple right?"

He tilted his head a little. "I never used one myself, but sure, I get the idea. What's an 'advanced' one?"

She flipped ahead and slapped the magazine with a wing. "This, here! I'd love one! I mean, if I could use it."

It was a marvel of engineering, entirely unsuited to pony use. It had so many buttons that Color's eyes widened the longer he looked at it and its boggling array of little keys. Each one was too small for a hoof, and so many of them. It was easy to see what they did at least, with each one having a letter stamped on each one. "Oh wow... I... would like one of those too."

She snorted softly. "And you could use one. Unicorns only, this pretty little thing." She sighed softly over the magazine. "I hear some pegasi manage it with their wings, but these babies aren't quite... that dextrous..." She peeked left and right at her wings that sagged as if feeling bad for being called out.

He squinted at her left and right wings. "Nonsense. You're great with your wings. You could do it if you wanted to."

She colored softly. "You're being a flatterer. My wings are great, yes." She spread them out proudly. "But they're specialized in catching the breeze, not typing. I can do whatever trick I feel like doing, but doing more than grabbing things would... be different."

"That's just because you're thinking of it the wrong way." He put a hoof on his chest. "You are an amazing mare. You can do what you want, and I know that's true. If you want to practice your wings on one of these funny typewriters, you can do it, and you'd be just fi--"

His words cut off as a plate slid in front of him, heavy with a burger. "Oh, thank you!"

Another slid in front of Libel, laden with steaming hay fries piled high. "Enjoy you two. You give a call if you need anything at all!" The waitress made herself scarce without further prompting.

She snagged a fork in her wing and got a snout of salted treat. "Mmm, a simple but tasty little treat..."

He pointed at the wing holding the fork. "Look, right there. You're already doing it! Don't give me that. You keep selling yourself short, and I blame your mom."

"My... mom?" She hiked a brow at Color.

"Yes, her. She keeps telling you what you can do, and what you can't do, and doing what she says you can't do just... feels wrong. I bet you told her you wanted that." He slapped a hoof down on the magazine.

"I... did." She tilted her head, thinking back to when she was younger, eagerly rushing up to her mother with the advert for the typewriter. "She thought it was... beneath the Words..." She frowned softly a moment. "Don't let your burger get cold."
> 23 - Taking Flight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Libel watched Color eat as she nibbled on her lighter snack. Her homefries and their extra garlic couldn't be called a meal. They went down easily, nibbling softly while allowing her attention to rest on the stallion and his enjoyment of his burger. "Have you had that before?"

He perked up. "Oh, I mean... I haven't been here." He waved around the area. "But if you've been to one place like this, you've been to most of them. The local specials change, but the basics? It's a nice burger, by the way. Want a taste?" It lifted in his magic, tilting towards her. "Better than many."

She shook her head in a slight motion. "Thanks, but nah..." She sat up, eyes resting on him. "You don't like my mother."

"I... can't say I do?" He tilted his head at her. "I don't blame you for who your mom is though."

"Want to help trick her?"

His ears went right up. "Go on?"

She reached with a wing, nudging the magazine towards him. "Well, if I were to purchase this, that would be quite inappropriate of me. A direct defiance, hmm? On the other hoof, if I got one for my unicorn friend to type his invoices and proposals on..."

A coy smile spread on his face. "I'm getting where you're headed. I mean, I should probably learn how to use a typewriter if I'm going to be professional."

"And why should we start with a slower and shoddy model--" She dismissively waved a wing in the direction of the earlier photos of the basic model. "--when we can start with a better one, suited to you. You're a unicorn, you can use it without a problem. Why would anyone question that?"

"So let's just get this, and--"

"And you're getting a fancy typewriter." She cocked a brow. "It will be yours. Now, you won't stop me from touching it, I should hope?"

"Of course not!" He smiled a little. "Why would I stop you from using a typewriter?"

"Precisely, so if I try to use it and it doesn't work out, nothing lost..."

"But when you start loving it?" He bobbed up a brow. "What then?"

"I get another for myself, of course." She leaned forward. "Either way, you're getting a typewriter to start doing things with that professional touch. No more hand-written invoices for you."

He nodded slowly. "O...kay..." He didn't sound excited for the idea of a typewriter, but... "Alright, sure. Let's get that. I'll learn to use it, gladly, if it means you're trying it with me, working just as hard. You don't get to give up unless I give up."

"That's not fair!" She clopped down a hoof. "You're a unicorn! They're practically made for you!"

"Is that why they use a pegasus?" He tapped at the picture where a pegasus was smiling at the camera, their wings spread out to use the typewriter. "A curious marketing decision, using a pegasus if they only want to sell to unicorns."

She groaned and grumbled little reasons why it would all go horribly wrong. "Ugh, fine, but if I get an injury in my lovely wings, you're paying, and I'm not asking for bits, Splashy. Be ready."

Splash blanched a little, pausing his reply to slurp from the softened but still tasty shake that centered the table. "You won't hurt your wings, and even if you did, the Libel I know would get annoyed about it, then get better. You're going to be one of the best typists around, once you get the hang of it."

"And I'll have company." She reached a wing, resting it on his shoulder.

He smiled a little, but no words were shared. He wasn't sure how to take that. It sounded... good... "Seriously though, you want some actual dinner in your dinner? Homefries are a side dish and you know it."

"Yes, Mom." She rolled her eyes softly. "Give me that." She held out a hoof and he placed his burger gently on it. She soon had it balanced between her hooves and took a big bite out of it, chomping noisily with a complete abandonment of properness.

Color was left staring at the display. "I... assume you like it?"

She set the burger down gently near the center of the small table. "I give it a B, maybe a B+ with a little splash of mustard, but that's a personal thing."

His magic wrapped around the burger, reclaiming it. "Must feel nice, letting your mane down, so to speak."

Libel cracked a little smile at him. "You know... I have to agree. I'm not 'Miss Word, famous pony' right now. I'm just Libel, a friend, making stupid plans to stick it to my mom as if her opinion actually matters in my professional life at this point."

He tilted his head. "Does that mean you'll just get one for yourself?"

"Let's not get hasty." She nibbled on a fry gently. "We're getting you a typewriter, and we'll see how it goes from there.

Baby steps, he silently advised himself with a little smile. "I'm looking forward to it then. But that's enough work talk. We're here to talk about almost anything else."

"You don't want to hear about my work?"

He blinked softly. "Actually... I'd be delighted to hear about it, if you want to talk about it? I just didn't... No me work talk. We can save that for when we're, you know, on the clock."

"Fair enough." She chomped another fry lightly. "I told my boss I was chasing after a potential up-and-coming artist. I think he bought it, but there's only so much you can tell when you submit a letter and before the reply's come back."

He resisted the urge to complain about it somehow looping back onto him. "Do you usually chase leads like that?"

"Sometimes." She nodded softly. "If I get the scent of some tasty news, I'll try to verify it, then unleash the hounds, that is our actual news writers. I don't write the articles myself, as a rule, but rules are made to be broken once in a while... I've done it before." She waved a hoof softly. "It's kind of funny, Splashy. When I do it, someone else has to edit it, and they go into a bit of a panic. I try to write it so it doesn't need editing,  but who doesn't, you know?"

"I can imagine that..." He nodded softly. "But the main thing is a second set of eyes, right? So shouldn't any of the other editors be able to do a passable job?"

"That's what I say!" Her wings unfurled a moment. "But they panic, every time. Oh no, our head editor can't do this one, what do we dooooo." She emphasized the 'dooo' with wobbly hooves and spooky dramatics. "It's hilarious every time. It's extra funny when you think about the fact that these same 'insufficient' editors are busily working their rumps off every day on countless pieces."

"Poor ponies." Color smiled a little, imagining the chaos. "They do it all the time, but for your article, suddenly they're not good enough to do what they've already been doing."

"Exactly." Libel tapped the top of the table. "Now, don't get me wrong. I am the best, but still... It's a bit silly."

Color got a sudden wry smile. "So... what if you write the article and I do the editing in a surprise twist?"

She matched the smile with a grin. "That would be hilarious, but no, not on this one. You're the topic don't forget. We can't have you being talked about and also editing the piece. Our readers would notice, and the stink would be intense."

He imagined the furor that would raise as soon as a pony put two and two together. "I suppose not, but I offer to help on the next one then. You get to avoid that panic, and I get to try my hoof at editing just like my friend, Libel."

She hiked a brow. "You have an interest in editing?"

"If it helps you, a very keen one." He tapped his hooves together as his burger floated up to be chomped out of. "Any day," he said with his mouth still full, spitting bits of food with the effort.

She wrinkled her snout at the display. "I know we're being informal, but finish chewing, Splashy. It's just polite." She devoured a fresh bit of fry, savoring the extra garlic. "Now... I... have to go, and I know I have to go, so I... later." She hopped to her feet and took off on sudden wings.

He watched her soar despite the lack of space. She bobbed and weaved around the other ponies at their tables without a problem, vanishing into the restroom. She was quite good at flying so far he could tell. That and... She knew she had to go. "Good for her," he said to himself, taking a bite out of his burger. Maybe she was really getting better.

Maybe she could even get all the way better! That would be fantastic! He wished there was more he could do to help her on that road, but just being there and being a friend was all that came to mind.

Oh, and maybe encouraging her. He had complete confidence in her.

That and she was kinda awesome, problem or not.

She returned with an almost sublimely satisfied expression. That was an expression he didn't normally expect on mares. Stallions, sure, they were better at holding it past comfort, and when you finally had a chance to let it go... "Everything come out alright?"

"Was that a joke?" She hopped up onto her seat and settled. "Everything was fine. I went in, sat down, and did what every pony old enough to know their name did. I really shouldn't be so proud..."

"No. You're fine. You should be prouder, I say." He rolled a hoof at her. "I mean, sure, ponies can walk as a rule, but if a pony that only had two legs their whole life suddenly managed it, that would be one proud pony, and for good reason."

She made a little face. "Am I as gimp as a pony with two legs, Splashy?"

"You know I didn't mean it that way!" He huffed softly, almost pouting.

"I know that." She reached a hoof and pat his shoulder gently. "I know. It's just awkward. You don't have any crippling disabilities, not that I want you to! Your only problem are things that a helpful associate can fix with a little work, and we're already on that job."

"Not tonight." His magic grabbed her hoof suddenly and drew it just a precious inch so he could kiss her right on the frog of her hoof, the most sensitive portion. "Tonight you are my friend, and I am yours, and we're hanging out and catching up, and I'm really happy about that."

Her cheeks warmed brightly at the kiss. "Do friends... usually kiss each other's hooves like that?"

"I'd like it if they did." He released her hoof. "I won't again if you tell me not to."

She did not tell him that. Instead she smirked a little. "So, you kiss Day's little hoofsies then? I didn't know you two were so close."

He almost choked on his burger in a fit of disrupted laughter. "Libel! Don't do that to me in the middle of a bite like that." He grabbed a napkin in his magic and recovered from his laughing fit. "I'll kiss his hooves when he's at least half as pretty as my other friend."

She wrinkled her nose softly. "Aw, now you're going to hurt his feelings. I thought you two were best of friends. Don't be shy. I won't tell a soul if you want to try."

"Libel!" He pushed her and she just laughed it off, not at all intimidated by her smaller unicorn friend.
> 24 - Reveal
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

With a loud thump, both Color and Libel looked towards the door. They were back at her house. It was daytime, light spilling through the curtains of the nearest window. Libel frowned a little. "I'm not expecting anything." She rose and approached the door at a determined trot. "Who is it?"

"Mail!" came a familiar mare's call.

Color bounced to his hooves. "Muffins?"

"It's me!" She burst open the door, apparently able to do that the moment she thought she had permission to do so. "Should I file a change of address form for you? I keep having to come here to get your mail to you."

Libel arched a brow at the wall-eyed postal worker. "Shouldn't you just leave his letters in his mailbox?"

"What? No!" She waved a hoof wildly. "Then the ponies who sent them would have to wait forever for Color to see any of them. That'd be sad, so I bring them to him." She reached with a wing for her saddlebags and drew out a collection of letters. "Here you are!"

Color accepted them with a glowing horn, levitating them towards his side. "Thank you, um, Derpy, but you really don't have to keep going so far out of your way just for me."

"You're a friend of the family." She put a hoof on her chest. "How could I not? Trick question! I can't, so I don't." She stuck out her tongue from the corner of her mouth. "You two have a big fight yet?"

Libel blinked at the sudden twist to the conversation. "What? Look... Derpy was it? Muffins? Whoever you are! You don't just charge into somepony's house and start asking questions like that. You're a mailmare!"

"Yes I am." She reached up to adjust her postal hat, smiling proudly. "My name is Derpy, but my friends call me Muffins. I'm not sure if we're friends or not?" She tilted her head at Libel, face somewhere between considering and happy with life.

Color put a hoof between Libel and Derpy. "She's a friend I met while I was trying to find you, Libel."

"We shared a room." She bobbed her head rapidly. "He showed me his art. Have you seen it? He's really good at it!"

Libelous' expression eased suddenly. "Wait, I recognize you... Is she the pegasus you drew with the rainbow circle?"

"You drew it?!" She bounced in place. "Show me show me!"

Libel held up a hoof. "You know about it, I gather? Mighty bold. Only the very best fliers have a chance at making a sonic rainboom."

Derpy tilted her head left and right, wings extending. "I was just dreaming. Everypony's allowed to do that, right?"

Libel's spiteful little barb went limp. "Well, yeah, of course... Show her, Splashy."

"Splashy?!" Derpy burst into giggles. "I like it. Hello, Splashy. Now we know each other's friendly names. That's really nice."

Color dug out his drawing pad from his pocket. "Right here." The pad flipped open to the right page even as it approached Derpy.

She gave an excited cry at the first sighting of it. "Wow, just like I asked." She thrust a hoof forward, thumping the pad in Color's magic. "I look like a hero."

Libel inclined her head, examining the colored-pencil work of art. It was nowhere good enough to join their eventual release portfolio... "Did you know he paints?"

"He mentioned that." She bobbed her head. "I never saw his paintings though."

"Then you have a use." Libel turned and began walking. "I want to show you some art. Some of it he did, and some he did not. I want you to name which is which."

Color hurried to be at Libel's side. "What are you doing? Shouldn't we let her get back to her work?"

"She already came from your house to here. If she wasn't already fired, she just can't be fired."

"True..." He could think of no direct argument for the argument at hoof. "Still, what are you doing?"

"You'll see." She reached with a wing and pulled up the Canterlot at Night drawing, setting it in easy view. "First one. Drawn by Color, or somepony else?"

"Oooo." She trotted right up to it, her eyes wandering over the canvas and its subtle details. "Fancy... It's... um... There aren't any ponies. He likes drawing ponies. This doesn't look like one of his." She shook her head with growing certainty.

"Very good." She set the picture down and pulled out the next, the married couple. "And this one?"

"Definitely his!" She pointed at it with a shaking hoof. "It has his style, and it has ponies and they look nice. All Color Splash!"

"Very good." She lowered the second painting down and pulled out the one with the wide vista with the one pony looking thoughtful. "And finally?"

"Ooo, hard... It has a pony, but so much not-pony..." She tilted her head left and right. "I... Can I see the second one again?"

Libel shook her head. "You've already seen his art."

"Well, yes, but this is paint. Paint is not the same as pencil... I'm not sure... Now I'm not sure on the other ones. Maybe I'm getting this all mixed up..." She flumped to her haunches. "So which one's which?"

"I did all three," confirmed Color with a nervous smile. "Like them?"

"Wow!" She bounced in place. "You really do like making art. Thanks for letting me see." She suddenly pounced at Libel.

But Libel was not caught flat-hooved. She caught Derpy and easily launched her into the air. The other pegasus squealed as she did a slow circle back to land in front of Libel, laughing merrily. "So few ponies know that part. It's nice talking with a fellow pegasus once in a while."

Libel smirked faintly. "My mother would have me hung out to dry if she saw me replying to that kind of thing. Now, thank you, Muffins."

Muffins' smile was bright enough to light the room. "We're friends? Yay!" She grabbed for the both of them to pull them into a three-pony hug. "Now I don't feel so bad about you getting the stallion."

"Pardon?"

Color crashed to his haunches. "He wasn't joking..."

"Who wasn't?" Derpy separated from the hug and dusted herself off. "I really should get moving or they'll get upset at me. Take care, Brother's Friend and Brother's Friend's Girlfriend who is also my friend!"

Libel brought down a wing in front of Derpy, blocking the way. "Not so fast. I have a few questions and I want answers, Muffins. As my friend, I trust you to answer them."

"Of course." Derpy nodded at Libel with a smile. "Go ahead."

"Were you and him--" She pointed a wing at Color. "--ever dating?"

"Nope. I was kinda hoping, but you got to him first fair and square." She lifted  her shoulders softly. "Oh well. Maybe I shoulda been faster."

Color waved his hooves. "We just met not that long ago."

"We did sleep together," she helpfully pointed out with a smile. "He has the cutest little snore."

Libel's teeth set. "Does he now? You... mentioned sharing a room."

Even as Color started to lose his color, Derpy continued, "Sure did. He drew lots of things and we talked a lot."

Libel leaned forward. "And that's all you did?"

"We had food," she added with a firm nod. "Besides that, that was mostly it. Well, good luck! I hope you two have tons of fun. If you get married, don't forget me." She lifted into the air on her wings.

Libel knocked open a window with a slap of a wing just in time for Derpy to soar through the opening, vanishing into the city.

"We didn't do anything!"

"I heard her, Splashy." She rolled her eyes softly. "That was a very silly mare that spent some time with an equally silly stallion and they did nothing of note besides being silly next to each other." She raised a hoof and bopped him right on the nose. "Do I have that right?"

"Y-yeah, that's about the size of it." He nodded with growing uncertainty. "With any luck, I'll... get to do silly things with another silly, but amazing, mare."

She huffed softly. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

"I would. We have to invite Derpy someday, don't forget."

She burst into a sudden fit of laughter. "Don't go hurrying ahead, Splashy. Now, her input was not without value. I'm thinking we should start with your portraits. They are your strength, and we need to knock ponies flat."

He nodded softly in agreement. "Alright. Are we including yours?"

Her cheeks lit up, thinking of the portrait done of her. "If you never admit who you modeled it after, perhaps... I'd still rather hold onto that one for now. If anyone puts two and two together, it makes things awkward. Now go take a shower, dress in your best, and be ready to go."

He blinked softly. "I thought that was tomorrow?"

"We have another tomorrow. Get going." She swatted his back end with a wing. "I'll be preparing down here. When you're done, come down, and we get moving."

"Alright, alright." He started for the stairs. "Did you order the typewriter already?"

"I'll do that when we get back," she called after him, moving off to another room. "Focus on today. It's time to show at least one pony who Color Splash is and why she should care."





They walked down the street, both dressed to impress. Even the crowd parted for them slightly, allowing them to pass unimpeded despite how crowded it was with the business of the day. Floating just above Color was one of his paintings, wrapped up tight and secure.

"Her name is?"

"Palette Swap," replied Color with a nod. "Established gourmand of the art world and patron of several museums when she isn't busy hunting for talent herself."

"Very good." Libel only nodded faintly. "Her favorites include:"

"She has a known preference to abstract pieces, but has been seen being affected by personal works with strong emotional content. She enjoys the meaning behind art almost as much as the technique and 'quality' of a given work."

"Which is why--" She pointed a wing at the floating piece. "--we took that one with us. I feel confident she will be all over it, and once she likes it..."

"Others will take notice. While not always the cutting edge of what's new, other art critics and lovers do watch her for signs of things they should be paying attention to." Color nodded softly as he walked along with her. "Do you think she'll really like it?"

"She'll love it." Libel bumped against him from the side. "Just remember to sell the emotional angle when she starts looking it over. You cinch that, and she'll be eating out of your hoof."

"Where did they get that saying?" Color wrinkled his nose. "Can you imagine eating out of some other pony's hooves?"

"I couldn't imagine eating out of my own hooves! Who would dream of someone else's? Strange... But let's not get distracted." Libel shook her head free of the images in her head. "We have a critic to meet, impress, and leave stunned with your work.

Fortunately, neither of them knew any pony strange enough to eat food from another pony's hooves. The very idea of it!
> 25 - Happily Ever After
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

They arrived at a well-lit manor. They could see gardens beyond the gate, soaking up the sun and putting out gentle aromas in reply. The tall iron gates did not stand on their own as a bulwark. There was a large male unicorn standing just to the side of it in a sharp business attire.

As they approached, he nodded towards them. "Good day, Ma'am, Sir. Can I help you?"

Color considered the best way to start, but Libel was already talking, "We have an 11am with Miss Palette Swap."

"Very good." A clipboard floated out from behind him and circled so he could glance at it. "One Libelous Word. One Color Splash, I do presume?"

Color gestured at himself, then Libel. "That would be us. Nice to meet you."

"Charmed." He turned in place, the clipboard hiding away and some hidden mechanism being triggered. The gates began to swing open on well-greased and quiet hinges, allowing the way forward. "Please proceed to the veranda." He lifted a hoof, but not very high, giving the subtlest hint of the way to go. "She has been informed of your presence."

Libel gestured forward, following Color as they  both stepped past the gate. It closed just as quietly behind them, with only the faintest of clicks as it latched shut, separating them from the butler or guard. "Walk directly there, don't rubberneck."

Color nodded faintly, trying to subdue even that motion as he walked at an even pace. His eyes wandered even if his head was forbidden from doing so. He took in the bright colors of the well-groomed area, quietly marveling at the precise tidiness of it. For someone with a love of the abstract, her home was a gleaming monument to order.

"There he is," called the jovial tones of a plump mare, watching them approach with a little smile. "Right on time." She was not alone on her porch. She sat at a table with two other ponies that nodded in agreement with his statement. "Unusual for a fresh face. I think I can blame this on his companion."

The pony to her left, a stallion, nodded firmly. "It's quite unusual for an artist to come at the backing of an editor of all things."

"Do you think," asked a smaller female to her right. "--he has worked for her before?  Perhaps had a piece or two in her articles."

Libel did not reply to the naked musing of them within easy earshot. Color took that as a hint that he shouldn't rush to speak either, walking just in front of her as he had been bid. As soon as he put a single hoof on the small stairs leading up to the porch proper, Palette perked her ears. "Yes, do join us. Welcome, Mister Splash. It's a lovely day for a little art viewing."

She gestured at a seat across from her, though her eyes were on the floating bit of concealed art. "Would you say this is more of a museum piece, or a personal one?"

Color hesitated a brief moment. What was the difference between the two, other than where it ended up? "I like to think it is personal to the pony viewing it, no matter where it is."

She smiled brightly, her chubby cheeks lifting. "A quality answer. Miss Word, as always a pleasure. Our circles don't often collide, but it is a delight to be present for one of those rare times."

Libel nodded towards Miss Swap. "A pleasure. This isn't a Word affair, I assure. I would rather your honest viewing."

"As if I would give any other." She waved the very notion away. "About as likely as you allowing an error for an esteemed writer. Hmmph, I should imagine not... We understand one another." She fixed her eyes on Color. "Yours is not a face I've seen before."

"Never," agreed the male.

"Nope," agreed the female.

"Where are you from, dear?" She tapped her fore hooves together, clasping them against one another. "Knowing the origin of art can tell you so much about it."

His town of origin, Libel's as well, was nowhere of note, other than the Words being based in it. Still, there was little reason to hide the fact. He gave its name with a little nod. "It's nice to visit Canterlot. Just seeing it and its people makes me want to get to work."

"But we're not here for that," noted the male.

The female shook her head. "We want to see what you've already made."

Palette raised a hoof before resuming her hooves-together stance. "Don't be rude. Mister Splash, what have you brought for us? And do enjoy yourself." She swept a hoof over the table where a variety of little snacks had been arrayed for nibbling. "I wouldn't want to be a bad host."

Libel reached with a wing. It was a code. A wing-reach meant she could eat, but he should abstain. He kept his eyes on Palette. "Thank you." Even if he didn't eat, he should be thankful for the offer, or so he told himself. "This is a work based partially on life, and partially on an ideal."

The male tilted his head to the left. "There are many ideals."

The female tilted her head to the right. "Almost too many."

Palette wobbled a hoof before she sat up in an upright and formal stance. "Countless, so narrow it down, Color Splash. What ideal will we be beholding today?"

His magic gathered around the edge of the wrap, ready to reveal his work. "Optimism, love, and joy."

Palette's eyes were fixed on the slight change in magic glow. "All wonderful ideals... Do you experience them yourself, Mister Splash?"

Despite any amount of coaching, his cheeks warmed softly. "I... yes. I'm... experiencing several of those right now, and since I came to Canterlot."

"How delightful!" She clopped her hooves once. "Now show us."

There was no time to confer with Libelous without looking odd, so  he went ahead. "I present..." He pulled the wrap free with a smart thwip. "Happily Ever After."

All three sets of eyes began devouring the art, looking it over ravenously.

Palette raised a hoof, wobbling it at the piece. "I expected something more... abstract. If Miss Word directed you here, she knows what I usually favor." She glanced at Libel but did not address her. "Why did you select this one?"

Color sat up tall himself, raising a hoof to join hers in pointing at the piece. "Because you are more than a single genre, Miss Palette Swap. I feel certain you can appreciate what's being presented."

She leaned closer a little. "Mmm... They are happy, are they not?"

"Ecstatic," agreed the male.

"For how long?" queried the female with a raised brow.

"That is the way of weddings is it not?" Miss Swap slipped down to her hooves. "So many start just like this, with both feeling as if they were perched on the very top of the world... But how many remain there?"

Color inclined his head towards his floating painting. "Do you think they have a chance?"

Palette blinked softly. "What a wicked question..." She strode closer, examining it all the closer. "She is glancing towards him with, I think, affection. He is delighted that she is there, beside him. They are quite smitten, I should think..." She tapped a hoof at her chin, then her eyes fell towards the mare's dress. "That isn't new."

The male blinked. "It isn't?"

The female gestured at it with a satisfied smile. "It's an heirloom."

Palette nodded firmly. "A gift, from her parents very likely. They have the support of their community, how lovely. Hmmm. I want to say their chances are good, but will we ever know?" She cocked a brow at Color. "You mentioned this was based in part on life. Perhaps you could dispel that mystery."

That was a trap. He saw it coming. If he revealed the truth, the mystery would be gone, and with it, much of the appeal of the painting. "It would be rude to speak of other ponies without them being present. Who they are based on must remain a secret I take with me." He put a hoof on his suited chest. "I won't tell either of them what you think, to be fair."

Palette burst into soft laughter. "Very good of you..." She leaned in all the closer. "I do like the brushwork... You've given the impression of conflicting thoughts. They are musing over things, but they remain happy. Yes, I think their chances are good."

Color smiled wryly, knowing that was likely a side-effect of his fussing with the almost-finished painting. "Sharp eye."

"It's what I'm known for, Dear." She waved that off as if it was nothing. "What do you think?" She turned to look at the male.

He nodded at the painting. "It's a lovely piece, Palette. I think you could learn a lot about a pony  based on how they thought about it."

The female burst into giggles. "It's pretty and a psychological test all wrapped in one."

Palette reached for it, setting a hoof gently on the side of the canvas where no paint resided. "One day I will be that happy, but, for now, I can placate myself with this little morsel."

Color had to struggle mightily to not break out into a huge grin. It was not easy! "I know it will be in good hooves, here."

"Oh, no, not here." She turned up her nose. "As if I could keep this to myself. No, no! I must know what other ponies think of it, and what they say. This is a piece that begs for exposure." She sat down and spread her forehooves wide. "I'll get it in front of many eyes. 'What do you see?' will be the focus point. Let ponies come to their own conclusions, sunny or dreary. I should imagine we'll see both."

The male clopped his hooves in a slow clap. "Wonderful idea, Ma'am. What gallery should I call?"

Libel suddenly coughed. "Before we get that far, you do need to conclude this purchase."

Palette waved dismissively at the male. "Nevermind him, he's just excited. Of course we'll handle that." She leaned towards Color, fluttering her lashes in what might have been intended to be a flirtatious manner. "Now how much will this be?" she asked in a coquettish tone.

He hadn't expected the heavy-set mare to try to appeal to him in that way. She wasn't even a pegasus! Not that... pegasi were the only ponies he liked...  Still, she was no Libelous Word. Fortunately, they had discussed pricing and how to approach that. "I understand your presence and influence will help get this picture in front of more ponies." Thank her. He was beneath her, always be thankful. "So I'm willing to go a little low." He wobbled a hoof downwards.

"How low are we talking about, Dear?" It was as they had suspected. There was a small chance she'd blurt out a number, but more likely, she'd feel him out. She wanted to know how much he valued the piece. Too low and she'd lose all interest.

All he had to do was quote a figure more than he ever made at once before. "Oh, just one hundred and twenty thousand."

She frowned suddenly, as did her two friends, or lackies, or possibly servants. She tapped at her chin softly. "No, no, you're too bold, Sir Splash, no." She waved a hoof. "Eighty thousand."

That was her counteroffer! It was still dizzyingly high as far as Color was concerned. He did his best to hide his nervousness, smiling with a little awkwardness. "That sou--"

Libel softly slapped him on the back with a wing, disguising it as a stretch.

"--sounds a little low." He coughed into a hoof. "How about an even one hundred? Our accountants will thank us for it." Not that he had one of those...

"Splendid!" Palette Swap waved at the piece. "Secure that. Call the Singing Redwood and tell them what we've found."
> 26 - Success
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Color walked alongside Libel. They were going down the road, away from Palette Swap's manor. Clutched in his wavering mental grip was a bag with thousand-bit coins. He had never seen a thousand-bit coin. He had a hundred of them.

He had a hundred-coin of thousand-coins. He laughed almost deliriously, trying to wrap his mind around the money he was walking with. "I mean... how? I  mean... This is just because... of you, right?" He looked sidelong at Libel. "She knew you, as a Word."

She bumped against him, almost sending him tumbling in his numb state. "You put that thought out to pasture. I got you the appointment, but that's about where my influence ended. She doesn't care what I think is good art, or bad art. She only cared enough to take a look, and she did that. What she decided? Not up to me."

"But..." He waved at the heavy bag that drifted with them. "I know better artists! They never make this much... Some of them struggle just to keep the lights on... There are tons of better artists... Why aren't they making this kind... I don't... I mean..."

She circled around in front of him. "You think this is about that? It isn't." She set a hoof on her chest. "I bet there are better editors out there, slaving and unknown. They may even work for me, for all I know. It's not always about the best. You made the right pitch to the right pony at the right time. You dressed for success and said the right things, and you won." She leaned in then, bumping heads and almost impaling herself on his horn. "You won."

"I won..."

Libel opened the bag held in his limp magic. "And now I take this back." She casually claimed two of the coins. "We are now even. As promised, it's such a small amount of the end profit, you won't even notice it."

He smirked a little, not even really able to feel the difference of weight with the two coins gone, but knowing, intellectually, it was a great sum, even larger than what he had been lent in the first place. "Yeah... I just... Look, you never had nothing, Libel... You never worried about if you'll be eating dinner."

Libel hesitated a moment, a frown developing before it eased. "No... I haven't..." She turned back towards her house. "Come on. Let's go home, and maybe we can talk about it?"

He smiled a little, hurrying to be at her side. "That sounds really good about now. I could use a friend."

"Good thing you have one right here." She put a wing over him gently. "I can't say I 'get it' right away, but I'm willing to listen, alright Splashy?"

"Thanks..." He pressed against her, using her as a support as they made their way to Libel's smaller but nice house.

"Libel?"

Libel snapped out of the comfortable walking to see Bottom Line peering at her oddly. That was when she realized she had strolled through Canterlot with Color Splash propped against her.

Bottom raised a hoof to her lips. "I will say nothing except I hope you two are doing well."

Libel nudged Color away and he tipped over, sprawling with a jangle of coins, the bag falling on top of him. She went red in the cheeks. "That wasn't right. I'm sorry, Splashy." She reached for him with a hoof. "Let's get you  back up."

The coins began to float back up into the bag, Bottom's horn glowing gently. "I didn't mean to startle you, Miss Word."

"We're not at work, Libel or Libelous is just fine, Bottom."

Color sat up on his haunches, blinking. "Sorry for being spaced out. I'm just... I think I'm having a midlife crisis and it was from a good thing happening and I'm not sure what I should be doing."

Bottom tilted her head at him before leaning in towards Libel, whispering, "I'll let you two work this out. I think he needs you."

Libel set a wing gently on his back. "It's not a crisis, Color. You're stressed out, and things have changed. That's traumatic enough without calling it a crisis."

He stood up with a slow huff of breath. With a glowing horn, he reclaimed the bag from Bottom's magic. "Thank you. I mean, yeah, that's probably true... I should be thanking you. You've done so much..."

Bottom hiked a brow. "Sorry for prying, but it sounds like something nice happened?"

"He sold a piece." Libelous smiled with obvious pride. "A clean one hundred thousand. He's paid off his standing debts and... here we are."

Bottom smiled gently. "Sounds like it's time for an invoice. Should I get on that?"

"Oh, yes, please." He stood up properly, stepping from one hoof to the next. "What did I do to deserve such amazing mares in my life?"

Bottom nodded gently. "I'll have that ready by tomorrow. Don't forget you have a wonderful stallion in your life as well. Who should the invoice be addressed to?"

"Palette Swap," answered Libel quickly. "Make sure it reads 150 thousand, discounted down to one hundred. That will leave a good impression that she secured a real deal."

"Noted." She nodded certainly. "By tomorrow. Have a good evening, both of you."

Color waved a little as she wandered away purposefully. "You have a really nice secretary."

"She's a friend too..." She shook her head slowly. "As awful an idea as that is... Color, let's get you home."

They did not run into any other familiar ponies until they were already past Libel's gate. Day Dreamer was placidly spread out on the front lawn, looking up at the clouds and seeming to be in a state of advanced relaxation.

Color smiled at the sight and wandered over towards his friend and roomie. "You're looking even more chill than usual. What's the good word?"

"Love."

Color tilted his head. "Huh, the date really went well?"

"I can barely put words to it." He rolled over with a flop, facing Color and Libel. "Hey, you're both here, great... I hope yours went at least half as good." It was only then that he seemed to notice something. "What happened? You're all..." He wobbled his forehooves oddly.

Libelous nodded with a smirk. "That's a fair summary." She reached out a wing and nudged Color's new wealth. "Your friend sold his art for what he's actually worth."

"How much is he worth?"

Color raised a brow. "That's an odd question."

Day shrugged. "She said it was worth one Color Splash. I want to know how much that is, out of curiosity. What if I want to get another of you to hang out with?"

Color shook his head firmly. "Sorry, we're all out of stock on Color Splashes."

"Aw..." He smiled despite it. "You're feeling better, that's good. How much did you get, really? I'm kinda curious."

"After my fees, he now has 98 thousand bits."

Day's eyes widened a moment as he whistled low. "That's a lot of bits. Are you going to do something responsible with it, or are we going to go to Las Pegasus and party as if this was the last year we had in us?"

Color reached up for the floating bag. "Afraid I want to be responsible... I mean, I'll spend some of it, I have to... But most of it--"

"--will be smartly invested." Libel nodded towards the bag. "Release some of it to me and I'll see that it's intelligently handled for you. Cash management is a full-time job, and I have accountants, family accountants. I'll just open a new account with them and deposit what you give me."

Color tilted his head a little.  "Why not just put it in a bank?"

"After you worked so hard to get it?" She snorted at the very idea. "Your money should work at least as hard as you did. My accountants will keep it running and making more money by investing it whenever opportunities come up, so you end up with even more the longer you leave it in their capable hooves."

Day waved a hoof at Libelous. "Trust her. She was born rich. She knows how money moves like I know my plants." He flopped suddenly, sprawling wide. "By the way, nice lawn. Do you take care of it yourself? It's really happy."

Libel  hiked a brow. "I have a lawnkeeper for that... but did you do your magic on it? I could swear it's... thicker than last I checked it."

"A little." He sat up on the thick grass, smiling happily. "They do a good job."

"But not as good as you." She leaned forward a little. "Want his job?"

He blinked at that. "Oh, um... I don't want to take his money away."

She snorted and waved off the idea. "I am just one account of many for him. He won't be put out on the streets. Your pay will include your room and boarding here, which you're already receiving, but will now earn. I will pay a decent sum in addition, of course. Quality work deserves quality pay."

Day Dreamer brought his hooves together in one loud clop. "Oh wow, like in the plays... I always wanted to have this job."

Color tilted his head at that. "Wait, you had an ambition?"

"Not nice, Bro." He gently poked Color. "I had one. I wanted to be a groundskeeper for a pony rich enough to have lots of plants, and I'd keep them all happy and bright." He made a check mark in the air. "Right off the bucket list. I can die happy now."

"You will do no such thing." Libel rolled her eyes. "Really, I just hired you. You can't go retiring that quickly."

"Yeah, guess that'd be fast. First I have to enjoy it." He slid back up to his hooves and started wandering away. "I'm going to reintroduce myself to everything, let them know I'm staying and taking care of them. I wonder if they'll be as happy as I am." With a content smile, he wandered off into the foliage.

Color shook his head on the way to the front door. "You just made his day in a way I wouldn't have thought of... ever. He never seemed that interested in working."

"We're just learning all kinds of things about our friends today." She threw open the door and gestured inside. "After you, Good Sir."

He dipped his head in a bow before proceeding past her. "Why are you calling me a 'sir' like that?"

"You don't get it?" She wobbled a hoof at him. "You're in. You're in the scene. You're one of us."

"Us?"

"A made stallion. Self-made, not born into it, but that's alright." She nodded softly to herself. "Now we can date and nopony can complain about it."

He blinked softly, sinking to his haunches. "Was... that a problem before?"

"It would have been." She rolled her eyes. "Duh? Splashy, pay attention."

He shook his head a little. "Libel, you know I like you, but, seriously?"

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

He reached to poke her in the chest lightly. "Did we or did we not establish that your mother can take a long hike off a short pier?"

"What does she have to do with this?!" Libel's wings shot out wide to either side. "I haven't even mentioned you to her."

"For good reason, I bet." Color rolled the same hoof in the air. "And I bet you're considering fixing that now."

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Because you were doing what she wanted without even thinking about it. It's just... part of you."

She huffed and half turned. "You're blowing up nothing into something. You won, you're in, we can be happy. What are you even remotely sad about?"

"Hello. My name is Color Splash."

She blinked at the introduction. "I think I know who you are."

"I'm a painter, not a 'made stallion'. Do you like me as I am, or as you're making me?"
> 27 - Who Are You?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Libel snorted softly. "That's ridiculous!" She turned away and stormed off several steps. "Stupid! What are... I don't..." She suddenly swatted a clock off its shelf with a wing, sending it tumbling to the floor to smash into pieces. "You don't mean that!"

Color was quiet, watching her.

"Stop staring at me! Look..." She hurried away, coming back with a letter clutched in a wing, slapping it down just in front of Color. "Look!"

Color did look down at the letter. It was a neatly written one. The signature made it abundantly clear that it was from Libelous' mother. "She gave up?"

"Exactly!" With her wings still outstretched, she clopped a hoof. "So I wasn't doing it for her. See?! Now stop it and let's be happy. This is a good day."

Color rolled a hoof. "I'm not an expert... But she told you she's giving up on you, so you get a husband just the way she'd allow. You do that right away, and you're looking forward to telling her. You're hoping... hoping that she'll be happy, that she'll praise you and accept what you've done and even--"

"Stop it!"

"Even accept you," he completed with a soft tone. "And... you want that. You just want her to stop--"

"I want you to stop!" she barked, her entire form trembling. "I thought this is what you wanted..."

"I mean... it is..."

"Then why are you hurting me like this?" She looked away, a few tears dripping hot from her face. "Why are you doing this?"

"Be...cause I love you." He approached a half-step. "I want to... be with Libelous Word, the real her, not... like this. This isn't her. This is the chastised little filly that is doing what she can to make her mother proud of her, and that is not Libelous Word. That is not the filly that practically led the way."

"I'm not a filly," she petulantly denied, sniffling up a loud bit of snot she hadn't had a moment before.

"No, you're not... You are Libelous Word, a dear and wonderful mare. A wondrous adult that has control of her life, and can do whatever she wants... Who should do things because she wants to."

"I can't even control... that." She sank, her wings limply hanging on either side to the ground. "Maybe I am just a filly..."

Color stomped down a hoof. "Stop that! Just...  no. It was not a filly that dragged me down this path today. It isn't a filly that I took on a delightful dinner date. It isn't a filly that I'm still chasing."

She looked back towards him over a shoulder, her makeup horribly run with her flowing tears and phlegm in a ghastly display. "You're still chasing me? I'm just a little filly... Doing whatever mother wants... I thought you were sick of me..."

He couldn't resist. He rushed her, grabbing her despite all reason. She thrashed and fought him with a sudden cry, but he held her and they collapsed in an ungainly pile. She was crying into his fur, sobbing in fitful shakes.

She also stank like she still had a problem, but he wasn't paying that much mind. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm really... I'm not a psychologist... Please don't be sad... I didn't mean to... attack you..."

"Well you did!" she blurted in almost a shriek, but the sobs ebbed and became labored breathing. That was all there was, ragged and deep breathing as they clung to one another. "Splashy..."

"Yes?"

"Do you hate me?"

"No." He kissed one of her pinned ears. "I do not."

"Why not? I don't love you."

He cringed at the admission, shrinking back a little. "I still love you... Even if we go back to being friends... Even if you chase me out of here..."

She sat up slowly, disentangling from him. "Splashy, you're the one that needs help." She stuck out her tongue a little. "A mare chases you out of her house, that is not a sign you should come back later like nothing happened. What am I going to do with you if you don't even know that?"

Color stood up, his magic reaching for some folded napkins and bringing them over to Libel in a pile. "You're going to clean yourself up, then we're going to sleep on this and approach it tomorrow like adults?"

She snatched a napkin in a wing and began applying it to her face angrily. "This isn't how today was supposed to go, Color. I did everything you asked for, more if you ask me. I'm offering you a happy ending worthy of making into art, and you just... flip it right back in my face."

"That's nice for me." He put a hoof on his chest. "But what about you?"

"What about me?"

"Is this the ending you were hoping for?"

She arched a brow at him. "Well, unless you want to let a unicorn with too much magic and too few ethics perform a quick little tweak to make you speak a few octaves higher and round you out..."

He blinked at that. "Oh..."

She huffed a weary sigh. "Mares make me happy... And they don't try to control me, mother excluded." She booped him right on the nose. "Unlike stallions, who like to tell me what to do."

"Libel... You know this isn't like that."

"I do..." She sank a little in place. "I do...  Hmmph, bet you want to make me fat and disgusting too."

He tilted his head to the left. "Libel, you take that back. If we were married tomorrow, we'd not have any foals until, and unless, you happened to want one. Even if you did, not like there aren't ways of getting one that have nothing to do with getting fat and/or disgusting."

"You're just saying that." She rose up with a huff. "You're right though. I'm going to bed. I'm going to wash up, wash off, and just... see you tomorrow."

So he was left in the darkened room. With no one moving, the lights saw no reason to stay on, leaving Color staring at the space Libel once sat in. Had he done the right thing? Had he said the right thing? He was far from certain... Part of him felt terrible. He was literally throwing away what he had come for. She had basically proposed to him, and he... He said no...

"Stupid." He stood up and the lights flashed back into operation, forcing him to squint against the sudden glare. "Alright, that isn't always amazing..." He made his way towards his room at a slow walk, trying to piece together what he had done right or wrong, but not getting far with either thought.

He hoped a little sleep would help bring resolution to his troubled thoughts. Maybe they'd help her too. Maybe the next day they'd laugh at how silly they had both been.

Day sat down from just outside, having heard most of the spirited argument. "Heavy..." He looked around and found the phone with some poking around. He pulled the receiver off the base and... had no idea how to use it.

Fortunately, an operator came on after a moment. "Hello?"

"Yeah, hi!" Day smiled at the operator, even if they couldn't see each other. "Can you get me to Bottom Line?"

"Let me check..." He heard pages being flipped through. "There are two Bottom Lines. Can you narrow it down?"

"Unicorn mare? Works for Libelous Word?"

"Here we are. I'll connect you."

The line went dead a moment.

"Hello?" She sounded like she was sleepy or had just been awakened. "Who is this?"

"Hey..."

"Day!" She suddenly sounded much happier. "When did I give you my number?"

"I asked the operator." He nodded into the receiver uselessly. "We have a big emergency on our hooves."

"You sound worried, and I don't think that's natural for you. What kind of emergency are we discussing?"

He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Color and Libel got into a fight, and I don't think it's a stupid one."

"All fights are stupid," counted Bottom. "What makes this one less stupid?"

He smiled a little into the receiver, reminded of another reason to really like Bottom. "He noticed she was shaping him and then he got in her head and she was all angry and sad and they cried and hugged and now they're going to bed all sad and angry."

"That is one way to describe the situation... Are either of them hurt?"

"Nah, not physically. It's all in here." He thumped his chest. "They're hurt inside, really bad I think... What can we do?"

"She has to come into work tomorrow. I'll gently pry into things. You do the same with Color. He'll be moping around, I should imagine. He trusts you. She trusts me. We'll pull the information out of them and then compare notes."

He nodded softly, form relaxing. "You're good at handling emergencies."

"It's part of what I'm paid to do." He could hear something being written down. "Now, I'm going back to sleep. I'll talk to her at work, then we'll get back together. Don't forget your part. See what he's thinking, and what he wants. Just be... you. I bet he admits things to you all the time."

"You got it." He took the receiver in his teeth. "See you tomorrow."

"One last thing."

"Yeah?"

"Love you."

He blushed brightly in his cheeks. "Love you too. I hope we never have any arguments, stupid or not."

"Right back at you." She hung up, and he followed suit a moment later.

The house became quiet then. All the ponies settled in for bed, hoping for better to come the next day.
> 28 - Just Two Bros
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Color sat in front of a blank canvas, staring into its unmarked soul. "Hmm..."

It was far from the first time he had made the noise. "Hm..." He looked towards his palette of colors and dabbed his brush into a blue, making a streak across the paper with it. "Mmm..."

"Digging it." Day sat down next to him, smiling in that little way he had. "Is that the sky?"

"Yeah... maybe..." Color glanced aside at Day Dreamer. "I thought you were busy being happy."

"Never too busy for my bro." He nodded once. "What's up?"

"Nothing... everything." He sighed dejectedly and slumped in place.

"That narrows it down." Day put a hoof gently on Color's withers. "Wanna talk?"

"Not really." He set down his collection of colors and set the brush across them, narrowly missing messing up the brush with the paints. "Tell me about your new girlfriend. You two getting along?"

"Yeah..." He tilted his head a little. "You know I'm here for you, right?" He offered up a hoof. "We're bros."

Color eyed the hoof, the silence growing between them a moment before he timidly met it with his own, tapping them together. "You worked so hard to get me this far. Then she pulled me along the rest of the way. I just... I just had to go along. I just had to nod and say yes..."

Day raised the hoof to tap at Color's nose gently. "Nah."

Color blinked at the monosyllabic refusal. "Dude... I scared her off. I practically chased her away..."

"Nah."

"You really have to find a new word." He gave his friend a good glaring at. "I called her out."

"Good friends do that." He shrugged gently. "I call you out sometimes."

"We're not... romantically involved."

He laughed softly, barely more than a chuckle. "And you think those ponies just... stop seeing where their special somepony messes up? Give me a break, Bro."

"Don't sound like I never called you out."

"That just proves my point." He slumped suddenly, flopping against Color. "Stop being so sad, Bro... Let's take one of those bazillionare coins you got and have fun."

Color grumbled a little, but he didn't shove Day away. They sat together, and Day seemed happy to remain there.

"This works too." Day half-closed his already drowsy eyes. "We ain't chilled in a while."

"Yeah..."





"Pass this to Mister Splash." A glowing paper set itself on Libelous' desk. "Completed. I presume you'll be passing this case to someone else now? I can have a request drafted by the end of the hour."

"Mm?" Libel snapped out of whatever thoughts she was drowning in. "Oh, yes, I suppose we should do that." She took the paper and tucked it away. "Thanks..."

"A new up and coming artist breaks through to well-known collector." Bottom swept a hoof as if from an imagined headline. "Palette Swap stunned by a fresh take, now available at... Where is the piece being displayed?"

"Mmm?" She blinked softly, still fairly lost. "The Redwood, if I recall?"

"Now available at the Redwood. You'd  better get a ticket while there are still some available." Bottom Line nodded gently. "You'll get a byline, and likely edit the article too."

"Mhmm..."

"Are you alright?"

Libel focused on her secretary. She was a pretty little unicorn. Libel smiled a little, thankful she had Bottom Line. "Yeah... thanks."

Bottom softly coughed into a hoof. "I'll get that paper written. After that, we have no other standing duties. You have an appointment in two hours."

Libel sat up, blinking. "I don't remember having one. Who's it with?"

"One Bottom Line. She's quite insistent in having your time." Bottom inclined her head. "She hasn't stopped calling me."

Libel smirked lopsidedly. "That Bottom Line can be quite a trouble at times... I wouldn't trade her away for the world though."

"I'll keep the appointment on the calendar then." She trotted to the front of the office, resuming her typing with the click-clack of busy hooves.

"Hey, Bottom?"

Bottom glanced towards the door that separated her from her boss. "Yes?"

"Why do you use a binary typewriter, with your hooves? You have magic and all. Couldn't you be working about a thousand times faster with a deluxe model?"

"I could..." Her typing did not slow, busily working on the letter she promised to have done. "But just because someone can, does not mean someone must. I like the feel of each key being pressed. You don't get that with the deluxe model, unless you're a pegasus. I admit, I'm jealous that you get that option."

Libel tilted her head slowly. "I thought the deluxes were basically made for unicorns?"

"Some unicorns love it." She click-clacked quietly a for a bit. "I can't feel as well through my magic as I can through my hooves. I like that feedback, even if it is a little slower. Less mistakes for picky little editors to find. You know the sort, always harping on my mistakes."

Libel smiled a little. "Yeah... real jerks, those editors..."

"Why don't you, Miss?"

"Why don't I what?" Libel tilted her head at the open door, though she couldn't see Bottom around the corner.

"Use a deluxe. You're a pegasus. You have terrific wing dexterity. I should think you would take to it quickly."

Libel muttered something softly.

"If you prefer binary, don't allow me to suggest you change for my benefit." The click-clacks went on steadily. "Use what feels better and works better."

"He was changing me too..."

Bottom perked an ear, but did not immediately reply, instead focusing on her writing. Only when it was done and she drew it free with her magic did she speak, "When two ponies are close, they change one another. It's a natural thing."

"Natural..." She heaved a soft sigh. "What if... You can do it wrong, can't you?"

"There are few things you can't do wrong." She folded the letter in her magic and stuffed it in an envelope. "But I imagine you can fix it. Are you ready for your appointment? I think Miss Line will be in shortly."

Libel pushed her own typewriter away and slid up to her hooves. "Yes... Yes I think I am ready for her. Send her in."

"Of course, Miss." Bottom Line entered, an envelope floating beside her, a quill jotting a name on the front of it. "Let's go get something to eat. I'll drop this off on the way."

"That sounds lovely." She dared a little hopeful smile and joined her secretary/friend.





He had an arm wrapped around Color, practically cuddling his fellow stallion with no regard for personal space. "You're a good guy. You know that, right?"

"Am I?" He tilted his head, watching Day's antics with the detached look of someone watching something happen to someone else, rather than to himself.

"Don't even ask that." He stuck out his tongue and nipped Color's ear, tugging it briefly. "You're great. I mean, you put up with me, for one."

Color smiled a little at that. "Yeah... But I hear there's a mare who does that too. You give her any aggressive cuddles yet?"

"Nah, that's for bros only." He nuzzled Color right in the neck. "Mares get different cuddles. Stop looking so sad... What do you want? I mean... If Libel came in right now and she did... anything, what would that be that'd make this all happy again?"

"Huh..." He frowned a little, barely noticing when the room flopped over and he ended up on his back, being aggressively cheered by his friend. "I just... I want her to be her own pony. I want her to do things because she want to, not for me, or her mom. Especially the second option. She can... take a leap."

"Harsh."

"But deserved!" He punched up into the air. "She has Libel all bent out of shape..."

"You ever meet her?"

He blinked softly, barely feeling Day's weight on top of him. "Of course I have. I grew up next to her house, playing with her daughter..."

"You ever meet her? You know, talk, like two ponies?" He tilted his head down at his friend. "You don't know her. Bet she doesn't know you."

"She wouldn't want to talk to some random nopony," he sighed out with dejection.

"Good thing you aren't one of those anymore." He sat up, sitting on Color. "Go talk to her. Maybe she isn't so bad. Maybe she is. You don't know. You're just... You don't know, Dude."

Color squinted a little. "That would be so strange... 'Hey, I'm dating your daughter and am trying to take her hoof, if she'll have me. How are you?'"

"That works." Day nodded slowly. "Just try talking to her. You're not a foal anymore, Dude."

He suddenly sat up, sending Day sliding right off to the floor to flop bonelessly. "Do you think she wants to talk to me? I mean... we have nothing in common."

"You have at least one thing in common."

He thought of Libelous and smiled awkwardly. "Well, alright, one thing..." He tapped his forehooves together. "But that one thing isn't even... She's mad, Day. She's mad and I deserve to be mad at!"

"Nah."

"I thought we were past that!" Color clopped a hoof on the ground. "No more nahs!"

Day sat up lazily. "I can go with you, if you want?"

Color thought of trying to get close to the matron of the Word house with Day just kinda chilling there behind him, looking half-asleep. "Uh... I appreciate the offer... but maybe I should try this myself."

"Yeah, do that." He raised a hoof as if in offer for a bump. "Do that."

Color hesitated a moment before meeting the hoof, clopping gently. "Wish me luck."





Bottom sat gently on a wide-bottomed chair made for comfortable pony sitting. "Now allow me to be frank. We are not here simply for pleasantries, though I welcome those in time."

Libel frowned at her secretary and friend. "You pulled me away from work. Are we still boss and secretary, or..."

"Friends." Bottom gestured at her chest, then towards Libel. "A concerned friend, to be specific. You will tell me what happened with Color."

Libel blinked softly. "You are going straight for the throat."

"Act quickly or I may begin tearing." She bared her teeth with a face that held no anger, a placid expression. "What happened? Leave nothing out."

"Nothing!" Libel tapped the top of the table lightly. "I'm ordering a salad, you want something?"

"I'll take a bagel, extra spread. I'll also take an explanation. You may begin."

"Bottom! That is my personal life! You don't get to just... do this."

"I am doing this." She arched a brow. "By right of a mare's best friend, as was written in the most ancient of girl code. You will now disclose your romantic trouble. Ice cream may be ordered if needed."

Libel's right half of her lips pulled up in a smirk. "That was terrible, but accepted. Only if I'm allowed to sob piteously on your shoulder."

"That is included in the girl code." Bottom nodded severely. "To deny a best friend girl in need a shoulder to cry on is a severe infraction." She clopped her forehooves together. "Let the cleansing begin. Start with a retelling of the event."

Libel waved at a passing waiter. "One bagel, extra smear. One garden salad. One cup of triple-surprise ice cream."

"Stat," added Bottom Line. "Don't talk when you drop it off. We have serious business to discuss."

The waiter scurried away with the order with but a tip of his hat. Libel snorted as she watched him retreat. "You're serious."

"You keep me around for a reason." Bottom leaned forward. "Now start. I want to hear it all."

"I don't deserve you... So... He made the big sale. We were home, both happy, I thought... I was... I was really happy. I was gushing about it. Maybe I said something stupid..."
> 29 - Falling From the Tree
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Color looked over the massive gates in front of him. It wasn't even as large as the 'proper' family manor. He'd seen those, back in his hometown. This was their Canterlot holding, and...  it put Libel's little house to shame.

"Can I help you?"

Color lifted an ear towards the sharply-dressed gate-guard. "Ah, yes." He approached with a little smile. "I have an appointment."

"Do you?" He looked over Color's expensive suit before nodding softly. "Let me get that open." He opened the gate with his magic and gestured past it. "The mistress is in the reading room, second floor, Sir."

"Ah, thank you." He dipped  his head and trotted past quickly. The guard was below him, he couldn't grovel too much. He smiled a little, remembering Libelous' advice as it was spoken. The idea of maybe not always telling the complete truth was also there.

He had no appointment... He had banked on showing up wearing good clothing and being well-groomed would get him that far. So far, it was working.





"Allow me to rephrase the incident." Bottom inclined her head, her floating bagel drifting in just close enough to get a chunk bitten out of it. "You were elevating Color's socioeconomic level closer to your own, educating him along the way with how to behave properly in his new social strata."

Libel's ear sagged a little. "That sounds so much worse when you put it like that..."

"You encouraged him to live up to your high expectations, which he is doing." She inclined her head. "Doing well, I am told?"

"He's fine," muttered Libel with a little grunt, plopping a spoonful of ice cream into her snout. "He's fine!"

"But he was not." She nodded slowly. "Or you wouldn't be--"

"Stop." She took a slow breath. "Please. I got enough of this from him. Look, what are you suggesting? Should I... just walk away from this?"

"If you like giving up." She raised an ear at Libel. "You never struck me as the kind of pony, Libelous."

"Alright, so...?" She sank her spoon into the cool treat, the spoon attached to a hoof. "Get to the part where we make this better."

Bottom swallowed the bagel bit in her mouth. "Well, there are a number of paths forward from here, but they all rely on knowing clearly where you wish to be."

"I want him to actually be happy with what he got?" She tilted her head. "I'd... like the painful questions to stop?"

"Those are two different things that don't exactly match up. At least, the actions you have to perform don't." She rolled a hoof lightly. "Miss Word."

"Don't call me that."

Bottom smiled a little. "Why should I not? It is your name. I do not fret when you call me Miss Line."

"There's more to it! You're... not part of a family. Not like that, anyway."

Bottom leaned in a little. "What does it mean to be a Word, precisely?"

Libel arched a brow at her friend, lifting her spoon up to be cleaned with her tongue. "That's a big story."

"And if he becomes involved with you, seriously, then he is becoming one."

"Well, yes?"

"And you are concerned."

"Why wouldn't I be?!" She slapped her hoof down on the tabletop, the spoon ringing as it hit the table. "Wouldn't you be?"

"Have you asked him what he thought of that?"

She raised a hoof, only for it to fall a few inches. "Well, no? I mean... I thought it was obvious?"

Bottom smiled a little. "It was, to you."

"And he's not me."

"You would like that." Bottom arched a brow. "Would you date yourself?"

Libel snorted loudly at that, breaking in an uneven laugh. "You're joking." Bottom's expression did not break. "You're not joking..."

"Assume it was another pony with another important name." She wobbled a hoof. "Successful in her field, whatever that was. Belonged to an important family, of course. Athletic, has a medical issue she's sensitive about."

"Your description is grammatically terrible." Libel's brows fell softly. "But, alright. Here's this rich mare. Is she a pegasus too?"

"Mmm, sure, why not?" Bottom shrugged softly. "Would you make a pass?"

"Well..." Libelous licked over her lips softly. "Assuming we got along... sure?"

"Are you sure?"

Libel perked up. "Why wouldn't I?"

"She knows you. She knows the Words. She has her own baggage. She walks up to you and..."

"I'd probably just keep it polite," admitted Libel, shrinking. "I'd never so much as compliment her dress."

Bottom smiled gently. "Now you're being honest." She reached across and gently pat Libel on the shoulder. "You like mares that are below you."

Libel jerked back at that, ears going erect. "What?!"

"You enjoy the idea of being over another mare. You want to be in charge... It's charmingly masculine, but also not very healthy." She put a hoof on her chest. "If I were less well-balanced and confessed my undying love for you, you would..."

Libel sputtered softly. "I would be horrified! I mean, you're my secretary! I--"

"--would be quietly delighted." She took a fresh bite of her floating bagel.

"No! ..." Libel sank in her chair, letting the air escape her. Thoughts of the last few mares she had approached came to her mind. A low-ranking mare in public relations. That mare she was tutoring... "Oh... I am... the hugest creep in the world..." She fell forward onto her hooves, burying her face in them. "Why are you even still  here? You should leave before I lech all over you or something."

"And we proceed." She softly patted Libel's shoulder. "Now tell me what you think of stallions."

"Or I could let you tell me?"

"And I will," agreed Bottom. "But, I want you to agree with it, deep inside. I don't want to be another droning pony telling you what you think or what you should think."





Color found the front door was unlocked, opening easily to his magic.

"Good day, Sir," greeted a unicorn in a tuxedo. "May I assist?"

A butler? "Ah, nice to meet you. Looking for the reading room? I was told it's upstairs?"

"Just that way." He pointed towards some stairs. "May I escort you, Sir?"

"That won't be required." He strode like he had somewhere to be. He did. Permission or not, he had a specific place to go to and somepony to speak with. He strode up the winding stairs and arrived on the second floor. There were plaques just to the right of each door, revealing their purpose.

Thank goodness for that. He approached the reading room with a little smile, magic taking hold of the knob. He thought better of it just a moment before he would have opened it. Knocking? It was only polite. He raised a hoof and gently tapped it on the door in two strikes.

"Who's there?" came a mature mare voice, easily in her middle ages if not a little further. "It's not time for dinner."

"No, it isn't," agreed Color, his ears pinning back. He forced them back up with a soft grunt. "I've come to speak to you. May I come in?"

"Come to speak to me?" The door opened an instant later, revealing the matron's face, glaring at him. The expression turned from annoyed confusion to outright fury. "Who are you?!"

Color dipped his head low. "Please forgive me, Ma'am. We met many years ago, when I was this high." He lifted a hoof to approximate it. "I was a friend of your daughter, Libelous Word."

She peered at him quietly a moment before it seemed to click. "Little Splash?" She snorted softly. "You're in the wrong city, little colt. What are you doing here of all places?"

Little Splash was not a name he was called very often anymore. "I'm here to talk to you. It's about Libelous."

"Oh?" She looked past him into the hallway, peeking left and right before she gestured inside. "Come in."

He followed her into the large room. It was full of books, tables, and soft places to sit. She went for one of the latter, settling into a cozy chair in front of a set cup of tea. She gestured across from herself. "Would you like one?"

Color perked an ear. Things were going better than he had dared to hope. "Oh, yes, please." Don't refuse kind offers from your host, never. That was a thing Libel had taught him. "I--"

"--have been around around Libel." She smiled a little. "It's nice to see her cultivating some social life, even if it isn't with the ponies I would recommend."

He blinked softly. "Did she tell you?"

"I make it a point to know." She reached a hoof and poured out a second cup with some effort. "Sit. Tell me what drove you to break into my home."

He quickly set himself across from her, his magic pulling the cup and its saucer closer. "It's about Libel, like I said. We... are considering a relationship."

Her benign expression darkened. "That won't do. You're not... Little Splash, I don't mean to dash your feelings, little colt, but she is far above you." She sipped from her own cup. "As a friend, this is harmless, charming perhaps. But no more than that."

Color felt the urge to defend himself, but gently squashed it. "Isn't that her choice?"

A frown began to develop. "That mare... She doesn't listen to me when it comes to matters of building a proper house." She sighed into a hoof. "I'm trying to protect her. This is all above you, Little Splash. Our world is terribly burdensome. You don't want to  be a part of it."

Color dared a little smile. "Isn't that my choice?"

She hiked a brow softly. "I am not your mother, Little Splash. I have given my warning. More would be improper... Are you here to simply announce that you will do as I suggest against?"

He leaned forward, bringing his hooves onto the table. "No. I want something else. Miss Word, will you... Will you be happy for Libel?"

She blinked softly at that. "That's a curious request. I am quite happy for her. Her accomplishments in the field of editing does our name proud... She handles her finances in a respectable fashion... I am told she's even taking steps to managing... her little problem. I'm very happy for her. Why would you think I'm not, Little Splash?"

He brought his hooves together. "I want to get involved with your daughter, Miss Word, which... could maybe lead to you becoming my mother. I don't... want you to be one of those 'bad mother-in-laws' ponies talk about." He rolled a hoof softly. "What would I have to do to be a son you'd be happy to have."

She stared at him, quiet except for the soft sip of tea she had. "Hm."

The silence dragged on uncomfortably, but he waited patiently, watching her in kind.

"Hm." She reached across, but the motion stopped and reversed. "Hm... Curious colt... You know a scrap of etiquette... Seeking her parent's approval before you even begin dating? I approve of this... Still, there is a matter of your station. What will others say?"

He sat up tall, dusting off his suit. "That she has excellent taste in stallions."

She snorted softly at that. "Is that the case? Tell me then, what traits do you bring? What honors would I tell them to make them blush bright with envy, knowing their daughters can never have you?"

"Well, I'm an artist."

She rolled a hoof. "There are countless ponies that fancy themselves as an ar--"

Her words stopped. Emerging from his pocket came a painting that he gently set on the table. With a pull, he unwrapped it. There was Libelous Word,  her daughter. She was a princess, bedecked with jewelry with a look of calm leadership. She looked ready to compete with Celestia for a royal mien.
> 30 - My Little Filly
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

With a quivering wing, she reached out and gently ran a few mildly-aged feathers across the painting, barely touching it. "She is quite a creature, isn't she?" She glanced over at its creator. "But you know that. You know that or you wouldn't have made this."

She let out a shuddering breath. "You have a scrap of talent--"

He raised a hoof. "I work hard, and I try to do the right thing. That should be enough."

The matron of the Word family frowned. "You do realize she has a father, a sire, do you not?"

Intellectually, of course, he did. How could a pony exist without one? "Yes, of course?"

"But you don't know him." She glanced back at the painting, going quiet a moment to reflect on it. "He claimed to be a good pony. He came with a jewel, one for my neck, and another for my heart." She put a hoof over her chest. "One I still own, the other... broken."

Color's ears pinned. He was in dangerous territory. "I... am sorry. Do you want to share that story?"

"No." She slowly brought her forehooves together. "But I will anyway. Being an adult is doing things you would rather not."

She looked past him, into the past itself. "He was a handsome stallion, likely still is. I was a fool for ever falling for it." She gestured at Color's suit. "He knew how to dress himself, and he knew how to talk. Yes, ma'am, no, ma'am. Can I get your things for you?" She smirked softly. "He whispered sweet things when we were alone, and I fell for it so very completely."

She set her hooves down on the table. "If this appears in a tabloid, I will end you, Little Splash. That would be a sad thing to do, but..."

"Of course." He dipped his head quickly. "This is between us."

"Until death. Yours, specifically." She huffed lightly. "As I was saying... By the time Libelous spilled into the world, he had found better things to do. Our wedding vows were meaningless to him. Our promises so much vapor on the wind." She snarled softly. "And you?"

"I... already... Whatever I say, it will sound like a little colt defending himself."

Her expression eased a little. "Because that is what it would be..."

"But I am not a colt. I am a stallion, and I like Libelous a good deal. Even if we never... married, I would want to be her friend."





"Stallions are just fine," sighed out Libel, poking at her ice cream sullenly. "They just aren't..."

"There."

Libel looked across at Bottom. "There?"

"You've wasted no time speaking about your mother." She rolled a hoof softly. "I've heard no shortage of stories concerning her. What about your father?"

Libel's teeth clenched a bit. "I was... the..." Her thoughts sputtered and she sank. "By Celestia, I was the father of the house..."

"I should imagine you were the most adorable little tomcolt there was, Libelous."

Libel blushed, glaring at her friend who had the nerve to calmly take a bite of her bagel.

"Am I wrong?" She perked an ear, but didn't bother looking up. "Correct me if--"

"--No, that will not be required." Libel pushed her ice cream away. "So I'm a mare with a stallion complex, hirrah! Come and laugh at me."

"I will do no such thing." She floated the bagel and gently tapped Libel's snout with it. "You've become a wonderful pony, and one I am not ashamed to work for, or be friends with. Now... Have you any... history with your father?"

Libel frowned, snapping a chunk from the bagel the next time it bumped against her. "How can I have history with somepony that ran away before I said my first word?"

"Oh..."

"Yes, 'oh'." Libel rolled her eyes. "Loser ditched my mother and skipped town, never to be seen again, at least by me."

"Is that perhaps why she was encouraging you?"

"Hm?" Libel frowned a little. "Encouraging me to do what?"

"Find a partner in a way that has a higher chance for long term stability." She rolled a hoof softly. "She was hoping you wouldn't have to go through that."

Libel thought of the room full of well-to-do strangers, all judging her fiercely. She imagined their sour faces when she... "It didn't work..."

"She tried." Bottom shrugged gently. "Do you think Color will stick around?"

Libel shrank at that. "I thought he would. I thought... he was... you know. He didn't forget me in how long? I figured... if he... you know?"

"I don't know." She sipped from a floating glass of water. "Tell me."

"He was obsessed with me. I figured he'd be stuck to me like glue. If I... got him where he needed to be, I.."

"Would have a stallion with no reason to leave you."

Libel shrank back, scowling. "You are really holding nothing back today. I'm not sure I like this side of you."

"It is fortunate we are not involved then." Bottom smiled a little. "We are friends, and friends sometimes have to be harsh in order to make their point. I care for you, Libelous. You know that."

"Yes, right." Libel stuck her spoon into the half-melted mass and drew her hoof free of the clasp. "Alright, you've cut me apart and spread the pieces all over the table like a fine display. What's next, my painful doctor of friendship?"

"I like that one." Bottom nodded softly. "I will keep it if you don't mind. Now that you understand what you are doing, I feel, and hope, I have equipped you to make your own decisions. If I tell you what to do, you will either do it, or not do it, but you will resent me either way, and that would be sad." She snapped up the last of the bagel, her glow fading as she chewed

Libel tilted her head. "So... that's it? It's up to me now."

"Up to you," agreed Bottom. "I have faith in you."

"That makes one of us," half laughed out Libel. "He likes writing."

"Hm?"

"He talked to me... about the one book I wrote. He liked it. He... asked questions. He started getting into character motivations and asked what was going to happen next..." She smiled crookedly. "I never planned past that first book. It was... a flight of fancy, but he loved it. He... said I should continue it."

Bottom smiled gently. "Is that bad?"

"No! No, of course not... It's flattering... Not a lot of ponies crowd around me for my original writing, and even less for the stuff I make up, rather than non-fiction." Libel smiled a little. "When I was a little filly... I dreamed about that. I imagined becoming the next A K Yearling..."

"How delightful." Bottom nodded, blissfully unaware of A K's full life. "But that isn't what you did."

"Nope. Instead of writing, I fixed other people's words. I jumped on any mistake I could find and punched them until they were fixed..." She  inclined her head at Bottom. "Did I make the right decision?"

"You made a decision, Libel. We all do. I had different dreams when I was younger too." She put a hoof at her chest. "I wanted to be a doctor for a while. I dreamed of saving lives and being a hero..."

"Did you go to school?" Libel peered at Bottom with newfound curiosity.

"Turns out, I hated the sight of blood... I didn't last long. I was so depressed, you couldn't believe it." She sighed gently. "I was despondent for almost a year before my mother just walked in one day. 'Bottom, stop organizing all my papers! I love the help, but you have to do something else with your life!'" Bottom rolled a hoof. "So I didn't listen to her, of course. I kept right on organizing papers, and here we are."

"Wouldn't," corrected Libel.

Bottom grabbed the dropped spoon in her magic and gently bopped Libel on the nose. "Don't grammar check your friend as she admits old secrets. It's rude."

"Yes'm." Libel smiled a little. "Thank you... I feel... a little better. You know, just... I thought I was alone, but I guess I'm not entirely."

"Not at all." Bottom reached out and laid a hoof on Libelous' shoulder. "You have to make the decision on your own, but I'm not leaving. We're girlfriends, and I will obey the girl code."

"Is that really a thing? Where can I get a copy?" Libel shook her head softly. "You're just making it up as you go, I imagine."

"As if I would tell you." She waggled the still-held spoon at Libel. "Be good and perhaps I will reveal further secrets."





"I care for her. I always did." He put a hoof on his chest. "Since we were little foals."

She smiled gently. "I know that... It's why you're still here."

"Hm?"

"If I thought you were... like him, I would have enjoyed... Let's not go down that road." She let out a slow hiss of air. "You pine for her, but you won't take her away from me in the middle of the night. That's nice at least... Little Splash, you were always a kind little thing."

"My name is Color Splash..." His mouth worked wordlessly a moment. "You know, I never learned your full name."

She smiled a little at him. "Perhaps 'mother' some day?" When he began to change colors, she laughed at his discomfort. "Succinct. Succinct Word. Born of the Words, mother of a Word. I'll die one too." She pointed at him. "What does that mean to you?"

"Ma'am?"

"Hm? You have a question."

"I do. May I... see your work? I'd like to read it."

She blinked at him softly. "Well... Fair is fair. You've brought me a present of your abilities; I will return the favor. She reached a wing to gently brush the painting he had delivered. "I'll have the butler drop a few books at her house. I know you're staying there... in separate rooms?"

He could hear the accusing question there. "Of course!" he squeaked. "We haven't even... done much more than a little kiss, Succinct."

"Already using my name? Bold little colt." She snorted softly. "Entering our world will be filled with challenges, Little Splash. If you want, this is your last chance. Leave her with kind words and never look  back. On the other hoof... If you wish to proceed, then you must swear to me, swear by your mother in turn that you will never abandon her."

He went rigid. They weren't even married! That was a lot of commitment that Succinct was dumping on him. "We're still learning... If things don't work out, we'll decide it, together. Hopefully... it means we go back to being 'just friends', and I'd like that a lot more than not at all." He nodded firmly. "I promise to never just vanish."

She sighed, a slow long release of air. "Would that he had done the same. Don't make me regret this, Little Splash. Don't hurt my Libel. She deserves the world, and I would deliver it to her, if she would take it."

He smiled a little. "Have you ever tried... visiting her and... I dunno... not bringing up anything you want her to do?"

She arched a brow. "You're a few decades too young to give me advice, Little Splash. You'd best be on your way home  before you play too many of your cards."

He cleared his throat as he slipped to his hooves. "While I never was very good at writing, I do like to read."

"A good trait in any partner of a Word." She nodded softly. "Draw some lovely covers for her books. They get judged on those, you know. They are judged cruelly. Be certain to make them nice."

He wished her a good evening and slipped away. He had judged her on her cover, on the stories told to him.

It was a bad habit.
> 31 - Bring It Together
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Libel stood before her own gates, trying to control her breath, and the rest of her. "You have this..." She reached out a wing, hesitated, then took flight instead. She soared over the gate. They couldn't stop a pegasus, no gate could. They were put there for propriety as much as any other reason.

"Wonder what he spent the day doing..." Maybe he had painted something nice? That felt unlikely, seeing as they took more then a day to do. Maybe he doodled something? Maybe he practiced his lines, or went shopping, or just chilled with his friend.

Or maybe she should just open the door and find out. She walked up to her own front door. "Don't look at me like that." She laughed softly, amused at her own vexation at her own door. "I'm opening you now." She pulled it open with a little snort. "I'm home!"

"Hey," came the languid approval of Day Dreamer. He was sprawled on the living room couch, looking as if he was made of fur-covered butter the way he bonelessly enjoyed the moment.

"Libel!" Hurried hoof-steps carried him down from upstairs. "Everything alright? I thought your work ended hours ago."

She lifted an ear at him. "I need to have your permission before I go have fun?"

He skidded to an awkward halt, just barely clearing the stairs with his last steps. "No, of course not." A little smile broke on his face. "Glad to hear, really. What'd you do?"

"I could ask the same." She poked him on the chest, or tried.

He ducked around her incoming hoof. "I was solving problems."

She hiked a brow at that. "Really now?" She couldn't immediately think of many ways that could be true. "What problems were you busy fixing?"

He stood up as tall as he could. "I will not be dragged down into this by you. I'm not a lost little colt that needs someone to grab him by the scruff."

Libel hiked a brow. "I never said you were one, Splashy. Where is this coming from?"

"Not in those words, sure, but this..." He wobbled a hoof around. "This is you. I want it to be us, instead."

She colored faintly, but kept a focus on him, staring. "And that led you to...?"

"I walked right up to your mother--"

"You didn't!"

"And I told her what I intend."

"You didn't!" She stomped a hoof, then the other. She began to dance from one hoof to the next, prancing in place with a look of panic. "What happened?! How did you even get to her?!"

"I walked up and talked. She was in the reading room in her Canterlot estate." Color nodded softly as he recalled the recent event. "She--"

"--either told you to get away from her daughter or congratulated you on becoming a made stallion?"

He smirked faintly. "Neither of those? She told me getting involved with you would be a lot of effort. She tried to protect me, warn me away... But... In the end, she hopes we do well."

Libel sank to her haunches. "Seriously? She just... wished you well?"

"That is what she did." He leaned in and touched his nose to hers. "We can begin courting with her blessings."

Libel lit up brightly. "Splashy! You don't just..."

"I just did." He pulled back just enough to kiss her nose. "Will you accept me as Color Splash? I'm not perfect, but who is? We'll both grow and learn from each other, but it should be fun, and effort."

She put a hoof on her chest. "Not so fast there, Color. I have things I need to get off my chest too." She brought up the same hoof to cough into lightly. "First, I have daddy issues, which translates into stallion issues. I'm sorry for roughly handling you like stubborn clay to get into just the shape I wanted it."

His ears pinned back. "I... heard about him... I'm the worst friend there is. I never even thought about him, or why I never met him..."

She raised a hoof and gently set it on his cheek. "Just as well. If you had asked when we were foals, it would have been a good reason to slug you on the shoulder. So... she's really alright with it?"

"She is alright with it." He nodded softly. "And I did not mention I was becoming a 'thing' and she didn't seem to realize it yet. You haven't done that article, right?"

She shook her head quickly. "I just did the hoof off today. It takes time to do these things, and the painting isn't at the Redwood yet either. The only people that would be gossiping about that would be Palette Swap herself or her two associates. So, stop. Just... How?" She raised her forehooves wide. "How?!"

"She remembered me..." He smiled a little. "It was like talking to a stern grandmother more than an evil mother. In her eyes, I was that little cute colt that you hung around with."

She plopped one of her hooves over her face. "You're kidding me... So... really? She's just alright with... us? No strings?"

"She did make me promise something."

"A secret something?" She perked an ear at him curiously.

"I promised I would never vanish." He nodded firmly. "If things don't work out, we talk it over like adults and decide what to do, even if that's, you know, to call off the romance thing and go back to being friends."

"I never promised that!" She looked away, but the moment passed as quickly as it came, her frame sagging with a sigh. "You little miracle worker... I dreaded breaking that news, hoping she would approve... You just swept right in and did it on your own." She reached out and booped him on the nose. "Guess you don't need me so much."

"On the contrary." He rubbed where she had poked him. "Your advice was very helpful. It got me past the ponies that could have stopped me. It let me talk to your mother without making a fool out of myself. I want to learn more, but it should be my initiative."

She glanced to the side. "Is he still listening?"

Suddenly both turned to look at Day, just sitting there on his haunches, watching them quite passively with a dopey little smile on his face.

Color laughed as his horn began to glow, grabbing one of the pillows from the same couch Day was on and striking his languid friend across the face gently. "You get used to it after a while." The pillow was suddenly returned, bouncing right off the side of Color's head.

"He has a good throw," complimented Libel with a soft nod. "Now... Is that everything?"

"No." Color tossed the pillow in his magic in a lazy arc towards the couch. "No it is not. Libelous Word."

"That's my name." She arced a brow at him. "What of it?"

"I would like to suit you." He plucked her hoof in his magic. "I hope that we will find one another compatible, but we will only find out after a proper courtship. There will be clumsy wooing involved. There will be hurt feelings, and joyful ones, I hope. Will you take this chancy journey with me?"

"I'm not done with my half of things." Her nose wrinkled a little. "You... are not the pony I was trying to force you into being, and you may never be... And... well, you kinda took a large bit of the wind out of those sails, but I was going to do this dramatic reveal and... Splashy." She gently bopped him with a wing. "You were always like that."

"Mad?"

"No." She leaned in a little and sniffed him, nostrils flaring. "You smell like her... She always uses the same scents wherever she lives. Ugh! Color Splash!"

He jerked, unused to  her suddenly invoking his full name. "Yeah?"

"I accept your bid to court me. I promise nothing, and expect nothing." She raised the same hoof he held in his magic. "But I bet we'll have an awkwardly good time?"

He brought the hoof close and gently kissed the front of it. "With pleasure." He smiled awkwardly a moment. "Funny thing, this doesn't really... change a lot."

"On the contrary." She set her hoof down. "You are officially courting me, which means I will tell others. I will introduce you as my courter, potentially a boyfriend if things work out. I will speak on your strengths and weaknesses even when you aren't around and everyone around me will get to know you as if they were associated to you."

Color twisted an ear back. "Oh... Is that how rich ponies do things?"

"Among many other things. We aren't that secretive about relationships, unless we're being naughty." She wobbled a hoof between herself and Color. "And we are not. Being pridefully and publically courted is the right thing to do. This also means you are entitled, neigh, expected to mention me whenever appropriate. Fortunately for you, your friend is already aware."

Day clopped his hooves gently. "Congratulations, bro, sis."

Color smiled at that. "It'll  be easy to fill him in, yes. I do have other friends, you know."

"You do?"

"Well, Derpy, to start, but there are others back home." He put a hoof behind his head. "They'll have to wait until the next time I go back there, which isn't right now, I imagine? We have... a lot to do."

"Incalculable amounts. If we're doing the proper courtship thing, I plan to milk it for all its worth."

Color blinked at that. "There's more to it?"

"Of course there is. We get to make up inside jokes. Pet names. We simply must go shopping and get some tastefully complimenting clothing. Not matching, yet. That's for the next level, but subtly complementing, that would be delightful." Color counted things on her feathers as she rambled about the many ways that well-to-do ponies advertised that they were courting. "This is going to be fun!" She dashed off with a big smile.

Day nodded in the direction she fled in. "That went well. You really took charge."

Color smiled lopsidedly at that, wandering closer to the couch that held Day. "Do you think so? I just... wanted to be clear about things." He glanced away and back. "Thanks for the talk. It helped... She really isn't that bad."

"Libel?"

"Succinct, her mother. She really does care." He put a hoof on his chest. "I'm pretty sure Libel'd kill me if I tried to convince her of that right this second, but I think she was really trying. She didn't want Libel to ever be hurt like she was hurt. She wanted her to have all the things she never got."

"Sounds like a good mom." He tilted his head. "Except the parts where it didn't work." He lifted his shoulders a little. "She gets point for trying, Bro." He stretched out softly. "My parents are pretty chill; I like them. Speaking of that, I need to bring Bottom Line to see them."

"Already?!"

He laughed at Color's surprised face. "You already went to see Libel's mom, what's the difference? Besides, my parents are way chill. We'll probably have a nice big dinner and hang out. It'll be cool."

Color imagined them all gathered around the small dining room table he knew Day's parents had, sharing idle stories and having fun. "Yeah... Sorry, no, you do that. That sounds like a great time." He put a hoof on Day's shoulder. "Are you already planning the next move?"

"Me? Nah... We're, uh, courting, like you two. Maybe it'll move past that, maybe not. I'm liking it right now." He suddenly tipped forward, bumping his noggin just to the side of Color's horn. "And that's what matters. She's digging it too,  bonus! We'll see how it rolls."
> 32 - Court Is In Session
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bottom Line stepped from hoof to hoof, glancing aside at her date, Day. "Are you sure they'll like me?"

"Don't be nervous, that's not you." He leaned over and nuzzled her cheek. "Besides, they'll go--"

"Day!" The door swung open suddenly, revealing a smiling unicorn mare. "Oh, and who's this?" She stepped out, her features rounded mildly and a happy smile on her face. "You found a mare that can put up with you? You come in here and be treated like the princess you are!" She waved inside.

Bottom blinked, confusion growing on her face. "Hello... I'm Bottom Line, and you are?"

She hiked a brow.

Day nodded at the strange mare. "Bottom, this is my mom."

"You can call me Sunny, or just mom, that works too. Now get in here." She threw an arm around Bottom, gently forcing her into the house. "We have so much to talk about! Bump! Bump we have guests!"

"Day ain't a guest," came a more relaxed male voice. An earth pony was sprawled over the couch in the living room, showing where Day had gotten the technique down. "Oh." He sat up slowly, eyes on Bottom. "But she is. Hello." He raised a hoof in a mild wave before it fell back to the couch. "Name's Log. Bump Log."

"I took his name, so I'm Sunny Log. I liked the sound of that, a nice little log in the forest, sun shining brightly on it." She sighed as she began cantering towards the kitchen. "Dinner's almost ready, so you two lovebirds just settle down and let me treat you right."

Bottom found herself seated between the two stallions on the couch. The house was not large. It was small and... cozy.

Bottom glanced between the two stallions. They were both earth ponies. They both barely sat up. It did not require much effort on her part to see the two as being of the same blood. She glanced aside at Day. He seemed wiser than his father. The older stallion seemed... lazy. That was, perhaps, unfair. She didn't know him yet.

She shook her head. That left Sunny Log. She was peppy, energetic, and a unicorn. She did not expect a unicorn to be involved other than herself. It was throwing her off balance.

She gasped suddenly as a thought struck her. Was she the pony that reminded him of his mom? Her cheeks tinted bright at the thought. They said many ponies were attracted to ponies that were similar to their parents. Day was nothing like either of her parents!

"Neither of them gave you any room?" Sunny had returned. With shooing motions, she got both of the stallions off the couch. "This spot is for visiting princesses only. That's you, dear."

"I'm not a princess, Ma'am." She dipped her head towards Sunny gently. "Just Bottom Line, or Bottom."

"Not a princess she says." Sunny rolled her eyes and gestured at the distant Canterlot. "You've come down from the lofty castle where all the rich people are and you have the nerve to tell me you aren't a princess.  My eyes can see royalty when it comes cantering into my house." She suddenly kissed Bottom beside her horn. "Don't you worry. You're welcome here."

Bottom smiled nervously. "I feel welcomed. Hm, what's for dinner?"

"I'm glad you asked!" She threw up a hoof with a big grin. "Because it's ready and you're going to taste it and love it! And if you play your cards right, I'll share the recipe with you. It's a family secret."

Bump nudged against Day gently. "You found a pretty one. Is she nice too?"

"Very." Day nodded. "Smart and clever too. She's--"

"Don't pay attention to them." In the small house, everyone could hear Day and Bump talking. Sunny was distracting Bottom towards the dining room and its small table. "You sit at the end of the table. I have so many questions! Don't tell me what you do, tell me what you are."

Bottom took the seat offered to her just for magic to nudge her and the chair up against the table. "Well..." She could see Sunny's horn glowed for a moment, the source of the magic. "I like to think that I am an organizer. I like leading an organized life, and lending that to others."

"A little order can be helpful, dear." She nodded softly as she hurried off back into the kitchen. "If I didn't organize this place, it'd be a complete disaster, let me tell you. That isn't my calling though, no no, certainly not." She came back out with a glass platter floating over her head that she placed right in the center of the small table. "I prefer to cook. Cooking is love and life. It's how I show the world how happy I am."

Bottom inhaled softly, breathing in the spices of the meal and the cheesy undertones. "Smells great, Sunny."

"I'm glad somepony can say that without being prodded." She gave Bump a severe look.

Bump was immune to the insuations being leveled at him. He casually stepped up onto a chair and sat down.

Day settled in one of the two other seats remaining. "Thanks, Mom. It looks great."

"One out of two isn't so bad." Her magic reached to pet her son around the ears as she danced off to get a few other dishes that occupied basically every spot on the table that wasn't taken up by the plates arranged in front of ponies. "Now, enough talking, let's eat. When we're full and happy, we can go back to talking."

Bottom could think of worse in-laws somepony might end up with. She ate the home-prepared meal with soft murmurs of delight. Sunny was true to her word, and her food did show happiness.





"Did you hear?" Libelous smiled at her boss lightly. "I've found a suitor."

He arched a brow at Libel. "Have you now? How wonderful for you. Are they... already aware?"

Did everyone at the office know?! She colored even as she tried to ignore it. "Yes! Yes he does." She coughed into a hoof softly. "Not that that is anypony's business."

"Do I know them?"

She gestured towards the papers littering his desk. "You probably have something about him there. He's an up and coming artist that does fantastic portraits. I love them, and him."

He smiled a little at that. "That's good to hear, Libel. Sorry to break up your announcement, but how's the Pinkerson paper coming?"

"On schedule." Libel saluted sharply. "As if there was room for doubt."

"Of course not," he quietly agreed, an ear swinging to the side. "Artist, you said, hm... The paper you hunted? What was his name... Mister Splash?"

"That's the one." She grinned a little. "I hunted the paper and him, and I caught both."

"Quite a catch." He stroked his beard with a hoof lightly. "You must bring him about the office some time."

"As if I wouldn't." She hopped up to her hooves suddenly, going for the exit. "I'd best get back to work. Ta ta!"

It had been like that all week long. She was eager to scream it out to the world that she had found a suitor, a pony that wanted to be with her romantically and she was willing to return the sentiment at least conditionally.

It was perhaps petty, but she enjoyed informing those that had spurned her own advances.

"That's great news," had replied her tutored student. "And a stallion? I... thought you like mares, you know..."

"They both have their advantages." She had blushed at that. "Sorry for putting you in an awkward situation... We can continue the lessons."

"Gladly." She seemed relaxed, knowing that her tutor was not secretly hoping for romantic options.

When she broke the news to the customer service mare, she had burst into a huge smile. "Congratulations! Ohhhh, we have to have a party!" She had bounced right up out of her chair and hugged Libel tightly. "This is too great! Do I know them?"

A lot of the ponies she had talked to asked if they knew him, and most of them did not. That made it her job to fix that, introducing him indirectly with words and exaltations. Of course... "I need to bring him around..."

She grunted softly, but was smiling as she walked down the hallway. She felt like she owned the place again, and it was a liberating feeling. She was a taken mare, and it wasn't to a pony she was settling for! It wasn't to a pony who's biggest interest was collecting stamps. She shook her head a little. It wasn't to a stallion that would turn up his nose the moment... she wasn't perfect.





Color walked along with a suit that subtly complemented Libel's. Sassy Saddles had been quite happy to see them again and had not hesitated on taking up the order. Within the hour they had walked out with tastefully complementing, but not perfectly matching, suits to imply their courting status.

"When you decide that your love is true, you can just come right back here for the properly matching set." She nodded firmly and properly. "It will be a great pleasure to serve you again."

Showing off his status wasn't the primary reason he was walking along. He had a pony to see. He stopped in front of a narrow door. A sign hung above it: "Sharp Eye's Gallery". It wasn't the most prestigious gallery, but it was far from the least of them.

He reached with his magic, bidding it open and stepping inside like he belonged there; which he did.

Inside two ponies were already talking. One looked flustered, a stallion. The other, the mare, seemed calm. "Look, you can't do this!" The stallion stomped a hoof. "You promised me a spot!"

"Things change," calmly rebuked the mare. "You are Canterlot-raised, surely you know that. A new wind is blowing, and it's not carrying your name."

"That's a pretty way of telling me to go find a ditch!"

"See it as you will." She waved him away gently. "Business has arrived, and ours is complete."

With a strangled grunt, he turned away and stormed towards the door, bumping Color on the way with a parting growl of frustration.

Color advanced past him, nodding to the mare, but not addressing her.

She smiled a little. "A stallion that knows his place, refreshing." She turned to him and tapped the floor beside herself. "Come, stand closer. Color Splash, are you not? Punctual, I like that. Too many artists think they are gifts sent by destiny itself and the rest of the world should bow to their needs."

He approached at her bidding, dipping his head as he did so. "Your time is precious, Sharp Eye. I'm not here to waste it."

"Excellent to hear. I presume you brought it. Let's see it."

He drew out a painting and unfurled it without delay. He had read up on Sharp Eye. Patience was a thing she lacked. Trying to tease her would only backfire. "Canterlot at night."

Sharp rubbed her chin thoughtfully, considering it. "Mmm, yes...  I've seen this before, with my own eyes. They whisper you're not from here, but you capture the night life so perfectly." She reached out her hooves, tracing shapes of things without actually touching the painting. "Delightful. I think I can find a home for this, yes. Set it over there." She pointed to a desk.

It was the final test. If he haggled or even brought up the price, it would be off. He had read long and hard. He gently set the painting right where she had pointed. "It's been a pleasure."

"Until next time." She smiled brightly. "Before you go..."

There wasn't supposed to be a before he went! "How can I help?"

"Were you instructed, by a mare perhaps? You have such good manners for a stallion."

He smiled a little at that. "One showed me the start of the path, but I'm walking it with my own hooves." He gestured vaguely off towards her offices. "I'm courting her now." It was only polite to bring that up. "Libelous Word."

Sharp gasped with amazement. "In relation to such a powerful mare, it is no wonder you have some etiquette in you. Have a wonderful day." And that was that, she went off to other business.

He walked out with a smile.
> 33 - The Next Level
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Color gently applied colors to the canvas, one dab at a time. Day dozed nearby, as he did. Color enjoyed the tranquil presence of his friend, even asleep. Having friends nearby helped him relax, and even helped his focus. Or so he had decided.

He looked over the piece, considering a moment before he returned to carefully applying the paints, crafting the background of what would be the piece.

"A library?" Libel sat down right beside him. "No... a sitting room? Why are you painting a sitting room?"

Color inclined his head softly. "It is where the subject will be seated."

"A portrait?" She leaned in over his shoulder. "My favorite. You'll show it to me when it's done, right?"

"Of course..." He twitched an ear back. "I'm not sure you'll like it."

"How could I not like something you drew?" She frowned a little and nipped at his back ear that had come closer to her. "Speaking of that, when are you off-duty?"

He smiled a little, his ear twitching from the touch. "I'm self-employed. I'm on and off duty whenever I decide to be. If I want to make money, I try to be on duty more than off." He set his brush down carefully with his palette of colors. "Why?"

"Because I think it is time we took our relationship further, and I have today off, making it ideal." She nodded softly. "Color, am I pretty?"

He blinked softly. "Of course you are. You are a lovely mare."

"And you are a handsome stallion," she replied easily. "It's about time we showed each other we believe those words, physically."

His cheeks began to warm. "What... just like that? I..."

"It's another part of our relationship." She nodded softly. "While I am aware some couples actually skip it, it's not ideal. Two ponies should be compatible both in temperament and ideology but also physically." Her wings spread. "I want to explore that too."

His blush was only growing worse. "I appreciate your desire..."

"But?" She leaned in, tilting her head as she did so.

"Well..." His magic reached down and made her undies crinkle softly.

It was her turn to go red. "I didn't forget that! I... talked to my doctor about it. He said we should avoid the missionary with me on the bottom, and the routine he's had me on is helping. It's not... fixed, and may never be, but I have a lot more control than I did before. That will likely always be an unfortunate part of my life, but it doesn't have to get involved with this."

He leaned in and touched noses gently with her. "If you've, you know, thought this through, then I want to support you, fully. I'm here for you."

"And I'm  here for you," she countered. "Which reminds me, why wouldn't I like this picture? It looks nice already and you haven't added the pony  yet."

He glanced sideways at the forming picture. "You won't like the subject."

"What, are you drawing my mother?" She saw him suddenly look defensive. "You are?! I mean... why?" She squinted a little. "Nice rendition of the sitting room then. I can recognize it. Explains why it felt familiar... But why?"

"It's too easy to accept what we expect to see." He gestured at the canvas. "I know she's... done wrong by you, and you two don't see eye to eye, but she isn't evil."

"I never said she was evil..." She shook her head. "Look, you want to draw her, fine. I won't get between an artist and his muse, seeing as I'm not the one paying for this. Just... Her? Really?"

He smiled a little. "I think she's a wonderful pony that did the best with what she had. She created something even more fantastic and was so scared of ruining it, she poured all her heart into it, even when it began to resent  her presence."

"That makes me sound like some whiny little foal." She frowned a little as she circled him. "Are you calling me petulant?"

"No! No... You had perfectly good reasons to resent it. She wasn't perfect, still isn't, never will be. She did some things just plain... wrong, but she tried. She tried really hard and never stopped wanting the best for you. I'm not saying to just toss everything in the past behind and forget it, but I will draw her, at her best. She deserves that at least."

She set a hoof on his shoulder, stopping just behind him. "You are too good for this world, Splashy."

"Not mad then?"

"Furious." She kissed his closer ear. "Beyond words. You don't... even understand, but in the same breath, I know you're not entirely wrong. She never stopped being my mother, and if it wasn't for her, well, I wouldn't be here, doing what I do. You finish that painting." She huffed lightly. "You are right though, I probably won't like it... But you finish it."

He turned away from the painting. "And I'll do that, but not right now. Right now, I have to deal with a different part of her."

"What part is that?" she asked with a raised brow.

"Her daughter, of course." He stepped forward, touching noses with her. "I want to get physical with her. She would be a little irate at us doing this before we took the next formal step. We're being naughty little foals."

Libel laughed at that, raising a hoof to Color's chest. "We're adults, old enough to make good or bad decisions on our own dime. And it's none of her business how naughty we happen to be so long as we keep it properly behind closed doors." She glanced off at the still form of Day Dreamer. "Speaking of that, we should retire."

They went off together to do as couples did when they were fairly sure they'd found the right person. His painting saw little progress the rest of the day, having to wait as they explored a new dimension to their growing relationship.





Day was leaning against Bottom, happy with the world and demonstrating it with a content smile. "Are you working on something big?"

"Huge." She nuzzled into him gently. "I had to stay until it was perfect, but... it is. I really feel it is."

"Does that make you happy?"

"It does." She flopped against him, their bodies propping up one another.

"Then it makes me happy." He tugged at one of her ears with a little whicker. "We should celebrate."

"Too tired for that."

"Not for this." He reached back and drew something from his pocket. "Bottom Line, will you--"

"--Too fast," she blurted, turning beet red as she sat up so quickly, Day flopped right over without her there to support him.

He laughed as he slowly picked himself up, lifting up a bracelet at the end of his hoof. "Will you be my BFF?"

She blinked at the bracelet. It was made of steel or silver, shiny, but clearly not overly valuable. It had 'Day' written on it. On one of his wrists rested a similar bracelet with 'Bottom' etched into it. She smiled gently. "Silly stallion, you scared me half to death..."

"Is that a no?"

"No!" She gripped the bracelet in her magic and gently slipped it over one of her hooves, adorning her arm clearly. "It's a yes. Just... don't do that again. If you want to propose, I give you permission to be entirely unromantic and just ask without any sudden reveals."

He sat up, his smile returning. "Alright." He touched noses with her, sharing breath with her. "I didn't mean to harsh your chill, promise. I just really like being with you."

"I like being with you." She put her hooves to his cheeks. "You're an easy pony to get along with, when you aren't busy scaring me."

"Let me make that up to you." He moved with unusual swiftness, pressing his lips to her. Her heart skipped a beat, but she didn't struggle. They flopped over, both losing the will to sit up. Kissing and hugging seemed far more important.

"By the way," he said with a little smile. "Mom said you'd act like that. I didn't believe her."

She lit up, pushing him away with a blurted out fit of laughter. "Somehow I can imagine her saying that... What does she even think of me? She kept asking questions and talking and I wasn't sure how she felt after it all. A curious thing, being able to say that much without actually getting meanings across."

"That's why I like to be quiet." He wriggled closer to her and offered a hoof, soon drawing her closer. He had no need for words just then, cradling her close and gently cuddling with her. "She thinks you're really a princess. I tried to tell her nah, but I think you know how she is."

"Yeah..." It was a little flattering having his mom think so highly of her. The food wasn't bad either...

"She wants you to come by more often."

"I'm alright with that idea." She kissed the top of his snout. "If you'll have me."

"Any time." He rolled over on top of her. "Want to do adult pony things?"

She blinked softly. "That is the most 'chill' proposition for that I have ever received."

"Did it work?" He tilted his head a little. "I hope it doesn't harsh any vibes, but I really do think you're pretty, and I am still a stallion, so doing that is something I've considered."

She wrinkled her snout. "And I am an adult mare with her own needs and desires. You think I haven't considered it before?" She sat up under him, forcing him back onto his own haunches. "You're amazing, but..."

"But?"

"Would you... fall asleep partway through?"

His cheeks began to warm as he laughed slowly. "That's mean, Bottom. Mean... Some things don't work if you're slow. This is one of them, at least part of it... I can show you what it's like to be worshipped by a stallion slowly." He leaned forward a little. "It's really nice."

It was her turn to join the blush, her sharp mind imagining what he was bringing up. "Oh, I... could imagine that's true."

"Want to find out for sure?" He reached out and gently ran a hoof along her side. "I really dig you."

"I really dig you..." She considered a moment. To take that last step, to wallow in the mud as it were with her favorite earth pony... "Let's do it."

"Aw right." He stood slowly. "Can we go to your place? My place already has two other ponies, and I doubt you want to do that where Libel might show up."

Her eyes widened. "Oh merciful fate, no! I'd never be able to go to work ever again!" She bounced up to her hooves and began trotting. "This way, silly stallion. We'll do what comes to mind, then have a sleepover. Doesn't that sound fun?"

"Way chill," he agreed, following her with a content smile.

"One thing."

"Hm?"

"Have they... already done it?" She peeked over her shoulder. "You don't have to tell me, but I bet you'd know."

"Yeah." He caught up with her, hastening a few steps even as she slowed. "It's sweet. They're getting along really well. We saved them."

"We did, didn't we?" She bumped against him. "How about we reward ourselves for our hard work."

"No thanks. I'd rather focus on your just deserts."

"Naughty pony..."
> 34 - The Zenith
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Color smiled with satisfaction, of a sort. It wasn't perfect. It never would be. He couldn't make a perfect picture, at least one that would satisfy himself. He felt as if he had hit the right point where any further pushing would only degrade the piece. He sat back, nodding at the picture.

There was Succinct Word, her arms crossed and a little smile on her face. She was looking towards the viewer as if judging them. Just below her arms was the top of a pony's head peeking over her table. In his mind, it was a little Libelous, but it was just indistinct enough for people to decide for themselves who it was Succinct was keeping close.

In front of her was a little plate of treats and a small cup of tea, little aromatic wafts of steam rising.  It gave the impression of a serious mare, but the presence of the sweet things and the small pony softened it. She was not a graven guardian, scowling. She was carefully welcoming the viewer to approach her.

One had just better have a good reason for doing so. That judgment did not promise easy mercy for those who trifled with her.

He smiled gently. "I think I have it..."

"It's lovely."

He perked an ear. "Yeah." Wait, that was a female voice, and it was not Libelous'. He turned rapidly to see Princess Celestia standing there, her guards just behind her. He did what any right thinking stallion would do in the situation, he squeaked in surprise.

Celestia approached the painting. "You've evolved since the first of yours I had seen, but I can see I've found the proper source."

"Ah, uh, yeah..." He felt naked. He was naked. He made it a point to get dressed nicely when he went outside, but just dabbing art on the canvas? What was the point of dressing in something that could get all marked up by the paint... "A... honor to meet you." Libelous' advice echoed in his mind. Celestia liked being handled like a peer. "I saw where my piece was, in your spring room. It looks great there."

Celestia's gentle smile seemed to deepen. "It was the best place I could think to place it. I'm flattered to think its creator agrees with my thoughts." She gestured at the painting. "Is that Succinct? She looks... younger. I remember when she was that young."

He took a little breath. He was speaking to Celestia, the undying princess. She'd seen everyone she ever cared to see at whatever age struck her fancy. It was no surprise that she knew a younger Succinct. "Did you talk to her?"

"Yes." Celestia sat down next to him. "I had read her book and wished to speak with her about it. There were some societal concerns she had brought up that I wanted further clarity on."

He hadn't read all the books she had sent. Had she written a fiery condemnation of society at the time? Just imagining her being a little firebrand was stretching his mind. "Did she give it?"

"She gave me quite a piece of her mind." Celestia laughed gently, a hoof covering her mouth. "You wouldn't have known I was a princess with how she went off on me. My guards were beside themselves, but I bade them to let her speak as she pleased."

Color's ears rolled back, imagining someone shouting at Celestia... how could anyone?! "Did she calm down?"

"In time, she did. That was when we began to speak. That was a productive afternoon." She inclined her head towards the portrait. "I see you are still making lovely art."

"Yes, thank you." He dipped his head a little. "Do you... draw?"

"I'm afraid not." She smiled a little. "I can make ornamental pancakes, but that hardly feels the same. Would it be too much trouble to inquire into the creation of a new work?"

"What... did you have in mind?" Was he being commissioned directly by Celestia?! Destiny itself has come to him and delivered victory! "I thought the one I did of you captured... how I saw it."

"And I love it." She nodded just a little. "I don't require another of myself." She turned to the two guards that had stood silently. "Head outside and send in Grey."

"Ma'am," they echoed one another, saluting and marching outside.

"Grey Beard is a loyal guard, he's served me for so many years... I fear his time may soon run out, and he refuses to retire... I will... likely see him on his final day, just as he would want it... I will bear that, but... I would like him captured before that." She quieted as a new guard strode in, trying to march  formally despite aches that clearly bothered the elderly pony. "Grey, excellent. Can you do it?"

Color felt tears sting at his eyes even as he blinked them away quickly. He couldn't decide who he was saddest for. The guard, close to his end, Celestia, willing to see him off, or just the whole thing... "I... would be honored. Grey, Sir, do you have family?"

"Oh, yes, Sir." Grey gave a sharp nod. "I raised a son properly, and he went and made a family of his own. I don't see them as often as I'd like, but being surrounded by the foals is a treat. Three of them, if I recall properly. They are darlings... One of them is married... may have a foal come to think... I really need to find out."

Celestia raised a brow at him. "You know you had but to ask and I would have sent you home to see them, Grey."

"Without a moment of hesitation," he agreed with a little smile. "It's alright. I'll wait for them in the next life. For now, I want to be at your side, Ma'am. Your warmth soothes my aching bones, and knowing I help protect it makes me happy."

Color wanted to make a pathetic noise, but that wouldn't have helped much. Instead he slowly nodded, resisting his baser instincts. "Alright. I think... I can work with that. We do need to speak of prices."

"Of course." Celestia waved that away. "I'll have a financer come by to discuss those things. Please, start as quickly as you can."

Price was not a concern for the princess. That was... hardly surprising, even if he felt like he was shocked and numb. "Of course. Sir, could I get you to stand just like that for a little while?" His horn glowed as he grabbed out his drawing pad and pencils, starting to quickly get a sketch of the pony to work from. "What would you say the favorite part of your job is?"

"Now that's a challenging question..." He tapped a hoof lightly on the ground with a musing expression. "A few things. I like being part of something. Seeing my brothers beside me, always brings a smile. Knowing other ponies feel safer with us around... We march like this for them, and her, of course. They love us, and we love them. We keep Equestria safe, Sir. Have you ever served?"

"Afraid I have not." Color could only imagine trying the military life ending poorly. He stuck out his tongue a little as he sketched furiously. "What would you say was the most exciting time you ever had as a guard?"

"There was the time the hippogriffs came to visit. Queen Novo was looking splendid, as she does. Someone in the crowd threw some flowers at her and she misunderstood the gesture, thinking she was being attacked. It took several of us guards to calm her and get the parade moving. That was a tense moment."

Celestia laughed gently. "I remember that. Poor Novo... She really thought she was being attacked. You should have seen her face when we told her what was going on. She tried to play the whole thing off as a joke."

He nodded towards Celestia, then look at Color. "Did you want me to do something with him, Your Highness?"

"Oh, no. You've already done more than enough. Go outside with the others."

"Should I send them back in?"

"That will not be required." She half-nodded. "I feel I am safe with him. Do you not agree?"

Grey looked Color over intently as the artist smiled awkwardly. "I think you'll be fine, Your Highness, but give the slightest noise and we'll come running."

He took his leave and Celestia looked towards Color. "Now, ignore what images are in your mind. I want a piece that captures him as he was, at his peak, not now... so close to the end. That is what I wish to remember, and what I believe he would rather my thoughts of him dwell on." With a glowing horn, several pictures appeared, floating in the air.

"Cameras are marvelous inventions... But they lack the ability to... emote." She gently floated one towards him. "Take them, use them as inspiration. Capture as best you can this brave and loyal soldier that gave me his best years, and kept giving right until the end. The least I can do is remember."

He saw what should not be. Celestia... could she? Had she? He thought he had seen the slightest bit of moisture in the eyes of the perfect princess. Celestia was entrusting him with something so very precious... Sacred... He took the pictures in his own magic. "All other projects will be put to the side. Celestia, I promise... I will put everything into this."





Outside, a very irate Libelous scowled at the three guards blockading her gate. One of them was much older than the other two, but all three were stopping her progress. "That is my house you're stopping me from getting to."

"Sorry, Ma'am." The guard on the left shook his head. "None are permitted to enter at this time."

Grey saluted, hoof across his chest. "She should be done shortly, but it is not our job to guess these things. Please have patience."

"Who?!" Libel scowled at the three of them. "Who is in my house that I can't go into my own house!"

The last guard smiled thinly. "The only mare who we have sworn to protect above all other concerns."

Libelous staggered back a step. "Are you... implying the princess is here?"

"We can neither confirm nor deny that assertion," reported the first, nodding softly. "You will be compensated for lost time, Miss Word."

"I should hope I get that at the very least." She huffed, but eyed her house curiously. Why in Equestria would Celestia come to her house... and not see her!? There weren't a lot of other reasons for a princess, of all ponies, to come visiting, though it was beyond her what her editing powers could do to help the princess.

"Don't... tell me." She hopped in place. "Is she talking to Color Splash?!"

Grey set a hoof on her shoulder gently. "She should be doon soon. Please be patient, Ma'am."

"Who's talking?" Day sat up from some tall grass he had vanished into. "Oh hey, guards. What's up?"

They collectively squeaked. The third rushed past the gate and got Day up to his hooves. "You have to wait outside, Sir." Before Day even really knew what was going on, he was set just beside Libelous. "She should be done soon, Sir."

Libelous had to laugh. "Welcome to the 'kicked out of our house by a princess' club. It's a very exclusive organization."

"Woah. I've never had such an honor." He smiled a bit goofily. "Are you the president?"

"You can call me the chairmare." She set a hoof at her chest. "First order of business; I nominate we go get dinner instead of standing here waiting for things to happen."

"Seconded." He raised a hoof into the air.

"Motion carried." She turned away from her barred house. "Thus concludes the first meeting. Very productive. We have to do this more often."
> 35 - Catching Up
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"One question." Libel leaned forward a bit over the table, ignoring the food spread out on it for the moment. "I know you and Bottom are still a thing. Why do I never see her around? Is she afraid to come visit you where you live?"

Day took a leisurely nibble of his food which seemed like a salad had cheese drizzled on it. "Mmm, nah. She likes you, as a friend, and a boss, but you're still a boss."

"And a friend," countered Libel. "I wouldn't mind seeing her off-duty a little more often... I mean, hey, she helped me through a hard place... I--"

"--Why aren't you asking her?" Day tilted his head a little. "You see her almost every day."

"It's... different." She huffed out softly. "At work, well, it's work. We get a lot of good work done. You see her exclusively outside of that context, so I was hoping..."

"That I would do your hard work for you?"

"Please?" She smiled hopefully. "I miss her."

Day pointed at Libel. "You know, technically, you're my boss too."

She blanched at the idea. "Don't tell me you're going to avoid me too. You're Splashy's friend that I happen to enjoy the gardening of. I don't even want to start that relationship." She put a hoof at her chest. "I don't tell you what to do, other than what you already do and would do even if I wasn't here. Just love the garden and that's all I ask."

"Chill..." He took a sip of his fruity drink. "We're cool. You just have to make up your mind." He smiled at her in his lazy-looking way. "You're not my boss."

"I thought you just said I was?"

"Technically... But who cares about that?" He shrugged softly. "You have to decide which you want to be."

"No." She crossed her arms, shaking her head. "At work, I am the boss, I have to be. It's about when we're not at work, when I want to be a friend. Context is important."

"Mmm." He folded his arms across his chest. "So why haven't you called her?"

Libel blinked softly. "She has a phone?"

"Don't you?"

"Well, yes, but I didn't..." She frowned, realizing she had just never asked. "I'll ask her tomorrow, thank you." How many other things about Bottom had she just never thought to look for? "So... how are things going?"

"Good." He buried his face for another cheesy chomp. "Miss our old place a little, but I like your place too. Mostly I miss the ponies."

Visions of the ponies she knew as foals surfaced in her mind. "I bet things haven't changed much... It wasn't like Canterlot. Things are always changing here."

"Yeah..." He buried his face in a napkin, nuzzling at it to clean himself with more success than he had right to have. "Is this place new? We never came here before."

"Last week," agreed Libel with a wry smile. "Tasty though, I approve." She reached with a wing for her fork, remembering she was theoretically there to eat too. "What do you think they're talking about?"

"Mm?"

"Color and Celestia!" she sighed out. "They're in my house, together, talking about.. who knows what. Do you think maybe she wanted to talk to him about that painting he did of her?"

"She has to like that one."

"She hung it in a curious place if she hated it..." She frowned a little. "But is it just to talk about it, or something more? I didn't coach him nearly enough to deal with a visit from a princess!"

Bottom reached across the table, putting a hoof on one of her arms. "You did fine."

"What makes you so sure?" she raised a brow as she asked "You're always so sure."

"Nah. But this one I'm pretty chill with. Besides, Celestia is the most chill princess. If he says something stupid, she'd just laugh." He smiled at the mental image. "He won't get into trouble."

Libel smiled a little in return. "That... may be true, but how do you know that?"

"I love princesses." He nodded lightly before taking a fresh bite of his dinner, chewing thoughtfully a moment. "I think Luna would be the easiest to make less chill. Cadance would be second hardest, past Celestia. They're all cool in different ways." He tilted his head at Libel. "Think I could be a princess?"

"You're joking," she deadpanned, staring at him.

"Yeah..."

"Besides, that's silly. You're already a princess." She smiled gently. "Of my garden at least."

"Aw, thanks." He pushed his plate away gently. "I'm done. You?"

"I was distracted." She took a bite of her food. "While I work on this, you want any dessert?"

He grabbed the dessert menu in his mouth and flipped it open, surveying the choices. "Mmm, this looks good."

They had a perfectly pleasing meal.





They arrived home to find the guards were gone. When Libel opened the door, they weren't inside either. "Color? You haven't been arrested, I hope?"

"No..."

They found him sitting in the middle of the living room that doubled as his work space. He was focused on something not there, just kind of staring, slack and still.

"Woah, too chill." Day ambled up to his friend and delivered a gentle poke. "Wake up, Bro."

"Huh? Oh, hello." Color smiled gently. "I had the strangest thought. What if... I owed the princess, the princess, a portrait, and it had to be... better than perfect, because her feelings were on the line, and my neck, and my career, and..."

Libel placed a hoof on his nose. "Stop. Start from the start. You've been given a commission, I presume?"

"Y-yes... She liked my portrait enough to want another, but not of her. She wants... someone precious to be drawn as they used to be, not as they are." He floated out several photos, only for them to pause, then float right back into his pocket. "She didn't say to keep it a secret, but it doesn't feel like a public thing."

Libel placed a hoof over her heart. "I swear what you show will never leave my lips to another."

"We chill, Bro." Day nodded lightly. "I won't even tell Bottom if you don't want me to."

Libel gestured towards work. "I work for a newspaper, keeping contacts confidential and sitting on information is sometimes a thing we have to do, and you do it, or you never work in that business ever again. That's just how that works. Now, from the top?"

"Right, yes..." He drew the pictures free, hovering them at eye level with his friends. "This is who I'm drawing."

"A guard?" Libel hiked a brow. "I expected a noble, or a foreign dignitary, or Celestia again. Maybe Twilight and/or her friends, I hear the princess is quite smitten with them."

"He was called First Stop." He smiled a little. "He became Grey Beard with age, but I'm to focus on this..." He tapped at each picture in time. "He's raised a family, likely a great grandfather by now... I should check and be sure... Are any of his sons in the guard? That could change the composition." He drew out his notepad and began scribbling notes for things to research. "This has to be perfect!"

"Nah."

"Don't you dare 'nah' me right now!" Color clapped both hooves down on either of Day's shoulders. "This is Princess Celestia! She's trusting me to bring her dream to life. I can't mess this up."

"Still won't be perfect." He tilted his head a little. "Because nothing is. If it was, that'd be boring. You don't want perfect."

Libel inclined her head. "This is a big project, to be certain, but you are not alone. Go ahead and make a list of things to be researched." She tapped at his book with a wing. "Then give it to me. I have resources to dig faster and further. Bottom and I will have your answers, for a fair fee."

Color blinked. "We're... I mean, you'll charge me?"

Libel blinked, thinking that through. "I suppose that would be... awkward, but we're not married yet, so yes. You need the practice paying for contractors. Within the context of this project, we will be your contractors, doing as you ask for fair payment. Time to put your knowledge of invoicing to work."

His panicked face broke into a queer smile. "I had some practice with that with the few galleries I sold to... That reminds me! Celestia is going to send a financer to talk about how much it'll cost." He put a hoof to his head. "I haven't worked out how to price ahead of time! This isn't a piece I already did. Do I charge per hour? How?!"

"Chill, Bro."

Libel nodded in agreement with Day. "Deep breath. We'll go over this, together, and work out a perfectly satisfactory bill to give. Did she mention when they were coming by chance?"

"She didn't sound like she wanted to focus on that. She just said they would come and we went on to other things." He rubbed his head with a hoof agitatedly. "What if they come tomorrow?"

"Then they will find a bill waiting for them," stated Libel in a calm and confident tone. "That's now our first project. Let's get that written down and ready. They may wish to negotiate, and that's fine. You know how to haggle, right?"

"With the princess?!"

"This isn't the princess." Libel reached up to put a hoof on his shoulder. "This is just one of many ponies that happens to work with her. You, may I remind, are now exactly the same. This is a peer. Speak equally and keep it professional. You are both working to make Princess Celestia happy. One tracks her money, the other makes  her art. Both are beholden to her and neither are beholden to each other except where your interest in the princess happens to collide."

"Y-yeah... that's right." He let out a slow breath. "This won't be some noble or princess, just another pony, like me, that's working for the princess, like me."

"Like you," agreed Libel with a gently nudge against him. "Now let's get that invoice in order."

"How do you even start?"

"Easy." Libel looked to Day.

Day blinked softly. "I'm not really good with this kinda stuff, but, uh, you have to hire Libel and Bottom, so that should be on there."

"Bingo." Libel drew out a notebook of her own and started making notes. "That's a known expense, so no reason not to start there. I will want 100 bits an hour. Let's presume 24  hours of actual work. I'll pay Bottom out of my share, so 2,400 bits in research expenses, and that's an estimate. Maybe I'll use more hours, maybe less. We'll note that." She jotted and dotted busily. "Next...?"

Color frowned a bit. "Well, paints, the canvas? The frame it will rest in?"

"Fantastic, now you know how much those are, so give me the prices as I write."

They went over the physical goods that would be used in the creation of the piece, each jotted down with the price of each thing catalogued. "This is good. These are things for which there can be no negotiation, barring them giving you the supplies. Now, the good part."

"Good part?" Color lifted an ear curiously.

"The biggest part." She threw her hooves wide. "You have to charge for the actual painting. How invested did Celestia seem to be in the project?"

"Invested? She... really wants this. She looked... almost ready to cry. It made me want to cry. Celestia should never be that sad."

"Keep it together, Splashy. Alright, that's good. She wants this, bad. That means we can charge appropriately and heavily. She's also a princess, and can afford to pay top dollar for top art."

"I am not a top artist!" he squeaked. "I'm a mid-level hack that's--"

Libel popped a hoof in his mouth. "Stop that, right there. She is the one that came to you. Are you questioning Celestia's taste?"

"N-no?" He drew back with a shuddering breath. "Right, right... okay... right. We can do this."
> 36 - Pushing Papers
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A severely dressed unicorn sat at the table, looking at Color through her razor-thin glasses. "Mister Splash, this is your first time working for the crown, is it not?"

"It is," he agreed, failing to resist adjusting his collar in his magic. "Is that a problem?"

"Certainly not. We were all first at some time." She floated out a paper from the many she had piled in front of her. "It does mean we need to enter you into the system. All employees of the crown must be registered." She set the paper down, then slid it with her magic towards Color. "Let us begin with this, since all others require it."

Drawing out a quill, Color got to work filling out the form. It asked for his name, tribe, cutie mark, and his address, where he paused... "I don't permanently live in Canterlot; just visiting. I'll be here for the duration of the, you know, project. Which address should I put down?"

"The permanent one." The financer nodded properly, perking an ear at him. "You can file a change of address form should that need to change, but temporary relocations do not require this."

He stuck out his tongue a little at the question of years of experience. "I've been making art for a long time, but not always professionally?"

She rolled a hoof. "You were experiencing your craft before you were paid bits for it. Include that time."

He nudged the paper aside, completed. Her magic flared around the paper and flipped it over, revealing more yet to be done. With a sigh and a little smile, he got to work. "How did you hear about the princess?" He raised a brow at the idea.

The financer clopped her hooves together once. "You're far from the first to be surprised. This form has not been updated in a very long time. Please complete it."

He wrote 'in school' obediently and put the paper to the side once more. "All done."

"Just the start." She drew a fresh paper from the stack. "Now we--"

"--Wait." He held up one hoof. "I thought we would be going over the pricing?"

"We will be." She placed the paper down in front of him. "As soon as you are properly registered for the purpose. There's no reason to skip steps when we may never arrive at the negotiations otherwise."

With a soft sigh, he redoubled his efforts to fill the papers, on both sides. He had imagined they would be debating the price, instead... Time passed sluggishly as he got one form done after the other, depleting about half of the stack that the financer had brought with her.

It was only at that point that she did not bring out another form. "Now then, congratulations. You have been chosen to accept an endeavor at the behest of Celestia, Princess of Equestria. Do you accept this charge?"

His ears went  up. "That's what we're here to discuss, the fee?"

She rolled a hoof. "I will take that as an affirmative." She made a note on a paper in front of her. "Do you have an outline of the fees and costs related to the project?" She smiled gently. "It's alright if you do not, I will assi--"

Her words cut off as Color Splash brought out his own smaller collection of papers and set them down gently. "Here you are."

She took hold of them and pulled them closer. "Hm..." She began reading dutifully, eyes darting left and right as she worked down each page rapidly. "Your non-negotiables seem not in need of negotiation... Your contractors are very affordable. Are they available?"

"I am suiting her, so I couldn't promise she'd be available at the same rate, but she would likely be flattered. I can give you, you know, her number, but not speak for her."

"Of course." She nodded lightly, flipping to the next page. Her eyes narrowed a little. She had arrived at the meat of the cost, the art itself. "I was given to believe that you were painting?" Color nodded. "On canvas?" He nodded again. "Just one?" He nodded a little less certainly. "Then why are you charging so much? I could have a sculptor out by the end of the day, carving out a statue from a block of stone for this amount."

He flinched at the sharp rebuke, but sat up, a little frown forming. "Princess Celestia doesn't want a statue."

"I didn't argue that she does, but this price. Why would you be worth more?"

He leaned forward a little. "She came to me because she knows I can do exactly what she wants. I will not only create the piece, but I will put the same emotions into it that caused it to be commissioned in the first place. This is what she wants."

"Oh, an emotional thing." She scribbled something busily. "That is like her. This exceeds the remainder of the quarterly art budget. That's quite inflexible when I am involved." She drew out another paper in her magic and a new number appeared on it. Still quite large, but more than half as small as the amount Color had arrived at with Libel and Day's assistance.

The temptation to accept it was powerful, but fleeting. "This isn't just art." He raised a hoof with a knowing smile. "This is a memorial."

She blinked, stunned. "What, memorial? That... changes things..." She set her offer down and began reviewing her paperwork. "I will confirm this with the princess." That was as close as she came to saying Color might be lying. "If this is a memorial... that changes things... Is the pony being memorialized also in the employ of the crown?"

"Military. Guard." He nodded softly. "Lifetime service and held in high regards by the princess."

"Military..." She made a few more notes and seemed to be connecting things with swishes of her pen. "Yes, if this comes out of that... The military can afford to contribute to art venerating one of their numbers." She made a smart and deep dot with a poke of her quill. "I will have to return, Mister Color Splash. I was not prepared to finalize a transaction involving the military budget. Let me confirm with the princess, get the proper paperwork, and return in one week's time. I trust that is acceptable?"

"Of course... But I will have to increase the amount, just a little, for the time I wait. I can't start any other projects while waiting for this one, since it will demand my immediate and complete attention."

"It's good to hear you're putting the princess first." She rose to her hooves, her various papers neatly stacking themselves and tucking themselves away in her magic. "She deserves it."

"She really does," easily agreed Color. "Thank you for coming."

"I will return." She started for the door, all the things tucked away in her pockets as if they had never been there. "I'll want to see this when you're done, if she'll allow me. So many bits, for one canvas." She departed with a shaking head, unable to comprehend how a painting could be worth so much to have made.

He followed her to close the gate properly after she was gone. With a soft sigh, he sank against the gate.

"How'd it go?" Day sat up from where he had become one with the lawn, emerging from the grass with a happy smile. "You don't look stressed out."

"Don't I?" Color smirked a bit at that. "I just barely pulled that through, I think... I just hope Celestia doesn't deny it's a memorial, even if the pony  being drawn is still alive right this second."

Day tilted his head. "Woah... Do ponies do that; make memorials for living ponies?"

"Sure." Color nodded properly. "Just called a living memorial, since the thing you're remembering is still there. Oof, I should have used that phrase..." He tapped at his chin with a hoof worriedly.

Day threw a hoof around Color's shoulders. "Don't even worry about it. Nothing to do but wait for the good news." He bonked his head against Color's. "Was that all you had to do today?"

"Huh? Well I guess so. I can't start something while waiting for that..." He tip-tapped his forehooves. "I mentioned I'd charge for that."

"Smart." Day sat down, then pointed off. "Hey, you ever look up at Canterlot and go 'Woah, that's pretty'?"

"Sure? What about it?"

Day pointed again. "Wanna go to the edge and look out over Equestria? I hear it's a sweet view, and you have some time."

Color felt a smile coming on. "I... would actually like that very much. If it isn't cloudy, I can imagine the view is breathtaking."

Just like that, the two of them went to see the natural splendor that could be seen from the edge of a mountain-based city.

By the time they came home, Color had a new sketch of the landscape he had seen. His home town was larger than it had any right to be in it, but he figured, as the artist, he had the right to make his town as big as he felt like, and nopony was going to deny him his rights.

Day smiled as he walked alongside Color. "I feel better. Seeing the old town really lifted my spirits."

Color twitched an ear. "You were sad?" He hadn't noticed any sadness in Day. He didn't even really know Day could be sad... "I'm sorry."

"What for?"

"Not noticing." He bumped sidelong into his friend. "Good friends should notice when their friends are sad."

"Nah."

"That is a popular answer out of you. Going to explain it?"

"Sure." Day nodded slowly. "If I don't say it, you may not know it. It's not fair to expect friends should be mind readers." He sat down and put his hooves on his head. "But if you do get that power, you'll tell me, right? I'd want to know if you start listening to my thoughts. I'll have to work extra hard to think of interesting things and not bore anypony to death."

Color snorted at the idea. "We're probably just as well without having that power." He glanced at the castle. "I bet they have a spell for it in there somewhere, but I don't really want it. Like you said, if you want to know how a pony feels, you ask. And if they don't want you to know, they can not answer, and that's just how it works."

"Yep." He bumped Color lightly. "So, gonna ask?"

"Huh? Oh! So what had you sad? I'm glad you're feeling better in any event."

"Just thinking about home and all the ponies I used to chill with." He put an arm over Color. "At least I have one with me."

Color smiled awkwardly. "That reminds me... uh... we're both kinda chasing mares... if we decide we want to be with them more permanently... what then?"

Day tilted his head. "If you and Libel get serious, that wouldn't change much."

Color blinked. "How?"

"I'd do what I always do, and keep pretending to not notice when you two do married pony stuff."

Color began to blush deeply. "What?!"

"It's perfectly natural." He waved it away. "If me and Bottom hitch up, then she'll either invite me to live with her, and that'll put me close enough. Or! We keep doing it as we have been."

Color frowned at that. "That seems unlikely. She won't be happy having a husband that doesn't live with her. That isn't how ponies generally work. You have to be with her." He gestured out into the city as they passed through the gates towards Libel's house. "But you are right, you'd still be pretty close if you  moved in with her. We'd see each other, just not every day anymore."

"Promise." Day moved around in front of Color. "Even if we're buried in foals, we'll make time to be two bros."

"Promise." He offered a hoof and it was met with a loud clop.
> 37 - Stress
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Libel!" The door swung open on her office, allowing her boss inside with a frown. "You let through a real doozy and the city just won't let it go." He marched right past Bottom Line, ignoring her in favor of his quarry.

Libel looked up from her typewriter just in time for her boss to enter. "What's the problem? Did I use the wrong 'their'?"

"I wish." He rolled his eyes with a heavy sigh. "You credited a 'Miss Chief'. While technically correct, Tall Chief is reporting harassment about it and she's blaming us, and by us, I mean you." He leveled a hoof at her. "This was your responsibility. The paper has to be perfect before it hits print. It's not like we can fix it once it's out there."

"We'll post a redaction, I'll take her out and apologize personally."

"You better!" He clopped down a hoof. "We don't need this kind of attention and I just expect better from you, Miss Word." He saw her flinch and snorted. "You of all ponies should know better than to assume a pony wants to be called by their last name. If you aren't sure, stick to full names, preferably with titles, you know this!" He threw up a hoof, heaving a little in exasperation.

He stormed from the office, not looking a bit less frazzled than when he had come in. Bottom appeared at the door separating their sub-rooms. "Wow..."

"Not the word I'd use." Libel sighed softly, counting under her breath to calm her own nerves. "I messed that up, and he's right, I shouldn't have. I have to make this right."

"Can I help?" She smiled a little. "Besides a friend, if you're fired, I am too most likely. It's in both of our interests that this blow over as quickly and quietly as possible."

Libelous considered this a moment. "Find out her schedule and see how I can best wriggle into it. Get that information to me and I'll get on the phone. We'll set this right."

"On it!" She saluted sharply and retreated back to her own desk to begin the research.

Libel sat back down with a huff. "This will have to wait." She pushed Color's research to the side. Her actual job had to come first.





Color flipped to the next page, and the page after that, flipping through quickly. "Mmm... What an interesting life you've led..."

Day flopped against the back of the couch, watching Color. "You're reading a lot. I thought you made art. What do you need to read for?"

Color crooked a hoof towards the book. "I'm drawing a person. I'm making a drawing that should give you an impression of that person without ever meeting that person. It needs to have exactly the right impact! I want to get this right..."

Day rolled a hoof as he sat up. "Alright, so who is this pony you're drawing? Tell me."

Color tilted his head. "You're not drawing them."

"Nope." He shook his head slowly. "But telling me will help get the thoughts straight in your head, and that'll help you get to the art."

Color smiled at that. "You are full of wisdom sometimes."

"Nah."

"And nahs, too many of those." Color snorted out a half-laugh before he began describing what he knew of Grey Beard's younger life. "There are still holes, mind you. Libel said she was working on that. I really want them! I still don't even know if this pony has a great grandfoal or just grand ones."

"Sounds pretty great with or without them." He tilted his head. "He protected the princess?"

"Stopped a pineapple that would have smacked right into her head. Took the shot himself and was hospitalized for a few days with a concussion." Color quickly pulled out the news clipping that had the story. "He went right back to work the moment they let him and never complained. He puts the duty in soldier."

"Soldier doesn't have duty, Bro."

"It does with him around." Color smiled a little. "He wasn't all business, and that's part of what I need more information on. He used to love the arts. There's some fragmented mentions of opera and the like, but that's a pretty big net, and it could be a dead end. Maybe they only took notice because it was rare! Then I'd be celebrating something that's not really part of him."

Day nodded softly as he considered. "Heavy, but Libel's on the case. She and Bottom are awesome at this." He brought his forehooves together in a loud clop. "So let's relax and let them do what they're good at. You should art."

"I can't art yet!" He thrust a hoof up. "I need to know what I'm drawing. It's not like drawing something I can see, or even something I already know... I don't know this pony."

"Have you tried talking to him?"

Color blinked slowly. "He's... uh... Huh... Maybe I should?" He shook his head. "But how do I set that up without giving things away? He doesn't know I'm drawing him."

"But you met him already." Day nodded slowly. "You talked to him then, right?"

"I got some info, sure."

"And it was so great." He threw a hoof wide. "So great you just had to know more. Be a curious little colt that wants to hear stories from a veteran. He'll probably like it."

Color's worried expression began to ease. "You're right... This could work out perfectly. I could get it straight from the pony's mouth! I'll just extend a hoof and offer to treat him to a nice meal somewhere if he'd be willing to share a few stories with me." He put a hoof behind his head. "I'll have to make sure it's not while he's on duty. He won't take a break, I feel sure of that."

"So ask Celestia." Day nodded softly as if it was obvious. "This is for her painting and all. I bet she'd help if she could. Ask her when he's off and she'd tell you without even thinking about it."

"It's so easy to forget I'm working for her. It still feels unreal that... you know, that's true and all..." Color shook his head. "But you're right, as usual. How do you even stand being right all the time?"

Day stuck out his tongue a little. "Practice, Bro. You have to not let it get to your head. Ponies don't like a showoff, and I don't want to lose my awesome friends."

"You're aces in my book." He hopped to his hooves. "I'm going to visit the castle and see if I can't ask her." That's when he stopped, freezing. "How... do you just ask Princess Celestia an idle question, even if you do work for her?"

He shrugged. "Try asking?"

"Asking... Oh! Right, if I just say what I'm doing, her guards should let me in, provided she isn't too busy. I wouldn't want to bother her in the middle of things anyway." He started for the door. "Wish me luck!" He was soon gone, leaving Day Dream to the quiet of an empty house.

Day reached for the remote. He hadn't had a television before then, but Libel had one, and rarely used it. With a click of the big button, it was summoned to life. When everyone else was out and he wasn't in the mood to gaze at the clouds, it served quite well as a way to chill.





Libel sank, head coming to a rest on the left key of her typewriter, making a soft little click in response. "How does she even have our number?"

"You don't need a number to request calls be denied," noted Bottom just as miserably. "We'll have to reach her through another path."

"She has practice on Mondays." Libel sat up with a frown. "Three PM to Five PM, sharp. I'll wait for her after and approach physically. She can't just ignore that."

"She can, and she might." Bottom tilted her head from the other room. "But it may be worth a try. Just be sure to use her full name."

Libel smirked at that. "Right right. Calling her 'Miss Chief' right now would just be asking for trouble... Alright, do we know what her favorite flower is?"

"Larkspur." The sound of papers being shuffled came from the other room. "Blue."

"You are an angel, you know that, right?" Libel snatched up her phone with a wing and she got to dialing. "Hello? I need a nice bouquet of Larkspurs, vibrant blue. A little vase? Sounds lovely... Do you do cards? Excellent..." She put in the order for immediate delivery to the office, setting the phone down when the details were finalized.

"That sounded positive."

"Something today had to be." Libel let out a slow breath. "Alright, I'll show up with her favorite flowers, an apology card, and a huge helping of crow to eat in front of her. I'll beg, so far as proprietary allows, for this all to become an unfortunate and forgotten part of the past."

"Would your mother just pay for this to go away?"

Libel narrowed her eyes. "That was out of nowhere, but, no, no she would not." She put a hoof on her chest. "She would lose sleep knowing she besmirched the Word name and do everything in her power to fix it."

"Like you're doing."

"I am a Word, Bottom. I may not approve of her parenting techniques, but I am a Word, and I'm not... ashamed of that. I don't want to be the pony that drags that name through the mud, and I have personal pride. I want to fix this. It was my mistake, so it's on me to do that."

"I would have been disappointed if you said otherwise." Papers shuffled. "I'm putting back your appointments to keep this clear. If you need anything else at all, you know you can ask. We're in this together."

Libel considered that. "Are you qualified to do an interview?"

"Interview?"

"Tomorrow, 4pm?"

Papers shuffled as Bottom looked up the appointment. "Ah, a school principal?"

"A little thing, just need his opinion on the latest educational reform. Are you up for it?"

"I'm woefully untrained..." There was a moment of quiet. "But I can learn... Put it out of your mind. I accept this responsibility."

"Angel! Did I mention that already?"

"Once or twice." Bottom smiled, though unseen. "While I  have no romantic interest, I will gladly accept a meal, once this matter is fully put to rest."

"And I'd gladly offer it," promised Libel. "Besides, really, I have a suitor, and he's working out nicely." That made her glance at the stack of research she was supposed to be working on. "And I'm putting him off a few days... He'll understand, I hope."

"He doesn't have much of a choice, and neither do you. This must be addressed without delay."

"Without delay," agreed Libel with a firm nod. "Onwards!"

The click-clack of a typewriter was the only reply. Bottom was back to work, furiously mashing the keys with her hooves in clear defiance of the horn that protruded from her head. She liked the feel of the keys on those hooves.

Libel smiled a little. She liked the feel of wind on her wings. Maybe they weren't so different, having small but meaningful little pleasures in the workings of their bodies. She felt silly even nudging Bottom towards a different keyboard if working with her hooves brought her the same sort of satisfaction.

She shook her head clear of such thoughts. They weren't helping her get the work done. "You have time. The timeline of the painting being due has plenty of room in it." She let out a slow breath. "Just relax... Not like you can get much done before I finish my part anyway."

She imagined poor Color, sitting there sadly waiting for the papers she wasn't working on. She quietly promised to get him a treat for making him wait.
> 38 - Order in the Court
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Color pulled at his collar, dressed properly for an appearance at the castle.  His wardrobe had been slowly expanding. Once he got used to one, another just... happened. He was up to five suits, each delightful in a subtly different way as if each were a message he could broadcast without opening his mouth.

His current one said 'I am a professional'. It didn't say what that profession was, but its sharp angles and clean cuts made it clear that he had business in mind and he wanted to get it done. It was perfect for the situation, he had decided. He even managed to walk past the front guards without opposition or even being asked why he was there. He was just a business pony that had to get business done.

Yep, that was him, mister serious...

"You look lost."

Color focused on the stallion that had asked that. He looked important. He was dressed smartly, but practically. Who was he? "Hello," tried Color. "I was hoping to ask the princess a quick question."

The stallion rolled his eyes. "Auntie's quite busy, she usually is. Do you have an appointment, mister...?"

Auntie?! "Color, Color Splash. I'm--"

"No, she didn't mention that name." He shook his head. "You should come back... later."

Color frowned a little. "It really is urgent. This involves a personal commission, Mister...?"

"You don't know me?" He sounded offended as he gestured to himself. "I am Prince Blue Blood, do keep that in mind." He nodded once with certainty. "Now what commission are we talking about?" His eyes roamed over Color, noticing his cutie mark. "Are you writing something, perhaps?"

Color considered his mark, the colorful quill. It could have been a writer's mark, but... "No, a painting. I need information from the princess regarding the painting she's ordered."

"She really does love her art." His eyes wandered to the stained glass windows and small statues that dotted the hallway. "Now then,  her time is very precious."

"As are her bits, which are being wasted with time spent not getting her what she asked for." It was an aggressive gamble that he hoped would pay off.

Blue Blood arched a brow. "I see... Well, you can't get to Celly, that's what I call her, don't call her that. Celly is protected by her secretary, Raven Inkwell. You'll want to talk to her."

Color smiled at the helpful information. "Thank you! Where is she usually found?"

Blue Blood patted his shoulder. "Rest at ease. If you're making auntie happy, you're making me happy indirectly." He pointed back where Color had come from. "Second right, you'll see stairs. Go up two levels, fourth door on the right."

Color started to turn. "Thank you again, Prince Blue Blood."

"Not a trouble..." He watched Color head off, shaking his head softly. "Auntie, you really need to be more discerning..."

Color ascended the stairs, right where Blue had said they'd be. He emerged onto the third level and looked around. "Now..." He started down the hallway, counting as he went. "Two, three... four." He looked above the door, but there was no plaque above it or beside it. It was just a door.

"Huh..." He raised a hoof to gently knock.

"Come in," came a calm female voice.

Color smiled. Even if it wasn't the right pony, she sounded helpful. He willed the door open and began in. Seated behind a clean desk was a unicorn with white-grey fur and dark brown mane.

Raven looked up at Color. "You don't work here." She glanced away a moment. "Color Splash, hired artist, freshly acquired." She took her hooves away from the paper she had been reading and clapped them together. "How can I help you?"

Color perked an ear at her. "How? You looked like you were remembering all of that."

"That's exactly what I was doing." Raven nodded softly. "One cannot serve Princess Celestia without the ability to swiftly recall and the ability to rapidly assimilate information. It is my job to ensure that nothing is forgotten." She rolled a hoof. "Now, how may I be of assistance, Color Splash?"

He put a hoof behind his head. "I work for Princess Celestia, but I can't claim to have a memory that good."

"You are an artist." Raven gestured to the paper she had abandoned. "I am a secretary. These positions have different demands. I would be hard pressed to tell you what color complemented cerulean crisply in a composition." She adjusted the thick glasses on her snout. "But that's enough of that. We both have work we must do for the princess' sake."

Color nodded. "Right, sorry, let me get to the point. I was hoping Celestia, or maybe you? I was hoping to find out when a particular guard was off duty so I could question them off the clock."

Raven perked an ear. "I wasn't told any guard needed to be available for interviews."

"This is secret," he whispered with a shhh. "He doesn't know I'm drawing him. I'll just be telling him I want to hear about his exploits as a young avid fan."

Raven smiled gently. "I see...  Compared to him, I suppose you do appear to be a colt. I must seem a filly before his eyes as well. You are speaking of the eldest soldier that accompanied the princess when she came to commission you, I presume?" She tapped her hooves, mind going back to that day. "I remember organizing the schedules."

"You are amazing, Raven Inkwell. May I call you Raven?"

"You may." She nodded. "I will address you as Color in that case. Color, I can provide that information, assuming you will treat him well. He deserves nothing less." With a glowing horn, she pulled a book free from a shelf nearby. "I, and the princess, will be quite irate if this turns out to not be true."

Color quickly put up his hooves, frogs facing Raven. "No! No, of course not. I'll take him somewhere nice, share a bite to eat, and let him ramble. Older ponies like doing that, right?"

Raven inclined her head. "You do not know him well. Step carefully, Color, or he'll withdraw. In his eyes, he is an average guard of no special significance. Attempting to convince him otherwise will only make him uncomfortable." She flipped the book open with a thought and a glow. "And we don't want him uncomfortable."

"Of course." Color stepped closer, looking at the schedule upside down. "So when would be the best time?"

"He has a forced weekend coming up." She tapped at the bit on the page. "He hates them, but Celestia insists, so he submits. He would rather be doing something than nothing, so he is likely to accept an offer of activity on that day." She turned the book around with her magic, allowing him to see the date.

"Thank you, for the time, and the trust." He bowed his head, ears going back a moment before bounding up on his head.

"I'm glad you understand what this is." Raven floated the book where it had come from. "This is a matter of trust. Please show me that I have invested it properly. Princess Celestia will frown at me, as best she can, should she learn I decided incorrectly. You are in her employ now, and your actions reflect on her."

Color stiffened at that. That was quite some responsibility! "I'll do my best, Ma'am, Raven, sorry."

Raven smiled a little, a laugh just barely escaping. "Just do your best, and be a good pony, and she will have no reason to be upset with you."

"Of course." He bowed once more. "I should get going. I've taken up enough of your time."

"Thank you for understanding that." She floated up the paper she had begun with and resumed reading it as if simply forgetting Color was even there.

Color didn't challenge that, quietly slipping out and willing the door shut as gently as he could. He retreated the way he came with a little smile. That had gone reasonably well.

"We do not recognize you," spoke a sleepy voice. He looked up to see a princess. Not the one he worked for. Luna was mid-yawn, a hoof over her mouth. "Who are you?"

Color squeaked in surprise, coming to a sudden halt. "Just a painter, Your Highness."

"A painter?" She tilted her head to the left, then the right. "Oh yes, I remember your dreams. Did you ever find your way to that mare?"

He blinked, face going hot and red. "I..."

She put a hoof over her mouth once more, covering her gasp instead of a yawn. "Forgive me! I should not speak so lightly of another's dreams. They are your business, not mine."

Color put a hoof behind his head. "I... forgot you could see those... Uh... I did, actually."

She smiled brightly. "Fantastic. I do not normally witness all dreams, but you have had nightmares about her, and that called me to you. That you have resolved this without assistance is a credit to you...?"

"Color Splash," he quickly provided with his own smile. "Thank you."

"I speak only the truth." She waved it away. "We have seen too many nightmares of dreams abandoned and aspirations dashed, the pony never reaching their goal, many not even daring to try... It's a tragedy, but one replayed over and over. It is a delight to know it doesn't always end that way without our direct intervention."

Luna was the most formal? He was not seeing much reason to not enjoy the presence of the princess of the night. "What has you awake, Princess Luna? It must be very late for you."

"It is," she flatly agreed, yawning widely as she did so. "I had to assist a pony who only slumbers during the day, and whose sleep was most troubled. I have done this, but now I require our own request." She frowned suddenly. "If you hear... me... address myself in the third person, kindly point it out. It's a bad and old habit."

Color dipped his head. "As you would wish it, Your Highness."

She smiled down at him. "You please us. What is it you are painting? I would know. Have I seen your work before?"

"Just a drawing of a soldier who deserves a good portrait, Celestia's orders."

"Sister..." Luna shook her head. "She truly adores her guards, like her surrogate foals. Don't allow her to know I said that." She waved it off. "Have I seen your work?"

"She has a picture hanging, in the 'Spring' room?" It had more of a name than that, but that was what he remembered.

"Spring room, she has a few... Describe it?"

"It's a painting of Celestia." He smiled gently. "She has foals climbing on her."

"That one!" Luna smiled brilliantly. "Yes, we do--"

"We?"

Luna colored softly. "Yes, thank you. I recall that one. She looks ridiculous, and I love it." She smirked softly. "Can you do more... aggressive renditions? I would like one where I look properly ready to face the enemies of our--" She paused, waving a hoof. "I mean our properly that time, yours and mine. Our country."

Was he being commissioned again?! "It would be an honor, but I do need to complete your sister's request before I can accept another. You wouldn't want a painter that would do anything else."

"Of course." She nodded softly. "I can appreciate a good work ethic. When you have completed this project then, seek me out. Tell the guards I told them to send you to me directly and they will obey."

Color nodded stiffly, unable to believe the good fortunes he was facing. "The moment I'm ready. While you wait, consider what armor you would like to be drawn wearing, and any weapons you'd want nearby."

Luna gasped as she cantered in place, her sleepiness forgotten a moment. "What delightful things to consider. I will have to tour the armory." She trotted off without a goodbye, suddenly quite focused on getting her eyes on the weapons and armor.
> 39 - I'm Sorry
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Libel sat in a chair as a human might, not that she knew what one of those were. She tapped a hindhoof on the ground with her arms folded on the table, half to support her body, half to have a place for them. She was seated in a small cafe; her target just across the street.

She eyed it warily, waiting for her quarry to emerge. A glance at the clock over the head of a dining unicorn revealed it to be about the right time. She had to approach quickly, but not aggressively. She practiced her words quietly under her breath. The flower rested on the tiny table she was leaning on, the card propped against it. They would be her sword and shield in the battle ahead.

She had to not mess it up.

Movement. Her eyes darted to the sight of different ponies emerging from the building. Some of them looked tired, some looked empowered. Some were talking and others were scurrying away. Some were burdened with instruments, and others wore dance outfits.

But only one was the singer she had to see. There she was, chatting with a stallion with a smile. She looked happy. Good...

Libelous slipped from her chair back to a more comfortable four-legged stance. Why did that cafe have such strange seats, she did not know, but it had served its purpose. She abandoned the cup of untouched coffee. She had only purchased it so she had bought something and they wouldn't bother her for loitering.

"Excuse me, Tall Chief?" she called as she hurried across the street at a hurried but still walking gait.

Tall arched a fine brow. "Oh, look who darkens my step. Perhaps it is she there is here to cause mischief!"

Libelous dipped her head. "Well deserved. That was my fault entirely."

"At least she admits it." She waved Libelous away. "Now, off with you. My associate and I need to practice."

The stallion she was with nodded softly. "Are you the one that wrote that piece that has our star so upset? You should be ashamed!"

"Mortified," she agreed easily. "I want to make amends." She extended a wing burdened with the flowers. "Though even their delightful shade doesn't hold a candle to how badly I messed up, I hope you won't hold it against them."

The unicorn opera singer eyes the vase and the flowers it contained. "It is not their fault who presents them." With a glowing horn, she lifted them away from Libel's wing. "It is easy to speak platitudes and offer empty gifts."

"That is why I am here." Libel dipped her head. "We are addressing the error at the paper, but even that would scarcely express how deeply sorry I am, so I had to come here personally."

Tall Chief smiled a little wickedly. "And this has nothing to do with my not accepting any calls?"

"Are ponies really harassing you?" asked Libelous. "Terrible. You'd think people would have better manners than to attack a respectable citizen like that."

"You'd think!" Tall stomped down a hoof. "And yet, there they are. I only had peace when I stopped the calls entirely." The same hoof leveled with Libelous. "And who do I have to thank for this, on the week of the greatest premiere of my life!"

The stallion nudged Tall away from Libelous. "You're just upsetting her. If you'll excuse us..."

Libel set her teeth before, with a deft flick of a wing, she produced the card in the envelope she had prepared. "I'm not here to poke at the wounds I had a hoof in making. Is there any way I can help?"

Tall paused, about to withdraw but pausing at the sight of the envelope. Her magic wrapped around it and pulled it open easily, drawing the card into view. She eyed the front a moment before casually willing it open. Her stern expression softened a little. "Did you pick out this card?"

"With my own hooves," assured Libel, a slight lie, seeing as she ordered it over the phone. "I can only hope it conveys a small portion of how I feel."

"Don't fib," spoke Tall Chief in a teasing tone. "They misspelled your name in a fit of sublime perfection." She flipped the card around in her magic, revealing where it said 'Libeled Word'. "It seems this is a habit not limited to you."

Libel felt her cheeks burning. She should have checked that, but who edits greeting cards?!

Tall laughed at Libel's reaction. "Now you have a taste of things. You just don't have somepony yelling in your ear to go with it."

"Wait." Libel took a step forward. "It was one specific pony?"

"It may as well have been a crowd of them with how frequently and loudly she kept calling." Tall put a hoof to her head, sighing dramatically. "There was no peace, not even a moment."

Libel set a hoof on her chest. "Then consider it resolved. I'll track down this rude mare and get her off your back. It's the least I can do." She felt hope, real hope. "I really do like your work. I didn't mean to... this." She rolled a hoof. "Allow me to make it right."

"Hmm, I doubt you can do much, but you're welcome to try." She turned away, starting to walk away with her friend. "Her name is Long Gaze. She said that quite clearly. Tell me if she agrees to never bother me again, and we'll consider this... terrible business over and done with."

Libel resisted the urge to pump a hoof, and the big grin. She smiled more reservedly. "I'm on the case, Tall Chief. We'll get that mare onto more productive affairs."

"Like a long walk," grumbled Tall, most of her statement lost as she departed with her unnamed stallion friend.

"Long Gaze..." Libel hurried to the closest public phone, diving in just ahead of someone else trying to get to it. She slapped the door shut and quickly dialed the office. "This is Libelous Word, get Bottom Line on here."

"Oh, hello Libel!" It was the mare from public relations. "How are you and your stallion doing?"

"We're doing great." She forced a smile. "Fantastic, but I really need to talk to Bottom. It's urgent."

"Right right." She heard things being shuffled around. "Here you are."

The line went dead a moment, then a soft ring. It was picked up before it even finished. "Libelous Word's office, how may I help you?"

"Bottom! Good news!"

"Thank goodness." Libel could hear the smile on Bottom's face. "Did she forgive you?"

"Conditionally." Libel nodded lightly as she glanced around out the windows of the small phone booth. "I need to find a 'Long Gaze', mare, was the one harassing Tall Chief. If I can find and shut her up, then this is over."

"Long Gaze, possible connection to opera, hmm." There came the sound of books being shuffled around. "I'll get to searching. While I do that, what are you doing?"

"I'm coming back to the office, but I wanted you to start as soon as possible. Thank you. Did I mention you're a peach?"

"Thrice today," sang Bottom cheerfully before she hung up.

Libel set the receiver down carefully and let out a soft sigh. A knock brought her attention to a stallion just outside. It was the pony she had cut off. "Oh." She slipped from the booth and waved the way inside. The stallion slipped in with a relieved sigh, making whatever call was so important to him.

Filled with determination, Libel took flight.

"Eek!" Another pegasus crashed into her, not obeying the traffic lanes at all. Both went crashing to the ground in a pile.

"I'm so sorry," came the soft voice of the mare that had collided with Libel. She climbed to her hooves and offered one towards Libelous. "I was thinking about something."

Libelous accepted the hoof, looking over the grey-furred wall-eyed mare she had crashed into. "Derpy?"

"My friends call me Muffins!" she chimed, but then tilted her head, eyes going in different directions. "But you got the stallion I wanted, so are we friends?" She answered the question internally quite quickly. "I'd like to be friends."

Libelous smiled awkwardly. "If only all arguments were solved that easily. I really should... wait, you're a mailmare, aren't you?"

"One of the best," chimed Derpy, bouncing in place. "I get the mail where it needs to be, usually in one piece."

"Have you ever met a 'Long Gaze', mare?"

Derpy shrugged her shoulders. "A few. There was one that wouldn't let me deliver my mail! She kept talking at me all loud and followed me and it was kinda scary." She shook her head. "But it's my job, so she got her mail and everypony else too!"

Libel's ears perked, hope building. "Where... is she? I'd gladly give her a little talk. It may not help..."

"Really?!" Derpy leaned forward. "You're way nicer than I thought!" She pointed with a wing. "She lives in the old pony's home right there at the top of the hill. When she isn't yelling at me, she likes to play shuffleboard."

Shuffleboard... A retired mare? Could it be the right one? Maybe not, but it was worth a try... "Thank you. Say, do they call you muffin for a reason, say a baked reason?"

Muffins smiled brightly. "Maybe!"

"Then come with me." She led Derpy to the same cafe she had been camping at. She only left with a big blueberry muffin set in Derpy's happy hooves. While the mailmare began to chew happily, Libelous took a more safe launch, soaring towards her quarry.

Even if it was a dead end, at least Bottom was already digging. She figured no real time was being lost. She landed lightly in front of the retirement home. 'Peaceful Bench' was its name. It had several benches in front with different elderly ponies perched on them, looking peaceful enough to qualify for the name.

She nodded at them as she strolled purposefully for the door. The door swung out towards her just before she could get to it. A large female nurse stood in the doorway. "I'm sorry, miss? Only residents and family are permitted here."

"I was hoping to visit one of the residents." Libel dipped her head lightly. "A quick visit, then I'll be on my way."

"Who are you looking for and what is your relationship to them?" She produced a clipboard, held in her magic.

Libel hesitated a moment. She had no relation to this mysterious mare... "Long Gaze." If she didn't say what the relationship was, she wasn't lying. "Is she awake?"

"Long Gaze..." The nurse's eyes flitted back and forth over the paper. Long... here we are." She pointed at the line that held the name, not that she let Libel see it. "She has no living relations. All her friends already live here. I'm afraid you have to go."

"It'll just be a moment." Libel smiled as harmlessly as she could manage. "I won't be a bother, promise."

"What is this about?" asked the nurse in a deadpan, her eyes falling halfway closed as she peered at Libelous suspiciously.

Libel huffed. "If I have the correct pony, she may have made some phone calls that upset another pony. I just wanted to put it to rest."

The nurse's eyes squinted practically shut. "Phone calls you say. What did Long Gaze say?"

"Something about mischief?" ventured Libelous. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She felt so close, but stood on perilous thin ice.

"I thought she was making that up." The nurse clopped a hoof over her face. "Is Miss Chief a real person?"

Libelous felt relief rush through her. "Actually, no. I let a typo through in the paper, misidentifying 'Tall Chief' for 'Miss Chief'. She received no end of phone calls from Long Gaze about it."
> 40 - Mischief
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Come this way, and keep your voice down." The nurse tucked her clipboard away and ducked back, giving room for Libel to advance. "This has been... something of an ongoing issue."

Libel stepped forward as allowed, relief flowing through her. "This isn't the first time then?"

"She is singlehoofedly the reason we're considering just removing the phone." The nurse sighed gently. "But all the others would be so sad. It's the only way half of them ever contact their family." She began to lead the way through the lobby that smelled of old pony

Libel kept her eyes forward. She had no idea what her target looked like. "What is she trying... to do?"

The nurse quirked an ear back at Libel. "I thought she was just being a pain in our collective rumps."

Libel smiled a little. "I imagine she's trying... something? Maybe something we don't 'get', but..."

The nurse shrugged softly, veering down into a hallway. "She's in her room. I'll let you chat with her, ten minutes max. If she calls for help, you're out, so make it good, and keep it gentle." She gestured at a closed door before knocking lightly. "Long Gaze, are you awake?"

"If I wasn't, I am now," came the wry reply of an elderly pony. "What is it, time for pills?"

"Not yet." The nurse glanced towards Libel. "You have a guest, about 'Miss Chief'."

The door suddenly swung open to reveal the wrinkled face of an old mare. Her eyes were wide. "Is she here?!" She fixed onto Libel. "You? It must be, I don't see anyone else!"

Libel took a step back, but the old mare was far more intent, rushing for her and grabbing her, hoof on either of Libel's shoulders. She shook her head as she was pulled into the room.

The nurse just smiled. "Ten minutes," she sang into the room as she willed the door closed, seeming to have no particular worry for Libel.

Libel was slid along under the eager hooves of the old mare. It wasn't as if Long Gaze was terribly strong, but Libel didn't want to hurt the elder. Swatting at her felt like an invitation for trouble. "There you are, Miss Chief. You have no idea how long I've waited," she gasped out as if out of breath. "So long. You got my phone call! I kept calling! The rude person on the other side kept... I just..."

Long began crying, tears spilling from her old eyes. Libel reached out, gently patting her shoulder. "It's alright... Now, tell me what's wrong."

Long smiled at Libel, hope seeming to shine on her face. "Why were you gone for so long?"

Was she senile? Who did she think Libel was? Libel inclined her head faintly. "I'm here now." That was true. "Now tell me what's going on."

Long nodded, rubbing her eyes with a fetlock. "Yes, yes, you are... here... My little colt. Why did you run away?"

Libel was fairly certain she was not a colt. Still... "I'm here now," she repeated, patting Long gently.

"You are... Was I that bad? Was... I that terrible? I tried so hard to make things good for you." She smiled, her entire form seeming to shake, with age? With her emotions? "Did I push too hard? I'm sorry... It was for your own good."

Libel remembered, all relatives of Long Gaze were dead. Whatever problems she had with her son were... beyond repair. She took a slow breath, feeling her first bit of true pity for the old mare. "I... had to go..." No mother should outlive their son...

"But why?" She buried her face into libel's chest, her horn poking painfully, but Libel didn't have the heart to even try adjusting Long Gaze's sobbing form. "I didn't get to say things. You were always gone. You never visited!"

Libel cringed, imagining the situation. "M-mom... why did you call me 'Miss Chief'?"

She sat up at that, blinking. "It was your nickname, little mischief maker that you are. They keep putting your nicknames in the paper. I knew it was you, trying to reach me... I called. I called so many times! Finally, it worked!" She smiled with relief. "Please tell me you're staying."

Libel rolled an ear back as she shook her head. "You know I can't do that..."

"I..." Her hoof fell to the floor, her body limp. "When will I see you again?"

That was a loaded question... "Maybe later, but for now, you should... stop waiting. I don't want you to be sad."

She smiled a little, gazing not at Libel, but past her, to whatever delusion she was interacting with. "That's the nicest thing you've said in so long..."

"If you see any more mentions of me, those are my codes to you, telling you that I love you. You don't have to call  back, because I know you love me."

Long perked up, ears erect and focused. "Oh! Is that what those were?" A little smile spread on her face. "Is that what it was?! How silly of me!" She broke into a gentle laughter, a hoof on her chest. "How... absurd. I hope I haven't bothered anypony. I just wanted to see you."

"I'm sorry... Mom... I have to go, but... so do you. Stop hiding in here. Be happy." Libel rose to her hooves. "Remember, every time you see one of my nicknames, it's just me reminding you."

"That you love me," she sighed, looking content. "I'm so sorry... Do you... forgive me?"

Libel felt her ears pin themselves without her desire. "It's alright," she said, calming, and yet not answering that question. "Now come out of here. There are some nice mares and stallions that would love to meet you."

She went for the door and wasn't challenged. "Goodbye."

"I love you."

Libel set her teeth. "Be happy, please... That's all I want." She slipped from the room as gently as she could, falling back against the door, huffing for  breath she had not realized she had lost before then.

She felt... shaken. Shaken to the core. She fled down the hallway, new tears stinging at her eyes. She would have burst free of the building, but the nurse was there at the front desk, looking at her expectantly.

"How did things go?" she asked with a hopeful smile. "Did you figure out what was going on with her?"

Libel took a moment, covering her face with a fetlock. "I don't think she'll make a lot of phone calls at random anymore..."

"That's good." The nurse nodded softly. She perked an ear at Libel. "You look like someone ran you over. She wasn't too rough, I hope?"

"No! No... she's... she's fine. She... just had to get some words out to a pony that wasn't there to get them out to." Libel stood back up on all fours. "I know you likely tried before, but give another try at drawing her out with the others. She might be ready now."

The nurse smiled, her own heart unburdened by whatever was bothering Libel. "That's lovely. We'll invite her to the bingo night tomorrow. That's always a hit."

"Did someone say bingo?" asked an old male voice.

"Not yet," she said in a gentle placating tone. "Tomorrow, promise."

Libel smirked a little at that. "I see. Thank you, for giving me this chance. Does this place have a business card?"

The nurse gestured a hoof at a small card holder. "Help yourself. Anything else I can assist with?"

"No... Thank you." She reached a wing for a card, snatching one and making her way out of the retirement home. She sank to her haunches with a weary sigh. "That..." She didn't finish the thought, shaking her head. She made a quiet mental note, then took to the air, heading to the office as she had promised to do.





Bottom looked up from her typewriter, a smile on her face. "I thought I heard you. I found that mare you were searching for."

"Thank you, but..." She approached and took the paper it was written on. "Just thank you. When you can, call the company she's working with and tell them that the calls should stop."

Bottom inclined her head to the left. "You look terrible..." She set her hooves down on the desk. "Do you need to talk to me in the friend context?"

Libel blinked softly. "Is it that easy?"

Bottom raised her hooves and made a box with them slowly. "This is work." She pushed the imaginary box aside. "We are now entering the friend zone. Watch your step, mind the gap. Here we are. Hello, Libel. You look upset. What happened?"

Libel smirked a little. "I'm certain my boss would be livid if he knew we were having personal little chats on his dollar." She glanced away and back at Bottom. "I found her... I talked to her. Turned out, she was trying to find a son of hers, one that was already dead."

Bottom winced at that. "How awful; but it does line up with where I found her information."

Libel blinked softly. "Where's that?"

"A newspaper clipping." She floated out a shred of paper. "A pony had gotten in an accident, his mother 'Long Gaze' was noted to be unavailable for comment. It led me down the rabbit hole towards finding her. I presume that... was his last accident."

Libel winced at that. "It was... uncanny... she was so torn apart. She didn't even know what was going on. She saw a strange pony, me, and just decided it had to be her missing son. She gushed out everything she had ever wanted to say to him, mostly apologies..."

Bottom's ears both turned backwards. "That... might have struck close to home."

"How do you figure?" Libel arched a brow. "I was... just shocked to have so much emotion being poured at me. I'm still shaken."

"Because you've never dealt with a mother that may be living with regrets." Bottom half-lidded her eyes, peering at Libel. "Because I'm sure you'll never be an old mare yourself, maybe wishing you'd put the wrongs to right before it was too late."

Libel took a step back.  "Miss Line!"

Bottom held up a hoof. "We are in the friend zone, Libel. You will address me as Bottom, or Bottom Line, not 'Miss Line'. If you wish to return to the workplace, simply let me know."

"Maybe I would prefer that!" She turned away with a scowl, steaming. She stormed off into her office, slamming the door shut behind her.

Bottom shook her head at the closed door. "Too soon," she quietly berated herself. It had seemed like a perfect time to broach the subject... She put her hooves on the keys of her typewriter and resumed her click-clack of work. Emotions or not, there were things to get done.

Libel sank into her chair with a weary sigh. Why was everything so... jangled? She picked up the phone with a wing. "Get the boss on the line." It took only a moment for it to be picked up.

"Word, what have you got for me?"

She forced a smile. They say you can hear one of those on a phone. She believed them. "Good news. The angry phone calls should stop, and with it, our opera singer should go back to singing classic tunes and not condemnations for our paper."

"Thank Celestia," he breathed out. "I won't even ask what you had to do. Thank you, and don't do that again. I don't need this kind of stress. You're my star editor, find these things before they end up costing us bits."

"Yes, Sir." He was, on some levels, beneath her, and yet he was her boss. Her lineage meant nothing. His comparative lack of lineage, also meaningless. "I won't let it happen again." The fact that she had disappointed him was only compounded. 

She had to do better.
> 41 - Busy Days
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Libel sat on her couch. On the tastefully arranged table pulled up beside it were two meals on two plates with cutlery provided. She wielded a fork attached to one of her wings. "Ugh, today..." she sighed out as she went for another bite. "Tell me yours wasn't as terrible."

Color lifted an ear at his... girlfriend? She was at least that, right? "I had a pretty good day." He lifted his shoulders as a spoon of his own food drifted into his mouth with his magic. "I'm sorry to hear yours wasn't as good. Do you want to tell me about it?"

"No!" She crossed her arms and grabbed some more food. "Ugh, this... I got yelled at by my boss. That is a disgrace saved for other ponies, Splashy. I did make a mistake, sure... But... I fixed it. It's fixed, and we can put it all behind us." She took a soft breath, trying to calm herself and doing a poor job. "And her! Arg!" She flopped against Color.

"Her?" He gently prompted, wondering what the full story was. "I mean, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but I am here. That's what dating ponies do, right?"

She suddenly smiled. "That's right. I have you, Splashy." She nipped at his closest ear gently. "None of what happened threatened that." She put one arm around him, drawing him closer. "So let's forget it, and you tell me what amazing things you were doing while I was suffering. Regale me with your victories. Did you sell another piece to a gallery?"

"I wasn't even looking," he admitted. "Celestia's commission has my full attention. I did visit the castle, to get more information." He did not dare to ask about what Libel was supposed to get. She seemed stressed enough at the moment.

"The castle?! Did you wear your best?"

He pointed, though there were no suits in front of them. "I wore 'I am a professional'."

"Good choice." She nodded with approval. "I gather it went well?"

"Yeah, I got an appointment to meet with the subject and see if I can't get some information straight from the pony's mouth. I'll also try to show him a nice time. He deserves that." He put a hoof behind his head. "From what I hear, he works a little too hard. Celestia is basically his everything in life. I'm not even sure how he managed to get a wife and kids."

"Work is life, eh?" She shrugged softly. "I know people like that... I... sorta drifted in that direction. That is not where I care to be." She nipped his ear again, squeezing him with the arm already around him. "Life is... too short for that."

"Yeah." He spent a good amount of time painting, but not all of it, clearly, or he wouldn't have ended up in Canterlot... Or with Color. "Say, we've been suiting a while..."

Her face took on a predatory caste as she glanced aside at him. "Oh, is my suitor chomping at the bit to move on to the next step? How indecent! Proper courtship lasts anywhere from six months to a year, though there are things that could... hasten it."

"Such as?" He perked an ear at her curiously.

"Well, if the mare were to start becoming round, then her parents are very likely to force the matter quite quickly while the matter can be concealed. Dates can be fudged after the fact, but no noble wants to have a child outside of a proper wedding, so that would end the courtship fairly instantly." She rolled a hoof softly. "Is that something you're hoping for?"

He went rigid. "While it would be an honor, um... No? You said you didn't want to have a foal. Is that the only way?"

"I'm glad you remember." She snorted softly. "Flying is one of my pleasures, and flying while fat is no fun at all. I've talked to other pegasi that have gone through it. You have to slow down, just the way it is." She leaned over and kissed his closer cheek. "Now, less tawdry... If the couple knew each other for a long period of time before the suiting began, then a short courtship can be forgiven. In fact... some were best friends before they started courting, and basically skipped the courtship period. They went from besties to engaged without much in the middle. Lacking glamor, but possible."

"Well, we have that?"

"Wrong." She booped him on the nose before smooching it, suddenly in his lap facing him. "We knew each other as foals. We're still learning how the other ticks as adults. Now, I happen to like what I see so far, but we have to see how we do sharing space for a little longer than we have so far."

He willed his spoon to rest on the table. The mare in his lap was far more pressing than dinner. "Well, I happen to like sharing space with you, Libel." He set his hooves on her midsection, smiling up at her. "We should share space more often."

She laughed at that, smirking down at him. "You'd love that, wouldn't you, randy little stallion. Save that for later... You can help me work off some stress before bed." She leaned in and touched noses gently. "For now, I just want to be close. You alright with that?"

"Perfectly." He let his hoof stray towards her back, drawing her closer. Snuggling with her sounded almost as lovely. That was part of the 'have a girlfriend' package, right? "Say, where's Day?"

"Hmm?" She glanced away. "I thought you had sent him away to make room for just us two. Hmm... Either out in the lawn, or visiting Bottom I should think."

He shrugged. "Either of those is alright. I thought you were the one that chased him away for the evening.  It's not like him to miss dinner call."

She licked his lips suddenly. "Well he's not here, so how about we just enjoy being able to do girlfriend and boyfriend things without his placid but lecherous gaze?"

"He's not that bad," Color laughed out, snuggling closer to Libel, feeling where her muscles were still tense. Trying his best, he gently kneaded at them. He was no professional of massage, but he gently pressed and rolled with his hooves, paying attention to how she reacted to his touch. "Today really was bad, huh?" She felt far more tense than he remembered.

"The worst," she groaned. "That reminds me. Your parents. I used to see them once in a while when we were just little things. How are they doing?"

"O-oh, well... dad's timer ran out, but Mom's doing alright."

Libel suddenly sat up. "He's gone?! He was such a sweet thing."

Color turned his ears back. "Being nice doesn't get you a ticket out of that. He... went surrounded by family, so it was a bitter-sweet thing. He went with a smile, so I... I'm alright." He almost asked where Libel's father was, but he remembered just in the nick of time. "It's not the kind of thing that ever... totally goes away? But it's like an old ache, not a new wound."

Libel stuck out her tongue. "Is that why old ponies are so slow? Covered with old aches from a thousand sad things built up over a lifetime?" She shook her head. "I'm getting philosophic and I'm too stressed for that. Snuggle me and shut up."

"Yes, Ma'am." He squeezed her close, nuzzling gently into her neck. She smelled nice... "So..."

"You never were good at shutting up." She nuzzled gently, melting against him. "Guess I should learn to deal with that. What's on your mind?"

"There's more good news, if you want to hear it?" He nipped her neck on the left side, sniffing gently at her.

"More? It's like your day was the perfect opposite of mine." She huffed as she sat up, drawing her neck away. "Tell me how destiny itself has blessed you. I could use more good news."

"I met Princess Luna." He smiled a little. "Formal, sure, but also pretty nice."

She swiveled her ears on him sharply. "You're not in jail, and you don't appear to be cursed, so I'm assuming you learned your lessons well."

"Does she do that?" he squeaked, imagining what horrors the proper princess could have inflicted.

"Unconfirmed," she admitted. "But  I will not be the one testing it. Now, what happened?"

"She saw the piece I did and I think she was a little jealous."

"Jealousy is good for business," agreed Libel with a sly smirk. "How did you take advantage of it?"

"She wants me to come back after I finish Celestia's piece."

"She did not!" She lightly bopped Color with a wing. "You got them both?! Splashy! I'm glowing green with envy." She burst into a fit of laughter. "It's too much! Color... I swear, fantastic! What sort of piece does she want? Something looking regal and stoic?"

"Warrior maiden, ready to fight," he corrected with a smile. "I sent her off to select what armor and weapons would be involved."

"How... antiquated." She leaned in a little. "Sounds perfect for her. I'm sure it'll look great. Color, I'm so sorry!"

He blinked at the sudden pivot. "What are you sorry about?"

"I have not a damn thing to offer for research." She put a  hoof on either of his shoulders, pinning him to the couch beneath her. "I spent all day dealing with.... rrg... I'm sorry! I'll work twice as hard tomorrow to make up for it. I did not bring you this far to become the anchor."

"No no, shhh, stop that." He worked up a hoof to set it on her snout over her lips. "Stop... You'll work on it tomorrow, but don't break yourself. You're a busy professional, I know that... If it has to wait for your days off, so be it."

"You're too nice." She leaned in, nuzzling the flat of his hoof gently. "Is it because I happen to be your mare?"

He colored swiftly. "Are you?!"

She tilted her head at that, drawing back. "I didn't... Oh, I suppose we are still courting... but there are gradients." She tapped her chin softly. "Yes, I'm alright with that. You are now my boyfriend, deal with it."

"Oh no!" he cried melodramatically. "Someone, save me. She's foalnapping me!"

"Call all you want, nopony will save you." She went for the throat, licking it gently as her teeth nipped carefully. "You're mine."

"Only if I get to have you back," he sighed out, gently working a hoof around her. "Libel... I think I may love you."

She paused, coloring and going stiff. "I... Splashy... let me work up to that." She coughed softly. "I like you a lot. Like... a lot lot... I'm sounding stupid. I'm sure any other pony would be happy calling this love and shutting up." She huffed. "More snuggles, less talk?"

He gently ran his hooves across her sides. "If I'm not quite at that level, then I'll have to try harder."

She smiled at that. "To think, you weren't even going to come here. Your friend had to act first, but now you're ready to go?"

"That happens a lot." He gently brushed her chest, mussing her fur. "You took that first step for me, showed me the path, and now I'm trotting along it on my own. Day took that first step, pointed it out, and I'll trot along this one too, with my own hooves."

"You have great friends, that's all I'm saying."

"And you're one of them." He smooched her on the nose gently. "One I want to keep close. One I'll protect."

"Oh, destiny, Splashy... Will you protect me?" She curled against him, slipping the top of her head against the bottom of his chin. "I could use some protection. Just hold me and keep me safe for a little bit."

The snuggling became less intense, but more intimate. He held her, close and dear, and they just sat like that.
> 42 - A Day Off
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day was on the lawn, watching the clouds drift by and enjoying the warm happiness of the garden around him. All the plants were quietly singing their joy. They soaked in the sun and grew and nothing was wrong with the world.

With a soft thud, a pegasus landed next to him. "Brother!" she cried. "I have terrible news."

He sat up, blinking at Derpy. "Hey, Muffins. What's got your feathers all out of alignment?"

She spread her wings wide. "Ponies are talking about your friend's girlfriend, Libel. They don't seem like nice things to say at all."

He tilted his head a little. "Talking about her is pretty normal, but bad things is... bad," he allowed, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "What kinda bad things?"

"They said she got some singer in trouble." She lifted her shoulders, turning up her forehooves in an expansive shrug. "I don't really get it."

"We'll fix it." He nodded placidly, rolling up onto his hooves. "That's what bros do."

"Yeah!" She pumped a hoof, looking excited. "I know where the mare is that's mad is."

"Great." He pointed towards the gate that led to the street. "Lead on. Let's go visit."

Derpy took off into the air, vanishing from sight almost instantly. Day calmly trotted to the gate and pushed it open. Derpy was on the other side, waiting for him. He smiled gently and they went off together, making their way through Canterlot to the opera house.

Soft music spilled from the ornate hall that contained the target mare. "She plays in there." Muffins pointed into the hall. "You haveta buy a ticket to get in though."

Day smiled placidly. "Don't worry about it, Bro. I'll be right back." He walked past her towards the hall. He didn't go towards the front, instead winding around to come in at the side. There he found a door about where he expected it and gave it a gentle rapping.

The door swung out suddenly. "Get lost, you..." The stallion that had shouted petered to a stop, peering at Day perplexedly. "You don't look like one of the regular hobos making a mess. You a new one?"

"Nah." Day shook his head softly. "I'm here to for the plants."

"Plants?" His eyes opened a little wider. "Oh! The plants! The display out front? C'mon." He waved a hoof inside and backed away from the door.

Day took the opening provided, walking in out of the alleyway. The door closed with a soft click behind him, keeping others that didn't belong from getting in. "Plants can be complicated to get right," he noted as he followed the other pony. "I'll need to look around to get it right, but let's start with the plants themselves."

"You one of those fang shooey sorts?" The other pony shrugged softly. "Never understood it, but whatever. If you can get them to stop drooping, you're doing it right." He reached into his chest and drew out a badge. "This'll get you around without fuss." He passed it back towards Day with a glowing horn.

Day dipped his head and was soon adorned with the new stage pass. "Thanks, Bro. Let's make some plants happy."

"Serious about your work? Always nice to see." The stage pony emerged from the narrow back hallways into a larger avenue heading towards the front lobby. "Thanks for not coming in through the front. Most new contractors rush in and get tangled up with the ticket booth, like they know anything about upkeeping anything."

"Not a problem." Day nodded softly, smiling gently. "Oh, is this them?" He hurried a little to approach a great garland display of flowers and stalks that occupied much of the front lobby. They were once dazzling, but much of the color had fled from the petals. "Harsh..." He could feel the misery from his plant kin. "Let's get to work."

"You can save it? Great. I thought they were going to send out new plants, to be honest. But if you can somehow salvage what we have, even better!" He gave a hooves up and trotted off towards other business. "Call me if you need something. Name's Back Stage. Everypony here knows me."

Day nodded at Back's retreating form as he reached for the wilted plants, gently stroking along the weak petals. "Not gone yet... Don't worry, I'm here," he whispered gently. He had other things to do, but ignoring plants in need? He couldn't do it. He whispered and cajoled. He followed along the display, murmuring encouragement and even nuzzling the plants, breathing bits of his own life and magic into the desperate plants.

The further he went, the more things began to shift. Starting from where he began, plants perked up, color slowly returning to them with each sweet word and gentle caress. When the growth reached the midpoint, it exploded forward, sweeping over the entire room in a sharp wave of color, making his eyes close against the momentary brilliance. "Nice..." The plants would live another day, and that pleased him.

Of course, there were other things to do, both involving and not involving the plants. He saw no reason he couldn't get it all handled. He walked calmly through the halls, his new pass bouncing off of his chest.

"Out of the way," barked an important looking mare, brushing past Day. "I have enough things going wrong, I don't need a backstage worker adding to it."

Day perked an ear at her. "Maybe I can help."

The mare frowned at Day. "This I sincerely doubt! My lead singer is being harassed by some old mare and is beside herself. We've had to stop all calls to her just to get a moment of peace! That infernal paper..."

Day nodded softly. "Sounds harsh. Who's the mare making all the phone calls?"

"Long Gaze," sighed out the important mare, huffing. "She's not shy about reminding anyone that picks up the phone that. Look, mister..." She peered at his badge, but no name was there. "Whoever you are. What are you doing?"

"I'm fixing the plants." He pointed back at the display he had just revived.

The mare leaned to the side, getting a peek of color. "Huh... not bad... Look, Tall Chief has a nice bouquet in her room, and she's not in it. Sneak in there and perk it up if you're so good at it. It'll help bring her around."

"You got it." He saluted sharply, though his hoof fell limply back to the ground. "Where is her room?"

The mare pointed the way. "Make it fast, before she returns. Now, if you'll excuse me..." The mare trotted away, muttering about other things that were wrong.

Day took his opportunity to slip over to the dressing room casually. Casual was a thing he was good at. He walked in as if nothing was out of the ordinary. "Woah." There was not a single bouquet. It was as if somepony, or perhaps a lot of ponies had sent flowers of many different colors and varieties. The room was littered with them. They were in all stages of decay from fairly fresh to barely-flower-like anymore.

He shook his head as he approached the closest one. "Better get to it..." It hurt his little placid heart, but he had to just throw away some of the flowers, beyond his help as they were. For the rest, he gently coaxed them back to life.

While he was tossing flowers, he saw a crumpled bit of paper in the waste bin. He reached in with his face and pulled it out, unwrapping it by smoothing it against a counter with a hoof. It was a phone number and labeled 'Trace Results'. It was addressed that day. "That's important..." He tucked the paper away, then finished working on the plants, filling the room with the colors and smells of vibrant life.

Tired and ready for a good nap, he slipped out just moments before the singer returned to her restored room.

He walked out the front door, predicting little issues with leaving, only entering. The ponies who worked there didn't challenge him. Some were even admiring the restored display. He wouldn't get paid for it, but he got stuff done, so he didn't see any reason to be that upset about it. "Bro."

Derpy perked her ears, smiling at his approach. "You're back! You look... really tired."

"Yeah, I am." He casually crashed next to her and leaned against his still fairly new sister. "I need to make a phone call. Where's the closest phone?"

Derpy stood up carefully and nuzzled under him, soon getting him onto her back. She began to amble along, with him laying across her top, facing backwards. "I'll take you to one," she promised cheerfully as she hurried about half a block away to a public booth.

She gently slid him down off her back into the booth. "There you go!" She closed the door and stood guard faithfully.

"How did I live without a sister?" he asked himself as he turned to the phone with a little smile. He really liked having one. He would have to tell mom the good news... He picked up the receiver and dropped a bit into the slot.

"Operator."

"Hey. Can I talk to the, uh... Canterlot... Canter, yeah, Canterlot Canter."

"Certainly, one moment." The phone went quiet.

Click. "Canterlot Canter! How can I direct your call?"

"Hey! Can I talk to Libel?"

"Libel? Oh! Are you a friend of Miss Word's?"

"Sure am." He nodded into the phone, not that it was seen. "Can I talk to her?"

"One moment..." Click.

Click. It was barely a moment. "Libelous Word's office, Bottom Line speaking, how may I assist you?"

"Bottom!" He smiled at the sound of his girlfriend's voice.

"Day! Look, you... really shouldn't be calling me at work. I can get in trouble for that!"

"It's not about that," he assured with a little smile. "I'm trying to help Libel. I have a phone number and a name, can you get more?"

"Huh? Oh, sure..." She dutifully took down the name and number. "What is this for?"

"I'm tracking the mare that's bothering that singer that's upset with Libel."

"You're joking. I've been hitting a wall all morning with that! I can't tell Libel you went and solved it on your own."

"Keep it a secret then. Consider it a gift."

"Here she is." There was a sound of paper rustling. "Long Gaze, here's an address." She gave it dutifully. "Lives in an old pony's home."

"Thanks. I'll make sure she doesn't know I beat her to the punch."

"Please. Thanks, Day. You're the best."

"I can't be."

"What? Of course you are."

"Nope. How can I be when you're busy being the best?"

"Day... thank you." There was a soft click.

Day hung up the phone and flopped back with a little happy smile. A knock stirred him. "Huh?"

"It's me," came Derpy's voice. "Other ponies want to make calls."

"Oh right." He emerged from the booth. "I have what we need, but we have to be sneaky."

"Sneaky?"

"Super sneaky."

"Super sneaky," she repeated, tapping her chin. "What do we have to do?"

He produced a paper with an address on it. "You have to get this info to Libel without making it obvious what it's for or how you got it. You're a mailmare, you hear things, right? Leave it at that."

Derpy accepted the letter, scanning over it. "Oh, hmmm, alright... Hmmm, I can do that. She's a friend of the family, so if this helps her, that's good."

"Yeah," he easily agreed with a little smile. "I'm trusting in you, Bro. Get this to her and everything will be happy."

Derpy bounced in place. "Sounds good! I'm on the case. Meanwhile, you go home. You look so tired!"

"Good idea." He turned towards Libel's house only to flop instead of walk.

Derpy sighed gently. "Brothers..." She would take him to her own room to rest, and she would deliver the message. Hopefully it would work out!
> 43 - Rebellious Muse
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Libel's workflow resumed. As awkward as that situation had been, things calmed down and she dived back into things. Life had gotten better again.

It was a shame the same could not be said for Color. He groaned, throwing down his brush with a mental fling of his magic. "Getting this right..." He aborted his malformed thought, sighing as he flopped against the back of the couch.

Day poked his head up from the front of the couch. "You're all tangled up."

"Yeah..." He waved a hoof at the piece, however little of it existed. "I learned all there is to learn, really, but what should I focus on? He led two intense lives and they really don't get along." He tapped his hooves together. "On one hoof, he's the workahalic guard that worships the ground Celestia stands on and would do anything for her." He tapped them again. "On the other, he's an amazingly devoted father and husband with a happy wife and descendants that's leaving a great grandfoal behind. The only person he doesn't seem to have time for is himself. Any day off is with one of these two things, usually his wife."

He grunted at that. "And that only because Celestia forces him away. He's everything but himself! How do you make a good picture of that? Should I ignore it?"

"Nah."

Color frowned at Day. "I'm giving you a chance to qualify that 'nah'."

Day wobbled a hoof in the air. "Draw him good, but kinda small. Make all the things he does bigger. Put his, you know, his family on one side, and all the soldier stuff on the other. It's all bigger than him, make it, you know, subtle? Make it like you're showing off, but if people..."

"Think about it, they'll see it." He hopped on his hooves with a smile. "You're a damn genius sometimes."

"It's a bad habit," sighed out Day, flopped on the back of the couch, watching Color resume his work.

"I wonder sometimes if Libel gets stuck like that..."

"Sure." Day nodded softly. "But she has a friend too."

Color perked an ear at that as he willed his brush to make gentle motions, creating his art. "Who's that? Have I met them?"

"Sure," Day repeated with a smile. "Bottom Line."

Color came to a slow stop, drawing his brush away. "My #1 friend is involved with the #1 friend of my girlfriend?"

Day shrugged softly. "Sure. Is that bad?"

"No! I mean... nah, as you'd say." He brought his brush closer. "I guess we're all friends... Just some of us do... more... and some of us don't. I feel like I should get to know Bottom better, besides as a helpful business associate."

"Sure." He smiled gently at Color's back. "We should go do something fun, maybe all four of us? Nah. If you want to know Bottom, you should meet her away from Libel first."

"Once I get this properly... started."

Things quieted to just the gentle noises of the brush dabbing up colors and spreading them onto the canvas.






They all sat around a table. It was not a restaurant table. It was not Libel's table.

Color had somehow gotten dragged back to his hometown. He wasn't at his own table though.

With absolutely zero room, he was pressed between Bottom and Day. "It's been a while," Color noted, smiling across the table.

Day's mother, Sunny, smiled radiantly. "Why have you been hiding? It's great to have you back. You get one picture somewhere fancy and you think you're just too good for us?" She looked happy despite her potentially worrying words. "And you brought the angel back from on high. Today's a good day!"

Bump, Day's father, shrugged softly. "Welcome back." He was pressed in just as tightly, the small table really not made for so many ponies and overflowing with food for them all. "Let's eat."

Bottom inclined her hear towards Color. "I wanted to visit again. We'll have time for personal chit-chat afterwards, promise."

Day bobbed his head in agreement. "The carnival's all set up!" he gushed, displaying an unusual amount of excitement. "How long has it been, Bro, since we went there?"

Color thought back. "Wow... it really has been a while. Do you think our friends may be there?"

"Maybe." Day shrugged as he reached for some food. "That'd be nice. Even if they aren't, carnival."

Bottom laughed gently at Day. "He's been going on about it. Is this carnival half as good as he remembers it?"

Color rolled a hoof, his cheating unicorn horn easily able to secure food while he did so. "It's more about the ponies you spend time with there. Alone, it'd be passable. But we won't be alone."

"Nah," agreed Day. "It'll be all three of  us. We'll have fun." His ears perked. "Hey, this will be the first time our group visits with enough bits to do whatever we want."

Color blinked, trying to process that. "Woah... you're right. It was part of the tradition that we had to carefully measure out what we did and what we got with what little we had... I... Wow."

Sunny reached across the small table easily, setting a hoof on Color's shoulder. "You look almost pale. Don't get carried away.  I hear naughty little ponies that get too wild at the carnival end up making asses out of themselves."

Bottom quirked a brow. "Neither of them seem to be the sort that would make public scenes in that manner."

Sunny tilted her head in return. "No, not like that, literal ones. It's just an old mare's tale, but I'm the oldest mare at the table so I'll tell it." She cleared her throat dramatically. "They say that ponies that lose themself at a special carnival risk losing it all. Given to hedonism in drink, revelry, and fun times without end, they may find themselves not being ponies anymore."

Color nibbled at his food slowly. "Aren't donkeys, you know, still people? It's not nice saying being one of them is a punishment."

Sunny waved that away. "No regular donkey. Imagine being one and you can't talk, or think, or do much of anything. You become a big dumb brute of an animal." She raised a hoof over her mouth to hide a dramatic gasp. "Wouldn't that be terrible?"

Day shrugged softly. "Maybe."

Bottom looked the least impressed. "I doubt the validity of that tale..."

Sunny grinned on, undeterred. "Well, if you see any donkeys there, staring with dumb eyes, maybe pulling heavy things, then you'll know to be careful. I'm not saying to not go, or to not have fun, just be mindful not to get carried away with all those bits there."

Color nodded softly. "I'll accept that as the cautionary tale it is. We shouldn't go totally nuts. Maybe we should even have a budget, like the old days."

Day stuck out his tongue a little. "I wanted to try just one without a budget. Please?" He clopped his hooves together. "Do a brother a solid."

Bottom reached across Color to push down Day's hooves. "Don't beg, it's unbecoming. I presume you are speaking of Color's bits, which means it is entirely his discretion how they are used, or not, and we should respect that."

Bump suddenly snorted. "Stop throwing wet blankets on them. They're grown up, they kin waste their money if they want."

Sunny shrugged her shoulders. "That's not how it works. I am the mother, and so long as I keep on breathing, that is what I'll be. You'll accept my attempts to keep you safe."

Color burst into laughter. "You're making that sound like a threat. Sunny, uh... shoot, it feels odd calling you that."

"Mom works," she suggested with her bright smile. "You three are my wonderful foals, no matter how large and important you become."

Bottom pointed up at herself, peering at the other unicorn. "I understand you've known Color Splash for some time, but..."

"Do you not want to be my foal?" Sunny looked upset at the idea. "I promise, I'm not taking you away from your other parents, you can have more than one set. It's easy." Her smile returned. "While you are here, you're my foal, and will enjoy everything I can get for you."

Day shrugged softly from the other side of Color. "I wouldn't fight her. She'll mother you."

"How terrible," spoke Bottom without much conviction. "Very well, if you want to be my mother while I'm here, I'll accept that."

"Fantastic." She clopped her forehooves. "Now, about that horn."

Bottom blinked rapidly before looking up at the portion of her horn that was in her field of view. "What about it?"

"Do you have to have a ring in it?"

Color felt his worldview crack. He had never noticed it until pointed out. Bottom did have a little ring. He had thought it was just a part of the spiral of her horn and not even thought about it, but looking with fresh eyes, he could see that it was a band of metal the same color as her horn. "Didn't that hurt?" He couldn't  imagine letting someone punch a hole through his horn.

Bottom cleared her throat softly. "I made that choice a long time ago, as a younger filly. Perhaps, if I had you around, I might not have made it, but it's a bit late now. I'm very used to it."

Day suddenly leaned over across Color, planting his lips right on Bottom's horn, kissing her ring. "I think it looks nice."

"Well, too late to do much about it," agreed Sunny, eyeing it and seemingly ignoring Day's sudden affection. "What led you to it though? You have a perfectly lovely horn all on its own."

Bottom waved it away with one hoof as the other nudged Day back where he had come from. "I had a punk phase. I had an entire outfit to go with it." She smiled a little, an awkward little expression. "Spikes everywhere... I had more rings, back then." She swatted lightly at one of her twitching ears. "I took those out."

Color was gawking at her ringed horn. "Those don't... heal. I guess you're stuck with it." He was still struggling with the idea of letting someone do that to his horn. "Didn't it hurt?!" he repeated.

"Terribly," she finally answered with a sigh. "I cried for hours, alone, where none of my friends could see. I didn't dare show my parents until the ring was put in and it was too late for them to do much but yell at me for doing it."

Sunny's smile faded. "That's... awful... I'm so sorry you had to go through that... I'm... sure you had your reasons, and you're still my daughter, ring or not. Forget I even said a word about it. It's part of you now, and I love every bit of you."

Bottom laughed gently. "You've only just become my mother, and you're already forgiving my flaws? I feel like we're doing this too quickly." She nudged against Color beside her. "Your turn. Admit to something awkward to free me."

Color sat up straight. "Oh! Awkward, um..." He had led such a... mostly normal foalhood. "When I was a little colt, I had a period when I was sure I'd become an astronaut. I had a space suit and everything and I'd run around with a fish bowl on my head."

"Aw, Bro. I wish I could have seen that." Day was smiling gently, casting no judgments.

"That was before we met," explained Color with a returned little smile. "When I got my cutie mark, that was a bittersweet moment. I was good at art... and would never go to space. I really wasn't sure how to feel about that, so I drew some mopey pictures about it."

Day put a hoof on Color's shoulder. "You could still get to space. Don't write it off."
> 44 - Carnival
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The three ponies trotted side-by-side down the wide village road. They were outside the town's limits, winding their way towards the lights and cheerful sounds of the carnival that spread out in front of them. Bottom had both her ears trained on it, watching it intently. "I've never visited a real country carnival before. Tell me what I should expect."

"Fun." Day nodded softly. "Stay with us."

Color smiled softly. "And watch out for donkies, if Sunny's right."

"Donkies, got it." Bottom shrugged softly, entirely unconvinced of that danger. "May I bother you, Color, for some bits? We've only just arrived but I see some soft things I'd like to buy."

Color followed her gaze towards a stand that was selling all manner of Equestrian critter, from ponies to manticores, all done up in cute fabric for hugging and enjoying. "Aw, that's cute."

Day moved in between Color and Bottom, leaning towards his stallion friend. "Pass me the bits so I can buy them for her."

"You realize I can hear you, yes?" Bottom smiled gently. "I appreciate the token though."

Color laughed softly as his horn glowed and a bag floated into view with a jingle.

It didn't get far before Bottom snatched it away in her own magic. "There's no reason to carry that so high." She glanced around as she pulled a few coins from within it, passing one to Day, then tucking the bag right back in Color's pocket.

Color blinked at that. "You look nervous. The ponies of this town are nice. Nopony's going to give us a hard time."

Day accepted his bit, dropping it from his mouth onto his hoof. His eyes widened a little. "This is not a single bit." It had too many zeroes...

Bottom raised a brow at that. "What were you going to do with a single bit?"

"Spend it carefully?" Day smiled a little as he tucked the bit away. "I'll need to turn that into smaller coins." He pointed to the stand with the toys of all manner of creature. "Oh look, maybe they'll have it." He ambled in that direction with an innocent whistle.

Color and Bottom followed along after him. A stallion stood to the side of the stand and gestured at it with a hoof. "Welcome, welcome!" he cried with a grin. "Here to get a little something for the lovely mare?" He waggled his brows towards Bottom, but his eyes were on Day at the front of the line.

Day closed the distance with a soft nod. "Yeah." He looked over the selection, eyes going up and down over the hanging plush toys. "That one." He pointed at a dangling grey form. It was a donkey with goofy eyes.

Bottom snorted out a half-laugh, restraining herself barely.

He surrendered the bit he had to the salespony, who almost tucked it away without looking at it, only to whistle loudly when he saw what he was holding. "Big spender!" The salespony circled around to a register and put the coin in, fetching out a great heaping hoof-full of change to replace it. "For the fancy pony."

Day colored softly. "Nah man. A good friend's treating me." He accepted the change though, tucking it away into his pocket with the jingle of coinage. "Go ahead, Bottom. It's yours now."

Bottom reached out for the donkey with her magic, pulling it closer and gently nuzzling it. "Hello there, you cute little ass. I'm adding you to my collection, are you alright with that? Yes? Fantastic!"

Color smiled at that, nudging against her once. "You have a collection?"

Bottom swiftly colored as if just realizing what she had said in what company. "Is that so wrong?!"

"Not at all." Color shook his head. "It's cute."

Day nodded in easy agreement. "Is that enough? We could get another..."

Bottom tucked her doll away. "This is how you get carried away. Let's enjoy other things, maybe come back later if something catches our eye. One doll for the doll pile is just fine to start."

Color smirked a little as they moved in past some hoop games, ponies tossing hoops at bottles with flicks of their head. "You know,this means we found the donkies."

Day glanced towards where the doll had vanished. "It did have pretty stupid eyes."

"Oh no," dramatically cried Bottom. "We're doomed!" She raised a hoof to adjust her glasses lightly. "Now, will the two strapping stallions with me care to compete for a kiss?" She pointed to the hoop game.

Color swiftly colored. "Bottom! You two are already a thing. I wouldn't dare!"

Day nodded softly. "And he has a mare. She's the jealous kind too."

"I know who she is, and you two will play along and have fun." She looked to the mare running the hoop toss stand. "Get these two some hoops. We have a game to play!"

"You heard the mare." The carnie mare shrugged even as she set down two small stacks of hoops. "No magic." She was glaring at Color as she said that. "Practically cheating. No stepping past the line either. A nice smooth toss and if you get it to stick to the bottle, you get a prize." Her expression deepened into a lecherous smirk. "Though it looks like you already got one coming."

Laughing nervously, Color advanced to take the first hoop in his mouth, clenched in his teeth. "No hard feelings, right?"

"This is her idea, not yours," assured Bottom as he took up another. "I didn't know I was with that kind of mare."

A hoop sailed through the air, unleashed by Color with a flick. Even as it soared he wondered how badly a unicorn could cheat if they really wanted to. He couldn't even finish the thought before the hoop came back down, just to bounce off the lip of a bottle, clattering to join so many other failed hoops.

"Is that the best you have?" taunted the carnie mare, her bright colors jostling in her movements. "Give it another try. I know you have better hiding in there."

Day swayed his head up and down, the hoop swinging back and forth in his mouth. On the fourth sway, he let go and the hoop arced up and away, spinning around back towards himself as it went. It landed straight on the bottle, but struck with the circle facing Day, bouncing off the top and plummeted down to join Color's.

Bottom shook her head. "Get your act together, boys. I know you can do better."

The carnie mare smiled at Bottom brightly. "What a spicy lady. Why don't you show these colts how it's done?" She set down a new little pile of hoops and gestured at it. "Go on."

Bottom stepped up to the pile and plucked up one with her magic only to transfer it to her mouth. "I hope you're ready to be embarrassed." She gave a quick flick, but it wasn't just her hoop that went flying. Her glasses soared right along with it.

The hoop sailed right over all the bottles, hitting the back of the tent with a soft thump, sliding down to  join others that had gone too far. Her glasses didn't get that far, coming down in the second right, adorning a bottle like the glass had a vision problem that Bottom had been trying to address.

The carnie mare burst into laughter. "That doesn't count," she jovially noted as she moved to fetch the glasses carefully. "Here you are. I know that's exactly what you meant to do."

"Of course," laughed Bottom, accepting her glasses in her magic and getting them back on her snout. "Now, while she says it doesn't count, I have to argue. I say mine is the closest so far, so you'd better step up your game, you two."

Color tilted his head. "We're counting your glasses for closeness?" As soon as the carnie mare had moved, he released his second throw. The hoop snagged the top, but limply hung there instead of falling onto the neck as required. "Close..."

"Really close," agreed Day with a smile. "Let's see..." He placidly stood there, considering his move.

Rather than wait, Color took his third of four hoops and launched it. It was just a little too strong, landing behind the bottle he was aiming for. He clopped the ground in frustration as he reached for the last hoop.

Bottom put a hoof over her face, holding her glasses back as she willed her second hoop into her mouth. She made a much  more demure toss and the hoop bounced off the first row.

"Mmm..." Bottom began to sway, the hoop going back and forth, rotating with the rest of him in a counter-rhythm.

Color perked an ear at his friend, watching him sway back and forth a moment. He didn't seem to be stopping. "I'll just... make my last throw." He gave a flick and the hoop sailed to the right, bouncing off a bottle in the third row. "Aw..."

Bottom picked up her third and lobbed it, getting just after the first row instead. "Closing in..."

Day opened his mouth mid-sway and the hoop went twirling away, dancing in air as gracefully as the pony that launched it wasn't. It hit the neck of the bottle and kept rotating, sliding right on, but too powerfully, it bounced up and off. "Close..." He reached for his third hoop.

Bottom smiled at that. "We're both closing in. Which will be the first?" She picked up her last hoop, eyeing the first row. "What do you get for the first row?"

The carnie gestured at the smallest toys and balloons. "Easiest bottles, smallest prizes. That's the way the hoop flies."

She considered her angle and let the hoop go. It hit the neck and seemed ready to fall but its momentum made it bounce back, flopping down artlessly. "Shoot..." She shrugged softly. "Tried."

Day had the last hoop of them all and was already swaying back and forth and back and forth. He released the hoop and it went flying not towards the bottles, but at the carnie. It landed right on her covered head, revealing a lump as it adorned her previously concealed horn. "I think I win."

The carnie's teeth set even as she forced a laugh. "I'm not a bottle... but I suppose I'll give you something." She brushed the hoop away, resuming her appearance of an earth pony. "You can pick any prize from the mid-tier." She gestured at the prizes that were neither small nor huge.

Bottom smiled gently. "I wouldn't want one of those huge ones anyway." She leaned in towards Day. "Good eye. I didn't even notice it... Can I have... that one?" She pointed to a stereotypically carnie-dressed pony. "To remember the day."

The mare laughed as she went to fetch it down. "Is that your subtle way of noting you like what you see? Not while I'm duty, precious."

Day reached out a hoof to accept the prize, but was stunned suddenly. Bottom had planted a big wet kiss on his cheek. "O-oh."

"You did win," she reminded. "That was fun!" With a glowing horn, she took the doll from the carnie. "Let's find a... slightly less rigged game."

Color puffed out his chest. "Oh, that's easy. Find the ones that don't have prizes. No prizes, no reason to tilt the odds in their favor."

Despite his advice, Bottom was veering towards a stallion dressed as a gypsy with a crystal ball. A sign read beside him 'Will guess your age and tell your fortune, 1 bit.'

"Just one bit?" Bottom approached eagerly. "I'll take that. Come on. Let's see what destiny has in store for us."

Day followed along happily, still floating from his sudden kiss.

Color looked more skeptical. "He's just good with ponies. It's rigged in a different way."

"So cold," spoke the gypsy stallion. "Come, sit. Allow me a chance to prove myself before you write me down as a fraud. I can hear the whispers of the next world, and they have much to tell me about all of you." He gestured to a tin with a picture of a bit on it.
> 45 - Answer Unsure, Ask Again Later
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

They sat down on the stools provided, facing the fortune telling stallion. "I am glad you have agreed to walk this path with me." They had dropped bits into his can, and he seemed ready to continue. He had no visible horn, though he wore a great hat on his head as part of his seer outfit that could have concealed one. No wings.

"Let us start with the one most eager." He looked to Bottom intensely. "From so far away." He perked an ear, cocking his head as if he heard something. "What's that? Canterlot? I doubt that, my friends. Who would come from so far away just to see me?"

Bottom burst into airy giggles, adjusting her glasses. "Your 'friends' are correct. What else are they telling you about me?"

Color rolled his eyes. "You're one of the fanciest dressed mares here. It was Canterlot or Manehattan."

The gypsy ignored Color, his eyes on Bottom. "They whisper a number. Two hundred and fifty six, light for a mare your size."

Bottom blushed softly. "Your friends are uncannily close... What else?"

The gypsy brought his hooves together. "I must congratulate you."

She tilted her head. "What for?"

"Your wedding, of course." He inclined his head towards Day before blinking. "Oh, that is to come, not here yet. My apologies."

Bottom's cheeks darkened all the harder as she glanced away. "We're not at that point."

"To come, not here yet. I misspoke." He dipped his head. "Still, my congratulations remain."

Day seemed to surface from his thoughts. "Hm? I'm not proposing to you at a carnival."

"Please don't," she easily agreed, a smile growing. "That would be too much."

The fortuneteller looked to Day. "Shall we move on to you, good sir?"

Day jumped in place. "Huh? Oh, sure, already paid."

"With my bit," noted Color with a little snort.

"Bit's a bit." Day nodded. "Show me the future."

The fortune teller waved his hooves over his crystal ball, fondling it lovingly as he gazed at Day. "Hm. Hmm... Three hundred, almost even?"

Day waved a hoof away. "Yeah yeah, I could step on a scale. Future please."

Bottom leaned in. "How close was he?"

Day's snout wrinkled a little. "Close enough."

"A local," interrupted the seer. "Your line has dug deep into this town, but you have ventured far from the tree you dropped. I see a regal pony, the most regal, looming large, but she is not focused on you, curious..."

Color quirked an ear at that. "Huh?"

The seer focused on Color suddenly. "Ah, that is where they are looking, mmm, yes, two, I feel certain..." He tapped his hooves on either side of the crystal orb. "But your friend is involved, I feel certain. They are quite unspecific... Matters of such powerful ponies always becomes hazy."

Color flattened his ears. Nopony but his closest friends would know about his direct dealings with the princesses, right? What evidence had he worn to even hint at the idea?!

"Your fortunes, revealed!" He did a circle around the orb with a hoof. "Now, would you like any other folk magics? I can hex someone who owes you bits, if you like."

Bottom snorted at that as she rose to her hooves. "There are no ponies I would wish such a petty revenge on."

Day tilted his head at that. "Huh, I'll be helping Color out? I coulda guessed that." He fell down to all fours as well. "Thanks."

As they wandered away, Color looked the most numb, his eyes unfocused.

Day bumped him. "You never got your weight."

"Yeah..." He shook his head. "Forget that. Want to give that a go?" He pointed to a hammer resting beside a long pole with a bell at the top. "No prize for winning, so..."

"Sure." Day ambled towards it. "You're going with the horn, right? No fair otherwise." Bottom knew he was stronger if it was hoof to hoof.

Bottom peered at the two stallions curious. "This a contest you do often?"

"Every carnival," easily agreed Color as he willed the hammer into the air. "What'd I get last time... Low 7s if I recall." He brought the floating hammer back. "Let's see what time has brought me."

Day picked up a second hammer, the only other in the area. "That sounds right. Give it your best shot."

Down came the hammer, driven by the glow of Color's magic, smashing into the pad and propelling the weight upwards. It had no hope of reaching the bell at the top, slowing gently to a stop and starting back down. "Aw..." He had scored just short of a seven.

Day advanced on it, the hammer clenched in his mouth. "Just because you're doing art doesn't make your magic stronger." He tossed the hammer up, caught it in his teeth and slammed on the pad with a hoof instead of the hammer. The weight flew up, close to nine without hitting the bell, then came back down to a stop. "Still got it."

"My hero," laughed Bottom as her magic took the hammer away from Day, plucking it from his teeth. "You might hit the bell if you actually use the hammer."

"Nah." He shook his head. "My legs are way stronger than my neck."

"If you say so." She weighed the mallet in her magic, hefting it up and down with a little frown. "Let's give this a try."

Color shook his head. "Don't strain yourself. It's harder than it looks."

"I know how to use my horn." She huffed softly, then brought down the hammer in a smooth arc, smashing into the pad and sending the weight up. 1, 3, 5, 6... 7... It stopped a little past seven, coming back down from whence it came. "Not bad."

"You beat me." Color smiled ruefully. "I'm the weakest one."

Day shrugged. "Mares can be strong, and unicorns use their minds. Bottom has a really good one of those."

"You flatterer." She bumped him gently and set the hammer back beside the pole. "There's more fun to be had, let's go."





Libel tapped the top of a table lightly. Sure, Color had asked her, more informed her, that he was going off with Day and Bottom... Still... "They could have invited me..." A multiple day trip to the country? That would have been a nice vacation.

That she would never get approved in such short warning.

If she didn't like Bottom, as a friend, she wouldn't have gotten it either... "But how could I say no?" Bottom had been so good to her, of course she just said yes when she was approached about it...

Shame that didn't really work on the next level up. "And I just fouled things up." There was no way her boss was feeling that generous towards her. She had to earn that standing the hard way, which left her at home, working, alone. "I bet they're having so much fun..."

She set her hooves down on her typewriter, but pushed it away after a moment of staring. "Forget it.  I'm doing it." She snatched her phone with a wing. "I'm ordering that thing and I'll be a pro before they even get back." That'll teach them!





It arrived at her home by the time she went home that night. She ripped open the box eagerly and there it was, all shiny and polished. It had... so many keys. Her eyes wandered from one to the next as her wings gently brushed over them. It was so... pretty, and alien.

She depressed the 'I' key. With a loud clack, something happened. "Maybe I should read the instructions..."

She pulled the tome of the instructions free and let it fall to the table beside the beast. "Now let's see..."

Libel soon had paper loaded properly into it, and the ink ribbon was set in carefully. All the various levers were in the correct position, though most, it seemed, would remain just fine without her messing with them, more of a one time setup. If she were a writer, she would have to mess with them more often.

She felt ready. T... H... I... S... She hit the space bar. I... S... It was so slow, she frowned. She had seen ponies typing so very quickly with such a thing. Why was her typing so infuriatingly slow?!

She checked the manual in case it had advice. As it turned out, it did, a section on typing stances and practices. She soon had her primary feathers where it said would be easiest to reach the most keys. "And then..." She read on and it began to emphasize that the greatest increase to speed came with time and practice.

"Right..." No shortcuts. There was no friendly contact she could call that would just impart the physical knowledge of how to type fast. She pulled over a small book, her first novel. "Let's start with what you know."

She began transcribing the novel for practice, eyes trying to stay on the paper, but constantly drifting down to see where each given key was. Practice... She needed practice...

The next day, she brought the typewriter with her, slung to her side, as heavy as it was. Others gawked at her as she strode confidently to her office with it. She replaced the old keyboard with the new one and sat down. "Let's get to work."

And so she worked. It was slower. Oh, Celestia have mercy, it was slower, but she was doing it. She was slowly gaining the skill she needed with visions of how much faster she'd be when she finished mastering it.

Her phone rung suddenly. Her wings shot out to either side in surprise before she curled one in to grab the phone. Bottom wasn't there to get it for her. "Libelous Word speaking."

"Libel." It was her boss. "People are talking about you swapping to one of them multi-key models? I didn't know you knew how to use those."

She had hoped to practice more before he questioned her about it,  but it wasn't as  if she could fly with that massive thing... "They're made for pegasi," she retorted. True, she heard, not that it made her any better at it so far. "I'm on the case. I'll have the article spot-checked and marked up by lunch."

"You better. We'll have a second round to be sure." The line went dead.

Libel sagged. They'd have another editor check her work? It was a sign of a complete lack of faith... Of course, she had just messed up, and she was using a new typewriter.

She shook it off with a soft huff. She had to regain that confidence, and it started by working. She got back to typing and reading, even if the typing was slower. "At least I have to be careful." She had no choice but to check each letter as she did them, still learning the layout of the keys. Her speed would suffer, but her accuracy would benefit, she decided.

In the end, she double-checked her own work before turning it in. Not a single mistake could survive. She would not turn in less than perfection, not then. She just couldn't afford it. She arrived at his office at about one PM to drop off the finished paper. "I'll be at lunch."

"You're taking a late lunch." He grabbed the papers in his magic. "You were either being very careful or..." He tucked it away on his desk. "Have a nice lunch."

That was that, she was dismissed. Not even a thanks. She didn't deserve thanks just then, she quickly decided. If she were less than she was, she could have been fired to avoid dealing with the issue and no tears would have been shed. She nodded to her boss and departed without a word. There were no words that would smooth tings, just work.

She had to be perfect. Anything less would drag her name through the mud and her career with it.
> 46 - Tadaima
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Color willed the door open, laughing. "The look on your face."

"I did not have a look," defended Bottom, following him along with Day. She was smiling despite her awkward appearance. "I finished second place, you can't say that's a bad display."

Day shook his head slowly. "Beaten in an eating contest, by you? I still can't grasp it."

They all moved in as one to find Libel sprawled out on the couch in her best Day impression. Her face was buried in an arm folded across herself. Day and Bottom shared a look, then just turned around and left, leaving Color behind.

Color shot a glare at their retreating forms, then sighed softly. With a renewed smile, he dared to approach. "Hello, Libel... did things... how did things go?"

Libel did not look at him, keeping her face in the crook of her elbow. "Hard and slow... Welcome back."

"Good to be back." He set down a bag of things on the table there at the couch before moving to her side, though still on the floor. "Want to tell me about it?"

"No."

"What if I ask really nice?"

"It better be exceptionally nice."

He decided to be bold, a dangerous tactic around upset mares, he knew, but he felt confident in the moment and went for it. He nuzzled her arm away gently, revealing her face. She looked so... frustrated. He ignored it and instead pressed his nose to hers. "I would like to hear how my favorite mare was while I was rudely away."

She attacked, nipping his nose gently followed by a little lick across the same. "I want a hug from my suitor. Can I have one of those?"

"You hardly needed to ask." He slipped up onto the couch. "But I'm glad you did." He slid in across her belly, his arms going around her to draw her close. He still wanted to know what had happened, but he didn't press.

Things became quiet, but warmer. The tension ebbed gently under the overwhelming power of gentle snuggles shared between the two. "Did you have fun?" she finally asked, breaking the silence.

"Not as much as I could have if you were there." He kissed her cheek gently. "But I'm back and you're here, so it's getting better."

"Thank you... but seriously... you had fun?"

"Yeah." He nibbled gently at an ear. "I'll tell you about it if you tell me how it really went."

"There you go, driving he hard bargains." She wrapped her wings up around him. "I bought a typewriter."

He quirked an ear at that. "That doesn't sound traumatic."

She smirked at that. "It's a top of the line model, over fifty keys..."

"Oh..." He nuzzled gently at her cheek. "Is it that hard?"

"It's maddening." She huffed out a low sigh. "But I'm learning...  I refuse to give up."

"Good. Don't." He pushed his head under her chin, snuggling with her. "I know you can handle a typewriter. So... what else happened?"

"That wasn't enough?"

"That wouldn't have you here." He hugged her gently. "We're working on knowing each other, and being there... Let me be there, please?"

"Splashy..." She lifted an ear at him. "I put out the fire with the mistake I made shortly before you all ran off to have fun, but I'm feeling that burn, and my boss is riding me... He won't let it go, and it seems more and more clear he's lost faith in me. I thought 'hey, just buckle down, do hard work, it'll blow over', but it's not improving. It's not getting better."

Color sat up on her, looking down at her. "Sounds rough, and unfair... What was the mistake again?"

She grunted softly. "I shortened someone's name and it drew the attention of a crazy old mare that drove the person to a fury and then she took it out on the paper, and I got baked for it. I calmed down the old mare and the person she got mad, but..."

"Your boss is still upset." He sat back a little, his weight on her hips. "If you fixed the problem you  made, shouldn't that be the end of it?"

"In a perfect world, Splashy." She stretched out under him. "In a perfect world... He doesn't trust that I won't make a similar mistake again."

"His loss."

She frowned at him. "Did I mention he's my boss? That makes it my loss."

"So?" He leaned in, touching noses with her. "So what? You're more than him. You'll always be more than him."

"Ugh, Splashy... I know that. He's... I know that... That doesn't make him not my boss."

"Only you can do that."

"What?" She sat up, forcing him back. Soon they were seated facing each other.

"Only you--" He pointed at her. "--can make him not your boss."

She frowned at him. "I worked hard to get this high on the ladder. I'm not even done climbing. I want his chair. I deserve it. I'm a Word, damn it all." She thumped the couch with a muffled impact. "I will not let this throw me off course."

"And what course is this?" he asked without the excitement she was feeling. "Who told you to aim for the top of the paper?"

She rolled her ears back. "Mother secured the first job for me... I was a small-time writer fresh out of school... I didn't know where to start, so I took it."

"And you did great with it," Color hastened to note. "Fantastic... but this doesn't have to be where it ends."

"What, exactly, are you suggesting, Color? No more allusions or implications, be level with me." She thrust a hoof at him. "I will not live off my-- the inheritance I have not even received yet."

He nodded softly. "And you shouldn't, I agree. Libelous Word, what are you?"

"An editor?" She hiked a brow at him.

"That's a job. What are you?"

"A pegasus?" She shrugged softly. "You're losing me here, stop trying to be symbolic."

"Fine..." He fell forward, bonking his head on hers, avoiding prodding her with his horn. "You are a Word, a writer. Words are your plaything, to be used to create and fascinate as you see fit. It's in your blood, and I know you're not ashamed of that."

"That's all well and good, Color... but it doesn't give me a thing to do." She reached up with her hooves, one on either of his shoulders and gently nudged him back. "I like working with words, no secret there."

"So do that." He hopped down from the couch. "Stop working for other people who don't see how amazing you are. Start making ponies work for you instead."

She quirked an ear at that. "You want me to invent a competing paper? The one I'm with has a fairly strong hold on the market, Splashy, even if I wanted to start down that road."

"Forget the paper." He threw a hoof wide. "Write words! It's what you do. Write a book. Fiction, not fiction, don't care. Only you should, and whatever it is, it'll be great."

"But... I edit..."

"Because that's where you ended up." He suddenly took off, leaving her there.

She peered at the space that once held him. "Splashy..."

He returned with a book floating along beside him. He set it down gently right in front of her. "You know what this is?"

"I was copying it two days ago," she sighed, recognizing her novel easily. "What about it?"

"You won awards." He hopped back up onto the couch. "People liked it."

"I won a few small-time awards that my mother went out of her way to push for. It never became a top seller, Color." She crossed her arms as she sat in a pout there on the couch. "What does that prove?"

"It proves that you did great for your first book." He reached over and tapped at the book. "You think my first painting won tons of awards or sold for thousands of bits?"

"Of course not." She smirked at him wickedly. "Even if it was perfect you would have sold it for two bits until I drilled some sense into you."

"Point taken, but mine still stands. Practice is the only way. You have the talent. What are you passionate about? Write about that. Be the boss."

"Color, it's not that easy..." She nudged the book off the couch with a gentle tapping of a hoof. "You write a book, then you have to find a publisher willing to back it up, advertise it, and really push it."

His brows fell as a smirk developed. "You mean you have to do more than just create and hope success comes to you? Where have I heard that before?"

"You just have to talk to gallery owners!" Her wings spread out wide as she glared at him.

"And you will have to talk to publishers. It's the same thing in the end. You have to stand in front of a pony that may not care and make them care about what you spent time making, what you feel really strongly about." He leaned forward. "But you'll do it like I did it."

"I'll get a proper suit? I have those, Splashy."

"Not that." He smiled a little. "With the support of friends... I bet if you asked Bottom, she'd jump ship with you in a heartbeat. She'd be a great secretary, editor or writer. You two already get along so well."

Her jaw worked, lips closed, thoughts racing. Having Bottom working for her and her alone, with no other ponies involved? Dared she even dream of such things? She shook her head free of such thoughts. "You know, most stallions don't actively encourage their marefriends to get closer to a mare they find attractive... who also has a boyfriend."

He quirked an ear at that. "As you just mentioned, she has a boyfriend, and that boyfriend is a dear friend of mine. I don't feel threatened by her, should I? I mean... she's been nothing but good, to both of us. If you can bring her to a better place, where she's more free to be who she is, everyone wins, right?"

"Stop being reasonable." She poked him on the nose. "Even if I decided your idea was amazing, I would be obligated to give a notice of my departing. I will not be remembered as a quitter, just up and departing in the middle of workflow as if she had no concept of civility."

"Then do that." He hopped down from the couch. "And, did I mention the best part?"

"There's a best part?" She hiked a brow as she stepped down after him. "What's the best part, Splashy?"

"You will not have to ask your mother for support. You have a boyfriend who would be delighted to return the favor his girlfriend gave to him. Libel, I want to be your angel this time. Let me help you get where you want to be."

She lifted a hoof and booped him right on the snoot. "That is undeniably sweet, but I have savings. Being lead editor doesn't pay entirely in goodwill and cupcakes. Even if I did quit tomorrow, which I will not, I would not suddenly become poor."

He rubbed where he had been booped. "You just finished saying becoming a real writer takes real work. But we're not starting from nothing. We, together, can publish your book. We can advertise. We can get it on bookshelves. The Libelous Word wrote a book and you have to have it!"

She dared a little smile. "That would be something... Look, Color... Thanks. I feel a little better, but I'm not ready to take that leap." She started for the kitchen. "Right now, I want to heat up something to eat, go to bed, aggressively appreciate my boyfriend, then sleep. You alright with that battle plan?"

"Reporting for duty, ma'am!" He trotted after her, content with his place in that scheme.
> 47 - A Quiet Victory
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

She took a soft breath, looming over him easily, but her eyes were on the canvas, not him. "I... see."

That was not the response he expected... That was not the gasp of excitement or the gushing of emotions... Color swerved an ear towards the princess. "Do you... like it?"

"I hate it," she flatly admitted. "But... it is so very true." She reached out a hoof, gently brushing it along the edge of the painting. "I... may I vent? To hear the lamentations of a princess is more than some would care to bear, and I would not force it on you, dear painter."

Color shook his head quickly. Refuse her?! "No! Please..."

"You're being nice." She gestured at the painting. "Much like him... He put me first. He put everything first, except for himself. I smiled and did... not enough to dissuade it. He reaches his final days, and--"

"--and," cut in Color with a nervous smile. "--he has a loving wife, children, grandchildren... He has led a full and wonderful life. It was always busy, but he decided to be busy, and he... really is only sad that it has to end, and nothing else."

"Yes..." Celestia shook her head slowly. "I suppose that is true... In a fashion... Color Splash."

"Yes?"

"I want you to burn this painting."

He didn't know how to respond. His limbs stopped moving. He wasn't sure he was breathing.

"I will pay you. You did exactly as I asked..."

He could hear her, distantly. He tried to come to the surface, internally floundering.

Something soft touched him and he jumped, bumping against the wing that had fallen over him. Celestia had gently draped a wing across him. There was no one else there. This was a private thing with the princess. "I..." This was a masterpiece, he had felt. Worthy of hanging next to the first he had sent to the castle... "Must I?"

"I have asked an unreasonable thing." Her horn glowed, lifting the painting from where it rested. "I will take it. You did very well, my creative little pony. Please know that I have only admiration for your skill, even if the end result is too painful to look at."

She was going to take it, and just burn it where he couldn't see it. His horn flared to life, fighting with Celestia's magic. "Please, don't!"

Celestia set a hoof on his shoulder. "Allow me this one rudeness..."

His magic limply fell away. "Please..."

Celestia set the painting down gently beside the stand it was originally on. She turned to him. "This is too private. You have seen too clearly...  painted a portal to a world I do not wish to see, and others simply should not. It must be removed."

Color's ears perked atop his head. "Why not give it to him?"

"Pardon?"

"This." He gestured to the painting. "Give it to him, let him have it. It's his life, it's not a secret to him."

She smiled gently. "To see such intimacy painted by a pony he scarcely knows?"

"We talked!" he squeaked out. "We had lunch, and talked, a lot..."

She raised a brow. "Then... I will leave it in your hooves. Present it to him. If he accepts it; very well. Otherwise... I must have your vow that it will be turned over directly to me. Will that suffice?"

Before he could reply, a gilded hoof settled over his snout. "You must swear this." She drew the hoof away, looking towards him.

He took a slow breath. "I will show this to him and offer it. If he does not take it... I'll wrap it up tight and bring it to you. I swear this."

She dipped her head. "I am a demanding princess at times... Forgive me." She rose to her hooves. "I will consider you for happier pictures, ones that would delight me. You are too keen to create dark things."

He stuttered softly as she left, walking out with the same poise she had entered. With dazed eyes, he looked back at the painting. It showed a younger pony in a guard's outfit. He had drawn him with his natural colors, not the ones imposed by the armor.

The soldier's eyes shined with determination and pride. They'd never lose that glow. Even in his advanced age, he was so very proud to be what he was...

Color sighed gently, willing the phone off the hook. He had calls to make, and a soldier to meet.





"Bottom, workload up." She patted the outgoing bin gently.

The papers in it lifted without Bottom coming into view. They casually floated out towards the secretary. "Very good, Miss Word. I'll have it in the right hooves within ten minutes." There was a pause, some papers shuffling. "How's the typewriter feeling? It sounds faster."

"It is," Libel crooned with pride. "Not as fast as I want to be, but faster. When it's eight times the effort to type with the binary keys, you only need to get so much faster to beat your old records." She grabbed a sheet of paper and fed it into the machine carefully in a display of hoof and wing coordination.

"I'm glad to hear that." The click-clack of binary keys drifted in. They sounded different than the multi-key model, Libel had learned. "There's a staff meeting soon, you asked me to remind you."

"Perfect." Libel stood up from her seat, leaving the loaded paper. "I finished just on schedule. I'll be off to that. Bottom, get that where it needs to be, then enjoy a nice lunch."

"Aye aye." She was saluting at Libel went past. "Try to stay awake."

Staff meetings were rarely very energetic. A lot of self-important ponies rambling about what was on their mind and how they should do better and work harder to sell more papers. If only they could know the true flame of team spirit, it would all work out...

Libel strode with purpose and was not alone. Other ponies were headed for the same place, past double doors into a conference room. The projector was set up, ready to display whatever image was placed on it up on a blank wall. Nothing but boredom usually resulted. She ignored it in favor of joining her co-workers. "Any idea what the key notes are today?"

"Libel!" The unicorn mare from public relations was there, smiling at Libel. "I don't... oh, it wouldn't be there." Her eyes fell from the horn that Libel didn't have to her forehooves. "No ring yet. The way you keep going on about that boyfriend of yours, I was expecting one."

Libel felt a smile coming on. "Don't tempt me... We're doing it right, and the courtship continues. So, any hints on what we're here for?" And why it needed their lead editor and their customer service mare in the same room would be nice to know.

"Something big, I bet. They dragged almost everyone in here." She shrugged softly, gesturing at the rapidly filling room with a waving hoof. "Oh, how's the typewriter working out? That's one of the new ones, isn't it? With the easy carriage return?"

Libel was reminded why she liked that mare. Every other word made her want to smile all the more. "It's smooth as silk and twice as expensive. I love it! My typing speed took a hit, but it's rebounded back harder than ever and I'm still getting better."

"Everyone--" All eyes turned to see the boss at the front of the room, striding in with a forced smile. "--glad you could all make it." Not that they had much choice if they wanted to continue being employed. "The paper has been growing faster than ever before, and it's thanks to the ponies in this room." He sat down and brought his forehooves together.

The action was enough to spur on others to applaud, clopping hooves or stomping the floor, soon just about everyone applauding the good fortunes of the paper.

"In fact," he continued, holding up a hoof for quiet. "We've grown so fast, Canterlot can't hold us." Confused murmurs began to rise in the crowd. "We're expanding." The whispers grew more intense. "I need some of you to help open a new branch in Baltimare."

Libel clenched her teeth lightly. She had no particular desire to move to Baltimare, and made no motion to volunteer.

A few ponies did step forward, willing to join the endeavor. The boss nodded towards each of them. "I knew I could trust in you." He patted each on the shoulder. "We'll miss having you here, but you'll have room to grow and expand. The rest of you, consider. You have until the end of the week before we start filling in with outside talent."

He glanced at Libel. "This could be your chance to be reborn..." He started going on about quarterly numbers and other inane things. There were no other huge announcements to surprise everyone with.

The meeting ended with a seeing off party for those who had volunteered, fresh lunch morsels brought in for folks to chew on while they chatted.

"I don't understand it," whispered one of Libel's male co-workers. "You can already get our paper in Baltimare. Do we need a branch there?"

Another shrugged lightly. "It would  be easier to get Baltimare specific news in Baltimare, and Canterlot ponies don't care much about it. It makes sense to me to have two different branches for two different cities."

Libel slipped free of the crowd, hurrying to the bathroom to get out what she had been holding.  It was with great pride that she had held it. She couldn't always, but she'd gone from about 10% to 60%, and that was a quite an improvement, even if she said so herself.

She emerged from the bathroom with a soft sigh of relief.

"Libel." It was her boss. "Consider that offer. It may be your best chance for advancement."

"Yes, Sir..." She could read between the lines. He was trying to get her out of there, to the new branch, away from him... "I'll consider..."

"There's more real estate over there anyway. I'm sure you could get glitzy manor better suited to a rich pony like yerself."

She felt blood rush to her face, not in a blush exactly but more of a moment of intense anger. "Thank you, Sir..."

"Consider it, let me know." He trotted away. "Before the end of the week. If there are too many ponies in the main office, we'll have to downshift around here."

She wanted to scream, but she just smiled. "Of course, Sir. I'll have a firm reply on your desk before the end of the week."

"Good, good." And he was gone, off to haunt some other employee.

She drove a hoof into the ground with a loud clop. "Damn..." If she stayed, she could... She shook her head firmly. "Damn." She stormed back to her office, tail lashing agitatedly behind her. "Damn..."

Bottom looked up from her plate of salad she was eating right where she worked. "How'd the..." she could see the signs. As Libel glared at her, tail thrashing, Bottom raised a hoof. "Want to talk about it, or should I keep all calls?"

Libel felt the urge to run away and hide in her office, but she fought it. She sat slowly in front of Bottom's desk. "If you had the choice, Miss Line, between moving to Baltimare or being fired, which would you select?"

Bottom's horn guttered out, her fork dropping to her plate with a clatter of metal against porcelain. "I..."

Libel felt a moment of bitter triumph. She didn't get to see Bottom struck truly wordless and lost.

The moment passed all too quickly. She hated seeing Bottom like that. "We'll make it," she whispered.

Bottom glanced away and back. "I..."

"We'll make it," Libel repeated more firmly. "Please have confidence in me."

"Yes, ma'am," Bottom whispered so faintly.
> 48 - Look and See
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Color smiled across the table. "Glad you could make it."

Grey Beard nodded softly. "Anything for a fan." He smiled gently in return. "You ever consider joining the guard? It has a lot to offer."

Color waved a hoof gently. "I'm more of an artist... Actually, that's what I called you for."

"Hm?" He raised a shaggy brow, seeming curious. "You running out of inspiration?"

"No, quite the opposite." His horn glowed as he drew the painting free of its covering, holding it up on the table. "You're very inspiring, Sir."

Grey Beard was suddenly on his hooves. "That's me! Wait... Yes... You painted me? That's... flattering." He was starting to blush, glancing around. "You're too kind to an old servicestallion. This must have taken you forever..." He reached out a hoof for it, casually touching it head on in a manner no pony really should to a painting. "You have a real talent!"

Color dared to have hope. "I'd be honored if you had it. Consider it a thank you for allowing me to chat with you in the first place." He gestured a hoof grandly at it. "You deserve it."

"Oh, my great-grand nephew," he mumbled, focusing on one of the smaller ponies in the picture. "Good boy... Oh, and there's Captain Steel Gaze, tough one that stallion... This is lovely! It's... like a... I'm no good at this, but this is. This is good."

"You like it?"

"I would never have asked you to make it." He crossed his arms. "But you already did... It's very nice. I know exactly where it should be." His horn glowed, gently hefting the painting, though it fell a moment later. "That's heavier than it looks."

It wasn't that heavy, but Grey Beard was an old pony. Color couldn't feel angry about it. He carefully lifted it back up. "I'll carry it to where you want it."

"Just wait here." He began walking away. "I'll be right back."

Color waited patiently, sipping from his glass of fruity refreshment. He had expected Grey Beard to come back with perhaps a cart or something.

What he got was three guards. They casually lifted the painting up, though it surely only needed one of them to do so, it was held in all their magics at once. Grey Beard nodded appreciatively. "To the castle." And off they went together, leaving Color behind, blinking softly.

To the castle?





Libel was on the phone. "Bottom, look, I have an idea. Listen to it, and tell me what might work, and what might not."

"Go ahead." She sounded a little tired.

"Did I catch you at a bad time?"

"No, no... It's just, this whole thing. Go ahead, please."

Libel nodded lightly into the phone. "Right. If the choice is move or be fired, we resign. I don't want to go to Baltimare."

"Me neither," spoke Bottom quietly. "But what will we do then? Libel... I'm not from rich ponies. I don't have a lot of savings."

"That's not the problem. You're working for me now, you will then, if you want to continue the position."

"Thank you." The statement was too quiet for Libel's comfort.

"So, the idea; I write. You know, books, actual books. I write them, you help market and distribute them, and we both make money." She tapped a hoof lightly. "Tell me how that sounds."

"It sounds like you've been listening to Color."

She smirked wryly at the phone. "You're just as sharp as ever, but that isn't a real answer. Tell me how it can work, or may not. Tell me it's a good or bad idea."

"You should have him do the covers."

Libel lifted an ear at that. "Not a bad idea."

"What kind of book? You don't strike me as the fanciful fantasy writer."

"It doesn't have to be fantasy..."

"Alright, non-fiction." A paper shuffled in the background. "What would the topic be? Historical, modern?"

"The struggle of a mare with urinary incontinence."

There was silence.

"Bottom, still there?"

"Yes... That... is a very brave idea, Libel."

"I picked it up from some bad influences around me. I'm not the only one in the world, but it's something nopony talks about. Getting information out there for these people would... be good, and we'd have an obvious audience, right?"

"Don't make it just about mares," cautioned Bottom. "It isn't as if stallions don't suffer too."

"I don't have experience with that... But I should get some." Libel sat up with a growing smile. "I'll have to research, something we're both not strangers to."

"Precisely so, Miss Word." She wasn't whispering anymore. "This book isn't likely to become something everypony will have on their coffee table... but it could make a real difference for the ones that need it. Will it produce the funds we desire... I couldn't be certain... But if you're serious?"

"I am."

"Then I'll start looking into it." More papers shuffled. "When... are you putting in your notice?"

"Tomorrow." Libel heaved a soft sigh. "Two weeks, standard. If he fires me after that, that makes him look petty. I'll be sure to send it certified and notarized. I don--"

"--He likely won't try anything, but no harm being thorough. If he wants you to go, he'll be happy that you're going without trouble. I'll turn in mine tomorrow too then, I suppose..."

Libel frowned a little. "Look, however this turns out... I'll beg my mother before I let you go a day unpaid, and we have a cushion before that even becomes something to consider."

"I believe you. It'll... Libel?"

"Yeah?"

"I don't want to work for you."

Libel sat up, fur going on end. "What?!"

"I want to work with you. Make me a partner or I'll find somewhere else to take my talent."

Libel drew the phone away to  peer at it skeptically a moment. "You are playing hardball suddenly, Miss Line."

"I learn from the best," she retorted, a smile evident in her tone. "I'll give you a day or two to consider. Let's succeed, together."

"I'll call you back..." She set the phone down gently and shook her head slowly.

"Who was that?" Color was coming down the stairs from above.

"Just... Bottom." Libel slipped to her hooves, still shaking her head. "So... I'm going to do it."

"It?"

"I'm going to write a book."

Color's expression brightened rapidly. "Oh! Great! Will it be a sequel? I really want to know what happens next."

Libel held up a hoof. "Non-fiction, regarding a medical condition I'm far too familiar with, but with a scope widened for all ponies."

"Oh." He tilted his head a little. "That sounds good too. A different good, but good. I'm proud of you."

She stuck out her tongue at him. "Thanks, Dad, for the vote of confidence."

He ran a hoof up and down the other foreleg. "Oh, um..." All the retorts that came to mind felt terrible. "I'm here to help."

"I know... Thank you." She trotted up to him and kissed his nose. "You'll have to make the cover. Speaking of that..." She glanced to where the painting had stood for so long. "Did she love it, or worship it? Tell me she cried when you showed it to her."

Color took an unsure step back. "She... was moved, deeply..."

"I hear a but coming in there..."

"She... wanted me to burn it."

Libel blinked silently a moment. "Are we talking about the same princess here? Celestia does not typically order the destruction of art! That is... basically the opposite of her. Are you sure it wasn't a changeling?"

"I changed her mind," he gusted out, shrinking a little. "I ended up giving it to the soldier instead... He really liked it."

Libel brightly smiled. "Fantastic, but wait, were you paid? She didn't try to--"

"--No! No, she was quite firm in my being paid, and maybe being approached for happier pictures." He smiled a little. "Happy endings, really, in the end. It was just... kind of shocking."

"I could imagine!" She threw up a hoof. "Having Celestia casually tell me to burn a book I just wrote?! I'd be beside myself... Good on you for not making a fool of yourself, and double credit for even changing her mind while you were at it."

Color quickly decided to not mention crying at her hooves... "A happy ending. Are you going to take your time with the book? You spend so much time at the newspaper, I don't want you going full at the book and leaving no time for yourself." Unbidden, the image of an aged Libel came to his mind, with the burning fire in her eyes of a life busily spent. He shook the image free vigorously.

Libel did not see any such images, waving off Color's objections. "I think I'm done with the newspaper... I'm a Word, I should be making some words, not just foalsitting everypony else's."

Color bounced in place suddenly. "You're doing it?! That's great! You're gonna be great! I can't wait to start collecting your books."

Libel smiled at that. "Don't be silly, Color. I'll have a copy of my books, and you live with me." She tapped him on the nose gently. "I do appreciate the thought."

"It's not just a thought." He nuzzled past her hoof and touched noses with her. "I want to be a support, and buying your books is just step one. I'll read them and give feedback. You already do the same with my paintings. We're partners."

"Partners..." She frowned a little, thinking back to Bottom's words. They were clearly not a couple, and yet... "Color, I'm going to ask you an adult question."

Color tilted his head. "That's rare for you. You usually assume you're better at adulting than I am."

"Humor me." She inclined her head. "I never worked for myself before. I always had a boss. My mother, that jerk at the newspaper... Always someone. So, now, I could be my own boss, but someone wants to be a boss too, with me. What do I do?"

Color lifted a brow at that. "Oh, well, okay, are they someone you know? I mean, you'd want someone who understands what you're doing. Maybe a fellow in the same field of work?" He lifted his shoulders lightly. "Then do you trust them? If they're a partner, they could mess things up, or save your rump. Which do you see them doing?"

Libel considered Bottom in her mind's eye. "I can't see them messing anything up on purpose, and they usually work to avoid doing it on accident either." She raised a hoof to her chin. "Well... alright, since we're being open here, Bottom wants to be my partner."

"That's nice"

Libel blinked softly. "That's... nice? So you're alright with me and her... being partners?"

It was time. With great pride he gently booped her for a change. "A business partner is not a romantic partner. She has a boyfriend she's very happy with, and so do you. In fact, you should avoid looking at her rump, that's unprofessional."

"I never!" she squeaked, knowing she had at least a few times... "Well, alright then, just... making sure." She coughed softly into a hoof. "So, when are you going to see Luna?"

"Luna? Oh right!" He clopped a hoof to his face. "I did promise to see her after I finished the Celestia project."

"She does not appreciate ponies that fib, so you better get yourself to the castle." She leaned forward. "If you beleive the fortune teller, maybe you should bring Day."

"Who told you that?" He hiked a brow at Libel.

Libel waved outside. "Day, actually. Did he lie?"

"No, just... didn't expect you to know." He put a hoof behind his head. "Day doesn't have a 'I am a professional' suit, or much of any suit at all..."

"So fix that." Libel rolled her eyes softly. "I know you have the funds. Speaking of that, when Celestia sends the full amount, tell me. We'll get those bits safely secured away and working for you."
> 49 - Rising Moon
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day tilted his head slightly. "They all look alright to me."

Sassy shook her head in denial. "No no no. One must call out to you. Just listen, and look." She cocked an ear. "Nothing?"

"Mmm..."

Color was nearby, watching Day view the selection of suits. "Think 'I am a professional', which suit do you think says the same thing back for you?"

"Mmm..." He reached out and brushed a suit just to wander to the muted colored one beside it and onwards to the soft yellows of the next. "This one, I like it."

"Magnifique," cried Sassy with a bright smile, her magic pulling the suit up and away. "I'll have it adjusted just so  to fit your every proportion, that's why I had measured you, Day Dreamer, that was your name, correct? I'd hate to get that wrong."

"You're cool." He nodded softly as he stood up and looked towards Color. "Is that all?"

Color swiveled an ear at Sassy. "Send the bill over to Libel and I'll have that paid right up."

"Of course." She didn't have a shred of doubt in what had become a repeat customer. "May I ask, for what occasion are you adorning your friend in finery?"

"That's a good question." Day smiled softly at Color. "I'd like to know too. You know I don't need fancy clothes."

Color pointed towards the castle. "You are coming with me to the castle."

"Woah dude!" He scrambled to his hooves, eyes far wider than normal. "Can I see the gardens? They have so many, and I've heard stories... Woah..."

Sassy clopped her hooves excitedly, sitting on her haunches. "How delightful! I'll be extra sure this suit is looking its best so you can make a royal splash." She giggled at her own mild humor and pranced off to get to work.

Color gently pat the shoulder of his overwhelmed friend. "We'll see but I can't promise that. I have an appointment with Luna. You know her, right?"

Day hiked a brow at that. "Come on... even I've heard of Luna... She's, like... the other princess, right?"

"We have more than two."

"I'm messing with you." He poked Color gently. "I was the one giving factoids before. I know her, she's totally awesome. I can't wait to meet her in the pelt."

Sassy suddenly peeked back in from the back. "When was that appointment? I'd like to put a pin in this before then."

"Tomorrow."

Sassy blinked softly. "The usual turnaround time for alterations is closer to two weeks. Are you comfortable paying to have it done today?"

Color squeaked in surprise, a hoof rising to behind his head. "Oh! Well, I should have known better... I suppose I'll have to pay. It isn't too much I hope?"

She quoted the sum. Day looked shocked. It was more than Color could normally expect to see with several months of hard work. "Alright," agreed Color without hesitation, as if the sum was not much. "Thank you for getting this done on such short notice. I'll be better about it in the future."

"See that you are, but for loyal customers, we aim to please." She vanished, head withdrawing into her workspace to get to the alterations.

Day tilted his head. "Is it really alright to spend that much just for my suit? I mean... I could just go as I am? She probably knows me."

Color squinted a little. "Have you ever had a bad dream... ever?"

"Maybe once..." He shrugged gently. "Maybe she doesn't know me..."

"Exactly. Besides, first impressions are important, and I want you looking proper. Remember, she's the most proper princess."

"True..." Day started for the door. "I want Luna to like me. Thanks, Bro, for the chance. Don't forget to ask if we can see some of the gardens afterwards." He suddenly pranced in place, happiness unable to be contained. "That would be beyond everything..."

"We'll ask," promised Color in a friendly tone, walking along the Canterlot street. "Remember when we first got here?"

"Mm?"

"How lost and scared we were, I mean... Even you didn't really know what you were doing, but I bet you were less scared about it."

"Sounds right." Day glanced left and right slowly. "Think Derpy's around?"

"Muffins? What's your... hay, what's my relation with her? I've been... kind of confused."

"She's a bro." Day nodded with certainty. "A solid one, real good. I'm really happy I met her. You should get her a gift."

"You just finished saying she was your bro, but I should get her a gift?"

"You have the money," Day noted. "Besides, she's worked really hard to make you happy, even if you're never going to even give her a kiss."

Color began to color brightly. "I have a girlfriend!"

"I didn't say you were bad, just the truth." He shrugged softly. "I think she'd like a stallion that would come running across the country for her... She's not bitter though. She's way too cool, what a bro..."

"So... what... would I get her that would be nice but also wouldn't be amazingly awkward?" Color pointed at himself. "If a mare I liked suddenly gave me a gift, I'd start thinking exactly the kind of way I don't want to do with Muffins. I'm not trying to jerk her around."

Day considered that as he watched the other ponies of the town wander past. "Why not a new hat?"

"A new hat?"

"A postal one." He pointed up to his had. "Something sharp and official. She'll like that, but a work gift isn't a 'let's be special ponies' gift."

"Hmm..." Color led the way along. "Well, maybe, for now, we have a day to enjoy, a night to sleep, and tomorrow we got praise the moon."

"Praise the moon," agreed Day with a little smile.





"Libelous." It was her boss on the phone. "I got your letter, look. We're on the wrong page here. I want you over at the other branch, sure, but I don't want you quitting."

Libel's eyes partially closed. Part of her expected some kind of flack about it. "Thank you for the good years, Sir. I will treasure them forever."

"Don't give me that, Word. I took you in when nopony else was even glancing in your direction. Don't leave us hanging in this delicate time." She heard something thump. Had he hit his desk? She couldn't be sure.

"It's time for me to spread my wings, Sir." She smiled thinly into the phone. "You can blame the pegasus in me if you'd like, Sir."

"Very funny. Really... No really, what will it take? I want you over there."

Libel had read a few books about how to handle negotiations at work. This was a dangerous gambit. If she took his offer, the spectre that she was willing to walk would remain. The fact that she changed her mind for some sort of favor would be a mark against her, in the long run... It could be entirely unconscious, but it'd be there, lurking.

Besides, she had no interest in Baltimare. "Thank you. If I have need of employment later, I'll certainly think of you."

"Yeah..." There was a hint of defeat there. "What are you even doing? Going to edit for someone else?"

"My tenure of editing has been priceless, but it's time I put more of my own words on the paper. I should get back to work, Sir. I haven't quit yet, and I mean to continue being on time until the last day."

"Thanks." The line went dead.

Libel resumed typing, her wings clacking at the keys. She was really getting more of a hang for it. It still wasn't as fast as she'd seen other ponies doing, but that could take years of work. She was at an acceptable level, where she felt good for taking the time and the risk of trying the new typewriter.

"That was Him, right?" Bottom was peeking in through her door. "It sounded like it went well?"

"He tried to convince me to stay on... I thought he was done with me."

"Oh..." Bottom nudged the door open with her snout. "Human resources took my resignation without comment. I always was...  kind of yours... There isn't anyone else in this building I directly worked for, so I suppose no one will miss me."

Libel reached out a wing to brush against Bottom, but the wing was suddenly grabbed in magic and pulled right into a hug between Bottom's forehooves. "Oh! Um... you won't  be missed, because you'll be with me, and..."

"It just hurts, in a way... to have it ground in that you weren't much of a... thing... Most of the office will only notice you are gone, not me."

Libel stood up awkwardly, her wing securely held. "Well, I will gladly, and truthfully, tell you that you're half the reason I got anything done. I don't even want to imagine what life here would have been without you."

Bottom smiled gently. "I appreciate that." She gently released the wing. "I know it's stupid, I know that... My brain agrees that being upset about it is beyond immature and foalish... My heart disagrees though and it's throwing a huge pity party and I'm caught in the middle..."

Libel considered, her first impulse to go for a hug, but they were... not that kind of partners... "You should call Day. You know he'd come running."

Bottom smiled at that. "Thank you, for understanding. I think I'll do that." She took a deep and shuddering breath. "Over lunch... For now, let's get back to work. We're not off the clock yet and I will not let my last few days be bad ones."

Libel flipped an ear back. "Yeah, let's do that... but we can catch lunch together? We have things to discuss, happier things, I think."

Bottom perked her ears. "Some new news?"

"Oh,  yes." Libel smiled gently. "I'm getting a new partner. A unicorn, real sharp cookie. Insists on using a binary keyboard for some reason or another."

Bottom suddenly snorted, nose wrinkling. "You'd better be careful around that, clutching to old traditions like that..." She turned for the exit. "Thank you, Libel... I'll be there, for Lunch, and past that."

Libel watched her leave with a bit of a trot in her step. She felt a smile spreading. Would having Bottom as a partner work? She felt increasingly certain it would.





The door slammed open to allow a panting earth pony into view. "Bottle?"

"Bottle?" came a voice from beyond the room in the office beyond. Libel peeked out from back there. "Bottle? That is an adorable name that I will never forget."

Bottom's cheeks began to burn brightly, her pet name revealed. "I'm right here, Day." She pat the desk as her magic kept the typing going for the moment before her hoof returned to its usual place. "I just want a big soft boyfriend to lean against right now. Can you be that?"

"Reporting for duty." He nudged the door closed behind himself and ambled up beside her, plopping down on his haunches. "Ready for leaning when you're ready."

"You're a good boyfriend." She casually leaned against him, still working. "Mmm, it's nice to have something soft and warm sometimes..."

"You can tell me what's wrong, if you want. Or don't... I can just be a warm thing if you need a warm thing."

"You are a great boyfriend," Bottom corrected, looking unsure if she wanted a warm thing or a talking person right that moment. Warm thing was pretty comfy, so she took that, leaning on him and breathing softly and typing. Life was just a little more reasonable with the presence of her boyfriend, there, and knowing he was ready to do anything, or just nothing, if it made her happier.

"Change is tough," she sighed out, typing casually. "But that is life."

"Change is rough," he echoed gently. "But you're not alone."
> 50 - Praise the Moon
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Color and Day were both dressed well. Sassy had helped them both appear far more professional than either felt. Color nodded towards the castle they were approaching, weaving around other ponies that were moving in the other direction. "Almost there."

"It keeps getting bigger." Day's eyes were on the castle, taking it in as they approached. "How do ponies not get lost in there?"

"Practice." He shrugged softly. "I plan to ask directions. Is that alright with you?"

"Sure." Day smiled in his lazy way. "Oh, there are the guards."

"Ignore them." He walked right past the ones guarding the separation point of the castle ground and the street.  The ponies at the door he stopped for. "Luna said to tell you to bring me directly to her."

The guard raised a brow. "Name?"

"Color Splash." He gestured at himself. "He's with me." He waved back to Day.

Day tipped his head. "Hey, nice to meetcha."

The guard drew out a clipboard with a wing and reviewed it a moment. "Ah, one moment." He vanished inside the castle.

Day sat next to Color. "Shouldn't he be leading us in?"

Color shrugged at that. "I trust them to know their job." Not like he had any real idea how to be a guard.

The guard returned with a soft nod. "The princess requests your presence. This way." He then began to lead them into the castle. They navigated several broad hallways, and a few narrow ones, before reaching gilded double doors with two more guards. The first saluted the other two, then the door was opened by the two there. The first gestured past them. "She waits."

Color smiled, moving to walk past the other guards. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Lun--" His words died in his mouth. That was not Luna. Celestia was seated at the table, not at the far end, but in the center, facing across to a painting.

It was the painting he had just done, hung up there in the sitting room. She was facing what she had commanded go away and never come back.

Color approached on shaking legs, his ears pinned back.

"Hey, your piece." Day ambled right over and looked up at it without any hesitation, missing the tension in the room. "It looks even better in this room. The light's great..."

Color sat across from Celestia. He didn't dare smile, or do much of anything. He just sat down and dreaded when she would speak.

She watched him and Day quietly a moment. Day, oblivious to issues, clip-clopped his hooves. "That's two you got in the castle. You must be proud." He finally turned to see Color sitting there looking so very awkward. There was also Celestia, but he didn't lose his smile on seeing the sun princess.

"Nice to meet you." Day approached with a happy expression. "I'm Day Dreamer."

"Charmed." She smiled gently and extended a hoof, gesturing to a seat next to Color's. "Please, be seated. I trust you are a friend?"

"Best." He plopped down on the indicated cushion. "Do you have a best friend?"

Celestia paused at that, considering. "What a simple... yet deceptive question... In the manner you speak, likely not. I do have some dear and close associates, however." Her eyes focused on Color. "Then there are those I know, but do not have that level of confidence with..."

"I'm sorry!" he squeaked, shrinking in his chair. "I didn't know he'd bring it right here."

"And yet... he did..." Her eyes moved to the painting, watching it quietly. "Right in the summer... Imagine my surprise when I first saw it. He made sure to be assigned to the post, so he could see my expression... I imagine he was expecting delight."  She waved at the door and it slapped shut under her magic. "I smiled for him, of course."

Day twitched one ear towards Color, the other at Celestia. "So... you don't like it? Why? It's--"

"--Yes, I've been informed." Celestia let out her breath softly. "He came and extolled its virtues... He went on and on about how well you captured every part of the picture... Every part... Except that little part." She pointed directly for the theoretical star of the picture. "He is dizzy with joy at having everything in his life so well captured... I'm not even sure he noticed he was in it beyond the barest of recognitions."

Color dared the littlest of smiles. "He really was happy to see it."

Celestia raised a hoof to her face. "Delighted... He wanted his favorite mare aside his wife to have it, to hold. 'For when I'm gone,' he loudly declared. 'It's like a little slice of history!' he went on... Ignorant of the rough glass he was shoving through me... He was so happy, so delighted..." She set her hooves down on the table flatly. "He couldn't stop smiling... You have failed, good artist, to please me... but you brought such a smile to his face..."

Day began to put the pieces together, his jovial expression dulling. "Oh... Do... you want us to take it?"

"No! No..." Celestia looked up at the painting. "If it is moved, he will notice. I can't move it without hurting him, and I would never dare. He deserves so much better than that. He has made a fool of me, in the end." She smiled wryly, gesturing at it. "It's a lovely portrait, full of good memories, but I refuse to accept them. After all these years, he has finally turned on me. With teeth sharpened with age, he tore me in half and left my dying form on the beach of kindness, the waters of joy lapping at my torn flesh."

"Deep."

Color cleared his throat softly. "I... didn't mean to cause so much trouble, Your Highness."

"I am aware." She leaned forward a little. "I did ask him. 'Why don't you take it home? Your wife would be tickled pink by it,' I suggested. Do you know what he said?"

Color didn't want to ask... "What... did he say?"

"She'll be dead soon. She'll be dead, and I will be too. You should keep it in this pretty castle, so the history can be remembered. I'd be honored knowing some small piece of me never got tired of watching over you. Please smile on all of us, and know we're so happy to be here." She raised a hoof, trembling lightly. "He said it with such a bright expression. He hadn't been that happy in so long..."

Color sagged, his head so very heavy. "I will accept whatever punishment you have in mind. I promise to not object. I deserve whatever comes to your mind."

Celestia reached across the table, a wing gently brushing Color's closed eyes. "Look at me." When he looked up at her, she smiled gently. "It hurt... but it was needed. I am sorry I was ever so weak, to run away from what was clear. Now, you've listened to a princess vent her petty little heart. My little pony, what has brought you here? I did not call you."

Color looked shocked, the whiplash of it too much. Words entirely failed him.

Day wasn't nearly as stunned. "We're here to see your sister."

"Luna? Whatever for?" She arched a brow curiously. "Does it involve our artistic friend?" she glanced to Color and back to Day. "I wonder if he will force growth in her in some similar fashion... I would delight in it, thought I hope it comes without the same... sharp edge. She is my little sister, I would never wish to see her ever truly hurt. Paint gently, little painter. Make her smile for me, if you can."

Color nodded with a trembling head. "O-of course, Your Highness. It shouldn't be too... traumatic... Um, we're doing an action piece of her, looking ready for battle."

"How delightful!" Celestia clapped her forehooves together. "Yes, that should please her immensely. She does fancy herself as quite the warrior mare. We have no fitting war for her to attempt to make that fantasy live, but perhaps a paintbrush could make it so..."

Color rubbed behind his head. "I'll certainly try. Um, Celestia?"

"Yes?"

"Are you alright? I mean... Really... are you?"

"No." She gently brushed a few large feathers under his chin. "But my hurts are mine own issue. That ache will fade over time, with good company. Make my sister smile and you will be doing me a favor. Now, I have a country to rule." she rose from her seat. "And you have a sister to see. Travel safe, painter, dreamer. I feel we will meet again, given time."

"Oh!" Day hopped to his hooves. "Before you go! Please please please can I visit the gardens?! I want to see the flowers and plants... Please? I'll be super extra careful."

Celestia's expression softened at Day's overwhelming cheer. "How can I deny such a heartfelt request? Do not pick any flowers, nor tread them, and I have no objection." She strode around the table, going for the exit that swung open with a glow of her magic. "Allow them to visit the garden after they've seen Princess Luna. They may stay as long as they please; provided they are well-behaved."

Day began to prance in place, his dreams coming true. "We are so even."

"Hm?"

Day tilted his head at Color. "Well, I did you like tons of favors, but this evens it out, I figure. Thanks!" He bonked his foreheead right against Color's almost impaling himself on his friend's horn. "Thank you!"

Color rocked back, his vision swimming a moment from the impact. "You're... welcome... Guess that fortune teller had a good idea in making sure you were here."

"Oh yeah. If he was here, I'd thank him too, but I bet he's already gone off to wherever carnivals go when they go... Huh, where is that?"

Color smiled awkwardly. "Can you imagine that, a special town just for carnies? That'd be something." He gently bumped into Day from the side. "Come on, we've kept Luna waiting long enough."

"Yeah," eagerly agreed Day, prancing from the room with unusual energy. "Let's get that painting planned so we can get to the garden." He burst into fresh giggles, overwhelmed with the thought of the Canterlot Castle Gardens and what wonders awaited him and his hooves.

"You're really looking forward to this..." He looked to one of the guards just outside the door. "Which way to Princess Luna?"

"I'll show you." He started into movement, leading the way without hesitation. "She does not like having ponies wandering her wing without accompaniment."

"Fair enough." Color figured he likely wouldn't want to come out of his room to see some strange pony wandering the halls of his little house. That would be off putting at best. "She should be expecting us."

"This way." The guard soon had them in a hallway with more purples and blues, a soft darker shade than many of the others. The windows were painted to evoke thoughts of the night with the light only coming in through little pricks that imitated stars or the great moon rendered in loving detail.

It was not too dark to see by far, but it made the clear impression one was entering, at best, a twilight realm of the evening.

Standing before a double door at the end of the hallway was one last guard, with leathery wings and tufted ears, the bat-like pony nodded to the day guard. "For the princess?"

"Affirmative." The guard gestured forward. "Go on." He walked away back towards his original post.

Color tilted his head at the intimidating slice of a soldier. "Um, hello."

Day stepped forward, eyeing the guard with a placid smile. "Is it the armor?"

The night guard tilted his head faintly. "Hm?"

"The armor, it makes you look like that? That's cool... Can I try it?"

The guard shook his head. "That would be against several regulations, I'm afraid. This way."
> 51 - Lunar Sanctum
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

They passed through the double doors to find Luna facing them. She had her wings spread wide and her eyes peered through a thick helmet. She was dressed for battle, a sword clenched in her teeth to the side.

She stood there silently as Color and Day entered, both peering at her.

Her magic wrapped around the sword and lifted it into the air, freeing her mouth. "Is it not suitable? We feel ready for battle."

Color raised a hoof to his chin, considering. "You pose an intimidating figure, very nice."

Day shook his head. "But it's not you."

She blinked at Day. "Who is this?"

Color gestured at Day with a hoof. "This is a close friend of mine; Day Dreamer."

"What a fortuitous name... We do not recall seeing you before." She leaned towards him, examining him. "We presume your dreams, be they day or night, are untroubled?"

"I sleep like a foal," he contently reported. "I blame it on the best princess."

Luna lit up, her cheeks pinkening despite her already dark fur. "You speak in flatteries!"

"I speak in truth." He looked to Color. "Tell me you don't agree."

Color blinked at being put on the spot. "Oh, um--"

Luna pointed at Color. "That is more the response we expect. Tell me then, Dreamer, what makes me better than mine sister who lifts the sun?"

Day laughed softly, immune to the tension. "It's not a contest, but you're still the best princess. It's great actually meeting you, um, m'lady." He dipped his head towards Luna. "Your vassal is honored to be here and stuff."

"And stuff," echoed Luna with a wry half-smile. "Earth ponies and unicorns are drawn towards my sister, but pegasi can feel me when they fly at night, and they love to do so... Of the three tribes, they are the closest to me. You are not one of them, to what do you owe your proclaimed fealty?"

Color softly coughed. "Well, he is Day Dreamer."

"We cannot argue this... Very well, for this moment, you are mine vassal, to be used as we see fit."

Day saluted sharply with a big smile. "Reporting for duty, ma'am."

"Very good." She suddenly swung the sword held in her magic, the tip just short of Day's throat. "Now tell me what you meant before. How does this uniform not suit me?"

Color squeaked at the implied violence. "Please don't cut my friend in half."

"That depends in part on his response." She arched a brow, watching Day Dreamer steadily.

"This is kind of awesome." He tilted his head, looking not terribly frightened of the sharpened steel so close to his throat. "You guard dreams. You watch out for ponies, their insides, you know?"

Luna shook her head. "And what attire would be appropriate for that?"

"I think it's more the setting..." He tapped a hoof softly. "All regal, but in an alien place."

Luna quirked a brow. "What manner of alien setting have you in mind?"

Color suddenly thrust out a hoof, pointing past Luna, to a window that dominated on side of her room. Like the window in the hall, it blocked most of the light going through it to paint a scene of a brilliant night. "That."

Luna twisted around to look where he was pointing. "The stars? No..." She lowered the sword. "You would put me back on the moon."

Color drew in a soft and uneasy breath. "But as a choice. You are its guardian and ward. It is yours. I don't think any pony could argue that."

Luna's sword fell with a clatter as she regarded the artificial moon that adorned her window. "Mmm... You may have a point... Luna, lunar guardian... That is... perhaps more truthful. Tell me, will I look ready?"

Color smiled at that. "You are a beloved warrior of our dreams."

"A knight of the night," added Day with a soft nod.

"Exactly. I will try to capture that. You won't be a passive presence."

"Good. Very good." She hefted the sword in her magic and tossed it casually into a bin with some other blades. "Then do that. I will judge its readiness when you are prepared to display it to me." She reached with a wing, popping off her helmet. "That gets quite stuffy after a time. It is beyond us how guards tolerate it for an entire day at a time."

Day perked his ears. "That reminds me, can I try on some night armor, just for a moment?"

Luna squinted at him. "You do not have wings."

"Nope." He shrugged softly. "So?"

"So..." She considered a moment. "I suppose we can allow you to wear the helmet at least." Her glowing horn grabbed for a new helmet, the one on her own head being tossed aside. The night helmet was plopped right on Day's head, wriggling into position. "There we are."

Day blinked his slit eyes. "Woah! I'm all batty!" He reached up a hoof to bat at his newly tufted ears. "This is awesome." He leaned off to the side and gently tickled at Color's cheek with an eartuft, looking quite happy with life.

Color smiled awkwardly. "Forgive him. Um... There is one other thing."

"Did you want to try one as well?" She quirked an ear at Color. "You did not strike me--"

"--No! No, I mean, payment."

Luna tilted her head left and right. "Ah,  yes, you are not in the direct employ of the kingdom. I will consult with my sister." She casually patted Color on the head. "We will deal fairly with those that perform services at our command."

Color felt little doubt he would get a visit from the money-counting poney the castle had on staff. "That will do just fine, Your Majesty. I'll get to planning and start on your portrait."

"Yes, please. We can scarcely wait to see what the result will be." She clopped her forehooves. "Now... I cannot leave that with you." Her magic yanked the helmet free of Day, his eyes suddenly round again, ears unadorned. "If you wish to apply to join the night guard, that is another matter."

"Aw." He was smiling despite the sad noise. "Thanks for letting me try it."

Luna waved him away. "Think little of it. Now, we are in accord?"

Color offered a hoof. "Yes, Your Majesty. I'll expect someone by to deal with the tiresome details."

"Quite." She met his hoof with one of her own. "I look forward to the result."

Soon they were back in the hallway. Day was at the guard's side. "Which way to the gardens?" He had his priorities quite set.





It was the final day... "I suppose you'll come with me..." She ran a wing gently along the metal of her typewriter. "I paid for you, you're mine, sweet little prince." She had given it a name. He was Sir Words a Lot, the fourth. A distinguised name from a fine line of wordsmithing tools." She glanced aside at the third. That one did belong to the paper. She'd leave her. "They better treat you right..."

Libel had no assurance of that. She looked to her inbox, but it was empty. She had finished all of her projects, and they had stopped sending her new ones. That made enough sense... Why give new projects to someone who has already tendered a resignation? "Bottom?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you all done too?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Don't call me that... we're going to be partners." She slipped from her chair to the floor with a soft clop. "This is... exciting, but it feels..."

"Like it's not real?" suggested Bottom from the other room. "I know how that feels..."

"We'll have to set our own schedules." She took a slow breath. "No other pony will tell us when to start working, or when to stop. It's up to us to decide that, and we better."

"I have something worked out." Bottom nudged the door open with her magic, entering with a notepad held in her magic. "This is my proposed schedule."

Libel's ears went up as she reached a wing for the book to have a peek. "Hmm..." It had a clear start and end point for each day. "Why do you give Tuesday and Saturday off instead of just going with the weekend?" She squinted softly. "Extra long on Monday, but short on Fridays?"

"Those are office hours." Bottom nodded softly. "We need to be available to be at other places, to negotiate, sell, and promote. Better, I say, to have a schedule that leaves room for such things instead of having to accommodate them. Of course, sometimes we'll have to be flexible, that's life."

"But less often," finished Libel with a little smile. "I see where you're going..." She frowned softly, considering. "This will do better than winging it."

"I'll leave all matters of wings to the experts." She casually tapped Libel's closest wing with her magic.

"Ha ha." Libel offered the notepad back. "Do we have a--"

The door in the main office opened. "Libelous." It was her boss, soon to be ex-boss. "You here?"

"In here," she called. She and Bottom emerged from the back room to see him standing there with his usual grave expression.

"There you are. So... no way to change your mind?"

Libel smiled thinly. "Thank you, Sir, for everything."

"Yeah yeah... Some of the other editors may thank you for the chance. You're giving other ponies a chance to be in charge of it for a change." He heaved a soft sigh. "So, who you gonna get to be your editor?"

Libel blinked softly. She had failed to even consider the concept. "Why can't I just... oh."

"Yeah, oh." He snorted softly. "You don't edit your own stuff, don't work. All our writers try, and you still find things to fix, don'tcha?"

Libel raised a hoof to her cheek, rubbing softly. "Sir... why are you... I mean..."

"Libel... Look." He set a hoof on her shoulder. "We're going off in different directions, but we were close for years. I'm sorry if I was too hard on you, but that's how you get a pony to grow, right? Now, look... you better do this right. If I hear you messed this up, I'll be over there to chew your ear off!"

Libel suddenly saluted sharply. "Of course, Sir."

"Yeah... Lemme know when you're published, I'll have one of our mares give it a review." He turned to leave, his eyes passing over Bottom before pausing. "You're going with her, right?"

"Y-yes!"

"Hey, you quit. I can't do much to hurt you anymore." He laughed softly. "You better treat her right." His eyes went back to Libel. "Get out of here. We got no more work for you, and you have a book to write. You better write it good."

Libel looked hesitant and he frowned. "You'll be paid for the whole day, Miss Word, now get out. Go decompress or whatever. Get something nice to eat or something." He threw up a hoof as he marched for the door. "If you're feeling nice, send me a copy of whatever you make."

The door closed behind him, leaving the two stunned mares behind. Bottom rubbed behind her head lightly. "That... went better than I would have thought."

"I thought he... really stopped liking me." She took a slow breath. "Remind me to just tell ponies what I mean instead of assuming they'll get it."

"Yeah... So... Need help moving your things?"

"Thank you."

Gears shifted, and they began packing all their things into boxes. Knowing they would be leaving, there wasn't that much left to pack. The typewriter was the biggest thing, and they walked out with it held in a tether that went from one pony to the next, it cradled between them.

As one, they performed the walk to the door one final time. Ponies stopped what they were doing to wave and give well wishes. Libel felt a few tears forcing their way free. She hadn't thought it would be at all emotional, but those ponies had become part of her life, and she was leaving them.

At least, she reasoned, she was keeping Bottom Line. That made it far more bearable.
> 52 - To New Projects
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Libel sat in front of a stack of books. Bottom was on the other end of the coffee table with her own pile arranged. Color was off to the side, peering at his canvas.

"Huh." Day tilted his head a little. "The atmosphere's really thick in here."

Libel twitched an ear at him. "We're working."

Bottom nodded. "Be a good pony and I'll reward you later."

Day smiled at that. He liked Bottom's idea of rewards. "Alright." He rose to his hooves and walked calmly outside, likely to visit the house's garden.

Color swerved an ear back to the two mares. "It's nice working with you two."

"You too, Splashy." She nudged a book aside and grabbed for another. "This is... much bigger than me."

"Hmm?"

"I always held it... like a personal shame." Libel let out her breath slowly. "But it affects a lot more ponies than just me, each burning in their private shame." She perked. "I need to write that down." She reached with her wings to the typewriter, quickly tapping out that quote. "It's not just a thing for old ponies, though obviously they're the most common case."

Bottom nodded softly. "I have the numbers here." She tapped at the book she was reviewing, floating there in her magic. "Surprisingly large. I suppose it's still a small number, in the larger scheme of things, but still... It's very much not just Libel."

"It's not just me..."

Color set his brush aside and came up on Libel. He gently put his hooves on her shoulders and drew her back. Soon he was hugging her still form, cradling her. "It's not just you," he repeated. "And you're handling it."

"I am!" she suddenly blurted, sitting up. "I am..." It wasn't 100%, and likely never would be... She still wore her 'crinkly pants of shame', but she didn't always need them, at the end of the day. "Thank you, both of you." She rolled her eyes. "I am terrible at guessing the emotional impact of what I shove my face into."

"You could have become a fiction writer." Bottom set  her book aside and reached for another with her magic. "Distanced the subject matter from yourself, but no, you had to tackle something like this to start."

Color gently squeezed Libel before he seperated. "Keep at it. I know it's a little rough to start, but what isn't? I'm super proud of you,  Libel."

"Speaking of that." She glanced over at the canvas. "I notice you're starting with a darker fabric."

"It's a space shot, the night sky... starting dark felt right." He waved at it lightly with a hoof. "I need to paint the world, as a little thing, Equestria visible. Luna will be here." He moved his hoof down. "On the moon, large around her. She'll be the center point, of course, a stalwart defender."

"Sounds lovely." Libel's eyes were on her books, reading slowly. "I want to see it when you're done. Is she alright, you know, being put back on the moon?"

"You can blame Day for that one."

Bottom hiked a brow. "Should I be withholding rewards?"

"No! No, he was great, a big help." Color laughed a little as his magic pulled the brush into position. "But it was his idea, and Luna went with it."

"Was Celestia there?" Bottom tilted her head. "Suppose you were wrong about that fortune teller."

"Even a broken clock, as they say." Color rolled his eyes. "Most of the games were pretty rigged, nice they had something authentic going on."

Libel's tongue extended as she flipped a page with a wing. "This feels strange."

"Working without the usual pressures?" Bottom glanced up from her book. "We should talk less and work more, perhaps."

"Mmhmm." Color soft dabbed color onto his canvas, resuming his work with proper intensity.

Libel quieted herself, focusing on her book for several long moments. She could hear her clock ticking gently on the wall. Had it always been so loud? "Mm..." She flipped to the next page and frowned, her wings typing something down to remember later "Mm... You know, we're overdue."

"Overdue?" asked Color.

"You got her permission, but we're... serious... we should go talk to her, together. I should show you to her, like any boyfriend, for her actual, to my face, approval. It's an important event."

Bottom glanced up from her reading. "I thought you two were just putting off getting married for propriety sake."

Libel began to color swiftly. "I know we're getting along, but I'm trying to do this right! Hmmph, I don't see you racing down the wedding aisle with your stallion."

Bottom raised a hoof to her chest. "We're both very relaxed about it. We only recently decided we're cool enough to be proper boyfriend and girlfriend."

Libel set her book down. "And you didn't tell me?! Congratulations!"

"Huh..." Color glanced over. "Day hadn't mentioned that, but that doesn't surprise me. He's really quiet about his own stuff. Congrats, really. I hope you two make each other even happier than he usually is."

"That sounds like a challenge." Bottom laughed gently as she willed the next page on her book. "I'm happy with him, and he seems to like being around me. I never thought I'd wallow in the mud li--" It was only at that moment that she realized what she was saying. "Oh Celestia, please forget I said that."

Libel blinked softly at Bottom. "I mean, if you two do it in the mud... that's a personal thing..." She frowned a little. "I... didn't imagine that... and I kind of wish I never had."

Color set his brush down gently and turned to Bottom with a grave expression. "What do you see when you look at Day?"

Bottom looked away from that stare. She had been caught and she knew it. "A... lovely earth pony that adores me."

"Is he just your dirty little fling?" accused Color with a growing scowl. "He's so much better than that!"

"I know that! I know!" Bottom put up her hooves wardingly. "I know.."

"And yet?"

"And... I still feel dirty when I'm with him, and I... like it?" She sank miserably in her seat. "Oh please don't tell him. Please! I was hoping it'd fade with time, as I got to know him, as a person, and it did, sort of...  I love him, I really do. I want him to be happy, and to be with him, and he's still a dirty mud pony that I wallow with and I feel filthy and I can't get enough of it."

Color's anger started to transition to befuddlement. "I... you really love him?"

"So far as I can tell... I... want to be with him. I'm happy when he's nearby. I'm safe when he's near. He makes me smile. He's full of strange wisdom... I... Yes." Bottom nodded once firmly. "Yes. Yes I love him."

Libel lifted her shoulders gently. "Well, then who cares? Far be it for me to talk about propriety being... overwhelming, but if you really love him, and you like how he makes you feel, then is that feeling wrong?"

"But he isn't dirty." Bottom sighed gently. "He's one of the cleaner ponies I know, minus some grass stains. After he's been in it, the grass smells lovely anyway. I think it's part of his talent... Either way, clean, he is that... He would be hurt if I told him."

"Told me what?" Day poked his head in from outside. "I heard talking. Is it break time? I could make some sandwiches if you want."

Bottom went stiff. Libel nodded towards Day. "That sounds fantastic. Do you know how to use a press? Some coffee to go with it would be lovely."

"On it." Day ambled past them all towards the kitchen with a little whistle on his lips.

Bottom's eyes slowly widened, recognizing the song. 'Dirty little pony, look at the mess. You dragged all the mud in, over my dress.' Her mouth moved along with the imagined words as he whistled them. "Day!"

Day poked his head back in. "It'll take a moment."

"Day!" repeated Bottom all the more firmly. "You heard us."

"I hear a lot of things." He smiled gently. "Something wrong."

"Day..." Bottom rose to her hooves. "Day..."

"That is my name," he admitted with a queer smile. "You don't need to remind me."

"Day... We promised."

"We made several promises." He nodded softly. "What's wrong, Bottle?"

Bottom blushed softly at her pet name. "I suppose I broke it first. Day, you... You're mad, at least a little, admit it."

Day ambled up towards her and planted a kiss right at the end of her snout. "Nah."

She crashed to her haunches. "Well you should be... Nopony has the right to call you filthy."

"Bottle, I roll in the dirt most of the day." He returned to the kitchen to resume lunch preparation. "I get dirty. Dirt ain't a bad thing, but I get it..."

Bottom scrambled to her hooves to follow Day into the kitchen, their conversation becoming harder to hear.

Libel set her hooves down gently. "I think it's a good time for a break."

Color nodded in agreement. "It's not easy to focus when your friends are having a heart to heart." He perked an ear towards the kitchen. "They don't sound angry."

"Does Day know how to be angry?" Libel hiked a brow. "Bottom's pretty subtle about that when she wants to be as well. The two could be having the equivalent of death threats and we wouldn't know."

"They'd know." Color approached Libel with a little smile. "They have things to work out, but they'll work them out." He sat next to Libel. "What are you reading?"

Libel lifted the book in her hooves. "Medical journal. Mostly dry information to be found here, but I want it. I need facts, not just emotions. The book has to have both in abundance to really drive the point  I'm trying to convey, you understand?"

"I do." He gestured towards the canvas. "My last piece had a lot of ponies in it, and they were all real ponies, some alive, some not. I had to get their impression, and get the facts right, or the effect would be ruined. The two have to come together."

"Exactly." She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I'm glad we're not fighting."

"Well, about that. You really want to visit your mother?"

"We should!" Libel nodded firmly. "We really should, sooner is better. I'm sure she knows we're together still... I'm sure she's making assumptions about it... We should put them to rest with a friendly dinner."

Color rubbed behind his head. "Well, alright. Just pick a day and let me know. I... presume we continue pretending we aren't laying a hoof on one another?"

"You want to talk to her about our sex life?" Libel arched a brow. "Even if she was the nicest mare in the world, why would you want to talk to her about that? We keep that sort of thing behind a closed door, where it belongs."

"When do... you come to my home?"

Libel's ears went upright. "Oh right! Well, that shouldn't be nearly as stressful, so just set a date. Provided we don't manage to plan the same date each way, we should be fine."

"I'll aim for the weekend," volunteered Color with a little smile.

"Sounds lovely. I'll aim for a Thursday then, usually Mother's off day. No idea where she got that habit from, but it hasn't changed as far as I know. Now--" She looked to the kitchen. "--if you two are finished having a lovely little conversation, still waiting for lunch over here."

"Coming coming." Day ambled in, a platter on his back. Bottom followed after, a fresh carafe of coffee floating beside her with some mugs. Soon lunch was set out for all the busy ponies to take a break from their work.
> 53 - We Have No Words
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Libel fussed at Color, straightening his collar with her wingtips as she mouthed his mane into just the right tilt, at least according to her. "You know how to greet her?"

"Hello?" he ventured with a little smile. "We've met before."

"She is Miss Word. She will remain Miss Word unless she specifically gives you leave to call her something else." Libel took a slow breath. "I will call her mother, Mom if I'm feeling especially generous. You are not to refer to her as that unless she says otherwise. Can I get a promise on that?"

"Yes yes." He waved away an incoming hoof, warding Libel's next attempt to fuss with his clothing. "Miss Word, got it. Let's go. I think the gate guard's wondering what we're doing."

They were a short distance from the entrance to Miss Word's manor. The gate guardian stood there stoically, well within range of seeing and perhaps hearing them, but not reacting overtly to their presence.

"This is an interesting moment in a long and tiring day, I doubt he's upset." She wove around Color and started for a gate, a professional smile suddenly on her face. "Mister Keeper, it's been too long."

"Miss word." He tipped his head towards Libel. "Your mother's in the first sitting room. She's expecting you."

"Very good." She didn't ask to be let in, simply waiting for the door to swing inwards before she advanced past him. "This is my guest, Mister Splash."

"How do you do?" Color smiled at the gatekeeper before trotting past him to keep up with Libel. "That isn't the same one I got past the other time I went to visit."

"Mother has four gate keeps. Keeper, Watcher, Guard, and, mmm, what was her name... Hen, that's right, Hen. She moves them around where she's going to be, and they take shifts." Libel walked up to the front door and reached out to press down with a hoof on some unseen button. The door slid open smoothly. "Mother thinks putting your mouth on a knob is dirty business."

Color smiled a little. "As a unicorn, I find myself agreeing more often than not." He nudged the door a little wider with a glowing horn. "It's never polite to bring that up around, uh... not unicorns."

Libel hiked a brow at that. "Feel free to. Mother would love a sympathetic ear, I imagine. Just watch your phrasing. She hates unicorns with superiority complexes."

"Right..." He stepped inside with Libel, glancing around. "Where's the sitting room?"

"I thought you had snuck in?"

"That was a different manor!" He huffed softly and turned in place. "And it wasn't on the first floor. He said the first one, right?"

"He did, this way." She slipped past him and started a purposeful stride, not quite trotting. "It's not far."

They made their way through the building that seemed empty. It was too large with too few ponies in it. They passed a maid on the way. The mare's ears pricked up. "Little Libely! And is... that can't be." She moved towards them with a bright smile. "Tell me it isn't..."

Color tilted his head at the mare that was looking at him intently. "I'm Color Splash, nice to me--"

"Little Splash!" She squeaked. "It is you! I remember when you were only this tall." She lifted a hoof not that high. "The young miss here would give you no end of trouble."

Color looked distant a moment before it clicked and he began echoing the smile. "Miss Pot!"

"Yes, that's me. It's so lovely to see you again. Why are you..." Her eyes slid to Libel. "No..."

"May I present, my suitor, Color Splash." Libel gestured to Color with an extended wing.

"No!" She clopped a hoof, though her smile only widened. "Magnificent! Wonderful... I had secretly hoped against hope maybe it would be true some day..." She suddenly cleared her throat. "I should get back to work. Miss Word does not pay me to gossip. Congratulations, both of you."

Libel nodded towards the maid but let her pass without further ado. "I didn't know she remembered you."

"I didn't know I remembered her. I feel bad she had to be the first to point it out." He tilted his head. "Remember when she caught me climbing the side of your house?"

Libel started to color rapidly. "Do not bring that time up around mother, thank you." She cleared her throat softly. "Especially considering it was my idea that put you on the wall, desperately clinging." She barely restrained a little chuckle, resuming her walk.

She stopped before a set of double doors and took a slow breath. "Alright, you wait right here until I call you."

"Or... we just walk in?"

"Color... no, please... please just this time listen? Please..." She pressed a concealed button, causing the door to slide open. "Mother, I'm home."

"Libelous." Her mother looked up from a book she had been reading. "It is good to see you, and quite a surprise."

Libel doubted that, seeing as they had organized the thing long before it happened. "A pleasant one, I do hope. Mother, I would like to introduce you to a pony that I feel would be a quality consideration for the family."

"Oh? There are times I wonder if even you wish to be a part, but now you bring another?" She set the book she had been reading down, sitting up, eyes locked on Libel. "What qualities would you say they might bring to our esteemed household?"

Libel gestured back through the door she had entered through. "A well-established artist, they have two pieces on proud display in Canterlot Castle, with a third in production." She leaned forward a little. "Prestigiously known, their work is displayed in several fine galleries, including the Redwood."

"Redwood, hmm..." Miss Word stroked her chin softly. "And two, you say? How fine... but what of his breeding? We are an ancient family, and you are aware of this." She brought down her hoof in a firm clop on the desk. "I trust you do not seek to muddy that line."

"N-no, of course not, Mother." She flipped her ears back with a cringe. "He's a lovely pony, a unicorn--"

"--And that's good enough? So he's a unicorn. I've met plenty of unicorns that wouldn't be suited to breed with the family dog, let alone my daughter." She snorted softly. "Tell me of their parentage."

She cleared her throat, trying to fight the lump forming in it. "He is the son of two hard working parents." She had no illustrious genealogy to offer. "Merrily wedded, he is their only child."

"I understand that..." She didn't pry into it, a thing that surprised Libel. "And these two only foals would come together to make something?" Her hoof suddenly clopped down. "What's this I hear that you are no longer the lead editor? Do you have any idea how long I worked to ensure you could begin down that path?"

Libel's ears jerked up, tongue tied with the abrupt topic shaft. "Hu--"

"--Is that the expression you had? That wouldn't surprise me. What were you thinking? Libelous Word, I expected be--" She cut off her words abruptly. Color was peeking in around the corner of the door. "Little Splash... Go away. I have a daughter to discipline."

Libel's color began to drain, spinning around to see him peeking. "Go away!" she hissed in echo, fur standing on edge.

"I'm afraid I can't do that." He took a step forward, his legs shaking a little. "Ma'am..."

"You really are a stubborn little colt, Little Splash... This is a serious affair, not for innocents to hear. Go off; have the maid make you something sweet."

Color clenched his teeth, struggling against the patronizing kindness. "Miss Word, your daughter is taking the first real step to bringing honor to your family."

Miss Word's eyes widened slightly, her pupils contracting. "What? You... What would you know of the honor we carry? What would... you..." She suddenly stood up, the chair sliding back behind her roughly, almost falling over. "How dare you! You're not too old to bend over a mare's knee and paddle red."

"Mother!" Libel's hooves wavered as if she wasn't sure if she should advance or retreat. "Please..."

Miss Word took a soft breath. "You are correct, this is unseemly behavior... Color Splash." Her brows fell as one. "I give you a chance to explain. It had best be good. How does Young Word's action bring something besides dishonor on us. Seriously, an unemployed lady of the house? Unforgivable."

"You weren't employed." Color's horn glowed, grabbing a book off the shelf behind Miss Word and flopping it open on the desk in front of her. "You wrote this yourself, without anyone that could be confused with an employer. You turned down the chance to work in the castle."

"I would have been an archivist," spat out the older mare, scowling at Color. "That is no work for a mistress of this house! Word. That is our purpose. I had to write."

"And she doesn't?" He waved at Color emphatically. "She is ready to take up the family calling."

"What?" She looked to Libel directly, as if forgetting Color existed. "Explain, now. What is it you're doing?"

Libel raised a hoof behind her head, squirming uncomfortably. "Mother, I was hoping to announce it at a more proper time and place."

"This is the time and place." She clopped a hoof down, wings fidgeting. "Explain."

"I have... begun work on a book."

Her eyes rolled. "Ugh, is it more of that fictional work? Your prose for drama is... not your strength, my sweet child. This is why I brought you to the paper, where you could play to your specialty." She approached Libel with a little smile. "Your fiction is... acceptable, but--"

"--I'm not writing fiction," she cut in.

"What are you writing?" She cocked a brow. "Tell me then. Impress me."

Impressing her was just what she feared to do. With ears pinned and eyes downcast, Libelous struggled for words. "I-it's about a medical condition, one that affects many ponies, but they're socially... outcast for it. I'm still in the... research... phase of things, but I--"

"I'm falling asleep, Daughter. Impress me."

With cheeks burning red and her teeth set, Libel forced her snout up. "It's going to be a book for ponies of any age that wets themselves or lives with somepony else who does, talking about how to handle it, approach it, and live with it without just stewing in their personal little hells, thinking they're all alone."

Miss Word sat slowly, softly humming to herself as her left forehoof tapped lightly. "How... personal. Be careful about that. You can lose sight of your goal when you make it too... personal."

Color softly coughed into a hoof, his magic pulling another book free. Miss Word whipped up a wing into its path, preventing its flight. "Yes yes, Little Splash, I know I've written very personal books before. Just because I did it does not mean I recommend the same thing to my daughter!" She huffed softly, rising to her hooves. "You are a darling little foal, but you are beyond incorrigible. Make me consider it one more time and I will begin the paddling right where Libelous can watch."

"Do as I say, not as I do," spat out Libel suddenly. "Easy words, Mother."

"I have learned," Miss Word suddenly screamed, heaving a moment. "I have lived and learned and I don't want my... child... to suffer in the same ways I have... I was young once too, you realize. I turned up my nose at my own parent's advice. They warned me away from your father, said they could smell his poor character a mile away, told me to swear him off and find something else."

"But did I listen? And here we are. Where is he, Libelous Word. Where. Is. He?"
> 54 - Heated Words
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Color sat and raised his forehooves. "I'm not running any--"

"--I know that, Little Splash." Succinct Word sank to her haunches. "I know that... You're a sweet little thing, more likely to get hurt in all of this." Her eyes focused on Libel. "I am trying to protect my daughter from the same traps I blundered into when I was too young to listen to my own parents."

"I will not give up writing this book." Libelous drew herself tall, sitting up straight. "Even if it... never comes out the way I want it to, it needs to come out. There are ponies, just like me, who need to hear they aren't alone, and they shouldn't be ashamed of living."

Succinct pointed at Libel. "Have you thought? Have you even considered? You will indelibly bind your name to... this." She gestured vaguely towards Libel's back end. "If you wanted it to be secret, you can forget any such lofty ideals."

"I already tried that!" Libel hissed, stomping her own forehoof. "Ponies know, and more will know. I'll publish this, and we can stop pretending it's a secret. I... have a boyfriend that's willing to love me despite my... problem... I have a work assistant that respects me deeply, and she knows about it. My former boss? Yeah he knew about it. My entire workplace was running a betting circle on when I'd figure out they all knew about it!"

Color leaned towards Libel, not touching. "This... affects me too. I mean, everypony will know..."

"That you sleep with a bedwetter," sighed out Succinct. "Who sometimes doesn't even wait for bed." She rose to her hooves. "Enough. You have made... your stance clear. You will ignore me, as usual... as I did. The cycle, I suppose, will not end that easily." She turned to face Color directly. "Welcome, Color Splash, suitor of my foolish daughter."

Libel's ears perked. "You're alright with him?"

"He asked my permission beforehoof, like the good little colt he is." She circled the desk and planted a kiss on either of his stunned cheeks. "He has a good heart, and I trust he will treat you properly. I already gave up on getting you... to look towards ponies with better blood."

Libel shook her head slowly. "I'm... glad to hear that."

"For a change." Succinct turned to Libel. "Don't think I haven't seen what you're doing."

"What am I... doing?"

Succinct raised a brow. "You're pushing the poor boy, trying to make new blood out of him. Well, I can't argue the results, he is part of our world, like it or not." she snorted softly. "Have you taught him how to respond to solicitations?"

Color blinked softly in confusion. "Like somepony trying to get me to subscribe to a paper?"

Succinct raised a hoof for quiet from him, her eyes still on Libel. "The accountants say you're already funnelling his money away; good, the least you can do."

Libel directed an ear towards her boyfriend. "She's talking about ponies with ideas and schemes and sad stories."

"Precisely so." Succinct turned to him, raising a hoof to rest on one of his recently smooched cheeks. "When a pony spins a sob story, as tragic as a moonless night, and gazes deep into your eyes, begging for reprieve... what will you do?"

Color backed a half-step. "I mean... try to help?"

"And they will take it, and take it, and continue taking." She snorted softly. "You have too much money for that to be a good idea; and I would wager good money you haven't budgeted for such acts of charity."

"You budget those?!"

Succinct raised a brow at Libel.

Libel's cheeks began to darken. "We haven't gone over some of the... finer points. I've been a little occupied. I figured if we got the bits away from day-to-day access, that was a good start."

"And it is just that; a start." Succinct nodded as she began to walk past both of them. "Poor little thing. If it helps, I was once just as confused. It seems so easy, on the outside, to have bits. Once my parents trusted me with my first real allowance... I became poor."

Libel and Color began to follow her as they entered the hallway they had started from and began navigating the manor. "Poor?" asked Color as he came up on her right side. "But you just got more money."

"You don't understand what it is to be without, until you have it." Succinct smiled gently. "Little Splash, having you with your wide, confused, eyes is like having a little child again. Please spare me your rebellious stages."

Libel coughed softly into a hoof. "Mother is correct. Once you have, you know what it means to 'have not', as they say. You were very content with the money you once had, Color, but would you be just as happy being put there again?"

Color tried to imagine being in that little town, with only a few bits to spare between when he sold a scrap of art. Eating out would become a luxury again. Everything he had started to get used to, out of reach. "I... suppose not..." It wouldn't be the same place. He could never go back to that state of being, and a soft shudder ran down his spine.

"I think he's understanding." Succinct turned an ear towards him. "Little Splash, I tried to warn you away... but you are a child of the Words, which means you don't listen, do you, Little Splash?"

Color blushed softly. "Miss Word, I--"

She turned suddenly and put a hoof to his lips. "You are binding yourself to my daughter, that makes me your mother. I will be addressed that way."

Color's ears danced. "O-oh, I was told--"

"--correctly," finished Succinct. "I am changing what is proper. I assume there is no issue with that?"

"No! I mean... no, Mother." He tilted his head a little, wondering a moment what a family meeting of both sides would look like. "I'm... actually a little relieved."

Succinct smiled at that, a gentle expression. "My Little Splashy was waiting for a chance to call me mother? It warms my heart." She pat him on his left cheek and turned to resume walking. "Libel, have you been a naughty mare?"

"Pardon?" Libel hiked a brow at her mother. "What do you mean?"

"Are you in the process of trying to create a grandfoal for me?" She glanced over her shoulder. "Don't look like that. I'm not stupid. Ponies don't always wait for marriage these days. Just tell me honestly."

Libel stuttered a moment before she shook her head clear. "We enjoy one another's... physical presence... but we are not trying for a foal at this time."

"Physical presence," laughed out Succinct. "That's one way of phrasing it... Splashy, she is your princess, and I expect you're treating her like one."

"Yes, Mom!" he almost yelped, holding his head high despite his furious blush.

"Good boy." She stepped on a button, causing the next set of doors to open into a dining room. "Now, let's enjoy ourselves and speak of lighter things perhaps? I know my parenting isn't always... welcome... so I'll pretend I'm just a friendly associate, and you can tell me how things have been."

Soon they were seated. Mother sat on one wide side of the table, and Libel sat on the other wide side of the long table, next to Color.

The maid from earlier trotted in with a smile and a tray on her back. "Oh aren't you all looking chipper, how delightful!" She let the tray slide gently onto the table and pushed it between all three of them. "If you need a thing at all, just call."

"Good mare, that one." Succinct nodded softly to herself. "There's a reason she still works here. Younger than me, she may still be working for the Words when you... take the position."

Libel flipped her ears back. "Mother... I'm not hoping for that day to come any sooner... However mad I get... I don't want that."

Succinct nodded softly. "Good to hear. I happen to enjoy being alive, so I'll put that off for now, since you don't mind."  She reached a wing and plucked the lid off the tray, revealing their dinner that smelled softly of fish, and strongly of cheese. "A fitting dish for the occasion, I think."

Color frowned in thought even as he got himself a serving with his magic. "It smells great, but... I don't understand?"

"It's alright, Little Splash." Her eyes were on Libel.

Libel accepted her serving with a little frown. "Many ponies say mixing cheese and seafood is a bad idea, the cheese overwhelms the fish, and you lose its taste."

Succinct raised a hoof, wielding a fork attached to it. "And yet, some rules can be broken, with delicious results." She poked her food with the fork and began carefully working up a dollop to consume. "Here's to hoping this is just that, a tasty little taboo that we will all enjoy in the end."

Color leaned forward even as the food migrated under his magic into his waiting maw. He chewed softly a moment with a pleased noise. "Wait... were you planning this?"

"You don't have this prepared in minutes, Splashy." Libel rolled her eyes. "How much did you know?"

Succinct gestured at Libel. "He asked me like a good colt, and he's been inseparable from your side. I'm not that slow, Daughter. Now." She brought her hooves together with an odd metal clink from the silverware attached to them. "What would it take to get you to at least consider foals while you're young and ready for them?"

"Mother!" She lit up bright red, glancing away from Succinct. "You can't... ask... wait." She looked back to Succinct, squirming. "You really approve of Color enough to hurry that along?"

She snorted at that. "You're not leaving him, and he's caught in your web, just as he was when he was a little thing. You two are an item, my opinion be damned. I'm not getting younger, and neither are you. Now... what would make you consider it?"

Color tapped his forehooves with a nervous glancing about. "I would... try my best, to be a good father, and a, uh... husband, I suppose... I mean, we're... not even married."

"Yet." Succinct smiled thinly. "Yet."

"That's a big yet," argued Libel, slurping up some of her dinner. "Regardless, being... with foal means I have to slow down."

"Well, good thing you work from home now, a fine time to consider such a thing. You can waddle to your typewriter and trust your loving suitor here to see to your every need." Her eyes darted to Color. "Right?"

"Of course!" he squeaked. "But only if she wanted it."

"Thank you." Libel let out a little breath. "I can have a foal later, if ever... Why the rush, Mother?"

"My mother waited... She never admitted it, but I'm certain... it's one of the reasons I don't have her around... Having foals is for the young, Young Word. Just... consider it. I know you won't believe me, but you will regret it after the chance is gone."

Color set his magically held fork down gently. "Thank you for this delicious meal."

"You're quite welcome. If you see Miss Pot around, be sure to thank her as well."

Color was no expert on rich finances, but... "Isn't she the maid?"

"And butler and chef at times. She does many things." Succinct smiled thinly. "I blame it on age, but I like having fewer ponies I know around these days."

Libel quirked an ear at that, reaching a wing for a bottle of dark red wine. "You still have the same four gate ponies."

"They practically come in a set," Succinct defended with a smile. "I wouldn't want to seperate them, and they work together so well. Speaking of that, don't you think it's time you started gathering a proper household?"
> 55 - Household
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Joke's on you, Mother." Libel smiled with confidence. "I already have started that."

Succinct sat up with surprise in her eyes, and a little of a happy smile. "Go on, finish the thought. What manner of household have you started?"

Color raised a hoof, suddenly getting it. "She has a groundskeeper with a green hoof. He's a complete genius when it comes to tending plants."

"That  is a fine start." She nodded softly. "And it won't compete with the others. They'll be happy to know their jobs are not in jeopardy when you come."

Libel snorted at that. "You know, you can have more than one of a position, especially with... the number of manors the family owns."

"Speaking of that." Succinct leaned forward. "Promise me you'll consider a foal, just consider it, and I'd like you to move."

"Move?" She hiked a brow at her mother. "I told my boss to to take a hike when he told me the same. I like Canterlot."

"Fine then, take the Canterlot manor." She waved it away softly. "Take it and live in it. Breathe some new life into it as you write. Weave words in it, as a Word manor should be used for. Your groundskeeper will start earning their keep with an estate that large."

"Provided I consider a child."

"I only ask that you consider. I can't force you, you've made that quite clear, but I can ask that much." She took a slow and shaking breath. "It was one of the reasons I loathed your father so very much... When you came to me, Libel; when I held you in my arms... In that moment, it was so clear. I knew I loved you, and always would. I thought the same amount him. I thought everything made sense."

Color's ears sagged at the sad story. "Never." The two mares glanced at him. "I mean... I would never do that! I... can't even... why?! He's... stupid." He was blushing brightly, the looks he was getting from the two wordsmiths crippling in their intensity. "I'm not the writer," he squeaked. "But he is! Why would he throw so much away?"

Libel huffed softly. "He's not here to ask, and I'm not looking for the jerk. The one good thing he did was make me, and he couldn't even get that right."

"Libel!" She clopped the top of the table, scowling at her daughter. "Take that back."

"Why should I," fired back Libel, a scowl on her face and her fur raised. "I checked the records, Mother, and this condition certainly didn't come from your side of the family."

Succinct sighed tiredly, sinking into her seat. "He was young and stupid, much like I was at the time... He allowed himself to be distracted."

Color raised an ear at Succinct. "Wait, you know what happened then, besides him leaving?"

"He did leave me for another mare." She tilted her head faintly. "But not the way you would imagine. He never touched her, not that way."

Color slowly blinked, trying to process it. "So... why?" His face suddenly darkened. "If that's... alright to ask, Mom."

Libel clopped the table much as Succinct had earlier. "Stop stop stop! You told me he ran off with some mare he was making eyes with and that was that. What's this second chapter of the story from?"

"She was a younger thing..." Succinct shuffled in her chair. "I thought he had, practically vanished overnight. I learned the story later, when I was lucid enough to follow him." She smiled wryly. "When my daughter didn't need my constant attention..."

Libel turned her ears back. "What happened?"

"I had him found, of course." She lifted her shoulders. "What is the purpose of money if never spent? I found him, or what was left."

"Left?" Color perked an ear. "Is he... gone?"

"Very." Succinct pushed at her plate with her wings. "This is a miserable way to end dinner. Look, he followed some misty-eyed mare, got to know her. She was sick, very sick... They called him, he was the only pony she had, it seemed... He went running, didn't think to leave me a note, just gone..."

She poured herself some wine, filling a glass tall. "She needed a transplant, and he didn't even pause for breath. They had him under the knife, and he never came out the other end."

Libel wobbled in place, her neck refusing to hold her head on straight. "Dad... He... Why didn't you tell me this?"

"She's alive." She looked across the table to the staggered Libel. "The mare that stole my stupid husband away... The transplant worked, for her. She's healthy... has foals even... I met her once." She drew a thin breath. "She told me... he would talk about me. He told her... He... never wanted to leave me, that I made his world whole." She slammed down the glass. It shattered on impact, wine splashing on the table. "But he threw all that away, didn't he?"

Color squirmed, feeling numb and unsure what to say. "That..."

Her eyes focused on him. "Little Splash, you have a good heart. Are you looking for some desperate mare to die for?"

He paled, backing up so hard his chair fell over backwards, spilling him onto the floor.

"Mother! That was uncalled... for. I... need to think." She stepped down from her seat. "Why didn't you tell me?!"

"Tell you what?" Succinct frowned at Libel. "You were a filly. 'Your father didn't run away like I thought he did?' As if you'd understand what he did, or why he did it. The older you got, the more awkward it became. I almost wished it was an act of misplaced passion. A cheating husband is much easier to explain than one so kind he destroyed everything."

Color climbed to his hooves, horn magic setting the chair back where it had started. "That's... not what I had imagined."

Succinct glanced at Libel's retreating form before looking back to Color. "Imagine it, if you would, from my perspective. I had spent years loathing that stallion, thinking he discarded me for some... fling... I was convinced he had fallen to depravity of the worst kind, just to find out he was a damn fool of a hero? With a mare that could tell me with teary eyes how much she appreciated his noble sacrifice?"

"That had to be hard..." He turned one ear back, the other still on Succinct. "Do you... talk to her?"

"I would sooner die." Succinct put a forelock over her face a moment. "I do not wish her ill... I... she can live as happily as she pleases, but she took him from me. That fact remains true, even if it was... his choice. I have no desire to speak to her again."

Color put a hoof to his chest. He could feel his heart thundering and his head swimming. "Why are you... alright with me then? Aren't..."

"You just a sappy little stallion that could do the same thing again? Why yes you are." She let her hooves fall as she stepped down from the chair. "Clean this up."

"Yes, Ma'am." Miss Pot had slipped in quietly at some point and got to cleaning without asking questions.

Succinct circled the table towards Color. "I tried to arrange things for her, with stallions that would never do that. Each of them had enough love for themselves that they'd never agree to just... toss it away. I was trying to protect her, Little Splash. I was trying..."

Color nodded at Miss Pot, but his eyes were quick to snap back to Succinct. "But... you said yes?"

"It was say yes, or finish pushing her away, Little Splash." She raised a hoof to his cheek. "Poor thing..." She could feel him trembling at her touch. "All I ask is that you not forget what he did. Your life is not your own anymore. You belong to her."

He backed a hesitant step. "O-of course...I mean..." He shuffled in place, grasping desperately for words. "I love her."

"He loved me," she countered with a defeated sigh. "Too much love, not enough sense."

"Do you hate him?"

"If he were suddenly here, you mean?" She smiled lopsidedly. "Right in this room, arms wide as if back from some tortuously long trip. What would I do then?" She circled him slowly, tail lashing. "I'd cry, Color. Your mother would cry, but that is not happening. He made a decision, and then he was gone..."

"I'm sorry," he barely breathed out.

"Go to your princess."

He perked his ears at her, taking a wobbling step. "Um, sure, but... please..." He wasn't sure what he was begging for. He wasn't sure what he was trying to request. He gave up with a little sad huff and ran off to find Libel.

"All clean, Ma'am." Miss Pot had restored the table to pristine condition. "Shall I dispose of the remaining food?"

"Kindly."

Miss Pot hesitated a moment. "He... reminds you of him, doesn't he?"

"Not now, Miss Pot."

"Yes, Ma'am." Miss Pot got back to work, not troubling her employer again that evening.





Libel crashed onto the bed, burying her face into the pillow with a defeated groan. She beat on the soft material of the bed with inarticulate hooves, unable to get out the knot that she could feel within herself.

A soft knock interrupted her. "Go away," she ordered.

"No," defied the muffled voice of her boyfriend.

"Splashy..." She sat up, facing the door. "Ugh, come in if you have to."

He opened the door gently, a trick unicorns tended to master. "Libel... that was... a lot, I know that."

"Do you know that? I hope you never do, Splashy... I really hope you never ever do..." She flopped to the side, still facing him. "My father... everything I knew about him... a lie..." She laughed a choked noise. "And here I am... ready to hitch up with a stallion just like him. It's just like they say..."

"Was... he a unicorn?" Color closed the door gently behind himself. "Not that it matters. Libel, I still love you."

"Splashy..." She pat the bed gently. "Come up here and be quiet. I need some quiet and company right now."

With a soft thumping, he climbed up onto the bed and snuggled in with her. His presence broke through her barriers, and she felt the tears coming, refusing to be held back. She buried her face in his chest and let them come, holding to him as she quietly sobbed.

"I'll never leave you," he whispered. "They'll have to drag me away screaming, and I'll fight every inch of the way."

She paused her sniffles to glance up at him. "That is both romantic and dumb as hell, Splashy... Thank you."

He kissed the top of her head. "That's me." Romantic and dumb as hell, he felt that way at times. "Now, uh... is this your room?"

"It was," she sighed out.

"Wow." He tried to imagine a little filly Libel in such a bed so massive two grown ponies were easily sharing it. Her life was not his own. "It's nice..." His eyes wandered over the things still there. "Did she not... move a thing?"

"Not a thing." Libel sat up a little. "Oh, she added a few things." She pointed. "There's a copy of my diploma from graduation."

Color kissed the bottom of her chin. "Looking about half as sharp as the mare that earned it."

"Splashy..." She nipped at an ear, and the cuddling intensified. In grief, sometimes intense love was one way to work through it.
> 56 - Cycles
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning, Libel roused and checked her sleeping bedmate before slipping quietly from the room, aiming for the bathroom to freshen up for the day. There was more than one, of course, and she aimed for the one closest to the room she had slept in.

"Good morning."

Just as Libel reached an intersection, the voice and image of her mother struck at the same instant. She jumped with surprise. "Mother... hello."

"Hello." She looked past Libel down the hallway she had come from. "Can we talk?"

"You're asking permission now?" She hiked a brow. "That's not like you."

"I'll talk if I want to, but that doesn't mean you'll listen, or respond. Can we talk?" She gestured aside at a mostly empty sitting room. "I'll be brief."

Libel abandoned thoughts of warm baths for the moment, following her mother. "Sorry, for running off like that."

Succinct inclined an ear at Libel. "I would have been impressed, and worried, if you hadn't responded..." She stepped up onto the one couch in there, settling with plenty of room left. "I'm the one that should be sorry."

"Are you? What for?" Libel hopped up onto a basic wooden chair that sat near a desk.

"Cheeky girl..." Succinct sighed softly. "'It was awkward' is a terrible excuse... I should have told you, sooner. I have to admit that to myself, and you. Maybe I should have told you the instant I knew... It was my... This is a very..." She sank onto the couch with a weary grunt.

"Even a Word can be struck speechless at times." Libel smiled thinly. "I still hate him."

Succinct perked an ear. "Who? Your father?"

"Yes him." She crossed  her hooves. "He did a nice thing, but 'nice' doesn't always mean 'right'. He made a shitty decision for a new father. What did he see... in this random mare?"

Succinct lifted an ear. "Well... It's exactly as I was trying to educate your... suitor... She had a tragic tale, black as night. He had the answer. He gave, she took..."

Libel hiked a brow. "That makes it sound like she just took his bits. If he did that, he'd be laughing about it right now, not... dead, so..." She rolled a hoof in the air. "Explain?"

"She was unwell." She huffed softly. "Not the kind that kills a pony right away; wasn't even aware  it as a thing she had, until she tried to become a mother."

Libel's ears trained on her own mother. "She was pregnant?!"

"And doing a poor job of it... Maybe... just fresh off of helping me though the time, he couldn't help but sympathize... That condition was making it worse, would have killed her, and the foal. He couldn't even stand the thought... He would just visit her, I learned."

She looked towards a bookshelf, the books holding no answers for this. "He would visit and comfort her and try to cheer her, encouraging her to have hope they'd find a donor... But they didn't, and time was running out. He never told me a word of this, not a whisper. He just smiled at me like everything was fine, then go visit the sick mare."

Libel's teeth set. "Until they got desperate, and he volunteered..."

"She was dying." Succinct growled softly, a rolling noise that shook her form. "Her body was quitting, he was there... He was in the room when she went critical..."

"And he was the one that died instead of her," finished Libel, leaning her head against the back of the chair she was in. "Which left two foals without a dad. Where was her stallion?"

Succinct scowled at that. "Not there... I didn't pry past that. Does it matter?"

"I suppose not... Did... that foal live?"

"She did." Succinct sat up. "I couldn't tell you more than that. It's not my business. The damn fool at least did what he set out to do. The mother lived, the child lived. A happy ending, if you ignore two little things."

"Two little things..." Libel trembled softly. "Jerk..." Her tone didn't have all the conviction she'd want. "A hero and a jerk at the same time."

"That is... about right... I have one more confession."

Libel shrank back, but her ears went forward. "Please don't tear apart my worldview anymore."

"This one is far smaller." She held up two hooves close together. "You have met a mare, a mailmare? Her eyes are not properly aligned."

"Derpy?" Libel inclined an ear. "What about her?"

"She's on my payroll, or has been for a small while... I was... testing your stallion... I wanted to see if a pitiable and nice mare would distract him away; one that had far fewer requests, at least to start."

Libel sat up straight. "Mother! That... Mother!"

"You can be irate, that is your right, but Little Splash passed. He has... done his part well. I don't think he'll make the same mistake... I pray not... Please forgive your mother."

Libel put a hoof over her chest. "Well, we can make this even easily."

"Mm?"

"I don't want another word about my book. Even better... I'd like your support. Tell me, without lying, what you think of it. Read it, and be proud that I'm writing, damn it. Even if it ends up being horrible, be proud of that, at least." She thumped the arm of the chair, wings spreading a moment before folding restlessly. "Can you do that?"

"I plan to read every single word you write." Succinct raised a brow. "I already have." She inclined a wing at the shelf she had glanced at before. "All of your works."

"What?" Libel hopped down, wings catching the air before she hit the ground, causing a swooping motion that carried her easily to the shelf that she attached to, peering at the books. "You had my articles bound? And here's my first book... Mother? Why... didn't you tell me?"

Succinct smiled gently, watching Libel examine her own work. "I thought it'd only make you embarrassed, or angry."

"I am both of those things." She grabbed a book by its spine in her teeth and fell easily to the ground. She turned back towards Succinct. "But I'm also... happy." A single tear dripped to the ground as she approached her mother. "How long have you been gathering them?"

"Since your first sentence." She gestured with a wing towards the left side of the shelf. "A single book used to hold quite a bit of your writing, but you became more verbose with age and practice... Now... Libelous Word, I expect much from you. I expect... that you will write with everything you have. No matter the topic, it should glow with your touch. Can you do that?"

"Mother." Libel dropped the book on the couch her mother was sitting on. "If I wasn't your daughter, this would be... a little creepy. Lucky for you--"

"Giving birth to you did come with certain benefits, one supposes." She reached for Libel, setting a hoof on her head. "Thank you, for listening. Now, dispel this suspense. Am I forgiven?"

"A good writer waits until they have good words..." She hiked an ear at her mother. "I only blame you on sitting on the sequel for so long everyone forgot the original plot."

Succinct turned her nose. "You're feeling good enough to make humor... I'll accept that. Go, wash yourself. If you're done with me, go on home with your stallion. You stayed for dinner, all I asked in the end."

"Did you really hire Derpy? She seemed so... oblivious."

"A fine mask she wears quite well. Sometimes I wonder if even she knows she's wearing it, but she gets things done... She once met you while wearing two masks, and you didn't notice."

"Two?" Libel hiked an ear. "If this was written down, I'd question the quality of this plot... I should bathe."





Color awoke to being alone on a strange bed. A moment later he remembered where he was and stepped down carefully, looking around his girlfriend's filly-room. He slipped out into the hallway and looked around, unsure where to go. "Libel?"

"Little Splash?" Miss Pot stepped into view from around the corner. "Ah, yes, there you are. Would you like some breakfast?"

He licked his lips. "That sounds great... Say... Miss Pot, besides a thank you for that dinner... do you still make that prench  toast? The big fluffy ones? I don't even know how you made them, but I miss them."

Miss Pot's face lit  up with a warm smile. "It's been simply ages since anyone asked me for one of those. It's not one of the Missus' favorites, and with no foals around, well..." She turned away. "I'd be glad to make some for you, follow me."

She led him to a small dining room. "Just sit there and get comfortable. I'll be back with a drink and we'll get breakfast on the way. If you need anything else, you just let me know, Young Master."

Color perked an ear at that. "I'm not your master, and I'm  not that young..."

"You're younger than me," countered Miss Pot with a smile. "And you are my master, just how that works. Unless Miss Word commands it, any guest of this house is my master. Hmmph, not young. I still remember when you were so small." She trotted off in search of drinks and cooking.

He saw a paper folded on the table and reached for it with his magic, unfolding it to find it was the day's copy of the same paper Libel used to work for. He began to read through it casually, only interrupted with a jump when something was set on the table.

"Here you are." Miss Pot gestured at a big glass of orange juice. "Drink up, boys need juice to grow up strong."

"I don't think I'm growing much more than I already did." He set the paper down and picked up the glass in his magic. "But I'll gladly accept this, thanks. Do you know where's Libel?"

"I heard the bath running, I imagine she's in there. I'll send her here when she's out, and have enough for the both of you, have no worry." She retreated busily from the room with a happy little whistle.

The juice was quite fresh. He squinted softly as he sipped. "Did she just literally juice this? It still had pulp, and tasted so fresh, like the sort he'd given up getting in the city. Sure, back home... right off the farm... He sighed gently with a smile, nostalgia filling him a moment with a sort of joy.

Maybe he really did need a...

He frowned softly. Had he been about ready to hire a chef, like that? His life had... changed.

"Extra fluffy," sang Miss Pot as she entered with a tray on her back overburdened with great big slabs of appetizing slices of bread. "Now you eat up." She let it slide off of herself onto the table. "Sauces." She set out a variety of syrups. "The strawberry's my favorite, but don't be shy."

"You are absolutely perfect." Pity he couldn't just hire Miss Pot, but he was reasonably certain he'd be ripped into small pieces by Miss Word, and for good reason, if he even uttered a faint desire for it. "Thank you! It smells... like foalhood."

He just couldn't hold back the smile on his face. It'd been so long since he had one of Miss Pot's prench toast slices, and a whole platter of them, for himself!? He had to giggle softly to himself, snatching up a fork with his magic. "Did you tell Libel?" That was about the only thing that could make his breakfast better, his lovely girlfriend.

"She's on the way, Little Splash." She saw the moment of sourness on his face. "Please allow me that, Young Master. It reminds me of nice times."

His dour expression evaporated. Luxuriating in nostalgia, he... thought he could understand. "Yeah, you do that. I'm sorry I was being a grump about it." It seemed a fair trade, in the end, he decided.
> 57 - This Too Shall Pass
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Libel sat up, her wings clacking busily at the page. "I think we should get a pre-reader or two."

"Hm?" Bottom peeked up from her notes. "How many do you want?"

Color turned an ear, but most of his attention was on the painting he was slowly realizing. "Just like that, how many?"

"That is the pressing question,  is it not?" Bottom half-shrugged. "Give me a number and I'll arrange it."

Day flopped against Bottom. "That's my mare."

"I'm not yours yet." she nipped the closest ear. "Stallions, rushing ahead."

Libel snorted softly in agreement with her mare frind. "Just a few, even one good reader would be fine."

"Three it is." Bottom casually jotted a note with a quill as her hooves continued working at her typewriter. "I presume we want them to review and feedback the first four chapters?"

"Still can't believe my bro is a spy." Day sat up, looking off into the distance. "We're still bros though, right?"

Color twisted an ear towards him. "You think you were struck by that? She was... looking interested at me. I still wonder if that was all an act."

"Nah."

Color hurled a small dry brush at Day. "That is my least favorite word from you sometimes."

Day accepted the impact with a lazy smile. "She really likes you, but she said she would leave you alone if you're with Libel. She ain't a bad pony."

Libel cleared her throat softly. "She saved my back end... while working for my mother. I'm very conflicted. Either way, yes, three readers, do that." She pointed at Bottom briefly before her eyes fixed on her paper, resuming her typing. "We are making such great progress, I just want to be sure someone other than just us agrees."

"Understandable." Bottom lifted a paper from her typewriter with her magic and floated it towards Libel. "Here's the research you were asking about."

"Mm?" She reached a wing to accept it and had a peek. "Oh! Medical, yeah, thanks." She set it down gently. "Lovely and just on time. You are a master of timing, let me note."

"I only need the 'pre-readers' I have in this room." Color backed up from the painting and gestured at it. "How's it looking?"

All eyes turned to the canvas they had been ignoring. "Nice," breathed out Bottom with a smile.

"There we are." A glowing arrow pointed at where Canterlot and its mountain was a small little thing on the hovering world in the night sky. Luna was on the much larger moon, standing so stalwartly against the unknown. "It's very nice. Did she select the armor?"

"She did." Color nodded with a smile. "Could you tell that?"

"A guess. She is fairly particular, especially in regards to her own appearance. If you had to select them for her, the odds of her raising concerns would be troublingly high."

Day leaned a bit onto Bottom. "Did I mention she let me wear a night guard helmet?"

"I'm sure you looked quite fierce," joked Bottom with a little smile, resuming her typing on a new sheet of paper.

Color snorted at that. "He tickled me with tufted ears, the fierce guardian of the night."

Libel threw a fetlock over her snout to cover a burst of laughter. "He did not?! It's too easy to imagine that. So... it is the armor then? I always wondered."

Day nodded softly. "Mmhmm. I had slitted eyes and cute ears and everything. She didn't let me try on the rest of the armor. I wonder if I would have gotten the wings or not..."

Bottom nudged him back into an upright position. "Of that I doubt. She likely just recruits pegasi for the position. At best, you'd get illusory wings that never did anything."

"That'd still be cool." He nodded once, firm in his beliefs. "Would you still love me if I was a guardian of the night?"

Bottom raised a brow. "No." She leaned over and touched her nose to his cheek. "That is  not you. You are a guardian of the garden. Soft and cute and lovable. Keep doing that, please."

"I'll try, but I dunno... if Luna offers it..."

"I'll pounce you to the ground." Her hooves kept tick-tacking haltlessly. "I'll bite you until you give up and turn back into the Day Dreamer I decided I like being around. It's your fault, you know what pony I fell in with, and I won't give them up easily."

"You two are adorable." Libel set a paper aside on a small pile. "I think this chapter's done. Get those readers and we'll see what they think of it so far."

Bottom rose to her hooves, abandoning her writer. "You are used to feedback." She smiled a little. "Normally that'd come from your boss, or other editors."

Libel shrank back a step. "What? I mean, we could keep writing."

"As my boy says, Nah."

"I have another brush right here," threatened Color with a smirk, the other clean brush wagging menacingly.

"I'd catch it." Day's eyes were on Libel. "It's alright. Getting feedback isn't a bad thing. I'll place getting pre-readers as the number one priority." With a glowing horn, she pushed the typewriter aside. "That is now my quest."

"Ooo, a quest?" Day rose to his hooves. "Can I help?"

"Onwards, brave partner. Let's find some pre-readers." She trotted from the room with Day trailing behind her.

Libel smiled thinly at her departed friend and partner before glancing back at Color. "So... while I have a brief moment, when do we see your parents? I can't imagine it will be nearly as bad as mine."

"I just have a mom too." He floated his wet brush over to the sink to wash, his mood to paint diminished the moment. "For... similar reasons, come to think, with less heroics, misguided or not, involved."

"Tell me about it?" Libel turned to Color fully. "If you want. If not, I understand. I'd be a horrible pony if I insisted after all this."

"You would be." He smiled gently at her. "He had a little heart trouble, nothing big, the doctor's thought. Something they could fix, routine procedure... He never came home." He sighed gently. "At least he went while we were there, at the hospital. All of us, the entire family... We were crowded around his bed, wishing him a speedy recovery... but he knew. He knew... He looked us all in the eye, somehow. We were all around him, but we all felt him staring right at us..."

He raised a fetlock to wipe at his wet eyes. "He said his goodbyes softly to each of us in turn, and as a whole. He said such wonderfully nice things... We laughed... We... told him to be more optimistic... We told him we loved him... Everything would be... fine... At least one of those things was true..."

Libel sat up with a strangled gasp. "Color! You don't have to!"

But he went on, "he faded away... right there, and right then. His head sagged off to the side with a little smile. He had said his goodbyes, and that was that, he was content. He was gone... The machines began beeping, loud and angry, but none of us could hear it. We were all staring at him... It was so... unreal. This... This stallion that had been such a part of our lives... He couldn't have gone, just like that. We sat there with the stupidest looks on our faces. The nurses rushed into the room with a doctor. They had to shove us out of the room, not because we were trying to be jerks, but we couldn't move. We were... We..."

He clopped a hoof down. "It's a hurt that never goes away entirely... I miss him..."

Libel reached a wing around him, drawing him against her. He cried silently into her fur and she just held him all the tighter. "I'm here," she whispered. "We are two cracked ponies, aren't we?"

He peeked up at her and nipped her chest. "It's the cracks that makes us real ponies." He sat back a little, sniffling. "Who wants to be a flawless little cup with no stories? So... uh... mom. I'd call her, but she doesn't have a phone... I could write a letter?"

Libel smiled at that, gesturing towards his painting. "That's looking suspiciously close to presentable. Why don't we just stop by one day?"

"That's too mean! No, we'll at least send a letter letting her know we're stopping by." He nodded with growing conviction. "She likes routines... Another reason dad passing really took it out of her. Half her routines circled him, and then... gone. Some of us were worried she'd fade away without him there."

"But she didn't, I assume?" Libel perked an ear as she stood up. "She must have new routines."

"And now I feel guilty." He smiled awkwardly. "I have to find out what she actually does these days. I'm actually not entirely sure... I was already moved out when that all happened... We exchange Hearth's Warming cards, but that's about it... I'm an awful son."

"Don't say that." She picked up a dry brush with a wing and tickled Color's nose lightly, forcing a sneeze out of him. "You're coming home with a new girlfriend, who may give her grandfoals. She'll be delighted."

Color rapidly darkened in his cheeks. "I thought you weren't even thinking about that!"

"I promised my mother I'd at least consider it..."

"Wait, you're taking the manor?"

"I am." She waved a hoof around the house she owned. "I can stop paying for this, sell it for a tidy sum, and consolidate the family holdings a little. It's a generous offer, and her terms aren't onerous. Demanding I consider something is not out of bounds for a mother to ask, really."

Color moved up to press his nose to hers. "For what it's worth, I think you would be a lovely mother, and I would help in every possible manner you requested of me."

"Oh, good." Libel nodded once curtly. "I'll schedule the procedure then. You'll be ready to wetnurse the foal for me."

Color began to darken rapidly. "Libel!" he squeaked, his hindlegs coming together. "Anything that doesn't prevent me from being Sir Splash."

Libel burst into soft laughter, happy to see Color embarrassed instead of sad. "I'd only do it if you wanted to, fair is fair though, so the offer is open in case you ever decide to give it a try. You can't poke at me to consider being a mother if I can't return the favor." She brushed past him, tail lashing his side. "You're cute just the way you are though, let there be no doubt."

"Glad to hear it." He nipped the tail when it came close to his snout. "For what it's worth, I'm perfectly happy with you precisely as you are."

"Liar!" She turned on him with a smirk. "You keep pushing me to change, it's just not physical changes. You want me to face my mother, and deal with my daddy issues, and keep right on maturing and no you can't pretend that problem isn't there, Libel, deal with it!" She rolled her eyes grandly. "You love changing me, Color, stop denying it."

"No No, Libel, quit your job," she went on, strolling across the room. "You can do it! Just write what you want for a change. What's the worst that could happen?! Pfft, don't want me to change? Ha!"

"W-what, I mean, you know what I mean!" He raced after her, pressing against her side. "We shouldn't ever stop growing. You made me grow a lot since I met you, again. I'm not mad about that, but that doesn't translate quite so well to 'let some random unicorn mutate you for my benefit.'"

"Says you." She bumped against him with a snort. "Now, dinner. I'm in the mood for seafood. You in?"
> 58 - Verdict
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I never knew," mused the mare as she read the papers floating in her magic. "I always kinda assumed diapers were for old ponies and deviants, uh... no offense intended."

The stallion seated beside her, sheets  held in his own magic, nodded in agreement. "One in five? I would never have even guessed so many ponies have... issues."

The third, also a mare, was just quietly red.

Libel perked an ear towards her. "Miss? Everything alright?"

"You knew, didn't you?" she whispered softly.

"Knew w... oh! Oh! Oh no!" She hopped to her hooves. "Please, I... As I already wrote, I am one too."

The ashamed mare slowly stood up, shaking a little. "Every time I walk into a store to get... protection, I have to make up an excuse, so they don't stare at me..."

Libel felt her heart breaking. She had felt that pain. "And they stare anyway... No matter what you say, they wonder, and they judge. They stare and judge."

The mare flopped to her belly. "I almost wish they'd just say something... The silence is the worst... Um... thank you... I would never be brave enough to put my name on this book, but thank you." She glanced away and back. "Please don't credit me."

The other two ponies lowered their ears, looking sympathetic, but removed. It was not their pain to share.

"Thank you, all three of you." Libel looked towards the silent Bottom. "Bottom will ask more specific questions for feedback purposes. Let's make this book better."

"In the second chapter..."





"You did not bring your amusing friend along?" Luna's eyes were on the wrapped object, her attention clearly focused. "He did entertain us."

Color laughed a little forcedly. "I'll bring him by next time, promise." If there was a next time, he'd be happy. "For today, it's just me, you, and this painting."

"Yes, reveal it to us." She clopped a shoed hoof on the floor. "The suspense is too great. We would know what you have created for us." She extended a wing. "I will not be the only witness of this event."

Her door opened behind Color, permitting two night guards to enter at a steady walk, in no great hurry it seemed. "Come, join me," bid Luna. "See what this artisan has made to reflect me."

"Princess Luna deserves some art," noted one, sitting down ahead and to the left of Luna. "She has worked hard and should be remembered well."

The other took up position ahead and to the right of her. "You have worked for her sister. I hope you put in as much effort, if not double, for Luna. She is wholly worthy of it."

Color smiled, sweat building with nervousness. "O-Of course! She is the kind ruler of dreams and the night. I wanted to capture her perfectly, as a guardian against the unknown, and may never know. She is the stalwart bulwark against that unseen but certainly felt menace." He turned to his painting, magic taking hold of a corner. "I present, Guardian of Space."

He drew the cloth covering free, revealing the painting to the three pairs of eyes peering over his shoulder.

The room was quiet.

They were all staring, and he didn't even dare turn to see what their expressions were like. He could only swallow nervously.

A clad hoof came down in a step. "We... see..." It was Luna. "Hmm... Yes... hmm..."

"That is your favorite armor," noted one of the guards. "I like the reflection of light off of it, very detailed."

The other guard joined, "The moon, look at it."

Luna raised a brow. "What am I looking for?" At this point, Color had dared to turn to them.

The guard pointed. "He thought to not paint the side we could normally see."

Luna's face erupted into a smile. "So he did! A lovely touch." She brought her forehooves together in a single loud metal clop. "It makes me wonder what this simulacrum of me is facing. She looks quite determined."

"It stands no chance of getting around her. Equestria is safe," assured one guard with a firm nod.

"And they may never know it," sighed the second. "Their loss. At least we are aware of your sacrifices, Our Princess." Both bowed their heads with shared admiration for the night princess.

Luna blushed faintly, looking pleased to be receiving the warm praise. "We do as we must. Color Splash, you have pleased us. We rate this painting nine out of ten."

Color blinked at that. He wasn't usually given a numerical score when he sold or turned in a painting. "What... kept it from a ten?"

Luna inclined her head towards one of the guards, who answered without hesitation, "It is not perfect, but what could be, with such a subject?"

The other guard simply nodded in agreement.

Nine out of ten with a 'nothing's perfect?' Color quickly decided that was... pretty good. "I look forward to seeing where you place it then." He rose to his hooves. "If you want another, you know how to reach me."

"We do." Luna leaned forward. "But we would rather not. There are too many steps between our desires and the painting that results. Tell us, painter, what would it take to have you join the employ of the castle?"

Color's ears danced softly. "That... would... be an honor, but, uh... How many other painters are employed in the castle?"

"None," flatly responded Luna. "Mine sister insists she freshly hire each artist. It is tiresome and cumbersome. Fortunately, I can hire you and be done with it."

Dare he dream?! Wait... "If I were to agree, what would I get, and what would you want in return?"

"You'd be able to serve under the Princess Luna," barked one of the guards.

"An honor," agreed the other.

Color shook his head. "I'm sure it would be... But I need to know." A thought came to him, "for the sake of my partner, Libelous Word." It was so much easier to defer in someone else's name. "She's in an intensive project and I need to be there for her."

"We would leave matters of compensation to ponies who make it their job to manage such things." She rolled a hoof. "Then it would be your task to draw as any saw fit, with mine desires coming first."

Color began to see how that could go... poorly. He would be a paid slave, working on thing after thing for Luna to sate her ego and pamper her pride. Sure, she deserved some love, but did he want his entire life becoming fixated on it? "I will... consider, but I am an artist, and prefer to go as my muse demands." He was never much of a believer in the muse as a construct, but as excuses went, it was fantastic.

"We only ask that you consider." Luna dipped her head, glowing horn picking up the painting. "Now where to place this..."

She wandered off, the two guards left behind. One of them stood up. "You would be a fool to let this opportunity pass. You would be the only artist with such a claim, and to serve directly under Princess Luna! It makes me jealous."

"I am content guarding her, but he speaks truth. Consider, then agree. She is a wonderful employer, and you will be known through the land as the artist of Princess Luna. The prestige would be beyond measurement." The other guard rose as well, moving to walk past Color towards his post. "Besides, that would show her."

"Her?" He started to leave with them. "Her who?"

"Princess Celestia. She thinks an artist shouldn't be employed full time. You would prove that a false statement." The guard nodded softly. "We look forward to your agreement."

He wasn't at all sure he would do that, but... "I'll think about it. Have a good day, both of you." He fled home, project complete.





Bottom sank to her haunches, raised her forehooves, and began typing diligently.

"Here's what you asked for," noted Day, setting a piece of paper beside her.

"Mmm? Thanks." She didnt remember asking him for anything. She reached with her magic for the paper, bringing it up to her eyes.

"Would you prefer Day Line or Bottom Dreamer?" was written on it, and she blinked,  her typing slowing as she tried to parse it. 

"What...?"

"Will you marry me?" He drew out a felt box and gently opened it, balancing it on a hoof. Inside was a glittering horn ring that shone in the light.

She gasped loudly, shoving the typewriter away. The paper fell from her grip to flop to the table where it had been. "You... At least you didn't do that... somewhere public. I swear..."

"Is that a yes?"

Her magic reached for the ring, gently plucking it free of its case. "You will forgive my ignorance, but what do earth ponies wear? I imagine a horn ring would not do... and I will not be the only one wearing one."

He smiled, a deep one full of happiness. "We can go shopping, together."

"We'll do a lot of things together, but there's something only you can do."

"What's that?" He sat up at attention, looking attentive.

She floated the ring towards him. "Only you can put this on for the first time. It's tradition."

He reached forward with his mouth and grabbed the ring in his teeth. He stood up tall as she bowed her head. In the end,  it was as if he was kissing her horn rather deeply, the pointed thing right in his mouth as he got the ring down as far as it needed to be. He ended with an actual kiss of the magic organ as he drew back. "It isn't even half as pretty as the mare that wears it, but it'll do."

She floated over a mirror to see it on her own head. "You got it wet," she laughed softly. "The risks and troubles of an earth pony for a su... oh... you aren't that anymore. We're betrothed."

"Level up." He pumped a hoof with a goofy smile. "What awesome new powers do I get?"

"Hmm, well, you could move to my place instead of here." She rose to her hooves, some of her attention drifting to the ring on her horn. "I really thought we'd be second..."

"Second?" Day blinked softly at that. "You're first in my book."

"Corny." She kissed his cheek. "I thought Libel would tie the knot around Color long before we got there... We were taking it easy."

"Yeah... but we like it. I like you. You like me. We're cool around each other... even in the morning."

"Even in the morning," she laughed. "A fine time when relationships are put through the real test... but if that's all you need, why didn't you marry Color already?"

"Nah." He lifted an ear. "He's a bro, but I want a... I want you." He leaned in to return the smooch gently. "I want a wife."

"I can't argue that..." Considering Libel had tried to make a friend into a marital partner and she had declined. "Just so we're clear, I'm not one of 'those' wives. I expect you to still want to hang out with your 'bros', even if at least one of them is also female. Speaking of that, you need to introduce me. I want to meet this spy with the crossed eyes. Now there's a book Libel should write, if she decides to try fiction again."

"I'd read it." Day nodded with soft agreement. "Huh... I thought being engaged would feel... different?"

"Nah." She kissed his forehead. "We're still the same two ponies, and that's good. Let's stay two lovely ponies forever, alright?"

"Deal." He put an arm around her, drawing her close, hoof pressing against her side. "I'm gonna ask Princess Celestia if we can be married in the castle gardens. That place is... perfect."
> 59 - Wedding Bells
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Libel rolled over in bed, bumping into Color with a sleepy snort. She cracked open an eye. It was early morning and quiet. Color was awake, his eyes already open, but he hadn't moved. "Lazy day?" she asked, snuggling up to him.

"Do I look like Day?" He rolled in place, facing her with a little smile. "Good morning, Princess."

She blushed softly and laughed. "I'm not one of those." Her wings reached out, stretching on her back. "Did you hear?"

"Hm?"

"Day and Bottom... They're getting married..." She inclined her head faintly, a hoof tracing along his side. "They beat us."

"Was it a race?" He kissed her right between her eyes. "Not fair, only telling me after they won."

Libel smiled at the kiss, drawing him in gently. "It wasn't, just makes me think... I mean... we... are getting along as well as they are, aren't we?"

Day twitched up an ear. "You're being jealous, and it's adorable." He nuzzled gently between her ears. "It's really not a race."

"I know that..." She pushed up, sliding into perching on her haunches. "I should wash up, change, you know... Could you clean up while I do that?"

He made a soft affirmative noise and got to tending to the sheets. As it turned out, she had made a little mess, a little one, still a mess. He dutifully took care of it, cleaning and swapping bedding to make it all crisp and ready for another day. "It's what a partner would do." Being squeamish about Libel's medical conditions would have hurt her, and been a sign of a terrible partner.

It only occurred to him with a twitch of an ear that he hadn't really noticed the smell until he was actively thinking about it. "I'm getting used to it." He wasn't sure if that was good or not, but it meant not acting oddly around Libel, so that was good, right?

He could hear her showering with little splashes of water and the tinkling of the hot spray. She had a full day ahead of her. He actually didn't. Color tapped his chin thoughtfully. His projects were complete, and he had been paid well. He could... retire, though that sounded criminally boring, and would mean budgeting out an entire lifespan without income.

Nah.

"I should help." He trotted free of the bedroom and descended the stairs. Bottom Line was already there, quietly typing with a big mug of coffee beside her. "Good morning, Bottom." He smiled gently. "I'm not used to waking up to so many mares, not complaining. Where's Day hiding?"

Bottom gestured with a toss of her head. "At the castle, trying to get permission for a little thing."

Color blinked as he reached the bottom of the stairs. "He should have asked me to come along. Oh, congratulations! You two are... a lovely couple."

"Was that hesitation?" Her hooves did not show any of the same, click-clacking away.

"It's strange." He sat down beside the table. "I always knew him as my brother, I mean... There he was, always there, but now... I mean, he should! He really should, completely. I'm not going to stop him! I'm just wrapping my head around it. My problem, not his."

Bottom lifted a hoof, the other dancing back and forth between the two pedals awkwardly. "You won't get rid of him that easily. He may live with me, but he'll come and take a nap in your lawn, or propped against you. We're still neighbors. Actually..." She lowered her hoof back to the typewriter. "We may be more than that, soon."

"What do you mean?" He wandered towards the kitchen. "Want some breakfast? I'll make something up."

"If you'd kindly," she agreed with a little smile of her own. "When Libel secures the manor from her mother, she will have more rooms than she has any idea what to do with, and she wants Day there, and she requires my services as well. Why not have us as the first two servants of the house that live on the property?" She floated up her mug to sip softly. "It would certainly improve my finances if she increases my pay by the boarding she would provide."

"Don't say that." Pans and other clanging noises of preparing to make breakfast came from out of sight. "You're not her servant, you're a partner, and that sounds great! I wasn't... entirely happy about living in a huge empty place. At least it'll have friends in it. I'd like that."

"I think I would like that as well."

The household slowly roused for a day of activity.





Day had gone alone. He had wore his serious suit, as gifted by Color. He smiled thinking about it. He wasn't exactly alone, with that reminder of how his friend cared about him. "Hey," he greeted the first guard, walking past him.

That guard simply nodded, allowing him past.

"Yo," he tried with the second ones by the actual door.

Spears crossed. "Business?"

Well, that didn't go as smoothly as he had hoped. "Here to talk with Princess Celestia."

"You have an appointment, mister...?"

"Dreamer. Day Dreamer. It'll put a smile on her face, I'm sure of it."

The guard squinted a little at Day. "If you don't have an appointment, you'll have to get one."

"Alright."

He stood there, quietly. They stared back at him, the silence dragging on.

One of the guards raised a hoof to cough into it. "You should come back after that."

"Oh, where should I go for that?" He sat on his haunches, not looking like he was going anywhere.

One guard looked across to the other, their eyes meeting a brief moment. "You should speak to her secretary." One pointed up. "Raven Inkwell. She decides appointments."

"Cool." He rose and moved to trot past them. The spears raised, and he was inside. It was not the most robust of securities, not that he was much of any real threat.

He wandered through the halls, unsure which way to find Miss Inkwell. A dark shape bumped into him. "Sorry."

The larger pony tilted her head with a loud yawn. "We are... retiring for the day, please..." She blinked, realizing who she had bumped into. "Is that the curious pony who coveted the armor of mine guards?"

"Best Princess!" he exclaimed, smiling brightly up at her. "Do you know where Raven Inkwell is?"

"Ah, yes." Luna softly nodded. "She is quite cherished by sister, and has proven useful to me at times. You will treat her with the utmost of respect, Day Dreamer."

"She sounds like a cool mare."

"She attempts thus." Luna yawned as she walked around Day. "Follow me, Dreamer. I will see you to your destination, then get deserved rest."

Day trotted along after Luna, having to trot to keep up with Luna's long strides. "You don't have to. Directions would work. You do deserve your naps."

"Your thoughtfulness is appreciated, but I do not trust myself to give--" She suddenly yawned, barely raising a hoof towards her mouth before it was over, "--reliable instructions. This way."

He dutifully kept  up with her as they navigated some stairs. "Say, between you and me, what would it take to borrow some of that armor?"

Luna cracked a bit of a smirk. "You really do covet it, as we surmised. You will have to work harder to earn such a favor from me, Dreamer." She pointed down the hallway. "She is... the second? Around there... Mmf." She lost all faith in her directions and began walking down to find it herself.

Soon they found the proper door. "Here we are." She willed it open, poking her head inside. "Raven, there is one Day Dreamer with me, please see to his needs." She drew her head back out and gestured inside. "Go on. I will surely see you again."

Day waved at her departing form. "Sleep well." Soon he was walking into Raven's office. "Hey."

Raven perked an ear at him, looking him over intently. "You are not what I would imagine a pony brought here by Luna herself to be, I will admit." She canted her head to the right. "How may I be of service?"

"I want to get married."

Raven's horn glowed as her glasses adjusted. "I'm married to my work, I'm afraid. Thank you for the compliment."

Day blinked softly  before it clicked and he smiled. "I want to be married to another pony, in the Canterlot gardens. I wanted to ask Celestia for permission."

"Ah." She reached for a book that floated to her and flopped open. "You'll want to fill out a few papers."

Day tilted his head. "I have to fill out forms to ask Celestia a question?"

"No." She pushed forward a few sheets. "The forms forward your request for the use of the gardens to other ponies, who will determine the validity of your request, appropriate fees, and if the request should be allowed."

"Oh... But... what if I just want to ask Celestia?"

She leaned forward with the subtlest of frowns. "Does she know you?"

"Um..."

"Then you should fill these forms." She floated the papers towards Day. "There is a five bit filing fee."

Day felt his path being blocked. He could just fill out the forms... What would Color do? "It involves Color Splash, her artist."

"She has many artists." She reached a hoof towards a rolling file and began flipping quickly. "Color Splash, Color Splash... Here we are. Ah, I remember him." She pulled a card free with her magic. "Hmm." She was clearly reading something on the card. "It seems Celestia can see you."

Day's face broke into a bright smile. His friend had come through for him without even being there. "Great. Where?"

Raven pointed sharply to the right. "Go to the room at the end of the hall and wait. She'll be with you when there's an available moment. She is a very busy pony, as I'm sure you can understand. Now, I have my own work to return to. Good day."

"Later." He turned and ambled out of the room, light on his hooves. He was getting closer to his goal!





"You have a floating appointment."

"Mm?" Celestia inclined an ear towards Raven. "I don't recall such a thing, but that is why I have you around." She smiled gently. "What is this unexpected responsibility?"

"An associate of one 'Color Splash' seeks a private conversation concerning the use of the Canterlot Gardens for a wedding. I believe he may be using Color Splash's name. I can have him ejected if you wish."

Celestia was not that sort of princess. Her ears perked right up. "A wedding, you say? I would like to know more. Where is he now?"

Raven pointed the way. "The waiting room at the end of the hallway my office resides on. Are you going to entertain his request?"

"Whyever wouldn't I?" She rose to her considerable hooves. "Weddings are such lovely things, and one between two common ponies could be pleasantly low-key compared to the usual grand spectacles we hold in the castle." She trotted off to see who had come to make a request of her, a smile on her face.

Day glanced up as golden magic wrapped around the door. It swung open, allowing Celestia to step in at a regal walk, her mane and tail flowing with a breeze he didn't feel. There she was, in all of her sun-blessed glory, ruler of Equestria and decider of his fate.

He waved at her. "Hey. Celestia, good to see you."

"It is good to see you as well, Mister...?"

"Dreamer. Day Dreamer." He dipped his head towards her. "Thanks for making time... You must have like a million ponies that want your attention."

"I won't argue that." She would have to lie to do so. "But I am here now." She willed the door closed and moved to sit across from him. "What is it you desire?"
> 60 - I Now Pronounce You...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day was wearing a new suit. So was Color, and Libel, and Bottom. They were all dressed in proper suits and dresses that fit their surroundings, attending the marriage of Day and Bottom.

Unlike humans, Bottom was not hidden away. She stood at the front beside Day, both smiling with nervous joy. Celestia was there, over them being so tall, but looking upon them with nothing but kindness.

Spreading out to either end were the best mares and best stallions. Color was the best stallion, as surprised no one, but a few other ponies were also with him. On the other side, Libel was the best mare, with a few other mares from their former work making up the wing.

Past them, cushions were arranged in neat rows and columns, allowing friends and families to attend, and many had arrived. Bottom and Day's family had the first seats. Sunny Log was weeping with joy, flopped against Bump Log who was watching with a soft nodding and mostly closed eyes.

On the other side of the dividing aisle were Bottom's family, all unicorns, watching with proper decorum. It was her father that was being more emotional of the group, sniffling softly as tears ran down his face. "My little filly..."

Succinct was there. She didn't have to be. It wasn't her daughter, but she did not turn down the invitation and was dressed to a razor's sharpness, sitting upright as she paid witness to the event

Bottom and Libel's former boss was there with some of the other office-mates, some even that had been shipped out to Baltimare. The boss looked serious, but was smiling a little. It was the best he normally did.

With a great yawn, Luna entered from the left, on the side Day was. "I will not permit this pony in particular to be wed without my attendance." She idly thumped herself down next to Celestia. "I will handle his lines, you can do the mare."

Celestia lifted an ear. "Dearest sister, you could have brought this up at any time before now."

"Too bad, I'm here." She yawned thunderously. "Let's get on with it."

Celestia cleared her throat. "Yes, well..." Her eyes cast out over the crowd, then down at the two soon-to-be-wed ponies. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two lovely ponies who have found that missing half. It is a special thing, to find that special somepony in such a vast world. Perhaps we could blame destiny, but I have seen ponies through the years, walk right past the pony that could have completed them."

She raised a hoof to her chest, over her heavy jeweled band. "It takes determination, an open mind, and an open heart. You must look, see, and be ready to hold that precious pony close, and pray they are in the right place to do the same... It can never be forced, at least without ill ends, but when it happens, it is truly a magical thing."

Luna inclined an ear at her sister. "Or you can have trust in those who know better. Just think of how many sad ponies you could have spared that fate."

Succinct softly snorted. If only certain foals listened to the dating advice of their mothers...

Celestia frowned faintly, but it faded quickly. "These two found one another over the vast lands of Equestria." She gestured to Day Dreamer. "He lives so very far away." She had to pause as Sunny Log burst into a fresh wave of wails despite smiling, overwhelmed with emotion. "But he found her." She switched hooves to gesture at Bottom Line. "Their social circles had nothing in common, their lives should never have touched, and yet... here we are."

Luna leaned forward. "Before we get to vows, do either of you have something you'd like to say?"

Bottom raised a hoof and turned to the crowd. "When I first saw him, I thought he was a filthy and lazy earth pony." Soft gasps echoed through the crowd. "I learned quickly that he was something special... And the dirt that may get on him all glows with that special touch. Day, I love you, from the bottom of my heart to the tip of my horn. The day you gave me this ring--" She pointed up at the engagement ring that still adorned her horn. "--I thought I might just pass out from too much bliss at once. You've shone light on my life, allowing me to see it as I never had before. I never realized I was even missing that light, until you came."

Day turned to the crowd as well, his cheeks burning fiercely. "When I first saw you... I kinda thought you were a pretty unicorn, but kinda snobbish. You'd never like me, I thought... I threw the thought away, just like that... When I heard you thought about me... I had to come. I had to!" He thumped the ground with a hoof. "I'm so glad I did... You bring order, you know, to my life, and being around you makes me so... complete. Bottom, I love you. I love you in a way that only this wedding can be for."

Celestia smiled gently, a single tear escaping her, easily missed in her fur. True unions were such precious things... "If you two would turn to face me... there we are. Now, do you, Bottom Line, swear to hold your partner close and cherish them, even when they cause trouble, to stand by them in sickness and in health, through good and bad times, that you two will face the challenges of the world together?"

"I do," she sharply replied, standing up tall..

Luna nodded softly. "Do you, Day Dreamer, agree to protect your wife from all that would harm her. To shield her mind and body with your own and--"

Celestia nudged her with a sudden elbow.

"What? Oh, right..." Vows had shifted over the years. She cleared her throat. "Do you swear to do everything she just agreed to, but back to her?"

"Gladly," agreed Bottom with a broad smile.

"Then we," they both spoke together. "--pronounce you both mare and stallion, wed and united."

Celestia gestured at Bottom. "You may present your ring."

Bottom's horn glowed as a felt box lifted into view. She cracked it open towards the crowd, revealing a large bracelet. "With this gift, I do not chain you. This is my chain, for I am attached to you, always loving. Look on it and know that my love is there, supporting you. Let it never hold you back, instead it should help you step forward."

He offered a shaking hoof and she floated the bracelet past it onto his foreleg. The crowd erupted in cheers and stomps of hooves on the ground.

Luna extended a wing towards Day. "Your turn. Present your ring."

"Right... right." He wiped his face with a fetlock before reaching to pull out his own box, much smaller, for it held a proper ring. "I, uh..." He popped it open so all could see the fine ring. "I got it made so  it fits perfectly with the engagement one, because it's the next step,  but only one step. Um... I hope we have many steps together, you know? We'll walk, side-by-side, supporting each other, and being cool. We'll have so many steps."

Luna nudged him gently. "Put it on her."

"Right!" He lipped up the ring and held it in his mouth. Bottom had already lowered her head and he kissed that horn as he had once before, sealing the second ring right onto the first one where it clicked so subtly, becoming one larger thing. The crowd applauded cheerfully as the two turned to them, each adorned with the gift of the other, both smiling and both a little teary.

It was quite official, they were one unit made of two ponies, and they couldn't have looked much happier about it.

Things moved on to a reception right there in the garden. It smelled grand, between the flowers and the food. Celestia had provided the catering, with a fine spread for all those attending. Families met and talked, getting to know who had just become part of their own.

Luna softly nudged Day from behind. "You opted to not change either of your names?"

Day shook his head up at her. "She didn't like either option, and we're both, you know... happy... I know she's mine, even if we don't share a name."

"You are ever a confident pony." She nodded softly. "I would have insisted, but neither of you are me. I--" She paused to yawn widely. "--I wish you both the best. When she becomes heavy, visit me with the news. Then I will let you borrow the armor for one day's time."

Day bounced in place. "Really?! Wait..." His mind caught up with the trigger for that event. "I don't... know when that'll be."

"Nor I. It will be a surprise for both of us. Now... sleep." She turned and walked away without further hesitation, the call of her bed far too loud to ignore.





"So you are the lovely mare that made this angel!" Sunny Log was facing a unicorn, Bottom's mother. "She is perfect, and I have you to thank."

Bottom's mother tilted her head at Sunny. "Her father did have some small part to play."

The still sniffling stallion smiled at Sunny. "Happy to... oblige. She's made me so proud today!"

Sunny reached out to pat his shoulder. "They all grow up eventually, but they've grown so well! To think, my lovely little Day Dreamer, having moved up so far, it's almost impossible to dream. I couldn't be prouder."

Bump shrugged softly, not really adding the conversation.





"How does it look?" He was waving his arm at Color.

"Perfect." He threw an arm around Day and hugged him a moment. "You two are a great pair. I hope it lasts forever."

"Forever... I mean... as forever as ponies get." He shrugged his shoulders. "Forever enough. So, uh, when are you and Libel gonna do this?"

"An excellent question." Succinct emerged from the crowd, eyes set on Color. "You know she'd say yes, if you simply asked her."

Color perked an ear at his potential mother-in-law. "But the courting period?"

"You two knew each other before then, and you're obviously compatible now." She huffed softly. "Get it over with. You'd change her little diapers if she asked you to,  I think you're ready."

He colored dark at that. "M-maybe, uh, today is Day's day." He pointed to his friend. "Let's be here, for him, and Bottom."

"You are correct." She turned to Bottom. "I am told you will be joining the fine ranks of the Word workforce. Welcome. You'll be tending to the lawn at the Canterlot manor, correct?"

"Yes, ma'am." He bobbed his head at Succinct.

"Good, good... See to it the oak on the west side gets a trim... Here." She reached back with a wing, drawing out a small box. "Consider it a wedding gift."

He blinked at the box. It was barely an inch in any direction. "What...?" He pried it open, inside was a key. "What does this go to?"

"There's a shed that's been locked for years, even Libelous lacks this key, but now you have it... I sealed it when the last landscaper passed... but I think you can take it up again and do her proud. She had a great many special tools, hoof-crafted for her profession. Use them proudly."

"I will!" He tucked the box and key away. "Thank you, that's... really nice."





Celestia got to speak to the ponies. There weren't so many of them that she had to form a line and only speak to each only for a moment before hurrying to the next. She was a guest at a small wedding, and she could just exist.

If only all weddings could be that way.