CHAPTER 1 - Stones Amongst Snow

            The day had arrived. And I had been uncertain of how to feel about it. It was a day that marked a return to unfamiliar territory. A place I had visited only once before and only briefly during a time of uncertainty and crisis. But it was a place where I found unexpected hospitality from an unlikely source. I had not known at first that the little gray mare of few words who soothed my empty stomach was one of my best friends' sisters. Or that the rock farm I had stumbled across was her childhood home. What fortunate serendipity that I stumbled across a location where some of the locals knew me thanks to Pinkie Pie's letters to home. And word of mouth from Maud Pie herself.

            I repeatedly checked everything that I would be bringing for the holiday visit with the fireplace in the bedroom warming the place up. Everything I needed as well as the gifts I intended to pass around. Pinkie Pie herself had told me about her sisters. And I knew Maud Pie well enough by then. I was alone up in the master bedroom while checking two of the three gifts I would bring for Pinkie Pie's sisters. A burlap sack carrying a heavy round rock inside. I was hoping Pinkie Pie would help me carry that over to the train station. She is much stronger than I am, especially when considering great strength must run in a family of rock farmers. Basically miners, come to think of it. And in a box was a delicate porcelain tea set with three boxes of different tea. All for sweet little Marble Pie. And downstairs in the refrigerator was a freshly made banana cream pie I had put together for the sourest of the sisters. I was hoping that Limestone Pie would give me a warmer greeting than how she reacted to my presence the last time I was there. How did she even know I was out there to begin with?

            Regardless of my concerns, I knew I would be in good hooves as long as Pinkie Pie was at my side. She would be my lifeline at her family home and was nothing if not good at making people smile if arguments flared up. And Maud Pie would surely be present as well. And if anyone knew how to handle her sisters, it was those two. We would only be there for a few days. Staying any longer would risk missing the big play in Canterlot that was coming up. And we were needed along with the rest of our closest circle of friends to reprise their roles for the Hearth's Warming Eve play. But what role would I be set to play? And would I be able to handle it? I have not performed in a stage play since my days in elementary school. Hopefully the royal family will have a means to brief me on my role on short notice.

            I looked over everything I was set to bring while they were left sprawled out on the bed. I counted on my fingers to help me remember everything I needed. While filled with a familiar sense of unease that came from embarking on a journey into unfamiliar territory, I was also somewhat excited and expecting to be pleasantly surprised by what I would find there. "I think that's everything... Pinkie Pie should be here anytime now."

            It was then that I heard someone coming up the stairs. I almost thought it was Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy until I realized the sound approaching was soft feet on a hard wooden floor instead of the tapping of hooves. I instantly recognized it as Smolder approaching. And sure enough, that little orange dragon maiden poked her head up beyond where the floor became the stairs. "Heya! Just about ready to head out?"

            "Yeah, I think I'm all packed up now." I replied while not thinking much of Smolder's arrival. I merely assumed she was going to use the bathroom for any number of reasons. Which made me realize we should consider having a second bathroom installed since the only one in the house has to be accessed through the master bedroom. And Fluttershy and I have discussed such an expansion if we are to have more children down the road. But I digress.

            Smolder stepped over to the bed to examine the stuff I was packing up to bring along. "Whatcha got here? A tea set with tea and...a sack with a rock in it?"

            "That rock's for Maud. She's...really into earth science. Like...moreso than you'd ever expect. She'll be interested in any rock you give her... What's up?" I replied before noticing Smolder do something unexpected. She went over to the hatch that closes over the top of the staircase and lowered it before locking it. But there was nothing devious in those beautiful blue reptilian eyes of hers.

            "Hang on. Gotta move all this stuff first." The little dragon maiden replied before she went over to the bed and started removing everything I had set on it. Just moving them to the corner. I expected her to struggle with the sack holding that mystery rock for Maud, and she did grunt a bit in surprise to its weight, but Smolder had no trouble actually moving it. It is easy to forget even the youngest dragons are much stronger than their size would have one believe. She can probably bench press more than I can. Smolder then hopped up on the bed and sat at the edge with her legs hanging off it. She looked up at me with a pleasant smile with her left hand patting the bed beside her in invitation. "Come on. I just wanna be with you for a little while before you leave."

https://youtu.be/XAyfTAv5Hvk?si=tNvxWUhg0AzBkgIO

            The sincerity in those eyes... I am not sure why I hesitated. Was a part of me trying to be too cautious? I had been making an active effort to keep some additional distance between Smolder and I for the past few months. To let her live her last few years of adolescence without the temptation of seeking a mate before she was ready to and spend her time with her circle of friends in the same age group. And it had been working well. Smolder was just living her life as a girl her age should. But there before me... I saw it in her eyes. That hardwired maturity beyond her years that she had to adopt during the previous two years before we first met. When she first entered that room, I did see the girl. But in that moment, I once again saw the woman within her.

            Smolder saw my hesitation. And her smile dimmed. She titled her head just slightly in concern before smiling again. This time with her hand raised and reaching out to me. "Come here. I missed you."

            It was then that I took Smolder up on her offer. But when I held her hand, feeling those little fingers lined in smooth scales... When I felt those fingers wrap around my hand with a gentle grasp... The hand of that wonderful little lady back in the grasp of mine... I had to reach for my face to wipe away a tear that had come out of nowhere. "Where did that come from...?"

            "Did you really miss me that bad?" Smolder asked with barely more than a whisper. She was still smiling, but much more gently by then. And she pulled my hand downward. "Come on. Let's...just be with each other for a little while."

            Her choice of words were profound. And it was just the reminder I needed to once again realize Smolder was not a naive girl. She was a young woman who had to blossom early out in the wilds of Equestria with no one to turn to. A wildflower that had only just bloomed. And so I answered her call. I took a seat beside my little beloved with her immediately leaning into me. I heard a long sigh as her hand rested atop mine with the two of us basking in the glow of the fireplace. I asked with a whisper now that it was just us for the moment, "How have you been lately?"

            "Great. Really great. It's nice having a warm cozy place to live during winter for once. Winter sucks when you got no shelter from the cold. Even we dragons prefer to stay in caves instead of being out there when the wind kicks up." Smolder replied softly with those little fingers rubbing over the back of my hand. Her fingertips almost playfully tracing over the bone structure of my hand and dragging a claw between my aligned fingers. Playful... Maybe even flirtatious. But her words made me realize that she had spent two winters out there with nowhere to call home. Those must have been some of the most miserable times of her life. I gently draped an arm over her before pulling the dragon maiden against me. She rested her head against the side of my chest and said, "Thanks for giving me a home... I can't get over how much...better things got for me after we found each other."

            "You deserved it. You're...a wonderful young woman, Smolder. You don't deserve to be miserable in a situation you didn't ask for." I replied softly while trying to hide my heart. I loved her. So very much. And I could not say it to her face just yet. One more year was all we had to wait.

            Smolder's fingers curled over my hand as she reached out with her left wing to wrap it around me like an extra arm. I could only imagine how much larger and more majestic those wings would become as the years went by. The way she started to loosen and tighten the grasp of her individual fingers... Like she was kneading the edge of my palm. The little maiden asked, "I think about you every day. Even on days we don't see each other much."

            An uncertain feeling welled up in my heart. I was really doing all I could to keep as much of a safe emotional distance as possible. Smolder was a walking conundrum that clashed with both my expectations of someone her age as well as Equestria's own societal expectations of her. A young lady who was more woman than girl, but could not be more than a girl in certain areas that she could not help. But there was also no denying or undoing the rapid maturity she gained from being forced to live out in the wilds alone by her own family. And for the sake of caution, I asked a difficult question without letting my eyes meet hers. "Have you been seeing any boys lately? Got a young guy your heart is feeling new things for?"

            It was something that needed to be asked. I know how a dragon's heart works. But goodness knows what Smolder was up to when she was away from the house. Maybe she had been spending time with some of the other youths in Ponyville. Perhaps there was a very young stallion that had caught her eye. Or maybe even Gallus himself. They share similar troubled family backgrounds. That shared trauma was something they could easily bond over. And if Smolder found love with someone else... So be it. I just wanted her to be happy. Even if it meant being without me.

            But Smolder let out a bit of a snicker in response. As if she did not understand the gravity of my question. "Oh yeah... I've got my eyes on one special guy."

            She then began to knead the edge of my palm again with her fingers as her words ignited a blaze of tension and joy in my heart. "The guy who gave me my first kiss... The guy who gave me a beautiful set of pearl earrings... The guy...who finally made me happy to be alive."

            It was me. Even after all I did to put some necessary distance between our hearts, Smolder's heart longed only for me. Even if we could not openly admit it yet. I looked down at her, anxious yet happy over what I heard. And she looked up at me with such love in those beautiful eyes. Smolder then asked softly, "Did you really think that I'd just stop...feeling things for you by spending more time with the bluebird and love bug lately? Nah. There's only one guy I've got my eyes on. The one guy who's given me more than anyone else ever did."

            I bit my lower lip as I did all I could to hide my heart from her. I loved her. Smolder has always been a very special kind of woman from the moment I met her. Even if she was still a girl. But on the eleventh day of the eleventh month of next year, she would finally be a true woman in the eyes of Equestria's society. Then we could finally say it to each other. But until then... I looked away and spoke through a sigh. "Don't say it... Please. Not until next November."

            "Yeah... Yeah, I know. We dragons do things differently... Gotta be careful, right? And that's without the whole law thing." Smolder said with a sigh of her own. But she still kept her head rested against the side of my chest. All while whispering lovingly to me with her voice losing its subtle growl. Smolder spoke with the voice of an angel. "But just a little longer... When my sweet sixteen finally gets here. Then...I'll be yours and you'll be mine... Forever. Right?"

            Such beautiful words. But as much as I wanted to reciprocate them, I had to think with the mindset of a realist. And so I said, "I just want you to be happy, Smolder. Even if it means being happy without me. Don't think I'm you're only option. If there's anyone else in town that your heart starts longing for, don't hesitate to..."

            She shushed me. Smolder swiftly brought her right hand to my face and touched one finger to my lips. But the look in her eyes... No disappointment or sorrow. Those beautiful blue eyes were filled with a confident certainty. And all she did was whisper to me. "Shh."

            Ever so gently, Smolder pushed me down onto my back with her beginning to straddle me atop my belly. All while her finger never left my lips. That lovely dragon maiden was now atop me while I put up no resistance. "Shhhhhhh... Don't say stupid stuff like that. Why would I want anyone else...when I have you?"

            My lord, she was so beautiful as she sat atop me with wings spread. Almost like a courtship display. Especially with the fireplace behind her illuminating her orange body with a fiery glow. The girl in her was completely gone for the moment. All I saw was that wonderful petite young woman gazing down at me with so much love in those eyes. And for the moment, I let my heart speak for me. "Why are you so beautiful?"

            "Because every woman should be beautiful for her man. Just like her man...should always be good to his woman." Smolder spoke with her true beautiful voice. Her hand went from my lips to the side of my face. Caressing my cheek with the touch of a woman wiser than her age would suggest. She then whispered to me through that loving smile, "I said I'll wait. And I'll keep waiting. Until the day we...can say what's really in our hearts. But until then... Can we please just...show it without saying it? Like last time?"

            I could not resist. The one thing that would bind or break a dragon's love to a suitor would be by saying it. But we could still show our love for each other in much the same way Ember and I have been doing. I reached out to Smolder as she fell into my embrace. And all too quickly, our lips met. We sighed and cooed at the touch of our lips meeting. Only for our lips to soon part. Our tongues danced as I heard Smolder hum with a beautiful moan of joy. That subtle taste of sulfur on her tongue... Spicy. But a subtly different type of spice than that of Ember's.

            I finally sat up with Smolder seated on my lap. And we did not release each other. Our arms embraced each other as that wonderful kiss continued, her wings wrapping around me as well. In that moment, it was just us. The woman in Smolder was on full display for me to see. And my lord, what a wonderful woman she was. I had forgotten. It was then I understood why Smolder had taken the time to see me alone. It was an act to remind me of what we had. To remind me that even if it was too soon to truly say it, I was still hers and she was still mine.

            "James... Please..." Smolder cooed to me as we took a moment to catch our breath. And I could see it in her face. That profound blush in her cheeks. The lovely dragon maiden then whispered, "I know... I know you and Ember are crazy in love. And you're so good for each other too. But...please. Don't ever forget about me. I can't be like Ember... But I'll always be me. Your...mia poca draghessa."

            "I can't replace you anymore than I can replace Ember. You're both equally priceless in your own ways. And I don't want you to be like Ember. Please... Always be you, Smolder." I whispered back to her as we thoroughly embraced. I could never replace Smolder. Why would I want her to be another Ember? Those warm oranges and yellows contrasting and complimenting Ember's cool blues. And her beautiful soothing blue eyes contrasting Ember's fiery scarlet eyes. Two sides of the same coin. I longed for the day when I could finally hold them in my arms together.

            We held each other for a moment. Smolder's head was tucked under my chin with that fibrous crest of purple hair scratching under my jaw. I felt her hand rubbing over my chest before resting over my beating heart. And she knew it was beating for her at that moment. Not the touch of a child at all. Or even that of a curious adolescent. I marveled at the caress of my youngest beloved as I whispered to her. "You...really are a true woman at this point... Or at least that's what it feels like. I just can't see the girl in you right now."

            Smolder let out a chuckle that carried just a hint of bitterness in it. Barely noticeable at all, but there was a hint of mourning in her voice. "I haven't been a kid in three years. But if growing up fast means we can be together for real... Then I'm OK with it. It's not like a dragon's childhood makes up much of their entire life, you know?"

            This got me pondering as the gears started turning in my head. I am not great with numbers, but I was able to do some equations in my head. "How long do dragons live in general? I think it was...twenty-five hundred years? That would mean...a dragon's childhood doesn't even take up a hundredth of that lifespan..."

            The little dragon maiden in my arms let out a snicker as that subtle growl returned to her voice. One that soon gained a sarcastic inflection. "Yep. That sounds about right. So having to grow up early doesn't matter that much to me. I've...liked being a woman lately. Having you and the rest of this family... Getting to know what it's like to be a mom to Gladesong... And now I'm about to have my own house to live in. And...Ocellus and Twilight have been getting me ready for all the ins and outs of being a homeowner. Still haven't really absorbed all that stuff, but Ocellus seems like she gets its. At least I can just step outside and knock on her door if I need help with anything. I bet tax season's gonna be reeeeal fun..."

            I started to smirk in amusement before letting out a chuckle once Smolder finished talking. "Yeah, adult responsibilities are rarely fun. But some are fulfilling. Like...raising your children. And you know what that's like, right?"

            "Yeah... Gladesong... She's really grown on me. I love her like she's my own kid." Smolder replied with a happier tone while she nuzzled her head against my chest. But she then said something unexpected. One that filled my heart with conflicting feelings. "I just wonder when we'll finally have kids of our own."

            That was a dangerous thing to say to me. My eyes went wide. I adored the thought of becoming a father of dragon children. Ember had already bestowed upon me the honor of being the one who would father her heirs. But now... Smolder? That dear little maiden who was standing on the threshold between a girl and a woman? Fantasies flashed through my mind. What would our children look like when the day would finally come? And when? Only for a sudden realization to suddenly hit me. "Wait a minute... Do you even know where babies come from?"

            Smolder pulled her head away from my chest to look up at me with a very puzzled gaze. "Uh... Come to think of it, I don't know. Don't some people say a stork has something to do with... Hey, what's so funny?"

            I cracked. I could not help laughing at that response. Of all things Smolder just had to be ignorant to, it had to be the concept of reproduction. It was not like she ever had much of an opportunity to develop an interest in male anatomy before she met me. And even then I had to make certain she would not do so before coming of age. "Oh man, I didn't expect to laugh... Sorry. But...uh... I really don't think I should be the one to explain it to you. Get back to me when you finally turn sixteen."

            "Peh, you're no fun. Maybe I'll ask Fluttershy since she's already had one." Smolder replied with that playful snark in her tone. And with such a smug smirk on her lips. I did initially feel a wave of tension flood my nerves. Only to realize I had to accept Smolder would have to find out eventually. Everyone does, often before they come of age. And if anyone could explain the concept to Smolder with tact and grace, it would be Fluttershy. Better to let a woman explain it to another woman.

            "Not like I can stop you... Just don't go rushing into it. You don't need to know these things yet." I replied with Smolder once again getting comfortable on my lap with her head nestled against my chest. I kept my hand on the base of her tail to keep her from sliding off. But with that topic on fresh on our minds... I felt the need to ask with a whisper. "Do you want to have children someday?"

            Smolder remained silent for a moment. If she did not answer, I would not ask again. I would not pressure her for an answer on such a heavy topic. But that lovely dragon maiden did reply with a sincere whisper. One that soon gained a hint of confidence. "Yeah... I wanna be a mom for real someday... So I can rub it in my own mom's face if she and my dad ever find out."

            "Your... Oh..." I said briefly before dropping the subject. What a shame, having to grow up under a pair of parents living outside the jurisdiction of the Dragon Lord. Free of laws or standards. I can only pray Ember finds a way to bring them all under her reign before long. They do not know what they do not have.

            My little lover sighed as her tone softened further. A tender tone filled with longing. "I won't ever kick my kids out... They can stay until they're good and ready to head out into the world. I'll be a good mom...

            "You'll be...a great mom. Just like you've been to Gladesong." I whispered back to the wonderful young lady in my embrace. I had always been watching Smolder closely whenever she handled my firstborn daughter. And I always marveled at just how naturally tending to a young child came to her. Those warm orange and yellow hues denoted a nurturing side to Smolder that was always hidden to those who only saw her outer layers as a spunky and smug girl. But there was a true motherly to her that was wonderful to behold. When the day finally comes when she has children of her own... Smolder just might turn out to be the finest dragon mother in all the land.

            "James... I don't know where babies come from, but I know every kid has a mom and dad. So...I..." Smolder whispered to me just under my chin. I tilted my head down when I heard the shifting in her tone. She gazed up at me with those beautiful blue eyes. Her smile was gone. And in those blue reptilian eyes was a quiet gaze of pleading. "Please... I want you to be their dad."

            "Smolder... I..." I tried and failed to find the right words. All I could do was answer with a kiss. Our eyes closed as our lips touched. But only for a moment. I then cradled my little lover against me as I quivered at the thought of us finally having a family. No matter how many years it will take for that day to come. "We shouldn't talk about this too much right now. But...if we end up becoming life mates, then...yeah. I'll have to be the father of your kids."

            "I'll hold you to that... Sweet daddy..." Smolder cooed to me while it sounded like she was holding back tears. It was much too soon for us to become mates. Let alone for her to start having children. But that day would come eventually. The only question was when. Although at last, something caught my ear. As did it with Smolder. We leaned back from each other while glancing around. A distant call muffled by the walls around us? Only for Smolder to chuckle, "Heh, sounds like Gladesong wants her dra dra. I better not keep her waiting."

            "And I won't delay you." I replied while letting Smolder go. She hurried over to the hatch and unlocked it, but she then looked back over her shoulder at me. Her gaze softened and even looked disappointment. As if she did not want to leave my side too soon. So I tried to be playful while I spoke through a smirk. "Go get her, mama."

            That worked. Smolder burst into a snickering fit before speaking to me through a big toothy grin. "Got it... See you later, daddy."

            Smolder went hurrying down the stairs. I could hear Gladesong much more clearly by then. Calling out for her dra dra. And she startled giggling once Smolder was by her side. "Hey, there you are! Dra dra's here!"

            "Man, she's gonna be such a good mom." I muttered to myself while feeling so proud of that little lady. But just when I was about to get up from the bed, I thought I heard a certain clicking sound. And from above with the rafters. Not the sound of a chipmunk running across the rafters that led to little tunnels that spread throughout Fluttershy's home. It was too...scratchy. I then looked up at the rafters above and saw something surprisingly large. A big black beetle that would fill my entire hand. It had three prominent horns on its head that I instantly recognized. "Whoa, an Atlas beetle. Where'd you come from?"

            The big beetle suddenly spread its wings and went airborne while making quite a lot of noise. And it was far from a graceful flier. It did not so much as fly as much as it hovered around while trying to find a place to land. It set itself on the bed beside me. And I really should have seen what was coming. The beetle was suddenly engulfed by a rising shroud of green flames that vanished as quickly as they formed to reveal a very familiar little mare who was somewhere between equine and insect. She smiled at me giddily with those featureless eyes looking at me while I had to restrain a laugh. "Peh... From one love bug to another. How long were you up there?"

            "Almost the entire time Smolder was up here. I wanted to come down join you, but... I think she really needed some time alone with you without me intruding." Ocellus replied as her giddy smile relaxed. Her magic aura then coated her horn before also taking hold of the hatch's edge and pulling it back down over the stairs. It clicked with the lock being secured to once again keep anyone out. The room became much quieter with only the cracking o the fireplace before us reaching our ears. My beloved changeling lover then looked at me with her featureless eyes still conveying a quiet joy. "But now it's my turn. That is...if you still have time."

            "Well it sounds like Pinkie Pie isn't here yet. So I've got plenty of time for my love bug." I retorted before pulling the little mare into my arms. Ocellus giggled sweetly in my embrace as I felt her starting to sip away at my love. I asked softly, "You hungry?"

            "Just...topping myself off. Only hungry enough for a light snack." Ocellus cooed as I could feel the subtle sensation of...something being passively extracted from my being. I had long since gotten used to it by then. Letting Ocellus feed off my love whenever she pleased never affected me in any undesired way. I always had plenty to share. With her. And with all the others in our lives. "So much... You're never even close to running out."

            "No wonder I really can do this with you and everyone else. I guess I really just have enough love to share with all of you." I whispered back to the lovely little changeling mare. If I ever had doubts about my capacity to love so many, Ocellus would always be my rock. She would always be able to tell just how much love I had to give.

            Ocellus let out a sigh as she drank away at my love. Drop by drop. Anything to keep her healthy and happy. She cooed to me, "Smolder loves you so bad... I still can't believe how hotly a dragon's love burns. When you and her finally become true lovers... I'm convinced her love for you will never run out."

            She was not wrong. I had witnessed such a love between dragons that extended well beyond the limits of mortality. And so I whispered to my beloved, "It won't. Because a dragon's love isn't just enduring. It is eternal."

            "Then she...and Ember... They'll love you forever." Ocellus giggled at the thought. Although she then sighed as she said, "I wish my heart worked like that. Even when I'm a dragon, I'm a changeling on the inside. I don't...know what it's like to love someone so wholly that I can commit myself to an eternity with them."

            The poor thing. Ocellus seemed to be having a moment of weakness. Feeling inadequate in the face of a dragon's undying and unwavering love for their one and only. I whispered to her the wisest response I could. "Neither is Fluttershy. Or Rarity. Or Novo. Or anyone else who has become more than just a friend to me. But that doesn't mean their love is less equal than Smolder's or Ember's. No matter how you all love me, I'll love you all just the same. All right?"

            "Oh James... I know. I just... I've only been in love for a little while... I only really started...living just a little while ago. So many big changes in less than a year... But all of them were good changes!" Ocellus said before she even let out a giggle. She lifted her head to look at me and spoke with a crooked smile. "I... I'm sorry. I'm still just getting used to all this. Getting used to...being a mare instead of just another bug in a sprawling hive. Getting used to having a real home... To having friends... To being...in love..."

            "Ocellus... I love you. Please don't forget that." I said sincerely to my beloved. I cradled her against my chest as she drank deeply from my love for a moment. Almost like it was a big gulp to settle her nerves. I then whispered a sacred reminder. "I asked you if you would marry me, right?"

            "You did... And I said yes. Even if we can't officially walk down the aisle together... I will always be your little love bug. And when the time is right... I can't wait to be your wife." Ocellus choked up a bit as she whispered back to me. I felt the warm touch of wet tears. She was right. We could not officially be married now that the records stated my marriage to Fluttershy. But I still had a pair of sacred earrings to give her. Ones that would always be unique and for her to wear alone. It did not matter if the law would never recognize it. Ocellus would always be my changeling wife. And I would gladly be her husband.

            It was wonderful just basking in the glow of the fireplace while Ocellus savored a sampling of my love. Although she soon cooed to me, "I can't wait to give you the gift I got for you... You're gonna love it. But no spoilers, OK? I really wanna surprise you."

            "Now you got me curious. But sure thing. We don't have long before Hearth's Warming Eve anyway. I can wait." I replied with a smirk. Ocellus still had not seen the earrings I intended to give her on that blessed holiday. Probably the most sacred gift I would ever give her. But what did she get for me? What could she have gotten me at all? The anticipation still eats at me as I write this.

            After a moment longer, Ocellus brought her lips to my ear for a tender whisper. And what a lovely request it was. "James... I wanna hold hands with you. Please?"

            "Gladly." I replied as I too longed for the touch of a woman's hand upon my own palm. Or at least her hoof. But when she started to reach her hoof out to my waiting hand, Ocellus was suddenly engulfed by a quick flash of green flames. I barely felt any warmth. And a second later, I found that the lovely little changeling mare had been replaced by a beautiful young dragoness with long hair and a body of sandy hues. She smiled widely at me as I spoke with wide eyes. "Oh! You actually meant hands."

            Ocellus giggled without a word with her hand held vertically. As if waiting for my grasp. And I saw what she wanted. She did not want to hold my hand in just any way. I brought my hand to hers, fingers aligned and palms touching. Our fingers bent forward as mine slipped between hers. Our fingers entwined in a beautiful lover's grasp. And I saw the need in my beloved's beautiful amber eyes. I whispered to her, "Why are you always so beautiful...?"

            "Because...you helped me find the beauty I didn't know I had..." Ocellus cooed to me as our faces drew near. There was no resisting each other. Our eyes closed as our lips met. And then our lips parted. Our tongues performed a slow waltz as our muffled voices sang to each other. There was no trace of a spicy sulfur taste upon my lover's tongue. A absence denoting her false dragon form. I wanted to keep that wonderful little lady safe and happy. And far away from the life she once knew. When our kiss finally ended with us gazing upon each other with lidded eyes, my dear little love bug whispered to me. "James... I'll always be your mare... Your dragoness... Your woman."

            "And you'll always have me, my love." I whispered back to her before we once again kissed, our fingers grasping each other's hand more firmly. How I loved her. I never would have imagined that the strange dark creature that was not quite a pony yet not exactly an insect I just happened to stumble across on the Empty Plains would become one of the dearest people in my life. Ocellus had always been wonderful and I had nothing but high hopes for our future.

            Our kissing continued on and on as we embraced and held each other, our hands never releasing the other. Ocellus sipped at my love directly through my lips while I felt traces of hers flowing into me. Giving and taking all the while. My only free hand rested on the back of her head while her wings embraced me. That soft full head of hair... Silken to the touch as I dragged my fingers through it... Such a feminine feature to make her look all the more womanly. My fingers slid to the edges of her flowing hair and down her smooth scaled back. Down to where her tail and torso became one. I could feel Ocellus' approval to my touch in how her embrace tightened and her voice hummed in her throat. Only for me to test her further. I slid my hand over the side of her tail where it was at its most robust. Cradling it from below. And then I lifted it. Just enough to make it arch. And Ocellus finally pulled away from the kiss with a giggle before looking at me in the eyes. "Jaaaames... Not now... Pinkie Pie could be here any minute..."

            "Are you lifting your tail for me?" I asked playfully as I lifted her tail just a bit more. Even in a reptilian body, I knew what was just beyond the base of her tail. And I knew Ocellus would gladly part the scales that hid her most vulnerable sanctum for me. My fingers had already felt those warm depths before.

            Ocellus gasped softly as I saw a brilliant blush form in her sandy cheeks. I knew she wanted me. For as timid and darling as she has always been, I knew the lovely little changeling mare before me was much more sexually minded than she let on. It was as she said. Breeding is in a changeling's nature. As is love and all that comes with it. And Ocellus would more than willingly make love to her one and only if I asked. But she still managed to retain her wavering composure. "James... You have no idea how badly I want you... I'd gladly make love to you right now if I thought we had time, but... Please? Not yet? I don't want us to have to stop if Pinkie Pie suddenly shows up. I want our first time...to be special. When we know we won't be bothered."

            "That's a very good point. Sorry, dear. I just... I wanted to be good to you." I whispered back with some shame in my heart. I did want her. And if the situation would allow it, perhaps that moment could have been our first time. But one's first time with their beloved in bed should never be interrupted by the sudden arrival of a guest. And Ocellus deserved the best. It was just not the right time. I brought my hand up and cradling Ocellus against me with my palm resting between her wings. "I want your first time to be the best time you've ever had."

            "It will be... Oh... I know it will be..." Ocellus cooed as she lifted her jaws to mine again. We kissed again, lips touching while remaining sealed. Until Ocellus began to shift herself bit by bit. Turning from facing me until she had almost turned around entirely while having her back to me with wings tucked against her body. She looked over her shoulder at me while her tail curved around me. "Hold me? Please?"

            I answered with a smile. My arms were crossed over her chest from behind while Ocellus completely submitted to my embrace. A long and joyous sigh hissed from the lips of the false dragoness as she tilted her head back. She was mindful of her horns, letting me rest my head atop her thick head of hair with her horns bordering the sides of my face. We were just so very much in love. I could almost feel Ocellus' love for me just radiating out of her body like the most subtle warm glow. Or maybe that was just the warmth of the crackling fireplace before us and my mind was playing tricks on me. At that moment, Ocellus closed her eyes and basked in my embrace with my hands subtlety rubbing over her shoulders and then over the smooth surface of her ventral scales.

            And then I felt them again. An aspect of her body that I had overlooked at first. A trait that had not been present when she assumed that dragoness form for the first time. Her chest was not entirely smooth and flat. A pair of soft mounds were present over her pectoral muscles like a low hill in meadow. A trait she decided to add not very long ago. Almost like a pair of very modest breasts while not being proper breasts at all. My hands lingered over that womanly aspect of my beloved's body, rubbing over the soft and smooth false breasts while Ocellus cooed at my touch. I asked with a whisper, "You still have these?"

            "I...like how they look on me. They kind of...feel like they belong there..." Ocellus replied before letting out the softest moan. Long and deep sighs came from her throat as I caressed her body in a way no other man ever will. She asked with a whimper, "Why...does this feel so nice? Are they supposed to be...this sensitive?"

            "Yeah... They are. It's normal if this feels good." I replied while Ocellus cooed to my touch. And I could smell it on the air. A cloyingly sweet yet musky scent. I knew I should not be trying to escalate the situation on that specific day, but I just could not help it. My heart demanded that I shower my beloved with as much pleasure and tenderness as we could get away with. And I whispered into my beloved's ear while trying to keep my own libido suppressed. Even as I remained honest about my desire. "I want to make love to you."

            Ocellus let out a sound that must have been spoken through clenched teeth. I felt her quiver in need. All before she whispered back to me. "I'm gonna... I'll need to sneak into the bathroom for a little while soon..."

            My little love bug was no stranger to sexual pleasures. We had indulged with each other lightly at least once. While I knew it was not the right time for us to make love to each other for the first time, I would not stop her from tending to a certain itch. But I did have one request to ask. "Please... Think of me when you do it."

            "I...always think of you... I think about how it'll feel when you're finally inside me... When I finally...feel you fill me with your...wonderful liquid love..." Ocellus whimpered in an ever growing need as I began to place soft little kisses on her shoulder and neck. I knew there was no stopping her libido by then, so all I could do was help her along. Even as she continued to whisper such sacred words to me. "I...think about...when I'll finally...be carrying your baby in me..."

            "Oh god, Ocellus... You would really do that for me? You'd make me a father of changeling children?" I asked while trying so very hard to ignore my own urges. Nothing touched my heart more than the idea of growing the wonderful family my beloveds and I were building. I had only known the joy of fatherhood through adopting Scootaloo and bringing Gladesong into this world. And I wanted to experience it again with every last one of my beloveds if they would have me.

            Ocellus turned her head to gaze at me over her shoulder. What a furious blush on her face... Even as she breathed lightly with tiny gasps. "I want us to have a family... A real family."

            We kissed. And oh so passionately. Embracing and humming, tongues dancing a frenzied tango. But I also suddenly felt Ocellus drinking deeply of my love. Perhaps too much. My budding lust for her began to wither. Was she actively trying to sedate my more carnal desires for her? Even if it meant making herself so much more needy? When that kiss finally faded, I saw an almost panicked look of need in the false dragon's eyes. She whispered quickly, "I... I need to...be right back..."

            "You do what you gotta do." I replied as Ocellus hurriedly hopped off my lap and rushed into the bathroom in the corner. I heard the click of the lock, but I was still somewhat concerned for my beloved. I snuck over to the door while hoping there was enough sound insulation in the walls and floor to keep anything we said hidden from everyone downstairs. I could hear Ocellus whimpering and gasping in a way that told me she was actively trying to muffle her voice. If she shrieked, everyone in the house would have at least barely heard her. I brought my lips to the door and spoke softly. "Ocellus... I love you."

            "And I...love...yooooouuuuu!!!" Ocellus groaned loudly while just barely muffling herself. What a climax. She all but screamed into her hand as she reached the apex of her lust so quickly. All I heard on the other side after that were quiet gasps of a woman basking in her own afterglow. Ocellus then gasped, "I...really needed that."

            "Are you OK? Do you need me to come in?" I asked with concern. I could not help but be concerned about my little lover when considering her lack of experience in the field of romance and all that came with it. "Ocellus? Dear?"

            "I...I...I... I'm OK! Just...a little... Woo... That was... Wow..." Ocellus panted on the other side of the door. I heard the unsteady pattering of her feet as she shuffled towards the door. Did she almost faint? "I think...I need a quick shower after that... Just enough to get the smell out. And...I think I can feel Pinkie Pie coming. I recognize that joyous and friendly love anywhere. But first..."

            The doorknob turned before it opened outward towards me just enough for someone to reach through. Only for Ocellus to start to reach out before suddenly pulling her hand back. "Wait! Wrong hand!"

            I was about to question why that hand was the wrong one to use before I suddenly realized what the last thing that hand touched was. I cracked a crooked grin as I tried not to laugh. I could even smell a pungent feminine scent leaking out of the bathroom. But when she did reach out with a hand, I dropped on one knee before holding it gently in my own. Only to then kiss her hand on the backside. Ocellus let out a quiet squeal of delight, definitely not expecting me to do that. I whispered to my beloved, "I'll come home in a few days and have plenty of kisses ready for you."

            Ocellus let out a muffled squeal. She had already overdosed on love, but I always had more to shower her with. "Mmmmmm! I love you so much... Don't worry if I'm not done in here before you leave. We'll catch up when you get back. Have a great time... All right?"

            "I will. You and the rest of the girls be safe, love bug. I love you..." I replied while letting my lover's hand slide out of my grasp. Ocellus' hand disappeared behind the door before it closed. I only rose to my feet once I heard water running on the other side. But then I recalled what Ocellus had just said. I went to the far side of the room and looked out the one window that was facing east. Could that keen little love bug really detect someone coming from such a distance?

            Sure enough, there she was. I could see a vibrant shade of pink topped with a light blue knit hat approaching from quite a distance. Pinkie Pie's vibrant pink hues contrasted sharply with the white snow all around her. And she was not simply trotting along. Pinkie Pie was approaching with a springy hop that was easily recognizable. She was very excited if she was hopping along like a kangaroo instead of trotting like a mare. And why would she not be? She was about to see all of her sisters for the first time in a good while. "Guess it's time for me to head down too."

            I gathered up the rest of my goods and gifts while being quick to remind myself of that pie in the refrigerator in the kitchen. Forgetting one gift while bringing gifts for everyone else would be quite the faux pas during my first true visit. And pretty much the instant I got downstairs to find Smolder brushing Gladesong's hair, there was a knock at the door. Smolder, already knowing who was coming, looked at me with a smirk. "Sounds like crazy just came knocking for you."

            "Pinkie's not... OK, she is kinda crazy. But a good kind of crazy." I retorted as I found myself unable to rebuke that statement. I reached for the door ad opened it to find a familiar pink mare on the other side with big saddlebags at her side. "Hey there, neighbor. Ready to head out?"

            "You bet! Got our tickets ready and everything! And before I forget... "Helloooooo Gladesong! Did you miss your Auntie Pinkie?" Pinkie Pie replied before zipping by me and right over to Gladesong. My baby girl instantly brightened up and reached out to my friend with delighted giggles filling the air. Smolder quickly handed the tiny filly to our guest, who then happily rubbed her nose against Gladesong's. "Eeeee, you look just like your mom did! And I should know! I saw her baby pictures after all."

            "Pinkie! Please..." A voice called from the kitchen as Fluttershy rushed out. I forgot that she had been doing laundry at the time. Although she did not seem that embarrassed. She still greeted our friend with a smile and asked, "Everything will be all right over there at your family's place, right? Do I need to send anything with you two? Maybe if you get lost?"

            "Don't worry about us. I haven't been home for a long time, but I still remember everything around there like the back of my hoof. Even in winter! I'll make sure you hubby gets there and back in one piece!" Pinkie Pie replied while passing Gladesong to her mother. While I was unsure about being stuck alone with Pinkie Pie, I knew she is reliable in settings she is familiar with. Although she then reached into one saddlebag and held out a slip of paper to me. "Anyway! Don't forget your ticket!"

            I took the ticket in hand and looked it over. From what I understand, Pinkie Pie's parents had arranged for our arrival and had even handled the fees. Although I was caught by surprise by the destinations. "One round trip between Ponyville and...Rockville? Is that even a real place?"

            "Sure is! And you'll see why when we get there. Let's just say the locals know how to have a yabba dabba doo time!" Pinkie Pie replied before looking back and forth at all of us with a very big smile. Almost as if she was expecting us to laugh. And...all we could do was stare in confusion over where that line came from. Even Gladesong of all people looked genuinely puzzled. Pinkie Pie quickly caught on and asked, "What? Too obscure?"

            "Pinkie... You're thinking Bedrock." I replied while knowing better than to ask where she had heard that line before. Pinkie Pie works in mysterious ways and I have learned to not question her strange grab bag of knowledge on things she by all rights should not have access to.

            "Oooooooh, right! Always get those two mixed up." Pinkie Pie giggled nonchalantly. She then looked around and said, "In any case... Got everything you need? The next train for Rockville leaves in a little over an hour."

            "Hey, you forgot something!" I heard a voice call from upstairs. Smolder had slipped away when we were not looking and was starting to come down the stairs. Backwards. In her hands was a sack that she was cradling from the bottom with both hands. Although I had admittedly not forgotten it. I had left it up there hoping Pinkie Pie could help me get it down. The sack carrying Maud Pie's gift. While Smolder had no trouble hefting it, she still had to be careful with how she moved while carrying it. She eventually reached the bottom of the stairs and turned to us with the sack in hand. "You were gonna bring this too, right?"

            "Thanks, Smolder. I swear I wasn't gonna forget it. But anyway... You think you could carry this, Pinkie?" I asked while taking the sack from Smolder. It was much heavier than it looked.

            Pinkie Pie quickly put the pieces together and correctly guessed the sack's contents. "Ooh, is that a big rock? For Maud? Oh yeah, she's gonna love that! Sure, I can carry that no problem! Just give it to me and I'll make sure it gets to where we're going."

            "I was just about to ask. Thanks." I replied while unsure of where to put it. But when I handed the sack to her, Pinkie Pie stashed it behind her should...and it was gone. Where did she put it? Where she keeps her party cannon? But there was one other thing I still needed to grab. "You think you can stash a pie in there too?"

            "Bringing some yummies for the trip? Sure! I can even keep it cold." Pinkie Pie replied while I fetched that pie for Limestone from the kitchen. I had it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, allowing Pinkie Pie to see what was inside the tin. "Ooh! Is that banana cream?"

            "It's not for you, it's for your sisters. Limestone, I mean. At least... Does she even like banana cream pies?" I asked with a sudden hint of unease in my heart. I had not even bother asking Pinkie Pie about the likes and dislikes of her sisters. What if what I made for her sister was completely unappealing to her?

            "Limestone? Oh yeah! All of us Pies love a good pie. And maybe something sweet is just what that sourpuss needs." Pinkie Pie said with a smile while getting a giggle out of Fluttershy. Maybe that pie would turn out to double as a peace offering, given what I saw from that menacing mare last time. Although it was amusing that Pinkie Pie did not try to deny her sister's sour disposition.

            I was soon bundled up in my own winter attire with my backpack on me and ready to go. Pinkie Pie was handling all of the heavy lifting for everything I needed to bring along. I gave my beloveds a hug and kiss goodbye and made sure to be very doting on Gladesong one more time so she knew I would be back. Scootaloo was the only one not there, having left the house earlier that morning, but I said my goodbyes to her then. With that, it was time to head out. Pinkie Pie made our way out in the winter cold with almost nothing but pure silence all around us. The white snow blanketing the landscape and Everfree Forest nearby absorbed so much sound that pretty much all I heard was what was coming from us.

https://youtu.be/nlUx8_9gtvc?si=kPe_LRHEQJOjgTe6

            Pinkie Pie did a few of her springy hops before her eyes went wide in realization. She landed back on her hooves and proceeded along at a relaxed trot while I walked briskly beside her. "Whoops! Almost forgot I'm carrying fragile stuff! Like... What did you say you got Marble again?"

            "I got her a porcelain tea set with some teas to go with it. She seemed like...kind of an elegant mare the one time I met her. You think she'll like it?" I replied in turn now that I realized Pinkie pie had not inquired about the box I had given her earlier to be stashed away with the rest of the gifts I was bringing. Where does she keep those things anyway? Does it really matter how bouncy she is when they are not physically on her person? The less I think about how Pinkie Pie works, the better...

            "Mmhm, she'll love that stuff! Marble's always been a big fan of fairy tales about knights and princesses and all that fancy stuff. I bet she could even pass for a princess if you dressed her up right. She was always the prettiest out of all the Pies in my generation. But I bet you already know that. You saw her after all, right?" Pinkie Pie replied while also giving me a playful wink. She was certainly right about that. While our time together was brief, Marble Pie was certainly one of the most beautiful earth pony mares I had ever laid eyes on. It is shocking such beauty could be found on such a humble rock farm.

            We did not get far before we passed in front of a very recently constructed house. Or rather two in one structure. A newly completed duplex with slanted roof covered in snow stood before us. We both slowed our stroll as Pinkie Pie gazed upon it in awe. "Wow, it's really already done? This is where Ocellus and Smolder are gonna live, right? They're own place?"

            I too could hardly believe that the moment Smolder and Ocellus moved out of my home was mere days away. It was done. The home of my two little lovers had been completed just in time for Hearth's Warming Eve. The size of the house implied that each side was small for a house. But just right for a single person living in each. And it was even my size. The doors were just tall enough for me to walk through without having to bow my head. I felt a complex mix of emotions as I gazed upon what just might be the forever homes of my youngest beloveds. "Yeah... Everything's finished. I think all that's left is for them to finalize some paperwork and get all the furniture installed."

            "The two little ladies finally get to be queens of their own castles! I hope they'll be OK. They're really young to be living on their own. But I guess they won't really be alone since they live just a stone's throw away from you. And they'll have each other right next door. Duplex's are convenient like that when two friends or sisters live in the same set, huh?" Pinkie Pie said while I nodded with a smile. I had personal experience with that setup. It is an immensely convenient living situation.

            But we could not let ourselves get too distracted. We had a train to catch. The two of us hurried along at a brisk pace. Pinkie Pie, chipper as always despite the day being rather dreary and gray for a winter day, passed the time with chatter. "When was the last time you and me got together for something with just the two of us? At least when it's not just us having lunch together while on break? Never? I'm pretty sure its always been you, me, and the rest of the girls when something special happens."

            Even as I write this days later, I am not so certain Pinkie Pie and I ever had some kind of substantial solo outing beyond the walls of Sugarcube Corner after the first few weeks I spent getting acclimated to life in Ponyville. What a different time that was even if only a few years ago by now. All I could do was patiently roll my eyes as I said, "Nope. Pretty sure this is the first time. You just talk as much as you want and I'll do all the listening."

            Something about what I said got a giggle and a snort out of my silly friend. She then looked up at me out of the corner of her eye while she spoke, "Haha, no wonder you and Maud get along so great! She always did the same thing, letting me do most of the talking. And Marble too! Except I did ALL the talking with her."

            "Marble...doesn't talk much, right?" I asked while remembering how that timid little mare was borderline nonverbal at first. Only communicating in quiet mumbles without words. At least up until I was about to depart. Only then did she finally speak. I wonder what gave her the confidence to let herself be heard? Did she feel safe in the presence of someone who looked like a valiant knight in winged armor?

            "Oh she talks fine with the rest of us. It's just when there's anypony else around that she clams up. But it sounds like she's OK with you, right?" Pinkie Pie retorted while I still could hardly believe there was a mare out there more timid than my own wife. I suppose there are always more extremes to be found in a world like Equestria.

            I tried thinking back to that first encounter during the earliest hours of Equestria's most recent crisis. It was pure luck I happened to stumble upon that rock farm when I was becoming quite hungry with no supplies on me. "I mean... I didn't even get a full word out to her before she bolted for the house. Very cautious. But she did eventually help me out since I was running on an empty stomach. Although... She did try to feed me rocks at first. Does your family really eat that stuff? And you can digest them just fine?"

            Pinkie Pie got a good giggle out of that revelation. "Ha! You remember those batches of rock candy we had when Maud first came to visit? You better believe there's edible rocks in Equestria! Although some are a lot harder than others. Just don't ask me how my family can eat some of the rocks we dig up. There's some things even my loco in the coco mind can't figure out!"

            "When considering that dragons can survive off of just rocks and can even eat diamonds without busting up their teeth... I'm starting to wonder if you and your family have some dragon blood in you. But that would be too crazy, right?" I asked while trying not to think about that idea. When considering how big most solitary dragons tend to get in Equestria...

            I expected that statement to just roll off of Pinkie Pie's mind. But she instead narrowed her eyes into a very contemplative scowl. "Hmmmmmm... You know what? Maybe you're onto something there... Did I ever tell you about Holder's Boulder?"

            That name... I twitched when I suddenly remembered hearing that name being spoken before. Or rather yelled out from nowhere. "Is it that huge boulder on your family's farm that kind of...looks like a giant egg?"

            Pinkie Pie's head snapped in one direction to look at me as she instantly lost that scowl. She looked up at me with a big smile and said, "Hey, you did see it! Yep, that's Holder's Boulder. And it's kind of a family heirloom. Before he founded my family's rock farm, old Holder Cobblestone found that boulder in a dragon's nest. And it's been on the farm ever since he set the place up way back when!"

            Something about that story did not add up to me. I had only seen Holder's Boulder once, but I still vividly remember its shape and size. And that story only raised more questions. "That thing was in a dragon's nest? But it looks just like an egg. Except...even the biggest dragon's don't lay eggs that size. I've seen Ember's mom and I'm pretty sure Ember didn't hatch from an egg that huge. And...how would old Cobblestone even move a boulder that size that far on his own? Or even with some help from other ponies? Don't it feel like...something much larger must have helped him? Probably even willingly? And that the egg...might have served a prior purpose for the owner of the nest? Maybe even a sentimental one?"

            So many questions were spinning in my head. And judging from Pinkie Pie's silence, she too was thinking pretty hard. After all, she did not say that the boulder her ancestor found was in an abandoned nest. And stealing that thing would have been impossible without getting spotted by the owner. And given the fact that only dragons have jaws and teeth strong enough to eat rocks... Pinkie Pie and I looked at each other as we both came to a stop. My silly pink friend gazed up at me with one of the weirdest stares I have ever seen from her. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

            There was only one response I could give. "You mean am I suspecting your ancestor ended up romancing a lonely dragon female and had some...unusual offspring with her? Who eventually had descendants that lost their more obvious dragon aspects to be mostly pony in body and mind? And Holder's Boulder was a gift from Cobblestone's lover? Yeah. Yeah, I am."

            "Well that would explain some things about me that nopony has ever been able to understand! And this conversation just went in a really weird new direction. Let's change the subject, OK?" Pinkie Pie retorted while looking more than just a little confused. I mean really, does she and her family have dragon blood flowing through their veins? Maybe that is a mystery better left unexplored.

            "Right... Change the subject... Change the subject..." I mumbled while trying to think of something else to talk abut that was relevant. And since we were on the topic of Pinkie Pie's heritage, one question did come to mind. "Didn't you say that your parents will be visiting Sweet Apple Acres while we're at their place? When did they say they were coming to Ponyville?"

            Pinkie Pie's weirded out gaze changed to one that was much happier. "Them? They got here just a little while ago to make sure they showed up bright and early in the morning. I even met them at the station and took them right over to Applejack's place so they wouldn't get lost in town. Pretty sure they've never been here before."

            Mr. and Mrs. Pie were already in town? That meant we would likely not be crossing paths during the entire adventure we were on. And it would probably be for the best given that their visit to Ponyville was strictly business. "Farmers of all walks of life are early risers from the looks of it. I guess that means I probably won't be seeing them at all this time. You'd think they'd get along with me?"

            "Sure would! They're really old fashioned type ponies. They even talk like it. If they find out you're an honest to goodness knight, they'll really look up to you." Pinkie Pie explained as I tried to imagine what 'old fashioned' even meant in that regard. Marble Pie and Maud Pie certainly do not behave or speak in such a manner. Their vocabulary is perfectly modern. Maybe I would get a better idea once I finally got to see the interior design of the farm house.

            We continued along while talking about a bit of this and a bit of that. I wanted to avoid discussing anything else about Pinkie Pie's family until we were on our way on the train. Just so anything discussed would be kept fresh in my mind. And so as to not exhaust on topics too soon. Pinkie Pie then suddenly threw me a curveball as she spoke with a more playful inflection. "Sooooo... I heard you went to Capricorn Island recently. Went to see your loverbird? Did Novo know you were coming?"

            "Nope. Caught her entirely by surprise. And we had a good time while I was there. And now I know I have a quick and reliable way of getting there and back without having to rent out an airship for a trip." I replied with my thoughts going back to that wonderful hippogriff queen far across the sea. My heart immediately longed for her, but I knew our next reunion would be sooner than we knew. Although I then said in recollection as a bitter winter gust stroked my face, "Man, it gets cold up on that mountain. You think winter is bad up in Canterlot, but it only gets worse the higher you go."

            "Yeah, I know! I don't know how they handle it in Cloudsdale either! I guess pegasi are just used to it, you know? But Capricorn Island sounds huge! Like...what did you say it is? One really big mountain on an island in the ocean that has an entire alphabet's worth of towns all over it? I gotta go see it sometime! Maybe I can use balloons to get all over the island." Pinkie Pie started speaking as we walked along. We really do need to plan a visit with the whole gang someday. Capricorn Island is too lovely a vacation destination to not visit regularly.

            I listened to my friend gush on and on about everything she was looking forward to seeing when she finally got to see Capricorn Island with her own eyes. And all I did was hear every word she said. Until she finally stopped to catch her breath. And instead of a curveball, Pinkie Pie threw a screwball. "Anyway, enough about that... I also heard you went to Capricorn Island because Novo was supposed to send you a message, but never got around to it?"

            A sigh hissed from my lips. One that created a plume of steam in the dry frigid air before me. That disappointment flickered in my heart. "Yeah... We've been trying for a baby... She was supposed to tell me if it took or not, but she never got back to me. So I... I went to her directly to find out..."

            Pinkie Pie could immediately see my souring mood. And she spoke with a sympathetic smile. "It didn't take, did it? Yeah, I heard about that recently. Humans just don't...mesh with everyone else in Equestria as easily as the rest do with each other, huh? Genetics are weird like that... It really makes you wonder how lucky Gladesong is to even be here."

            I looked down at Pinkie Pie as her smiled broadened ever so slightly. She then spoke with a softer tone than before. "You know... It's pretty crazy when you think about it. It feels like you've been here a lot longer than you really have, but it's been just a little under three years since you first came here. And now look at you. You're already a dad!"

            She was right. And I found myself smiling bashfully at that reminder. Life came at me fast in the short amount of time I have been in Equestria. I found a true forever home with forever friends. And then I found love. Real love meant to last. And together, my beloved and I created someone precious together. The first of her kind, a foal born of man and mare. And most definitely not the last. And I cherished the path my life had taken. Parenthood is not easy, but it is fulfilling when it takes one down the right path. And when the path is smooth, it gets just easy enough. I stopped for a moment and turned my gaze to the vast cloudy sky above. "I... I never would've excelled like this in the world I came from. I just know that...I never would've known the joy of holding a child of my own in my arms with her mother at my side. Equestria is...nurturing in so many ways."

            Pinkie Pie too came to a stop as she respectfully allowed me to reflect on where my life had gone. She then asked softly, "And you're little girl won't be the last, will she? James...? Just how many kids do you wanna have?"

            A very sincere and heartfelt question. One that deserved an equally sincere response that came from my heart. I gazed down at my peppy friend and spoke with a sigh. "Many."

            The jolly pink mare beamed at me with a huge grin that I saw her wear quite often. "And their Auntie Pinkie Pie's gonna love them!"

            My friend then motioned her hoof to try and beckon me to come lower. I dropped down on one knee and immediately found the two of us holding each other in a warming embrace. Pinkie Pie then whispered happily into my ear, "I just want you to know... I'm really rooting for you. You're doing a good thing, James. Maybe not a normal thing, but a good thing. You, Fluttershy, Rarity, Novo, everypony and everyone in this amazing family you're building together. So keep at it! I just know you're all gonna be really happy about this in the end!"

            "Pinkie... Thank you. I really do need to hear that now and then. Some reassurance on occasion does a lot for me." I said with absolute sincerity. There will always be so much risk involved with the relationship I am living with my many beloveds. The more who are a part of our family, the stronger it becomes. But it will also break so much harder the bigger it gets if the foundation ever crumbles. But we cannot let ourselves worry about that. No doubts. No worries. We have to keep our gazes forward to the beautiful future we are heading towards.

            The two of us quickly realized that we were wasting time by not moving forward. We had to hurry to make certain we would not miss the train. We resumed walking at a brisk pace while I decided to turn the tables on Pinkie Pie. "Say... What about you? Have you been thinking of settling down with a nice stallion someday?"

            My friend giggled happily as she said, "That's a really good question! I mean I've thought about it a few times, but I dunno! Maybe that lucky stallion will come along someday, but I think I'd still just be happy having plenty of friends in my life. And if I ever want kids, I've got those too! Little Pumpkin and Pound have been scratching that itch for a good while. And your kids too! I'll be their Auntie Pinkie forever!"

            That really sounded like a Pinkie Pie thing to say. I could not picture in my head Pinkie Pie being one for serious romance. She always felt like a free spirit who preferred living life and sharing joy with her circle of closest friends instead of just one beloved. Whatever her life would throw her way, I am sure Pinkie Pie will always be Ponyville's friend to everyone.

            At last, the train station at the edge of town came into view. And we both flinched when we saw a train idling on the other side. One that was facing south. I yelped in concern, "Wait... That's our train! Is it leaving?"

            "I'll go stall them! Here I go!" Pinkie Pie burst into a full gallop to go rushing ahead much faster than I could. I broke into a jog knowing Pinkie Pie would get there first, but I still wanted to hurry. My friend went out of sight on the other side of the station platform. And once I caught up and stepped up onto the platform to find the train still there with plenty of steam coming off of the locomotive in that bitter winter cold, I found Pinkie Pie waiting with a smile on our face. "We're good! We've still got about ten minutes before they leave. You got your ticket?"

            I certainly did have it. Pinkie and I showed our tickets with the conductor stallion giving each of them a hole punch treatment. Just as a means to show it had been used once. A second hole would be punched at the start of our return trip to show it could no longer be used after we returned to Ponyville. We then made our way to the back of the rear car with quite a few warmly dressed ponies in the seats. I always preferred the seats at the very back of the train since it provided the best view at the sides and out the back. We would be seeing plenty of the snowy countryside on our way to...Rockville. Something about that name just made me scowl in some apprehension. Like we were about to take a step back to the Stone Age with all the inconveniences that would come with it. I felt the need to ask, "Pinkie... How primitive are things in Rockville anyway? We're not gonna be roughing it with no utilities in the middle of nowhere, are we?"

            Pinkie Pie got a good snicker out of that question. Almost like she was expecting me to ask it. "Nope! I mean you would think that when you see that place, but Rockville's infrastructure is up to snuff with the likes of Ponyville. My family's house even has running water and electricity. But they still live kinda lean. You're OK with that, right?"

            "I'm perfectly fine with humble housing. I even admire it. Doing more with less is always respectable." I replied while not surprised at all. Farmhouses of all kinds tend to be more down to earth with their furnishings. Farming is humble work with little place for extravagance or luxury. And farming rocks sounds even more simple than something like Sweet Apple Acres. I started to wonder if I should be grateful that the beauty of snow would probably enhance the rocky fields I saw the first time

            The conductor soon made his last call and the train lurched forward. And just like that, we were on our way. The snowy fields and towering snowcapped mountain to the east began to slide to the left as the train started to roll south. Pinkie Pie and I were especially focused on the elegant and distant form of Canterlot high up on that mountain. But as we beheld that mountaintop city, my thoughts went elsewhere. To a very wonderful mare residing in the city's castle. Pinkie Pie eventually noticed that I was focusing a little too much on that one distant form and asked with a cautious whisper, "Thinking about somepony?"

https://youtu.be/hEFZTsXfKIM?si=Vsrt0uAbB0uCl4KO

            "Yeah... Celestia." I whispered back while being very careful to not let anyone around us catch wind of my words. The other passengers were filling the train car with plenty of white noise in the form of overlapping conversations, but one cannot be too careful with such matters. I saw Pinkie Pie's big blue eyes widen with an inquisitive smile forming on her lips. As if she was almost begging me to say more. And so I did. "I don't suppose you know...? Did I tell you?"

            Pinkie Pie tilted her head in one direction as she pondered my response. But only for maybe three seconds. "Can't remember, but I do remember about something going on with you... Remind me again? Are you and Princess Celestia... You're an item too? Like you're the lucky man of her best friend and now the two of them have you as their man?"

            I sighed while hoping Pinkie Pie would not react too strongly to what I was about to say. I mean she would never knowingly put her dearest friends in a bad spot, but knowing how exuberant she is... "We are... And we never saw it coming. And before leaving for Capricorn Island, we promised each other an evening together. That's why I didn't come home right away when I got back. It was just a few days ago, but... It was just such a wonderful evening... We were just...so in love... Like you wouldn't believe... I needed that night with her. Just so we could remind each other how in love we are."

            What a smile on her face. Pinkie Pie looked like she was in awe and trying to not squeal. She had to take a deep breath before she could speak. "Wow... Did I ever tell you I love it when you talk like that? Just...pouring your heart out for the mares you love? It really shows what kinda guy you are, James. You really are meant for this whole thing. Your heart really is meant for more than one lucky lady. And... Hey, before I forget... Are you two trying for kids too? Is our amazing princess gonna be a queen someday?"

            My heart both sank and rose as I remembered the day I returned to Canterlot from Capricorn Island. When my future sun queen and I embraced in her private chambers. That sacred desire she whispered, words spoken from the heart. The claim of hoping to become a mother someday. And that quality had always been present in my dear Celestia, even before I met her. A loving and nurturing nature had always been there in her. Towards her family. Towards her subjects. And eventually...towards the beautiful sons and daughters she and I would create together. I sighed as I found myself longing for that day. "Celestia... She will be an amazing mother someday..."

            It was all I could say. And I found myself praying in my heart that the next heat cycle she entered would be the one. Probably not, but a man can dream. But Pinkie Pie... She started giggling. All while keeping her hooves over her eyes being squinted shut. But not because she thought what I said was funny. She was just...happy. So happy that I even saw a tear squeeze out between each eyelid. She soon lowered her hooves and beamed at me with such glee on her face. Even if she did have to be careful to not raise her voice too much. "Oh...my...gosh... Yeah... Yeah, she really will be, huh?!"

            I all but blushed while trying to hide my smile. But Pinkie Pie was not done gushing at me. "I can already picture it! Precious little alicorn foals that the whole world will be fawning over... Princes and princesses, and all yours! I can't wait to see them finally happen! I'll still get to be their Auntie Pinkie Pie, right?"

            Now it was my turn to not let out too much of a muffled vocal response. Oh my god... My mind was swimming with possible images. Precious fillies and colts, each wearing little regalia to look the part of their royal heritage when out and about in public. But in those big beautiful eyes, there would only be the innocence of children. My children. Their crowns would not matter to me. Any child born from my beloved Celestia would not be our heirs. They would be our sons and daughters. And like all of my children, I would just want them to grow up happy and healthy.

            But now Pinkie Pie had found a new conversation topic to keep ourselves busy during the train ride. And she leaned closer with eyes filled with excited wonder. "And speaking of your future kids... You know what? Go ahead and tell me everything! How many of your lucky ladies are wanting to have kids somewhere down the line? How many brothers and sisters is Gladesong gonna have?"

            I stammered for a few seconds. I became flushed with a subtle excitement. And I had to stop and think. I had found love with an unexpected number of wonderful women. No two were alike. And some had only become something more to me very recently. Too recently to even consider the possibility of starting a family together. But one did come to mind. The one where my entire polygamous family started. And I spoke through a sigh as I thought back to that wonderful mare. "Rarity..."

            Pinkie Pie's display of glee became one of shock. And she spoke with a hushed voice. "Rarity?! She...wants to have foals someday?! Wow, I thought she was all business! I was sure she wanted to build a fashion empire or something. Or at least a famous chain or brand... But...she really wants to be a mom with a husband someday?"

            All I did was nod. But then Pinkie Pie started rubbing the side of her head with a hoof. Even while sticking her tongue out to one side in deep thought. "Hmmmmm... You know what? When I think back long and hard about how long I've known her... I can see that. Did I ever tell you she's really good with younger kids?"

            "Heh, you don't have to tell me that. She's been an amazing second mother to Gladesong. Almost like it comes naturally to her. Maybe her line of work and penchant for multitasking ended up being skills she could apply to motherhood. Sometimes I think she's a more capable mom than Fluttershy. Just don't tell them I said that, OK?" I replied while Pinkie Pie snickered and snorted in amusement. Who am I kidding? Both Fluttershy and Rarity have been fantastic parents to Gladesong and even Scootaloo. I just hope all of my beloveds will be as well when the time comes.

            I watched Pinkie Pie giggling while wearing a smile of my own. But I then got back to the topic at hand. "But yeah... It's not just something she decided she wanted on a whim. She once told me that every little filly has her dreams. And while she's definitely living the dream as a world class fashion designer, she... She does want to start a family. She does want to get married and raise children with her husband. To know...that kind of love. And...it looks like that husband is gonna be me."

            My peppy pink friend let out a sigh while she smiled sincerely. Like all of her energy was pushed down for just a moment. Pinkie Pie then spoke with a softer tone than expected, "Wow... It's just all so beautiful the way you describe it. Like... It's all so real. You're really not doing this for pleasure. You really love every mare who becomes your special somepony. You just wanna make them happy while they also make you so happy. And Rarity... Yeah, I've seen the chemistry between you two. In another life... Maybe another continuity, she probably would've been the one who'd walk down the aisle with you. Gosh... I'm especially rooting for you two. And I can't wait to see your foals. They'll be the best brothers and sisters to Gladesong... Maybe they'll even be best friends to each other like their moms are! Two generations of families being besties together!"

            That last part got a laugh out of me. And I could see it happening. But Rarity was just one of several. And Pinkie Pie still wanted more answers as she gazed intently at me with a delighted smile. "And who else is there? Who else is gonna be a lucky mom in your family? Are there more?"

            I pondered my response. Who should I mention next? But as I gazed out the window at the vast snowy countryside... The open wilderness as the train rolled down the tracks... A sting struck my heart. One of longing and shame. There was someone out there I loved. One I could not see easily. And probably should not given where she lived and the lack of protection against the cold. I spoke through a sigh, "Oh Rain... When will I see her again?"

            "Rain? Rain... You mean... Wait... Rain Shine? That amazing kirin queen?" Pinkie Pie asked while definitely having not had much time to interact with that graceful mare on a personal level during the War of Preservation.

            "Yeah... Her. We... I'm not sure if you know this, but humans and kirin... We have a certain natural symbiosis towards each other. When I'm near a kirin, I feel welcome and comfortable. But Rain... It goes deeper than that. We... We fell in love hard out on the Empty Plains. I mean it normally comes easily enough for men and kirin mares, but... I so dearly want to have children with her. And...it'll be easy too. That 10% success rate doesn't apply to kirin mares. They're compatible with men of all species. So...we'll..." I began to explain about that wonderful and serene mare of the forest. We managed to spend some much needed time together during our vacation in Cantercun, but when would we see each other again? Hopefully not until it was time to venture east for the Lunar New Year.

            Pinkie Pie started to look at me with a happy smile that soon turned thoughtful. She rubbed her wrist under her skin as she muttered, "Wow... Kirin kids? What're they like? Are they just as precious are pony foals?"

            "I don't know. I've never met a kirin filly. The Grove of Silence has gone a very long time since a new resident was born there. But...I guess I'll be finding out pretty soon. Rain... She's ready. All we have to do is wait for her body to decide when the time is right." I replied as my thoughts wandered. Would we finally meet kirin children upon arriving in the far east? I had already become familiar to the auras of kirin mares. What would to feel like to cradle a darling little kirin foal in my arms? Would their spiritual energies glimmer even brighter?

            My friend must have noticed how my mind was wandering. I was just gazing out while just longing for my dear Rain Shine. And while thinking about the family we would have in the hopefully not too distant future. Pinkie Pie got up from her seat and stepped over to my side to sit beside me and gave me a hug. "Hang in there, daddy. You'll get your daughters someday. Say, is it OK if I call you that anyway?"

            "Heh, please don't. Only Novo gets to call me that! And any of the other girls if they want to..." I replied while both of us got an awkward laugh out of my friend's choice of words. I do adore when my beloveds whisper that word to me. Being a father is an empowering realization. And being reminded of that helps me feel strong for them. Makes me feel masculine and virile for them... But I digress.

            "Right, right, you're not my daddy or my kid's daddy, so I don't get to call you that!" Pinkie Pie giggled before somehow bouncing right back over to her side of our seats without even touching the floor between them. She then winked at me and said, "Sooooooo are there more? Anypony else who's looking for have foals with you?"

            I was honestly surprise one name did not come to mind sooner. A name of a wonderful little mare who had whispered hopes of she and I having a child together someday. And I spoke her name very cautiously while hoping the cacophony of voices around us would continue to mask our conversation. "Ocellus..."

            Pinkie Pie's eyes went wide. And for once, she did not seem happy. My friend then asked with a cautious whisper, "Ocellus...?! But... Wait. Remind me again. How old is she?"

            "Sixteen. And I think she even turns seventeen in February. That's OK, right?" I asked as an uncomfortable pit formed in my gut. Not many know of that tender romance between me and that wonderful little love bug. And for good reason. Even if sixteen is the bare minimum legal age for most species across Equestria, the legal and physiological differences between Equestria and its people in contrast to the world I come from is a culture shock I am still trying to adapt to.

            "Oh! all right. Then everything's OK with that." Pinkie Pie replied while looking relieved. I suppose no one really will ask questions as long as both sides of a relationship really are sixteen or older. Unless there is a massive age gap between them, I suppose. Although my friend then asked with a very concerned gaze, "But really? Little Ocellus? She wants to have kids with you already?"

            "I know what she's told me, Pinkie. She's said she's fantasized about...carrying my baby inside her. And we are...very in love. She's also been very good with Gladesong. She does have motherly qualities in her. I think... I mean I still don't know much about changelings in general, but... I suspect that...breeding is simply in their nature. It's probably normal for her to have a mind about having children eventually." I explained as carefully as I could. While Ocellus is a mare, she is not a pony. And goodness only knows how a changeling differs from ponies besides their dietary needs.

            Pinkie Pie sat there with her arms crossed as I told her what I did. She looked unusually contemplative in ways that bordered on how Twilight Sparkle might respond to such information. If even Pinkie Pie was not listening with a smile, then it was not a good sign. But she did eventually show a small smile when she next spoke. "Hm... Yeah, that's a good point. I don't know much about changelings either. And until we met Ocellus, the only experiences I've had with changelings were all bad ones. But... I mean... I'm not saying she shouldn't, but..."

            My friend was strangely at a loss of what to say for a minute. But I waited. And I listened. And what came next from my friend was remarkably wise. "I guess what I'm saying is... I'm really happy for you two! I can see why she's so crazy about you. If you've got all that love in you for so many lucky ladies, it's no wonder a changeling mare would be happy with you. But about her wanting to have kids with you... It's just... Teen pregnancy is never a good thing, you know?"

            Of course. That dreaded and scandalous combination of two words no one wants to hear. And I nodded in immediate agreement. "Right. I was concerned about that too. Just because she's legal aged doesn't mean she's ready for something like that. It's way too soon, no matter how beautiful it sounds."

            Pinkie Pie clapped her hooves together twice as her smiled brightened further. "Good! You really get it! I mean I'm sure Ocellus will be a great mom someday, but I hope she keeps that dream as just a dream until the right time. And...I hope her kids will be good little changelings. Wait, do changelings lay eggs? Or are they born the same way ponies are? Does she even know?"

            "That's...actually a really good question. I've never asked. And I'm not sure how to ask her... Maybe I'll ease into that conversation topic next time I see her. Just for knowledge's sake?" I retorted with curiosity blooming in my head. Are changelings more pony than insect? Or more insect than pony?

            But of course, Pinkie Pie kept us on topic. "Anyway! Is that all? Or are there more lucky mares who're looking to give Gladesong some brothers and sisters down the line? Or is that all of them for now?"

            There was one more. One I could never forget or ever stop loving. One whose love for me burned as fiercely as my heart did for her. I looked out the windows across the train car's center aisle to the east. And I felt such a powerful sense of longing in my heart. "Yeah... Her. Ember."

            Pinkie Pie went silent. And she appeared to be in thought for a moment. A surprisingly warm smile spread across her lips before she finally spoke. "You two went through a lot together out there on the Empty Plains, didn't you? The girls and I weren't around you all the time, but she was really dedicated to keeping you safe when I saw her. There was something special going on. I could tell. And my Pinkie Sense was twitching like crazy about you two!"

            I made no attempt to hide my heart from my friend. I looked at Pinkie Pie and spoke almost forlornly. "It's not just... I don't think I can really put into words just how madly in love I am with Ember. She's... Ember's just... What a woman..."

            "Come to think of it, I remember hearing something somewhere. They say that romances that bloom on the battlefield are really fiery ones. And I'm already seeing that in you. She loves you just as much, right?" Pinkie Pie asked while probably not being entirely aware of the nature of dragon courtship. Not that I blame her.

            "She... I mean... She hasn't said it to my face yet, but... Dragon courtship is weird like that. She can't say it until she's absolutely ready to commit. But there's nothing stopping us from showing our love to each other. Every caress... Every kiss... She even formally requested that I...father her heirs. And...to raise them with her as their father when it happens." I replied as I felt myself becoming so warm. Ember would not be happy with me if she knew I was saying so much about her and I. Even to one of my closest friends. But I was just being honest. For I am madly in love with that wonderful dragon woman.

            My friend gazed at me with widening eyes. And a widening smile. "Wow... Really? Dragon babies? If they're even half as cutesy wootsy as Spike is, then... Oh my gosh, I can already imagine them! And Fluttershy will be all over those dragon kids! The babies are just the cutest things ever to her! Does she know? I mean Fluttershy kinda has to know these things when it comes to any girl who...wants to be with you, right?"

            "Oh yeah, Fluttershy knows. And she's all for it. It wasn't the same as requesting being able to join our family, but it's a good first step. And she did need to know. Ember's children will be hers too if I'm the father after all." I replied before my thoughts darkened again. But not in sorrow. In tender longing. I had already seen Ember's firstborn son. Our son. That wonderful dragon boy whose fingers masterfully tapped away on the keys of a piano. A boy so full of happiness and love as he eagerly reached out to us for an embrace. I never even learned his name... But I knew he was mine. And I could not have been more proud of my beautiful child that night. "Our little ones... They'll be amazing. The best dragon kids who have ever lived. And I know Ember will excel at being their mother. She's ready."

            Pinkie Pie waited in respectful silence while displaying some impressive restraint. I mean anyone who knows her would think that she was being unnaturally quiet for the kind of person she is. Only when she was sure I was done talking for a while did she let out a dreamy and hopeful sigh. "You're a great dad, you know that? Any guy who gets that sentimental about having kids with his mare will be an amazing dad for sure. And Ember... The Dragon Lord! Wow, she's gonna be the coolest mom out there! Whaddya think your kids with her will be like? You think they'll be awesome fighters like her? What weapons you think they'll use? Maybe take after their dad with the sword and shield?"

            An easy assumption to make. Dragons do have a reputation about that. But not my boy. No sir. I still remember that gentle child and his sweet demeanor. Although he did pick up a long stick and tried swinging it around like a longsword with a hint of actual technique. But he was no warrior. He was swinging that stick more like he was performing a dance instead of swinging it in a manner to cause harm. Just like how I prefer to do so... "I think...they'll be artists."

            My friend's mouth dropped open at the words I chose. "Huh?! Artists?! Like...painters or sculptors? Really?"

            "Yeah... Call it a hunch. And I've got a feeling they'll be really into...music. Maybe the piano. If we have a son... I can totally see him mastering the keys. Besides, I know his grandma would be thrilled for her grandkids to become artists in some way." I replied while thinking back to that wonderful dream. And to memories of Ember's gargantuan parents.

            But Pinkie Pie did not have the same memories as me. Not many knew about the secret of the Bloodstone Scepter. And so she asked, "Ooh, you met her mom?! What about her dad? Do they liiiiike you? Do they think you're Mr. Right for their princess?"

            I almost cracked. Pinkie Pie had no idea how right she was. And I started to break down in laughter at the memories flashing through my mind. "You better believe they do...! Like...they're really looking forward to us giving them grandchildren. They even caught me alone when they asked me about it. I spewed my drink!"

            Now we were both laughing. What a duo Torch and Blaze are. Although it was inevitable that I would have to tell Pinkie Pie the unfortunate truth about Ember's parents when she spoke next. At least after she stopped giggling and snorting. "Oh wow... Wow wow wow... Then you're gonna be in a good place when you marry into their family! I mean...marry into their family the dragon way. They don't have weddings like we do, right? But anyway! Where can I meet them? They sound fun!"

            How was I going to explain such a somber thing to the happiest and bubbliest mare I know? I hesitated while dragging my fingertips along my jawline. "Uh... About that... I'm not sure how to explain this to you...and I'm not sure Ember would want me telling this to just anyone..."

            Pinkie Pie just tilted her head to one side without a word. This gave me time to explain and set some ground rules. "Look... Everything I'm about to tell you doesn't get told to anyone. Especially Ember... Come to think of it, this entire conversation. Everything we've talked about on the train? Nobody finds out about it. You need to promise me this, Pinkie. No... Wait. You need to Pinkie Promise me. OK?"

            "Yep! I got it! Loose lips sink ships and all that. Then consider it done! Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" My friend replied with no objection. She proceeded to perform the ritual she had designed herself while reciting the creed. A crossing motion with her hoof over her chest followed by her making little flapping motions with both hooves and ending with her placing her hoof on one closed eye. The deed was done. Our secret was safe with only us.

            Now it was safe for me to explain the secret of the dragon lands' greatest artifact. I leaned closer and kept my voice down. Just as a precaution despite all the white noise around us being provided by the other passengers. "Anyway... The Bloodstone Scepter. It's not just the symbol of the Dragon Lord's reign like how a crown is on most monarchs. It also lets them maintain contact with the previous generation of Dragon Lords. And for Ember, that's her mom and dad."

            "Oooooh! I get it now. It lets her phone home whenever she wants, right? That IS convenient. The old Dragon Lords can enjoy their retirement and still give pointers to the new one!" Pinkie Pie replied while completely misinterpreting my words. I almost laughed, honestly. I suppose Torch and Blaze enjoying a peaceful afterlife could be considered a form of retirement.

            But I still had to relay the truth about Ember's parents regardless. And so I said, "Uh... No. It's not like that. The Bloodstone Scepter keeps the Dragon Lord in contact with the previous generation.....when they're no longer a part of this world."

            It took maybe five seconds, but Pinkie Pie did understand what I was trying to get across. Her eyes suddenly went wide as she spoke with a hushed voice. "Oh no..."

            I nodded. "Yeah... Ember's dad has been dead for five years. And her mom died before she hatched. But that's the bad news. The good news is... With the Bloodstone Scepter, it's like they were never even gone. When that red gem atop the scepter glows, they're calling out to you. All you have to do is touch the scepter and answer their call. Then you can literally have a conversation with them. And if you close your eyes and relax... You'll even get to see them. To touch them. I'm not kidding when I say I've met Ember's parents in person. I've even been held by them. They are...wondrous people. You really should meet them next time you have the chance."

            Pinkie Pie's face brightened somewhat while she tried to make sense of Ember's parents being long dead, yet not being gone at all. She rubbed her head with one hoof as she said, "Huh... So they're not around here anymore, but they're still alive and well in the next world over? I mean not alive...alive, but still existing? And the Bloodstone Scepter lets you be with them somewhere in the middle? Wow, that's an awesome secret. But are they good dragons? Are they big? They sound big. And I've had nothing but bad experiences with big dragons. Did we tell you about that one who was hibernating not too far from Ponyville?"

            "Yes, you did tell me that story. And that sounds like a real anomaly for dragons. Ember told me hibernation isn't normal for most dragons. Must've been some unusual circumstances..." I retorted while wondering how that even works. I cannot imagine Ember just passing out for a century of slumber on a whim. Her or Smolder. Even Spike would surely not do that. But getting back to the topic at hand... "But anyway... Yes. They are good. Very good. Ember's dad is a bit gruff and just about what you would expect from a Dragon Lord by reputation, but he's a very reasonable guy. And Ember's mom... She's lovely. Like nothing you would ever expect to come outta the dragon lands. And she's not just sweet and loving. She's beautiful. Like...you can tell where Ember got her looks from. And I understand she used to travel outside the dragon lands back when she was much smaller. That's probably why she's something of an art buff."

            "Haha, really?! Ember's mom hit the art scene way back when?! Wow. She was really ahead of her time! And her dad isn't a big meanie like most big dragons? Now I've gotta meet them! They'll let anyone talk to them, right? You think Ember will let me if I ask?" Pinkie Pie asked while thoroughly amused. I was tempted to let her know about the sheer size of Ember's parents, but I managed to suppress that urge to tell her. It would be much funnier to watch her find out on her own.

            But she did ask a question and I was happy to reply. "I'm sure she won't have a problem with that. Fluttershy's already talked to them. As has most of my family. Most of everyone who I went with to Cantercun a little while ago took the time to meet the previous Dragon Lords. Given that they can't really interact with the world of the living anymore, I'd assume they relish the chance to talk to anyone they can. I mean they can see everything around the Bloodstone Scepter whenever they want, but can't really interact with anyone who isn't directly touching it."

            "Gotcha. Well then, I'll bring my best when I finally say hello to the previous king and queen of the dragon lands!" Pinkie Pie beamed with a smile. And with that, I had covered every last one of my beloveds I knew who were hoping to start a family with me one day. There were others in the early stages of a relationship, such as Rainbow Dash and just maybe Gabby, but it was too soon to say. I especially kept any mention of Gabby close to my heart. Our time together was brief, but... There was something magical about our time together on Capricorn Island. I will not know where we stand until the next time we meet each other. Best to focus on the here and now until then.

            But now that there was nothing else to say about my beloveds when it comes to the topic of having children with them, I decided to turn the tables on Pinkie Pie. "Anyway, that's the situation with my family. But what about your sisters? Are any of them married? Maybe looking have kids of their own?"

            Pinkie Pie giggled at the unexpected reversal. "That's a good question! Maud... No and no. Limestone... No and no. Marble... No and...yes?"

            That last part caught my attention. I knew nothing about Marble Pie outside of our only encounter. "No...and yes?"

            "I mean she's not married, but...if anypony is gonna give Mom and Dad grandkids, it's gonna be her. Marble also has fantasies about a knight in shining armor sweeping her off her hooves someday, but... Wouldn't it be funny if it was you who did that?" Pinkie Pie replied before suddenly getting a laugh out of that realization. I just rolled my eyes. Yes, I was officially knighted, but I barely knew Pinkie Pie's sister. What? Would I unexpectedly find love with at least one of her sisters during this trip? It was too soon to know for sure at the time.

            My friend did manage to get back on track without me having to remind her of the topic at hand. "I mean yeah, I can totally see Marble being a mom someday. Mom even says she's the one most likely to give her grandkids. As for why... Let's just say Marble's the one out of me and my sisters who's got the most in common with Granny Pie. She had lots of kids way back in the day. And I think Marble's inherited a lot of her...traits."

            I raised an eyebrow at that statement. "And just what is that supposed to mean? Marble's unusually fertile? She's got the right kind of hips for having foals?"

            "I dunno! It's just what Mom said! It's not like I ever tried comparing Marble to anypony! If there's something unusual about her, I never noticed. But I'm betting if the right guy comes along... She'll have an entire herd of kids someday! Maybe? Just a hunch." Pinkie Pie replied with arms held out wide almost defensively. At least until she started giggling again. I decided to drop the question. It was a bit too personal to discuss about someone I barely knew.

            Time went by as the two of us chatted while occasionally getting up to stretch our legs. I was disappointed to find no snacks or treats were getting passed out, but I suppose that service is reserved for longer trips. We were only rolling along the rails for a few hours before I started to notice a shift in the landscape. Even with all that snow out there blanketing the landscape, things were looking noticeably...rockier. "Hey, Pinkie. Notice anything familiar about this place?"

            "From the look of it... We're almost there! I'm guessing we'll be pulling into Rockville in like five minutes!" Pinkie Pie replied as she began to literally vibrate in place. I leaned back to give her more space. She was almost home for the first time in a good while and could not be more thrilled.

            And sure enough, it was around five minutes later that the train slowed to a stop at a train platform. Pinkie Pie and I were the only ones to disembark before the train rolled off down the line and into the horizon. Rockville must be such a low priority stop that they do not even provide refueling. And it certainly felt like we were in Rockville. The train station itself looked like something out of the Stone Age. Although it could not be called makeshift. A proper wooden door and some glass windows were installed on the structure. Even the general exterior was not all that asymmetrical. And off in the distance was a humble snow-covered town of similar rocky structures. We were right on the edge of town. "Yep... This looks rocky enough."

            "Aaaaand there's the rockiest pony around! Maud! Over here!" Pinkie Pie rushed away from me and right into the embrace of one mare I had not seen for a while. Maud Pie had snuck up on us while probably not meaning too. I was surprised I did not notice her even while she was wearing her favorite frock.

https://youtu.be/-dD2GdjcwXA?si=xu-q68-Shm4xPts-

            Pinkie Pie rushed over and gave her sister a big squeeze of a hug while Maud Pie just leaned gently into her sister's embrace. Cool as a cucumber as always, Maud was not one to show much emotion. But her usual deadpan tone of voice still conveyed what was truly in her heart. "Great to see you, Pinkie Pie. I'm excited to have you home for the holidays. Even just for a little while."

            "I would never miss an invitation from you, Maud! And our guest of honor made it too!" Pinkie Pie replied before releasing Maud from her embrace. She pointed her hoof out at me while I waved with a silent smile. Maud was not showing it, but I knew she was happy to see us.

            Maud then began to step my way at a very relaxed and almost sluggish pace. All without a word. I remained silent to allow her to speak first. But she never did. Once near me, she motioned to me to come closer with her hoof. Or rather to bring myself lower. So I did. I dropped to one knee and found myself held in a strong embrace with Maud putting her arms around me. All while she still did not speak. And Pinkie Pie just stood there in curious silence, not coming closer while leaning from one side to the other to try and see around me.

            I felt compelled to not speak until Maud did. All I did was return her affections with an embrace of my own. But then I felt something. Her hoof began to rub over the back of my head. As if inspecting my scalp for something. It was then she whispered to me, "How's your head?"

            She remembered. And I spoke the truth to her. "I'm all better now. All the cracks are healed up. I'm fine."

            "That's good... You looked a lot better during the party in Canterlot, but I kept wondering... I kept worrying." Maud whispered back to me with her deadpan tone carrying with it a subtle sadness. And I remembered too. Right when I was about to leave for that final mission towards the end of the War of Preservation, she held me. And would not let go. Even the combined magic of the mighty King Orbash and Queen Sunflare themselves was not enough to pry us apart. Maud would not release me...because she knew I would likely not return. And even before that, when she knew of my final mission approaching... She buried her face in her hooves and wept silent. Even her usual stony facade could not hide her sorrow that time. Her teeth were bared and gritting, her throat clenching, but she did not once wail. It was the closest I had ever seen her come to finally breaking.

            I was careful to not bring those times up. The memories of war should not be revisited by Equestria's people. And I was not the only one who had been wounded during the war. Maud Pie almost reluctantly released me from her embrace while I did the same. She then turned to Pinkie Pie and asked through her stoic voice, "You're not limping anymore."

            "Nope! I'm all healed up with all my spring back in my step! See?" Pinkie Pie then performed her famous springy hop a few times. And then I remembered. Pinkie Pie did end up taking an arrow to one flank. That left her with a temporary limp for a time and did slow her down. But she had made a full recovery by then and was physically back to her old self. I saw the slightest smile form on Maud's face. She was very happy to see her favorite sister truly back to her old self in every way.

            Maud then spoke with a faint sigh as her subtle smile faded. "I'm glad for both of you. Everything that happened... It all feels like a bad dream. Even the memories that weren't dulled..."

            Pinkie Pie stepped over to her sister and gave the solemn yet stoic mare another big hug. "But there were good times too, right? We had plenty of happy moments off the battlefield. And we won! And all with everypony coming home alive! That's the best part about it! Everypony made in the end!"

            "Yeah... Everypony... And everyone. That...makes me happy." Maud said with Pinkie Pie releasing her from that reassuring embrace. She then looked up at me and said, "Anyway, our sisters are waiting at home. We shouldn't keep them waiting. Follow me."

            A new sense of wonderment filled me as Pinkie Pie and I followed Maud away from the train platform and along the outskirts of Rockville. I had never experienced something like that during the dead of winter. Traveling to new places that had been given a beautiful winter treatment of snowy weather? There is a certain wonderment one gets from that which other seasons do not provide. The smell of fireplaces was carried on the wind outside that town of stone and snow.

            A single dirt road led away from town and was fully cleared of snow. And we did not have to go far. Maud walked along at a slightly quicker pace than usual with Pinkie Pie starting to transition from a brisk walk to her usual springy hop the closer we got to our destination. But neither sister said a word. As if they were taking some time to savor the silence of winter around us. While Ponyville is not the noisiest town to live in, there was still a sharp contrast. All the snow for miles around absorbed so much sound. Even the atmosphere was as crisp and refreshing as a winter morning. And unlike around Ponyville, nature was allowed to work without interference. The trees were devoid of all but several dry leaves with their branches lined with a layer of snow on top. It only made the land around us feel all the more barren, but it would only make our return to Ponyville even more revitalizing. Nothing but peace and quiet. At least up until Pinkie Pie finally called out, "There it is! Home sweet home!"

            She was right. Just around the bend and through some more bare trees was that rock farm I had seen only once. And I was surprised to see that it was not as dreary and desolate as I would expect. The Pie family had done an admirable job of decorating their farm in a manner that complimented the snowy landscape instead of sharply contrasting it. Rows upon rows of bright holiday lights glowed on every structure except for the low wooden fences around the farm's perimeter. That glow also served as a testament to the farm receiving electricity. I spoke with a sigh, "This brings back memories of my early childhood. For the longest time, my parents only decorated with colorless Christmas lights on the holidays."

            Pinkie Pie happily provided a retort as she hopped along beside me. "Nothing wrong with that! Colored lights and white lights just give different vibes, right?"

            I pondered that statement for a moment as I dug into my memories of the many holiday seasons I have lived through. "Yeah... Lights of many colors just feels festive. But white glows... It's quiet and magical almost."

            "Mmhm, sure is! And look! The crystals came back like every year! They're a special seasonal crop." Pinkie Pie replied before pointing ahead. And she was right. What I can only describe as faintly glowing spires of some kind of crystal were jutting out of the snow and up beside the farmhouse as well. If what I suspect about rock farms in Equestria is true, they were a product of the climate shifting to colder temperatures. Who would guess some rocks are actually seasonal in this world? But they only spiced up my surroundings even more. That humble little rock farm I had visited only once was not so bland anymore. It was quite pretty. And I bet those crystals fetch a good price at market.

            We finally came to a stop a short distance away from the farm house. And I was suddenly tense. Meeting new people is always a vaguely risky move and I have never been the most social person. And while there was one person in that house I had met, there was one other. One I was not in a hurry to meet given what little I saw from her the last time. Maud Pie then turned to us and said, "Pinkie? Care to the honors?"

            "You bet!" Pinkie Pie went springing forward with several hops to reach the door. And instead of knocking first, she just barged right in. And I heard her call out as the door swung shut. "Marble! Lime! Guess who's home!"

            The second name triggered an uncertain caution in me. I looked down at Maud and pulled my scarf down to let me speak with my mouth uncovered. "Should I be worried? Anything I need to know about your...other sister?"

            Maud replied with her deadpan stoicism never fading once. But she still spoke sincerely. "She won't hurt you. Limestone is salty and sour, but not usually violent. And if she tries anything, I'll keep her in line. I won't let anything hurt you while you're here."

            That steadfast and sincere declaration in spite of her stoic tone reminded me of darker times. I owed Maud my life more than once. She protected me from our own allies more than once. She was ready to snap them in two like a twig if necessary. I was safe in her presence. I smiled at her in thanks while she cracked the slightest smile back at me. But our views suddenly snapped forward when we saw the front door open. And I tensed up at who was beside Pinkie Pie. A mare I had seen only once and from a great distance. Where Pinkie Pie was beaming in excitement, her sister was wearing quite the scowl. I muttered softly to myself, "No sudden moves... Don't speak unless spoken to..."

            "James! This is my bigger sister! Limestone Pie! Come on over! The Pie sisters are all here!" Pinkie Pie squealed as she came trotting out of the house with her sister walking behind at a more relaxed pace. But that scowl told me to not make the first move. So I stood there and waited.

            And sure enough, once she was right in front of me, Limestone Pie took charge of the introductions. She brought one hoof just under her eye and spoke with one of the gruffest voices I had ever heard out of a mare. "First thing's first. Gaze into the eyes of Limestone Pie. Ma and Pa might own... Uh..."

            She suddenly realized that telling me to look right into her eye was not very effective given our height differences. Limestone must have noticed it is difficult to appear imposing when I was looking down at her. She even looked embarrassed for a second before moving her hoof in a tapping motion to signal me to come lower.

            "Oh, uh... Sure." I replied while getting down on one knee to bring myself down to Limestone's level. Now our faces were much more aligned. And I gave her my undivided attention.

            Limestone Pie then repeated what she did a moment earlier, even going so far as to pull her lower eyelid down enough to reveal the pink flesh of her eye socket. Which was...unnecessary, to say the least. "Gaze into the eyes of Limestone Pie. Ma and Pa might own this farm, but I keep it running. Cross me and... Uh... Hey, what's with that look?"

            I was only doing what I was told to do. And it looked like Pinkie Pie was about to interrupt her sister to lighten the mood. Only for Limestone to back down herself when she noticed just how intently I was looking into her eye. I even leaned forward slightly to get a better look. One thing I was quick to notice was the contrast between her eye color and those of her three sisters. All three of the other Pie sisters had eyes that leaned towards the cooler color spectrum with them consisting of shades of blues or purples. But Limestone? Her eyes leaned much more towards the warmer end of the color wheel. They were a rather piercing color somewhere between yellow and green. Maybe like the color of hybrid fruit made from lemon and lime. I then said, "You're right... You do have some very striking eyes."

            "Doesn't she?! Like they draw your attention!" Pinkie Pie laughed as Limestone looked confused yet frustrated over losing the initiative of our meeting. She really did have the look of a mare unlike any I had seen before. Her mane was mostly a bowl cut with her tail cropped short. A very hardworking mare from the looks of her. Rock farming must be a very physically demanding line of work. Probably even harder than running an apple orchard, which I do remember how exhausting it was for me to help out around Sweet Apple Acres during my earliest days in Ponyville. I also took note of her cutie mark and how...odd it was. Two uneven pale rocks and a single half of a lime. Rocks and fruit? What was that particular combination supposed to imply about her?

            Limestone Pie desperately tried to regain control of the situation and raised her voice while stomping her hoof into the exposed hard ground under us. "Yeah, fine! So I've got eyes my sisters don't have! But as I was saying... Just don't cause trouble on my farm and we'll be good. And don't mess with Holder's Boulder! Got it?"

            Where was that boulder anyway? I was not even sure which direction I had approached the rock farm from the first time I stumbled upon it. The radically changed landscape since I was last there made it hard for me to remember where everything was. But I soon spotted it. That giant stone in the shape of an egg. It blended in with the rest of the rock farm. "Oh that boulder. Got it."

            "And I mean it. Don't think you can sneak a poke on it either. If you touch it, I'll know. And there's gonna be troub..." Limestone began to say only for her to freeze when someone rested a hoof on her shoulder. Instead of Pinkie Pie stepping in, it was Maud Pie. She and Limestone shared a silent stare at each other while Pinkie and I watched in curiosity.

            Limestone even appeared unnerved by Maud stepping in the way she did. Her eyes displayed unease while she said nothing. But Maud continued to wear that perfect poker face of hers. Even I could not read her. But I assumed there was a combination of annoyance and frustration behind that face. She finally spoke in a deadpan tone, "Be nice. He's a good man. He won't cause trouble."

            "Uh... Sure. If you say so." Limestone retorted uneasily. I then flashed Maud a thankful smile. Only for her to do the same to me. Albeit a very tiny smile. But not so tiny that her sisters did not notice. Limestone glanced back and forth at us rapidly and asked with such bewilderment in her eyes, "Whoa, you almost never smile like that for anything. What's the deal?"

            Maud Pie was very succinct in her words even as her smile slipped away. "He makes me happy."

            Limestone appeared stunned by those words. It was such a simple thing to say, but there was a subtle power behind that statement. It would not have meant much coming from most others. But when spoken by someone like Maud, it had a stronger meaning than most. And while Pinkie Pie beamed at the two of us while restraining the urge to jump into the conversation, I gave an honest reply. "You make me happy too."

            Only then did Pinkie Pie step forward as she spoke up. "Yep! I told you about when Maud visited Ponyville for the first time, right? James was the first friend she made there and it shows!"

            That was a good first day for us. And a weird one too, come to think of it. Best not to ask Pinkie Pie too many questions about what we saw that day. But it was then I noticed someone was missing. "Wait... Where's Marble?"

            "She didn't follow us out? Hang on, I'll get her!" Pinkie Pie replied before trotting back to the house. Did Marble really just...hide back there and hoped no one would notice her being absent? We all watched while Pinkie Pie propped the door open and stepped out of sight. Only for a completely different mare to be shoved out the door with Pinkie Pie even pushing her along from behind with her head pushing her sister's rump up to keep her hind hooves off the ground and take away her ability to flee. I recognized that new mare of long flowing hair and shades of gray right away. And she looked so very timid and uncomfortable. Limestone just rolled her eyes while Maud was as stoic as ever. I almost laughed. Not even Fluttershy is quite that shy. Although I was careful to not reach out or try to say anything. I did not want to make the first move after what happened the last time we first encountered each other. The slightest utterance was enough to make her bolt for the house.

            "And here is my baby sister by only a few minutes! Marble Pie, this is James! But you already know that, don't you?" Pinkie Pie spoke up once Marble and been brought closer to us. She looked so uncomfortable, but the way her almost frantic gaze kept meeting mine... Why was she so timid in the face of someone she all but befriended in our previous encounter? Even Pinkie Pie took note of Marble's behavior and asked, "What's wrong? Don't you remember him? Didn't you help him last time he was here?"

            Not surprisingly, Limestone Pie glanced sharply at her sisters with an irate gleam in her eyes. "Huh?! You mean this guy was here before and you didn't say anything?!"

            Marble Pie clenched up at her sister's harsh tone. I really hope Limestone is not so rough with her most of the time. I then spoke up to diffuse the situation, "I was just passing through at the time. On my way to the Empty Plains. But I didn't prepare properly and was very hungry. Marble shared some fruit with me before I carried on. That's what happened, right?"

            "Mmhm..." Marble Pie mumbled with that very demure tone of hers. But at least she looked happy to be reminded of that time.

            "All right, all right, I guess everypony needs to eat..." Limestone grumbled before looking back up at me. She then cast me a cockeyed look of realization and asked, "Wait a minute... Where's your stuff anyway? Don't knights have armor and weapons?"

            "It's not like I carry that stuff on me all the time. No knight is constantly suited up in armor with a sword at their side. I only have that stuff when I need it. Apologies if I'm...not as impressive to see as the stories make me out to be." I said with a roll of my eyes. I almost felt bad to have shown up again without my armor after how taken Marble was with my winged form. She would have surely been less timid if I looked more familiar to her. And I was sure at that moment Marble Pie was actually looking forward to seeing me again in that majestic suit of winged armor. She had some very nice things to say about it last time. I looked down at the timid mare and said, "Sorry if I disappointed you by not showing up in it. I try not to rely on that stuff when I don't actually need it."

            That statement got an unexpected response from Limestone. She even had a bit of a smirk on her face. "Wait. You saw him all suited up, right? How'd he look? Really cool? Like something out of a legend?"

            Now even Marble was smiling a bit while she just nodded. Even if she was still quiet. Pinkie Pie then jumped in and said, "Oh you better believe it! His armor's the most amazing armor you'll every see! It's got huge wings and the coolest plume coming outta the back of the helmet! I can't believe we haven't gotten a photo of it yet! And his sword glows white like the sun! And that big shield he has! Nothing ever gets through it!"

            Pinkie Pie was not wrong at all about anything she said. And Maud Pie then spoke up at the first opportunity. "That sword cuts through anything. It's hard to describe how it is in action. I was there. I saw him on the battlefield. He's amazing. He doesn't even like conflict. He's a gentle man, but he tries hard when he has to. It was...really something special to be there with him. Right, Pinkie?"

            "Mmmmmmhm. We were all in it together. And our special friend here is the whole reason we all got together and pitched in. He's a real hero, even if he won't admit it! It's just like he said! Everypony else there might've been the fire that flared up to fight for Equestria, but he was the spark! James, come here! I never really thanked you for doing that for us!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed before all but dragging me down to my knees for a big hug. I was wearing the silliest grin by then. I had no idea how to take all the praise being heaped onto me by my sisters in arms. But I accepted my friend's embrace. All while her sisters watched.

            "Well well... So we've got a real knight in shining armor with us today. I'm cool with that." Limestone said as she began to display a true smile. Even her eyes relaxed. I think her sisters had gotten her to relax and give me a chance. Now in a much less sour mood, she turned to lead us to the farm house. "Now then, how about we get outta the cold? We've got a guest to show around."

            Pinkie and Maud began to follow their sister along. But before I could rise from my knee, I noticed Marble had stayed behind. She was still seated a short distance ahead of me. Our gazes met out there in the silent winter air. At the slightest movement of my arm, Marble responded. She flinched and leaned back, her eyes widened, her jaw clenched. Why so timid? I stopped and asked, "Are you afraid of me? Even after last time?"

            She almost looked ashamed. As if Marble herself could not understand why she was so fearful of someone she already met and parted ways with on good terms. She finally squeaked out a quit response. "No...?"

            "Then...what's wrong?" I asked with the timid little mare not being able to find an answer. She just could not find words to say. What was wrong with her? Did I do something wrong after all? I then asked cautiously, "Do you...need to be held for a moment?"

            Marble gazed at me with wide eyes. And then I waited. I offered her something and it would be up to her. She averted her gaze, turning her head to let her mane hide one eye. She then let out a barely audible response. "Please...?"

            I smiled. And I held out my arms to beckon the little mare into my embrace. It took all the willpower she could muster to even start to approach me. It almost would have been funny to see Marble twitching so much as she took one step after the other to bring herself closer. I tried whispering words of encouragement to my timid host. "You know who I am. You know I won't hurt you. I won't give you a reason to be afraid of me."

            "Mmhm..." She mumbled with a voice that I could hear quiver even without her mouth opening. It took at least a full minute for Marble to trek the ten or so feet that separated us before she came within reach of my arms. I gently folded my arms over the back of her head, rested her face against my chest... And she completely slumped against me with a massive sigh. Marble wheezed with a raspy breaths. Had she been holding her breath? Or was it that physically taxing to fight her urge to run? But now se was safe in my arms. Cradled against me as I dragged my fingers through her long mane to soothe her. Once Marble's breaths became calmer, she whispered to me. "You're...just the way I remember..."

            Her mane... It was silken to the touch. Even her coat felt like fine velvet. I marveled at the tender beauty of the Pie family's youngest child. So soft and tender... So meek and gentle. The rock farm was no place for someone like Marble Pie. How could someone so tender and lovely come from such an environment? A gemstone simply disguising itself as a chunk of granite? But I could not let myself think too much about that. We had only just been reunited. And I finally said what needed to be said. "Thanks for helping me out when you did."

            Marble sighed with a much more relaxed tone before she whispered back to me with that lovely voice. "And thank you...for all you've done for us. Did you...get hurt out there?"

            "Yeah... I got hurt. But I'm fine now." I whispered back while closing my eyes and just basking in my new friend's tenderness. Marble responded in kind, putting her arms around me in a comforting embrace. I whispered again, "Really, I'm fine now. All the old wounds are gone. I'm healed."

            My words did nothing to soothe Marble's worries. She still held me in a firm embrace. Although she still found the will to speak. "I never forgot you... I wondered if you'd ever come back. Now I know who y are... And...it's all so much to think about..."

            "Don't worry about what was said in the newspapers. How I came to this world and why isn't important now. I'm a resident of Equestria just like you now. I just happen to be the only human in this world at this time. I'm just a simple man who loves the world I call home." I replied while continuing to try and soothe the timid little mare in my arms. My fingers continued to stroke through her beautiful mane, savoring how silky smooth and expertly kempt it was. Rarity would be impressed.

            "May I...ask a favor?" Marble squeaked under my jaw. I mumbled softly in confirmation. She then made a request that I was honestly anticipating. "Carry me? Please? Just this once?"

            "Gladly." I carefully scooped Marble into my arms as she tensed up one more time. I felt like I was carrying a lost little lamb. I was surprised to find that she was lighter than expected. Earth ponies tend to be heavier than they look due to having more muscle on them than unicorns and pegasi, but Marble Pie was rather easy to haul around in my arms. She rested on her back in my arms as I cradled her. And the giddiest crooked smile spread across Marble's lips before she hid her face behind her mane. I heard that tiny squeal. And I suddenly realized why as I carried her back towards her house. Marble Pie was being carried in the arms of an actual knight. I had to suppress a chuckle as I pondered what fantasies were flooding her mind at that time, given what a romantic she seemed to be. And her sisters were watching from the doorway without a word. It was very considerate of them to not rush us.

            I was glad to get out of the cold once the door closed behind me. The house's aesthetics were very humble and felt reminiscent of the farm house at Sweet Apple Acres. But even more...simplistic. The color scheme of the interior design was much more muted. Almost...gloomy. Probably a product of a very different time. I had to wonder just how long ago the rock farm was founded and if the farm house was there at the start. It brought to mind houses I had seen back on Earth that had been around since the early 1900s. Fair for its day, but drab and bland as the cultures of the world beyond the walls advanced. But I was not going to question the traditions of the Pie family. And our surroundings only made me appreciate Pinkie Pie's presence more as her vibrant pink hues contrasted everything and everyone around us.

            Maud was the first to speak once Marble and I when indoors. And I could not tell if she was being playful or completely serious with her question. "How is he?"

            I glanced at Marble while her sisters watched. I expected her to just let out a mumble of happy confirmation. But she still squeaked out a proper response. "He's...great. Like a dream..."

            "He gets lots of practice doing that! How many ponies have you carried over the past two years, James? It was always little Spike getting carried before you became the biggest guy in Ponyville!" Pinkie Pie giggled while I too had to wonder how many ponies I have had the honor of carrying around in my arms or across my shoulders. I do know I have done so with at least one hippogriff too. It has been a good way to get a feel for how different the three races of ponies are on a physical level. Muscular heavyweights, lightweights with hollow bones, and one being somewhere in the middle.

            But out of everyone there, Limestone looked the most stunned. Eyes wide as she stared up at us. She then finally spoke up with awe in her voice, "You feeling OK, sis? I can't remember the last time you said anything when there's anyone but us around."

            This confused me. I mean Marble Pie was just as nonverbal at always when we first met, but she began to actually converse with me after a short while of enjoying fruit with each other for a snack. I then asked, "She doesn't? But...we had a full conversation when I was last here."

            "Wait... Really? You two actually...talked for a while?" Limestone asked with her gaze becoming even more stunned.

            Now it was Marble's turn to explain things. If she could find the will to do so. It took a moment, but she started to squeak out an explanation. "He... He looked so...gallant... Knightly... I felt safe..."

            Such a nice thing to say. I did not get to decide how my armor looked anyway. Touched by my new little friend's words, I tilted my head down and gently whispered to you. "You were. I wouldn't let anything hurt you."

            Marble was without words as she hid behind her mane again. But I saw that smile. I almost reluctantly set her down while the four sisters guided me through the house to show me all the necessities. From the living room that had a nice fireplace going at the time, to the bathroom that had all one would need, to even a guest room of sorts in the loft upstairs. Two bunk beds were present under the slanted ceiling. Four guests in one room? I wondered what would prompt such accommodations. Although the beds did seem a bit small for me, as were many in Equestria that were not designed to hold just anyone. Although one thing I noticed around the loft were more of those beautiful crystals that were all over the farm outside. Just a means of decoration while also providing a subtle light source after dark?

            But now it was time for lunch. And it turned out that Pinkie Pie and I had shown up right as Limestone was preparing a meal. She knew we were coming, so it sounded like she had prepared something sizeable. Marble reluctantly accepted me putting her down so we could all get started. Everyone went ahead to the dining room while I set aside all my stuff. But when I got there...

https://youtu.be/RKcmlIkOzRc?si=9S4KBNjhPM_Ui_lG

            There was only one thing on the table that we could eat. A sturdy cooking pot filled with soup along with wide and low wooden bowls for us to eat from. And there was a single large rock peaking out of the top of the pot's broth. Maud and Marble were seated on one side of the table with Pinkie and Limestone at the other while a seat waited for me at the head of the table. While soup is a great choice of food in colder seasons and there was plenty for all of us... Really? Why was there a rock in it? "I thought stone soup was just a fable. There's an actual recipe for that?"

            "Not stone soup. Rock soup. There's a difference." Maud Pie replied with that deadpan tone of hers. Although I did notice Marble crack the slightest smile at me. I was not trying to be funny, but I had to bring up that fable since it was too appropriate not to mention it. Although since she was the one who cooked up that soup, Limestone looked almost offended. Then again, she always looks sour.

            I was not even going to ask what kind of rock was being used as an ingredient in that soup. But it would not be my first rodeo when it comes to edible rocks. "Right... There's that rock candy recipe of yours... But are you sure whole rocks like this are edible?"

            Pinkie Pie gave me a wink as she replied, "I promise it's a lot yummier than it looks. I grew up on this stuff too after all."

            My friend then expertly reached out and took hold of the ladle that was sitting in the pot and poured me a helping of the soup. With a rock in it. Must have been for garnish. Or maybe like a bay leaf for steeping. I gently nudged the rock to the edge of my bowl with my spoon before getting a good look at the broth. It was a rather unpleasant green color. I was reminded of split pea soup, which I do enjoy, but the broth was too thin to be that. But I still took Pinkie Pie's insistence at face value. It would be a special kind of faux pas to serve a guest food they could not be expected to digest.

            I started to lift the spoon to my lips. And then I froze when I saw how all the Pie sisters were watching me. They were clearly waiting to hear of my approval for that old family recipe. Each of them wore different expressions, but when I saw Limestone... What was with that sneering grin? Just... Why? Grinning widely with teeth bared, but with eyes that showed a sadistic glee. All sorts of alarms were going off in my head. Was I in danger? Did she spike the soup with something that I could not handle? "Uh... Actually, I'm not all that hungry right now. I can wait until dinner."

            Paradoxically, Limestone suddenly lost that sadistic grin and responded with disbelief. "Huh?! Come on, I cooked that up for all of us! And we've always been taught to never waste food."

            She was surprisingly sincere with her tone. Did I just misread Limestone Pie after all? Not wanting to offend my host, I tried again. I lifted the spoon to my lips...only to have to stop again when she started giving me that sadistic grin. I stared back at her as a growing uneasiness filled my gut. Until I laughed nervously and said, "Stop looking at me like that! I can't eat when someone's giving me that stare!"

            "Huh?! What look?! What're you talking about?!" Limestone responded while once again sounding too sincere to have been intentionally conveying malicious intent behind that unsettling gaze she was giving me.

            Pinkie and Marble were oblivious to Limestone at the time since Limestone was seated behind Pinkie and the big pot was just in the way enough of Marble's view of her. But Maud was seated right across from her and had a clear line of sight of her sister. She then spoke up, "It's that look you're giving him. It makes it look like you poisoned his meal. Did you?"

            "Say what?! I'd never do that to a guest! Ma and Pa would have my hide if I poisoned a guest on my watch!" Limestone waved her hooves before herself defensively with genuine shock on her face. If she really meant no harm, why that look she was giving me?

            "What kinda look are we even talking about, Miss Grumpy? Can I see?" Pinkie asked while looking back at her sister. Limestone then showed that same sadistic grin again. And Pinkie Pie responded accordingly as she leaned away from her sister. "Yowza! That IS a really dangerous looking grin! We gotta fix that!"

            I was both confused and amused as Pinkie Pie went for a very hooves-on approach to dealing with Limestone's...uncanny way of smiling at me. She placed her hooves on her objecting sister's face and went to work. "Keep your eyebrows high, keep your eyes completely open, and maaaayyyybe not show any teeth this time. There! Can you hold that look for a minute?"

            "Oh my god, Pinkie..." I snickered under my breath. Probably the most impressive thing about Pinkie Pie's method is that Limestone was going along with it in spite of her own protests. She never stopped her sister's hooves from nudging and pulling on her face. I am sure that if literally anyone else tried that, Limestone would have walloped them clear over the horizon.

            The new smile on Limestone's face was much more...normal, I guess? It was the kind of look I see on a lot of happy mares. Although Pinkie Pie did have to manually push up the edges of Limestone's mouth to form the sweeping curve of smiling lips. Although she did look rather uncomfortable. Maud Pie then said in an almost snide manner, "Much better."

            "Nice. So can we hurry this up? Reeeeaaally trying to not lower my eyebrows here..." Limestone spoke with a gravelly groan that contrasted sharply with her rather chipper gaze. I did not want to keep her waiting and took my first sip of that soup. Limestone then spoke through her forced happy face and asked, "So? How is it?"

            Pinkie Pie was not wrong. That soup was much more flavorful than it seemed. Although the flavor was indescribable. But in a good way. Even then, there was one element of its flavor profile I could describe. "It has...an earthy flavor to it. And I like it."

            And so lunch resumed with us all partaking in the soup Limestone had cooked up. Although every last one of the Pie sisters had no trouble eating the rocks that were in the soup, I knew better than to try it and passed any rocks that ended up in mine to Pinkie Pie since she was nearest me. Marble was as well, but did not have the same level of interest in the hard craggy ingredients her sisters had.

            I would have found the atmosphere gloomy were it not for the conversations happening around me. With the winter winds outside and the muted color schemes of the dining room's aesthetics, it would have taken a music player of some sort to not make the place feel totally depressing. Limestone and Pinkie did most of the talking while Marble and I just listened. Although Maud did have a lot to say when it came to her geology studies. And it sounded like she was on the verge of graduating. Her participation in the war effort just months ago had earned her some returns of investment from her university. Her future was looking bright.

            Although I did not escape attention for long with how hard I stood out at the dinner table. Limestone suddenly shot me a cockeyed glance that made me almost flinch. She then asked, "You don't talk much, do you?"

            Marble instantly looked at me with eyes of concern. She was not the only one who had not joined in the conversation yet. I just shrugged my shoulders and said, "I generally listen more than I speak."

            "Yep. And he's really good at it! He let's me do most of the talking when it's just us... Hey! He's just like Marble, come to think of it!" Pinkie Pie interjected while that comparison between us got a cute smile out of her youngest sister. I tried to avert my eyes from Marble that time. And I suspect Pinkie did most of the talking for Marble growing up.

            "A man who knows how to listen? You don't see too many guys like that." Limestone added before she chomped down a rock like it was no big deal. I swear that family must have dragon blood in them if they can eat rocks without breaking their jaws and their teeth. Although she then said, "I bet you didn't stand out much on the battlefield like that. You weren't some big shot out there? The newspapers didn't say much about what you did. Just why you were there and that you were some really important player in the war."

            Limestone had quite the interest in our experiences during the War of Preservation. Given how aggressive she seemed, maybe she would have made a capable fighter herself on the front lines. Maud then spoke up for me. "He was amazing. Pinkie Pie and I were infantry. James was something more. Something special and part of a small unit. The Dragon Lord and a kirin queen were with him all the time on the battlefield."

            Even through that deadpan tone, there was a lot of sincere admiration coming from her. She saw everything that happened out there. And I had trouble responding at first. "Maud... OK, I'll admit that. I did serve with Ember and Rain Shine mostly. We were a trio. And they both had unique abilities that complimented the ones my armor gave me. We didn't really fit in with the rest of the militia, so we were paired up together."

            The current head of the household looked my way with such a confused look. I know what she was thinking. She probably agreed to the entire visit thinking she would be seeing a decorated war hero showing up only for me to really not look the part upon arrival. Pinkie Pie understood this too and spoke up with us all listening. "And it wasn't just that! I was there when he wore that armor for the first time! You remember when Nightmare Moon came back again last year? Wait... Last year? Wow, it's only been a year already? Time really flies in Equestria! Or when chapters take way too long to write."

            That got Limestone's attention. Even Marble looked at me with renewed interest. Limestone then said, "Come to think of it... I do remember reading the newspaper article about Nightmare Moon being crowned as a new princess. I thought it was all a joke until a few days later. And it did kinda mention you. But not a whole lot. But that was you there that night?"

            I nodded and did not hide my intentions that time. "Yeah. I wanted to help in some way. And so Celestia and Luna gave me the equipment I used in the war. But you already know about the history about my gear by now, right?"

            "Yeah, the newspaper article mentioned it. Something about a relic from back when that empire still existed on the Empty Plains. So they just locked that stuff away in a vault somewhere until they found the right guy for the job? Crazy. And it sounds like they chose well since Equestria's still the way it's always been. And I guess I should say... Thanks for making sure my sisters made it home in one piece." Limestone Pie replied with some actual sincerity. And with a genuine smile on display.

            "Hey, how about we talk about this stuff in front of the fireplace? After we finish lunch. I even brought photos!" Pinkie Pie chirped with us all looking at her. She had a good point. The fireplace would be a good spot to start really sharing stories instead of just talking. We started focusing on just dining at that point and soon finished every last drop of soup from the pot. And every last chunk of rock.

            The five of us all took a seat in the living room by the fireplace with full bellies. And Marble Pie even set some music to play in the corner. Much to my relief. A phonograph for playing vinyl records was present. Although the music being played from it sounded particularly antiquated even for classical music. Not that I minded. It fit the old fashioned aesthetics of the rock farm quite well.

https://youtu.be/fAsa8SfTTDo?si=cNz_uRpdEkpkl2gv

            One thing I was on the verge of questioning was the mention of photos. I do not recall Pinkie Pie carrying a camera on her person at all in the prior months. But when considering what she hide away on her, maybe I should not be surprised. We took a seat and turned our attention to the peppiest of the Pie sisters. She then reached behind her and pulled out a sleeve filled with developed photos. "I got a whole bunch of photos during the big victory party after everything was said and done!"

            We all leaned closer to see what Pinkie Pie managed to capture without Maud or I being the wiser during that entire event. And she got quite a few. Such as when we first entered the main hall of Canterlot Castle. Limestone spoke up instantly when she got to see the entire royal family. "Hey, that's Nightmare Moon! Wow, she's really back for real? And... Huh. She looks a lot less...villainous when she's wearing a crown instead of that helmet the old stories show her with... Wait. Who are these two?"

            Maud Pie looked my way and flashed me the slightest smile. As if she was inviting me to reveal the truth. And so I did. I reached out to the photo and pointed to one and then the next. "That's the king and queen of Equestria. King Orbash. Queen Sunflare. The newspapers mentioned them around that time, right?"

            Marble Pie spoke with a stunned whisper at last. "The king and queen... They look...different from their daughters. Powerful... With crowns of horns on their heads... But they... They're just royal advisors now? Isn't that what the articles said?"

            "Yeah, that's what they stated. They had their turn governing the world and they insist on not doing it more than once. But they're still serving Equestria by using their wisdom to advise their daughters. I'm just glad they chose to stay instead of disappearing into the wilds again. They're very good people." I explained while thinking back fondly on those marvelous monarchs. Polar opposites in every way, yet madly in love with each other to this day and stalwartly devoted to the well-being of their world. I missed them. Although I was careful to not mention the...less than ideal first encounter I had with Sunflare. That was all water under the bridge by then.

            There were plenty of shots showing the festivities of the party from all over the castle. The massive dining hall and shots of the buffet table. The dance floor and performing band. And then something very unexpected. A shot of me and Celaeno locked in that brief saber duel with swords having just glanced off each other. Limestone pointed at the photo with excitement in her eyes. "Ha! So you do know your way with a sword! But who...or what is that? We've got giant birds in Equestria?"

            "Her? That's Celaeno! She's a harpy and runs her own airship. She did a lot of supply runs during the war. If you don't hear about harpies around here, that's because they all live way down south in the tropics!" Pinkie Pie replied while saving me the trouble. I did not need to do all the explaining if she was there too.

            We eventually came to a point where Pinkie Pie displayed a photo of the Hall of the Elements with the hall being packed with countless ponies and other species of people. And far ahead was me in my suit of winged armor. The sight of that moment stirred something in me. And Marble was quick to point me out. "That's it... His armor..."

            "It has wings? That...looks really nice. What's going on in this picture? What were you doing up there? Giving some kinda speech? And...why are you bald in this photo?" Limestone Pie asked while getting a good look at the scene.

            Maud Pie immediately turned her head to look at me without a word. And my hand slid over the back of my head. Much of my hair had grown back to a short length and was no longer a layer of peach fuzz. I explained in brief, "They had to shave my head to treat my injuries... Skull fracture."

            Marble Pie suddenly looked at me with such concerned horror on her face. Even Limestone looked at me with a gaze of disbelief. Pinkie Pie even lost that smile as she said, "He... Yeah. One of the bad guys got him good during the last big battle of the war. Everypony I know keeps calling it the Battle of the Purple Tide. Almost like we were fighting an ocean."

            Limestone let out a harsh sigh before looking rather frustrated. "I swear I really wanted to get out there and pitch in with the war effort. I was this close to enlisting. But...Ma and Pa needed me here. Somepony had to help them keep the rock farm running and I couldn't let Marble do all the work."

            "I'm glad you didn't go, Limestone. You don't know what war's really like. Be glad you didn't see it like we did." Maud said while Marble scooted a little closer to me. As if wanting to comfort me. But her shyness got the better of her with Marble still remaining where she was. Limestone looked unsure of how to react to Maud's insistence of her staying out of the war effort. Had Limestone been there, I am sure she would have been just as capable as Maud herself. But how would the trials and tribulations of warfare affect someone already so sour? An ugly thought...

            Pinkie Pie continued to cycle through the photos and giving us insight into each one. She even got a few photos of the fireworks display that night. But right when we were down to the last two, she kept the previous photo over it to hide its contents. And she looked at us all with a big grin on her face. "Now this one... I've been saving the best for last! Ready?"

            The best for last? What could it possibly be? Pinkie Pie slid the top photo aside... And my eyes went wide. It was a view of me from behind. With Orbash and Sunflare having lowered their heads to touch their horns to my armor's pauldrons. The very instant I was officially knighted. How did Pinkie Pie even get such a clear shot with the crowd going wild with cheers and applause? A one in a thousand shot for sure.

            To see that sacred moment again... My heart quivered. I reached out to the photo and took it in hand with everyone there watching me. I tried. I really did. And yet, tears still flowed from my eyes at that moment. "Pinkie... Thank you for getting this."

            "I had to, James. There was no way I couldn't get that on film." Pinkie Pie said with a very sincere tone I almost never hear from her voice. It was such a thoughtful thing for her to do and I could not be more grateful.

            Limestone's gaze became more stunned as she saw me spill my tears. Did she think I was a weakling for letting myself cry? Whatever thoughts were going through her head, they meant nothing to Maud. Who stood behind me and rose high on her hooves to embrace me with one arm while the other rubbed her hoof gently over my scalp. Gently petting my head in such a protective manner. I heard her speak softly with her usual monotone, "It's OK. Cry if you need to. I got you."

            Pinkie Pie noticed her eldest sister's conflicted gaze. Like a strange midpoint being looking revolted and worried. "What's with that look, Miss Grumpy? Got something to say?"

            Limestone was surprisingly hesitant in providing a response. She even glanced about at everyone around her for a minute as if considering her options. "I do, but... I'm getting the feeling I'm gonna sound like a real jerk if I do."

            "Is it the tears?" Maud then said for me while I tried to dry my tears. It was difficult to restrain my emotions at the time. That was a sacred moment captured in the photo held in my fingers. Maud then continued to tenderly stroke my head as she said what I wanted to say. "Even the strong can be weak sometimes. It's healthy to not hide your emotions too much."

            What a paradoxical thing for someone to say when they themselves struggle to show much emotion themselves most of the time. But those were wise words. And all I could do was nod in agreement. Seeing me show weakness was just the push Marble Pie needed to bring herself close to me. Now I was more vulnerable than her. She tucked her head against my chest and let me pull her silky smooth and soft form into my embrace. I heard her coo with a timid squeak, "You're OK now..."

            But it was then that Pinkie Pie pushed the last photo forward. And Limestone was the first to notice what was on it. "Whoa... That's epic. I see why you saved that for last."

            My eyes went wide again as I looked down. And the tears flowed with renewed vigor. That image... A stained glass window freshly forged by the king and queen of Equestria themselves to commemorate the crisis that had just been averted. Myself depicted in full armor... Immortalized in the Hall of the Elements. A beautiful sight. And I felt blessed Pinkie Pie was able to share that. Marble Pie leaned away from me to get a closer look at it. "So...beautiful... And that's real?"

            "Mmhm. The king and queen made that themselves right after they knighted him. If you ever go to Canterlot, it's there for everypony to see. At least if you ask the guards to show you around. It's in the castle, so you'll have to ask permission." Pinkie Pie replied before finally gathering up all the photos to put them away. But she still winked at me and said, "Feeling pretty good about yourself right now?"

            "I... I feel pretty blessed right now. It was nice to be reminded of everything and know I belong here. Thank you for sharing those, Pinkie." I replied while drying my tears on Marble's mane. She did not mind and even pushed her head closer to me as I rubbed my face in it. Maud even nuzzled the top of my head reassuringly before they started to step away from me now that I was calm again.

            Limestone let out a sigh while rolling her eyes. I could only imagine what was going through her head. Until she went ahead and said it. "So even knights can cry, huh? I guess I got a lot to learn about real heroes. Here I was thinking you were some kinda hotshot, but you're a normal and...pretty nice guy under all that armor."

            "You better believe he is! No matter what's happened after he came here or all the times he takes up the sword, he's always been our James! Haven't you?" Pinkie Pie chirped before snatching me up for a big hug that got a chuckle out of me. But only for a moment. It was time for something new instead of dwelling on old memories. "Anyway... How about we do what Hearth's Warming Eve is all about? Time for presents!"

            I was actually a bit excited. But I was also worried. I had no idea what to expect from Limestone, even after spending an hour or so with her. I was praying she would not be offended. We all got seated in a circle with the fireplace crackling beside us. Limestone was smirking, Marble was quietly excited, and Maud was wearing her best poker face. And I was just being quiet and waiting as Pinkie Pie reached behind her. "I'm gonna pass out the goodies James got all of you first! Who wants their present first?"

            "Age before beauty." Maud promptly suggested. Which seemed like a good idea. And no one objected to it.

            "Then that means Limestone gets hers first!" Pinkie Pie replied as I held my breath. I had no idea how Limestone Pie would react to a simple banana cream pie as a gift. I was completely winging it.

            Pinkie Pie set out that fresh banana cream pie. And it looked like she had cut it into six slices when I was not looking. But the look on Limestone's face... She just stared at it before looking at me with a bit of a dry smirk. "A pie? Really? Did you just think of my name and thought up something because of me being from the Pie family?"

            "It seemed like a good idea at the time... I made it just this morning. Sorry if it's not up to your standards." I replied while Marble Pie got a bit of a giggle out of my choice. I barely knew anything about the recipient.

            Limestone let out a snort, but still wore the smirk. She then took a sniff of the pie and looked my way. "Hey. Can't say no to a good pie. You wouldn't know it by looking at me, but I know how to make a mean key lime pie myself. But that's a summer pie, so don't expect me to make one anytime soon."

            Mission accomplished. All I could do was hope that the recipient of my gift would like it and it was a total success. Limestone even ate herself a slice right then and there while clearly enjoying it. But then it was Maud's turn. Pinkie Pie pulled out the sack containing her gift and dropped it on the rug we were on with a thump. "And for Maud... I dunno! Look inside!"

            Maud's eyes widened ever so slightly as she heard that heavy on the rug. She then asked, "Is it a rock?"

            "I mean... I didn't wanna be too obvious, but..." I muttered while not sure if I made a mistake. I know Maud is very passionate about earth science, especially when it comes to rocks, but would she have appreciated something else?

            Limestone was smirking so hard it looked like she was about to start laughing. And when Maud got that rock to roll out of that sack, her eyes widened even further. She went to work examining it with her hooves sliding all over it. "I love it. Thank you."

            Not that I was worried, but seeing Maud take such a keen interest in that rock right away made me feel pretty good about myself. But then she surprised us. Maud reached into a pocket on her frock and pulled out a familiar pebble. I recognized it instantly. "Oh hey, it's Boulder."

            "He says hello." Maud replied while placing her pet rock atop the rock I had just given her. A moment of awkward silence passed with us all watching. No one interrupted. If that pebble was truly alive... What was he doing? Maud eventually leaned a little closer as if to listen in. She soon said, "Boulder says there's something unusual inside this rock. I'll examine it more closest later."

            Did Rarity really dig up something special by accident? If there were gemstones inside that thing, maybe Maud would let me take them back home to Rarity for use with the rest of the haul she found. Maud then gave her pet rock a little pat as thanks and then stashed him back in her pocket. She then turned to me and asked, "Would you like to come see it when I chisel it open?"

            "If you really think there's a hidden surprise in that thing, I'd love to see what it is. Just let me know when." I replied with some actual excitement in my heart. What was it? A geode? A fossil? Maybe just an empty pocket of air? No, it was much too heavy to be hollow... Whatever the case, I was hyped.

            At last, it was time for the loveliest little lady in the room to receive her goodies. But when Pinkie Pie pulled out what I had gotten Marble, it turned out to be wrapped in festive wrapping paper. Holiday theme too. One with holly bunches and white doves. But... "Wait... Did I wrap those before we left the house?"

            "I took care of it for you! When you weren't looking." Pinkie Pie giggled while I shot her an amused smirk. She was right. It would have been weird to wrap up a freshly made pie in wrapping paper. And I could not do the same with that rock. But boxes? An easy wrapping candidate. And I was grateful that Pinkie Pie styled up the presentation for her sister. She then grinned at Marble and said, "Go ahead, baby sis! James got these all for you!"

            The poor thing. She was smiling so giddily, yet looked so nervous too. I felt excited myself with the knowledge I was about to make that timid little very happy. She tugged and tore at the paper in such a manner that I think she may have been trying to avoid tearing it to be used for later. Such a delicate touch. Even Fluttershy has never been so careful when opening presents. Pinkie Pie even seemed to anticipate this and did not bother using tape to secure the wrapping paper. It was all loosely folded. And once the paper came open to reveal the contents, Limestone let out a quiet whistle. "Ooh. Nice."

            "I tried. I did what I could to get you something based on what I remembered about you. Is it...fine?" I asked with Marble displaying such quiet glee on her face. She examining the display on the tea set's box and then took a good look at the boxes of three teas I gave her with it. She just looked so happy and so ready to put it all to good use. I whispered to her, "All yours. Enjoy."

            "Thank you..." Marble whispered back to me with one eye conveniently hidden behind her mane. Almost as if she had styled her hair specifically to hide pat of her face when talking to someone. Maybe she would eventually push it aside to let me see her entire face. But I would not pry.

            "So then! Everypony's happy with their gifts from their new friend? Or old friend if you already knew him?" Pinkie Pie asked with her sisters providing replies of varying levels of enthusiasm. But they were all happy nonetheless. She then asked, "Nice! Happy holidays, everypony! Now, did you all get something nice for James too? What goes around comes around!"

            Marble timidly looked at me out of the corner of her eye and provided a quiet response. "Mmhm..."

            Maud then spoke up next. "I wrote you a poem. It's not like my usual output. I'll show you later."

            Then all eyes fell on Limestone. And I was not surprised to see her fidgeting so bad with a look of unease in her rather intense eyes. I was not surprised she had not planned out a gift for someone she did not even know. But I was not offended either. At least Maud and Marble had met me at least once. "Uh... I mean... I didn't even know the guy until today... Just...gimme a little while, all right?! I'll think of something nice to give you before you head home. That's a promise, all right? Gotta be a good host and all that."

            "It's cool. No rush. I'll accept whatever you think will suffice." I replied while expecting to head home with nothing from Limestone. But if she did find something to give me, I would be pleasantly surprised.

            Almost everyone started to scatter a moment later. Just to put away their gifts. Except for Pinkie Pie. She sounded like she was going to bake some holiday cookies in time for dinner later. But while I sat there in front of the fireplace to savor its warm glow, I noticed that Maud was the only one who had not moved yet. She scooted a little closer to me and spoke with a whisper. "You don't have to sleep alone in the loft. Would you like to sleep in my room tonight?"

            This took me aback a bit. Sharing a bed with Maud Pie? What an unexpected offer. But I was more concerned about my accommodations in there than anything else. "Is your bed big enough for us? A lot of furniture in Equestria isn't designed for human use..."

            "It is. All of the beds in the house outside of the master bedroom are meant to be big enough for almost anything. Just in case. You'll be comfortable. If you don't mind a firm mattress." Maud replied right away. And for once, I could not read her behind her poker face and her deadpan tone. What was she up to?

            My friend's response was enough to win me over. "That's fine. I prefer firm mattresses anyway. I just can't seem to get to sleep on softer surfaces for some reason..."

            "Firm is supportive. And I'll bring tea. I'll do what I can to make your night feel special." Maud Pie said with some genuine sincerity in her deadpan tone. And just when I thought she was about to walk away, I saw it. A smile. A tiny and subtle smile, but still a smile. I was expecting a nice time at the end of my day.

            Things quieted down around the house quick while Pinkie Pie was whipping up cookies in the kitchen with Limestone helping her out. Marble was probably in her room with her tea set being put to good use. As for Maud... I decided to not bother her. And I did not want to stay in that house for too long. Felt too bland for my tastes. I put on my jacket and headed outside to just take a stroll around the rock farm and savor the beauty of winter way out in the wilderness. The silence was deafening as fresh snow fell around the countryside. And I loved it.

            I walked around the rock farm while admiring the gentle glow of the many crystals set around the premises. But what drew my attention the most was that massive stone egg at the back. Holder's Boulder loomed ahead. Just how I remembered it. I even took a moment to look around and try to remember exactly which direction I first approached it from months ago. Not at all easy to do given the presence of snow on the ground and how the distant trees had changed now that winter had come. I looked back up at the massive stone before me and muttered, "It's...an egg. There's no other way to put it. This thing is giant stone egg."

            Even in the off chance Holder's Boulder was an actual egg of some kind, not even the largest dragons lay eggs of that size. I am certain even the egg Blaze laid that would produce Ember was not unusually large either. So then...why? Why was that perfectly smooth stone in the shape of an egg? There were no imperfections in its shape either. It was...too perfect.

            I felt compelled to investigate. I began to bring my hand closer to examine the stone before me more thoroughly. All while forgetting about the warning my host had given me. Just when I was about to make contact with the stone... "ARE YOU TOUCHING HOLDER'S BOULDER?!"

https://youtu.be/tSxpFngNCsE?si=wFaKNH_ZaLYtwXFX

            A voice rang out over the winter silence. And with a sudden turn of my head, there she was. Limestone Pie was sticking her head out of a second story window while watching me like a hawk. And she had a perfect view of me from the side. I looked at my hand again and shouted back, "Does it look like I'm touching it?!"

            Limestone Pie proceeded to pull out a telescope and probably zoomed in to see if my hand was making any actual contact with the boulder before me. A few seconds went by before she spoke out. "OK, you're good! Just don't touch it!"

            And with that, she was gone. Limestone ducked back inside and closed the window behind her. But just... How did she even know I was in such close proximity to Holder's Boulder? Was it some kind of...sixth sense? An equivalent to Pinkie Pie's infamous Pinkie Sense? I was left wondering if all of the Pie sisters have some strange ability unique to each of them. "They have to be part dragon if they're this...off in so many weird ways... There's no other explanation I can think of. The only question is which side of the family they get it from."

            I looked up at Holder's Boulder again. And an impish urge came over me. If Limestone Pie could really sense when anyone was touching Holder's Boulder, or even being so close to it that they might as well be touching it, then why not test it? I held up one finger and gingerly started to poke closer. All while wearing the silliest smile on my lips.

            "ARE YOU TOUCHING HOLDER'S BOULDER?!" And there she was. Limestone Pie abruptly poked her head out of a snowdrift nearby while looking ready to throw down with anyone who dared mess with her. When did she even get there anyway?! There was no way she could have gotten out of the house and went diving into that heap of snow without me noticing in so little time. I know Equestria is a...weird world, but hard cartoon physics are still not possible in this world... Right?

            I did jump a bit at the sudden shout Limestone let out. I knew she was coming and still got a little startled. But she could still see there was just an inch of distance between my finger and her precious heirloom. I looked at my finger and then I looked at her with a big grin. "Not touching. See?"

            My lord, the look on her face. Such an annoyed scowl. I think Limestone knew I was just messing with her by then. She lifted one hoof to her face with the tip of it pointed to her eyes only to suddenly turn it around and point it at me. And like that, she ducked back into the snowdrift and was gone. I even ran over to go digging through it and found no trace of where she might have gone. "How does she do that?!"

            Now I was feeling more curious than impish. I had to try that one more time just to see where Limestone Pie would pop up next. I stood before Holder's Boulder and raised up my hand. And right when I was about to rest my palm on it... "ARE YOU TOUCHING HOLDER'S BOULDER?!"

            She got me good that time. I almost fell over from how hard I jumped away from the sudden movement in the corner of the vision. Limestone was now sticking her head out of a metal pail that was sitting nearby. But...there was no explaining it. Her entire body would never fit inside that thing, and yet... There she was. I stared in disbelief at what I was seeing while standing in a recoiling stance on one foot. I have long been conditioned to just accept it when Pinkie Pie does something like that, but seeing literally anyone else do it... "How do you even do that?! That's something I'd only expect your sister to do!"

            Limestone's glare was instantly replaced with one of confusion. She then looked down at her situation and said, "Come to think of it... How did I get in here anyway?!"

            We both stared at each other with matching gazes of bewilderment. But there was an important question I had to ask. ".....Can you get out?"

            Limestone tried ducking her head back into the pail to no avail. While she did poke it out of the top with no problem, her head was just too big to pull it back in. She then tried to wiggle herself out and almost tipped the pail over in the process. No good. She was stuck. In a pail much too small to hold her. "Uh... A little help here?"

            I cracked up like nobody's business. How could I not laugh? And Limestone was not having it. "Stop laughing and go get some help already! I'm seriously stuck here!"

            "Right, right, be right back!" I ran off for the farm house while failing to keep a straight face. It was almost sundown and I had already gotten roped into silly shenanigans at the Pie family's home. I burst back into the house and rushed into the kitchen to find all three of Limestone's sister's gathered around the oven. "Hey, girls? Limestone's gotten herself into a situation and needs more help than I can give."

            "Limestone? What did Miss Grumpy do? And... Hang on, wasn't she upstairs a minute ago? I didn't hear her come down." Pinkie Pie replied while checking the egg timer to see if they could step away without the cookies burning. There seemed to be just enough time to do something away from the kitchen.

            "She... I... You need to see it to believe it. Come on. I really can't do this by myself." I explained before leading them over to where Limestone was while they kept up with a quick trot. All while trying to not laugh again.

            Limestone Pie was right where I had left her. I was surprised she did not try making the pail hop after me. But she was still wearing that sour glare of annoyance. All three of her sisters just stared with varying levels of confusion on their face. Even Maud had raised an eyebrow at what she was seeing from her no-nonsense sister. Although Pinkie Pie then muttered curiously, "Huh... This kinda reminds me of..."

            "Don't." Maud suddenly said with the firmest tone in her voice I had every heard. All while wearing the sharpest glare I had ever seen on her face. Even Marble took a step back with wide eyes. What in the world did Maud anticipate coming out of her sister's mouth? Knowing Pinkie Pie, it could have been anything.

            Whatever it was, Pinkie Pie looked like she knew she almost made a mistake. She giggled nervously and averted her eyes. "Heehee... Right... Yeah, even I'm too good for brainrot. Anyway... We got a sister to save!"

            "It doesn't hurt, but I'm really stuck in here good. And don't ask me how I got into this mess. Even I don't know." Limestone said while her sisters got into position. Pinkie and Marble held down the pail and made it tilt forward on an angle while Maud got her arms around her sister's neck to put her impressive muscle to use. I stepped back to make sure I would not get in the way.

            It all went by smoothly. Maud did not have to pull for too long to yank Limestone out of the pail, but she still pulled so hard that Limestone went flying over her and landed on her back with a yell maybe twenty paces away. But she looked fine. Just severely annoyed. When we came over to check on her, Limestone scowled up at us and said, "Let's never speak of this again."

            Pinkie Pie got a good giggle out of the whole situation and asked with a winking smile, "What happened, sis? Did your Limestone Sense kick in again?"

            "I said I don't wanna talk about it!" Limestone groaned as she rolled over and back onto her hooves. She started to walk back towards the house, but now I was curious. Limestone Sense?

            It was as good a time as any to ask. I stepped forward before Limestone could get too far. "Pinkie... Just about everyone in Ponyville knows about your Pinkie Sense. But...do your sisters have it too?"

            Pinkie Pie got a giggle out of my assumption. Only to turn her answer on its own head. "Of course not, silly! Pinkie Sense is only exclusive to Pinkie Pie! But... That doesn't mean there isn't a Limestone, Marble, and Maud Sense too!"

            "You know I hate it when you call it that!" Limestone growled as she looked over her shoulder at us. I glanced back and forth at her and their two other sisters. Marble looked sheepish over the attention shifting to her, but Maud looked completely unfazed. Although Limestone then groaned with her head lowering. "Ugh... Fine. Yeah. Pinkie Pie's not the only Pie sister with a weird quirk. We've all got one."

            Pinkie Pie then picked up a small rock on her hoof and lobbed it up and over her shoulder. And it went quite high as she spoke to us. "Yep! For example, the Marble Sense..."

            I glanced over at Marble as her eyes went wide. She suddenly stepped to the side as that rock fell down and hit the ground where she had been standing. She clearly had not been paying any mind to Pinkie Pie chucking that rock over her shoulder, but she still sensed it coming down and sidestepped it. Pinkie Pie then beamed at her youngest sister and said, "She always knows when something's coming and can dodge it! She's never been hit in a snowball fight no matter how many winters we've had here! Right, Marble?"

            "Mmhm!" Marble mumbled rather enthusiastically, even if she still had a shy look about her. Perhaps her Marble Sense played into her timid nature, allowing her to evade anything she perceived as a danger. Fluttershy would be envious.

            I then looked over at Limestone and asked, "And...yours?"

            The eldest Pie sister let out a sigh and turned to face us. There was no walking away from that topic until we had answers. "Ugh... Yeah, I've got a...Limestone Sense. But that's just what my sisters call it. Basically... You saw it. If anything touches or is about to touch Holder's Boulder, I know it. And I'll get there no matter what to make sure it's not a problem. Don't ask me how I do it. I just make it happen."

            No wonder she sensed my presence the first time I came near Holder's Boulder back in summer. She never knew I was there, had no line of sight of me, yet still sensed when I was reaching out for that massive boulder. I was lucky there was nothing nearby for her to just pop out of or I probably would have been in trouble well before I reached the battlefield. But why Holder's Boulder of all things? What was binding it to her on such an intrinsic level? I just had to ask. "What's your deal with Holder's Boulder anyway? Do you have some kinda special connection to it?"

            Limestone's gaze softened somewhat as she looked over at the looming boulder nearby. It was not a happy expression, but not an angry one either. "I'm the heir to the family business. The firstborn of my sisters. So...Holder's Boulder is kind of a big deal to me. I've always just...known when something's touching it that shouldn't be there."

            That was a rather profound statement to make. I then asked softly, "Then...it's like a lifelong friend to you?"

            Limestone then responded with a slightly happier look on her face, "Kind of? I mean I don't really believe in the whole pet rock thing. No offense, Maud. But... I guess when something like this is a part of your life since the very start, it just...grows on you, right? Like your favorite tree as a kid. Maybe your favorite bench at a public park. Or an old toy that you never really outgrow playing with. You get where I'm coming from, right?"

            "Absolutely. I get exactly what you mean. I've got my...old friends of sorts that have been constants for most of my life. Or I did...before I came to this world. But I guess now I've got new ones that'll always be there for years to come now. I just don't know what they are yet." I replied with a smile. Even now, I do long for some things from back on Earth. I was fortunate to have a good upbringing and living in a nice place in spite of all the chaos in the world.

            Limestone looked past us. Probably to look at Holder's Boulder. She then looked up at me and spoke with a bit of a smug smile. "You know what? You're an OK guy. Go ahead. Say hi to Holder's Boulder. I'll let you this time."

            I almost questioned my host's offer, but maybe it was our shared sentimentality on such things being a constant in our lives that made Limestone think she could trust me. And she could. I would never do anything to damage such a treasure. Limestone and her sisters watched as I walked up to Holder's Boulder. I hesitated for a moment before resting my palm on the massive boulder. The surface was smooth, yet had the texture of unpolished rock. And it was freezing cold to the touch. I slid my hand over its gently curving surface, treating it like an old friend instead of just a rock.

            Even from that distance and with fresh snow coming down, I still overheard the four sisters speaking to each other. Except for the occasional 'mmhm' from Marble. Maud spoke first. "See? He's gentle."

            Limestone then spoke next while trying to keep her voice down. "Still can't believe that guy's a real knight... They don't tell you about this side of them in the books or the newspapers."

            "Sure is. And I've known him since Day 1. He's good. And totally deserved being knighted." Pinkie Pie said last while also trying to not let her voice travel too far. If they were facing away from me, I surely would not have heard them. But their voices carried just far enough to reach my ears. I am documenting what they said right here after all. They must have thought they were being sneaky talking behind my back like that. But all I did was smile. And I resolved to not question them about it.

            But there was still one Pie sister who's unique 'sense' had not been discussed. I soon left Holder's Boulder and return to the four sisters. "Holder's Boulder seems to like me. But before I forget... What about you, Maud? What does the Maud Sense do?"

            All eyes fell upon the most stoic of the Pie sisters. Pinkie Pie looked especially excited to hear her favorite sister spill her biggest secret. But while Maud still maintained that stoic gaze, her eyes did wander a bit. Until she finally looked away before saying, "It... I don't know how to explain it. And it's harder to show when there's a lot of people watching. I'll show you later."

            "Um... Sure. When it's convenient." I said with a smile. It felt in character for Maud to be subtle with whatever unique ability she possessed. Even Pinkie Pie did not object to the delay.

            Speaking of Pinkie Pie, she then spoke up. "And then there's the famous Pinkie Sense! Speaking of which... I've got an itch in my left wrist... That means the cookies are done!"

            Rather than run off for the house, Pinkie Pie went diving into the very pail that Limestone had been stuck in mere minutes ago and was just...gone. Barely three seconds later before we could even question it, the window to the kitchen swung open with Pinkie Pie leaning out of it. "Saved them! Come on in! They're fresh and hot outta the oven!"

            "Don't question it. She's been like this since the day she got her cutie mark." Limestone said with a smirk. I have to wonder what it was that caused a switch to flip in Pinkie Pie that turned her into the physics-defying goofball she is today. Surely the acquisition of her cutie mark alone was not enough. But I doubt even she has an answer for that.

            The house reeked of freshly baked sweets when we walked in the door. And we all gathered in front of the fireplace to warm up after being out in the cold. The cookies were very basic. Oatmeal cookies. But with cherries in them instead of raisins. Pinkie Pie must have felt daring that day.

https://youtu.be/fsLPj_BG3fg?si=iYKrifjU8chh3eKF

            The record player was putting out more vintage tunes that suited the aesthetics around me and made the atmosphere less dull. I was glad I would not be there for more than a few days. While the four Pie sisters are good company, the aesthetics of that house were stifling when it came to any passion for me. I had to wait until I got home to start chronicling my time there. The Pie family farm house did even have a typewriter I could have used, but I felt no drive to even attempt to use it.

            Although it looked like there was someone there who could pursue artistic desires in spite of their surroundings. Marble Pie waited until I was once again alone by the fireplace before she brought something over to me. Something contained in a pull string sack hanging from her teeth. She wordlessly held it out to me with a giddy smile on display. I held out my hand and asked, "For me?"

            "Mmhm... Your present." She whimpered once the bag was out of her grasp. She then took a seat beside me while I carefully removed the contents. It was something very hard and I was careful to not handle the bag roughly to avoid breaking anything inside it. I lifted something from the bag that was small enough to be grasped in my hand. A stone figure. Something chiseled right out of a rock. It appeared winged. And then it dawned on me right as Marble revealed what it was. "It's you."

            While not the most detailed sculpture, she was right. I recognized the silhouette. The figure in my hand was a stone sculpture meant to resemble me while clad in my stone armor. All except for my helmet plume, but it would be unreasonable to expect anyone to add a feature to a stone sculpture that resembles an intangible object that is constantly moving. I looked it over carefully and was immediately making plans to set it on my bedroom fireplace mantle when I got home. "This is good... You made this?"

            "Mmhm... And...I'm making another. A better one. I want it to be good enough...for a real knight in shining armor." Marble whispered to me with the crackling of burning logs almost masking her voice. I remembered how in awe she seemed when I went airborne during our first farewell. The image of a winged knight held aloft as if ready to ascend to the heavens... It does sound like something out of a fairytale.

            "Then I can't wait to see it. But I'll still treasure this one. It's going right over my fireplace when I get home. Thank you." I whispered back to my new friend. She responded by gently nuzzling the side of my head. I gazed upon the stone sculpture in my hand again. To think dear little Marble Pie was secretly an artist. "You sculpt? As in...make art out of rock and stone?"

            "Mmhm." She mumbled into my ear. Although that was all she said. But Marble was very comfortable leaning against me. And I would not rebuke her. The poor thing deserved some respite in the dead of winter.

            As I beheld that stone figure in my grasp, it started to dawn on me. There was something in common between the sisters besides just being siblings. "Huh... Pinkie Pie can sing and plays instruments... Maud Pie writes poetry... And you are a sculptor. I didn't know art is a thing in this family."

            My observations got a little giggle out of Marble. Maybe even she did not notice that connection until I brought it up. I then said, "I'm something of an artist myself. I do a lot of writing. Like...a lot a lot of writing. Not poetry though. Just...prose."

            Marble's eyes lit up at this revelation. She looked vaguely excited too as she looked at me. "You're...an artist too? Then I... I'd love to read your writings sometime. Are they novels? What genre? Romance? Mystery?"

            I was a little embarrassed to tell her the truth about my writings. "No, they're... Basically an autobiography. Journals. Because...let's just say living in Equestria can throw unexpected adventures at just about anyone out of nowhere. And some days aren't even that fantastical. More mundane, but still worth talking about. And...I have experienced a number of notable crises. The War of Preservation being one..."

            "Oh... I see... But...they still sound like they're worth reading. If you come by again, can you bring one of them? So I can read them?" Marble replied softly with a sympathetic smile. She would not be the only one to have read my writings. And apparently I am pretty good at it.

            "Gladly. I'll try to find one of my better days to share with you." I whispered back to her before bringing up the sculpture before my eyes. It did not have much in the way of details, but I was expecting Marble to do a much better job on the next. Maybe she would get every individual feather on my armor's wings next time. How does she even make such small sculptures out of stone? I could not imagine the skill needed. Especially from an earth pony without the use of a unicorn's levitation spell. But then I suddenly noticed we had not mentioned one specific Pie sister. "What about Limestone? Has she shown any talent for the arts?"

            Marble looked a little concerned at the mention of her eldest sister. She surely must have known more about Limestone than even Pinkie or Maud since they had likely been living on the rock farm for their entire lives. And her response was less than elating. "No... She's too busy running the farm to have time for anything like that."

            "That's...unfortunate. I wonder what she'd dabble in. Painting? Or...isn't cooking an art too?" I asked in return when I recalled Limestone confessing to her skill in making a quality key lime pie. Maybe she is secretly a wizard in the kitchen?

            "Oh! She... Mmhm. She is. I think she even taught Pinkie Pie how to bake back before she moved to Ponyville." Marble replied with a smile. And it made sense. If Pinkie Pie was going to learn baking from anyone, it would be from someone who can make a good pie.

            "That definitely says a lot on why she's been working at Sugarcube Corner for as long as I've known her." I said with a big smirk. Marble had never even seen Sugarcube Corner, so I can only wonder what she thinks it looks like. And I can believe Limestone being skilled in the kitchen. Judging by the lime in her cutie mark, I suspect she has a talent for dishes that specialize in citrus fruits. I could go for a nice ripe orange at the moment too.

            I set the sculpture of my armored form aside to really focus on Marble. She was leaning against me in such a vulnerable way. When was the last time she felt so comfortable in the presence of a man? Temptation called and I answered. I draped my arm across her back with my hand resting on her opposite shoulder. Marble responded by letting out a long sigh of peace. She was completely at ease in my embrace. A far cry from the timid little thing that had dashed away from me when I made even the slightest sound months ago.

            There were no words. And there was little sound throughout the house aside from the crackling of the fireplace before us and the subtle scratching of a record player that needed to have its needle reset. But we were in no hurry to bother. We were just too comfortable to move. Even Marble's three sisters sounded like they were having some quiet time to themselves. The only other thing to reach my ears was the whispering of a winter gale beyond the windows. I was compelled to not speak. To just let little Marble take the lead in anything that happened. It was her house and I was her guest. And she clearly rarely got the privilege of being the one to speak first. Even if it was by choice.

            Marble eventually shifted the positioning of her head to turn it towards me. I saw her face turn to look at me out of the corner of my eye. She smiled so beautifully at me. I then asked with a whisper, "Are you happy?"

            "Happier...than I've been in a long time." Marble cooed to me with the faintest blush in her cheeks. And she never looked away. And her face... She was just so beautiful now that we were alone with my eyes able to truly focus on only her. I was astounded that such beauty could be found on a humble rock farm. It was as if...she did not belong there. Like she was waiting for someone to take her away to where she truly belonged. And she must have been reading my mind at the time since what she said next mirrored my thoughts. "Are you...my knight in shining armor? Here to sweep me off my hooves and take me away to your castle?"

            "I... I'll admit that's a tempting request." I muttered while in awe of the lovely little maiden before me. Somewhere in my heart, I was spellbound. She was so...lovely. So demure, so precious, so beautiful, so sincere... I wanted to do everything in my power to make that lovely little lady the happiest mare in Rockville. She had the beauty of a princess. She did not belong out in the hills. She belonged in a palace.

            Marble began to lean closer to me. Tilting her head back just enough to bring her lips closer in a subtle invitation for a kiss. Although she still hesitated with subtle lowering and rising of her chin. "You're everything I hoped you would be... Like...what a knight should be under that beautiful armor. Will you...take me away from here? Please? Take me home with you to be your lady?"

            I could see it in her eyes. The eyes of a maiden falling in love. And...I could feel it too. I know it is dangerous to fall in love too quickly, but... My heart demanded it. Marble was just too lovely. She would never betray the man she loved. She was committing herself. For someone so timid and so wary of outsiders to just open herself to me with so little doubt... Did she and I have a future together? Was that wonderful little mare destined to join my growing family? As another bride for me to love?

            What wonderful thoughts I had as our lips finally touched. I could already imagine Marble in a stunning wedding dress. She would absolutely want to have a true wedding. And I am sure that we would eventually find a way to make it happen despite customs in marriage laws. The touch of her lips upon mine... Was I giving Marble her first ever kiss? I hope I was. She deserved her first to be from a man who would always cherish her.

            That first kiss ended. And we gazed at each other with flushed faces. We wanted more. So we kissed again. And we embraced there in front of the fire. Arms wrapped around each other. Loving sighs hissed from our nostrils while Marble let out the most beautiful moans deep in her throat. We were falling in love. And it felt so right. Fluttershy would have no objections with Marble joining our family. They would surely be very fine friends. Like two sisters from different mothers.

            That kiss finally ended with our faces just inches from each other. And Marble... She looked so euphoric. The shyness in her face was gone. Like she was finally at peace after so long. I held her hoof in my right hand as she let out the loveliest sigh. But after a moment, she looked at my hand. Only for her loving gaze to become one of intrigue. And then panic. Utter horror filled that beautiful little face. She suddenly tore herself away from me without a word and bolted past me. And by the time I looked over my shoulder, she was gone.

            Why? I was filled with a bitter combination of confusion, concern, and disappointment. Marble was so happy to be in my arms. We had our first kiss. We were falling in love. And then... It all happened so fast. And I was left asking myself with a whisper. "What did I do?"

            I decided to give Marble as much space as she needed after that. The hours went by and dinner arrived. And Limestone was mindful enough to not serve us the same dish two meals in a row. Even the Pie family could not subsist off of rocks alone. Even in the off chance that there is dragon blood in them, they are far more pony than dragon and their dietary needs lean far harder towards the former than the latter. And while I tried to put on a happy face, I could not stop noticing had uncomfortable Marble looked. She sat as far away from me as possible and tried to avoid looking at me. She was cautious enough to not let anyone around us think there was something wrong. But not Pinkie Pie. Marble's twin sister was the only one who would look in her sister's direction with a face that showed she knew something was not right. But she dared not bring it up at the dinner table. It was not the time for drama. Not during a holiday visit when we were supposed to be having a good time.

            Night had well since fallen and it was almost time for bed. Limestone insisted we be in bed at a certain time, but did not enforce the curfew. Probably just her work schedule slipping into her holiday routine. Early to bed and early to rise, I am sure. But up until then, if Marble saw me anywhere, she would suddenly duck out of sight. She was clearly avoiding me.

            I had gathered up some clean clothes and was about to head to the bathroom to take a shower before bed. And once again, Marble stepped into view at the end of the hall. She took one glance at me and then fled in silent terror. And it hurt. I felt like I made a terrible mistake somehow and would never be able to take it back. But what did I do to hurt someone as precious as Marble Pie?

            "What's wrong with her?" A voice behind me spoke up. Pinkie Pie just happened to be right behind me at that moment and saw everything. I looked back while Pinkie Pie looked up at me with a look of concern. "It's so weird. Every since dinner time, she's been... I mean she was so happy to see you when you came back for the first time. Now... It's like she's terrified of you. Did something happen today?"

            I let out a sigh of frustration. I wish I had an answer. "The last thing we did before she started avoiding me was sit in front of the fireplace and...just be good to each other. I think...we might have been falling in love. We embraced... We kissed... Then I held her hoof and... Wait."

            I held up my right hand. The one that had held Marble's hoof. And there it was on one finger. A single gold band. A ring that held special meaning to me. And Marble had definitely seen it. "I think...she saw my wedding ring."

            Her eyes... They opened wide. The irises shrank. That look in Pinkie Pie's eyes was something I had only seen when she was very excited or happy. But the rest of her face showed a different emotion. Utter shock. And she spoke with a whisper. "Uh oh... That would explain it."

            I closed my eyes and bowed my head in disappointment. I suppose I should not have been surprised, given how old fashioned the Pie family's rock farm was. I had grown so used to the unorthodox family dynamic me and my lovers are in that I had forgotten to be more transparent about it towards those who were having feelings for me. Marble and I... We simply had irreconcilable differences in terms of values. "I see... Then she's a traditionalist... That's...OK, I guess."

            "No... No, it's not that. It's..." Pinkie Pie started to say before freezing up. She looked back and forth down the hall several times rapidly as if she was afraid someone had overheard us. She then looked up at me and whispered almost frantically, "In here. We'll talk about it in here."

https://youtu.be/Yy1aMpT1tP0?si=XRXblTM_o9n-hYKs

            Pinkie Pie led me into the bathroom. It was very old fashioned to the point of having one of those vintage white bathtubs that stay off the floor with clawed feet resembling the big strong paws of a lion. I was very impressed by that feature. Pinkie Pie quickly went to work. She locked the door and even started covering up the air vents in the room with whatever she could find that would stick. She finally turned on the ventilation fan. Probably as a means to create a layer of white noise to mask our voices. She then turned to me with no joy in her face at all. "OK... I think we're good now. But we have to keep our voices down."

            "Yeah, I get it. These older houses aren't good at keeping sound contained. Especially through the air vents." I replied while remembering some of my days at my grandparents' house on the weekends as a child. It is amazing what one can pick up on by holding their ear to a vent on the floor.

            "Mmhm. Anyway... About Marble... Wait." Pinkie Pie started to say before suddenly freezing up in realization. She then spoke to me with none of her usual peppiness in her tone. "No. James, you have to promise me. Wait... You have to Pinkie Promise me. Whatever we say in here doesn't leave this room. Please?"

            I wasted no time in agreeing to my friend's terms and proceeded to perform the ritual. Even if it did sound silly compared to whatever dark secret I was about to be made aware of. "Agreed. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."

            Pinkie Pie flashed me a relieved smile and we both took a seat on the floor. She then spoke again with that smile fading, her voice going quiet out of sheer caution. Neither of us knew exactly who was still awake in the house. "OK... Just so you know... Literally nopony but me and Marble know about this. And we need to keep it that way. And if you end up writing about it in your journals... Please make sure nopony sees it."

            "I Pinkie Promised. I'll make sure that it'll be for my eyes only. So then... Your sister. What's wrong with her?" I replied as I readied myself for whatever was about to be said. Surely whatever caused Marble to suddenly become fearful of me was not more than just a little silly... Right?

            My formerly peppy friend took a deep sigh. This was a story she did not want to tell, but it needed to be said. "Now... Marble has always been pretty shy. Although I think Fluttershy was always more shy than her at first? It wasn't that bad, but... She got a lot worse after...that happened. And she's especially wary of married stallions. That's probably why she did what she did when she saw your wedding ring."

            I looked at my wedding ring again. Yes, it is scummy for a married man to hide his ring when he cheats on his wife. But that is why I never remove mine when out of the house. I would never leave Fluttershy. And I wear it for more than just her. It binds me to all of my beloveds. I then looked at Pinkie Pie and asked, "And you're the only one who knows about...what happened?"

            Pinkie Pie nodded and said, "Yep. I'm the only one Marble trusted enough to keep this a secret. And I had to Pinkie Promise. But I'm breaking that promise just for you only because you Pinkie Promised to not share it with anypony else. She couldn't tell anypony else... And I couldn't tell anypony either. Not Mom. Not Dad. Not Maud. And especially not Limestone. If she found out, things would've gotten...messy. And I don't think anypony would've been able to stop her."

            It started to dawn on me why Marble was so wary of me upon finding out that I am married. My eyes narrowed in anticipation. "Did someone hurt her?"

            Marble's twin sister looked away from me at nothing in particular for a moment. All while wearing a forlorn frown. She did eventually look at me again and spoke quietly. "This all happened just a few months before I left home and moved to Ponyville. Marble was running errands in town. And she started coming home looking...happy. Like...really happy. Happy in a way that only I noticed. And she wanted to tell someone. So she told her twin sister. That's me by the way."

            Pinkie Pie was starting to smile again. But only because it was probably a happy time at the moment. I leaned closer to display my interest and implore Pinkie to keep talking. So she did. "She... She met a guy in town. An older stallion. Rich and handsome and staying in town for a week for...some kinda business venture? And they just kinda bumped into each other. And...they really hit it off. At least that's what it sounded like. He even bought some of the stuff for Marble that she had been sent into town to pick up for the farm. And Marble was just...so smitten over him. Like he was the guy who would sweep her off her hooves and take her away to a better life with him."

            I was getting a very bad feeling about this story. Being the youngest of the four Pie sisters, even if only by a matter of minutes to Pinkie Pie, I could believe Marble being the most naive of the four at the time. She definitely felt like quite the romantic. Easily swayed with offers of romance and care. My god... What did that guy do to her? I spoke with fear in my voice, "Did he hurt her?"

            Pinkie Pie rapidly shook her head with a look of unease in her eyes. "Um... No. No, he never did anything to her. But for one week she would go into town to see him and even started looking for excuses to slip away from the farm for a while. Just so she could go see him. She even started bringing...gifts from home to give him. I mean I don't wanna say she robbed Mom and Dad blind, but... She gave him some things she probably shouldn't have. Nothing too valuable, but... She was just...so in love. Like...she was convinced he was the one. That he was going to take her away to a life of luxury and happiness. And...I wanted to believe her. I even saw him a few times. He looked legit. Like...just maybe he was the one. Even though my Pinkie Sense was going off like crazy and I didn't know which twitch meant what at that time, I still wanted to believe Marble was taking a chance that would pay off. She was happy. Really happy. And...I wanted to see her dream come true."

            "But...it didn't. Right?" I asked as I felt my heart sink. I had already figured out what happened by then, but allowed Pinkie Pie to finish the story.

            All the hope in Pinkie's face drained away as she continued. "Marble packed her bags in secret on the last day he was supposed to be in town. She...actually was gonna elope with him. He had offered to take her with him. To be his happy wife where they would live happily ever after. And...she couldn't say no. Nopony knew but me. I didn't want to see Marble go, but... I wasn't gonna stop her. Not when she found true love. After everypony in the house went to sleep that night, Marble and I said our goodbyes and... She ran off into the night. They were supposed to leave that night on the last train out of Rockville."

            Pinkie Pie bowed her head as she went silent for a moment. I did not even have to ask her to say what happened next. She would tell me anyway. And after gathering her resolve, she continued. "I couldn't sleep. All because my Pinkie Sense just wouldn't stop. They were all twitches I had never felt before, so I didn't know what they meant. But about an hour after Marble left the house, I finally got an idea of what it was telling me. If my Pinkie Sense is keeping me awake, it means something bad has happened. And it could only mean one thing at that moment. Marble was in trouble. So I rushed outta the house and down the road to Rockville as quick as my hooves would carry me!"

            That was the one uplifting thing I had heard out of that story. Good on you, Pinkie Pie. You have always been a good sister to your siblings. But I still said softly, "Nice... You were being a good sister. And...what did you find?"

            She sighed again. Whatever she was remembering was a very sorry sight. "I found Marble on the train platform. She was just... Oh Marble... I've never seen her so upset before or since. The last train had come and gone. But she didn't miss it. She just...didn't get on. Because she found out after getting there that he was gone. It sounded like her secret boyfriend had left hours earlier. And what really hurt her was when she asked around...and found out he's married."

            I felt horror. I felt anger. I felt pity. And...I even found myself shedding a tear as I imagined poor little Marble Pie slumped on a train platform in the middle of the night abandoned by her first love and probably just crying her eyes out. All because of a scoundrel who had taken advantage of a young maiden's heart. A scoundrel who was already sworn to another. I held my face in my hands as I breathed deeply. "Oh my god... Not Marble... Not her..."

            Pinkie Pie shared in my grief. She had to wipe a few tears away before continuing. "Mmhm... He...messed her up really good. I never found out his name. I never asked Marble for his name. All I know is that he's a married stallion and hasn't been seen in Rockville since. Maybe he really was going to take Marble with him only for his wife to find out and stop him. Maybe he just got cold feet and decided she wasn't worth the risk. But...just thinking about what would've happened to her if she did go with him... It makes my skin crawl. Was she lucky to have been left behind in the end?"

            I did not even know what Marble's secret suitor looked like, but my mind was already playing out many fantasies in my head. Very...violent fantasies. I muttered under my breath, "Pinkie... I wanna hurt that guy."

            Pinkie Pie made a dissuading gesture with her hoof when I said that. As if trying to talk me out of such urges without actually saying it before continuing with the story. "Limestone would've too if she found out. That's why I couldn't tell her. Or anypony else. Marble would've been in so much trouble... I promised her I would never tell Mom and Dad or our sisters while I walked her home. We snuck back into the house and went to bed. Or...tried to. We just couldn't sleep that night after what happened. And there was no hiding that there was something wrong with Marble the next morning. She looked awful and couldn't talk at all. I made so many excuses for her when Mom and Dad started noticing things were missing from the house. Marble had already been hurt enough. I couldn't let them punish her too. I took the blame, said I accidentally made Marble a snack that gave her food poisoning, and on and on... But I was OK with getting punished for something I didn't do. If it was for my baby sister."

            We both had wet eyes by that point. I reached out to Pinkie Pie with open arms and she went sailing into my embrace. We both shed tears while trying to comfort each other in equal turn. I whispered to my friend, "And...that's where the story ends, right? Marble fell in love with someone who was already spoken for, but he went along with it anyway and even used her? And no one here knows?"

            I felt Pinkie Pie nod into my shoulder. Although she then said something very unexpected. "Mmhm... I told nopony and Marble didn't either... But... I think... The way Mom looked at Marble over the next several days... And how she looked out the window in the direction of town... I dunno. I think Mom might know what happened too. She never asked us or accused us of anything, but... I think she knows enough. I wonder if that's why that guy never came back to Rockville..."

            "You think your mom did a little sleuthing? Tracked down the guy's name and home address and sent him a...strongly worded message to never show his face in town again? I mean that's a bit of a stretch, but... If your mom did something like that, then you have a really cool mother." I replied while doing a little brainstorming. Cloudy Quartz. I do not know her well at all, but she sounds like a mare who is a dearly devoted matriarch to her family. Wronging her children would be a dangerous gambit for sure.

            Pinkie Pie nodded with a smile that soon faded. She rested her head on my shoulder in a forlorn manner as she spoke again. "Maybe she did. Mom's always been a real matriarch in the family... I never even got the guy's name. I didn't even see his cutie mark. I don't know who he is or where he's gone, but... Marble was never the same after that. She was always quiet and shy, but it was so much worse afterwards when it came to anyone outside the family. She especially never trusted married stallions after that. That's probably why...when she saw your ring..."

            I accepted what I now knew. Marble would never want anything to do with me ever again. And I was not sure how I would deal with that for the rest of my visit. "Got it... I'll...stay away from her then. I don't want to make that trauma worse."

            Pinkie Pie did not respond in the way I expected. She pushed herself back to look me in the eye as some of her exuberance returned to her voice. Although she still kept her voice down. "Huh?! Oh no no no no no. Don't go doing that. You just leave Marble to me. Because you're not like that. She doesn't know the real you yet. You would never do that to a mare. I know you, James. You don't have it in you. I promise by tomorrow that Marble will understand that you're a good man. I'll go talk to her before bed. And I'll make sure she knows the truth about you. And then we can all go back to having a good time together."

            Would Pinkie Pie really get Marble to see past her trauma? I would understand if she was set in her ways as a mare from a more old fashioned family, but... Would she? "Pinkie... Do you think Marble and I have a future together?"

            She did not hesitate. Pinkie Pie looked at me with a soft smile and nodded. "Mmhm. I think you're just he kind of man Marble's been waiting for. A real knight in shining armor just like she always wanted. I've seen how you two have been today. Such great chemistry... I'm pretty sure she'd be willing to become a part of your family. I know you would be very happy together. And...that would make you and me in-laws, right?"

            "Oh nooooo... I didn't think about that! You as my sister-in-law by technicality?! Oh man, I need to think about this for a bit..." I burst out in awkward laughter. I was being mostly sarcastic, but wow... I did not consider that. Pinkie Pie of all people? As my sister-in-law? "Although...I guess that means you would be the aunt to all of my kids. That's how it works, right?"

            "Yep! And I'll be their funnest aunt ever! Buuuuuut let's not count our chicks before they hatch, right? I still gotta go talk to Marble about this. And I'll get through to her, I promise. I'll make sure she goes to bed knowing you're a good husband who loves his wives. No matter how many there are." Pinkie Pie giggled before giving me a big squeeze of a hug and showing off that Pie family strength in the process. For as dour as that conversation had been, it was ending on a high note. All I could do was put my faith in my friend and hope for the best. If I was truly the man for Marble, then I wanted to give her the love and happiness she had been denied for so long.

            Pinkie Pie finally saw herself out of the bathroom and left me to bathe for the night. It was an interesting experiencing taking a shower in that vintage bathtub. Was it made of metal or very tough ceramic? I could not tell. Even after tapping on it with my knuckles to make a sound. The room was very steamy once I was done, but the fan in the ceiling would make sure the excess moisture in the air would not linger for too long. I appreciated it especially. It really helped with the dry winter air in the house.

            I almost forgot about Maud's offer to let me share her room that night and made my way down the hall in just a pair of boxers with a big towel draped over my shoulders. I knocked lightly on the door. "Maud? You there?"

            The door opened in a matter of seconds. And I was greeted with my friend's soft voice. "Good evening. The tea's almost cooled enough."

https://youtu.be/8BbOzOncD9k?si=jnon8THNaD7apI19

            Maud was waiting for me. While still clothed in her favorite frock. And I found her room to look just about the way I expected it to. Warmer and cozier than the hall I had been walking through and with a single lamp on a nightstand illuminating the room. There was plenty of decor pointing to her interests in geology. Rocks set upon shelves with no two being alike. She could probably identify them by heart. There was a single framed painting on the wall that depicted a majestic mountain. The biggest of all rock formations. Although she then took a good look up at me and muttered, "I'm not used to seeing you like this..."

            "This is how I like to sleep." I replied while Maud began to circle me. Almost as if she was checking me for any injuries. The last time she saw me so exposed was...when I was bedridden in my personal quarters in the field HQ. I then said reassuringly, "I'm perfectly fine. Really."

            "Scars... But no bruises or anything like that... I like your cutie marks. I keep forgetting you have some." Maud replied with her deadpan tone. She then led me to the middle of her room where she had a simple tea set with what seemed to be chamomile tea in the cups. A faint trail of steam rose from the yellow fluid. And once I was seated, Maud rolled over a familiar rock. She looked at me and spoke with a subtle smile. "I was waiting for you to be here before I examined this. Ready?"

            "Oh absolutely. Go ahead. Let's see what's in there." I replied with renewed intrigue. There was something inside that rock and I wanted to know what it was. A gemstone? Maybe it was a geode?

            Maud rolled the rock around as she began to examine it closely. I think she was looking for a weak spot. She soon took her hooves off it to leave it be before raising one hoof over it and looking for a spot to bring it down on. She did not need a hammer. Her own monstrous earth pony strength would be enough.

            And then it happened. Maud brought her hoof down hard and struck the rock with a crack. I almost expected it to be obliterated by that blow, but the rock remained in one piece. But only for a moment. I heard fair cracking before the mostly round rock split in two with the halves wobbling on their spherical bottoms. And Maud's eyes became impressively wide even while she maintained her usual poker face and deadpan tone. "I almost never see these during my studies in the field."

            One of the two halves had nothing unusual in it. It was the other half that contained something of interest. The unmistakable skeletal remains of a fish. But the bones had long since become stone. I spoke with surprise, "A fossil! Well isn't that a rare sight... I never would've guessed."

            Maud's eyes relaxed while her lips curled upward. Still cool as a cucumber, but clearly very pleased. Maud looked at me with that calm smile and said, "This is one fo the best gift's I've ever received on the holidays. I'll cherish it. Thank you."

            "I'll be sure to let Rarity know what you found in it. She's the one who dug it up. I'm just the one who thought you would want it." I replied as I took a closer look at the fish. It was definitely ancient and raised quite a few questions about what I knew about Equestria. Despite being a magical world, was it just as old as the planet I came from? Where fossils are everywhere to the point of there being entire fields in the realm of archeology dedicated for locating and excavating such things?

            My very pleased friend also took a closer look at the fish fossil as she made an observation. "If this fossil was a fish, then that means wherever it came from used to be below water. Maybe even under the ocean... It's so...fascinating that the remains of creatures eventually turn into rock after millions of years buried in the earth."

            I could see why Maud had such an interest in that fact. And I knew just what to say in response. "Maybe someday long after we're gone our bodies will turn into rock too. A fossil's a fossil after all."

            "I would like that. I'll actually be a rock instead of just research rocks." Maud said with a subtle playfulness in her voice. It was barely noticeable, but I detected that shift in her tone.

            She and I then sipped away at our tea. I even noticed little Boulder set on the nightstand by the bed in the middle of a cotton ball. The closest thing to a mattress a pebble could ask for. But before I could forget, I had to bring up something from earlier. "So then... Your Maud Sense. How does it work?"

            "I almost forgot about that. It... Um... I think it would be best if I just demonstrate it for you. Could you stand in front of the door?" Maud replied with her hoof pointing over to the only way in and out of her room.

            I had no idea where Maud was going with that, so I played along. It was time to see now the unique quirk of the second eldest Pie sister worked. I stood before the door and faced the room. Maud then motioned for me to take a step forward. Probably to put some more distance between me and the door. She then went to my left and walked forward. "Face directly ahead. Do not follow my movements."

            "Don't know where you're going with this, but OK." I retorted with some confusion. What was going on? I did my best to keep my head still, but I still watched Maud with my eyes the best I could. Up until she completely left my field of vision behind me and to my left. Only for the strangest thing to happen. I could hear the tapping of her hooves on the wooden floor. And it instantly went from coming from my left to sounding like she was on my right. And sure enough, not even two seconds after Maud left my field of vision, she came back into view as she walked back towards the rest of the room. On my right. "You...were very quick and quiet about that. But what did that have to do with your Maud Sense?"

            Maud's eyes narrowed slightly. Maybe she was annoyed that I did not get what she was trying to convey or that she was annoyed at herself for not coming up with a better demonstration. Until I saw her avert her eyes in a moment of thought before she showed just the slightest cheeky smile on her face. "I just remembered something. I'll be right back."

            "Uh... OK." I stepped out of the way to let Maud leave the room. But barely a second after the door closed, I heard another door open. The door to a closet in the corner of the room on the far side. And I was struck when I saw who stepped out of it. "What the...?! Maud?!"

            There was a smirk on her lips. Maud closed the door behind her and asked, "Do you get it now?"

            "There's no way you have a secret passage that lets you get from outside your own room and into your closet in just a second. Which means... The Maud Sense allows for teleportation?" I asked while trying to process what I had just witnessed. Being someone who has used teleportation spells myself, it was not too outlandish a concept. But Maud has always been an earth pony and not a unicorn. When she stepped out of view to my left, did she instantly transport herself to my right? In the blink of an eye? Was that her secret?

            Maud stepped closer to me as she said, "Yes. But only if no one is watching. If even one set of eyes can even barely see me, it won't work. I guess that means I'll know when I'm being watched too. It's pretty convenient."

            Very convenient. And suits someone as subtle as Maud. I then asked, "Is there a range limit? Can you...say...get to Ponyville from here?"

            Maud was rather sharp with her response. "If I could, Pinkie Pie would be seeing me every week. No, there's a limit. I don't really know what that limit is, but it's not very far. But it has its uses. I generally only use it when I need to. Even if I have Boulder with me. I mean he can't see me from inside my pocket anyway. And he doesn't have eyes, so he doesn't really...see the world the same way everyone else does."

            "I see... Well this has been a...very enlightening visit on just my first day. You Pie sisters are something else." I said with a chuckle. Maud smiled back at me before heading towards her bed and climbing atop it after pulling the covers back. We had already finished our tea. It was time for bed. But Maud then reached for something behind the pillows. It was...a sheet of paper. "Hey... Is that...?"

            "Could you read it before we go to sleep? Please? It's your present." Maud asked with her poker face and monotone voice hiding some genuine sincerity. She almost looked nervous. And maybe she was. Writing a poem for someone is a labor of love for an artist and cannot be compared to most other gifts.

            I have always unironically enjoyed Maud's poems. Especially when I hear her recite them with that gentle voice. I still listen to that tape cassette she made for me a while ago. I took a seat on the bed and reached for the sheet of paper. "You wrote a poem, right? Is it about rocks?"

            Maud gazed at me with her unwavering stoic eyes when she spoke the one reply no one would ever expect from her. "No. It's not about rocks at all. I've been working on it bit by bit over the past few months. I...really tried to come out of my comfort zone to write it. And I just finished it this week."

            Now I was very intrigued. Maud Pie writing a poem that was not about her favorite subject was something I never expected. It was bold of her to branch out into a different direction. I got comfortable with the nearby lamp casting its light over the two of us while Maud watched and waited. As for the contents of that poem...

https://youtu.be/7ZKWFR9NloQ?si=r0Y1pRLotG4_ajxu

            "A dove soars on wings of white. Silent and calm, always listening. Rarely speaking. Waiting and watching. But always near. Gentle and kind, yet strong as a mountain. A friend to many. A shadow is cast over the land from the east. And the dove takes flight. Alone. But they do not falter. They soar into the wilds, ready to protect their home. To shield their friends. The truth is revealed atop a pillar that reaches the heavens. A world left behind. A world of sin and evil. A plague ready to infect the paradise the dove had come to know. The dove fights. The dove falls. The dove ascends again on broken wings. And the plague is forever sealed away. And dove soars home. Longing for the paradise they knew. But their crippled wings fail them. They fell. And the arms of the world cushioned their landing. The world welcomed the dove of another world home. To return to their flock. To return to their paradise everlasting. Pure and preserved. The dove's wings mend and they soar again. With friends and family. With the world they love spreading to the horizon. Their world. They are home."

            I breathed deep halfway through the poem. It just...hit me in ways I never expected mere text to. I knew the story of what that poem was telling. A story I was intimately familiar with. And by the time I read the last few lines of text at the bottom of the page, I was in tears. "Maud... This is beautiful... I will get this framed when I get home. Thank you. I love it... Maud?"

            I looked to my friend. She was being too quiet even for her. And when my eyes met hers... I saw tears. Plenty of tears flowing down her cheeks. Even as her eyes and face looked completely stoic. She tilted her head to one side just slightly. A deep breath filled her lungs as she seemed to be struggling to maintain her composure. And when she finally did speak... I could hear it. Even in her usual monotone, Maud's voice was quivering. "When you... When you walked away that one last time... I thought...that was it... That I would never see you again... And...I can't begin to describe...what I was feeling at that time..."

            My heart compelled me to reach out to her. I brought one hand closer to Maud's hooves. And she eagerly rested one hoof in my palm as I held hers. She let out a quivering sigh before she began to say things I never anticipated. "You... I'm sorry... I shouldn't say this... But I love you. I just didn't know how much...until I thought you were gone forever... So I... I put my heart into that poem. For you. I hope it was enough..."

            "Maud... Come here. Please." I whispered while carefully setting that poem aside. To make certain it would not get crumbled even slightly. I pulled that wonderful mare into my arms as she weakly clung to me. Her tears flowed onto my shoulder as she whimpered so quietly. I never thought I would see that mare of unflinching stone be reduced to a form of quivering gravel. I whispered to her as my own tears flowed, "Did you mean that just now?"

            "Please... Don't make me say it again. I shouldn't... I'm...not good enough for you." Maud muttered into my ear. And why say such a thing?

            I was not having it. I would not let my dear friend put herself down like that. "No... Don't say that. You're wonderful. It's OK. I know I haven't told this, but... My family..."

            "No... Pinkie already told me. She thought I could be trusted enough to know... And I had to Pinkie Promise to never tell anyone. Except you." Maud replied as I felt a chill in my heart. She knew. Although I could understand why Pinkie felt she could trust her favorite sister to handle the truth.

            I still had to ask. What she knew was a radical thing for someone from an old fashioned family to have revealed to them. "Then...do you think less of me?"

            Maud did not hesitate with her whispers. "No... I think you're very brave to be doing this. It's not normal...but it's not wrong. And...I know what it means to not be normal... I'm not normal at all."

            "Tell me more." I whispered to the fragile woman in my arms. My heart was aching for her. And I was ready to reciprocate her feelings. But not until I heard more.

            "No one ever really understood me. It took my own family the longest time to really...get me. Even Pinkie Pie isn't perfect. And...outside the rock farm... I always felt so alone. Rocks... They listen. They don't judge. I've always felt at home around them. But...nopony really understood me. And I just...couldn't connect with them outside of a professional manner. I've always been this way. I can't help that... But then you... Why? Why do you understand me so well? Why can you read me just as well as Pinkie Pie, if not better?"

            She was speaking with utter sincerity. And just so vulnerable... I considered my words carefully while stroking my hand through Maud's mane. "I don't really have a concrete answer just yet... But there's something about you. Something...familiar. Liek there's just something about you that I see in myself. I wish I had a real answer for you, Maud. I don't yet, but...that's all I can say. Your mannerisms. Your quirks. It feels like something I have experience with. Maybe that's why I can decipher you better than most."

            "I hope you figure out the answer someday. I really want to know what it is. Maybe the answer will help me... But thank you for always being patient enough to understand me. I've...always loved that about you." Maud whispered back to me with her voice no longer wavering. It was a step in the right direction.

            But now I had to be certain if what I heard a moment ago was not said in a spur of the moment. "Maud... What you said. Did you mean it? You can tell me again."

            She hesitated. And then Maud spoke to me through her deadpan voice, "I... I did. I love you. I really do."

            I sighed long and deep. It felt...wonderful to hear that from her. Maybe I had convinced myself that Maud had married her passion and studies. That she would never have any interest in finding a man. But I suppose I was wrong. Even she was still a mare with a heart to love someone with. I asked with a whisper, "Then...would you have me? Would you join my family?"

            Maud finally pulled her head back so she could look directly at me. Her eyes were wider than usual even while her voice hid her emotions well. "Would you have me? Will...Fluttershy welcome me? Will they all be OK with me being...yours?"

            I spoke what was in my heart now that I knew what was truly in my friend's. "Maud... I love you. And I would gladly have you. Even if Fluttershy doesn't fully get you now, she will eventually. She'll be happy to have you with us. But...will you be mine?"        

            "James... I..." Maud replied as her voice began to quiver again. And the tears... Oh how they flowed. "Yes... Yes, if you really mean it... Let's...be together. Hold me. Love me. Never let me go. Don't love me as a friend...but as your mare."

            "Come here, dear. Let's...stop being friends and start being something more." I whispered back to her as I let my heart spill out. We just sat there tucked away from the bitter cold of winter all around us in each other's arms. Maud was whimpering so quietly with those tears flowing. And my own tears were flowing too. I felt...happy. Perhaps in the back of my mind I too had always loved Maud. I just did not think she would have ever wanted me. There are some things even I cannot see in her until she tells me. And I was glad she chose then to tell me. I then whispered the loveliest thing to my new beloved that I could. "You just gave me an even better gift than that poem, Maud. You. And I'll always treasure it."

            "And...your love is...so much more beautiful than even the most impressive fossil... I'll never make you regret this, James." Maud whispered back to me while still failing to stem the flow of her tears. She was really not used to being in love with someone who loved her right back. It was going to be a big learning experience and I would be happy to guide her through it all.

            Maud finally brought her face back before me. And I knew why. Her eyes narrowed while mine did as well. And at last, we had our first kiss. But nothing too elaborate. Just surface level. Over and over, our lips touched. We sighed deeply as the tears stopped flowing. I whispered to my beloved, "How was your first kiss?"

            "Calming... I feel so much better now." Maud muttered as she dried her tears with her wrist. And at last, there was that smile. With those beautiful eyes looking so much more loving than stoic, her eyelids accentuated by that beautiful purple eyeshadow that matched her mane and tail. She closed her eyes, let out another sigh, and looked at me again with a much more relaxed look on her face. "I'm nervous, but...I feel like everything's going to be all right. I love you. Really."

            "And I love you, Maud. It'll be fine. Let's just take things one day at a time. You'll get used to this eventually." I whispered back to my new beloved. I brought my hand to the side of her face with Maud closing her eyes and tilting her head into it. I cradled her cheek while that calm smile never left her face. "You are loved. And you are beautiful. Always know that, all right?"

            "Beautiful? Me?" Maud replied with her eyes opening wider than usual. I just nodded to her with a calm smile on my lips. Maud then took a deep breath as I saw a blush form in her cheeks. "Um... Give me a minute. I want to...show you something."

            "Sure." I replied as I lowered my hand from her cheek. But then my eyes went wide as I saw what Maud was doing. She was disrobing. Bit by bit, she slid her frock off. And very hesitantly too. She was clearly not comfortable being seen by someone without it. But she soon sat before me with her beautiful gray body laid bare to me. And the blush never left her stonelike face. "I haven't seen you like this since your first time at the spa."

            "That was strictly business though... But now... If I'm yours... I shouldn't...hide myself from you." Maud said with her looking incredibly shy. Even clutching one arm with the other and averting her gaze.

            She was just as beautiful as when I last saw her like that. Even moreso now that I was gazing upon Maud from a new perspective. I said the only thing I could. "You truly are beautiful. As...beautiful as the most majestic mountains. Strong as them too."

            That coaxed a tiny smile out of Maud as she turned to look at me. "Lovely answer... You really do know what I like to hear."

            "I have too. No two ladies are alike and I need to be able to know what makes them tick to keep them happy. My lady, my bird of paradise, my blue rose... It's important to use the right words to make things extra special with your lover." I replied while unknowingly given my new beloved a tutorial on the use of pet names in a relationship. Maud was very new to being in love and being loved by another.

            Maud shyly looked away for a second before looking back at me with that tiny smile. "Then...you'll always be my carrier pigeon. Who always comes home with good news to share."

            "That's...really cute. Not something I would ever expect someone to call me. It's really unique. And I love it." I replied with a goofy smile on my face. Carrier pigeon. That is adorable. Although at the mention of pigeons... I leaned a little closer and whispered with a smirk on my lips. "But do you wanna hear your carrier pigeon coo for you?"

            Maud just... Wow. She jerked her head back. Eyes wide, she...stammered and laughed. "Uh... Ha... Haha! Um... Wow... Maybe later?"

            She and I both stared at each other in silent surprise. Maud had never let out such a vocal outburst before. Many probably would have assumed it was beyond her capability. For just a few seconds, she seemed...normal. And her eyes were still very wide as she spoke with her usual monotone. "I... I've never cracked like that before."

            "I think it's a good thing. It's healthy." I replied before once again stroking Maud's face to soothe her. And she happily accepted my affections. "But right now... How about we go to sleep? Shouldn't stay up too late, you know. Let's keep taking things one day at a time."

            "Yeah... Good idea. Hold me tonight? Keep me close?" Maud whispered to me before letting out a yawn. We really did have a long day.

            The room soon went dark. And in that darkness I felt Maud against my chest. Her body heavy and hard with powerful just under the surface. Our lips found their way to each other's one more time as we whispered more loving words to each other. And soon... Sleep took us.

            But how would my second day go on the Pie family rock farm? It was off to a good start and had ended on an optimistic note. I could only hope for the best.