>A cool Autumn breeze whisks its way through P0nyville.
>P0nyville was in quite a hustle and bustle mood today.
>Maybe you could be grateful that Anon had planned a picnic for lunch.
>The two of you could get a little alone time together, since Sirocca was at school.
>That little filly was an absolute joy to be around, but it was rare for you and Anon to be alone anymore.
>He was always telling her stories or reading from her books.
>She was always asking you to play with her dolls.
>But overall, she spent more time with Anon than she really did with you.
>They took a liking to each other fairly quickly.
>As for her blood-drinking, Anon didn't seem to mind it much after the first few pints she drank.
>Princess Luna had given Anon information on a place where he could buy blood for the filly.
>He didn't tell you much about it, just that it was a gryphon that lived near the edge of town.
>You didn't even know there were gryphons in P0nyville.
>Anon flicks your ear.
>"Hey. Are you done exploring space, little astronaut?"
>You blink and look up at him with a curious look.
>"I asked you where you wanted to eat at."
>You shake your head and blush.
"Sorry. Maybe by the lake?"
>He hums and shakes his hand.
>"That doesn't sound bad. Alright, let's go."
>He starts walking away from the house.
>You start to trot, but almost immediately launch yourself onto his back.
>He stumbles a little as you climb up onto his shoulders.
>"Did you miss riding me?"
>You lightly tap your hooves on the top of his head.
"Yes."

>Winds blow across the lake, rippling the water.
>The small waves lap at the shore, creating a soothing sound.
"Have you been feeling alright?"
>Two orange eyes shift their gaze from the lake to you.
>"What do you mean?"
>She tilts her head.
"You've been distant lately. Or rather, since the tower ordeal."
>She lowers her ears and ducks away from you.
>"Oh."
"'Oh?' Is that it?"
>You cup her chin with a hand and pull her close to you.
"You know you can te-"
>"All those books you've been reading me, Anon. They make your world sound so fascinating and adventurous. Everything sounds so exciting."
>She waves her hooves around as she continues.
>"You have things that let you talk to other people all around the world withing seconds. You have the accumulation of your entire species' knowledge on one device."
>Her ears perk up and she smiles.
>"Why didn't you want to go back? Why wouldn't you go back? Your world sounds like a dream, Anon."
>You hug her as tight as you can and plant a kiss on her forehead.
"That's all it is anymore, Speck. A dream. And besides, I've already told you. I have you and Sirocca."
>She leans into you.
"I wouldn't trade you or her for any of that, Speck. I lived with all of that, and trust me when I say. Being here with you is infinitely better."
>You feel her nod against your chest.
>"I'm sorry, Anon. It's just weird, not having you all to myself.
>You chuckle and scratch her behind the ear.
"I know what you mean. Having a kid's pretty difficult."
>She giggles and shoves her hooves in your sides.
>"We're doing good though, right?"
"Right."

>Lunchtime passed by very uneventfully.
>Probably because your adopted parents forgot to pack you a lunch.
>You were going to have a very lengthy discussion with them when you got home.
>Your teacher shared her lunch with you, but that did nothing to cushion the damage of the three pegasi who insisted on bullying you every day.
>"Wow, even after being adopted, you still get neglected."
>"How does it feel being a freak that only two other freaks could love?"
>The third pegasus never said much, and when she did it wasn't very mean.
>In all honesty, she actually seemed nice, and was probably just bullying you to fit in.
>You couldn't blame her.
>You'd bully yourself if it would make other p0nies like you.
>On the bright side, the pegasi finally stopped beating you up on the playground.
>Your teacher most likely punished them for hurting you so bad.
>Then again, you did hear your mom telling your dad that she met the two of the pegasi and their parents out in the market and threatened them.
>You had the coolest parents.
>They knew three of the princesses, and probably got to go on lots of adventures.
>"Sirocca? Are you listening?"
>You shake your head.
"No ma'am, sorry."
>"I said we're having a parent-teacher open conference after class. Everyp0ny's parents are going to talk about themselves."
>Oh, perfect.
>You stand up in your chair and proudly declare:
"Nop0ny's parents are better than mine! They know three of the princesses!"
>You sit down and smile widely.
>"Yeah, right. Your parents have probably never even passed through Canterlot Mountain on a train!"
>Three pegasus fillies start laughing at you.
>"Now girls! We've discussed this."
>The three pegasi grumble to themselves.
>You just grin as the day goes on.
>You were going to bring your parents tonight and show those fillies once and for all.

>The sun had started its descent in the sky a few hours ago.
>How many hours specifically, you didn't know.
>You were busy laying beside your bat p0ny on a small blanket, watching the clouds roll by.
>Nothing could ruin this moment.
>Not a dragon attack, not a letter from the princesses inviting you to an upcoming Hearth's Warming Eve festival.
>And most certainly not a certain little bat filly that was currently screaming in your ear.
>She was yelling about some parent teacher conference.
>You stopped caring when she started screeching incoherently.
>After a few minutes of her high-pitched screaming and she finally calms down a little.
"How did you find us?"
>She tilts her head.
>"I asked Mr. and Mrs. Cake. They said you took the day off to have a picnic, and Matron Cherry always brought us here for picnics."
>Speck groans and looks up at Sirocca.
>"Sweetie?"
>"Yes, mom?"
>"Go home and get ready. We'll be there soon."
>The filly doesn't move.
>She just stares at you with pleading eyes.
>"Dad? Can't I just wait with you until you leave?"
>You sigh and cover your face with your hands.
"No, Sirocca. I need to talk to Speck."
>She whines and scuffs the ground with a hoof.
>"Okay..."
>She turns and trots back home.

>Speck climbs on top of you and presses her nose to yours.
>"What did you want to talk about?"
"Are we going to her conference thing?"
>Your bat p0ny rolls her eyes.
>"Of course we are. We're responsible parents."
>You groan as you sit up, which causes your bat to roll backwards onto the blanket.
"Let's get all of this packed up and get going then."
>She sticks her tongue out at you and blows a raspberry as she kicks the picnic basket over.
>You squint at her.
"Really? You're doing this now?"
>She nods with a smirk.
"Fine. If that's how you're going to be."
>You pick her up and start running to the lake.
>She screams and kicks her legs.
>"Don't do it, Anon! DON'T DO IT!"
>She screeches as you throw her in the lake.
>Apparently she forgot she has wings, because she plummets into the water.
>She surfaces a second later, sputtering and slapping at the water.
>"ANON I CAN'T SWIM!"
>Good job, Anon.
>You dive into the water and swim to her.
>As you reach her, you grab her and hold her up.
>She starts giggling and splashes water in your face.
>"Gotcha."
>You let go of her and dunk her into the water before swimming back to shore.
>She follows right behind you as you walk back to the picnic blanket.
>She snickers and looks up at you, her mane plastered to her face, covering her eyes.
>There's no way you can stay mad at her.
>She's just too cute.
>You get everything packed quickly and start heading home with Speck on your back.

>You shouldn't be surprised by anything that happens in this household anymore.
>Little Sirocca sat on the bottom step inside the house, all dressed up in her princess costume.
>You really wish Twilight had never given that to her.
>She wanted to wear it to school, and you never let her.
>Speck kept trying to convince you.
"Go upstairs and take that off, Sirocca."
>"But daaaad! I want to wear it tonight!"
"Absolutely not."
>She huffs and trots upstairs.
>Speck follows her.
>"I'm going to get my dress, Anon."
>Any excuse to wear that thing.
>She loved it to death, ever since the day you bought it for her.
>Both of your bats come trotting back down the stairs a few moments later.
>Speck wears her dress and Sirocca...
>She's still wearing her princess costume.
"Sirocca, I told you to take that off."
>"No."
"Speck. Tell her to take it off."
>"Nope."
>Forget it.
>You don't care either way.
"Fine, let's go."
>They screech in unison and dart out the door.
>Wonderful.
>Absolutely wonderful.

>Twenty four little fillies and colts are accompanied by their moms and dads, some with only one or the other.
>This includes you, Anon, and Sirocca.
>It also includes three little pegasus fillies and their parents.
>All but the third filly's parents scowl at you, the third filly's parents just idly talk to each other.
>You just smile at them.
>"Okay, everyp0ny, please find a place to sit so we can begin!"
>Anon sits on the floor in front of all of the desks.
>He mutters something about p0ny desks being too small for him.
>You and Sirocca sit in his lap.
>Anon whispers something about this not being a conference.
>He says a conference should be one-on-ones between the teacher and parents about how their kid is doing in class.
"Anon, hush."
>"Now, would anyp0ny like to volunteer to go first?"
>You start to raise a hoof, but Anon stops you.
>He does the same to Sirocca.
>She pouts and you stifle a giggle.
>"I want my parents to go first!"
>One of the three pegasi volunteers.
>She smugly trots up to the front of the room with her mother.
>Her mother adopts a very regal and prestigious air about her.
>"Hello, everyp0ny. As most of you already know, my name is -"
>You stop listening.
>Her voice is obnoxious and nasally.
>Everyone in the classroom applauds as she finished her long-winded speech.
>"Would anyp0ny else like to volunteer?
>Yet again, another of the pegasus trio raises their hoof.
>You tune this out from the beginning, as the little filly and her parents approach the front of the room.

>Anon scratches your ear as your mom shifts against him.
>He keeps you from volunteering to go to the front again.
>The third of the pegasus trio trots to the front.
>You make eye-contact with her briefly, but she breaks it.
>She stands at the front with her parents by her sides.
>She sheepishly scuffs the floor with a hoof as her mom starts to speak.
>"My name is Starshine, and this is my husband Solaris. I'm sure most of you know our daughter, Misty Winds."
>Yeah, you knew her.
>She was probably the more pleasant of those three pegasus bullies.
>Her dad nudges her mom and chuckles softly.
>"Something interesting about us? We were invited to a noble's dinner in the castle about a month ago."
>Starshine laughs and leans over her filly to nudge her husband.
>"Oh, there was an amazing food fight and everything. We lost, of course. Some large ape thing was there and it had a whole bunch of unicorns pile food up into a large ball."
>They both topple over on top of Misty as they laugh and reminisce in front of the class over that event.
>Your parents just stare at each other.
>Anon speaks up as their laughter dies down.
>"You two were at that dinner?"
>They nod and tilt their heads.
>"Yes, why?"
>Speck waves her hooves.
>"Oh, oh! I remember seeing you! You sat beside me and Curio!"
>All three of the pegasus fillies gasp.
>"She wasn't lying when she said her parents knew the princesses."
>Your parents and Misty's start laughing as they talk about the food fight.
>Everyp0ny else in the classroom just stares at them like they're all insane.
>Your teacher finally speaks up.
>"Okaaay. Can we get another volunteer?"
>Your mom throws her hoof up just as you do.
>Anon groans and steps up to the front with them.

"These are my parents, Anon and Speck. They adopted me last week."
>You bounce in place and grin.
>"Can you tell us something interesting about yourselves?"
>Your teacher speaks up as your dad crosses his arms and your mom starts trying to hide her face behind his leg.
>"I'm not a pony. Is that interesting?"
>Everyp0ny in the room shakes their heads.
>"We've seen you wandering around town for the last five years."
>He scratches his chin.
>"I have fingers and hands?"
>"So do a bunch of creatures."
>He sighs.
>Speck looks up at him.
>"They're judging you so hard."
>He clears his throat."
>"I'm from another world!"
>He waves his hands around.
>You have the coolest dad.
>No one reacts.
>Speck steps in front of Anon.
>"I personally know three of the princesses."
>The whole room gasps.
>Didn't she just get through talking about a food fight with the princesses?
>Anon slowly brings his hands to his face.
>He must be having another one of his headaches.
>"Alright, who else would like to volunteer?"
>You and your parents take your seats back at the front.
>Misty, Solaris, and Starshine moved out of their desks to sit on the floor beside you and your parents.
>You still didn't like Misty, but she wasn't glaring at you anymore.
>Maybe you could be friends after a while.
>After all, your parents seemed to like each other.
>At the very least, she might stop bullying you.
>Her dad leans over to your parents.
>"Pssst. We should blow this popsicle stand and grab something at a restaurant."
>Your dad nods and picks you up.
>Your teacher calls after him as he starts to leave with you, your mother, and Misty's family in tow.
>"Excuse me, where are all of you going? I still need to talk to you about your childrens' behaviour!"
>He turns, squints, and smirks.
>"No you don't. Sirocca's a good kid, and I'm pretty sure Misty is just pressured into bullying her by those two spoiled brats."

>Solaris and Starshine raise their brows and look at Misty, her mother starting to speak to her.
>"Is that true, Misty?"
>She nods slowly and gulps.
>"S-sort of..."
>Solaris sighs and shakes his head.
>"We'll talk about this when we get home. I haven't eaten all day."
>He leaves the room with Starshine in tow.
>You look at Misty, but she looks away as soon as you make eye-contact.
>"I'm really sorry Sirocca."
>You trot beside her and hug her.
"It's okay."
>She hugs you back and smiles.
>"Sirocca, sweetie. Anon and Misty's parents are already gone. We should probably catch up with them."
>Everyp0ny in the classroom lets loose a collective sigh of relief as all of you leave.
>Whatever, they were boring anyway.
>"Hey, Sirocca. Wanna race?"
>You shake your head.
"I can't, my wing still hasn't healed all the way."
>She turns her ears back and looks away.
>"Oh. I'm so sorry about that."
>You shoulder check her.
"I already said it was okay. Besides, you didn't even hit me."
>"But I could've stopped them."
>"Misty, please. It's all just fine, and none of it's going to happen again."
>"But my mom and dad are going to yell at me."
>Your mom smiles and pats the filly on the head.
>"No they won't. I'll make sure of it, alright?"
>She smiles weakly and nods.
>Your mom had a way with p0nies, making them feel secure.
>She was so cool.

>You arrive at a restaurant chosen by Solaris.
>It's a quaint little diner.
>Sirocca, Anon, and you all sit opposite the other family in a booth.
>You hadn't noticed before, but the filly looks nothing like her mother.
>While she shares similar shades of white for her coat, and blue for her eyes and mane, her mother, a unicorn, bears a teal coat, yellow eyes, and a sunshine yellow mane.
>"So, Anon. What do you do for a living?"
>Solaris speaks up, pointing a hoof at Anon.
>"I'm a baker. It's not something I really have to do, I more or less just enjoy how it occupies my free time. What about you?"
>The male pegasus swallows his food and waves a hoof.
>"I used to be an engineer for Celestia's Airship Brigade, but they had to relieve me."
>"Why's that?"
>"Something about stability and speed, and how I couldn't force the engines to overload and break the sound barrier without the frames falling apart."
>The two little fillies were discussing sleepovers.
>At least they became friends quickly.
>You look over at Starshine and smile.
>She smiles back and nibbles at her hay fries.
"So..."
>"So."
"What do you like to do?"
>She coughs into her hoof.
>"I, uh..."
>She trails off and looks away.
>Solaris nudges her.
>"You okay, Star?"
>She nods slowly before trying to speak up.
>"I used to teach at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns."
>You almost choke on your food.
>Anon spits his drink back in his cup and clears his throat.
>Solaris just hides his face in his wings.
>"Star, we've talked about this. Please, don't bring that school up. Please."
>"I-I'm sorry, Sol."
>She buries her face into his shoulder.
>He wraps a wing around her and sighs.
>"It's alright."

>Anon looks at Solaris, points to Star, and mouths "did she really?"
>Solaris subtly nods.
>He mouths, "she quit shortly after we had Misty. Celestia insisted that she stay, but we decided it was best to just settle down somewhere quiet. Thinking about the school really upsets her."
>The fillies keep talking about princesses and dragons and kid things.
>You look up at Anon and poke him with a hoof.
"Do you think we could invite them over for dinner some time?"
>"Sure, I don't see why not."
>Starshine peaks out from Solaris's shoulder.
>"Y-Yes, I would love that."
>She smiles at you and nods enthusiastically.
"You can bring little Misty with you too."
>Sirocca and Misty start screaming at each other and waving their hooves.
>Dear Luna, that's adorable.
>Anon rubs your shoulder as he hugs you close.
>"So it's settled. How does Wednesday night sound?"
>Everyone nods in agreement.
>You go back to eating your fried apple slices, as the rest of the table starts conversing again.
>You smile to yourself.
>New friends were always welcome, especially if it helped your daughter make new friends.

>Eight o'clock marked the time of your arrival back home.
>Sirocca was so excited that she wore herself out on the way back.
>Speck kept pressing her flank against your leg as you walked.
>She whispered something about brushie time.
>Once you stepped through the front door, you rushed upstairs to tuck Sirocca into bed.
>She smiled and hugged her Princess Luna doll as close to her as she could.
>It was her favorite out of the whole collection.
>She tried to take it everywhere, but you kept telling her it would get dirty or ruined.
>She was so scared something would happen to it, that she left it here every time you brought it up.
>You feel a heat rise in your chest as you stroke her cheek.
>"Anon?"
"Just a minute, Speck."
>You lean down and kiss Sirocca on the forehead.
"Good night, shooting star."
>As you stand, Speck leans against the doorway and smiles.
>"We're doing good, Anon."
>You ruffle her mane as you pass her and walk into your bedroom.
"Of course we are. We're the best parents in Equestria."
>She giggles and hops up on the bed, grabbing a brush off her nightstand.
>You take the brush out of her mouth as you lay beside her on the bed.
>She climbs on top of you and taps your chin with her nose.
>Her face presses to your chest as you stroke her mane with the brush and scratch her back with your free hand.
>You swap the brush for a fine comb after twenty or so minutes.
>She kisses you as you drag the comb over her coat.
>"I love you, Anon."
"I love you too, little Angel."
>She smiles and snuggles as close to you as she can.
>Days like this always made you wonder what the next would bring.
>And thoughts of the future always made you tired, evidenced by your heavy eyelids closing as sleep overtook you.