>"HI Nonny! I have a message for you from Rarity!"
>Pinkie sticks out her chest, puts on a spiteful face and adopts a familiar yet certainly made-up accent
>"I've had it up to here with Sweetie Belle spending her evenings at the arcade, playing... "video games". When I said she needed a male role model, well, Anon isn't what I had in mind. He's so carefree. And lazy. And boyish, and reckless. Not to mention he thinks he's SO good with kids. I can make Sweetie laugh."
>Pinkie crosses her arms and huffs
>"I could make her laugh until she cried. I'm just busy. There's no time in my schedule for telling childish jokes to my sister."
>She huffs even louder
>"And what is WITH his hair? Frankly, it's embarrassing. Spending time with someone of his... standards... is undoubtedly bad for Sweetie."
>...
>"Anyway, he's waiting to pick her up at her choir practice. Be a dear and relay this to him?"
>Pinkie spins around and walks five feet before tensing up
>"Oh, but take out all those mean things I said. We wouldn't want to hurt his feelings."
>Pinkie nods her head and beams in satisfaction with her accurate retelling
>Then her eyes bulge
“Are you alright Pinky? Take a breath for a min and let me process this…”
>Pinky takes a deep breath and almost falls over onto Anon’s truck as her brain catches up to her outburst of a message.
>” Sorry if that all hurt your feelings…” Pinkie says as her hair deflates slightly at the rude things she retold. “I know I should have cut some of that out but I wanted to make sure you knew the whole thing she was saying and …”
“It’s fine. I knew she was getting annoyed at me for seeing Sweetie so much. Especially since I technically am an upperclassman even though she tested into higher classes. I guess it finally is catching up to her that she misses her baby sister.”

>Pinky regains her balance with a hand on the bed as her hair returns to the super poof it normally is.
> “I’m glad you are not bothered by it. I just get concerned when something negative starts up between my friends and we have all, well almost all, known each other since middle school. In fact, the last time she had such venom for someone was back then. Come to think of it, it was toward you then too when you and Fluttershy were a couple…”
“Yeah and before I met her officially. Flutters never did want to go out much and I did not get to meet any of her friends but you and Apple Jack. Now, are you ok enough to stand freely or do I need to drop the back for you to be able to sit?”
>” I will be fine, Nonny. After all, looks like your passenger and a couple of her friends are coming this way,” Pinkie bursts out as she fires up straight as a post pointing up to a trio of girls coming from Chorus practice. One pale skinned young lady catches the majority of your focus as a couple girls seem to be calling out to her from behind and she is picking up pace as their calls get louder. 

>“Good note you hit there, Squeaky Belle!” fires off Diamond Tiara.
>”Where did you get that dress? The discard design bin of your sister’s?” Silver Spoon as she continues the verbal assault.
“Uh, Pinks… Those are not her friends,” Anon quickly states as he passes her his keys.  “Could you please start up the truck’s AC and if you have a couple cupcakes left from today’s bake sale, please get them. I think Sweetie is going to need a pick me up. I will pay you when I get back.”
>”Okie Dokie Loki!”

>The girls keep following Sweetie as they reach the street to cross to the parking lot, unrelenting in their prodding for chinks in her mental armor. They all stop by a line of trees shading the crosswalk and the sidewalk from the August sun of this new school year. The Torment of these little harpies forcing a light line of tears to flow from the soft green orbs of Sweetie’s eyes like rain clouds before the windows of her bright soul. 
>”You both stop this…” Sweetie squeaks out as she tries to control her voice, causing a wicked smile to expand on Diamonds face.
>”Why should we when you sound like a dog toy with those pips you are letting out?”
“Because it is unbecoming of a young lady such as you both supposedly are,” Anon says as he looks down at the two girls from behind. “Or should I say bitches for your knowledge of dog toys?”
>The two girls cringe and quickly turn around to see Anon looming over them on the first branch above them. He jumps down and walks closer to them adjusting his ball cap with crossed wrenches and a geared skull and a red sliver of the afternoon sunlight glinting off his glasses accenting the glare he fields in their direction.

>”Ugh. Here comes the cavalry,” Diamond hisses out as she works on recovering her composure.
“Cavalry? That is the best retort you have? No wonder you are scoring toward the middle of your class.”

>Sweetie smirks softly as Anon gets closer and the barrage lightens. One advantage of his being her ride these last six months was definitely his attention to surroundings. He knew who her friends were really and who was putting up a show. Rarity would just wait in her custom Mini-Cooper with blue and purple pinstripes & “FABULOUS” tag listening to David Bowe, sketching a new design, noticing nothing till her small hand wrapped on the window to get her to unlock the door. 

>Silver is beginning to look nervous as he approaches, apparently drawing her courage from Diamond and the absence of anyone who could form an actual threat. She was definitely a follower as of late and IT HURTS to see the leader of the Canterlot High School Academic Team and Book Club being a shadow of her true self. 

"I thought you two had quit the chorus because it was cutting into your afterschool time? Silver, I thought you were tutoring Diamond since you both wanted to make it to the same Ivy League college after you finished here?”
>”you talked to this oaf, Silver?”
“I overheard her talking to one of y’all’s teachers for advice as I walked to the library for another of the Dune novels,” Anon quips as he walks between the two girls to Sweetie, placing a hand on her shoulder and shielding her face from the view of her classmates. “Come on now. I’m sure Pinkie has a couple cupcakes waiting on us at the Ranger and I owe her a favor on top of cash payment. I swear I made a mistake when I built that ‘Party Cannon’ prop and the remote control & pintle mount for it to fit on the ‘Party Wagon’ van she drives.” 
>”He…HEY! You cannot just walk away from me…er us! I will…”
“Waste your father’s time since I put a camera into the eye of the skull on my cap. Goodbye,” Anon says over his shoulder as he and Sweetie cross the road, leaving Silver and Diamond with gaping jaws.
>” You did not actually put a camera into your hat, did you?” Sweetie asks after you cross the road and half the lot. “That is a bit creepy if you did…”Sweetie softly murmurs as she dots the tears and slightly mussed mascara.
“No no. I was bluffing but do you think they would try to call me on it given the props I built for that space opera your sister was insisting the school put on so she could use the chiffon she got on sale at the Hancock’s going out of business sale? That production took so much time to prep for that I almost had to miss the track meet and had AJ mad at me for not being able to patch the fences between our family farms.” Seeing Pinkie waving wildly from her van beside his truck, Anon adds “Well looks like we have a welcoming party complete with snacks as well as Pinkie remembering how to use my parking brake and clutch…”
> “Yeah. She was just obsessed with getting those right and that play is how this arrangement started with you picking me up. I was so surprised to see your truck alone in the parking lot, piled down with lumber, wire, and tubes as I just got the text she had sent a surrogate. I was not sure what to make of it or you in those overalls.”
“Well, I have no defense for what I was wearing. At least you took it with a laugh once we got riding, unlike your sister who called me the most unstylish and filthy thing she had seen while rushing you into the house before the neighbors would see me there. She may call me uncouth but…”
>Sweetie was about to interject about bad mouthing Rarity who is, beyond all her snootiness, still her beloved sister when Pinkie hops out of her van with 2 oversized cupcakes layered with sprinkles, icing, and cherries on top. She rushes over, beaming and bouncing with jiggles at her chest you are not quite sure should be possible for someone around your age.
>She leans over to Sweetie, holding out the cupcake like a dish for a queen, tray and all, awaiting Sweetie’s acquisition of it before she holds out yours on another tray she hid who knows where. Looking over your sweets, you are amazed that these survived the football team swarming her and AJ’s popup booth after their workout before practice. Those two girls are by far the best bakers in 7 counties…
>”Wow Pinkie… This looks amazing! I…I don’t know what to say or where to start.”
>“Well start from the top, silly. The cherry is always a great place to begin and you should be thanking Nonny for the idea. He thought you were going to be in a bad mood from those two and asked me to grab you both something special!”
>Sweetie quickly turns to Anon with a surprised but widening smile. 
>”This was your idea?”
“To a point though Pinkie has overdone the proportions of the pastries again. I thought she only had a couple smaller ones left…”
>“Well I did have a few of those left but I remembered you were going to pick up Sweetie and had these hidden away,” Pinkie quickly states. “And I do have a teensy weensy favor to ask of you, Nonny…”
“Party Cannon problems?”
>”Party Cannon problems”
“Ok… Bring it out to my house later and I will troubleshoot it.”
>”Thank you! Thank you!”
“Any time Pinkie,” Anon states as he looks over to Sweetie who is still trying to get started on the oversized cupcake. Seeing her trouble, he pops the latch on the truck tongue and motions for her to put it down on the impromptu table now available.
“We had better finish these quickly given both the space in the truck and the way I drive.” 
>A nod of acknowledgment comes from the little marshmallow skinned girl and them both beginning on their pastries as Pinkie gets in in her van, waving as she drives off in the direction of the grocery store, no doubt to get more supplies for her culinary passion.
>It takes the two of them about 5-10 minutes eating those monstrous cupcakes. Sweetie, in her passion for digging deeper into the cupcake after tasting the strawberry accents to the icing, ends up with a dollop of the icing on her nose. Anon, seeing this, chuckles hard leading to her tilting her head questioning then blushing after he points to his nose, musing the issue. The lowering sun burns red as the late evening begins to take hold, cueing them, along with the vacant cupcake papers, to begin on the drive from the school. 
“So given the time, and the fact that the school has given an extra day off for Labor Day weekend this year, shall I take you home….”
>Sweetie winces subtlety at the suggestion at a quick end to the evening
“Or shall we find something else to do? I’m open for suggestions though visiting the lake or going for sodas to wash down the last of the cupcake are high on my list at the moment.”
>Sweetie ponders for a moment as she looks out the window while they pass the center of Canterlot, and after a minute pipes up with her idea.
>” I’m for getting a soda, “she mutters while straightening out her light blue skirt and white blouse where the seatbelt pulls at her, crossing her small frame. “…but I would like to suggest a different destination.”
“Oh? Where’d my little friend like to go?”
>” You often have mentioned the video game collection at your house… I was wondering if we could go there and play those. I would also like to see your workshop since it sounds like you have created a wonderland in there. At least that is how it seemed to me given how you described it and the look in your eyes,” Sweetie trailed off saying as she looked over to Anon, staring down slightly.
Raising an eyebrow, Anon quips, “I’m not sure Rarity would be fond of me taking you to my home but if it is what you would like, sure. I had wanted to take you to see the shop if it were earlier in the day and ask first or have others like Pinkie there to keep Rarity from having sinister thoughts about my intentions. “
>Sweetie cringes at the ruckus portended of how her sister would react but a determined look surges into her expression.
>”Let’s go on and see it. I have wondered whatever could be in your workshop plus we could always try a couple games. It will be like going to the arcade for the first time all over again.”
“Alright, Sweetie but before we got there,” Anon says as they pull into the truck stop before the mall on the edge of town. “I need to talk to you about what Rarity had passed along to me through Pinkie before you finished Chorus practice…”
>“What was she saying this time.” Sweetie groans. “She is not fond of us spending so much time together and something about your ‘style’.”
As Anon shuts off the engine and they get out he replies, “Something like that and how I’m too carefree, boyish, and reckless. Also a bit about how I’m a bad role model as well as make you laugh too easily with a quip of how she could do it if she wanted to. Pinkie even told me all this as she did an impression of your sister to make sure she did not miss a note even though she was to leave out parts of that.” 
>Sweetie has a mild look of shock as they round the front of his truck, heading for the soda bar inside.
>” I know she wants the best for me and to keep me safe but what the hell… oh, pardon me. That was crude of me,” Sweetie says as she covers her mouth and a world-weary young mother covers her toddler’s ears. “I mean why is she passing this along?” she queries as she frees her hand to reach for one of the XL cups just slightly out of her reach causing her to tiptoe and the skirt and shirt to slip up, baring her lower back and upper thigh.
>”She gripes about my time with you all the time then dives back into her next project, leaving me to order food for us or microwave something given I’m not allowed to use the stove. Nor is our mom for that fact…”
“Sweetie, I figured she would be griping about all the time I spend with you given our indirect travels from your practice. I’m just shocked myself at how… intense… it is. I mean she asked me if I knew someone to help her out and I volunteered. She has progressively gotten weirder since then when we are both in the drama club’s meetings to find out what will be needed for their next show or to fix something. Frankly,” Anon fires off as he caps his PowerAde, “it would not be surprised if she was a bit jealous of you having the freedoms she doesn’t, though that is her own fault.”
>Sweetie blushes at this revelation and sighs. 
>”She is a bit too focused on her work lately and there are those new clients in Manehattan that have been running her ragged even though she is a high schooler. ‘But your styles are so original! I’m sure you can make a few more dresses for our displays.’ She has…”
“Sweetie… It is okay. That all is not here or now. Rarity has always been rough towards me. I remember the glares she gave me in middle school after Fluttershy and I saw each other for a bit.”
>”You never mentioned you dated Fluttershy…” Sweetie murmured as Anon paid for their drinks and they walked back to his small truck.
“It was a middle school thing. She loved my family’s farm and me, her animals. She had me even eating pescatarian for a while…We diverted ways and it ended early in high school though we are still friendly. She really liked the horses we have at my house and the 70 acres the house is in the middle of.”
>”Wait… you have horses at your house? In the middle of 70 acres of land?”
“Well yeah. It is the only way I could have enough space for my fab shop and I learned to walk in a tack barn. Experience with all this is why I spend so much time helping the Apples on weekends as well as our families being friends since the War Between the States. I’m sorry I never told you. Speaking of never telling, why are you not allowed at the stove?”
>Flatly Sweetie quips with a sign, “For the exact reason you could imagine but mostly for thermally liquefying toast somehow…” She blushes slightly at sharing this and blushes deeper as Anon rubs her head playfully as they reenter the road for the next 7 miles of travel to their destination. Along the way, the sky grows redder and purple hues fill the lower edge of the horizon ahead as they pass pine & horse farms, an ‘all you can find under the sun’ emporium, an old Victorian styled home and see a sign welcoming them to the community just outside town, Ponyville.
>As they turn onto the road leading to his driveway Anon looks over with a smirk.
“Hey, Sweetie… wanna take the direct route? It would be a bit rougher but more fun,” Anon asks as he slows down at a clearing along the power line posts.
>”Um, how much rougher?”
“’Finish your drink now’ rougher…”
>“Maybe…next time?”
“Oh fine but I will hold you to it,” Anon sighs as he accelerates the Ranger. 
>After taking the lone curve on the road and making a turn at a mailbox another quarter mile up the road, the graveled dirt path ahead is framed with pines thickening in density as the distance from the driveway expands. Shortly, the path opens to the power lines’ cleansed swath and a small creek passing parallel to it before another hammock of trees framing one edge of a hardwood fenced horse field. To their left is another less driven dirt path leads back to a small building with a roll up door and a large dog pen. Anon now slows their ride as they pass the fenced field as a couple dogs start running up to the driveway from the middle of the pasture followed by a pale Arabian horse and a Hickory quarter horse with a black mane & a blaze in the middle of her forehead. Sweetie’s eyes grow wide at the sight before her and a chuckle as the Boston Terrier and German Shepard/Rottweiler cross bark as they cross the drive to the front of the two story house then dive between the shrubberies to beat the truck to the carport.
“So what do you think so far?” Anon asks as they turn onto the lone bit of asphalt that runs along the near side of the house.
>” I’m not sure what to think. I never imagined that you lived in such a diverse pocket. Did that other path go to your workshop?” Sweetie asks as Anon parks his truck short of the carport.
“Well, it is now since my brother moved away. He and my dad used to use it for keeping their bird dogs and random junk not fitting to take inside. Before we go and check it out, we need to go inside and check in since it is close to dinner time and my mom is back.”
>Sweetie hesitates on getting out as Anon gets swarmed by the two dogs, looking to him to see if it is safe. He waves her out causing the dogs to shift their attention back to the truck. The smaller of the two runs off as Sweetie opens her door while the larger one trots softly over to her as she crosses in front of the truck hesitantly. He licks her hand and wags his tail heavily as she looks down to him. 
“He knows you are with me so Aro here will only lick you to death. He knows good people…” Anon says as Aro flops down for scritches on the warm pavement.
>“Awww… He is a sweet one, “she says as she kneels down and rubs the gentle beast’s belly causing a dazed expression to cross Aro’s muzzle in enjoyment.
>” Anon… There is a call for you from Vice Principal Luna! Something about you harassing some girls after school,” a voice rings out from the edge of the carport.
“I will be there in a second, Memaw!” Anon yells out as Sweetie has a concerned and confused expression. “We had better get inside quickly. I can guess why she called as I’m sure you can too…”
>Sweetie stands up and rushes after Anon as they try to hurry in, thinking to herself if this is common since Anon in the 6 months of giving her rides nor in the few months before sharing a couple honors classes did he say that much about family or what they do.
>She follows him into the kitchen from the porch door seeing his mom sitting in an antique chair at a similar table beside the kitchen phone and stools at the breakfast nook. His mother is surprised he has a guest but nods to them quickly, handing Anon the phone while offering a seat to Sweetie.
“Hello, Vice Principal Luna. What is the occasion for the call may I ask?”
 “Mister Anonymous, I’m calling you about an encounter you had this afternoon with Miss Diamond Tiara and Miss Silver Spoon. Their parents have called me this evening after they got home telling me that you verbally assaulted them after school today. Would you care to elaborate?”
>As Anon goes into his explanation of the incident, offering both Sweetie as a witness and a vocal recording from his phone, his mother mouths to Sweetie if she would like a soda or fruit while Anon finishes his call. After a few minutes the call wraps up and Anon exhales exasperatedly.
“Well looks like I have to show up to V.P. Luna’s office first thing tomorrow to share my recording of this afternoon. She also wants to see you too for your side…” Anon sighs as he turns to his mom. “I’m glad you are in the school system’s administration otherwise I was likely to be suspended or so the VP suggested.”
>”Well looks like you have an early start tomorrow even without classes. Now would you please introduce me to your cute lady friend? You two arrived just in time for dinner though I might need some help with it. ”
“Sure mom. This is my friend Sweetie Belle and she is a grade lower than me but has had a few classes with me…”
>”Oh the one you were helping out a friend in taking home after her practice?” Anon’s mom blurts out as she turns to Sweetie sitting on a stool. Sweetie is sitting tensely trying to be as proper as she can as Anon’s mom continues. “Her sister was the one you were helping out? The clothes nut?”
>Sweetie snickers as the description.
>”Rarity prefers to be called a Fashionista though there are times… It is a pleasure to meet you, ma’am. I love your house and the drive in. I never imagined Anon lived in such an idyllic place but then again he never really opens up about his home life, “Sweetie quips as she playfully glances over to him.  
>”Oh really? I guess he finally started to listen to me about giving too much information, “ Anon’s mom stealthily jabs at her son. “He used to just share too much information, causing me and his father no end of grief.” Anon shrinks in his chair before his mother continues with a request of him.
>“Son, could you please go get a half gallon of whole milk? I forgot it when getting this week’s groceries and I need it for the smashed red potatoes. It should not take you long and it would give me some time to get to know your friend here.”
>Sweetie has a look of concern till she sees Anon’s reassuring smile and a calming wave.
“Uh, sure mom. I’ll do it… Sweetie, I will hurry so she doesn’t ask so much that she knows your whole family history,” Anon softly says as he rubs his shoulder while he goes toward the door. 
>She turns toward him as he rushes out the door and his mom walks over to her with a piece of American cheese as the smaller dog skitters in. Anon’s mom opens up a piece she has and offers it to the dog causing the dog so stand on her hind legs. 
>”Why don’t you try it? Rascal here LOVES cheese. It is her favorite treat and she generally avoids new people till she sees the cheese.”
>“Sounds like traditional conditioning. Pavlovian I think it was called…” Sweetie states as she touches her chin.
>“Good Job! Anon told me you were a smart girl,” the matriarch retorts. “He was also not exaggerating when he said you were a cute one.” 
>Sweetie blushes as red a fresh tomato picked in its prime as she is suddenly at a loss for words only to be disrupted from the sudden self-awareness by the pawing of the black and white creature thinking with its stomach. She quickly unwraps the cheese, though a bit clumsily from her mental state. The dog looks up at her with the wall-eyed look of a 4 legged catfish, huffing expectantly. 
>Sweetie tears off a sliver and holds it out as the dog dances trying to reach it, catching the piece as Sweetie drops it. 
>” I did not mean to fluster you, dear,” Anon’s mom states as she reaches across to her across the nook. “I mean that is part of why he told me he volunteered to take you home as often as he had. Oops… I guess he got his verbal skills from me,” she states with a hard laugh.
>”Anyway, could you help me with finishing the rest of this? Anon should be only a few more minutes with his run to the store unless he gets ‘lost’ again in the tools like usual.”

>“I would like to but I’m not too handy in a kitchen nor is my mom…” Sweetie trails off.

>“This time you have me to guide you and it is not much. Mostly getting things out as I warm up the last bit of all this. The only real cooking is the potatoes and we need Anon for that.”
>Anon’s mom refills her glass of chardonnay then guides Sweetie to the serving dishes and as to which ones she wants each of the dishes in: venison pot roast, baked squash, green bean, and a spare one for potatoes when they are done. 
>”So Sweetie was it? Anon says you have a couple classes but you seem a bit young to be in his grade. How old are you if you don’t mind me asking?” Anon’s mom queries as she sips her wine and prepares the potatoes for the whole milk.  
>Um… I’m 15 but I tested a grade higher. I had the approval to take a couple higher science classes and met Anon through AP Biology. He already knew my sister through theater so when he heard she needed someone to take me home sometimes, he volunteered.”
>Anon’s mom replies with a laugh and pats Sweetie on the head as she passes her to get the silverware.
>”Definitely sounds like you got a good deal there as I know few as reliable as my boy.”
>”Yeah… I know,” Sweetie murmurs as she lowers her head with a soft blush and blushes a deeper tone when she catches herself. “A…anyways, thank you for inviting me to dinner even though I just dropped in with Nonny, er, Anon. I had suggested that instead of going to the arcade he show his console collection and definitely did not expect all this.”
>”Anytime. We frequently have extra guests given the friends of Anon’s siblings as well as some of his father’s friends would wander in near dinner time so I have always made plenty of food.”
>”Siblings? I though he only had a single sister,” Sweetie muses as she tilts her head causing her hair to bounce across her face like freshly blown bubbles.
>” You are technically right but he also has a couple older half siblings that have moved out years ago,” Anon’s mom states as she finishes her glass and pours another. “His sister also moved out with their dad but I would rather not get into that too deeply. We still keep her room set up so when she visits, it is like she never left.”
>Lowering her head and sighing, a sad look crosses Sweetie’s face as she thinks about the distance her own family is experiencing, especially as Rarity spends more and more hours on client orders.
>Getting out a smaller glass, Anon’s mom places it before Sweetie, gesturing to offer some wine to her.
>”Would you like a single glass of wine to ‘go with dinner’? I know it is not necessarily right for the moment but I think you might like the taste with the vegetables I cooked.”
>Sweetie looks at the glass, pondering if she should, hearing her sister’s voice telling her it would be gauche to turn down a host’s offer of wine. 
>”I don’t know but I will try some. I would not want to be rude…”
>”it is fine if you don’t want any. I will just make it a tiny bit for you to try as you insist.”
>She pours half a glass worth and pushes it closer to Sweetie. Sweetie tries it, grimacing at the initial bitter flavor but smiles at the sweeter aftertaste as her mouth warms. Sweetie raises her eyebrows in surprise and is halfway through another sip as her phone rings playing ‘Hall of the Mountain King,’ almost making her choke.
>”Oh crap… That is Rarity. She probably thinks that I’m out at the arcade again.”
>”Go ahead and answer it then let me talk to her. I will explain I invited you to dinner since Anon told me you were out with him when I called him. I’m sure that will smooth it over,” Anon’s mom slyly suggests with a wink.
>Following the suggestion, Sweetie answers the call then passes the phone just as Anon walks back into the house. Sweetie and Anon’s mom wave at him as the later of the two walks with Sweetie’s phone into the den, laying out her lie for Sweetie.
>“Welcome back Anon!” Sweetie fires out as he walks up and side hugs her with a questioning look.
>“Rarity,” she states as she raises her glass to take another sip, triggering a raised eyebrow at the little marshmallow imbibing.
“To go with dinner?” he states as he sits on the stool beside Sweetie.
>“Yep. Your mom…”
“Of course,” he groans, rolling his eyes.
> Just then his mother walks back into the kitchen, placing the phone beside them as she walks to the stove and adds the milk to the taters as she smashes them further.
>”Well, Sweetie can stay for dinner and also use our guest room so you both can make it to Vice Principal Luna’s office in the morning.”
> The two teens look at each other, back to her, return to each other, then back to her bewildered at the exposition. They then respond in unison with a “say what now?”
>”I just appealed to her reason and to the fact it was me doing this. After all, despite her tone of annoyance at mentioning you, son, she did sound relieved that her night was freed for some project. I even heard a sewing machine as the call closed.”
“Wow… way to go, mom. By the way, why did you give Sweetie wine?”
>Sweetie puts her hand on his shoulder with a light red tinging her cheeks as she looks over at him.
>”She offered and I did not want to be rude. Your mom said it would go well with the flavor of the side dishes. Plus, Rarity would call this an aperitif and frequently has one herself before our dinners,” Sweetie blurts out as the alcohol begins to unbalance her petite form on the stool.
“Well, that would explain a bit her calls and her look when I bring you home too late. Anyways, I think you should quit now on it and have water with dinner. I don’t my little marshmallow buddy to get too tipsy before you get to try my games or see the shop.”
>”oh ok…”  Sweetie puffs and fake pouts as the matriarch snickers while getting out the plates.
>” Alright you goobers. Time to plate up! Mind me fixing yours, Sweetie?”
>”Sure!” Sweetie says as she slides off the stool, spooking the dog that had settled under her seat.
>The dog runs and hides under the dinner table, ready to await the opportunity to beg from Anon. Anon guides Sweetie to a seat toward the middle of the short dining table lining the wall beside the breakfast nook, centered between himself and his mom. He pulls out her chair and helps push it in as soon as she is in. 
>As she is settling in, her plate is placed before her, a color wheel of various foods that smells wonderful and guides her mind off to the last ‘garden to plate’ bistro Rarity took her to. Her reverie is broken as Anon places her new glass of water and his plate down. His mom follows, placing her own plate down with a glass of wine as well as Sweeties, stealthily refilled, with a wink. 
>They all dig into their plates as soon as they are all sitting and the food blessed. Halfway through their plates, Anon’s mom resumes her questions for Sweetie.
> “So Sweetie… Could you tell me a bit about your parents?”
>She coughs, almost choking on her squash
>”Um… Well… My mom was purely a stay home mom till I got into middle school. After that, she has been trying to go back to school herself given that she had my sister when she was halfway through. She is passed out from her studying when I get home usually. This has led to Rarity filling in some of her roles...”
>”My dad used to be a private detective out in Hawaii which is where he met my mom. The two of them moved back to my mom’s hometown after she got pregnant. Since then, he had started a security company that is employed by both Mr. Rich and my classmate Silver’s father to manage the sites in their ‘corporate empire’,” Sweetie says as she gestures to accent. “I rarely see him because they keep him on call even though he has employees that could handle it all.”
>“Whoa. No wonder your sister adopted her work ethic and is so insistent on you focusing on classes. At least that is what I can tell from what Anon has shared.”
>Sweetie looks at her plate solemnly was she pokes the bits of vegetables left and reaches for the wine glass but not finding it given it was moved out of her reach by Anon’s mom during the familial tale.
>”Yeah. At least I’m doing quite well in school!” Sweetie squeaks out then covers her mouth. Anon’s hand softly touches her arm causing her to look into his eyes as he provides a reassuring look. The thought of when his mother told her how he called her cute returns to the forefront of her mind. A short skip in her heartbeat catches her attention as he smirks.
>Anon stands, collecting his and her plates and walks them to the sink. As he places them in there, the fading light of the day catches his attention. 
“Hey, Sweetie. Would you like that tour of my shop and our land now? Sun is getting close to twilight and the last thing we need is to be stumbling about in the dark.”
>”Sure but don’t you think we should help your mom clean up more?”
>”Don’t worry about it, Sweetie. You two just go have fun. After all, you both ate most of the food and Aro would like what is left I’m sure,” Anon’s mom says with a light hand wave. “I can get the rest on my own,” she states as she dumps the scraps from the plates into one of the pots.
>Sweetie tilts her head and looks over to Anon as he shrugs then pulls her and her chair back from the table. As Sweetie stands he holds out his arm to assist her and she rises slowly being wobbly from the little bit of wine her small body is still processing. For a moment she loses her balance and falls into Anon’s chest, leading to a smirk from his mom and blushes from the two teens. Sweetie looks up as she works to stabilize herself, meeting her green orbs with his brown eyes and her face flushes further toward maroon. Anon softly smiles and helps her regain her footing, keeping his arm out for her as she holds on with both her small hands.
“I warned you to cut back to water after the aperitif,” Anon chuckles as they manage to get walking out onto the patio.
>”I wish you had told me to watch for your mom’s refilling skills…” Sweetie stumbles out. 
“Yeah, I really should have. I’m very sorry about that. At least the evening air ought to help you get your balance back. Let’s go up and check on the horses then the shop.”
>Sweetie nods and they begin walking around the corner around the house, climb a small hill with a large satellite dish and an elevated shed visible through the sparse collection of pines to their left as the distance to hardwood fenced pasture closes.
>”What is that over there?” Sweetie states as she swings her arm across their path to the shed, pockmarked with splatters of paint and lines from rain and tree sap from its years.
“Oh...that is my old club house. My sister, my old best friend, and I used to plot out our lives, read books there, and have a few adventures out of there. Also was a nice place to enjoy time in the hammock I put in there and I even helped my dad build it. Well, as much as he would allow me to.”
>”Sounds similar to what my friends and I would often do when we all met up at Apple Bloom’s. Oh my, the trouble and messes we got into till school took up so much of our time,” Sweetie chuckles out trailing off as she finishes.
“We could always take a walk to it after I show you the shop or before if you like,” Anon states as they now join the worn vehicle path that takes them quickly to the round pen where the feed is stored.
>”That sounds fun… sure. Shop then the clubhouse.”
“Alright. Now if you don’t mind. I need my arm back for a moment unless you want me to pull us both over the fence.”
>Sweetie surprisedly pulls her arms back, not realizing she had been still holding on since they stepped outside. She quickly looks around for a distraction and sees the two horses down at the lower end of the field, unaware that that feeding time had come. Both dogs had joined them and they all danced about like only carefree animals could. As she trails her vision off to the left of the horses, she sees a couple deer coming out early and grazing on the red tops of clover that dot the field. 
>A soft breeze blows toward her causing a wave of undulating red to flow toward her and her hair to flitter and bare her face. Growing up with this, it was no wonder to her how Anon could seem carefree and so relaxed. Rarity could never understand this in her musings and would only see all the dirt and filth with her myopic world view of Fashion. Sweetie loved her so but could never understand why Rarity could not appreciate the simple beauties that dot life.
>Her vision is snapped back to her front as she hears the thumping of both boots and the whumping of the plastic bin the horse feed is in. The horses heard it too and turn trotting up the hill to their meal and the dogs racing ahead of them having now seen Anon on their side of the fence. Shortly, the two disproportionately scaled dogs are bouncing around Anon then trot over to Sweetie with Rascal falling over on her feet and looking up with a crazed, wall-eyed smile and flopping tongue. 
>Sweetie giggles at the silly creature and reaches down to rub the exposed belly, a gesture met with wiggles and a quick bark as her hand approaches the soft belly. Sweetie rubs her palm in small circles which quickly sets the two toned beasts into an appreciative series of snorts.
“I see you and Rascal became friends,” Anon says as her slides back over the fence followed by Aro who shimmies under the same.
>”Your mom told me the trick to winning her over,” Sweetie sing-songs as she now shifts to using her nails to scritch Rascal’s belly.
“So you cheesed my dog. Well now you have a friend for life,” Anon quips as he kneels beside the two of them followed by Aro who licks Sweeties arm to ask for a share of attention as well.
“She would make a cute companion for you and loves being dressed up, unlike your sister’s cat.”
>”I have not done that in years,” Sweetie huffs. “Now Rarity, on the other hand…”
>Anon chortles as he stands up and turns as the horse walk up. He then steps to the fence and rubs the horses’ heads as they snort and fill their mouths. He turns back to Sweetie waving her over.
“Would you like to pet them? They are friendly as they eat, unlike a few horses I have known over the years.”
>Sweetie stands, coming over and hesitantly holds out her hand which is sniffed and snorted at by the hickory horse. 
“The pale one is my horse and the other is my mom’s. Hers is about as old as I am so I guess you could you could call her my 4 legged sister. We, my mom and I, both used to do English riding events. Hell, my mom even rode as she was pregnant with me. She liked Jumping events while I preferred Dressage. Nothing like the union of two minds and bodies in a dance only you two know…”
>Sweetie listens intently as she hears Anon open up for one of the first times she has seen. Normally he is laid back but focused on whatever is before him but now a glimmer of passion lights his eyes, accented as the sky shifts to a purple hue with the Evening Star and moon make their appearance on the horizon. For some reason, his appearance takes on a handsomeness she missed before, leaving her questioning whether it is the last bit of the wine or new thoughts awakening, prodded by revelation from his mother.
“Well we had better get down to the other side of the house to the shop if we are going to have any daylight to see our way,” Anon states interrupting her thoughts. Her mouth quivers as she tries to form a question but the pushes it aside to take his hand up.
>They walk along the fence on the path as it splits to in front of the house, making short time back to the truck. As they begin on the next dirt path, Sweetie reaches out slowly to Anon’s hand, grazing his fingers and finally catches hold of two of them. Anon turns his head to her, raising an eyebrow then shifts his hand to get a full grip of her hand. Sweetie tenses at the change but relaxes as the surprise fades with a smile spreading across her face.
>Anon is doing his best to hide his surprise at Sweetie’s taking his hand but decides to just go for it, taking her whole hand. He internally muses about how cute she is and turns his head to her, noticing the growing smile and the fingers of light dancing through the pine needles across her pink and purple hair with soft bouncing locks as they walk onward. How had he never really noticed the beauty of her smile and the shimmer to her eyes before now astounds him. He had sought out a chance to spend more time with the amazingly bright cute girl he knew passively through his AP classes and her sister’s chattering at Drama club.  Now he sees the beautiful young lady Sweetie really is as a happy sway accents her walk as his hand grips her soft and dainty fingers. 
>As he returns his vision to their path, he begins to fumble in his pocket for the keys to the rolling door and feels tension on his other hand just before he walks into the door, falling back square on his ass and with a new bump on his forehead.
>”Are you alright?” Sweetie questions as she quickly kneels beside him and leans in to check his forehead.
“I am fine,” Anon says as he rubs his head. “I just got lost in thought about some details I missed.” 
>”Alright. Let me check your head real quick. You pretty much hit that full force and I want to see if you need it treated…” Sweetie trails off as she gets closer to him.
>Before Anon has a chance to protest, Sweetie softly kisses the bump and then stands back up facing away towards the door. As Anon tries to process what just happened he barely makes out a mumble about it normally making her bumps feel better from the beet red young lady. 
“Um yeah… Let me get this door open,” Anon states half dazed from the last two occurrences as Sweetie rocks in place.
>Anon clumsily gets the door unlocked and begins rolling it up, exposing a dark room thick with the smells of solvents and machine oils. He reaches beside the door and flips on the lights, illuminating several tables with various machine parts and a pile of soldering components towards the back by the vent. A small CNC milling center and a CNC lathe fill most of the room with shelving and racks occupying the majority of what remains. Above each of the work table is shelves filled with books on systems design, robotics components, and open source hardware with a few on practical prop making sandwiched where fitting. 
>Anon takes Sweetie’s hand again and guides her to a middle workbench with a mini-fridge under it and two rolling stools. He lets go, opening the fridge to offer one of his various sodas to her before sitting on the stool beside her with one hand on the workbench closer to her.
“Well, this is my crafting shop or ‘the forge’ as I sometimes call it,” Anon says as he holds his generic cola to his bump. “What do you think?”
>”I’m almost at a loss for words. THIS.IS.AMAZING! How can you afford to have all this?”
“I recently received a grant and had licensed a couple things I invented at the start of high school. The grant is for researching robotics to assist the elderly and autistic youth.”
>“Remind me again of how old you are, Anon,” Sweetie blurts out.
“I’m 17 now and will be 18 in December,” Anon replies as he opens his can.
>It is now that Sweetie wears the dazed expression Anon had moments ago, trying to piece together a cogent follow-up to the revelation laid before her. Anon never dressed ostentatious or did anything to show off, trying to blend into the crowd unless it was something he focused upon like field events for the school or a game. How has he hidden all this, ESPECIALLY with helping Pinkie and her having seen all this? All the prop work for the plays too and no one thought about where it all came from. Sweetie puts her hands to her temples as she tries to process all this.
>“How… no WHY do you not let people know you can do all this? How did you get Pinkie to not blab about this?” Sweetie continues.
“They never believed me when I tried to share so I stopped trying. As for Pinkie, one of her promises and the cannon maintenance suffice to keep her from blabbing. I would like you to keep it to your chest as well, especially this next part since it is what the grant covers. I had to sign an NDA with my grant acceptance forms but I think you will appreciate it better than most…” Anon says as he places down the can and grazes Sweetie’s hand.
>Anon walks to the far table over in the corner, turning on the work lamp over it and brushes off the loose nuts and bolts from a large, beige envelope. Sweetie narrows her eyes to focus on him but can only see his back and shoulders clearly with the halo of new light bleeds into her vision. She makes out a silhouette of him, now waving her closer. Subconsciously, she picks up his soda and sips it as she approaches. 
>As she gets closer, she can make out some official markings on the envelope. ‘National Science Foundation’, ‘Department of Health and Human Services’, and ‘National Robotics Initiative’ are most prominent on the envelope with the rest in too small of a font to read from her position a couple feet behind Anon as he flips it over to open it. After pulling the documents out Anon sees Sweetie still standing a bit back of him, he wraps an arm around her shoulder and pulls her closer to the table, eliciting a squeak and her pulling her arms closer to her small body. 
>Now tightly beside him, she looks up and sees the bright light forming a new aura around him as he smiles with excitement. She has never really seen him really smile, more commonly seeing a smirk or normally a blank face of annoyance at their fellow schoolmates in their classes. Her heart skips a beat for a second time this evening and her cheeks warm like at dinner making her wonder if it was really the wine that did it then.
“I hope you don’t mind keeping quiet about this,” Anon whispers. “I got the design from a dream and it is an interesting one.”
>As he spreads the documents out before them on the table, a patent application catches Sweetie’s eye. The sketches in the patent packet show a small unicorn with large eyes as the core design for the assistance robot for autistic children with notes for a seal variant as another concept. Strangely the hair to it looks similar to hers but she passes it off as just a convenience. The notes about a magnetic levitation tractor beam modded into the pseudo-horn with the ears as mini antennae are where she begins to lose herself in the tech and lawyer speak.
>”um… I’m not sure how much I would be able to repeat of all this if I wanted to. I really like her mane…”
“It is just a concept,” Anon chuckles. “I guess I was thinking of that part of the concept while I was waiting for you to come out of practice. I was also going to give her a sweet singing voice like yours too but I wanted to ask for your permission first.”
>”I…I...I,” Sweetie stumbles as she feels her face get warmer and lightheaded. “…thank you for the compliment,” she slips out as she begins to rock side to side and grips onto the table for balance. “You really like my singing?”
“I do very much. Maybe you could sing something later for me?” Anon says as he puts the documents away and notices her holding his soda. “So do you like my cola?” he quips as he reaches for it in her hand.
>Sweetie looks down at the can and stutters for a second before composing a response.
>”Oh I did not mean to take your drink. I was trying to bring it over and drank a bit of it without realizing… I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Anon says as he softly grips her hand and the soda, tipping it up for a sip, causing no abatement to her blush that dominates her cheeks.
>Anon steps away back to the first table they stopped at and now fiddles with a few parts that look like they should be part of a sci-fi blaster and some armor.
“As you can imagine this is where I make props for the drama club too as well as a few for a costume group I also volunteer and do commissions with,” He says with his back to Sweetie. As he is about to continue, Anon turns and sees his little pale friend still standing where he left her, semi-frozen and like she has smoke coming from her ears.
“Are you alright? Earth to Sweetie?” Anon says as he waves his hand in front of her face.
>Sweetie, stunned by the last few moments of comments and the sensation of Anon wrapping her hand around his. Something was different but she was not sure how to process it. Stoking her ego with compliments and the contact were sending her mind to places she was not sure about. The warmth of both contact and her cheeks were overwhelming. After a few seconds, she dazedly snaps out of it, seeing Anon’s hand waving before her.
>”Oh… I’m fine. Just got caught up in…something.”
“Alright. Well seeing that unless we want to make anything here, I think we should get going. You still want to see my old club house right?”
>”Yes I do. Do you mind me finishing your soda? I drank half of it, it seems,” she says as she looks down. “Or maybe spilled it,” she quips as she sees a few small puddles from when she accidently spilled it during her locking up.
“Go Ahead. Want me to grab another one for our walk?”
>”No no unless you have some grape soda. It is a favorite of mine but Rarity will not let me have it because of a stain I made years ago. It is a favorite of mine, though…”
“One of mine too. Always loved it and I happen to have a couple left,” Anon says as he puts the sodas in a small satchel then turns out all the lights. “Ready to go?” he asks with his hand out, reminding Sweetie of a knight before his courtly lady.
>She takes his hand and they begin the walk as late season fireflies begin to flit about and the sun's waning light gives way to the start of moonlight’s pale glow. Sweetie begins to skip but catches herself as she sees Anon still focused on their path forward, seemingly focused upon their trodding.
>Anon is deep in thought as they walk, wondering why this night feels ‘warmer’ and as to why he is more amused with Sweetie’s company than normal. He has been trying to hide his own blushes and palpitations. Sure he had sought out to be her ride home, to model his robot after a dream he had featuring a white unicorn that called out to him with her name, to show her the good times she needed after the constant harassment from those two, and had also been drawn to the voice he once caught coming from the young lady as she walked between classes. An underclassman but not that it really mattered since she was brighter than the small gap in their ages should have reflected. 
>Sweetie watches his face as they walk, witnessing a smile slowly creep out and their shared hand hold begin to tighten. She wonders what could be crossing his mind till he mumbles something about a wonderful mind and voice. 
>Just before she can pry he stops his walk, looking up at the clubhouse 12 feet above their heads. It has a single rail around its edge and is suspended from four telephone posts that are as far across as her torso. Between two of these posts hangs a small green nylon mesh hammock and beneath is a stairwell that takes one up just in front of the small single room and window. It looks a bit worn for wear but in great shape nonetheless. 
“Well, here we are. What do you think of it?”
>”Well it definitely looks like it went through a bit…” Sweetie says as she bites her lip.
“Well let’s go on up. Trust me, Sweetie,” Anon says as he begins for the steps and climbs them more like a ladder, standing up tall after he clears the small roof intended for kids half his age.
>Sweetie quickly follows and looks around, seeing the view that seems to be what draws Anon back out here despite outgrowing this spot. A soft breeze shakes the needles and leaves with the soft swish like that of a gentle whisper and many more of the fireflies are now visible as she looks across the open 2 acres behind the house and to their left. Their flights make the whole area seem as though a thousand candles are floating on an unseen sea. The continuing breeze wafts the light scent of the evergreens and the faint scent of kudzu flowers, a sweetness that tingles the nose as though from another world.
>Anon places the satchel down and faces her at the stairs with his back to a post as he looks across the yard, sighing as memories float back to the surface.
“You know, Sweetie. You are the first person other than one of my club or old paintball buddies I have brought up here. So many nice times.”
>”The view here is amazing,” Sweetie states softly as she scans about and steps forward to see around the other sides of their perch.
“I definitely agree,” He states as he watches her face light up the more she takes in. 
>Sweetie looks back to Anon as he says this and catches his eyes with her gaze. She toes the pine planks while she crosses her arms, rubbing her hand up and down her arm bashfully.
>”So you told your mom you think I’m cute…”
“And I also like your voice, especially when you sing.”
>”You do, do you?” She replies slyly. “Would you like to hear the solo I have in the next performance? We are doing show tunes and I got to choose which one I get to perform. I think you will like it very much...” Sweetie says as she steps to in front of the post opposite him.
https://youtu.be/4-L6rEm0rnY
>As Sweetie continues, tears begin to form in Anon’s eyes. He watches her intently as she continues, watching the fireflies begin to fly around her, accenting the shimmer that is surrounding the young girl as she performs her favorite activity. Somehow, the light has faded from everything but her as she comes to the final stanza, putting her whole self into the finale.
>” …TOUCH ME…”
>”It is so easy leave me…”
>”All alone with my memory”
>”Of my days in the sun.”
>”If you touch me,”
>”You'll understand what happiness is…
>“Look, a new day has begun…”

>As she finishes, she looks back to Anon who has the widest smile he has had as long as she has known him. His face is soaked in tears that he is trying to wipe away like crazy. She bashfully blushes, crossing herself as before.
>”I can assume you liked it,” Sweetie softly squeaks as Anon stands and steps closer to her with his red streaked face finally dry.
“Sweetie… That was the best rendition of Old Grizzabella’s final song I have ever heard.”
>”Oh you are just saying that… I have to practice so much more and…”Sweetie murmurs as crosses herself tighter. 
“I have to admit I was wrong on one thing, though. You are not just cute. I actually think you are beautiful and your singing truly brings out the full depth of that beauty.”
>Anon steps closer and wraps his arms around her, startling her into a tomato red blush as she begins to blubber from his words, struggling to bring words to form. His warmth and closeness make her heart beat skip and she feels the same through his chest as he looks down to her face smiling. 
>”Anon. What are you doing…? I…Uh…” Sweetie rolls out as she begins to finally form words again. “You think I’m beautiful? I’m not as pretty as my sister and I…”
“Sweetie…” Anon replies as he holds her tighter. “You are you and that is what I like.”
>”You like me…” Sweetie slips out as she turns even redder before going limp in Anon’s arms. 

>A few minutes later Sweetie wakes back up to Anon holding her hand while lightly tapping her hand as she sways in the hammock. His look is a mix of bemusement at her getting overloaded and concern that she almost fell off the side in her collapse. She woozily tries to move, swaying and seemingly sliding deeper into the hammock the more she tries to move.
>”What happened… I remember…” Sweeting groggily forces out before lighting up red quickly much like a traffic light.
“You fainted and I had to stabilize you to keep you from falling over the edge. The only clean spot to place you was the hammock though cleanliness is only marginally better.”
>Anon keeps rubbing her hand as he shifts from his kneel to be sitting beside her and leaning against her in the hammock.  He looks down at the floor and then up to the expanding starscape above them as the wind sways the pines back and forth across his view. 
>” Thank you for being there…” Sweetie whispers as she pulls her hand back and rolls in the hammock toward him. 
>As Anon turns to face her, Sweetie leans closer with her eyes closed & kisses him softly. Anon’s eyes grow wide at the surprise as they hold the kiss for the next few seconds. Sweetie slowly pulls back, opening her emerald orbs inches away from his face, gazing deep as she smirks,
>”By the way, I like you too. I was not sure how to say it or if I was fully sure till today. Thank you for the lovely tour,” Sweetie says just above a whisper.
>Anon is now befuddled as to how to respond as he gazes into her eyes. His face fills with a blush, another expression Sweetie had seen him express before triggering a giggle from her.
>”I guess it was my turn to overload you,” she coos as she reaches her hand back out and rubs the side of his face.
“Well, you definitely took the opportunity. Honestly, I was hoping for a chance to kiss you. Was not sure if it was just a dream or a delusion that the chance was there...”
>”Hush…”
>Sweetie pulls closer, kissing him again with more purpose than the last. They both lean into each other, shifting their positions to more fully meet the other’s lips. They hold the kiss for what felt like an eternity, feeling a tension lift as tiny sparks pass through their perceptions. They feel as though this is what was meant to happen. 
>A soft breeze crosses over them as they part their lips as a meteor shower passes overhead.
>“Anon… Look up… It is so beautiful,” Sweetie trails off.
“Want to make a wish?”
>”I don’t think I need to but I think there is room in the hammock for both of us,” Sweetie says as she tries to shift to one side.
“I am not sure I should. It might be a bit tight in there,” Anon quips slyly.
>”We can manage, I bet,” Sweetie says as Anon slowly shifts his weight in. 
>His movement causes her to flop over on top of his side facing him and her hands and ear now flat on his chest where she can feel his heart beat thumping quickly. Her hair is now practically in his face, brushing his nose as the soft, sugary smell of her shampoo fills his nostrils. He wraps his arms around her lower back as she looks up at him with the cutest expression as she tries to look at him with a sultry glance.
“What are you doing, my little marshmallow?”
>”I thought I would try to do a sexy expression as Rarity would call it.”
“I think it might be a bit much for the moment. Let’s enjoy the moment before we have to go in. I am sure it is finally getting late but I don’t care right now.”
>“Me neither,” she says as she snuggles her face into the soft cotton of his tee-shirt and coos at his contact and warmth, intertwining her legs with his in their tight nylon suspension.

>They drift through the air, swaying as the warm evening breezes cool and they shift to looking at the stars, both in the sky and in their eyes from their newly realized affection. Soon, though, they decide to go back to the house and begin their way back, walking with their fingers interlaced and a joy to their steps.
>As they return to the house, they notice Pinkie’s “Party Van” has pulled beside the carport and she is sitting in the wood swing.
>”Hi Nonny! Hi, Sweetie! Enjoy watching the meteors?” Pinkie quickly rattles off.
“Hi… Pinkie… What brings you here at this hour?” Anon slowly asks. 
>Well I was originally thinking you could check out the party cannon but Rarity called me saying Sweetie was going to be staying here overnight. She met me at my house with some night clothes for her and thought I should…” Pinkie says as she readjusts her voice into a haughty tone. “…protect my sister’s honor from that reckless oaf’s advances.”
>Sweetie’s mouth goes agape and she steps behind Anon defensively at this exposition.
>”I don’t know what Rarity is thinking,” Sweetie replies in shock. “Nonny would never do anything to me…” 
>Sweetie continues under her breath “that I did not ask for.”
>As Anon is about to reply, Pinkie is at his face looking him over with one eye and sees the interlaced hands of Anon and Sweetie.
>“Maybe her concerns were a bit late…” Pinkie trails off.
“Well, maybe a confession and a few kisses as we enjoyed the stars and a song,” Anon replies as he and Sweetie blush.
>”Yay for you two!” Pinkie squeals, bouncing up and down. “I owe Rainbow $5 now though but I’m glad to see you two are FINALLY together.”
“You were betting on my love life?”
>”Actually on whether Sweetie would catch you, though, from knowing you both, it was probably a mutual one but you never realized it.”
>“Pinkie, Has anyone told you that you can be scary or creepy?” Sweetie asks as she steps back around Anon.
>”Just your sister. Well, let’s get inside. I want to hear all about it and try you both at Dr. Mario!” Pinkie says as she grabs their joined hands and the clothing bag, dragging them along.
>The mass of three teens stumble into the kitchen as the TV in the den is running as Anon’s mom fell asleep watching the news again. The TV blares out in a deep, hyper-masculine voice ‘This is… ENN’ covering the sounds of them all almost falling over into the floor, disrupting the stools with a clatter but barely causing a stir from Anon’s mom.
“I guess she had a longer day than I thought,” Anon states as he gains his balance and walks into the den to check her, seeing her curled up under a quilt she and his grandmother made when she first got married. “Let’s try to be a bit quieter as we go on, “ he continues as he adjusts the quilt and rejoins his maiden and their jester in the kitchen.
“Ok y’all. Let’s get to the guest room so we can get you two settled and make a plan for what is next,” Anon states as he walks waving them to a doorway around the corner to their left.
> The two ladies follow him as they turn left a few steps beyond the doorway into a tiny hallway with a small bathroom to the left and a secluded 10’x’10’ room. On the door side and left walls are twin beds and a dresser on the right. Before them is a multi-tier wood shelving set with inset tv and several gaming systems split out across the shelves with games and controllers for each stacked neatly beside them. The whole array takes up one-third of the back wall only leaving room for the small closet and the foot of one of the beds.
>Sweetie gapes at this setup and practically stops in the hallway till Pinkie pulls her along. Anon hops on the far bed, turning to face the girls and pats the space beside him as an orange cat with a zig-zag tail disrupted by the wrapping, saunters out from under the bed and the out the hall to the stairs leading to the second floor.
”Are you ok Sweetie?” Anon says as he tilts his head
>”I don’t know how you keep managing to do this but you keep amazing me. You were not kidding when you said you had a collection. Original NES through GameCube with no system gaps. Sega master system and early model Genesis. Atari 5200. I…uh... Wow. No wonder you were good at things at the arcade…” she says as she sits beside him, leaning on his shoulder.
>“Well do you think he would not practice, silly?” Pinkie interjects. “Even his mom plays these some, preferring Dr. Mario like I do. Now when are we going to start a battle royale! I still owe you from the last time I played you.”
“In a little bit Pinkie. We do need to discuss what we are going to do first. I need a shower so while I do that upstairs, you two get comfortable and settled in. If you want any night clothes other than what your sister sent along Sweetie, my sister’s room is upstairs, to your right then last room on your left. All this sound good? Um yes, Pinkie?” Anon questioningly asks as the pink toned young woman waves a raised hand.
>”Does this mean I have to stay clothed?”
”Yes, pinkie…” Anon says while gripping the bridge of his nose and Sweetie snaps her head over to Anon with a confused blush. “Yes it also means Sweetie has to be clothed, “ Anon fires off as Pinkie’s hand shoots up again and Sweetie mimics a sugar beet in color.
“Do you have any questions, Sweetie? Other than about nudity involving Pinkie?”
>”Not really other than about towels.”
“There should be some under the sink in the left cabinet. If not, send Pinkie for some upstairs or take a hard left at the top of the stairs to get some from the other bathroom up there I’m not using,” Anon says as he starts to get up and walk to the door. 
>“Wait,” squeaks out Sweetie, hopping over to him at the doorway. She pulls on Anon’s shoulder till his face is beside hers and kisses his cheek. “See you soon…” she softly murmurs looking with wide eyes into his. Pinkie, watching them, get a super goofy expression on her face and makes shooting signs with her fingers as he is pushed softly back onto his path toward the stairs in a mild daze.
>After anon vanishes up the stairs, Sweetie walks over to Pinkie to see what clothes Rarity sent along, reaching for the bag on the far side of the bed when Pinkie flops over in her way.
>”You two are so cute! So are you going to dish or do I have to resort to extraction?” Pinkie says with a smirk while wiggling her fingers as though she is going to tickle Sweetie.
>”No need to resort to that, Pinkie. I will tell you after I get a shower myself and changed. Now, what did my lovely, overly suspicious, ‘too focused on clothes for time for her little sister and own good’ sister sent along.”
>”Whoa. Never heard you talk about Rarity like that, Sweetie,” Pinkie says with confusion and a concerned expression while she pulls the bag from behind herself.
>”She just makes me so mad when she acts like this and then uses a surrogate rather than actually talk to me. It makes me feel like I’m just a burden or another task to manage to her rather than be her sister.”
>”I know she is just trying to look after you, her only sister. She knew I would understand, being both a little and big sister myself. You just need to get her aside and talk it over. You two will get this clear and I may be a surrogate sister tonight but at least I’m a fun one…” Pinkie says as she playfully bumps Sweetie’s chin with a balled hand.
>Sweetie’s visual frustration lessens at this and finally finds the pajamas in the bag that Rarity sent. It is a teal pair of shorts and top made of satin that cinch with matching drawstring and three buttons respectively. Even when she is frustrated, Rarity can still toss together something fashionable Sweetie mused to herself.
>”So what are you going to wear Pinkie? I don’t see any night clothes here for you in here,” Sweetie asks as she looks up, seeing somehow Pinkie has taken off her bra and is wearing just her panties under a long night shirt with 3 stretched balloons on the front. “Wait…how…never mind….”
>Pushing the confusion at Pinkie out of her mind, Sweetie proceeds to the bathroom to get her shower started. She looks for the towels where Anon said they would be, finding none and elicits help from Pinkie to find where any could be.

>Anon quickly trots up the stairs and heads through the first door at the top of the stairs. He muses at how nice it is to be back up here in his room but not as nice as this afternoon and evening. He never imagined that everything could turn out so well for him in such a small span. Sure Rarity can be a bitch but Anon knows that she is just trying to cope and protect her sister. Ah, Sweetie Belle… his little marshmallow. She had hated it at first when he had called her that, stealing an insult from Diamond, but he tried to put as much kindness behind it to remove the venom from its originator. Sweetie warmed to it and it had become their joke name for her though she kept wondering what to use as a jab back at him to josh in turn. 
>Thinking deeper to Rarity’s complaint, Anon wonders why she would be complaining NOW of all times, given it has been 6 months since she approved of his being Sweetie’s ride. Rarity has been getting stranger about the arrangement lately, getting a bit flustered at him at the Drama club meetings and insisting on reviewing his prop plans every time a planning meeting came up in increasing detail.
“Bah… enough of that shit,” Anon says to himself as he makes sure his bedroom door is closed and walks into the foreroom of the bathroom, stripping in front of the mirror above the two sinks. 
>Looking up after kicking off his black steel toe oxfords & dropping his pants, he looks across the fore room into his sister’s room. It has been a year since she moved out with his father into town and he frequently missed his old best friend. Even though she had been growing apart from him as she began dating and began cheerleading in middle school, she was always his little sister and, really, lone confidant. Well, other than maybe Pinkie and Fluttershy. 
>Before the weight of the memories can completely destroy the joy of the day, He finishes stripping and is about to close the door to his sister’s room when his orange tabby rushes in preventing the door from completely closing. Apparently, Tooner wants to watch him bathe as he follows Anon into the shower room and sits on the toilet lid, maoing softly and batting at him as Anon pulls the curtain open and starts the water for the shower. Just as the water gets right, he half closes the door to the small room and gets in, letting the water wash away the memories and the warmth remind him of the new joy in his life.

>A few minutes pass and Anon hears a knock as he turns the water off.
“Oh, you could not find any towels anywhere else? Come on in and grab one off the hanger in here,” Anon says with the curtain still drawn. “Just let me know if you need any more…” Anon says as he pulls the curtains back halfway and begins stepping out… to be face to face with Sweetie Belle. Both freeze and turn red followed by anon quickly closing the curtain again.
>”Pinkie said I could find the extra towels in here… I did not hear the shower so I thought…” Sweetie trails off blubbering as she stumbles back out the door and closes it. 
“Give me a min and I will hand you one. One second…” Anon states as he recomposes himself, wraps in a towel and then hands the spare one in an outstretched hand to the girl on the other side of the half closed door. Sweetie takes it daintily and then skitters back to and down the stairs.
“Well, that happened, eh Tooner?” Anon says as he reaches down petting the feline as he reaches out a paw. “I guess I had better get dressed and join them.”
>The cat meows to Anon as he hops down and opens the door with a paw, looking back after he crosses into the next room seeming to wait on Anon. The two of them walk out into Anon’s room again as he dries himself off and palms his bedroom door closer again. Wait… He closed that.
>“Hello Nonny…” comes a voice from the top bunk of the bed. 
“Pinkie... Get out of here and make sure Sweetie is ok. The last thing I need is for her to get hurt on either of our watches. Now is not the time for pranks…”Anon says as he covers with the towel, dripping on his floor. “We may be close but I’m not in the mood to deal with this. Please. We can all be silly AFTER I get back downstairs.”
>“Fine fine. I just wanted you to have a pleasant surprise…”
“Too early and her sister is not trusting her to be free yet. Hell, you are the first to find out that Sweetie and I are…”
>“Yeah I know,” Pinkie pouts out as she hops down onto the lower bed that is perpendicular to the top. “Just don’t keep us waiting long.”
“I won’t. Now skit!” Anon saws as Pinkie skip out of his room and pulls the door closed behind her.
>Having now regained solitude in his room, Anon finishes drying, dropping the towel as he steps into his walk-in closet. After a few minutes, he chooses a black tee-shirt with brass gears emblazoned down the sides along the seams and a pair of blue fluffy fleece pants. Nice and cozy…
>Anon tosses the pieces onto his bed and sits to put them on. He manages after rolling Tooner off the pants which he tried to claim as his own. Anon looks over at the clock, noting that it is now 2130 which limits the time they can all game before they have to sleep. Don’t want to anger or annoy V.P. Luna if she is taking the time to meet with him before deciding on a punishment. 
“Why do these two have to be such pains?” Anon thinks as he flops back and the cat kneads into his leg hard. He continues to ponder for a few more minutes then heads back down to the guest room and the two waiting ladies.
>Upon his return, Anon knocks on the door to prevent the reverse of 15 minutes ago from occurring and is called in. He is greeted to Pinkie sitting on the floor with her back to one bed with the NES running Starforce, blasting her way through the endless waves of enemies while her chest does an impression of a bouncy castle at quinceanera and the balloons on her shirt looking as though they were going to burst like the Hindenburg.
> Sitting on the bed behind her is Sweetie in her soft satin pj's with her arms crossed on her lap as she looks up. The teal of the pj’s stand out from her pale skin and contrast with her green eyes. Sweetie blushes as Anon looks at her, the walk in fresh on her mind. Anon climbs onto the bed beside her and wraps his arm around her shoulders as he kisses her cheek, eliciting a quick squeak from the maiden. She leans into him and places a soft pale hand on his knee.
>”Hi Anon…” Sweetie says in a tone befitting her name as they intertwine their right hands.
>”Welcome back, Nonny. I… gah… Are you ready for….the Dr. Mario…battle?” Pinkie fires off as she continues to dodge the in-game fire on the floor.
“Sure, Pinkie. You get it in and pass me a controller. Sweetie gets to choose the next game though and we cannot stay up too late. Meeting with V.P. Luna after all.”
>”Works for me!” Pinkie says as she runs into a barrage of shots that glitched into her hitbox. She quickly swaps out the games and the green checkered selection screen pops up.
>”How do you play this?” Sweetie asks as Anon shifts his position to be able to use the controller.
“Do you remember Tetris? It is similar to that only it has a PVP mode and simpler controls. It is also my mom’s favorite. Anyways, it is fun and Pinkie wants to beat me again.”
>”What… It is the only one I CAN beat you on.”
>Sweetie lays over behind anon to get a better look at the screen as Pinkie and Anon choose the settings for their battle. As they get into the first game, Sweetie asks a few questions so she can be ready to try a turn when they finish.
>“So I just shift the pill to the sides, spin the pill, and use that window to see the next pill?”
>”Uh huh,” Pinkie responds. “Oh by the way, how did you and Anon decide to become a couple? I’m dying to know.”
>“Well… it kind of just happened,” Sweetie trails off. 
“Yeah, it did though I will say the first sparks began when I met you in AP Biology last year and the embers of interest began glowing hotter over the last six months of my picking her up from chorus practice and arcade time.”
>”Rarity has been suggesting that I spend less time with Anon and even suggested one of my classmates to me.”
“Oh really… You never really told me this, Sweetie.”
>”Oh yeah… tell us more Sweetie!” Pinkie says with a full mouth of popcorn from a box she got from who knows where. Maybe her bag but trans-dimensional Pinkie-isms aside.
>”Rarity was suggesting I go out with Button Mash since he seemed to like video games and is my age. He…is…”
“A detestable pain in the ass,” Anon fires off flatly.
 >”Let’s go with that. Thank you Anon,” Sweetie continues. “He may like games but he would come up and try to flirt with me whenever Anon stepped away at the arcade. He also will try to convince me at lunch or wherever he spots me, always flanked by his followers, Snips and Snails. I have tried to tell him to go away but he is just not getting the hint. At least he stopped trying to ambush me after Chorus…” Sweetie says as she looks up at Anon.
>”Wow. I had no idea… maybe the girls and I can help watch your back,” Pinkie spouts.
>”That would be appreciated. Apple Bloom and Scoots have been trying to run interception but they can only do so much…”
“I wish you had told me sooner, Sweetie. That little pain has been lurking around my truck and Drama Club, trying to mess with my stuff, tag my stuff, or with his friends in tow, try to challenge me to a fight.”
>”I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Nonny,” Sweetie replies as she reaches a hand up to his shoulder. “I was so embarrassed that it was happening.”
“Well I know now so we will find a way to fix it,” Anon responds with a hand brushing her cheek. “So Sweetie what shall we play next?” Anon says as Pinkie does the ‘Cabbage Patch’ in place cheering her victory over Anon for the 5th time in a row while chanting ‘Go Pinkie’.
>”Hmm… I don’t know, “Sweetie says as she gets up to inspect the NES game collection. Eventually, she picks a game with 2 fighters in front of a horrible looking alien. “How about this one?”
“Ooohh. Good choice. Contra… a personal fave.” Anon says with a devilish smile.
>”Oh no. Now you have got him started…”Pinkie groans.
>“What do you mean?” Sweetie says with a cocked head.
“I used to play this all the time and it is one of the hardest games of all time. Luckily there is a common cheat to make it easier for beginners. Just put it in and I will teach you.”
>”O…Okay,” Sweetie says confused and is waved over to sit beside him after she gets the game on.
>As Sweetie sits down the opening music begins and the title side scrolls into view as Anon enters THE CODE: Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A START on two player mode. Pinkie hands Sweetie her controller and moves to the bed across from them to watch them play, texting Rarity that she is watching over her sister and also firing off a couple to AJ and Fluttershy filling them in on the good news. 
“Okay, Sweetie. This is a side-scrolling shooter. The goal is to go through it without dying and shooting whatever pops up. You will not hit me so just fire mercilessly and if something floats by, shoot it too as it is a power up. Also you and jump down like this and you can also swim and duck under the water. If you get hit, you respawn as a jump in from the left…” Anon instructs as they proceed across the first island and the bridges blow up. “It takes a bit to get used to it but since we have the 30 life code in, you have plenty of lives to work with.”
>Their travel across the first stage is slow as Sweetie keeps missing jumps or gets hit by stray shots. Eventually, they clear the stage with Anon at 28 lives and Sweetie at 19.
“Good Job! You did better than most do on their first try,” Anon says as he wraps an arm around her shoulder.
>”Thanks. It just has a steep learning curve…” Sweetie replies with a smile. “I can definitely see why you like it.”
“Yes. Nothing worthwhile comes easily and this definitely makes you work for it.”
>”Just a question.”
“Yes, Sweetie?”
>“Do you mind us changing games?” Sweetie says with puppy dog eyes.
“No…Not at all… Do you want to pick or shall I?”
>“You go ahead…” Sweetie says with a smirk and watches him stand up while biting her lip.
>As Anon gets to his feet, he feels a small hand reach out trying to grasp his rear but just grazes the fabric. He quickly turns back around to see Sweetie looking off to the side and Pinkie chuckling to herself at Sweetie’s bold move. Anon turns back around, feeling another attempt, stepping back slightly so she hits her target.
“Find something Sweetie?”
>”Maybe…” Sweetie bubbles out with a giggle.
“Alright but let me find a game before it gets much later. Don’t forget we can’t stay up all night though that would be fun,” Anon says as he winks and steps outside of her reach. 
>Anon looks across the collection for a couple minutes as replies come to Pinkie’s texts and now the chirping comes to Sweetie’s phone as Apple Bloom and Scootaloo text her to confirm the news. Sweetie is giggling and blushing as they query for details. Scoots is being lewd in her suggestions and questions, turning the marshmallow into a cherry tomato as she scrolls through the flow of messages. Finally, Anon chooses a game and powers it up, rejoining the girls as Pinkie is now laying on the floor laughing with a blush at messages Sweetie received.
>”Whoa… Scoots must be spending too much time with porn to come up with that idea…” Pinkie chortles off at the last message. 
“What is she saying?!?” Anon asks as he quickly looks over at Sweetie’s phone as she tries to hide it with a shocked and red face at the contortions linked in the message.
>”Nothing… Nothing….I…” Sweetie stutters out.
>”You really don’t want to know, Nonny,” Pinkie fires out. “Let’s say Sweetie was struck by Scoota-lewd…”
“Okay then…” Anon replies as he blushes from the suggestion and knowing how Scoots thinks from when she tried to flirt with him a month into his regiment of Sweetie pickups.
“So the game I put in is another fave of mine and is one that Dr. Mario was partially derived from. Behold: Original Tetris!” 
>Clicking start the music begins as he selects Tetris B and Music 1 on the lowest setting for infinite lines. As he is about to turn to Sweetie to see if she wants to try, she tugs at his arm causing him to turn his head into her lips softly touching his and he lights up as red as fast as a Christmas tree light. Sweetie pulls away as Pinkie daawws in the background and leaves Anon frozen. She then takes to opportunity to take his controller and crawls into his lap, resting the back of her head on his chest, looking up.
>”Got you, my Nonny…”
“Indeed you did, my little marshmallow,” Anon says as he recovers from his surprise and wraps his hands around her waist. He hugs her close as they share a smile and a quick peck. “Now let’s get this game rolling. We only have about an hour or so until midnight. We don’t want to turn into pumpkins before we have to meet with V.P.Luna, now do we?” Anon pokes.
>”Nope though I’m sure we could patch ourselves up,” Sweetie quips.
“I swear my humor is rubbing off on you…”
>As the couple banters, tessellating the block in the game as they go, Pinkie continues her texts, bringing Sunset into the loop as well as RD. Fluttershy asks what all are they up to after Pinkie reset the messages to a group text as Pinkie gets a smirk and turns her phone’s camera on Anon & Sweetie. She snaps a quick photo of them with Anon manning the controller again and Sweetie leaning back into him with her hand on his cheek, sharing it with a caption of ‘Cutest Couple EVAR!’ 
>”Daaww,” replies Fluttershy.
>”They really are,” AJ quips.
>”Sweet,” Sunset and RD respond. 
>”Um has anyone let Rarity know?” Fluttershy asks pensively.
>”Rarity sent me here to make sure they did not get into trouble. I will fill her in in the morning” Pinkie adds. “No point in riling her up if she is going to be pissy enough to not trust them. After all, they are more reasonable than most. Now if it were just me…” Pinkie continues
>Sweetie’s phone chirps again, now with Rarity checking in on her and that Pinkie is making sure Anon’s not ‘defiling her baby sister’ or ‘corrupting’ her. Sweetie groans and quickly fires off that Pinkie is monitoring them and that they are about to all go to sleep. She also thanks her for sending the clothes as Pinkie now takes the controller for a turn, leaving Anon to move his hands back to her belly and his head to her shoulder. 
>”I know she means well… but can she not trust me? I feel like… gah...” Sweetie blurts in frustration.
“I know. I know. My sister used to gripe about my mom messaging her but she did do things warranting the worry. That is part of why she moved out and it broke our mom’s, heart. Rarity means well though this is still a little much.”
>“Is that why you don’t really talk about her, Nonny?” Sweetie asks softly.
“No… That is a long story that I don’t like to tell. I do promise to share it at some point but not tonight,” Anon answers as he looks over at the lone clock on the nightstand between the beds. “Well, we all should get to sleep since it is now midnight. Do you know which bed you want to be in, Sweetie?”
>”Yours…” the young maiden fires out with a smirk and a shimmy in his lap, furthering stirrings that Anon has till now not noticed from his mind wandering and the game distracting from. The young lady continues her shifting about on his lap and moves a hand to his leg, brushing the fleece while biting her lip.
“Nice try but that would have to wait. The last thing we both need is to rush this, as it pains me to say,” he states as his pants get a bit uncomfortable. 
>”Fine fine. I was just kidding and I agree…” Sweetie says with a pout. “I Guess I will take the bed behind us by the door. Should make it so I’m less likely to step and crash if I have to get up. Is that fine by you Pinkie?”
>“Sure! Whatever makes you comfy. After all, it looks like you have a couple more messages from Bloom and Scoots. Who knows what they have to say now,” Pinkie says mid-stretch. 
“Alright. Now please let me up so I can get to my bed?” Anon says as Sweetie wiggles in mock resistance till he can slide her off, standing up with the help of the bed as a prop. He manages to stand and then helps Sweetie to her feet, allowing them to walk to the stairs hand in hand. 
>The path up is lit by moonlight coming in through the windows framing the front door, casting a pearlescent glow into the foyer before the stairs. The light surrounds the two, reflecting in their eyes as anon takes her hands into his.
“Till the morning, my Sweetie.”
>”Till the morning,” Sweetie coos and moves closer to Anon, closing her eyes slightly.
>They move their heads close and their lips meet in a soft kiss. She moves one hand to his cheek, grazing it with the pressure of a feather as a chill spreads across them both causing a happy shiver from them both to shiver and pull closer. They open their mouths slightly, touching their tongues lightly as Anon rubs Sweetie’s side slowly. They pull apart slowly as they both try for restraint that their hormones try to burn away in youthful passion.
>”Now that was a kiss…” Sweetie says drunk off the surge of sensations and biochemistry demanding response.
“I agree. I can hardly wait till the next one,” Anon adds as he touches her soft lips with his finger and blades himself to the steps. “See you soon, my little marshmallow.”
>”See you soon, Nonny,” Sweetie replies as he begins up the stairs and their grip slips along one arm each till distance breaks the contact.
>They wave goodnight as he reaches the top of the stairs to turn to his room, leaving Sweetie in a daze at the foot of the steps. After a few moments, she manages to walk the short distance back to the guest room’s hallway, feeling as though each of the foot sized tiles beneath her bare feet was a tiny cool cloud. In the hallway she bumps into Pinkie, having not noticed her in her haze, bouncing face first into Pinkie’s balloons.
>”Ah...young love…” Pinkie smoothly sighs out with a smile.
>”Oh hush…” Sweetie pops out, blushing still from her rapidly beating heart as it flutters on at her fresh memory. 
>”I know all about it,” Pinkie murmurs as her mind returns to a time with Cheese Sandwich and their fun till the incident involving a rubber chicken and the delayed monthly visitor. “Come now. We have to try to sleep.”
>“Oh alright. I will be in after a min,” Sweetie responds as she turns and flips the light on in the bathroom, closing the door behind her. Her mind races as to how to tell her two besties about all this and what to expect next.
>The hours begin to slip by as everyone sleeps as best as they can. Pinkie is the most comfortable, laying under the cloves with one foot off the edge twitching as she dreams while holding a rubber chicken close to her chest.
>Sweetie lays curled up under the covers of her bed, dreaming of a horseback ride with Anon, sharing a saddle and her clutched tight to his back as they continue across a wide expansive field of wildflowers. Around them fly bees as they do their nectar collecting duties and their low hum peppering the air as they shift their positions en masse. Their buzzing seems to get louder and louder, seeming to get closer as the minutes pass till they reach a lone tree and the buzz is cacophonous. The sound makes her have to cover her ears causing her to slip off from Anon as she falls from the horse. She hits the ground as she begins to call out to him, awakening quickly. The sound persisted, though, causing her to look around to the source, her pink friend snoring like a jackhammer pounding on dense rock. 
>Sweetie looks around the room in the low glow of the lone nightlight and the bedside clock. She focuses her eyes, seeing that it is now 0351. Since she is awake now, she gets up and goes to the bathroom, hoping that when she is done, Pinkie will have shifted and ceased the roar. 
> Upon returning to the room, Pinkie has sat up and is sleep talking something about buttercream icing versus pure sugar icing then flops back over, resuming the snore shortly. Believing this will not cease anytime soon, she tries to bury herself under the pillows but to no avail. It has become apparent that Sweetie is not going to get any more sleep in here. This leaves but one option…

>Anon tosses in his sleep as the heat of the comforter bakes him. Normally it would be cozy for him but he kept on his night clothes tonight as a courtesy to his guests. Despite this, Anon can barely get comfortable before the sweat wakes him back up. He tosses the covers off as he sits up, pulling his shirt and pants off, trading them for a pair of boxers. It is not his usual nude but the last thing he needs is another flashed Sweetie like with the shower. Tooner wakes with a stretch at the foot of the bed and paws at Anon for a head rub as Anon takes his shirt off. Anon gives the orange tabby a soft rub on his head as he stands and slips his fuzzy pants off, stepping out of them as he walks to his bathroom.
“I hope the girls are sleeping better than I am,” he mumbles to himself as he trods forward and flips the light on in the foreroom.
>As his eyes adjust to the photonic assault, he looks up at his reflection and the sweat induced spiky hair and looks himself deep in his eyes, chuckling to himself with a smirk. Quite a night and day… He finally got to express himself to Sweetie and she requited his affections. He could not hope for a better start to the long weekend even if he has to sacrifice sleep to defend himself the next morning. She is worth it. The only question is what to do with the rest of the next day after he drops her at home again. Just a concern for the next day he thinks as he reaches down, picking up his boxers from before his shower and slides them back on. Better than nothing should anyone get the idea pull the covers off him as a prank…again.
>Anon steps back into his bedroom and begins closing the door when a light knocking comes from his door. 
“Come in,” Anon says confused as he steps further into his room. 
>The door opens halfway, showing a tired Sweetie with her hand on the doorway as she steps in. Anon’s expression changed to surprise as he fumbles for what to say.
>”Pinkie’s snoring is keeping me from going back to sleep,” Sweetie responds with her head down, raising it as she finished. Her eyes take a moment to adjust to the backlit Anon, who is standing bladed to her and a halo of light coming out the sliver of the partially closed bathroom door. “Can I stay in here the rest of the night?” Sweetie asks as her heart palpitates quicker from the sight of him as the light and shadow combine to accent his moderately athletic body from the farm work and workouts for the shot and discus events he participated for the school this last spring.
”Sure… it is too late for any concerns. Sleep is more important…”Anon quips as he walks over to his bed and sits. “Come on. It is 0400ish.”
>Sweetie walks over stiffly from a combination of fatigue and insecurity then sits on the bed rigidly beside Anon. She quickly takes in the smallness of his twin bed and blushes as he wraps an arm around her.
“Let’s go ahead and get in. We need to get our rest…”Anon drowsily trails off, squeezing Sweetie tightly as he throws his weight over towards his pillows.
>”Wait a moment,” Sweetie pops out as she resists the force of his flop. “I want to get more comfortable if I may.”
“Sure,” Anon says as he lets go and falls back alone onto his back looking at her. “Do whatever you need. I will be right here waiting.”
>Sweetie turns so that she is facing the bathroom door, wrapped in the same halo of light as Anon was as she reaches up to her shirt’s buttons slowly. She takes a deep breath and unbuttons the three that proceed from her collar, exhaling as she undoes the last one. 
>Anon looks up at Sweetie with drowsy bemusement as she continues, moving her hands to the bottom of her shirt and lifts it an inch, pulling the drawstring on the shorts as she lifts the shirt over her head. She then stands with her shorts falling, revealing a pair of soft cotton panties that match the set that covered her a moment ago. 
>Anon’s mind catches up from his sleep to what he is watching as Sweetie is silhouetted in the dim light and he sees for the first time the full detail of her tiny form with a perky B sized chest, a pert rear, and curvier hips than he guessed was under her usually flowing skirts and dresses. Sweetie now turns back to him with her arms closed as her skin tenses from the fan flow above and tension returns to her as she bashfully looks down. 
>The moment overwhelms Anon’s logic as he sits up and tries to speak, only getting out a grunt of amazement. Sweetie blushes and leans down, kissing his nose, waking his mind up further.
>”Come. Let’s sleep,” Sweetie says as she rubs his cheek then climbs into the bed to his right and tugs on his shoulder.
“Sure…” Anon ships out as he pulls the covers over them both, leaving the comforter folded down as a cat bed for the spread out Tooner. Sweetie lays with an arm under His pillow, rolled toward the ladder to the upper bunk. Anon lays beside her, sliding himself into position as the bigger spoon with his arms wrapped around her and her butt nestling itself to his tented boxers.
“This is moving a bit faster than I expected but I am not complaining.”
>”Let’s say Scoots’s texts inspired me to be bolder when the chance arose. No risk…” Sweetie softly lets out as she grips his upper hand, guiding it to between her breasts.
“Oh? I will keep that in mind. By the way, remind me when your next birthday is.”
>”The Sunday after my chorus performance next week,” Sweetie whispers. 
“Ah ok… just forgot for a moment.”
>“Are you asking for the reason I think?”
“Last thing we both need is trouble from stupid laws crossed with a Rar-mpage.”
>”Good point,” Sweetie coos as he pulls closer, kissing her head, and they settle in fully. 
>“Not that I would mind,” Anon hears as they both drift back off in their warm embrace.
>Blaring sounds of an alarm like small air raid siren pierces the walls of the two teens’ shared dream worlds, blasting from the desk behind the head of the bed. Anon quickly tries to silence the alarm, just barely turning it off before Sweetie fully stirs from resting her head on his chest, nuzzling into his pecs as he pulls back from the stretch. Anon embraces her and looks over the young woman in his arms as the first rays of light illuminate the pink and purple of her hair as it frazzles as a mask of her face. He gently brushes it from her face, rousing her that last bit to open her eyes.
>Sweetie’s eyes come into focus upon a goofy smile that has crept onto Anon’s face, a silly first visage for her day that draws a smirk across her cute face. She giggles softly as she nuzzles into his shoulder.
“What are you giggling at, beautiful?”
>”You have such a goofy look on your face.”
“So says the cutest marshmallow in the country of Equestria.”
>“Stop it,” Sweetie says as she blushes and shakes her head on his chest. She looks up to continue softly chiding him when he meets her lips in a quick soft kiss that she returns after her momentary surprise. 
“As much as I hate to break the moment, can you see the time?” 
>”It’s 0630” comes a voice from above them both, causing them both to tense up as taught as a radio tower guy lines.
>“Pi...Pinkie? Is that you?” Sweetie manages to squeeze out as she turns red and her body heats up with the nervous racings of her heart.
>“Indeedly so,” Pinkie responds as she hangs over the edge of the bunk looking at the caught pair. 
>”Oh god…”Sweetie says as she buries herself under Anon’s covers. “Why… oh, Rarity is going to kill me…”
“Yes. Why…What reason drew you up here, Pinkie?”
>”Well I woke up and saw Sweetie was gone but was hungry too. I saw your mom, Anon, in the kitchen and she was starting up some coffee and some breakfast. Once she noticed me, she asked me to make sure you both were up so you manage to not be late. I didn’t expect to risk a heart attack from your cuteness.”
“Thank you for coming to check on me, and us as a result,” Anon says through his teeth. “Now could you please go so we can get up? Please let my mom know we will be in the kitchen soon, ok Pinks?”
>”Alrighty, Nonny. See you both soon!” Pinkie states as she hops down the ladder side and then skips away, soundlessly somehow.
>Anon lift the edge of the covers to look in at the hiding girl, stroking her cheek and lifting her chin so he can gaze into the green orbs that are her eyes.
“She has gone downstairs again. You can come out again…”Anon says sweetly. 
>”Oh my gods…I have never been so embarrassed before in my life. What if she tells Rarity…” Sweetie murmurs out in mild fear, beginning to shake.
“Of anyone we both know, Pinkie is one we can trust to not blab about this morning. She might not be the best at secrets but she would never report back on anything embarrassing. She is truly a great friend,” Anon states as he pulls the covers down.
>The covers slide down, uncovering her head and stops at her shoulders. Sweetie has pressed her small body tight to Anon and looks up to his face, with the puffballs to her hair slightly obscuring her view of his soft reassuring smile as he rubs along her neck. Sweetie loosens her grip on him and props herself up, the covers sliding down to just above her chest.
>”You…You don’t think I was too forward in stripping down to join you, do you?” Sweetie asks with a blush and holding the covers in place with one arm.
“No, I don’t. I didn’t complain nor am I now. We can just slow it down moving forward…” Anon says softly in her ear.  “…After this!” 
>Anon then tugs on the covers, causing them to fall down to Sweetie’s belly, inducing a gasp from Sweetie. As she is about to respond, he quickly kisses in the center of her chest between her breasts then pulls back sitting there with a huge grin.
>“ah…Anon! Seriously?”
“Sorry. The opportunity was too hot to resist.”
>”I was trying to be serious!” Sweetie fires off as she covers herself with her arms.
“I am sorry, Sweetie…”Anon says as she turns away from him pouting.
>”You should be…” Sweetie retorts. “You should have asked to see them…” She trails off with a sly grin.
“In that case, may I see your chest?”
>“I don’t know now…What do I get for it?”
“Free gropes and maybe presents?” Anon suggests.
>“Hmm… that sounds fair… for now,” Sweetie says as she slowly turns back to him as the sunlight instills a soft golden glow in the room that spreads across Sweetie’s pale skin like gold flowing into a mold, casting her as a statuesque example of youthful beauty. Anon, who was so bold a minute before and was longing for a better view since the early morning, is frozen in awe. His youthful heart is throbbing as she lowers her arms, exposing the small mounds of her chest with a bashful blush on her face as she looks down with her eyes scanning up to his. The two teens sit like this for a few moments as the breeze from the room fan shifts her hair before her eyes, both unsure how to proceed or reply. 

“I…I…” Anon starts to say as words return to him. “Sweetie… you are truly beautiful, even more, beautiful than I first thought…”
>”I am glad you think so…” She eques out as she looks at him in the light. The scars on his arms from his machine work and the developed muscles from farm work and field events catch her eyes as the glow spreads over him as well. “You are really handsome over morning,” She slips out before catching herself and giggles as her outburst.
> Anon joins her in the laugh then grasps her along her side under the arm, pulling her into a kiss she gladly returns, closing her eyes. They then pull from the kiss to touch their foreheads together.
>“I guess we should not keep everyone waiting on us much longer, Nonny.”
“I suppose not,” Anon sighs.
>He pulls the covers off them then passes her her nightshirt while also grabbing his fuzzy pants. Sweetie quickly pulls her shirt on as he finishes cinching the pants. He reaches for her shorts and his shirt as she slides out of the bed and grabs him from behind with her arms crossing his belly.
>”Thank you for a good night’s sleep, dear,” Sweetie says trying out a new pet name.
“Anytime, my snuggly marshmallow. Now let’s finish getting dressed, “ he says as he reaches up to slide his shirt on while holding onto her shorts as he feels her small hands feel across his front. He manages to get the shirt down and holds her shorts behind him, forcing her to pull herself free. Just before her hands leave him, she squeezes a cheek of his rear, then grabs her shorts from the outstretched hand.
>Once free of her grasp, Anon steps to the side and looks back at Sweetie as she sits on the bed, sliding her shorts on and setting them to the right height with a hop and wiggle. Truly the cutest marshmallow he thinks as he reaches out for her hand to guide them downstairs to face the day and hopefully not any serious problems from Diamond’s shenanigans via Vice Principal Luna’s judgment.

>Breakfast went quickly and of little note barring the glowing expressions of Anon and Sweetie and Pinkie being silly. Anon’s mom asks how their night went and she clapped for them as well as remarking how she had a bet going with her favorite cousin that the two of them would become a couple. The spread was a basic scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast with coffee and milk but with the joy in the room, it might as well have been Olympian Ambrosia and wine of Baucus. 
>The meal was soon concluded and Sweetie did what she could to help clean it up as thanks for the hospitality while Anon and Pinkie discussed the repairs needed to the Party Cannon.
>“So it will sometimes fire without me touching the trigger or supercharge the tanks when I am in a stronger mood…”
“Ok… that is unexplainable. Definitely, need to dismount it and check it in the shop,” Anon says as he checks the clock, seeing it’s 0720. “Alright, we need to get dressed Sweetie. I think I remember the meeting with V.P. Luna being at 0830.”
>”Alright, Nonny,” Sweetie replies as she finishes loading the dishwasher, getting a hug and a “great job” from his mom. 
> The teens part from the kitchen as Anon’s mom smirks at him while waving and sipping a Diet Pepsi. The girls start into the guest room with Sweetie hanging back in the doorway. She ambushes Anon with a hard hug and nuzzles into him which he follows with a kiss on the beaming girl’s forehead.
“I won’t be long. Gotta dress up a bit since Luna is taking extra time to meet us and I must be professional.”
>”Alright. Luckily Rarity sent nice clothes for me too for the same reason. Don’t keep me waiting!” Sweetie replies as she lets go and sees him get halfway up the stairs before heading in to change.

>Upon entering his room, Anon quickly makes for his closet to find his best pressed khaki pants, his nicest brown belt, and the brown loafers he had recently buffed for the last meeting he had regarding the licensing of his one of devices he made. Laying those all on his bed, he searches for a decent polo to complete the business casual look he wanted, finding a deep blue one that fit his need to be strong but passive to seek mercy. After all, this situation was going to be delicate since rules demand one thing, evidence leads to another, and the influence of the other parties could force another thing. All this requires as much planning and psychology he had learned from his limited business exposure and study of politics outside of school. 
>As he walks back to his bed, his pants are revealed to be of interest to Tooner who has now crawled on top of them. Anon just shakes his head as he walks past to grab the undergarments and socks he needs. Tooner tries to snag him, rolling off the pants and falls onto the floor. Tooner draws a snicker from Anon then walks out with the attempt to regain his pride as though he meant to do that. Anon quickly dresses and brushes his hair into the neatest he can despite the cowlick on the same side as his part fighting hard to stand firm. Having lost the follicle fight, he sighs then makes for the stairs seeing it’s only 0745.

>”We are in the living room, Anon,” he hears as he quickly steps down the stairs and makes a right turn into the room at the base of the stairs. As he makes the turn into the room, he sees Pinkie dressed in a pink and white shirt and a pair of blue shorts with cloth sneakers and enjoying the comfort of a wingback chair across from his mom in her usual navy business suit.
>”Your mom was sharing a few stories you never told me about the fun you and you sister!” Pinkie continues with a chuckle. “I wish you had let me in on this before, especially the one about your sister trying to have big boobs using the inflatable balls shoved in her one piece when she was 7. That sounds hilarious.”
“Lovely… Has Sweetie finished changing? We are going to need to go soon, “ Anon states with annoyance at the mentioning of his sister.
>”Almost done!” comes a muffled voice from behind the guest room door. 
>”Come sit with us, son.” His mother adds as he walks into the room and sits on the sofa in the middle of the wall under a Leroy Neiman print and next to the chair with Pinkie.
>The stories continue, leading to a mix of annoyance and embarrassment till Sweetie steps into the wide doorway of the living room. Anon raises his head to see the young lady in black button over shoes polished to a sheen and pastel pink socks. A green skirt with a pink frilled second layer girds her waist and her upper half is covered with a pink blouse and a darker pink vest overtop it, varying in tone to match her hair. Her face is lightly accented with makeup and framed 2 hollow gold ball earrings. Her eyes sparkle in the early morning light from the windows and brighten further at the smile Anon has spreading across his face.
>”Alright, I am ready to go, Nonny,” Sweetie states. “Will you please get the bag?”
“Um sure beautifu...er Sweetie,” He replies as the stun from the cuteness fades. “Don’t want to be late...” he finishes as his mom and Pinkie snicker at his being tongue tied. 
>”Have a good meeting. I am sure you have nothing to worry about!”
“Alright mom,” Anon says as he opens the door, letting Sweetie out first and quickly following.
>As soon as, the couple is outside and around the corner to Anon’s truck, his mom and Pinkie high five about the couple.
>“They are so cute and are perfect for each other. He always talked about how cute she is,” Anon’s mom quips.
>”Yeah they are. Let’s hope her sister’s frustration at him doesn’t ruin it,” Pinkie responds. “ I just wish I could understand it…”
>”I am sure it will work out. Now to get in myself. Too many tribunals to deal with already. Feel Free to make yourself comfy, Pinkie.”

>Soon Anon and Sweetie make it out of his driveway, chased halfway by his dogs who bark him off as his goodbye. He looks over at Sweetie who is looking off into the distance as they pass the tree farm just beyond the property. One of her hands is on the seat, just inside his reach, inspiring him to reach for it. As his hand gets close hers, she quickly reaches out, grasping his firmly as she turns to him smiling.
>”I really liked your home and mom” Sweetie softly says. “…and the snuggles last night.”
“Yeah… glad you enjoyed yourself,” Anon replies with a smile. “I look forward to the future with my Little Marshmallow as well.”
>Sweetie softly blushes as she kicks her feet in her seat and grips his hand tighter as butterflies tickle in her belly with glee. 
“Sorry to break the mood but I want to let you know this,” Anon starts after a few minutes. “In this meeting with V.P. Luna, I want you to tell her about all that Diamond and Silver have done to mess with you. Remember I am there with you and I did manage to get some recordings on my phone of their harassment.”
“I can only hope that it will stop for both our sakes,” Anon finishes as he takes his hand back to shift gears before reaching out to the young maiden again. He looks over with a nervous grin as his mind wanders over possible results after the meeting concludes. 
>Sweetie reaches over to his shoulder as she shifts against her seatbelt toward him to get his attention, kissing her fingers and touching his cheek.
>“I will do my best and you hold together too. Those two don’t have as much power as they think.”
“I am not worried about the girls or DT’s dad. DT’s mom is another issue.”
>”Why do you not worry about her dad?”
“You saw my shop and know about the company connections associated with it?”
>”yes…” Sweetie replies quizzically.
“Well guess who is the angel investor who co-owns my main patent is.”
>”You mean you are in business with…”
“Her dad. Filthy Rich is a very nice and focused man who doesn’t tolerate much. That is why I think this is her mom’s doing and she is…” Anon trails off. 
>”I have seen how she is along with the girls. I am almost sorry for her, pushing DT as a surrogate and extension of herself.”
“Yeah…” Anon says as they are stopped at the light by the mall. As he turns to her he hears a click and is met with Sweetie kissing his cheek.
>”We both have to be strong. I for you and you for me.” Sweetie replies as she smiles softly while holding his hand on the shifter.
“Thank you. Have I told you that you are awesome as well as beautiful? Especially beautiful today..”
>”Now you are being sappy… don’t stop,” Sweetie says as they begin to accelerate and slides back into her seat.
“Have no intention to…”

>The rest of the ride is uneventful with the two holding hands as much as they could between the needs of shifting. As they pull into the parking lot in front of CHS, they see it is barren but for a couple cars scattered about like the last fragments of confetti after a party on an otherwise clean floor. Anon parks the truck in his assigned spot towards the center of the lot and walks around to let Sweetie out, making a show of being a footman to the chuckling teen who gladly acts her part, reflecting many of her sister’s mannerism for effect. Turning towards the imposing structure of the front of the school, they take the other’s hand and purposefully approach their meeting. A few minutes early Anon confirms on his watch as he pushes the door open for them.

>The school’s interior vaults up quickly inside then quickly tapers to two large hallways lined with lockers and the air conditioning echoes like a fresh wind finding a newly opened crypt. To their right beyond the square columns of the entry is the glass doors the administrative office, lit inside from the sun bleeding in through the large main window beside the secretaries’ desks.
“Well V.P Luna knows how to choose a setting…”
>“You can say that again,” Sweetie replies as she slides behind him slightly at the familiar building shifts to a setting from Silent Hill.
“Guess we had better move on into the Admin offices… lest the ghost of a lost janitor,” Anon starts as Sweetie bops him in the head.
>“Don’t start. Not now… too real”
“As you wish”, he retorts as they step into the office and knock on V.P. Luna’s door.
>”Come in.”
>The two teens enter V.P Luna’s office, dark from her drawn blinds but for a few beams of light that shine in to guide the way. Two seats are open before her desk which Luna has her back to as she looks out a pulled shingle of the blinds. Anon and Sweetie sit in the chairs, awaiting Luna to respond to their entry.
>“Mr. Anon and miss Sweetie Belle,” Luna begins. “I have called you both in to discuss an encounter you two had after school on the grounds with Miss Diamond Tiara and Miss Silver Spoon. It has come to my attention that you, Mr. Anon, threatened Miss Diamond and that you told her it was pointless to complain. Care to correct the record?”

”V.P. Luna, I said to the young women, upon seeing them make Sweetie cry for the nth time as they harassed her upon leaving her chorus practice, to quit and that Diamond should not bring it up to her father as it would waste his time as I did record them. I had claimed I had video but I lied as I only have audio recorded on my phone. I am entrusted by Sweetie’s sister to get her home from these practices given the hectic schedule for her these last 6 months. In standing up for her, I felt I was doing the right thing as I was interfering with bullying of an underclassman I care about.”

>”Is all this true, miss Sweetie Belle?” Luna says as she turns to her with a raised eyebrow.
>”Ye…Yes ma’am,” Sweetie starts with a stutter. ”Those girls have been picking at me after each practice as well as any time they could in class. They also pick on my friends Apple Bloom and Scootaloo but never as focused as they do with me.”
>”I see. May I hear the recording now?” 
“Yes ma’am,” Anon firmly states as he cues up the recording. 
>As the replay runs, Luna nods her head, raising her eyebrow at Anon’s counter-insults. The recording stops soon after and the room is filled with a deafening silence as V.P. Luna churches her fingers while she ponders the evidence before her versus the claims she had received.
>“Mr. Anon, in light of this evidence, I don’t think a serious punishment should be meted out but you will have to serve 3 days lunch detention. The same punishment will be given to Miss Diamond Tiara for her part due to her being the instigator here. You did the right thing but not in the right way. In the future, bring me this evidence as soon as you can without interacting directly with these girls. The same goes for you miss Sweetie Belle and I am sorry you have had to suffer this without any response coming till now.”
“Thank you, V.P. Luna, for your understanding.” the two teens reply in sync.
>”You are free to go for now and will serve your detention starting Tuesday when classes resume. Now go enjoy the rest of your day and send my regards to your mother.”
“Yes, I will V.P. Luna,” Anon says as he stands, taking Sweetie’s hand as she stands.
>”One final thing, Mr. Anon,” V.P. Luna says as they exit the office and freeze in place. “Keep the p.d.a. to a minimum on campus,” Luna finishes as she looks up with a rare soft look to her face and light blue-green eyes.
>The young couple blush as they hurry away to the front doors as V.P. Luna chuckles to herself ‘young love’, returning to the paperwork she had remaining for this administrative workday. 

>As soon as they manage to make it back outside to the front steps, Anon exhales hard and makes a couple clumsy steps. Sweetie tries to help him keep his footing but fumble forward too, almost bumping him off his meager footing.
>“Whoa Anon… Are you alright?” Sweetie says as she regains her footing and rubs his back in circles to comfort him.
“Yeah, Sweetie. Just let myself get too tense and it just let out all at once. I will be fine. Just got a bit light headed.”
>Anon grips onto the stair railing and stabilizes himself as Sweetie catches up to him with a look of concern. 
>”Are you sure you are alright?”
“Yes yes, Sweetie. This sometimes happens when I have to deal with meetings, especially with authority figures. It is an artifact of how my brother and dad used to treat me, rarely believing me even when evidence backs me up. They would pressure me, repeating themselves to try to make me crack.”
>”That is horrible. How could they do that?”
“Control and power.  Hell I know they would be disliking us being together because you are younger than me but barely yet my younger sister dating Flash Sentry now that he went to a college team a year early is somehow NOOOO problem.”
>”But… I…” Sweetie says as she tears up at her confusion and steps close to Anon bumping her head into his chest with her face down. “I don’t get it… That is just cruel to you and mindless on their part. Rarity told me about how Flash was always a jackass to girls but he could get away with murder practically due to how the football team did.”
“I know. None of it makes sense but for their pride on all parties part,” Anon softly says as he kisses the forehead of the crying girl. “I got used to it to a degree and when my parents split up, I refused to move from my home and stood by my mom, who despite my dad being the prime earner as a doctor, paid all the bills. He wanted to philander or spend massive chunks on cattle rather than live his life. Even once failed to insure a bull that was worth a half million only to have it struck by lightning within 2 days of it arriving on my family’s farm.”
>”Say what now? Are you serious?” the girl fires out. “I don’t know whether to laugh at the karma or feel bad for your family’s loss there.”
“I am dead serious and you should feel both in my opinion. But let’s stop the water works at the shit in my life. It is still early so let’s hit a bookstore or maybe Sugar Cube Corner for a breakfast shake. My treat for us both holding out in there. I owe you a present anyway,” Anon says with a wink as he wipes away a tear from Sweeties soft cheek.
>”That’s a good idea and I have an idea what you can get me,” Sweetie replies with a sniffle and takes his hand.
“Oh? What would you like?”
>”You will see...” Sweetie says as she tugs on Anon, prompting him to scuttle after her down the front stairs of CHS and across the clear street to his truck. Anon opens the door for her, helping her in then proceeds to his door, hopping in with a lean onto her side.
>”One last thing, Anon,” Sweetie quickly states as she grasps his head as he leans and quickly pecks him on the lips. “Fuck other’s opinion of us,” She softly says with determination and a determined grin.
“I will second that, my marshmallow,” Anon replies with a grin as he cranks the Ranger, directing it toward their destination. That is the shopping center where both his suggestions lie.

“Alright, Sweetie. Since you are riding shotgun, would you like to decide our music?” Anon asks after a few minutes on the road. “I have some techno remixes of Greig, Beethoven, and some of the other classic composers as well as some pop that my sister left behind as she took some of my other CDs.”
>“Hmm… Mind if I run music off my phone instead?”
“Go right ahead.”
>Sweetie syncs her Bluetooth with his radio and quickly flips through her songs, finding her selection with a grin.
>”Oh you will like this one,“ Sweetie as she presses play and the small truck is filled with the sounds of Cotton Eye Joe.
“Never thought you would have this song,” Anon quips.
>”Apple Bloom fired it up in the clubhouse and got Scootaloo and me to dance to it with her. It just stuck with me I guess,” Sweetie chuckles out. “She gave me a few others like it for the next time we felt like rocking out.”
“Well, luckily I like it!” Anon says as he revs the engine then drops a gear, causing the truck to jump from the boost in torque. “Yeehaa!”
>Sweetie laughs hard at his sudden shift in mood, seeing the flames of joy dancing in his eyes as they race down the long straight away to the edge of town. Anon makes a goofy face as the song finishes, making Sweetie laugh harder as the song changes to Amish Paradise. Anon sings along, surprising Sweetie because he actually knew all the words. Soon they are shifting though every silly song Sweetie has and finish their ride to Yakety Sax, saying shenanigans in unison as it starts and they are effervescent in their lighter lighten the mood after of all the seriousness that began their day.

>As the spirit of Benny Hill finishes its tour of the truck, they pull into a space between Wise Owlowiscious’s Book Emporium and Sugar Cube Corner, the 24-hour café and bakery. These two are natural allies and their business shows as such but it is not reflected in the current state of the parking lot only holds the cars of staff and Anon.
“I guess it is still before Wise O opens. Sugar Cube it is then,” Anon says as he grasps Sweetie’s hand. “I wonder what muffins they have ready today. What are you thinking about getting?”
“Beyond a Vanilla bean frozen coffee, I am not sure.”
“Well, I guess we both are about to get surprises then,” Anon says as he looks around the lot. “Hey look over there,” he says pointing to a half restored Thunderbird on the far side of the lot. “Looks like Sunset is here. I wonder what has her up at this hour on an off day…”Anon trails off as he opens the doors, releasing the warm spiced air that fills the cafe. 
>The scents of cinnamon and vanilla flow to them first as they approach the display case followed by hints of chocolate and the sweet tinge of sugar glaze. Soon more spices fill their nostrils in phase like they are contestants of a beauty pageant, displaying themselves to be chosen as today’s winner for the crown of consumption. 
“Wow… it never fails to amaze me at the smells and selection in here. Oh, I got an idea. Why don’t you pick something we could share and I will get our drinks. Sound good?”
>”Sure. Make sure they put extra sprinkles and some caramel on mine.”
“As you wish, Sweetie, “Anon says as he meanders to the coffee counter to place their orders. Behind the counter, he sees a familiar red and gold haired young woman fiddling with the controls of the espresso machine. The machine hisses at her attempts to manage it, fighting her efforts like a fresh bull during a rodeo with a new rider. 
“Hello, Sunny! Mrs. Cake put you to work as her new barista?” Anon asks, surprising the young woman who jumps, spilling a cup of grounds on the counter before her. She slowly turns around with a concerned look on her face but drops it for one of mild embarrassment upon seeing Anon.
>”Oh it’s you Anon. Was afraid it was someone else there for a second. Yeah. She was willing to give me a chance after hearing my story of horrible troubles and Pinkie vouched for me.”
“Yeah. Pinkie is a true true friend and she will definitely go above and beyond for those she considers close.”
>”So I continually see. What draws you here this early and what can I get started for you?”
“I am here for some muffins and a pair of drinks with my new girlfriend while we wait on Wise O’s to open after a meeting with V.P. Luna. As to what you can get started, I need a Vanilla bean iced coffee with caramel drizzle and sprinkles as well as a dark chocolate frozen coffee with chocolate drizzle and red pepper flakes. Also, would like a spoiled shot mixed in the second one.”
>”Whoa… I can guess which one is yours,” Sunset quips as she turns to begin making the drinks. “Anyway, who is your new girlfriend? Is she someone I know?”
“You know her sister pretty well,” Anon slyly says. “She is over at the other counter picking out our pastries.”
>“I only see Rarity’s sister over there,” Sunny murmurs as she narrows her eyes during her scan. “Did she step away…?”
“No. You got it right on the first try.”
>”Holy shi… er wow. Isn’t she a bit young and does her sister know? Also HOW?!?”
 “She is only 2-ish years younger, Sunny,” Anon replies with a chortle. “That is not that much of a difference really is it, especially with her testing into a grade higher than typical?”
>“I guess not… Still, does Rar know yet?”
“If we both can keep trusting Pinkie, AJ, and Fluttershy, probably not yet but we intend to tell her later today. Going to have to make sure she is sitting for it I think. She did have some harsh things to say about me via a Pinkie pass.”
>“Pinkie Pass?”
“Using Pinkie as the messenger since no one would ever do something mean to her given what happened the only time someone made her truly angry. Imagine all that sweet friendly energy dedicated to wrath…”
>”I am not sure my mind wants to assemble that scenario…” Sunny says with a major shiver.
“Yeah. As to how I will tell you that it just happened. We got closer though trying to know more about the other after sharing an AP class and my volunteering to take her home from chorus practice to help out Rar. We made it official last night with a kiss below the stars and surrounded by fireflies.”
>”Aww… Now that is precious,” Sunset comments as she puts the drizzle on each drink and puts them on the counter. “The charge is $7.50.”
“Thanks, Sunny. Just keep it and the change to yourself,” Anon says as he hands her a $10.
>”Thanks! A bit much, though…” 
“I know you need it. Plus I want to see you finish restoring that T-bird!” Anon states as he steps away with the drinks to a small table near the far side of the pastry counter. He sets the drinks down as the ENN newscast starts, catching his attention. They are broadcasting about the upcoming elections and the effects it is happening on the market. The mention of Silver Industries and Rich Products draws his focus but the newscaster shifts off from reporting to punditry with her guests, ruining what might have actually been useful news for once. 
>Anon’s rapidly forming grimace is disturbed, though, by the sweet smell of cinnamon and orange icing as a tray with a pair of large orange iced cinnamon rolls with slices of candied mandarin oranges topping the glaze. His eyes lock focus on the rolls, salivating in anticipation, till his focus is shifted to the small hands rubbing forward across his shoulders from behind. They flow along his shoulders to his chest, forming a soft embrace with the delicate fingers interlacing over his heart.  His right ear now feels the soft touch of lips from a gentle maidenly kiss.
>”Did I keep you waiting long?“ Sweetie whispers as she pulls tight.
“Not at all, dear. In fact, you had perfect timing,” Anon says as he rests a hand on hers.
>”That is great to know. I was worried since Mrs. Cake kept asking me questions both about what I preferred and about you. She seemed glad to see you here with me since she was so used to seeing you alone here at night reading.”
“Yeah… I kinda keep their blueberry scones scarce as I stop by to recharge or study. That and they also keep a stock of some special coffee for me. When Pinkie tried some, she blurred…” Anon says with a chuckle. “Oh, by the way, Sunset Shimmer is their new barista. She was having some trouble but got our drinks fast.”
>”Oh that is nice,” Sweetie replied as she looked over to the cups and blushes. “Looks like she decided to poke at us…” Sweetie says as she points over to writing on the cups Anon missed, reading ‘lover boy’ and ‘lover girl’ on their respective cups.
“Well, I guess she was serious about being happy for us then. Anyway, why don’t you sit so we can start this scrumptious looking set of rolls.”
>Sweetie trails her hand as she steps around him, taking the seat to his left as she grasps for her drink. She tries to do a sexy look at him as she sips but quickly changes her expression to amazement at the flavor of the frozen coffee. The smoothness of the vanilla mixed with the caramel drizzle makes her taste buds feel as though they are floating on soft clouds with the puffs of extra sugar from the whipped cream bringing the sensation of shifting winds on each sip. 
>“This is amazing… You should try it…NOW!” Sweetie fires off, shoving the straw towards Anon’s lips. He takes a small sip and soon his mind is flooded with images of cottony fluffs as the drink fills his mouth.
“Wow… Now it makes me want to try mine to see how she did mine…” Anon says wide-eyed as he reaches for the dark plastic cup.
>He slowly takes a drag on his straw filling as he closes his eyes. Soon the light sensations of Sweeties sweet drink are replaced with the firmness of the chocolate with tinges of sharpness of the spoiled shot adding a metallic kick. The flavor smooths as the coolness of the ice chills his mouth and the red pepper accents the syrup forming an image of gears flowing smoothly, strong and constant much like the clanking of their meshing teeth. It is a bitter taste with tiny islands of sweetness working like oil for the gearing he imagines. The experience is something he had not envisioned as possible and definitely is something he would like to order again.
“Mine is interesting. A great interesting mind you”
>”Let me try!” Sweetie bursts out as she takes a swig. Her mind is flooded with images of firm discipline and order with soft order managed by the kicks of cayenne pepper quickly smoothed by the chocolate. 
>“That is definitely not what I was expecting. Very…ordered,” Sweetie says with a scrunch of her face. “I can see why you like it but it is not my thing…” she continues as Anon shrugs.
“More for me then. Now, what are these tasty looking things that you brought?” Anon questions as he pulls the plate closer to himself. “Orange sweet rolls?”
>”Yep. Mrs. Cake suggested them as they are today’s special. Never tried anything like them so I thought we could try them together.”
>Sweetie pulls off a section of one, sending a mix of tart and sweet flavors across her taste buds and pulls off another bit for Anon, offering to him just before his lips. He takes a bite of her offer, bringing a smile to her face.
>”It’s good, no? Want me to feed you more?”
“Sure Sweetie,” Anon states as he pulls off a bit to offer her in turn. “As long as I get to do the same.”
>Sweetie giggles and takes a bite of the bit Anon offers her licking the icing off his fingers with a smirk. Anon retorts with a raised eyebrow and does the same when Sweetie offers him more. This draws a giggle from the touch of his tongue and a burst of laughter when she sees the goofy face Anon is making at her.
>”I think you are enjoying this too much…”
“Maybe. Maybe… no point is being as serious as I am all the time, especially when in such adorable company.”
>”Aww…” Sweetie says as she touches the tip of his nose with icing. “Oops. Looks like you got some on your nose.”
“Hmm? Where?”
>“Right here,” Sweetie says as she kisses the sugary fingerprint off and licks her lips as she withdraws.
”We are disgusting, you know that, right?”
>”So what? I am so happy right now…”
“We are also making a scene…” Anon continues as he looks around the café, now significantly fuller now that it is closer to opening time for Wise O’s and a few of the patrons are visibly watching them with a mix of response varying from enamored to annoyed. As Sweetie takes this in, her pale face starts to tinge with rouge and she leans in to hide her face from the glare of the public. Anon chuckles as he wraps one arm around the shy girl and pulls her drink into grasping range for her.
>”Got a bit carried away…” Sweetie blushes out.
“Fine by me. Shall we finish our treat and get over to Wise O’s? I wonder if they have my new book order in and I would hate to waste this”
>”Sure…” Sweetie says as she grabs the mostly finished roll for herself.

>Shortly the two finish their snack and note the time is 1015, fifteen minutes after opening. The staff looks a bit warmed over but for one teen who is racing about reorganizing the shelves with an owl plush with a glittery bow tie on one shoulder and a purple dragon with green spine fins on her cart as she hums, being in her element. People scoot past her as she is committed to her task oblivious to her surroundings and blocks the aisle leading to the songbooks.
>As they get closer to the song books, a shelf of plush animals catches Sweetie’s eye. She wanders over, always looking for something to add to her collection that Rarity started years ago with one of her first ventures into sewing. Scanning the shelf she finds a small white unicorn with green eyes and similar hair to hers.
>”Oh that is adorable! Anon! Come take a look!” Sweetie says as she is jumping up and down in excitement.
“What did you find?” he asks as he steps closer, getting the mass of plush bounced in his face. “Gah... Mind pulling it a bit back so I can focus on it?”
>”It is like a plush version of that project! So cute and I love her mane…” Sweetie says as Anon takes it from her hands, holding it up to get a better look with a smirk starting to spread across his face.
“Are you telling me you would like me to get it for you?” Anon states with a smile as he turns away from the maiden with the toy held high. 
>“Yes yes! Er Yes, I would like it, Nonny. Just got a bit over excited… Sorry,” Sweetie says with a blush and her arms behind her back as she toe taps.
“Alright. I do owe you a present as we agreed earlier. I will be right back.”
>“Okay! Oh and one more thing…” Sweetie states giddily as she pulls his face lower and gives him a firm kiss on the lips. 
>Anon smiles as the girl pulls away and quickly makes for the register, rousing a half awake blond girl with pale yellow eyes with one being off center. She was fiddling with notes about which muffins she has tried on her breaks and fumbles with his card, dropping it twice and then the machine not wanting to process it, taking 3 times as long as it should. Anon decides that it is definitely NOT the time to ask about his book orders unless he can get another cashier since this could only get worse he swears.
>Upon completing the transaction, Anon starts back over to sweetie when he hears his name called out.
>”Anon! Is that you?” comes a voice from a pink haired young woman in a yellow top and flowing blue tie-dyed skirt. Following behind her is a dirty blond haired young man in well-worn blue jeans, cowboy boots, and a red fitted tee.
“Oh hi, Flutters! Hey, Big Mac. What has brought y’all here?” Anon say as they come into focus.
>”Well Braeburn is in town so AJ told Mac he could have the day free as she needed Brae to help her with something,” Fluttershy shares with a shy smile.  “So Mac called me to see if I wanted to help find more books on animal care and irrigation, though I don’t know if I can help with the second topic…”
“Is that so…” Anon quips and smirks, remembering the last time Big Mac asked him questions about Fluttershy while they were loading up fencing supplies at the farmer supply.
>”Eeyup. Thought she could point me right,” Mac replied succinctly.
“So has anything caught y’all’s eyes?

>Sweetie hums show tunes to herself as she browses the songbooks, swapping between Rogers and Hammerstein works and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The purple toned staffer quickly helped her find the aisle and even suggested a couple of the books once she knew more about Sweetie’s vocal range. The girl also added she was a new transfer to CHS and is looking forward to hearing the choral pageant, bringing a smile to the pale girls face as she thanked the staffer for help. As Sweetie continues her search and reflections, she failed to notice that she approached the end of the aisle where a boy close to her age and height with a darker complexion walking up to her from her right. He had a slightly slouched walk that caused his baggy jeans and Converse knockoffs to drag as he walked. On his head was a backward ball cap with a bent brim and a joystick ringed with “Old School” as the image on its front. His generic gamer swag shirt was half tucked in, looking sloppy to most, not that he could ever be told this with a shred of belief.
>“Why hello Sweetie Belle! I thought I heard you earlier? Was just a couple rows over checking out the new strategy guides.”
>”Oh…hello, Button...” Sweetie says filled with annoyance. “What do you want?”
>”Hey that is no way to talk to a classmate, especially one as awesome as I am.”
>“Yeah… sure…” she fires off while looking him over with a mild sneer she tries to hide. “What do you want?”
>“Hey I just wanted to come talk to you, cutie. Seen my last high scores in the arcade? Looks like I am going to win the competition ladder complete with a prize of $100.”
>”For which game? I didn’t see that there was a completion going on lately.”
>”For the classic game of Galaga! So far I can get to level 15 before any issues pop up for me,” Button says with pride.
>”I have seen Anon make it to 25 on a single play, not using the continues feature they added in the arcade’s newer box. He said that the old ice cream shop had an original cabinet which is where he first learned to game.”
“Well, so what? He is not in the competition,” Button fumbles out. “I am sure I could beat him if he joined in.”
“Yeah… Now, what did you want to talk about? I want to find my books and you are distracting me so get to the point.” Sweetie says as she turns away to continue her search.
>”I wanted to know if you would like to see a movie and get a burger, my treat,“ Button says with a smug grin as he puts a hand on the shelf in front of Sweetie’s path.
>”I am going to have to go with no.”
>”Come on. Why are you going to be like that?
“Well for one I have told you no about 20 times now. I have tried to be polite but you refuse to take no for an answer. You are not going to wear me down and it is looking pathetic,” Sweetie says as she pulls a couple books down and turns to walk away. As she takes a couple steps, Button swoops around her to block her path, putting a hand on her shoulder to hold her.
>”Hey babe. Don’t be like that. Let me show you a good time…”
>”Button…take your hand off me. NOW,” Sweetie says as she steps back to clear his reach but he starts to tightly grip her shoulder. “Seriously that hurts.”
>”Just tell me why you are saying no this time. Maybe I can help with whatever is hindering us enjoying the day.”
>”Button,” Sweetie says as she winces from the grip as she tries to push his hand off. “I have a boyfriend and I seriously don’t think he would appreciate how you are treating me. I know I don’t.”
>”A BOYFRIEND? Since when? Who is it and what does he have on me?”
>“For one, respect for a woman’s decisions and second, about 45 lbs. of muscle,” Sweetie quips making Button flare up in anger.
>”What? How could he have 45 pounds on me? Is he that fat kid Teacher’s Pet? Or is he an older guy?” Button rattles off as he steps closer and gets in Sweetie’s face.
“Wow… what a way to make your case,” Anon states from behind Button. “And here I thought you just were pushy if games were around you.”
>”Who asked your opinion? Tired of mocking me in the arcade so you thought you would assault me here?” Button says as he turns quickly, digging his fingers into Sweetie’s shoulder as he torques, causing her to wince.
“Um no. I was just out with my girlfriend and heard your racket about where she told me she was going,” Anon says as he adjusts the unicorn from his hands to under his arm. “Now I would appreciate if you would take your hand off her.”
>”Wait…” Button says as he processes Anon’s last statement. Eventually, the gerbil in his mind progresses the realization into place and he quickly snaps back to Sweetie. “So you are dating HIM?”
>”Yes. Now please remove your hand from me before it gets removed.”
>”Oh yeah… He is going to assault me for messing with you. How Original...” Button trails off with a grin.
“I seriously would do it, twerp.”
>”And who is…” Button manages to get out before Sweetie stomps his foot, causing him to let go of her and she knees him in the nuts. As he cringes from the pain, Sweetie scurries over to beside Anon, grasping his arm close as she looks back at Button.
“I warned you,” Anon says with a sigh. “Never underestimate the cute ones.
>”Oh yeah! Well, I will get you both for this…” Button groans from the floor.
>”Looks like a pure case of self-defense to me,” comes the voice of the staffer standing at the end of the Aisle behind Button. “I am going to need you to leave as soon as you can stand. Wise O’s will not tolerate behavior such as this and before you try to add anything, I will add that you were on camera the whole time.”
>”Buh…buh…but…Gah…” Button groans out as he gets to a knee and rises with a hand braced on the nearby shelf. He shambles by the couple towards the door “I will get you back for this…”
“Riiiiight… and for doing what exactly?”
>”You just wait…” Button mumbles as he reaches the door and pulls out his phone as the door shuts behind him.

“Are you alright Sweetie?” Anon says as he checks her shoulder. 
>”Not really,” Sweetie says with a sigh and lowered head while rubbing her shoulder. 
“I am so sorry, dear,” Anon says as he hugs her. “Did you at least find the song books you were looking for before he wandered over?”
>”I found a few and Twilight here recommended a couple she thought I might also like.”
“Thank you, Twilight for helping Sweetie and for sending him out of here.”
>”It is no problem. I just want our patrons to be happy and safe,” She replies as she pushed up her glasses. “It is just me doing my job here at Wise O’s and I wish we could do more to prevent trouble like that… Something like a magic force field to keep out ruffians… “
“I am sure if you talk with your manager, you could figure something out,” Anon says with a chuckle. “Anyways, would you mind taking these up to the counter? I will be there shortly.”
>”Sure sir. Will there be anything else?”
“I should have a book order in under the name Anonymous. The girl up there was having trouble so I thought I would ask you.”
>“Certainly,” Twilight says as she scurries up to the counter.
“I have your unicorn, my dear. There is at least that positive and I also saw Fluttershy and Big Mac over in the nature books. I would have been back sooner had I not stopped to speak to them. Would you like to go talk to them too?”
>”Sure,” Sweetie says as she wipes a tear of frustration from her eye and reaches for the plushie. “So they are here together, eh?”
“Yep. It also looks like the start of a date though I am not sure they would admit it.”
>”Now that is funny. I am happy for them… and for you,” Sweetie says as she grasps Anon’s hand.
“You did a great job in handling him by the way. Looks like we have an adversary now or at least I do as I suspect he is going to blame me rather than take responsibility for being an ass,” Anon quips through his tightened jaw.
>”I am sure it will be nothing or at least nothing we could not handle together,” Sweetie says with a soft smile.
“Indeed,” Anon replies as they reach the Nature section and the other couple as Mac is reading over Fluttershy’s shoulder while she asks him questions about the farm, both blushing at their proximity to each other.

>After their conversation, Anon and Sweetie check out and get a list of recommended books each from their new bookstore friend. When they make it back to his truck, Anon checks the time, 1100, and immediately starts the drive to Sweetie’s home. AS they ride, they resume the music fun but this time it is Anon’s music choices. The miles pass by from the mix of VNV Nation, Daft Punk, and remixed orchestral pieces with the techno remixes of Hall of the Mountain King and Phantom of the Opera especially catch Sweetie’s fancy. As they get closer to her home Sweetie’s phone chirps to life as Apple Bloom texts her about catching AJ and Braeburn working too close together in the apple cellar. Sweetie is about to respond when they pull into her driveway. 
>Sweetie’s home is a 2 story home in an upper middle-class neighborhood on the opposite side of town from CHS and is surrounded by styled shrubberies, no doubt inspired by Rarity and her creative whims. A single older car is in the drive but no sign that Rarity’s car had been parked there for the last day.
>”Now that is odd. Rarity insisted I be home by lunch… I wonder where she is,” Sweetie says as she reaches the front door as Anon follows with her bags from last night. Just above the lock, Sweetie finds a note addressed to her.
“What is that there?” Anon says as he reaches her. “A note from Rarity?”
>”Looks like it. ‘Had to go do a personal fitting for a new client in Manehattan. Should return by Friday evening.’ I guess her new contacts had a good lead for her!” Sweetie squeaks. “I am so glad for her!”
“Yeah. Great for her though I was hoping to ask her what was with that message though Pinkie was about. She sounded jealous and I don’t want there to be any problems with her or us from that.”
>”Pftt. I doubt that could be it. Now come on and help me get these in, my footman!”
“Yes’m yes’m. As you wish ma’am…” Anon quips mockingly causing Sweetie to giggle more and she stealthily grips his butt as he passes by.

>Upon entering the house, they see that the den is in mild disarray with a small pile of plates and 2 mugs on the coffee table. Anon puts the bags down by the stairs leading up and follows Sweetie into the kitchen where they both hear mild snoring as well as smell coffee burning. As they enter, they see a middle-aged woman with a purple hair in a B52 haircut, snoring face down on a textbook on the breakfast table. One hand of hers is outreached to a half-filled coffee mug beside a plate with a half-eaten biscuit.
>”Mom?!?” Sweetie asks as she rushes over, softly shaking the woman’s shoulders. “Are you alright?”
>“Hmm…what… Oh Hi, Sweetie Belle… You made it home for breakfast,” Sweetie’s mom replies half-awake as she starts to raise her head.
>”Mom, it is lunch time. You stayed up too late studying again”
>”Oh is it now. You know that going back to school is really kicking my rear. Did Rarity pick you up?”
>”She had to go deal with a client for her fashion work. Anon gave me a ride home. I stayed over with him last night in his guest room with Pinkie since we had to meet with Vice Principal Luna this morning.”
>“Oh yeah… Sorry. The days tend to run together lately. Is Anon still here?” Sweetie’s mom says as she opens her eyes further, scanning the room and reaching for her coffee. 
“I am still here. I just had to drop her stuff off by the stairs.”
“Oh, such a gentleman. I am sorry I have not met you sooner. My name is Cookie Crumbles though you can call me Cookie if you want. Come sit,” Cookie says as she waves him over.
>Anon raises an eyebrow and Sweetie nods to go ahead as she picks up the plates and mugs that were left out, putting them by the sink. She then sits beside him as he settles down by her mom. A concerned look passes between them as Cookie straightens up after marking her page and puts the closed book to the side.
>“I have wanted to thank you for helping get Sweetie home from her chorus practices these last few months. Since I got myself back into school, I have had now time to do it. You have no Idea how much this has helped us all out,” Cookie states as she puts her hand on Anon’s.
“I am glad to be of help, especially for Sweetie.”
>“Oh? So you like her too? She always bubbles on about how handsome you are and I can see she did not exaggerate.”
“Thank you for the compliment, ma’am,” Anon says with a blush as he reaches over to grasp Sweetie’s hand.
>”There is no need for the ma’am. Go ahead and call me Cookie,” she says as she stands from the table. “How about I get lunch started for us?”
>”Let me help you mom,” Sweetie quickly fires off as Anon gets a look of mild concern. “You are still tired. I will make sandwiches so we don’t have to worry about the pans. Sound good?”
>”Sure. I got some more of the cheese and bread you like as well as some new mustard I wanted us to try. It is all in the fridge,” Cookie shares with Sweetie over her shoulder before turning back to Anon. “So Anon… What are your long term plans? What do your parents do?” she says as she holds and pats his hands.
“Well my mom is an administrator for the school system and my dad is a doctor. I also have to work myself to help out with the bills around the house. I, in fact, have regular contract work with a couple local businesses with a long-term offer with Rich Industries for after I make it through college. As for the college plans, I am planning to finish a degree in engineering since I am currently dual registered at CHS and Southern Institute for Arcane and Technology.”
>”Ooh you found quite a scholar, Sweetie. You should keep him around.”
>”The thought has crossed my mind, mom,” Sweetie says with a blush as she is trying to lay out the plates and sandwich components.
“I asked Sweetie to be my girlfriend last night so I think she will be keeping me around since she said yes,” Anon says with a smirk as he watches Sweetie with a soft smile. “My mom likes her too.”
>”I don’t see why she would not. My daughters are wonderful young ladies!” Cookie chortles as Sweetie places a sandwich before her. “Looks good, Sweetie!”
“Before we start eating, May I ask you two questions?” Anon asks as he leans back to give Sweetie room to place his plate down as she sits with hers.
>”Sure! Whatcha want to know?”
“I was wondering what you are studying first of all,” anon says as he reaches for Sweetie’s hand under the table.
>”It is some chemistry work for my pharmacology degree. I used to be great at making cookies but I always wanted to work as a Pharmacist. I would have finished but life happened. I was almost done too and now that the girls are in High school, I thought it would be a good time to go back.”
“Wow. I am glad to hear you are almost done. I know how hard life and study balances go, especially since I help out on my family’s farm too on most weekends beyond what I already mentioned.”
>”I guess that explains those muscles you have there,” Cookie says with a poke to his arm.
>”Mom… you are embarrassing me. Come on and let’s eat. We can talk between bites…”
>”Fine fine. So what is your second question?” Cookie asks as Anon takes his first bite.
“Well, I wanted to ask if I may take Sweetie on a date tonight. I know she stayed with me all yesterday so I wanted to ask your permission. I don’t want to be causing trouble as I assume you have little time to see your daughter due to your studying while keeping this house,” Anon asks after he quickly swallows.
>”Hmm… I don’t know,” Cookie responds as Sweetie watches intently, slowly taking bites from her sandwich. “How late are you planning to keep her out and what do you have in mind?” Cookie replies with a smirk.
“I am planning for us to just go to dinner, the mall, and maybe enjoy the stars if you approve. The time I bring her back home is up to you. As I said, I don’t want to cause an issue,” Anon finishes as he takes his next bite.
>Sweetie looks over at Anon with a mix of annoyance and concern as her mom takes another two bites then leans back with her arms closed, taking her time as a smirk slowly creaks across her face followed by a laugh as she slaps the table.
>”Of course you can take her out tonight! Just get her back before Sunday. The last thing we want is for Sweetie to turn into a pumpkin!” Cookie replies, drawing a sigh of relief from the two teens. “I had you two going for a minute there.”
>”Mom… don’t do that…”
>”Oh relax,” Cookie replies as she places her hand on Sweetie’s. “He reminds me of your father when he first met your grandparents. Such a gentleman. Now finish your sandwiches. I’m sure you two want to further discuss your plans before he has to go get ready for tonight.”

>The three finish their sandwiches soon after as Cookie shares some stories about when she first met Hondo Flanks, her husband and father to her two ‘darling’ girls as she called them. Sweetie buried her face in her hands at this description as Anon chuckled. 
>“Oh don’t worry about the dishes, Sweetie. I will get them,” Cookie states as Sweetie starts to pick up hers and Anon’s plates. “You two just enjoy yourselves,” she continues with a wink.
>”Um sure mom. Come on Anon,” Sweetie replies as she grasps Anon’s hand, pulling him along to the stairs.
“I really like your mom. She is definitely interesting.”
>”You could say that…”
“And also where you got your beauty from…”
>”Oh now with flattery,” Sweetie says as they reach the foot of the stairs and turns to face him. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Is that not what your mom sent us to discuss?”
>”Now you are being too literal,” Sweetie retorts as she boops his nose. “Now would you mind helping me get the bags upstairs? We have an evening to plan and I want you to see my room before Rarity gets back.”
“As you wish,” Anon states and quickly follows Sweetie up as she sashays up the stairs, giving him a small show.

>At the top of the stairs, they make a left turn to the further room back with a small oval sign on the center reading in pink and purple text ‘Sweetie’s Room’ ringed in sparkles. Sweetie opens the door and tugs Anon’s arm, pulling him inside. 
>Anon drops the bags just inside the door as he scans the room, seeing a queen sized bed set in the far corner with sets of shelving along the near walls with various plush toys and posters for local performances of musicals. Beside her bed is a night table and full bookshelf of a mix of teen romance novels, science textbooks, and various well used songbooks. The room is very neat and organized except for a couple books strewn across the small desk she has by the window and some unmentionables kicked under the edge of her bed. Sweetie prances in over to the bed and sits looking back to Anon.
>”So this is my room. Not as much to tour as your home but I like it,” Sweetie says as she flops back on the bed. “Why don’t you come and sit with me?” She continues with a beaconing hand wave. 
“Well I would hate to turn down a lady’s request,” Anon replies as he starts walking over to Sweetie and soon sits on her bed beside her with his arms behind himself to prop up. “So what would you like to do?”
>Anon feels her hand tug on his arm causing him to flop over towards Sweetie. Just as he is about to catch himself, she has shifted so his head falls back into her lap with her looking down at him with those emerald orbs of hers. Sweetie looks deep into his eyes while rubbing his cheeks with her soft hands as she smiles softly at him. 
>”well this is one thing that crossed my mind…” Sweetie says softly.
“I meant tonight, you goob.”
>”I know what you meant but it is my turn to be literal. As for what else I want to do... “Sweetie trails off kissing Anon on his lips as she cradles his head with her hands and thighs.
>Anon returns the kiss and rubs her cheek as he toys with her lips with his tongue which Sweetie returns in turn. Their tongues play about in each other’s mouths, each seeking dominance before pulling back and the two teens separate their lips from one another though still connected by a thin bead of saliva.
“If that is in your plans for tonight, definitely up for more of that,” Anon quips causing Sweetie to blush a deep red.
>”Well you will have to wait and see then for that,” Sweetie whispers huskily. “You just bring it out of me…”
“Well then… I will do my best to be patient and on my best behavior in that case. I also have an idea or two for what we can do that is not as ‘personal’ as that, though.”
>”Do tell,” Sweetie says as she continues holding Anon’s head and plays with his hair.
“I was thinking we would have our first official date as a casual, albeit cliché, evening. You know the basic mall trip and then dinner at a decent Italian place. Pizza Villa is near the mall so it would work out well plus on Fridays then have Karaoke. I don’t know if you want to sing in public yet but I always enjoy seeing who goes up as well as watching the crowd as I fail at it.”
>”Hmm. Cliché indeed but sounds fun,” Sweetie replies as she leans back. “What do you want to do at the mall? Hit the arcade? Kick Button?”
“Not aiming to fight, Sweetie. I was thinking we could browse a bit since I need to find you a present for your birthday, especially since it is your ‘Sweet 16’. If Button does do something, I am going to try to be non-violent unless he REALLY steps in it.”
>”I know. Just wanted to make light of it…” Sweetie says looking away.
“Do you mind showing me your shoulder? I want to see if he bruised you or broke the skin.”
>”Sure,” Sweetie states as she moves to sit beside him and begins to unbutton her blouse just far enough to bare her left shoulder. Her shoulder’s pale skin is marked with a series of red crescents from Button’s nails and as Anon touches them, Sweetie winces from the sting of stimulation.
“Ooh… sorry for the pain. He barely broke the skin but at least it did not bleed. I just want to know where he thought his behavior would be acceptable. I am really going to have to get him for this. No one hurts my little marshmallow…” Anon says in a firm and deep voice.
>“It should be fine by later, Anon. I do know one thing that could help the spots sting less,” Sweetie says as she bites her lip.
“Do tell…”
>“Could you kiss them?” Sweetie says with a slight blush. “I mean if you...” she tries to continue as Anon leans in and kisses softly along the backside of her shoulder on each mark, drawing a mixture of sensations to her mind along with a coo from her lips.
>”…continue to the other shoulder feel free…” Sweetie slips out as she unbuttons her shirt further and tilts her head to shift her long curls out of the way. She draws a chuckle out of Anon who shifts to just behind her, kissing as he goes then gives her a light peck on the neck as he wraps his arms around her from behind.
“I should not continue further. I don’t want your mom to walk in on us.”
>”I doubt she would but you are probably right. So do you have any requests for what I should wear tonight?”
“I just want you to wear something comfortable and light. No point going too fancy tonight”
>“Alright. I do have a request for you for tonight.”
“Lay it on me.”
>“Can we also go star gazing too? Maybe by the lake?” 
“Alright. How about I come get you around 1900, er 7 pm.? That way we get plenty of time before I have to return you in a pre-pumpkin state.”
>“Ha ha,” Sweetie says. “If I did turn into one, you could keep me with you all the time.”
“I think your sister would steal you in the night.”
>“Most likely!” Sweetie giggled as she hugged Anon’s arms and sliding one of his hands to her chest forcing his hand into a grope.
“What are you doing?”
>“You promised free gropes. You never said it was you alone that had to be groped in those…” Sweetie says slyly.
“True true but I…” Anon starts as he is interrupted by Sweetie turning her head and kisses him again.
“You are going to keep doing that if I get too serious aren’t you?”
>”Yep.”
“Good to know. In any case, I do need to go so I can get ready for tonight as well as fix that party cannon for Pinkie,” Anon says as he pulls his hands away from Sweetie and slides from behind her.
>“Aww… Can’t you wait a bit longer?” Sweetie says with a huge put-on pout.
“Sadly no Sweetie but it will only be for a few hours at least. I do have to work all of tomorrow though as homework and projects have to be completed somehow.”
>“Oh alright… That should work out since I was planning on hanging with the other crusades tomorrow,” Sweetie sighs out. “We were going to try to come up with what we thought our marks should be and I have sketched a couple ideas for myself.”
“Mind if I see before I go?”
>“Sure,” Sweetie says as she slides off the bed and passes Anon the sketchbook from her desk. “Mine is right here and the girls asked me to try to come up with some ideas for them too.”
“Hmm great sketch, Sweetie. Do you mind if I take a picture of it?”
>“Um go ahead… What are you thinking? I know that look and you have an Idea.”
“Well, I think you are going to have to wait and see. Just a small surprise…”
>”Okay Nonny. Just don’t keep it from me too long.”
“As you wish, my little marshmallow. Now I must go. See you tonight!”
>”See you then,” Sweetie says as she hugs him and kisses his cheek.

>Anon descends the stairs and is stopped by Cookie just as he is about to go out the front door.
>“Anon, May I have a minute with you?”
“Sure Cookie. What can I do for you?”
>”I wanted to thank you for all the help you have given in bringing Sweetie home from her practices and for helping her get out more. I know she has her friends but other than seeing them on the weekends or at school, she never really went out much. I can tell you care about her and I would like you to join us for Sunday dinner this week.”
“That sounds nice and I look forward to it.”
>”Excellent. You will get to meet my Hondo and I know you know Rarity through the Drama club so it will be a fun evening for us all. We can go over more of the details when you come pick Sweetie up later. When are you planning on coming by?”
“We were thinking of going out around 7 pm.”
>”Well I will see you then and Rarity should be back by then too.”
“That sounds great,” Anon replies with a concealed twitch. “I have been needing to talk with her so that should work out.”
>”More plans for the Drama club?”
“Something like that. See you and Sweetie later, Cookie,” Anon says as he steps out the door.
>”See you later,” Cookie responds as she waves and closes the door.

>Halfway home, Anon receives a text message from an unknown number with an attached picture, making no sense but it looks like a knife with his truck in the background
“Wonder who that could be from or it is from Button. Either way, I doubt it will be an issue. Meh,”
Anon says to himself as he continues driving and receives another text but this time from Sweetie.
>‘So excited for tonight. Don’t be late!!’ with a picture of her posing in a black strapless bra and boy shorts with sheer lace accents.
“Damn…Gah!” Anon says as he almost drives off the road. “I swear…Sweetie is going to kill me if she keeps this up. Well, that definitely sets the mood for later. I wonder if she raided Rarity’s room or if she got those herself…”

>Anon soon finishes his drive home, pulling in quickly and running up the stairs to change clothes so
He can get the work done on the party cannon. He rapidly opens his door to… a naked Pinkie Pie snoring on his bed with Tooner on his back between her breasts. He blinks in mild shock till he face palms as his mind catches back up to WHO he is dealing with.
“Pinkie… I see you made yourself comfortable. I, just for the sake of argument, would like to know where your clothes are.”
>”In the floor by the sink. I wanted to try out your shower and then I just laid back on your bed after I got dry. Then Tooner came up and got comfy so I fell asleep waiting for him to move.”
“If given a chance, no male in his right mind would ever want to move from that chest, Pinkie. Hell, many females wouldn’t either.”
>”Hmm… You do have a point. These are wonderful,” Pinkie says as she fluffs her chest awakening the cat into a stretch.
“Anyways Pinks, I need to get to work fixing the Party Cannon so I need you to get dressed and I need to get changed.”
>”Sure you don’t want to play a bit like we did as kids?” Pinkie says with a playful pout.
“I am sure,” Anon says as he holds up his phone sharing Sweetie’s message.
>”Damn… Okie DOKI!” Pinkie replies as she wrangles her clothes from the trail she left as she stripped, having to roll the cat as he has now claimed her bra.
“Yeah… I also would like to tell you about an idea I have as well as find out more about your party plans for Sweetie’s ‘Sweet 16’ this Sunday…”

>Sweetie’s house door opens wide at around 1630(430 pm) and an exhausted fashionista clods heavily inside and flops onto the nearest chair in the den. She tosses her head back, flinging her purple locks to the side and sheds a few loose threads that got hung up on it as she had worked.
>“Sweetie? Are you in? That was by far the most intense last minute suit measurement and crafting I have performed yet,” Rarity loudly says, fatigue dragging on each word.
>“Rarity honey, I don’t think she can hear you. She is preparing to for her date tonight and talking to her friends about it,” Cookie replies.
>“Oh mother! You are up it is good to…wait. What date?”
>“Yes. One of her classmates is taking her out tonight. He seems like a very nice young man from when I met him.”
>“You…met him?”
>“He stayed by for lunch after he brought her home. The two of them seem very happy with each other.”
>“So Sweetie now has a boyfriend. That is so nice for her!” Rarity says with a smile as she ponders across who it could be from her classmates she knows.
>“They said it just happened last night that they became a couple,” Cookie continues.
>“Wait last night? He drove her home and they became a couple last night…” Rarity slowly says as her mind sews the facts together until the realization has been stitched into place. “Would his name happen to be Anonymous?” she asked as a vein begins to throb on her forehead as annoyance begins to build and her pale skin darkens.

>1745 (5:45 pm) rolls around and Anon is covered in machine oil, a couple pounds of confetti, metal shavings, and filaments of plastic as he trudges back to his house from the shop followed by Pinkie in a similar state but happily pronking as the dogs follow them at a distance.
“Seriously Pinkie. Let the cupcake scented spray dry before you load the confetti.” Anon says as he coughs out a few bits of paper. “That is why you keep having clogs like that. Luckily I put in a couple declogging access panels in that…”
>”What? I just get so excited and eager… After all, I know you like it when I come visit.”
“Yeah I do enjoy the visits and I also enjoy hearing about the party planning. Thanks for the insights into Sweetie’s upcoming one.”
>”Anytime,” Pinkie waves off. I Just cannot wait to see her face when she sees what all is planned. Especially your idea. That was a great one and I know she is going to love it.”
“I hope so and I hope that it can be finished in time for the party. In the meantime, I do have these prints I can give her as something cool…”
>”I know she will love those. She is smitten with you…”Pinkie ribs. “And I know you are with her.”
>Somehow, a blush makes it through the mass of debris on Anon as he opens the rear door and they step to the right into the laundry room, pulling out 2 body sized bags marked ‘Hazardous Waste’ and strip to their skivvies.
“Well I got to shower, shave, and get handsome for Sweetie, Pinks” Anon quips as he places a hand on Pinkie’s shoulder.
>”Go get’er, Nonny. Show her the best first date you can give her,” Pinkie says with a soft smile and a hug.
“Will do, Pinkie. Will do.”

>Anon makes it to his bedroom and is about to get into the shower when his phone pings again with a message from Scootaloo.
>’So you are taking Sweetie out? Going to show her a great time, Eh?’
‘That is the intention. What can I do for you?’
>’Make her laugh and maybe curl her toes ;) if you know what I mean’
‘Alright, Scoota-lewd. I got to shower now. Can’t do anything till I get clean. Have a nice night’

“I swear that girl is trouble but never the bad kind,” Anon reflects as he looks himself over in the mirror to check for any spots of filth he needs to give extra focus. “The only problem with my work is that the cleanup is a bitch. Too damn easy to miss a spot and look as gray as a corpse,” He continues as he scrubs his fingers with a hand brush and Lava soap.
>Anon’s shower is quick and without distractions…this time. He quickly dries himself and scans ahead into his room to watch for pink pals of distraction. Seeing none, he steps into his closet picking out a black polo, a pair of his nicer branded blue jeans, his black steel toe oxfords, and plain black leather belt, nodding to himself at his choices. As he slides his pants and belt into place, he sees that it is 1810.
“Crap… need to hurry if I want to get her flowers too…” Anon blurts out as he grabs the polo, scurrying into the bathroom as he pulls it on.
He wastes no time in styling his hair and applying deodorant, rushed along by the eagerness and excitement to see Sweetie again. After giving a quick nod to himself, he grabs his phone again to see another message has come from the unknown number.
“Well then. They really want my attention...” Anon quips as he ignores the message to order a basic bouquet of daisies, baby’s breath, and 2 red roses specifying that they be barely out of bud. “Sweetie will love this and will appreciate the symbolism,” he continues as he puts his phone in his pocket and adjusts his boxer briefs as finishes tucking his shirt in.
“Ok… clothes? Check. Wallet? Check. Mind? MIA. Heart? Jackhammering… Yep. Ready to do this.”

>Anon quickly races down the stairs just as him mom returns through the front door and he skids to a stop in front of her.
>“Whoa! Who needs saving this time?”
“Got a date and don’t want to be late…” Anon pants out.
>“Ah!” His mother continues. “With Sweetie? Ok hug me and get going. We can talk about our days later.”
“Sorry for the rush, mom,” Anon says as he one arm hugs her and races out the door. “Next stop, Daisy’s Flower Shop!” He yells as he pops the clutch and races off, jumping several bumps on the driveway and almost losing his supplies for the stargazing from the back.

>Making good time from Daisy’s, Anon arrives at Sweetie’s just as Dragula (https://youtu.be/EqQuihD0hoI) finishes playing on his phone and the clock reads 1850. He takes a few deep breaths to slow his heart from his rush and to be calm as he goes to the door. Scanning the driveway again, Rarity’s Mini-Cooper is backed into the carport beside her mother’s car.
“And my challenge rating just went up for this encounter… Well, all I can do is go forward! Avante!” He says to himself as he grasps the bouquet and gets out of the truck.
 
>Anon knocks on the door as he takes a deep breath. The door opens with Rarity on the other side with an annoyed expression and a half filled glass of red wine. She looks very tired but still with her usual elegance in a simple white sweater with diamond keyhole and purple knee length skirt. 
>“Oh hello…Anon. I see you are here for you…date… with Sweetie Belle.”
“Yes, I am Rarity. May come in?” Anon states with a sincere smile.
>“Sure… Why not and get this farce started…” Rarity says as she opens the door further and gesture with her wine hand.
“So how was the fitting Rarity? Quite tiring I suppose?” Anon cautiously states as he steps in, giving Rarity a wide berth. 
>”Oh it was very tiring. Thanks to it, though, Fancy Pants has helped me secure the Avalon Diplomat's son Prince Blueblood as a client.  I had to alter his last suit to better fit him and he placed an order for 3 more.”
“That is wonderful!” Anon says as he sits on the sofa near the stairs in the den and the flowers across his lap.
>”It is advantageous and will be hard work but it is what is best for my future. I do like to think often about my future… and that of Sweetie Belle.”
“Yes. It is always good to have forethought. You never know what life will bring,” Anon shares with a grin. “Now Rarity, I would like to ask a question or two about the message you sent through Pinkie. What is wrong with my hair and standards?”
>As Rarity is about to start to answer, Cookie comes down the stairs having heard voices.
>”Anon? Welcome back! Wow. You look so handsome! Oh, are those for Sweetie?” Cookie bubbles out.
“Yes, ma’am. I thought she would enjoy them on our first date,” Anon says as he sees Rarity twitch at the words ‘first date’.
>“I am sure she will love them. Oh, are those two rose buds in there?”
“What can I say? I like symbolism.”
>“Very cute…” Rarity grits through her teeth and takes another sip of wine.
“Just like your sister.”
>As he finishes, Sweetie begins to make her way down the stairs. The sound of her footsteps draws everyone’s eyes and she quickly comes into view. She is dressed in a light cotton baby blue skirt that barely skims her thighs, a black spaghetti strapped fitted tank and black 2 strapped sandals with 2-inch heels. Her hair is pulled back in a ponytail with a black scrunchie decorated with light blue music notes. She is wearing a light bit of makeup with her pink lipstick drawing the focus of her face.
>Cookie’s face lights with joy and pride. 
>Anon’s heart picks up pace and pants tighten at the beauty before him. 
>Rarity drinks a large swig of her wine to hide her jealousy and bury her amazement at the fact her sister looking like a young woman rather than the younger sibling image she held of Sweetie.

>Sweetie reaches the bottom of the stairs and looks over her audience with a blush and does a quick spin before them.
>”How do I look?”
“Amazing, Sweetie,” Anon manages to form as soon as he can pick up his jaw. “I… am at a loss.”
>”Oh Sweetie! You look so cute and beautiful! I must get a picture of you,” Cookie fires out as she turns to rifle through drawers for her camera. 
>”You look nice Sweetie. I don’t know why you are going out with… him... though. Did you not have anyone else to take you out? Maybe Button?” Rarity digs as she finishes her glass.
>Sweetie looks to Anon as he walks over to her and steps beside her. She looks up to him as she rubs the shoulder Button grabbed earlier.
>”I really don’t think Button is dating material, Rare. He is a bit full of himself and a jerk,” Sweetie states.
>”That is not what I have seen from him. He has such an interest in you and would be a good starter guy,” Rarity pops out as she scans for the bottle to refill her glass. “I often see him waiting for you by your classes.”
>The couple wince at this news and hold hands while Anon does his best to hold his tongue.
>“Rarity… I Like Anon and he likes me. I don’t NEED other guys, especially Button. You don’t really know him. He was very rude to me earlier today at the bookstore.”
>“Bookstore? You mean you did not come home straight after the meeting with V.P. Luna? Why didn’t you?” Rarity says with another sip of wine.
>“The meeting was resolved quickly and Anon got 3 days lunch detention as well as the girl who was harassing me. We went there for a drink and snack next door then for more song books for me. We got back at Lunch as I am sure mom told you,” Sweetie retorts as Rarity eye rolls.
>”That is no excuse. What if mom had been out or worse? You should have come home rather than spend more time with this brute than necessary.”
>”Anon is sweet, kind, and respectful of me,” Sweetie says as she holds her hand up in front of Anon to prevent him from responding. “I don’t see why, why in Equestria, you are having an issue with him when he has helped us both out in getting me home from school,” Sweetie yells out with small tears forming in her emerald eyes. “I care about him, Rare. That is what matters,” Sweetie finishes with a small stomp.

>”Ah I found it! Now pose real quickly for me so I can get a shot of you and Anon,” Cookie fires out having been too focused on her search to note more than noise from the sibling argument.
>“Just a moment, Mom. Got something in my eyes…” Sweetie says as she ducks her head toward Anon dabbing her small tears and takes a deep breath.
>“Ok I am ready, mom!” Sweetie says as she looks at the camera while holding the bouquet and Anon’s hand is across her lower back.
“Alright….Got it!” Cookie says as she takes and reviews the picture. “I am definitely sharing this with all my friends and our family. Such a great moment in my littlest one’s life!”

>Anon and Sweetie say their goodbyes and Anon again is sworn to return Sweetie before she becomes a pumpkin, drawing a chuckle from Sweetie and a groan with an eye roll from Rarity. Anon opens the door for Sweetie and helps her get settled in the seat with the bouquet still in hand, mildly crushed where she was gripping it. As he makes sure the seatbelt is fully inside the truck and is leaned over, he feels a small hand rub across the back of his head then a soft kiss on the back of his neck. When he leans up, he sees that the tears have returned to his girlfriend’s face and he lightly brushes them away, drawing a small smile and a mouthed thank you. He closes her door and then hops in himself, starting the truck and hopefully a better rest of the evening.

"Sweetie?” Anon asks as they exit her neighborhood and she looks off into the distance as the sun begins to get behind the trees. “Would you like to go for dinner first or shall we hit the mall to walk a bit?”
>Sweeties just reaches over her hand and grasps Anon’s arm as she turns her head, softly looking at him with her big green eyes.
>”Do you mind if we pull over for a minute?” Sweetie says softly. “I…I need to fix something…”
“Um ok, Sweetie…” Anon says as he scans for a safe spot to pull off the road, finding an open paved, shoulder 100 yards from them. He quickly pulls off the road and shuts off the engine.
“Now, what did you need to fix?” Anon gets out as the sound of a seatbelt unbuckling reaches his ears. >As he turns to the sound, Sweetie slides across the seat and is supporting herself with one hand on the seat with the other moving Anon’s chin so their lips can meet. Sweetie presses her lips firmly to his and he returns the kiss after he gets past the initial surprise. They remain lip locked for the next minute, readjusting with Sweetie between Anon and the dash, and with him holding her small body close as another tear dribbles down Sweetie’s cheek. Anon softly wipes her tear away and the two separate their faces to gaze into the other’s eyes. 
>”I needed to fix your lips. They had gone too long without a kiss from me. I really needed to thank you for helping me stand up to these stresses today.” Sweetie says as they touch foreheads. “Rarity… I don’t know her problem…first acting weird about you picking me up, then the wine drinking increasing, now her seeming to hate you and my liking you…”
“I honestly don’t know what to say, Sweetie, other than I swear to keep standing by you and in front of you if needed. You are my lil marshmallow and I care for you a lot.”
>“Th…Thank you, Nonny. Thank you so much…” Sweetie presses out with her hug before sliding back to her seat. After she buckles herself back in she grasps Anon’s hand while placing the bouquet in her lap as she smiles softly and truly. “Now as for your question, I think the mall would be a great idea.”
”Alright, the mall it is!” Anon states as his truck revs back to life.
>”One question, though,” Sweetie asks. “Why did you choose for the red roses to be not full blooms?”
“I wanted a little symbolism for you. Red roses mean affection and since we are a new couple, we have not fully bloomed as well.”
>”You think this out too much. I love it,” Sweetie says with a widening smile and a mild blush.

>As they pull into the mall parking lot, Anon’s phone dings with another message.
“Mind checking to see who that is?”
>”Sure,” Sweetie replies as she grabs the phone. “Hmm, you have 2 missed messages now from an unnamed number. Want me to open them?”
“Not really but go ahead. That makes three messages from that number but I have only looked at the first one.”
>”That’s odd. There is only a picture on the first named one. It looks like a picture of your truck with a knife near a tire and my house in the background.”
“Okay… and what about the next one?”
>”It looks like a picture of your truck again with two people in it… wait...” Sweetie says as she quickly looks around but nothing looks odd in the sea of cars that is the lot outside Canterlot mall. “I swear it looks like they just took a pic of us here in the lot.”
“Alright… Looks like I have a stalker…” Anon says with a raised eyebrow. “I thought it was pranking but now I am starting to get concerned.”
>”Um… do you think we should go on in or should we go elsewhere?” Sweetie murmurs with a quiver in her voice.
“I think we should just proceed. By the way does the number look familiar in any way?”
>”Why do you ask?”
“I was not sure if you had button’s number and could tell me if it was him. Just a shot in the dark… uh, maybe not the best way to put it…”
>”I would say…” Sweetie adds.
“Well let’s not let someone ELSE try to ruin our night here. After all, we are not going to solve it or be able to do anything if we don’t go on in,” Anon says as he opens his door and walks to the front of his truck to wait on Sweetie. She quickly follows and hangs on his outstretched arm as they walk to the mall doors.

“So where do you want to go first? I would like to check out the jeweler over there first. After all, I do need to find you a birthday gift for next weekend.”
>”Nonny… You don’t have to get me jewelry,” Sweetie blushes out. “I would be fine with something simple. I know you could afford it but you don’t ever need to show off to me.”
“As you wish, Sweetie. I do still want to look a bit and to ask a few questions about chains and pendants. I was thinking of designing a piece or two so I want some feedback. You don’t mind< do you?”
>”Alright,” She says as she shifts her grip to his hand. “I am watching you, though. I know you have an idea and are planning something…”
“Still have no idea what you mean…”
>”Uh huh…” Sweetie quips as she boops his nose.

>As the couple approaches the jeweler, they see a familiar rainbow haired girl scanning around to see if anyone she knows is coming as she peeks out of the Claire’s shop. Having missed them, she quickly scampers out of the shop and almost bumps into them.
>“Gah!! Oh Hi, Anon. Hi, Sweetie. What has you two here?” Rainbow Dash asks them nervously.
>”We are out on a date, Dash,” Sweetie beams out.
>”A Date? You two are… Since when?”
“Yesterday. I would have thought Scootaloo would have told you given she lives with you.”
>”Well, she might have said something but it was as I was half asleep from the workout for fall soccer league. I am glad to see you two are together now & Pinkie owes me $5 now for it.”
>”So she said when she dropped by Anon’s yesterday and my sister… I don’t want to start with her opinion…” Sweetie mumbles out.
>”She is handling it with wine again?”
“Starting at Chardonnay and continuing to Zinfandel…”
>”Oooh boy… Maybe I should get going before she gets too deep into it to keep her from doing something stupid,” Dash sighs.
“After you share what you were doing in Claire’s. I thought that store was too…girly for you,” Anon slyly smirks out.
>” Hey I like girly too. Not often mind you but this was for something different,” Dash fires off. “I was getting something for Scoots.”
>”she is not fond of being too girly either, Dash,” Sweetie quips.
>”Well I know she will like this,” Dash says as she opens the bag for them. “It is matching earring sets for her and me to have. That is what sisters sometimes do I hear and as of today, we are full sisters as the adoption from the foster system is official. She doesn’t know yet so don’t blab… I can’t wait to see her reaction,” Dash says with a small smile.
“I am sure we can keep it quiet, right Sweetie?” Anon states while looking over to an excited Sweetie who appears ready to burst.
>”That is so Great! I am so glad to hear! Scoots will be…”
>“Able to hear you from here if you don’t calm down,” Dash says as she waves to try to get her to calm down.
>”Alright… I will cool it but I am happy for you both,” Sweetie says as she hugs Dash drawing out a blush.
“Ok. We have bothered Rainbow enough. We still have some browsing to do before we get over to dinner. Come on Sweetie,” Anon says as he tugs as Sweetie towards the jewelry shop.
>”Oh alright. Later Dash!”
>”Later you two! Have a nice night!”

>”That is so sweet of Dash to do that for Scoots!” Sweetie squeaks out as they enter the jewelry shop as Anon waves down an associate.
“I agree and I am glad to hear it is improving for them both. They truly prove family is more than blood.”
>”Yeah…” Sweetie sighs out. “I wish my sister would be nicer about us, though. I wish she could see what mom and I do.”
“Well, I would give her time. The harshness is probably from shock and it is not her fault for making the mistake about Button. He always puts on a show to fit his audience or what he thinks would fit.”
>”True…” Sweetie gets out as the associate slides over to them.
>”What can I help you…two…with?” slips out the associate with barely veiled disdain for the teens.
“Yes, sir. I was wondering if you could help us look over some pendants and chains for the young lady. I also have this I needed to drop off for the store manager to look over.” 
>”Sure. I think I can help you with this collection over here,” the associate mumbles out as he takes the small package from Anon.
>”Anon… what is in that package?”
“Just an order for my mom. Her birthday is next month so I wanted to get my order in ASAP for her.”
>“Oh alright…” Sweetie says with a suspicious look in her eyes.
”So Sweetie what do you think of these?” Anon says as he redirects her to the hanger before them with several chains, small heart pendants, and single stone pendants.
>“Hmm…” Sweetie ponders aloud. “I like the chain on this one and the gemstone to this one. I don’t know… it is a bit overloading…”
“That is fine. I just wanted to get your opinions as I have zero taste in this stuff. Alright, sir. Thank you for your help.” Anon says as he leads Sweetie out of the shop before he freezes. “Oh, I forgot to put a deposit in that envelope. Sweetie, could you wait here for a minute?”
>”I think I will go sit if you think it will take a bit.”
“Sure. I don’t think it will take me long,” Anon says as he heads back in and Sweetie heads to take a set on a bench just outside the shop.

>When Anon comes back inside the shop he pulls out his wallet as he calls the associate back over.
>“Needed further help, sir?’
“Yes. I forgot to put the deposit down on the orders in there,” Anon says as he looks around.
>”Orders? I thought you said there was only one here sir,” the associate says as he raises an eyebrow.
“There is actually two orders. One for my mother’s birthday and one for that young lady’s. I would like it if the main inlay on the young lady’s to have those gems she pointed out liking and a chain like this one here. The design is on this and here is a small 3d print of what I want,” Anon says as he hands over a flash drive and plastic piece in a second envelope. 
>”Sir, I think this is going to be a bit above your funds. Might I suggest something cheaper and more fitting your funds?”
“First look at this then we will see…” Anon says as he holds up his phone and scrolls. “Will there be any further issues?”
>“N..No sir… That will be 20% down,” The clerk gets out as Anon hands him his bank card. “We thank you for your business, Mr. Anon.”
“Thank you again for your help…”

>As Sweetie sits a familiar voice pierces her perception and draws a twitch from her.
>”Well if it isn’t Squeaky Belle? What’s a matter? Sad you could not afford to window shop?
>”Hello Diamond…” Sweetie flatly comments. “Just waiting on Anon to finish with a birthday order for his mom.”
>”Oh really? I bet he had to work on two jobs to afford that.”
>”You would be surprised…”Sweetie smirks. “Now why are you here? Did they have an all you can bitch buffet or were you looking to purchase another companion?
“How dare you! I am out here shopping for more to add to my wardrobe,” Diamond says with exasperation as she looks Sweetie up and down. “From the look of it, you could use help with yours.”
>”Well good thing I don’t have to appeal to you. I doubt much ever really does.” Sweetie fires back as she narrows her eyes.
>“That is the best you can come up with? No wonder you hang out with Anon.”
“Did I hear my name?” Anon says as he walks up tilting his head. ‘Oh hello, Diamond. Having fun insulting my girlfriend or are you just trying to help the decorative plants survive from your CO2 output?”
>”Girlfriend” Oh that is rich….” Diamond says as she tilts her head back in a mock laugh.
>”Yes girlfriend...” Sweetie says as she grips onto Anon’s arm with both hands, tilting her head into his shoulder. She looks up at him and he kisses her forehead.
>”Of course. The least stylish ones are a couple.”
“Ostentation is just a cover for character, Diamond. Come. Let’s get on with our date, Sweetie, before the speed bump makes her way to being a full pothole. May you have a nice rest of the evening,” Anon finishes as Diamond glows red in rage and embarrassment, and the couple walks away in the direction Diamond came from.

>“This is being one hell of a screwy evening…” Sweetie quips after Diamond is out of hearing range.
“Yeah, it is but not the worst first date. There was one time where I got tossed into the mud because one of the football players thought his girlfriend was dating me and he thought I was cheating on her cheating ass.”
>”That is bizarre…”
“So has been much of my life but it is getting better…” He says as he wraps his arm her shoulder.
>”Aww. Yeah, I would say it is getting better for us both.”
“We are being disgusting again…”
>”Oh hush or I will make you pay.”
“Oh really… Do tell…”
>”You will see… when you least expect it...” She says as she pinches his butt drawing a slight yip. “I will find your guard down.”
“SO you shall…Oh, I do have a question,” Anon whispers. “In that pic you sent me, was that your set or did you borrow those?”
>”I borrowed those from Rarity’s wash.” Sweetie blushes out. “Did you like them?”
“Let’s say I would like to see what you would pick for yourself… What do you say? I made the dinner reservations for closer to 8:45 and it is only 7:30.”
>”Hmm…”Sweetie says as she looks around. “Sure but let’s hurry. I think the Victoria’s Secret is down here… or maybe we could try here?” She says.
“Whoa…when did this place get in here?” Anon says as his face turns fully red.
>”I have wanted to step in here for a while but the girls were never brave enough to come in or I would be out with Rarity and she would call it trashy despite her having similar herself. With you here, I have someone who could give me honest feedback.”
“Sweetie, I think I would be capable of ONLY honest feedback from seeing you in that. I am not sure Frederick’s of Hollywood is….”
>”Oh come on. This is already a nonstandard date. Might as well and…” Sweetie whispers softly in his ear as she continues. “… I will wear what you pick out for the rest of the night…”
“Sold. Sexier marshmallow it is.”
>”Atta boy,” Sweetie coos with a kiss on his earlobe before leading him into the store.
“This might still be a bit much so let’s still take a look at VS before we go. We could always return here some other day.”
>”Sounds fair. I just want to show how special you are to me by showing off a bit where only you can see it.” 
“Just being curious, did Scoots also suggest this or are you being motivated by what Rarity has done before?”
>”Eh a mix but it is still my choice. I want to be sexy for you and only you,” Sweetie says with a blush and kiss on his cheek.
“You don’t have to worry about that. I just don’t want us to get in over our heads, my Sweetie,” Anon responds with a kiss on her forehead. “Now let’s find a sales person who can help you put on your show.”

>As they walk in, the breadth of the shop’s merchandise begins to overtake their vision, sparking blushes from the couple. They finally reach the center of the store where they spot an associate at an open register as another helps a middle age woman pack up her purchase.
>”Greetings! I see we have a young couple here tonight. How can I assist you both?” the sales associate says with a plastered smile of fatigue and annoyance retail work only bring.
>”Yes… I am looking for a new bra and panty set but have never been here before. I was wondering if you could assist me with finding something… special,” Sweetie asks with some effort as embarrassment begins to rise and her confidence wanes. She looks to Anon for approval who is nodding to her but almost frozen himself.
>”Oh is that so… Well, no need to be so shy. After all, this is just fabric. It will do nothing to you but accent your beauty,” the associate states with practiced words. “It is rare we get couples as young as you two in here, though…” She states drawing a further blush from Sweetie who grips Anon’s hand hard. “We don’t have to stay here if it is bothering you, Sweetie. There are other times we could come by,” he whispers as he returns the grip.
>”no… My idea… my follow through.” Sweetie steels herself saying. “Yes… could we start with some boy shorts or something similar?”
>”sure… just come this way. Your boyfriend can sit over there if he wants,” the associate says as she points to a bench facing a mirror pointed into the changing area and a curtain to close it off.
>”I don’t know…”
“Don’t worry, Sweetie. I trust your judgment and I am sure she will be of better help than myself. If you need me, I am just over where she pointed out,” Anon whispers softly in her ear then kisses her earlobe, sending a wash of emotion and confidence across her.
>”All right. Lead on,” Sweetie fires off as she follows the associate. 

>The associate and Sweetie wander around the store as Sweetie answers the associate’s questions to refine the search. Soon Sweetie’s arms are filled with a few options in pink, black, and red, and the associate leads her back to the empty changing area, pulling back the curtain.
>”I think you will be…pleased… at her choices. Now if you don’t mind I need to step back to the counter,” the associate says as she skitters back to the central kiosk.
“Hmm alright… that was an odd tone,” Anon says to himself. “Are you alright back there Sweetie?”
>”I think so… Just still a bit nervous,” Sweetie says with a quiver in her voice.
“Don’t worry Sweetie. It is just me and I will only look when you ask me to,” Anon reassures her. “We could always just go as I told you earlier.”
>”No… got this far…” she squeaks out. “Should only be a minute more.”

>Anon sits back as she finishes changing, looking up at the ceiling. After a few moments, a small pale hand reaches out from behind the curtain, tapping his shoulder and beaconing him with a finger. Anon closes his eyes as he steps behind the curtain so that he can be fully surprised. After reaching the other side, the small hand reaches out again and guides him to a good position to view her.
>”Alright… open your eyes, Nonny…” Sweetie says as his eyes adjust to the light by the mirror.
>“What do you think?”
> Before him Sweetie poses with a hand on her hip and the other behind her head toying with her ponytail. Before him, her pale skin is slightly contrasted by a pink strapless bra with lace woven up the centerline and a lace mesh forming the side straps. The cups push her small B cups up and together into almost a C as a lace frill lines the lower edge of the bra. 
>Anon’s eyes begin to get bigger as he continues his scan of her as she shifts her hips to the other side, giving him a better view of the panties she is modeling. The tanga panties are of a similar style and material as the lace that composed the side straps and with a laced up bow on each side of her hips. Anon looks into the mirror seeing the back of the tanga panties continue in a solid lace band that tapers in a triangular T between her cheeks, fully accenting her petite rear.
“Sweetie… I…whoa… well…” Anon stammers out with his jaw agape and blood flow draining from his skull. 
>”So you really like them? I am not as sure about the panties but if you like them…”
“Winner. You found the winner… logic gone…” Anon says as his face turns redder.
>”ah… glad see you like them,” She says as she reaches over, softly closing his mouth with her hand. “Now wait as I change to one of the other pairs of panties. Turn around.”
“As you wish,” he murmurs as he turns
>”Ok. How about these? I know you liked the boy shorts in my pic…” Sweetie trails off as she bites her lip. She has changed to a red pair of cotton boy shorts with a wide lace and elastic band encircling her hips with a rose pattern woven across the lace.
“I think those are good too. Sensible and sexy…”
>“Glad you like them too. I really want these.” Sweetie says as she looks down with a smile. “Also glad you think they are sexy. I was hoping to hear that. I do have another pair I would like but I would rather wait on showing you them.”
“Oh really… Well if those are all you want, let’s go ahead and get them. Just give me the items or tags so I can go pay… I must say… wow…” Anon says as he starts to pull on the curtain.
>”Just a moment…” Sweetie says as she tiptoes and kisses his cheek from behind. “Thanks for these.”
“Sure Sweetie. Glad to provide for you and thanks for the show,” Anon gets out as Sweetie giggles and pushes him out, handing him all the materials he needs to pay.

>As anon steps to the counter, he sees a security officer talking to the associate who was helping them.
>”There he is! Arrest him for trying to steal and for the underage girl,” The clerk accuses.
“Excuse me? I just want to pay for the merchandise she selected,” Anon flatly says as the security officer steps between them.
>”Sir, is it true you came in here with an underage girl? One about 13 or so?”
“No, sir. I came in with my 15-year-old, about to be 16 years old, girlfriend and I’m 17 myself.”
>”That cannot be. I saw her and that girl can’t be that old or you that young. I want them escorted out!” the clerk screeches.
“Sir, I can provide IDs to back up my claims and want to drop a few hundred on my girlfriend. May we have the other clerk handle this?” Anon says as he holds out his ID.
>The officer looks it over and hands it back to Anon. He then turns to the clerk with a sour expression on his face as Sweetie finally joins Anon at the register. Seeing Anon getting back his ID, she draws hers out as he nods to her. The officer looks over her ID and his expression hardens further as he looks back up to the associate.
>”This is the third time this week you have called up mall security for younger people coming in here,” the officer replies to the associate. “I am tired of handling these pointless calls, especially when there is obviously NO issue. Now, one of you check them out so we can resolve this, understand,” the officer states with crossed arms, staring down the first associate as her coworker takes over the sale.
“Thank you, sir,” Anon states as he pays. “That was unexpected, especially when she was such great help to my girlfriend.”
>“Anytime. Just stay out of trouble,” The officer says as he walks out and Sweetie is handed the bag.
“Okay… Let’s get going Sweetie,” Anon says as he grasps her hand and they scurry out of Frederick’s. Outside Anon looks up seeing the time on the mall info kiosk is 8:20. 
>“I guess we can’t keep on at the mall without trouble finding us,” Sweetie quips.
“I don’t know about that but I think we can mark that place off our list. Let’s get to the Ranger so we will not be late for our reservation. What do you say?”
>”One of your better ideas for the night…” Sweetie says as she picks up the pace and takes the lead, pulling Anon along to the outside doors.

>As they reach the truck, they see that a tire has been slashed on the driver’s side. Anon tosses up his hands in frustration at the scene before him as his phone chirps 2 more times. He takes a deep breath and looks at the messages, showing him and Sweetie entering the jeweler’s and leaving Frederick’s.
“As though I needed more crap. Sweetie, please take my phone and call Pizza Villa from my speed dial. Tell them that ‘Anon party of 2’ will be delayed 15 min so I can swap out this tire. Maybe the physical effort will cure my annoyance…”
>”Sure Anon. I wish I could do more…”
“Sweetie, could you ask your friends if they know that number? That would be other help you can do as well as this...” He says as he hugs Sweetie. “Just be happy. I will deal with the annoyances and the tire.”
>”Um ok Anon. That did sound creepy, though…”
“Sorry… just trying to not yell in frustration…” Anon laughs. “So very sorry, my little marshmallow. Now let’s get that call done and tire changed. The last thing we need is for this to get worse and me to prove your sister’s opinion of me right.”
>“Ok… Just don’t feel you have to bottle this up for my sake,” Sweetie says as she gently rubs his cheek. “Long night ahead still…” She says with a kiss on his cheek and a small whisper. “…and plenty of chances for us both to enjoy the date.”
 
>Anon gets out his jack and a couple tools, folding the seat back and helping Sweetie in so she can call in peace. The tire change doesn’t take too long and luckily Anon had some Go-Jo wipes to remove the grease and brake dust. As he is letting the truck down, he sees a glint come from one of the benches behind the shrubs outside the mall. He squints and makes out a long lens but not much else about the person behind the glint. 
“Alright, it is done. We can get underway and, let me tell you, that gave me an appetite,” Anon says as he knocks on the truck door.
>”Who is it?” Sweetie playfully says.
“The mean green monster…”
>“Hmm…I don’t know a mean green monster. Come again later!”
“Alright, you goob. Let me put this stuff behind the seat so we can roll,” Anon rolls out as he rolls his eyes.
>”Fine fine. The restaurant is expecting us soon” Sweetie says as she hops out and Anon puts the tools back and restores the seat.
“Awesome. Well let’s not lose our place in the cue,” Anon states as he walks around the front of the truck. “Ready for some awesome Italian food?”
>”yep and great company!”
“I could not agree more,” Anon revs as he cranks the truck.

>The restaurant is only a couple miles away so the ride is fast to the packed parking lot. Luckily there was a spot near the front that opened as the two pulled in and they quickly made their way into the waiting area. Before Anon can speak up to catch the attention of the greeter, Sweetie beacons for him to turn to her, wiping a bit of brake dust off his nose with a small smile.
>”Can I help you?” the greeter ask with a tired tone.
“Yes. We had called ahead with a reservation for two under the name Anon.”
>”Ah Mister Anon. We were wondering if you were going to make it.”
“Yes yes… Sorry. Road troubles delayed us. Had to change a tire,” Anon shares sheepishly.
>”Well we have your table ready so follow me,” the greeter says as she gathers the silverware and menus for them.
>”Wait! Why do they not have to wait? I have been here for a half hour and these two teens waltz in, getting sat immediately!” another patron blurts out from the waiting area.
>”Sir. He called ahead and had requested a private dining area. You came with 8 people and no forewarning. Forethought has its rewards.”
>”Well I…”
>”Come along Mr. Anon,” the greeter beacons. “He shall be sat soon enough so no point paying him too much mind.”
>The greeter leads Anon and Sweetie through the low-lit seating area with private lighting by tea candles at each table. The walls have a few pictures of Italy and its landmarks above the hardwood booths cushioned with long red cushions. The entire atmosphere feels personal with the lit table looking like islands in the low light. As they pass the kitchen, the smell of all the fresh pasta and garlic of the sauces and sautéed pork fills Sweetie’s nostrils, causing her to sniff hungrily. Anon just smiles as he guides her along behind the greeter. As they make it to a bend in the restaurant, a pair of doors is before them for the private seating area. In the center are a lone lit table and two chairs, waiting on our couple.
>”You planned this too… I swear you are too much…” Sweetie says with a wide smile.
“Well as I said, I wanted us to have the best first date we could, no matter what else could be going on.”
>”Your server should be with you in a couple minutes. Is there anything I could get you in the mean time? Wine?” The greeter asks.
“I think we will wait on that…” Anon says as he slips a tip to the greeter.
>”Wine? Don’t they know you are too young?” Sweetie queries.
“They have never asked for ID but I always refuse. I guess since I asked for the private space, they are willing to overlook a couple things,” Anon states as he pulls Sweetie’s seat out for her. He quickly seats himself after, picking up the menu. “What are you thinking of ordering?”
>”I don’t know… so many options to pick from. I think I will wait for the server to hear the specials first.”
“Sounds good to me though I am leaning towards a pork cutlet cooked in white wine and garlic with Alfredo. I heard about it last time I was here and thought I would give it a try.”
>”Wow... That sounds great. I will definitely try that if you get it.”
“Assuming I leave any…” Anon replies with a wink and smirk.
>”Anon…” Sweetie starts as the server arrives.
>”Good Evening and welcome to Pizza Villa! What can I start you off with to drink and would you like to know the specials?”
“I will have water with lemon and we would like to hear the specials.”
>”I too will have water but no lemon.”
>”Ok… tonight we are having a special on lamb lasagna and have just added a marinara glazed steak for the week,” the server reports as she writes down their drink orders. “We have also added tiramisu back to our dessert menu as well.” 
“Any of that sound good, Sweetie?”
>”Uh... I think I will need a minute. So many options…”
>”Alright. I will be back shortly with your drinks.”
“Thank you,” Anon says with a nod.

“Any of that sound good, Sweetie,” Anon asks as the server leaves the room.
>”I…like the sound of lamb lasagna. I am still not sure what to make of all this, though,” Sweetie says with a blush. “Even with the bumps, this has been a bit… much.”
“Well, I hope you are enjoying yourself.”
>”I am having an amazing time… Sweetie softly says. “It is a bit over the top, though.”
“Well, I promise the rest of the night will not be as ostentatious. I just wanted to do a special meal at a great place as well be without the usual side noise that can ruin the conversations.”
>”Alright, Nonny. Just curious, what else do you have planned?”
“I was thinking a bit of Karaoke if you want and definitely star gazing by the lake like you were thinking of. I would not mind if we skipped the Karaoke this time out given the delays before we got to here.”
>”Hmm… I like that plan. Karaoke can wait. After all, as you have said, we don’t have to do it all on this date,” Sweetie quips as the server brings their waters.
>”Have you two decided?”
“I think we have. You first Sweetie.”
>”I will have an order of the Lamb Lasagna with a Caesar salad.”
“And I will have the pork cutlet cooked in white wine and garlic with Alfredo as well as a Caesar salad as well.”
>”Excellent choices. I will have some bread sticks and the salads out shortly,” the server states through her put on a smile as she finishes writing down their order and picks up the menus. 
“Thank you.” 
>”Thank You.”

>”So anon, since we have this room to ourselves, what would you like to talk about?” Sweetie slyly asks. 
“Hmm…” Anon murmurs as he leans back in his chair. “You know…I am at a loss for what to talk about. I had only thought that we enjoy the privacy,” he laughs. 
>”So you don’t plan everything? That is interesting…”
“Well, I can only plan things to a point and predict based upon patterns. Life is unpredictable so I usually have 3 ideas on what is going to happen based upon what I have been taught or observed.”
>”So you think too much…” Sweetie says as she smiles.
“Essentially…”
>”Well at least you are not alone in that, at least among my friends. I swear AB and Scoots just go on without a plan, with Scoots being the more daring…” Sweetie shares between sips. “Apple bloom usually has a frame of a plan while Scootaloo… luck and durability have helped her make it this far. That pays off in sports for her but the rest of the time, I am never sure what she is going to do or suggest next.”
“That sounds like what I was thinking. Has she been making more ‘suggestions’ for you?”
>”Maybe… I will say that she is not the only one with ‘bold’ ideas. AB suggested a few things but they were a bit tame in my opinion. I do have a few thoughts myself…” Sweetie softly says as she leans forward into the candlelight.
>As the soft candlelight illuminates Sweetie, Anon notices a change to her. The normally sweet and cute girl’s features are accented, bringing out a womanly glow and beauty about her. Alone and separated from the world as they were in this private room, she truly takes on a sense of her own.   The light’s flickering dances across her face and eyes with the latter reflecting the full range of colors between yellow and green as though she were gifted with a specific band of the rainbow for her alone to share. Her pale face and makeup’s contrasts are accented with the pink of her lipstick making her lips stand out as darker islands beaconing a visitor while her mild blush brings out the slight structure of her cheekbones. Anon’s heart picks up pace as he looks her over as she smiles at him from across the table. 
>Noting his glance, Sweetie tilts her head and extends her hand across the table.
>”What are you looking at, Nonny?” she murmurs. “Is there something on my face?”
“I am just looking at you. You look especially beautiful tonight and I just got lost in my glance and thoughts.”
>”Nonny…” Sweetie blushes out.
“I mean it. I am truly lucky to have you,” he states as he leans forward, meeting her hand with his. A spark of sensation spreads across them both as their hands meet, drawing genuine smiles of joy to their faces.
>”You really are too much…”
“What can I say? I get mushy about those special to me.”

>As the couple is about to continue, the door from the kitchen opens with their server bringing out their salads. They pause their affections as they answer questions about wanting grated cheese or ground pepper on the salads. They make it halfway through their salads before they speak again, hunger having won out over affection in the duration.
“Sweetie, I will be right back. Just need to step to the restroom.”
>”Alright. Don’t leave me alone too long,” Sweetie playfully quips.
“I will try,” Anon replies as he stands.
>As he leaves the room, Sweetie’s phone chirps with texts from Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.
>”so how is the date going? Any more pictures from the Stalker?” Apple Bloom asks.
>”Has he made a move on you? ;)” Scoots messages.
>”No more pictures have been sent yet. As for moves, he did buy me new undergarments… I am wearing them now ” Sweetie send out in a group reply.
>”Oooh” both girls reply
>”As for the rest of the date, it is going amazingly despite a slashed tire before we got to the restaurant. He got a private room for us to be able to dine in peace and the only light is the lone candle in the center of the table,” Sweetie continues.
>“Are you sure you are out with the same Anonymous we know?” AB messages.
>”Yeah. This sounds a bit out of character for him” Scoots replies.
>”I assure it is. He just doesn’t like to show off and is usually worn out at school. He is just trying to give me ‘the best first date I could have’ as he put it,” Sweetie responds.
>”How can he afford all this?” Scoots asks.
>”I know he helps AJ and Mac with some of the farm equipment and has some projects so I guess he saved a bit from that,” AB adds.
>”Oh you have no idea. I will tell you more about it all tomorrow when we get together.”
>”Alright,” AB replies.
>”I want full details about him AND the date. Full. Details.” Scootaloo posts.
>”I will Scoots,” Sweetie replies with a chuckle.

>Anon quickly uses the bathroom and is washing his hands when he hears a familiar voice.
>”Hey Anon! What draws you out of the house this evening?” comes the voice from his left, causing Anon to lift his glance from his lathered hands to see Flash Sentry walking up to wash his mitts.
“Oh hello, Flash. What drew you back to Canterlot?”
>”Well I am back in town for the holiday and thought I would take your sister out for a night on the town.”
“Wait… you are here with Lily Blossom tonight?” Anon nervously lets out. 
>”Yeah… she is great and quite fun too if you know what I mean…” Flash ribs at Anon.
“Dude. That is my sister for one and two I don’t want to know even if it is what I expect from her.”
>” Hey no need to get mad. I was just messing with you. Thought you might have found a sense of humor since I left for college.”
“Yeah… Well, I need to get back to my date,” Anon gets out as he reaches for the paper towels.
>”Oh you are here on a date? I thought you were just swinging through to pick something up before you get back to your ‘projects’,“ Flash quips with a snide smirk. “Who are you out with? Pinkie something or is it nature girl Fluttershy? I swear she always smells like a cat house…”
“You know… fuck you Flash. Enjoy dinner with my sister. I think I can go without any further insults to my friends,” Anon tosses out with his paper towels.
>”Hey man. No need to be touchy. I was just messing with you. Now come on and let me know who you are out with…” Flash slips out as he puts his arm around Anon as though he was a close friend.
“Seriously, Flash? I want to get back to my meal and date. Have been having enough drama seeping in tonight, “Anon fires over his shoulder as he storms out of the bathroom and vanishes around the corner to the private room, leaving Flash confused when he can’t track Anon.

>Anon returns to the private dining room in a rush but pauses just inside the door to catch his breath before he sits. As he sits, he sees their food has arrived and Sweetie has just started hers. 
“Oh, the food got here. Wonderful!” Anon quips with a strained voice. 
>”Nonny? Are you okay? You sound bothered,” Sweetie cautiously states.
“I will be fine… Just bumped into Flash and had to deal with his usual asshattery. He was probing to see who I am on a date with and insulted a couple of my friends in the process. On top of it, he is here with my sister Lily,” Anon sighs out.
>”Oh I am so sorry, Nonny!” Sweetie squeaks out. “Do we need to get our orders boxed so we can leave?”
“No. No need Sweetie. I don’t think he was able to follow me to the room so we should have the rest of the meal in peace. I am just getting a bit riled. The tire, sales associate, and those texts really do bother me but I have been trying to stay calm and focused for your sake.”
>”Nonny, don’t worry about me. I am enjoying myself and I know you have been too. Just take a deep breath,” Sweetie replies as she reaches her hand across the table. 
“Alright...” Anon murmurs as he takes a couple deep breaths and grasps Sweetie’s hand. ”You know, you really are more mature than you should be in this situation. Definitely one of the things I like about you.”
>”Well with my sister’s drama, I have had to be,” Sweetie slyly smirks.
“I wasn’t going to say a thing…” he replies with a small smile.
>“Nonny…”
>The couple soon return to their food and finish their plates fairly quickly. Sweetie tries some of Anon’s pork cutlets and swears she must order that the next time they can make it here while Anon is not that impressed with the lamb lasagna. Just as they are about to order the tiramisu, the door to the private room opens with two figures appearing near their age coming inside. Anon turns to the door and finds himself face to face with the shorter of the two.
>”Oh hello Anonymous! I was wondering where you were in here!”
“Hello…Lily. Are you enjoying your date with Flash?” Anon quips as Flash comes into view in the meager candlelight.
>”I definitely have and I was surprised to hear you were here too! I simply had to find you and meet this young lady who caught your eye,” Lily fires out as sweet and fake as saccharin. “She must be quite a young woman to get you out of the house…”
“Indeed she is…sis. I would like to introduce you to my girlfriend, Sweetie Belle. We met through a shared class…” Anon sincerely states as he holds the reins of his frustration at this intrusion and the pair behind it.
>“It is a pleasure to meet you both,” Sweetie politely says with a soft nod. “We were just about to order dessert.”
>”Oh, she is so cute, Anon. And a younger girl too,” Lily says beside Anon’s face, washing his face in the smell of the wine and garlic from her meal as well as the ash scent from her habits. “How old is your date?”
>”I am 15 and turn 16 a week from this Saturday,” Sweetie squeaks, drawing a dark smirk from Lily.
>”Hey Anon. You finally found a girl around your age…”
“One who is just younger than you, Lily or do you forget that while you are out with Flash?”
>”At least I don’t troll middle schools for dates…”
“Look Lily… do you have a point interrupting my date?” Anon replies sharply.
>”Oh no no no. I just wanted to see you and for Flash and me to meet your date.”
>” Say… Are you not Rarity’s little sister?” Flash asks. 
>“Maybe…” Sweetie cautiously answers.
>“I have not seen her is sometime…” Flash continues. “How is she doing? Still meddling with whims, fabrics, and ‘personal fittings’?”
>”She is still making fashion, yes. She even has been getting many good clients due to her Manehattan contacts.”
>”Oh you’re Rarity’s little sister? Even better…” Lily quips.
“Don’t you two have something better to do rather than crash our date?” Anon coldly states. 
>”Oh yes… We don’t want to be too late for the bonfire party, do we Flash?” Lily chatters out. “Hope you two have a great rest of the night!” Lily states as she grabs Flashes hand and leads him out into the main restaurant.

> The server returns as the Lily and Flash leave, ready to take their order.
>“SO have you two decided?” the server asks as she taps a pencil on her order pad.
“Shall we still get the tiramisu, Sweetie?” Anon asks in a notably controlled voice.
>”Definitely…” Sweetie bursts with exasperation. 
“One order of tiramisu with two forks.”
>”Sounds good and I will have it out for you shortly!” the server bubbles as she finishes writing and walks off quickly, leaving the two frustrated teens to themselves.

>”Wow Anon… I never expected that… no wonder you don’t talk about your sister much.”
“Yeah… much less annoying and stressful when I don’t,“ he lets out with a deep sigh. “As you can see, that is why I can deal with DT and when your sister gets annoyed. They are lightweights by comparison.”
>”So I saw…” Sweetie murmurs with a lowered head till she shoots up an idea. “Say Anon… What do you say we move our chairs closer? I am tired of having the whole table between us.”
“I really like that idea,” Anon replies as he stands and pulls his seat to beside Sweetie.
>”Hello handsome,” Sweetie prods as he sits and she turns to him.
“Hello beautiful,” Anon replies while turning to her, giving her a soft kiss she gladly returns. He wraps his arm around her shoulders as she wraps hers around his lower back. 
“Are you having a good time?”
>”I am now, Nonny,” Sweetie softly coos as her eyes reflect the flittering candlelight. 
“Me too,” Anon replies with a soft smile and kisses her again. Sweetie presses her lips firmly against his as she pulls him tighter to her. They remain like this for another moment till they hear a cough from the other side of the table. Looking up, they see their server holding their dessert.
>”Let me just place this down and you two can continue…”
>”Um sure… just right in front of me will be fine,” Sweetie makes out through her blush.
>”As you wish, madam.”
>The server quickly places the plate and forks before Sweetie and places another platen in front of Anon with their bill. She then turns to walk out when Anon calls her back with his card already in the platen.
“Thank you for the wonderful service,” Anon spouts as he holds the platen out to her.
>”It has been my pleasure. I will be back with this shortly.” 
“Certainly…”

“Well, that was a surprise though we should have expected it…” Anon quips.
>”Yeah but I think I will live unless this dessert finishes us both off.”
“Well I guess we will have to see then,” Anon replies as he cuts a bit of tiramisu off with his fork and offers it to Sweetie. “Ladies first…”
>”Oh you…” Sweetie gets out as she squeezes him and takes the bite off the fork, slowly pulling her mouth off the fork.
“Oh, now you are going to tease me.”
>”Just a bit…” Sweetie smirks as she grabs the second fork and offers Anon a bite. “Open wide…”
“Ahhh,” Anon replies as he opens wide for Sweetie, bringing a giggle from her as she puts the whole fork in his mouth.
>”Good isn’t it?” Sweetie says drawing a nod from Anon.
“Want me to feed you any more of it?” Anon asks after he can swallow.
>”Not at the moment. You really chose a good dessert.”
“Just the standard option for an Italian place. I was wondering why they removed it from the menu but am glad they have it back.”
>“Me too. Definitely, rounds out the savory main course.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Anon replies as they quickly dig into the rest of their dessert. 

>Soon the Server returns and Anon finishes with the bill, giving a $20 tip and a note for their server. The couple quickly gets back to the truck and sit in there for a moment as the AC catches up to their needs.
“Well, that was mostly pleasant. Wouldn’t you say?”
>“I would say it was definitely so. So are we going to the lake now?”
“Yep though I need to check something on my phone. Want to make sure we are nowhere near Flash, my sis, and whatever crew they are partying with…”
>”Good idea…”
>Anon powers the screen and scans his email looking for any party notices he might have gotten by the few mutual friends he has with his sister. Shortly he finds one such notice and sees that the party is by the marina.
“Well, the annoying news is their bonfire is by the lake. The good news is it is not near where I was thinking of us going.”
>”That is a relief. I am not sure I could handle more of them.”
“So shall we get going?” Anon asks as he revs the truck.
>”Let’s roll, Nonny!” Sweetie replies as her cheery mood returns, giggling and blowing a kiss at Anon.
“Away we go to the stars and beyond!”
>”Goober…”
“Quit stealing my words…” Anon replies as he pops the clutch.
>”Make me…” Sweetie retorts as she places her hand on the seat.
“I might try…” Anon retorts laughing as he makes the turn toward the lake and accelerates.
>”I await your attempts,” Sweetie playfully pokes.

>The ride to the lake felt like a blink as the roads were clearer than usual. Anon pulls off onto a side road that leads back into the woods and their path shifts to almost solid black other than lit pine boughs along the path.
>“Are you sure you took the right path?” Sweetie asks concerned.
“Yep. Just another couple minutes and it will open up,” Anon says as he reaches over and squeezes her hand. “Trust me.” 
>”You know I do. I am just being reminded of a couple slasher movies Scoots put on when I stayed over once.”
“I give you my word, Sweetie. Don’t worry.”
>As he finishes his comment, the trees begin to open to a raised area above the lake with room to turn around and the moon high in the night sky. Anon slows down, putting the back of the truck facing the lake with a quick turn. He turns the truck off, unbuckling and walking to the back of the truck. 
“Alright, Sweetie. We are here, my private spot by the lake,” Anon says as he climbs into the back of the truck. He unfolds a futon and quilt as Sweetie gets out and looks across the scene. Before her is a pristine view of the lake, glistening in only moonlight and starlight with not a single manmade light seen in any direction she looks. The pines wreath a small beach below the small ridge they are parked on, the water lapping slowly from the soft warm breeze flowing behind her like the breath of the land as it exhales before resting for the night. Sweetie turns slowly as she sees a couple late night fishing boats plow across the lake in the distance. Hearing the sound of a can opening behind her, Sweetie turns quickly to see anon holding out a grape Nehi soda can.
“You said grape is your favorite, right?” Anon says as her smiles sitting on the side of the truck.
>”Yes it is… Thanks for remembering.” Sweetie stammers out as Anon is lit in the moonlight, looking to her as a celestial creature that flew in to take her to another world and offering manna of heaven that she gladly takes.
“Let me drop the back of this and I will help you up,” Anon says more to himself as he stands and pulls the latch to the gate as Sweetie’s heart picks up pace.
>“Anon… How did you find this place?”
“Well once when I was able to go kneeboarding with some middle school friends, I saw this shoreline in the distance. I asked to know where we were on the lake map and back worked it from there. I first came here in the day about a year ago when my parents were separating as I needed to clear my mind. That and cry…a lot. I was very hurt by how my father was treating me for not thinking my mom should be pushed out of my life and for how almost instantly my sister turned on me too. My longest and closest friend now treating me like I was an enemy.”
>“Wow…I…” Sweetie starts as she slowly steps closer to the truck
“Hold on a moment. There is a bit more. I started coming out here in the afternoons to think and the peace helped me to clear my mind enough to come up with the concept that I co-own the patent with Mr. Rich on. It is from this spot and my promise to never give up on myself, to not allow other’s grief stop me from my goals as well as protect those closest to me from as much as I can.”
>“I am at a loss… that is an incredible story…” Sweetie says she reaches the truck gate and Anon holds out a hand for her. She places her drink on the side of the truck bed and takes Anon’s hand, quickly being pulled up as she jumps. She glides up and bumps face-first into Anon’s chest as she tries to get her footing.
“One more thing, Sweetie,” Anon says as he looks down at his girlfriend as she gains her balance, looking up at his face. “You are the only one I have brought out here to this spot.”
>”Anon… I am touched even though that sounds kinda cheesy.”
“Well, it is true. You do like the view?”
>“It is amazing. Thank you for sharing it with me. I never imagined that a spot like this was so close by.”
“I am glad you like it,” He says as he crouches and sits on the tongue of the bed. “Wait till you look up. Best view I know of anywhere around.”
>Sweetie crouches and joins Anon on the truck gate, hugging his arm before she looks straight up as the Milky Way spreads out before her eyes. Meteors streak across the sky as she scans, spotting the dippers and Orion quickly enough. She quickly makes a wish as she scans more of the sky, her mouth slightly agape in amazement.
>”I have never seen so many stars at once outside the natural history museum. I…” She trails off as Anon scoots closer, wrapping his arm around her lower back. She blushes and shifts her head to rest on his shoulder as she continues to dart her eyes across the sky.
“Well I know you will call me cheesy again for it but I think you are the best looking body out here.”
>”That is cheesy but I know you are being sincere” Sweetie retorts as she turns her head, giving him a soft peck on his cheek. “Tell me more, Mr. Cheese.”
“Now who is being over the top?” Anon says as he pulls her closer.
>”I think we are both being too much, frankly.” Sweetie retorts. “Let’s not stop, though. I want to see how goofy we could make this…”
“If we keep pushing it, Disney will be hunting us for copyright infringement,” Anon quips as they both burst into laughter.
>”Maybe but at least it would be worth it.”
“I think you are right,” Anon says as he turns and grabs her forgotten soda, taking a sip as he looks her in the eyes.
>”Hey… that is mine. Get your own.” 
“Fine fine… I just wanted to see how you would react.”
>”is that what that was about? You are testing me?”
“Not really. Just being a goob.”
>”And you do it so well…” Sweetie retorts as she snatches back her drink. “Mine…”
“I think the soda and I have something in common…” Anon says, drawing a blush from the young maiden.
>”Whatever…” Sweetie retorts as she turns slightly away still blushing. As her back is turned, the truck bounces slightly and she begins to feel Anon’s hands on her shoulders, rubbing lightly into her.
She looks over her shoulder to see he has moved to sitting Indian style behind her and is focusing on the residual tension she is holding from earlier events tonight.
“Are you liking this, Sweetie?” Anon says he leans in closer.
>”Mmmm yes… This is a nice surprise… The setting… your massage…” Sweetie coos as a smirk crawls across her face. “… My soda...”
“HA… Ok, you got me. “ Anon laughs out. “Hey, Sweetie?”
>”Yes Anon?”
“Want to get comfy and watch for more meteors and try to spot constellations now? I have laid out a cozy spot for us…” Anon softly asks as he rests his chin on her shoulder.
“That sounds like a good idea, Nonny.” She replies with a kiss on his cheek.
>Anon pulls away and crawls back onto the futon. He folds back the quilt for them both and removes his shoes, placing them inside the cab through the rear window. As he turns around, he sees Sweetie has also slid her sandals off and is crawling under the quilt, making herself comfortable. She tilts her head up, looking behind her at Anon with a beaconing glance. He smiles and crawls back down to her, sliding under the cover beside her. As he rolls to her, he feels her quivering nervously.
“What’s the matter, Sweetie?” He softly asks.
>“Um…Well…” she gets out as she buries her head under the quilt.
“Sweetie?” Anon responds, lifting the quilt, finding his girlfriend beet red. “Tell me what the matter is.”
>“So it just hit me that we are out here all alone… Under a quilt and the night sky….alone…” 
“Yes? That we are. I wanted to have peace and to enjoy the night… finally away from all the other problems that have hounded us tonight.”
>”Well…what are you expecting out of all this?” Sweetie very softly mumbles as she turns redder and is burning up from all the blood rushing to the young maiden’s face.
“I am only expecting your company,” Anon says as he shakes his head. “…And some cuddly kisses. That is not asking much is it?”
>”N…no. I don’t think so. I just… got concerned as my mind flashed to scenarios the school taught about in health about date rape and Rarity’s horror stories…NOT THAT I WAS THINKING…” She begins as she gets a kiss on her forehead, calming her down a bit.
“I understand Sweetie. In that department, we will always be open to each other or at least try. I just want us to enjoy the night and if things go that way, it is only if you feel up to it. To be honest, I have never really done anything before,” He continues as he embraces her soft body next to his, looking into her eyes.”
>”Thank you, Nonny,” Sweetie sighs heavily. “I know that is true but I just wanted to hear that.” She continues as she snuggles into his arms. Have I told you how much I enjoy your embrace?”
“No… No, you haven’t.”
>”I can’t explain it fully but it makes me feel nothing could go wrong while also sending a tingle throughout me. It is so warm and welcoming,” Sweetie shares with a blush that is soon matched. “I…feel right when we are close…”
“I feel the same. I don’t know how I have lived without your warmth in my life,” Anon whispers as he snuggles her neck, kissing softly along the back of it, goose bumps stippling her neck as his lips meet her skin.
>”I guess we are not alone after all… we have each other. I am still nervous about us being out here…”
“Let’s just take in the stars and forget our worries for a bit. I know that is one thing that will help me try to forget my sister’s intrusion at dinner…”
>”I am sorry that happened. I wish I could have done something.”
“Don’t worry about it. I will have to deal with something from that after sun up,” Anon shares as he rolls onto his back, staring at the stars as he tries to spot the Cygnus system. “I bet she is going to try to get my dad on my case for dating you or even dating period.”
>”Why would they have a problem with me or you dating?” Sweetie asks with confusion.
“They would call you too young or try to say I should only be studying. I have done what I could to keep my successes with Mr. Rich’s business quiet. They would become worse if they thought I would be out of their control either by emotion or inheritance. So I just do my best to remain invisible to their glances and Lily Blossom gets to be the daddy’s girl with fewer expectations for the moment.”
>”Wow…I know Rarity can be a bitch but… I am so sorry for you…” Sweetie replies, rolling over and placing her head on his chest. 
“Yeah. It is my burden and it is only by bottling that stress or focusing it into my projects that I have remained ‘functional’ to those outside. It tires me so which may be why Rar thinks I am a slacker. It has always been a bit like this but after the divorce, it cranked to this level.”
>Sweetie nuzzles into his side and hugs him tight as he continues, gripping him to anchor him as his story drifts. The soft scent of her strawberry infused shampoo drifts into Anon’s nostrils, calming him and brings his attention back to his date as she tears up at his revelations.
“I guess that is enough about all that past and near future crap for me,” Anon chuckles out as he rubs her back. “I have been meaning to ask you something Sweetie. What are your aspirations after high school?”
>”Well…” Sweetie begins as she makes swirls on Anon’s belly with her hand. “I have thought about being a music or singing teacher because of how much I enjoy that but I have also pondered being a biologist or chemist due to how much I have enjoyed studying those.”
“Those sound like great goals…”
>”I also have been inspired to find some way to be a humanitarian due to the volunteer work me and the girls have been doing lately. I know it would be an expensive goal but I know through doing many small things, I can really help, at least locally.”
“You know, Sweetie… You truly have a beautiful heart and a worthy goal there.” Anon shares with a wide smile. “It is that kind of desire is why I decided to start my projects and take the risk of beginning to work with Mr. Rich. I am glad to hear we both have that kind of goal in mind.”
>Sweetie lift herself up and leans to Anon’s face, softly kissing his nose.
>”Yeah… another thing we have in common. I am still worried about what your sister is up to.”
“Don’t mind her, Sweetie. She is just a bit broken and has not awakened to it. I am afraid she never will but her big brother is waiting for his little sister to return…one day,” Anon softly trails off. “But let’s not worry about all that. I think the meteors are coming in denser tonight. Plenty of them to make wishes off of…” Anon softly smiles wiping a tear from his sad girlfriend. 
>”I am not sure what I would want to wish for. Do you have anything you want to wish for?”
“I have plenty to wish for but hard work will allow me to reach those. Right now I just desire your smile and kisses.”
>”Well those you just have to ask for…”
“May I kiss and hold you though the night?”
>”Yes but first, I am getting a bit warm and I think you are too…” Sweetie pokes as she sits up and takes off her shirt and shimmies out of her skirt, looking over at Anon as she does, blushing and shivering at she pushes forward. Behind her, the moon and star light illuminate her pale skin with a gothic glow. Anon is captivated as he gazes at Sweetie as she pulls her arms tight under her pink bra from the set they purchased earlier this evening. It has, with the help of the moonlight, swollen the appearance of her chest and gives her a look befitting the gentle, innocent maiden she truly is.
>”I know you loved this set so I decided to wear it out, in case… well of a moment like now…”Sweetie stumbles out, tensing herself tighter. “I hope this is not too forward for the moment… I..I just want you to be happier” she stutters nervously.
>Anon sits up and smiles at Sweetie as he unbuttons his polo, removing it and tosses it in the rear window. He then hugs sweetie and kisses her cheek. 
“I am happier when I am with you, Sweetie. You never have to do anything like this to please me. You look amazing by the way. The moonlight is really bringing out your eyes tonight and this set really is cute on you.”
>”Thank you, Nonny, and I want to do this so I can feel more of your touch like last night.”
“If that is what you want, give me a moment,” Anon says as he lays back down, shimmying out of his pants. “There…now we are equal.”
>“Nonny…” Sweetie replies as she lays back down beside him, leaning half across his chest while straddling his leg on her knees. “We were equal before, as two souls who found the other. Now we are just equally undressed… almost,” Sweetie says as she sits back up to undo her bra. As she reaches back, his hands stop her.
“May I?” He asks softly, causing pause in Sweetie as she blushes whilst pondering his request. She nods softly, dropping her hands to his shoulders to allow him an easier reach. His hands move slowly along her sides, trailing behind her and sending bursts of sensation like the building crescendo of a fireworks finale. 
>”Stop a moment, Nonny,” She whispers as his fingers reach the hooks binding her. He pauses as he awaits her to continue. “I wanted to tell you something. I know this is early but I want you to know you are the best thing to happen to me. I have felt adrift in my school work and sister’s shadow. My friends bring me joy and support but my time with you… It warms me in ways I had never thought of or knew to think of. I…I love you,“ Sweetie says as soft tears come from her eyes and a wide smile fills her face. “It is only because I do that I am pushing myself beyond my usual comfort zone. I hope you do too…” She softly cries at her release and wish.

“I love you too, Sweetie. I wanted to say that too but was afraid I would be putting you in a bind…” Anon sweetly says, pulling her close and kissing away her now joyous tears. “I love you, your mind, and your heart. I have never met anyone else like you before and don’t want to see if I ever would. You are my bright happiness in this dull world of self-centered agendas and harsh betrayals. I am being too damn wordy again…” he quits with a chuckle and kisses Sweetie softly on her lips.
>She returns his kiss passionately and teases his lips with her tongue, cuing him to part his lips and reply in turn. They hold the kiss, toying with each other’s tongue as they roll onto their side. Anon’s upper hand rubs lightly across sweetie’s back to her lower back and back up to her bra, drawing a light moan from Sweetie as the gentle touch sends goosebumps across her soft skin. As his hand reaches her bra again, he pulls back from their kiss to look into Sweetie’s eyes for approval. She softly nods with a blush and he moves his other hand to the first, carefully unhooking her bra. She lifts herself up slightly and he pulls the bra loose, exposing her pink nipples before him in the moonlight. They both smile and chuckle as nerves slow them again, unsure of how to continue.

“Well…” Anon whispers breaking the silence. “I can definitely say I like this look for you…” 
>”I am glad you do as it is only for you,” Sweetie coos as she rubs his back and a breeze flows over them, making her excited chest perk further. She rubs down his back to the band of his boxers, playing with the band for a moment before rubbing down to grope his butt. “I claim your butt as mine though,“ she giggles as she gropes it twice.
“Oh do you now…” Anon retorts as he kisses along her collar bone and works his way across her chest till he is kissing down the center of her chest, breaking her grip on his rear. She shivers as he continues the kisses as she is rolled onto her back and begins kissing along the upper edge of her right breast. She softly gasps as he continues kissing towards her aureole as her skin engorges with blood, looking as pink as her now removed bra in the moonlight. He now moves his right hand softly along her side as he continues, pausing at the edge of her perk nipple.
>”Anon….” Sweetie moans out as sensation washes over her, causing her to drag her fingers across his back, digging slightly as she goes. ”That… don’t stop…”
>Anon resumes his kissing at her insistence, making a circle around her aureole and then lightly pecks the tip of her hardened nipple, all the while bringing his right hand up her side to cup her other breast. He gives her breast a light squeeze as Sweetie places her hand on his cheek, making him look up at her as he kisses her breast again.
>“Anon… don’t ignore my other breast… the sensation” Sweetie pants out as a musky scent fills the air from under the quilt. “Oh god….that feels good…” She manages to get out as he smirks and starts kissing her other breast like he started on the first. His boxers tent as he explores her chest orally, a fact noted by Sweetie as it begins to press into her leg as he shifts sides. She bites her lip then gasps as he kisses around her aureole and then lightly licks and nips the left nipple.
“Enjoying our self, Sweetie?” Anon asks with heavily lidded eyes as he looks up at her face, flushed as red as a beet. 
>”Oh god yes… immensely…” she says before she shudders in an unexpected, small orgasm. “aaahhh…” she sighs out in blissful satisfaction. “I think you might have overloaded me…”
“Heh glad to be of service,” Anon chuckles as he shifts to his side, looking over at his gasping maiden as she catches her breath. She regains her composure after a few moments and then rolls over to him, placing a hand on the center of his chest.
>“I think you deserve some attention too after that…” Sweetie coos as she rubs along his chest and abs.
“You don’t have to if you don’t feel ok with it” Anon softly says as he kisses the top of her head, her hair having lost the ponytail as she wiggled from his attention.
>”I think I am up to a little touching myself…” she says as she bites her lip and an eager look fills her eyes.
“Alright my little marshmallow. I am yours to explore.”

>Sweetie hesitates at his words, feeling the weight of his implication. She continues to rub her hand on his abs, frozen in the pattern of her rubbing despite her desire to proceed. 
“Are you ok, Sweetie…”
>”I am a bit nervous… I had thought about what I would do with a boyfriend before but now that you are…here…” Sweetie stammers as she looks back up to Anon’s face. “Even talking with the girls about what we would like to do or what it would be like… Scoots would probably laugh at me for hesitating…
“Don’t worry about them or any expectations,” Anon says as he caresses her cheek. “Just take your time and ask me how I feel so we both are involved. That way the pressure is not yours alone. As I told you earlier,” Anon says as he leans closer to Sweetie’s face. “I love you and will be here with you so you don’t have to bear anything alone.”
>”I love you too, Nonny. Thank you…” She trails off as she leans up, kissing him softly then lays her head on his shoulder as her left hand moves to the center of his chest, feeling his racing heartbeat. Despite his words being calm, she can tell he is as nervous as she is, she muses to herself. The thought calms her, knowing the truth of his assertion that they are in this together, equals in this moment. She trails her hand across his chest, making figure 8’s along his pecs as she builds her courage. Anon smiles softly, closing his eyes to take in her touch without distraction.
>Sweetie stops her loops, pausing her hand over his heart, feeling it having slowed to an even pace as he relaxed from her touch. This helps to calm her as well and she nuzzles his shoulder, kissing his collarbone and lower neck as she transitions her hand to a single finger she traces along his center line from his sternum to his belly button and back. 
>Anon lets out a relaxed sigh as he takes in this change in sensation. He places his nearest hand on Sweeties back, rubbing it as she continues. At first she jumps at the unexpected touch but resumes quickly with a soft coo, feeling the reassurance of his touch, a sensation she is not alone in taking actions.
>Sweetie traces her finger down to Anon’s boxers, feeling her tension build. As she moves her finger along the outside of his boxers, she discovers she is not the only one in tension as his boxers have tented, drawing a blush on her small face. She guides her finger to the nearside away from his fabric covered hard-on, deciding to trace along his leg instead for the moment. She continues down his boxers to their edge and traces back up. Her heart rate picks back up in excitement to being so close to a boy’s parts, no her boyfriend’s parts. HER BOYFRIEND’S… Sweetie face begins to warm on Anon’s shoulder as her blush intensifies and she smiles to herself wider. She slides her finger along his thigh again but opens her hand as she reaches the lower edge of his boxers and slowly trails her hand in small jumps to the lower edge of his crotch. She places her hand over the tented portion, feeling his hard-on twitch under her touch and filling her whole hand as her fingers slide along with the head in her palm.
>“Whoa…I really turned you on…” Sweetie blurts out before catching herself and giggles.
“Yes you do, Sweetie,” Anon chuckles. “…and judging from the wet spot on my leg, I think I have turned you on as well…”
>”Hey now…” Sweetie chides. “Don’t ruin the mood while I got your privates… I could make that be a bad decision…” she prods.
”Sorry… can’t help it sometimes,” Anon chuckles.
>”I understand…” she replies as she opens and closes her fingers around his erection. “I…have seen one on one of AB’s farm animals and in Scootaloo’s porn collection. I…never thought about what it would be like to touch one. I have tried to talk to Rarity about this but she keeps telling me it is not at topic for ladies to discuss.”
“Doesn’t surprise me really. I guess we all have our limits…” Anon says as he shifts his hips. “Would you like to feel it without the fabric? If so, there is a trapdoor on the front of my boxers…”
>”Uh…” Sweetie says as she fiddles her finger nervously and bites her lip. She trails her fingers till she finds the part in the fabric, sliding it so his erection can pop free of the thread borne prison. As it comes out, his dick grazes her hand, trailing a mucusy fluid onto her palm.
>”ew…what is that?” Sweetie recoils, and pulls her hand back.
“That would be pre-cum… It is like when you would get ‘wet’ and serves a similar purpose of lubrication.”
>“I…never heard about any of this in Health class…”
“Health class is mostly lies and making aware you have a body. Then they scare you about using it other than how to eat or to exercise. Living with people in the medical profession gives you much better information and reading materials. After all, you have to know the body’s functions to treat it.”
>”Well professor… what would you like me to do now?” Sweetie playfully asks as she reaches to his dick again but lower on the shaft to avoid more pre-cum.
“I would suggest stroking it but I leave that to you. Frankly I would prefer us kissing more as we don’t have all night given I promised to return you before you became a pumpkin…”
>”Oh crap…That’s right...” Sweetie grumbles. “I wanted to ‘explore’ more but I guess I will have to get dressed…”
“Me too hun. I wanted to feel you more but some other time…”
>”Now where did you put my bra?”

>Anon and Sweetie got dressed quickly and soon were back on their way, driving back to the road with the lights on low to not spook any animals or draw attention. When they reached the main road, Anon flipped his lights on and got them rolling up to speed with sweetie sitting in the middle of the bench seat  with her head on his shoulder as they picked up speed. Anon’s radio read the time as 11:30, plenty of time to get Sweetie home. Anon’s phone vibrated with a text message, likely another photo of him out with Sweetie either as they left the mall or the restaurant. Anon finally saw someone who looked like they were involved but that is a matter for the morning. A matter for sharing with the police as he gets his tire repaired and reported. 
“So Sweetie,” Anon asks slyly after a few minutes. “Have you had a great date?” 
>”Hell yes, you goob. I look forward to our next one, only I get to plan it next time.”
“Sounds good to me, my Sweetie.”
>“What do you say to Karaoke for sure next time?” Sweetie asks as she looks over at Anon eager for a response.
“Alright. Sounds perfect though I am not sure what I would sing with you or if I would sing.” Anon mumbles.  “I have not really sung since when I was a part of church choir and I was a little kid then…”
>”I am sure you would do fine. Just focus on the words and it will work out,” Sweetie says as the pats his shoulder before grasping his hand again.
“Yeah… and as long as I don’t sing country.”
>“I think we both should leave that to the Apples,” Sweetie retorts, drawing laughter from them both.
“I don’t think we should let Apple Bloom hear us say that… she might take it personally…”
>”yeah… you have a point. Oh Anon. I want to tell you something.“
“What is it Sweetie?”
>”I love you,” Sweetie says with a blush as she looks over at him.
“I love you too, Sweetie. Hate that we have to end this night,” Anon murmurs as they pull into Sweetie’s neighborhood.
>” I know and the feeling is mutual.”
“So it was.”
>“Anon! You…” Sweetie bursts as she blushes and punches his arm. “Yes it was but…”
“Sorry sorry…” Anon replies as he pulls into the driveway as one light flips on in the house. “Well we are here. Let me help you get the bouquet and your bag.”
>“Alright…” Sweetie pouts as anon get out and walks to her door. He opens it, helping her out with an extended hand then grabs her stuff.

>“I have had a wonderful time,” Sweetie states as they make it up the front stairs to the house. 
“Me too Sweetie and I look forward to our next one,” Anon states as Sweetie blushes in the porch light.
>They smile and lean close in a soft kiss, giggling as they part their lips.
“I love you Sweetie,” Anon whispers softly.
>”I love you too, my Nonny,” Sweetie replies in turn.
>They turn from each other to open the door when it opens as Sweetie reaches out her hand, Rarity waiting on the other side with a glass of wine and disheveled hair from her napping in the den awaiting Sweetie’s return.
“Oh…hi…Rarity. I got your sister home safe and not as a pumpkin as I promised y’all’s mother.” Anon says with a smile.
>”So I see… Come in Sweetie. We don’t want you to be outside for too much longer. Thank you for holding to your word,” Rarity forces out through a fake smile. “I hope you have a safe drive home.”
>Sweetie quickly walks in, waving bye over her shoulder as Rarity rolls her eyes. Anon waves as well as the door quickly shuts in his face. He quickly turns with a sigh, pondering how long the drive is going to feel as he walks back to his truck. He picks up his phone to check the message, seeing that it is indeed a shot of them leaving Frederick’s and a second shot that is slightly blurry of him glaring from the back of the truck as he changed the tire and of a white hand on the edge of the photo.
>”Well it looks like I did spot the photographer. Now who with white skin would be stalking us? Obviously not Rarity from how she looked a min ago…” Anon says to himself. 
“Still a matter for the morning. Now to just text mom to let her know I am safe and I just dropped Sweetie off,” he finishes with a sigh as he cranks the truck and finishes his message. “Onward home…”

>”So Sweetie…” Rarity forces out. “Did you two have a good time?”
>”Yes we did…” Sweetie replies quizzically. “Why do you ask?”
>”I just wanted to make sure before you explain this to me…” Rarity fires out as she pulls out and turns her phone to Sweetie, revealing a photo of Anon and Sweetie entering and leaving Fredericks.
>”I just wanted to step into there and see his opinion…” Sweetie starts.
>“Opinion of what Sweetie? Of you tarting yourself up?”
>”Rarity…Why are you going off on me? I wanted my boyfriend’s opinion of undergarments and the store. I never had a chance to go in so I figured then would be interesting.”
>”My little sister should not be going into that store for whores and sluts!” Rarity fires back as she notices the bag. “Oh so he bought you stuff there too…”
>”Rarity…” Sweetie gets out as tears begin. “You have had too much wine and are tired. Let’s finish talking about this in the morning…”Sweetie gets out before Rarity snatches at the bag, knocking out of her hands.
>”Oh let’s see what he bought you first,” Rarity gets out as she rummages through the bag finding an older pair of Sweetie’s underwear among the 2 other new pairs in there. Shock crosses her face as Rarity turns her head at Sweetie quickly. “I see you took off these too. Did he make you go bottomless too?”
>”No Rarity… Please let’s end this before we wake mom and dad. I just want to go to bed… Please,” Sweetie squeaks as tear flow down her cheeks. “I don’t understand why you are doing this…”
>Rarity stands up wobbly and steps over to Sweetie and feels along her skirt, feeling that Sweetie IS wearing a pair of panties, drawing a blush from Sweetie that is soon topped with a yelp as her skirt is hiked, showing Rarity the new ones Anon bought.
>“OH… I see he is now trying to dress you up as a fetish toy…” Rarity gets out just before Sweetie slaps her as strongly as she can.
>“What the fuck, Rarity? What. The. FUCK? Why? I don’t know what has gotten into you…” Sweetie bawls out as she yanks the bag away from Rarity and runs up the stairs to her room, slamming her door. Once inside her sanctum, she slumps down with her back against the door, tears flowing like a new waterfall.
>”I don’t understand… I…Why can she not be happy or see I am and was happy…” Sweetie mumbles to herself as she pulls out her phone and messages her friends and Anon, barely making out the screen through her waterworks. “They might not respond but I just need… oh Nonny… Why does this drama have to start? What is her problem?”

>Anon pulls in at his house, greeted by the two groggy dogs as the lumber along on the pavement to greet him. He gets inside and lets his mom know he is safe and that he had a good time. It is not till he has gotten upstairs to a Pinkie free room does he power his phone to send Sweetie a message that he made it home safe and to wish her good night and see that she had already messaged him.
“Oh she is probably just wishing me good night and…” He pauses as he reads her jumbled message.
>”Rarity had a fit. She was implying I am a whore or slut for the panties. I had to slap her. Sitting against my door…” 
“Oh God… I am so sorry Sweetie.”
>“She said you were using me as a fetish doll or something”
“Sweetie, I am not using you. She is probably just projecting something on you or she it is stress, wine, or both. I know she loves you and is likely just lashing out.”
>”I know but why? WHY? Why does she have to hurt and insult me? What did I do?”
“You have done nothing. Remember I love you and we can talk about this after we both get some sleep. I will call you after I get the report on the slashed tire filed.” 
>“Alright… She also got a couple texts with photos of us coming and going from the shop.”
“Oh really… now that is interesting. Well you get some sleep my marshmallow. I love you and I am here for you. This will be resolved and I will back you. After all, I know difficult siblings.”
>“That you do. I love you too. You will be in my thoughts and dreams…”
“And you in mine. Good night Sweetie”
>“Good night Anon”

>The next morning comes quickly, too quickly for Anon having not slept well with the thoughts of the stalker and Rarity dominating his night. The clock reads 0803 and the alarm is blaring rousing Tooner who decides that digging under Anon’s covers is better than the racket of that claxon Anon chose. Grumbling as he reaches the clock, he manages to get the alarm off and reaches down to the cat who nuzzles him in affection and joy.
“You funny ball of orange fur… What am I going to do with you this early on a Saturday?” Anon says with a paw batting his nose as a ‘merow’ emanated from Tooner. “Yes… food for us both… Good idea.”
“Merooow”
>Anon slides his covers off and puts on his fuzzy pants and tee from the previous night then heads down stairs with toner close in tow. The each have a bowl of cereal and cat food respectively though Tooner gets the sugary milk as a side treat. Anon sees a note his mom left on the fridge that he missed in his low calorie fog.
“Had to go help Suzie with her issues with her husband. Will call after noon”
“Will looks like I have the morning mostly to myself… mostly. Fucking asshat slashing my tire. I swear upon this fluff ball…” Anon grumbles as he pets Tooner. …”I will find out who did that. Prosecute to the maximum. No point in kicking their ass and getting an assault/battery package but a little judicial judgement will be perfect. Anyways, Tooner, I am going to go shower and get this day rolling.”
“Mao”

>Anon quickly gets showered, shaved, and dressed. Just before he heads out, he checks his phone seeing one message from Sweetie with bed head and a smile as well as a message from Rarity.
“Just thought you would like a smile and a well wish for your day” Sweeties messaged with the photo.
Rarity, however, sent a half legible message that screams drunk texting and the only readable parts of the message being ‘Sweetie’ and ‘whorewear’.
“Oh this is going to be interesting. I wonder if she will remember this or will this be another bout of the play wrap party and the resulting fugue. I hope to that she has this as a fugue for Sweetie’s sake.”
>Anon walks to his truck and calls ahead to the repair shop about the tire and his need to have an officer there to make a report. He tosses the phone on the seat and gets driving. He makes it halfway back into civilization when his phone ring, listing Mr. Rich as the caller.
“Huh. I wonder why Mr. Rich is giving me a call, especially on a Saturday,” he states as he quickly picks up the call.
>“Hello Anonymous. How are you today?”
“Hello Mr. Rich. I am pretty good though I have to replace a tire today. Someone decided to prank me, cutting it.”
>”That sounds worse than a prank and downright dangerous.”
“It was so I am going to the shop and going to file a police report. May I ask what you need today, sir?”
>”Anon, I would like to invite you to my annual Labor Day Cookout. I wanted to invite you personally given how much help you have been with the projects you have handled and the improvements to our production automation.”
“Thank you sir. What time will it be and where will it be?”
>“It will be Monday and it will start at 4:00pm at my mansion. Feel free to bring a guest as well if you like.”
“Thank you very much sir. I look forward to coming and thank you for the personal invitation.”
>“You are welcome Anonymous. I will email you the directions and will see you then. May you have a good day,” Mr. Rich finishes as he hangs up.

“Well that is a change of fortune. I am sure Sweetie would enjoy coming with me to that. It would be a nice change from all this rising shit. Plus I can’t wait to see Diamond’s face when we show up as invited guests,” Anon chuckles to himself. “I know Sweetie will be happy about that new. I wonder if her mom has told her and Rar I have been invited to dinner Sunday as well. That will be an interesting conversation I am sure.”

>As Anon is pulling into the auto shop, his phone rings (https://youtu.be/AFa1-kciCb4) .
“Hoo boy… Well I will have to return that call in a few minutes. Need to check my truck in first THEN I can call my dad back…” Anon mumbles to himself as he mutes the call. His phone keeps ringing again and again as he finally checks in and waits for the tire to be replaced. Finally, after 15 minutes, he calls his father back, ignoring the texts he was getting as well about him avoiding the call.

“Hello Dad. Sorry I did not pick up. I was in the middle of answering a few questions at the Auto Shop.”
>”Anon… I just spoke to your sister.”
“Oh? What did Lily have to say? I bumped into her last night when I was out.”
>” So she said so as well. She also told me you ruined her date with Flash,” his father accuses.
“Now hold on dad. I was on a date myself last night with my new girlfriend. Lily came to my table in the private room I reserved. I will gladly explain in person after I finish here given I have to replace a tire.”
>”Why the hell do you have to replace a tire? Were you off-roading and had to have it towed in again? I swear I am tired of the crap you pull…”
“My tire was slashed at the mall. I have an idea who it may be and am talking to the police here too,” Anon sighs.
>”Just make sure you meet with me on the farm as soon as you are done. I would like to know how you could afford dating and more about this girl you were out with, especially given that your sister says she is quite young.”
“I will gladly explain it later. Looks like the officer here needs to ask me a few more questions. I will see you afterward,” Anon replies in exasperation.
>”I will be at your grandmother’s till one then I will be at the old dairy barn branding.”
“Yer sir…”

>”Mr. Anonymous? I am Officer Hippolytus. Would you mind going over the incident with me one more time? I want to make sure the report is correct.”
“Certainly, officer.”
>”So you had parked at the mall and came back out to a slashed tire.”
“Yes Sir. I had also received a text with a photo earlier in the day with a knife and a picture of my truck. I don’t know the number but think it is connected.
>”We will see about that. Can you forward the texts or photos?”
“I will gladly do that as well as the several other photos that had came from that number. One looks like it was taken as I saw someone run off as I looked up from changing the tire.
>”Really?” the officer states as Anon notices he is not taking any notes and has changed to a mocking tone.
“Yes Officer. I think it is related to someone who has been stalking my girlfriend.”
>“Alright. I will file the report for you. Here is my card and call us if you have anything else to add. My email is also on there so if you can pull the text log and pictures. Send them to me here.”
“Thank you for your help, sir,” Anon says as the officer turns and walks out waving over his shoulder.

“I hope he was just bored from his shift. Otherwise…”
>“Hey kid! I only believe you because I know you!” the lead auto tech barks out from the back bays.
“I was afraid of that… So much for the day improving,” Anon rolls out as he begins a message to Sweetie.

“Good morning beautiful. Were you able to sleep?”
>”After a while. You are at the tire shop?”
“Yes and it looks like they are almost done. I tried to file a report about it but the officer didn’t seem to believe me.”
>”What? Why?”
“No one believes teens and kids it seems. The techs here say believe me because they know me.”
>”figures. So what are you doing the rest of the day? Homework and projects?”
“After I have to go visit my dad on the farm. He wants to talk to me about Lily and our date.”
>“Oh no. What do you think is going to be going on?”
“If Lily lied as much as normal, he is probably going to try to yell me down or chide me. He claims I ruined Lily’s date with Flash.”
>“WHAT? It was out date that got messed up.”
“I know. Has there been anything else out of Rarity?
>”No. She did not seem to remember anything and wondered why there were three wine bottles laying near her by the sofa. She has since gone out back to her crafting studio above the carport.”
“I was afraid of that. So what all are you doing today? I can’t remember if you told me.”
>”Going over to Rainbow and Scoots’s house. AB will be there too as well as one of Dash’s old friends from before she moved out here.”
“Sounds like you will be having fun.”
>”Yeah but I will be missing you. I really enjoyed last night, Nonny.”
“I enjoyed last night too, Sweetie. I do have some good news. Two bits actually”
>”Oh? What is it?”
“Well I have been invited to Filthy Rich’s mansion for his annual cookout and was told to bring a guest. I would love it if you could join me.”
>”I would love to. I just don’t know what to wear.”
“We can talk about that later and I am sure Diamond will not be trouble. Keeping up appearances and all.”
>”Indeed. What is the other good news?”
“Your mom invited me over for Sunday dinner just before I dropped you off from our trip to see VP Luna. She really seems to like me.”
>”That is interesting. I wonder why she has said nothing about it to me.”
“I guess she forgot with all her studying? She also wants me to meet your dad.”
>”That is… even more interesting.  I just hope he doesn’t have to cancel joining us because he gets another call from work… I really miss seeing him. Normally he just goes fishing or is out cold from managing his company.”
“I didn’t know he was gone so much. No wonder your sister was complaining about male role models.”
>”I guess…I just know you make me happy and that I love you.”
“I love you too Sweetie. I will message you after my meet up with my dad. I am sure I will need it,” Anon sends as he is called back to the counter.

>”Alright, Mr. Anonymous. It will be $150 for the new tire. Too bad the guy did not slash them all. In that case it would be covered by insurance.”
“Oh darn… just my luck. Maybe I can ask his to do the rest next time…”
>”Funny, kid. Now will that be on your family’s account or do you have some savings you need to go get?”
“Who’s the funny guy now? Just run it on my bank card,” Anon quips as he checks the clock, seeing it is 11am now.
>“Alright, kid. Watch for roots and ‘jealous’ suitors of your girlfriend,” the manager retorts as he runs the card.
“Right. Will do…” Anon grimaces as he signs the bill and takes his keys. 
>”I am sure you will!” the manager laughs as Anon walks out the door to his truck.

>Anon makes the drive quickly to the far side of Ponyville and his Grandmother’s house, passing Sweet Apple Acres as he goes. The orchards line the roads for miles as he goes, leaving him to ponder how close harvest season is as he sees the trees’ full boughs.
“Hmm might need to check in with the Apples about any of the packing and pickup equipment I built. Seeing them will definitely lighten my mood after this…” Anon trails off as the orchard transitions to open fields of his family’s property. 
>Fifteen minutes later, he turns right and approaches a small house on a hill. A long, wide porch lines one side of the house with a small carport off the side. Two black walnut trees and a large magnolia frame 3 corners of the house with a large red smoke house and a large rose garden framing the fourth side of the home. Anon pulls up in the wide side yard beside the carport and parks beside the larger black walnut tree. He quickly gets out and passes his grandmother’s Lexus sedan, the green ford farm truck, and his father’s maroon Tahoe.
“I guess I did catch him up here at the house. That should make this go much better… I hope.”
> AS Anon starts up the steps, his grandmother opens the door and greets him with a hug.
“Hi Gannar. How are you today?”
“Hi Nonny! I am doing well,“ his grandmother replies. “You made it just as I was finishing lunch. Still have some extra bacon and tomatoes cut if you would like a sandwich.”
“That sounds great. I was just coming out to see you and my dad and I was hoping I had not missed him before he got to the dairy barn.”
>”He just stepped into the backroom so you made it just in time. I was having some trouble with the thermostat and he was just helping me find a couple tools as I finished. Now come in and have a seat. I should have all our sandwiches ready soon. By the way are you going to make it to lunch tomorrow?” She asks as he sits in his grandfather’s rocker and she steps back into the kitchen.
“I would never miss your Sunday lunch if possible. It is my only chance to see all my family since the divorce.”
>”I know that has been hard on you. I always loved your mom… She has definitely done well in taking care of you and your sister.”
“At least till Lily moved out”
>”Now don’t speak ill of your sister in front of me, Anon. She is…doing her best… Just needs to shake herself out a bit,” his grandmother comments.

>”Alright, mother. I was able to find the spare mercury switches so it should not take long… OH Anon. I see you made it.
“Yes dad. Luckily the rim was not damaged so I just had to pay for a new tire.”
>”What happened, Anon?” His grandmother asks.
“Someone slashed my tire at the mall. I think it is a kid who is not fond of me dating a girl he likes.”
>”You are dating someone? Well that is a change. Please tell me more,” His gannar requests as a 30lb orange tabby figure 8s his legs and flops over beside the rocker.
“Just started dating a girl I had been taking home from afterschool choir. She is both a former classmate and is the younger sister of another classmate. I think I had mentioned liking a girl from AP Biology a few months back. Well it is the same girl.”
>”That is wonderful, Anon. Isn’t it great to hear, son?” Gannar responds.
>“Um yes it is. How about we get lunch started and we can discuss this a bit later,” his dad replies.
“Sure dad. Sounds good to me,” Anon smirks.

>Lunch goes quickly as the sandwiches and Pringles are quickly eaten and Anon answers questions about how he is dual enrolled at CHS and SIATS, how his mom is, and how it is going for him as he fills his time with helping the Apples and a couple of the mechanical projects he has been willing to share his successes on.
“So I was able to make a couple projects that a couple of the local businesses want to buy and market. Nothing much till I can patent them so I don’t lose my rights,” Anon continues.
>”Don’t get ahead of yourself, Anon. You are just still a high school student. You should worry about that stuff after college and you have a full job,” His dad quips. 
>”Oh don’t mind him. I know you have been inventing and inventive your whole childhood. I think you should take the opportunity while you can,” Gannar says with a knowing wink.
>”Mother, I think he needs to be more focused on school at this point and should even consider not dating as much. School should be his only priority.”
“Ah… ok. So my managing to get enrolled early in college while finishing high school and being likely to graduate a semester early, is not focusing upon school?”
>”I didn’t realize you were going to graduate early, Anon. That is even better!” his grandmother cheers.
“I was going to keep it a secret so I could have a bit of refocusing time in spring but now seems as good of a time as any to share,” Anon snarks as he glances over to his dad. “I hope y’all can forgive me for keeping it to myself.”
>”I just think you should be keeping it all on the typical path. I don’t know why your mom is encouraging you to go this path,” His father fires back. “I think that tire damage is a warning that you are letting yourself be a target. You should not be dating if you are doing all this.”
“Gannar, may I be excused? I will put my dishes in the kitchen as I go.”
>”Sure Nonny. I think it is about time I get those cleaned anyways,” she replies as she take her plate and his father’s, leaving him with half a sandwich in his hand.

>Anon quickly takes his dishes, placing them in the sink and then rushes to the bathroom. He locks the door behind himself before quickly looking at himself in the mirror. His face was flushed, his rage bubbling to the surface.
“Why the fuck must he be giving me a hard time about school. I am acing those and doing more than everyone else in the family was at this point,” anon mumbles under his breath. “I just don’t get this… Am I being used as a proxy and ‘should be doing worse’ because of my mom in his opinion?”
>Anon quickly uses the toilet and then washes his hands, rinsing his face off as well. As he steps out of the bathroom, he bumps into his grandmother as she is putting the napkins in the wash basket.
>“Don’t mind your dad, Anon. He is just projecting his stress on you. I have told him to not be so harsh on you but I don’t know why he is doing this. His father, your grandfather, was a rigid man too if you recall.”
”I can barely recall that. I was just 11 when he passed. Still wish I could have known him better and the Alzheimer’s stripped him of the capacity to know me better.”
>”I know. It was too bad as I know he did adore you and your sister,” She replies as she places a hand on Anon’s shoulder. “Well your dad said for you to meet him at the tractor barn before he gets going to the dairy barn. I would not keep him waiting.”
“I won’t but before I go I wanted to tell you thank you for your support and for not telling him about my major successes. I think it would bother him that I am doing as well as I fully am. I also think you would love my Sweetie. She is a couple years younger but is brilliant and loves me.”
>”Anon, I know if you care about her, I would love her too. You are a bright and caring boy. I know you would never do anything foolish and have a good plan laid out. Now get going. He should be getting antsy about now.”
“Alright Gannar. Thanks and I love you.”
>”Love you too, Nonny. Now get moving.”
“Yes ma’am,” Anon replies as he quickly walks out the door.

>The tractor barn is a 5 minute walk from the house and across a small field where a couple angus cattle meander across his path, late season calves following them and jumping as Anon gets closer. Anon dodges a few cow pies as he picks up his pace and quickly makes it through the gate to the family graveyard and tractor barn. He smirks as he looks at all the equipment laid out to his left, mirroring the tombstones inside cinder block walls to his right. AS he walks around the bend, he finds his dad waiting beside the front end loader and adjusting the hydraulic lines as he waited.

“Heyo! Made it out here dad. Need some help with that?”
>”No Anon. I have got it… still don’t like how you modified the lines here and the manifold.”
“It was falling apart, dad, and needed replacement. I just went ahead with it so it would not pop when we use if and make a mess of the fluids or us.”
>”That is not the point and you know it. I wanted to hold off on that for a bit longer and it was fine.”
“A cracked manifold that was leaking fluids and could pop a hose is never a good idea. Never mind…” Anon finishes as he makes it to the tractor. “What is it you wanted to talk about?”
>” I would like to talk to you about your behavior to your sister last night. What inspired you to be yelling at her and her boyfriend in a crowded restaurant?”
“Wait…What? I had fussed back at Flash when he was insulting friends of mine, including exes, while we were in the bathroom. The guy even tried to follow me back to my table after putting his hands on me. I only told him to fuck off honestly and went back to my date.” 
>“Oh come on, son. You know flash is a good guy but an idiot. He is doing well and is good to your sister, so cut him some slack.”
“He would get girls drunk and have his way with them and neg them into being dependent on him. That is not a good guy in my book, Dad.”
>”At least he was able to get a scholarship for his football skills. I don’t see you getting any scholarships for your projects or school work. I probably have to pay for you to go like your siblings.”
“I happen to have a couple scholarships that are covering my dual enrollment and I have had some decent success in my project work.”
>”That covers now but I doubt that is going to hold in the long run. You need to be more social too, like your sister.”
“For one, Lily is making poor grades while I am keeping just shy of a 90 average. Two she is dating, smoking, drinking and doing drugs while I work on my class work and help out with props for the school. I figured me dating someone would be social enough or should I go carousing like my brother did or like Lily does?”
>”Your dating would be acceptable but why are you dating a middle school girl?”
“Sweetie is an underclassman, not a middle school kid. She is in fact about to turn 16 and is in a grade higher than normal. Beautiful and brilliant.”
>”Are you sure you are not having blinders on like you did with that girl who would not eat meat? Flutty something?”
“Fluttershy. Sweetie is the younger sister to one of a mutual friend of her’s and mine.”
>”I still think you should not be involved with a girl younger than you till at least college and then only if she is 18.”
“So I am not to see the people who I actually can connect with, just have vapid dates or waste time?”
>”Anon. I think you should be listening to me. I have been around longer than you and you should be avoiding kids like that.”
“Kids like what? Someone who would be legal to consent to anything in days to months from now or do you mean connected to my ex?”
>”Son. Trust me I know what I am talking about,” His father says as he steps closer, poking him in the chest with his middle finger. “I know this is going to be trouble and her parents are not going to be fond of this.”
“I beg to differ given her mom liked me enough when she met me yesterday, I was invited to dinner at their house tomorrow night. She even wants me to meet Sweetie’s dad.”
>”I advise you against going. You should avoid this and stay away from this girl. She has to be after something if she is dating you.”
“What do you mean by that dad? That she just wants to be pregnant and hold me back?”
>”EXACTLY.”
“And what exactly is Lily aiming for with Flash or him with her?” Anon asks.
>”What does that have to do with this. She is free to date who she wants and he is a successful guy,” His father quips.
“It amazes me the lack of perception you have for that hypocrisy… Look I need to go and try to finish my homework and a new project I have. Are we done here?”
>”No as you need to understand what you are getting into.”
“Dad…I love you but you are failing to make a point, are starting to repeat yourself, and are making judgements based on little information.”
>”I think that you are failing to grasp my point. Let’s look at you getting a slashed tire. Would you not say that is proof you should not be dating this girl if someone who likes her is going to damage your truck?
“It tells me someone needs to be arrested and I tried to file a report about the incident. The officer seemed uninterested in taking my statement though so I am thinking of calling the sheriff since he knows me personally.”
>”I would not waste his time. After all it was likely a warning you should have seen coming.”
“What? Seriously…WHAT?” Anon fires off. “How could I have foreseen that someone would be enough of a fool or asshole to cut my tire? That is not normal behavior even for an immature fuck of a high school student.”
>”Just stay away from the girl now. I am flat out telling you she has to be trouble if this follows the minute you date her.”
“You know… Dad… fuck you and your high horse,” Anon says as he promptly turns and begins to walk away.
>”You can’t talk to me that way, Anon. Come back here!” his dad fires off as he stomps after him. He catches up to him at the gate, spinning Anon around with a firm grip on his shoulder. “You can’t talk to me that way when I am trying to help you or ever.”
“Shouldn’t. You mean shouldn’t and I just did. The question now is are you going to hit me for it or are you going to let me get back home so I can bunker into my precious school work.”
>”You are going to apologize right now to me0,” His dad yells as he pokes him hard in the chest.
“No. Now let me go.”
>”Absolutely not. You will show me respect when I am trying to guide you. A 17 year old like you doesn’t know the world like I do.”
“Dad… You have no clue what is actually going on here even as I tell you about it. I am ‘wrong’ in your opinion and am insolent, especially since I sided with my mom during the divorce. I will be ‘wrong’ for years I think but I will not be treated like a fool,” Anon states as he shoves his father back and quickly makes it out the gate and breaks for his truck. AS he approaches it, he sees a second red truck has rolled up with a ”Sweet Apple Acres” logo on the door. Anon redirects himself into the house and comes upon his Gannar and Granny Smith chatting in the rockers inside.
>”Anon! What I the matter? What has you in such a hurry?” his grandmother asks
“Oh the usual bumping heads with my dad. Just needed to put some distance for a moment.”
>”Landsakes… Is he still giving you troubles?” Granny Smith asks.
“Yes ma’am. Just been mad at me for a while now…Now he is not fond of me dating…”
>”He just can’t be happy for ya, can he?” Granny asks. “Little Apple Bloom was bubbling this morning that you and her friend were going out. I frankly think that is great for ya though I was hoping you would take a fancy to lil Bloom.”
“Your granddaughter is great as are your other grand kids. Sweetie… I can’t describe it…” Anon gets out as the door opens and his father steps in red faced.
>”Anon how dare you shove me like that!” his dad yells, taking him a moment to take in that Anon is not alone in the room.
>”Why hello sonny. Nice day we are having...” Granny fires off. “What has you so worked up? Anon here was just telling us a bit about his new girlfriend, one of the best friends of my youngest granddaughter.”
>”I was just talking to him about the same thing…” Anon’s dad stammers and straightens himself up. “He ran off before we could finish.”
“Gannar? DO you mind if I can finish my story tomorrow? I really need to get my homework finished so I can enjoy this extended weekend.”
>”Sure, Nonny. Go right ahead. I would love to hear more then. Son? Could you come sit over here with me and Granny Smith? We would like to talk with you for a few minutes…”
>Anon’s dad promptly goes and sits on the loveseat between the rockers the elderly ladies were occupying, clearing the path for Anon to head out. Anon quickly gives hugs to the two ladies and waves to his dad as he scurries out, leaving his father to an inquisition over why he has been acting as less than a role model today.
“So son. Would you mind telling me what you have against Nonny dating?”


>Anon quickly makes it out of the driveway when his phone chirps. He pulls off into the gated entrance to the nearest field, noting it is a message from Scootaloo.

>”SO Nonny… how was last night? Did you and Sweetie have a FUN night?”
“I think I should not answer that. She will tell you everything she is comfortable with as she promised you, I believe.”
>”Oh come on… I want to hear your side”
“I will say that we enjoyed the stars, some grape soda, and good company.”
>”Is that all?”
“For the most part. We did admit our feelings and how much we enjoy the other’s embrace. For any more details, you will have to ask Sweetie when she comes over later. I Have to get back to driving now but will have my skype up later is you, Bloom, and Sweetie want to reach me as I do my HW and my projects.”
“Aw… I want details. I guess I will have to wait for Sweetie then. TTYL.”

>Anon shakes his head as get puts the phone back down and resumes his drive. Soon he is surrounded by apple trees again as he drives through the main road by the Apple’s farm, seeing Mac hard at work in the orchard laying out the bushel baskets for picking time. Not far off are AJ and Braeburn sitting on the front tractor wheels, though he looks too worn to be good for much help. Anon honks as he goes by, getting waves in return.
“Guess Brae just can’t keep up with his cousins or is it that the hay is hitting him back too hard?” Anon chuckles as he drives on. “I really should stop by but it is getting a bit late,” Anon says as he looks at his radio as it reads 1315. “I will get nothing done if I don’t hurry back.”
>The rest of Anon’s ride is scenic but fast. Beavers damned up along the road again at the Cagle’s so that part of the road flooded again but he made good time home and into his shop.
“Nothing like home…and the smell of machine oil. Now where did Pinkie put my push broom?” he states as he looks across the shop, still covered in the confetti explosion from trying to calibrate and Pinkie misfiring it at him, leaving an Anon shaped silhouette on one of the side walls.
“Now should I clean that down or take a picture first? Sweetie would laugh her cute butt off at it I am sure…” he says as he pulls out his phone, seeing one missed message from Sweetie.
“Huh…how did I miss this?” he asks as he opens the message. His eye grow wide as he takes in the photo of her wearing just a pair panties he bought her yesterday.
>”Did not model these for you yesterday so here is a preview before AB gets here and we go to RD & Scoot’s house.” 
“I have said is once and will say it again. This girl is going to kill me but I will go with a smile I swear.” 
“I will have to see them sometime soon then. Talk to you later my love and I will have my skype up as I work in the shop in case you are not too busy,” he replies before digging out his school bag and clearing a work table.
“Ok… Trig for SIATS or should I finish physics for CHS first… Soda first…” He chatters to himself as he pulls out a Mellow Yellow before flipping open the Physics book to projectile motion and kinematics section. “Might as well do the light part of the work first…”

>A knock comes on Sweetie’s bedroom door. She answers it in her fluffy pink bath robe and bed slippers having been lounging after her text and having lost track of the time.
>”Who is it?”
>”Just me Sweetie,” Apple Bloom says as she opens the door. “I let myself in since no one answered up front.”
“Oh alright. Just give me a few minutes to get ready. Just been a bit distracted and all…”
>”Why aren’t you dressed yet? It is one o’clock.”
“Well I was sending Anon a message and then got distracted as I think of fun stuff we could do as he is letting me decide our next date.”
>”You can tell me about it as you get changed. Scoots is blowing up my phone asking when we will get over there!”
“OK OK…I will hurry. Now close the door. Rarity is mad at me and I don’t want her to see…”
>”See what?” AB gets out as the door shuts and Sweetie opens her robe showing that she still only has on the panties she wore in the pic to Anon, drawing wide eyes from Apple Bloom.
“See me in more of the undergarments I bought with Anon…” Sweetie blushes. “He took me to that more adult shop I was curious about…”
>“Whoa… I… wow. Those are…”Apple Bloom stumbles out as she is trying to find words to respond.
>“Rarity called these and the bra & panty set he bought me ‘whore wear’ as soon as she looked into my bag when I got in last night,“ Sweetie states. “I know they are more out there but we both liked them so I asked for them…”
>“I can see why she said it but that is not right. You are the most ladylike person I know and Scoots is the least. You both are like sisters to me and I would never say or let someone say that about any of us,” Apple Bloom says as she regains her thoughts.
>“I know and I know Rarity would not normally say anything like that. She has been letting the wine and stress rule her thoughts lately. Plus she has been extra annoyed at Anon for some reason. I can’t explain it.”
>“Well we can talk more about it later. First you need to finish getting dressed. So are you going to change out of those or are you going to keep wearing them?” Apple Bloom asks.
>“I don’t know. What do we have planned today?”
>“Well we were going to hang out with Rainbow and she was going to try teaching Scoots how to drive. That plan has taken a bit of a secondary priority since Rainbow’s old friend Gilda called and said she was swinging through. I do know she wants to get to know the scene here so we might get to go to The Bar and try out their new net connected stereo and karaoke system,” AB replies.
>“Net connected Karaoke? Is that the new one that can convert YouTube videos and albums into vocal-less versions?” Sweetie asks.
>“I think so.  Frankly I am surprised the place reopened after the cops shut the place down for not carding patrons. I guess the fines are no issue to the owner.”
>“That sounds fun… hmm. If we do go, mind if I ask Anon to meet us? I told him I was thinking about karaoke for our next date,” Sweetie adds as she sorts through her closet and puts on a bra.
>“You saw him last night so don’t you think it is a bit early to see him again? Just curious…” AB asks.
>“What makes you say that?”
>“AJ has told me that you should keep a guy wanting for more or something like that. I don’t get it really.”
>“Rarity has said similar but I had a hard night and from what he said he has had a hard morning. I just figure since it is a long weekend, we should make the most of the time we all can to enjoy ourselves,” Sweetie adds.
>As AB is about to say more, her phone plays the chicken dance. She blushes and answers it quickly.
>“Whats up Scoots?” she replies as Sweetie chuckles beside her as she latches her blue jean skirt.
>”Just wondering when you two will get here. SOOO bored listening to these two catch up. I can only re-read this magazine so many times as they go on.”
>”Well we should be going soon. Sweetie was a bit distracted when I got here doing a fashion show via text…”
“Hey now…” Sweetie says as she does a mad pout.
>“Oh really…a panty shot of two for Nonny?”
>”In the new ones he bought her!”
>”SAY WHAT? Now I gotta see this…” Scoots fires back.
“I will bring them all to show you both. No point in keeping secrets though the pink ones might need some cleaning already…” Sweetie says with a blush.
>”Ok full disclosure when you get here. Leave NOTHING out…NOW HURRY!” Scoots says as she hangs up.
>”Well we had better hurry then otherwise she is going to text away all her phone usage for the month,” Apple Bloom says.
“Sure sure. Just help me get my stuffed packed while I get a shirt on. We need to get rolling before Rarity can tell me to stay here.”


>Anon’s shop pc pings and a yellow rotating light illuminates the shop, drawing him away from the mill as he was making a small servo mount for his robot’s eyes. He quickly brushes off the aluminum shavings and powers up the screen, noting it is 1630. 
“Ah Sweetie made it over to Scoot’s and wants to video chat. I guess I can spare some time for that.”
>Anon opens the video invite and looks out into the camera’s view of Scootaloo’s den. He can make out one rainbow haired girl talking to another with white hair and purple tips while they look over the trophy collection. Both girls are dressed in just tees and underwear as they missed the screen going live with his face.
“Helllooo? Are any crusaders about?” Anon yells out, making the two girls jump as Scoots had the volume maxed. 
>”Anon?” Dash says with a blush as she skitters off behind a sofa. “How did you get on the screen?”
“I guess the others send me a video invite while I was working and I accepted after they wandered off.”
>”We just stepped to the kitchen! Be back in a second,” comes a voice in the distance. 
>”Scoots! Don’t send the invite if you are not going to be infront of the computer,” Dash fires off.
>”alright sis. Just forgot from my stomach getting ahead of me.”
>”Take that to your bedroom if you are going to continue. I don’t like being on candid camera!”
>“That is a change of pace...” the other girl replies.
 >“Oh hush Gilda…” Dash responds blushing hard. “Just get that out of the den!”
>”FINE! Well anon I guess you get to see the way to my room then. Sweetie was telling us about what you got her and the date… You lucky dog,” Scoots finishes as they enter her room catching AB blush as she is holding up the pink panties you bought Sweetie.
“Did she also tell you both about the stalker and tire slashing?”
>”yeah… I am sorry that you had to buy a new tire. Do you have any ideas who it could be?” Scoots asks.
“Got some ideas but do you happen to know anyone with skin about as pale as Sweetie’s and is good with a camera?”
>”Maybe. Feather Weight comes to mind but he gave that up I think after he got caught using a zoom lens at the wrong girl and a couple football players decided the school paper needed a new photographer.”
“Hmm… I thought so. Now do you girls know what his phone number is?”
>”I already asked them and it doesn’t match the one that messaged you,” Sweetie chimes in.
>”Well looks like I have a regular squad of Nonny’s Angels here…”
>”Very funny, Anon,” AB chimes in. “Better watch it with those old jokes. They are antiques.”
“Anyways, do you three have any idea of what your plans are? I finished most of my homework and am just going to work all night unless you have any ideas,” Anon fires off as he steps back, dusting off more metal dust and checks his 3D printer, adjusting the spools so it can keep running.
>”Well we are planning on eating here then maybe visiting The Bar as it reopened and has a new music set up,” AB states.
>”Whoa…Nice shop Anon…What all do you have in there,” Scoots interrupts.
“Like it Scoots? It is where I build the props for the plays and also a few ‘nicer’ things. Sweetie knows a good bit about it all from her recent tour. Have a few prints I made for y’all based upon the sketches Sweetie made for cutie marks,” he adds as he holds up 3 small shields with split rings for car keys.
“I thought it would be a nice surprise for the next I saw y’all.”
>”Oh awesome! Did you put him up to this Sweetie?”
>”Nope. I told he was full of surprises…”
>”Wow Anon. AJ will be jealous of this. She might ask you to make a similar one for her for her truck keys…”
“Well, all anyone has to do is ask nicely and I am willing to do these. That is…within reason.”
>”So Anon…” Scoots starts. “…how was Sweetie last night?”
>”Scoots!” comes a yell from behind her from her companions with Sweetie taking on a crimson hue.
“Scootaloo…”
>“Yes…”
“Want to know more?”
>“YES…”
“That’s nice,” Anon replies with a wink, drawing laughter from behind Scoots.
>”That was not very nice…”
“Nor is prying about another’s love life. Anyways, back to The Bar. I thought the owner was jailed and ran out of funds from having to pay fines and back rent?”
>”Rainbow told me that it is open tonight as a test night to see if he can just have it open on the down-low.”
“That makes me concerned. I am not sure this is a good idea.”
>”Oh come on Anon. Sweetie was just telling us what she wants to sing and I know you have some ideas. Plus I want to see who all wanders in. It should make for an interesting night.”
“So what time are y’all planning on going…”
>”Well we haven’t decided,” AB chimes in. “Rainbow was saying to Gilda that the crowd normally starts around dark so we were talking about 8 pm.”
“Okay. I could meet you there at 8:30 or so. Need to make up for some lost time from this morning.”
>“Alright. See you then,” Scoots says as AB waves bye.
>”See you soon, Nonny,” Sweetie says as she blows a kiss which he reaches out a hand to mock catch with a wink. 

> Anon manages to finally finish the head’s design and double checks the UPS’s power gage before setting the 3D printer on a nested build to maximize his build time.
“Well that should get at least half of it done over tonight. Now to make sure I did not work TOO late...” He murmurs to himself as he sees the time is 7:15. “Well crap… I gotta hurry, bathe, change, and eat… Thank goodness fir leftovers of the Irish stew I cooked. That solves one part of all this.” 
>Anon quickly locks up the shop and jogs to the house. His mom has returned and is sitting in the swing with Rascal sleeping next to her and Aro at her feet. He waves to her as he runs inside, quickly pulling the personal sized plastic container of stew out and tossing it in the microwave. He then runs upstairs to shower and change as it reheats, setting a personal bathing record, should those actually exist. 
“Now what to wear? Fuck it. Blue jeans, cowboy boots, and a snarky black tee.” He says as he grabs his favorite jeans and his “telling me how to do my job can be dangerous to your health” caution sign shirt. “This should be good enough for that trash bin of a dive bar. I still can’t shake this feeling something is going to go wrong. I hope it is just my being hungry but at least I will be with a group so at least I have back up,” He says as he pulls on his boots and adjusts his belt as he stands. “Alright, now to eat quickly… I think mom would like some company in the swing as I eat.” 
>Anon scampers down the steps and grabs his now warmer stew, a mellow yellow, and a spoon as he makes for the door. The dogs wake seeing him come outside from the kitchen and try to jump up to take his food.
“Mine damn it. I don’t have time to play. Do y’all want me to eat on the trampoline or my hood?” he fires out as he tries to hold them at bay with his foot.
>”Anon?” His mother drowsily says, having fallen half asleep herself in the cooling air of the later summer night. What are you up to?”
“Just trying to get to the swing to join you as I eat but our beasts are trying to take my food…”
>”Aro! Rascal! DOWN!” his mother yells out and the two animals fall to a low crouching position.
“Thanks mom,” Anon states as he sits and opens the stew.
>”Anytime. Now for the food tax..” She says as she takes his spoon to have a bite. “Now what has you rushing? Got another hot date?”
“You guessed it. Tonight I am meeting her and her friends at The Bar. Somehow it reopened and has improved, or so the rumor is. Also going to see RD and her friend from out of town there.”
>”I am not sure it is wise for you to go there. I have heard too many bad stories about that place.”
“I am only willing to go there because I have a group. I know Lily often has been there but she…”
>“Is your sister, bad judgement and all.”
“Yeah…” Anon states between bites. “I bet I will see her there but I doubt she would notice me like she did last night.”
>“Last night?”
“Bumped into her and her date there where she made a scene in my reserved room. I also had to see my dad today about it as well as replace a tire from a prankster.”
>“Why did you not tell me this earlier?”
“I had work to do and I did not want to worry you,” Anon softly says as he slurps from his plastic ‘bowl’.
>”I understand but that is not really an excuse. You know I worry about you.”
“I know mom. I promise to be careful and I am watching over my date too. I don’t think she gets how that place goes but at least she has me and her friends. I need to get going if I am to get there by when I promised. Should never leave a lady waiting…”
>” Always the gentleman…”
“You and Gannar taught me well,” he says as he hugs and kisses his mom bye then gets driving the 45 min ride to the other side of Canterlot.

>”so how are we going to do this? Who rides with who?” Scoots asks as all five girls stand outside.
>”Dweebs ride together. That way Dash and I don’t have to worry about you.”
>”Gilda! Come on and be nicer to my sister and her friends…” Dash barks at her platinum haired friend.
>”It is fine Dash. I was hoping to see how AB handles this old jeep anyways,” Scoots replies as she taps the red clay pocked, pale orange CJ5. “I get to feel the wind this way too so I don’t mind.”
>“Okay Scoots. See you there then,” Dash replies as she and Gilda climb into her black Mustang with Rainbow pin striping down the sides. She cranks it to a mighty roar and backs it out to the street, revving it twice before screeching her tires in a burst of speed down the straightaway that is her street.
“Well that was excessive,” Sweetie replies.
>“Yeah but so cool…” Scoots says as they walk to AB’s apple cart of a jeep. “I call backseat!”
>“Fine by me as long as you stay buckled in on the main roads. You almost got me ticketed last time.”
>“Ugh. Fine.”
“I am so excited!”
>”That you get to sing or see your boyfriend?” Scoots quips as AB backs up the Jeep and accelerates evenly.
“Well…” Sweetie blushes. “Both really. Anon is…
>“Ugh. Apple Bloom, Kill me if I get this bad when I get into a relationship…”
>”Why would I do that? I want to see you gush and bubble as much as she does. It will be HI-Larious!”
>”Shut it...” Scoots pouts as she crosses her arms.
>The CMC make it to The Bar a few minutes before 8pm and the place is already packed. They see several cars of their friends and see one lone open spot over by Dash’s ‘stang. They manage to fit in despite the tight fit and make for the door as the badly sung music reverberated through the walls of the shack. As they near the door, a short kid with what looks like a crew also reaches the door.
>”well lookie here! Hello Sweetie Belle! Brought some friends to hear me sing?”
“Oh no… Hello Button…. How are you?” Sweetie strains as her response. 
>” I am doing well. Just thought I would have the crew join me for a few songs. I believe you all know them. Snips, Snails, Featherweight, and Rumble.”
“Hello…guys. You remember them from school, don’t you girls?”
>“Yeah… charmed…” Scootaloo flatly says.
>“Yep,” Apple Bloom replies though her eye is caught by Snails, a fact he completely misses.
>“Well I don’t want to keep the audience waiting. See you inside!” Button says with an upward nod of his chin.
“Ok… now I am not comfortable…can we find something else to do or wait on Anon in the parking lot here? He won’t be too long,” Sweetie squeaks out.
>”Don’t worry. We got your back and RD is here too. You aren’t going to have to deal with him alone,” Apple Bloom replies.
>”We are here for ya!” Scootaloo says as she puts a hand on her shoulder. “After all, you have to shame them all with that singing voice of yours.”
“Alright…” Sweetie says as she puts her arms around her friends. “Let’s do this.”

>Inside The Bar, the girls see several high tables and stools clustered near a small stage and a 12 stool bar, all done in rustic roadhouse pine. The lights are low but still bright enough to clearly see the way through the maze of the tables. Along one side of the bar are several booths large enough for groups of 6 to 8 people or 4 drunk off their ass patrons as a couple booths are exhibiting at the moment. The stage has a mixing booth off to the side along the back wall for people to choose their music as well as enough space on it to stand in as a dance floor on the odd occasion. Neon lights periodically flash on behind the bar, advertising the draft choices and illuminating the drinks of the night written on the small dry erase board.
>The girls feel a pushing from behind having frozen I the doorway as they took in the scene.
>“Uh Where do you want to sit?” Apple Bloom asks as they begin walking toward the bar.
“Well let’s find a good seat to watch the stage and been seen from the door so Anon can find us,” Sweetie suggests.
>“I say we get a booth so that if we can get a drink we won’t fall…” Scoots adds.
“Scoots…I don’t think we should be trying to drink here,” Sweetie states. “Last thing we need is trouble, especially with Button here. I am going to stick to non-alcoholic till Anon gets here.”
>”Plus the drinking age is 18, Scootaloo,” AB adds. 
>”Oh come on… I know they don’t ask for IDs here. How else do you think RD and Gilda built up their tolerance?” Scootaloo adds as she points over to a booth with Gilda and RD bookending a concerned Soarin as they flirt with him and enjoy each a layered rainbow colored frozen drink with pineapple garnish.
>”Whoa… How fast did they drive to get here ahead of us by that much?” Sweetie asks as they walk closer to the booth beside their boisterous friends.

>”Sho Soarin… Which of us do you like better?” Dash slurs out.
>”Yeah…who draws your fancy?” Gilda prods as she ribs him and the music picks up as another singer comes up and butchers some pop song no one recognizes from their rendition.
>“Uh… I don’t know ladies… Can I wait to hear your singing first? I…uh… like a woman who can sing or can bake a mean apple pie…” Soarin manages to get out over the strangled cat at the microphone.

>“Alright ladies and gentlemen! That was a stirring rendition of Christina Aguilera’s ‘Genie in a bottle” performed by the precocious pigtailed Pixie! Next up is the Muffin Master with her favorite remix of an internet favorite!” the MC rattles out as a palid skinned blond girl with yellow eye makes her way up to the stage.
“Hey…I think that is the cashier for the Wise O’s. I wonder what she is going to sing,” Sweetie gets out as the music picks up and the audience begins to cringe and chuckle as the girl waits for her singing cue as she Derp Rolls the audience. ( https://youtu.be/opU5L1tQ-tE )

>“Oh Lord… Why doesn’t this song DIE!” comes a groan from Button’s high table as Snails bops along with it, oblivious to anything but the silly reworking of the song.
>“At least she is singing it better than the last 5,” Feather Weight fires out as the waitress comes up.
>”What can I get you gentlemen? More sodas or would you like something bolder?”
>”Hey guys? Another pitcher of Pib?”
>”Sounds great to me,” Snips fires in as he tries puffing up his chest to impress the waitress.
>”Alright. I will get that right out!”
>”Can you add a draft light beer to that for me?” Button asks as he winks.
>“Sure for the big spender,” The waitress adds as she skips off.

>As the song continues, the audience gets riled up, loving the performance as the girl dances like an idol singer as she sings. Soon they are breaking out lighters and cheering her on. She finishes raising the mic over her head like a torch to applause, bowing as the music ends and bounces off stage squeeing and bubbling at the attention she received.

>The waitress returns to Button’s table with their drinks and laughs as Button gives her an extra few dollars.
>“Hey have those girls over there ordered yet?” Button asks as he points to the CMC booth.
>“No. Would you like to send them something?”
>“Sure… I would like to send a strawberry daiquiri to the girl with cotton candy hair there and a couple banana ones to her friends.”
>“Alright. Any other requests?”
>“Not at this time other than just not tell them I sent it, and say they are smoothies,” Button says with a smirk.
>“Gotcha,” the waitress replies as she finishes writing the order.

>”Next up for tonight, we have special singer. She is the main singer for the Rainbooms and classic rock fan, the illustrious Dash from the Past!
>”Alright we are going classic here with one of my favorites and I dedicate this to you over there in that booth!” Dash says as she points at Soarin in her booth as he tries to keep Gilda’s hands from wandering. Soon the sounds of Survivor ( https://youtu.be/btPJPFnesV4 ) fills the bar as the audience all turn to listen in.

>The waitress comes over with the ‘smoothies’ to CMC booth and begins placing them down.
>”What are these? We didn’t order these…” Apple Bloom gets out as Scootaloo pulls one of the banana ones closer to herself.
>”Just some of our new smoothies we are trying out on this reopening night… and this one is for you young lady,” the waitress continues as she pushes the strawberry one close to Sweetie.
“I don’t know…” Sweetie trails off.
>”Wow! These are good! Try your drink, Sweetie!” Scoots belts out as she begins nursing hers.
“Well ok…” Sweetie replies as she takes a sip, filling her senses with a flush of cold and strawberries.  “Whoa. This is good…”
>”Glad to hear you like them. Is there anything else I can get you all?”
>”Maybe later,” AB replies as she begins her drink.
>“Hey girls… What do you say we join we the singing?” Scoots asks after a few more sips.
“I wanted to wait for Anon before I started but no reason you two can’t go ahead.”
>”I have an idea what I want to sing. How about you Scoots?” AB asks.
>”I need a minute to finish deciding. Plus I want to drink more of this. The coolness really helps with the weather today.”
>”Alright well I am going on up to put in my song. Should not be much of a wait,” AB states as she slides out of the booth and makes for the request booth.

>Anon pulls into the parking lot and finds the lot as full as it was before and just like the girls, he finds an open spot beside RD’s ‘stang.
“Alright… This should make for an interesting night. I just hope this is a fun and peaceful evening. Dealing with dad is always… too much.”
>As Anon gets closer to the door, he sees a pale, brown haired teen who looks familiar.
“Hey is that you Feather Weight? What brought you here tonight?”
>”Uh…Hello Anon...” the teen replies nerviously. “I just thought that I would cheer on some friends singing…” the boy laughs tensely.
“Ah cool. Hey are you still into photography?”
>”A bit though not much lately. Why do you ask?”
“Well I was curious. I just wanted to make sure if I saw you yesterday. I was out at the mall and kept getting pictures sent to me from an unknown number. I just wanted to make sure it was not a bad send to your phone or something like that…” Anon continues as the boy sweats more and takes a back step.
>”I don’t know why you would suspect me…”
“Well I just remember that you have a really good zoom lens from the photos you got for the school paper when the gossip column was hot.”
>”Oh…alright… Well I think I need to get back to my group. Our singer was going to be going on stage soon and I don’t want to miss him.”
“Talk to you more later, Feather Weight!” Anon says with sweet cheer and Feather Weight runs inside quickly.

>After waiting in line for a few minutes, Apple Bloom makes it to the head of the karaoke signup line, getting her name and song choice on the list. She waves back to her friends as she turns to return when she gets tapped on the shoulder by Snails.
>“Hello Apple Bloom. What draws you out here tonight?” he says, tilting his head.
>“Just out with my friends and waiting on Sweetie’s boyfriend. Why are you hanging out with Button? Doesn’t he normally make fun of you?”
>“Oh he says he was just funning and meant nothing by it. He even offered to pay for me and Snips’s drinks tonight.”
>”And all that doesn’t strike you as odd?”
>“Not really. I just want to have some fun and he offered to take me out with his crew. He said there might even be a prize for me if I help him out,” Snails replies with a blush. “You look pretty tonight, Apple Bloom.”
>”Uh thanks. Just my usual clothes… I don’t see what is special about them. Well I gotta get back to the booth. Anon should be here soon.”
>”Why is Anon coming? I thought he usually avoided places like this or so I overheard him say when I tried out for the last play…”
>”Well he does but he is dating Sweetie so that is who we were waiting on.”
“AH… I think I get it. He is meeting you all and Sweetie’s boyfriend…”
“Yeah no… whatever. I need to get back. Just think about it for a bit and I am sure you will get it,” AB says as she starts walking away. “It was nice seeing you, Snails.”

>”Alright ladies and gentlemen! I am sure you are as fired up as I was by that song! Thanks good to you, Dash from the Past! Next up we have a new comer to the stage but often a wall flower she says. Please welcome the pink haired siren, Shy till I die!” the MC barks across the bar as a yellow clad young woman slowly makes it to the mic. 
>Hi everyone……um.. I hope my new beau enjoys this one since I am only up here at his prodding,” she says before taking a deep breath. “Ok… hit it…” she says as the opening bars of “Don’t Stop Believing” fills the air.

>Anon enters The Bar and scans the crowd as he looks for the Crusaders. Soon he sees Button and his friends in the center of the room and the girls at their booth as the current singer reaches the Chorus of the song. Sweetie spots him at about the same time he sees them and begins waving like crazy as she sips more of her almost empty drink.
“Ah there they are,” Anon says to himself. “…and so is the little pain with his own friends.”
>”WooHoo! Sing it Flutters!” comes a semi-slurred yell from Dash as she grips Soarin’s shoulder as Gilda slams back a shot and hops out of the booth, stomping to the registration booth.
“Well looks like someone has started the party early. Whoo boy…” he mumbles as he approaches the Crusaders’ booth. Sweetie hops out of the booth, glomping him with a wide hug.
>“Nonny! Glad you could make it!” she says as she hold tight and nuzzles into his chest.
”Whoa Sweetie! Glad to see you too! What has you so excited?” 
>” I just missed you and am glad to see you!” she bursts out and nuzzles into him further. “You aren’t mad at me for being excited are you?” she says doing her widest pout.
>”No no Sweetie. Just was a bit confused. Let’s sit down and we can catch up.”
>”Alright Nonny!” Sweetie bubbles out, joy restored.
>”Heya nerd!” Dash fires out as she notices Anon. What kept ya?”
“Hello Dashie,” anon says drawing out a blush from the inebriated teen. “Just working on a couple projects and some homework. I see you got a start on the fun.”
>”I thought I told ya to not call me that!”
“Sorry. Opportunity too good,” Anon retorts as Gilda stomps back to the booth and jumps over the table to her seat. “Hey, who’s your friend?”
>”Yeah… This is Gilda. We were childhood friends till I left to come to Canterlot. We were inseperable!”
>“Sup Dweeb,” Gilda quips as she sits, turning to face him whilst reaching a hand under the table toward Soarin’s leg.
>”Ah nice to meet you Gilda. More of a geek though.”
>“Noted…”
“So how are you Soarin?”
“Help me…” he whimpers. 
“Apparently overloaded. Don’t worry. I am sure you are in good hands with these ladies,” Anon winks as he sits in the booth with the Crusaders, Sweetie stuck to his side and finishing her drink.
“So… did I miss much?” Anon asks as Sweetie cuddles into him.
>”Well I put in for singing soon. I would put in soon if you want to sing before the crowd gets too drunk,” AB quotes.
“Alright. Sweetie?”
>“Yes Nonny?”
“Have you put in your song choice?”
>“I was waiting on you. I really want you to hear this…”
“Well then let’s go together. I have 2 song ideas for myself?”
>“Oh really… either of those choices for me?”
“Maybe…”
>”Could you love birds get on with it?” Scoots yells. “You are going to make me puke…”
“No need to be rude, Scoots,” Anon states as he stands and scoops Sweetie up into his arms and she wraps her arms around his neck. “Fine we shall go. Tell the server I want a coke. Gotta stay sober since I drove myself.”
 >”Yes Mr. Responsible…” Scoots groans
>”Try for a duet you two!” AB encourages.
>”We just might!” Sweetie adds.

>”Are you enjoying your drinks? Can I get you another?” the waitress asks upon her return.
>“I was not as fond of this Banana one,” Scoots replies while pushing away her empty glass. “Do you have something more…punch like?”
>“Oh I have an idea what to bring you then. And you miss?”
>“Got anything apple flavored? Banana is not my thing…”
>“Ok. And did the guy who say with you have any requests for him or his lady friend?”
>“Well She seemed to really like her drink so another of those for her. All he wants is a coke.
>“A rum and coke?” the waitress suggests.
>“Just a coke. He is driving and extremely specific and literal,” AB replies flatly.
>“Fine…a plain coke.”
>“I would suggest a cherry coke but I think he is carrying the cherry,” Scoots sniggers.
>”Scootaloo!” AB yells, making Dash laugh with a thumbs up.
>”Good one kid. Definitely Dash’s sister…” Gilda chuckles as she reaches a hand behind Soarin and rubs Dash’s side as her other hand massages Soarin’s inner thigh. Soarin turns redder by the minute as this continues as Dash bites her lip.
>”Don’t pass out Soarin… You still have to say which of us you like better…” Dash winks then growls something low into his ear, drawing a look of anticipation and fear.
>“More drinks ladies?”
>“Pitcher of margaritas. We need to get Soarin caught up. Isn’t that right, Gilda?”
>“Definitely Dash.”
>”Are they always like this?” AB asks.
>”From what Dash told me, this is par for the course for their getting together though it used to be pranks. Not so sure this time…” Scoots adds.

>Anon and Sweetie arrive at the request booth and he places her down. Just before he stands up, Sweetie grabs his cheeks and kisses him hard, leaving a bit of strawberry flavor in his mouth and the teste of something else that he cannot place.
>”Want another, Nonny?”
“After I get my songs in. Want to share what you are going to sing?”
>”I want to surprise you but you can back me up on it where it has a guy’s part.”
“Alright. Well I want you on stage with me for my second song. It is special.”
>”going for romantic?”
“It would be just for us given how both of us have relative not wanting us to be together.”
>”so your dad’s opposed to us?” Sweetie asks as she writes her name and song choice on the list.
“Well more he thinks you are too young and that I am not spending enough time on classes while my sister is fucking GOLDEN with Flash…”
>”Fucking idiot…”
“Are you sure you are alright Sweetie? You don’t usually curse that easily...” Anon asks as he writes his songs and their order on the list.
>”I am fine. Just mad at him.”
“Well okay. My grandmother approves and Granny Smith was talking with her, also sharing her approval, though she did admit she was hoping Apple Bloom took an interest in me.”
>”Well you are mine. I may share many things with the girls but not you…I give you my heart,” Sweetie says as she lays a finger on his nose.
“And you have my heart too Sweetie.”
>“I better. Now if you are done, let’s go rejoin the girls.”
“As you wish,” he replies with an outstretched hand to her that is gladly taken.

>”Anon thinks he is so cool… having Sweetie hanging off him like that” Button grumbles to himself as he watches the couple from his table and Feather Weight fills him in on Anon’s questions.
>“So as I was saying, Button, Anon seems to suspect that I was the one taking the photos that he received,” Feather continues. 
>”So what? You did take them.”
>”Well I was not expecting him to confront me.” Feather adds. “I think he suspects you might be behind his texts.”
>”I did say I would make him pay for my insults but I doubt he would suspect my using a masking program to send the text from a dead number. Totally traceless.”
>”I don’t know, Button… Seems like a Trixie level prank…” Snips adds.
>”Definitly smarter than my suggestion,” Snails adds.
>”Well slashing his tire only slowed him down so it was not a bad idea just a bit under what was needed,” Button adds as he drinks more of his light hard cider. “I just need to ratchet it up a bit more… Say Waitress?” 
>”Yes sir?” 
>“Have they ordered more drinks yet?
>“Yes sir.” 
>“Did he get anything alcoholic?
>“No. He very specifically asked for a coke.
>“Damnit… Well next time they order, come by here right after, if you don’t mind.” Button adds as he slips her a $20 bill.
>“Sure sir.

>”Alright! Now that was a moving rendition of “Don’t  Stop believing” if I have ever heard one!” the MC belts over the crowd as Mac walks up and hugs Flutters on stage, keeping her up as the public performance catches up to her. “Next up is Gilded Gilda and her wishing for an angel while bringing the darkness. Tighten your seat belts folks as the metal starts flying here!”
>”ALL RIGHT LOSERS…” Gilda yells as she runs to the stage, snagging the mic from the stand and The Bar goes silent. “TIME TO BLAST THIS FUCKER!” (https://youtu.be/oXo_Vu0Fyxw?list=RDGdZn7k5rZLQ )

“Whoa… She is covering both parts… I never expected that much of a range from her,” Anon states between sips of his tall Coke.
>Yeah… you should hear her when she is more focused and less drunk…” Dash adds as she drinks more of her margarita and goads Soarin to drink more. “She always has had a voice to her. She just never has much of a chance to soar like we used to.”
>I just wonder how she got ahead of me,” AB pouts.
>“I guess they were afraid of letting her wait too long,” Sweetie quips.
>”I guess… I should be next though.”
“Either that or they skipped you…”
>”I doubt they would do that. Nothing to gain from it,” Scoots adds.
“Well you do make a point. I just wonder if they are mixing it up as I definitely wanted one of my songs to be ahead of Sweetie’s so I could warm up.”
>”Want to blow my socks off, Nonny?” Sweetie asks as she wraps her arms around his non-drink arm, holding tight and moving his hand to her thigh.
“Judging from your actions, that might not be the only thing you want off” He softly says as he leans down to her ear.
>”Maybe…I just feel… more into it now… I don’t know why…” She says as she leans over to her drink sipping more of it, reaching the ¼ gone mark.
“So… What is that they brought you AB?” Anon says as he blushes and rubs Sweeties thigh. “I think I can smell cinnamon to it.”
>”The waitress called it ‘apple pie’ but I have never heard of it.”
“Wait… they gave you pie? Have you even been ID’ed?”
>Not tonight. They just started bringing us whatever we wanted theme wise after we got the smoothies as a promo or so they called it, I think.”
“So you never ordered your first drinks…”
>”Uh no…” Scoots adds in as she sips a mai tai through her straw. 
“How much has Sweetie told you about the messages we were receiving last night?”
>“Not that much. Just that they were seemingly tied to a fight she had with Button,” AB replies.
“Are you thinking he has something to do with these drinks?”
“Very much so,” Anon retorts.
>”Then we should take it as him asking for forgiveness and enjoy it all!” Scoots interjects.
“I doubt he is one to let go. By the way, how are each of you feeling?”
>“Just a bit loose and cheery but I think that is just the fun I am having,” Apple Bloom retorts
“I think you have all been getting drunk without knowing it. Apple Pie is normally brewed with hard grain alcohol and usually has no booze taste. I suspect that your first drinks were daiquiris or in short alcoholic smoothies…” Anon states.
>”OH now you are aiming to be the fun police,” Scoots barks.
“I don’t want y’all to be caught in his revenge on me...”
>”And me too. I kneed his nuts so hard,” Sweetie chuckles loudly.
“Yes you did dear and deservedly so. I am just afraid he is glazing over that or your free choice as my ‘control’.”
>”I don’t think he is going to go too much farther than another prank or something to try to get you to back away from Sweetie. I don’t think he would try to hurt you or us in this ‘competition’ he has decided upon for Sweetie,” AB states.
>”Yeah. He is just an idiot who doesn’t do well in anything but gaming and barely well at that. That is why he has his crew to back him up,” Scoots interjects.
“I am sure you are mostly right but I have had a funny feeling all night.”

>”Wow… that was a surprise set of pipes on that one! Let’s hear it for Gilded Gilda!” the MC belts out with middling applause from the crowd. “Alright next up is one BAD Apple with more of the classic tunes from my time!”
>”Well that is me. Wish me luck,” AB says as she hops up slightly off kilter. “Whoa… I guess this has been a bit much,” she states as she looks at her glasses and grabs the table.
“Are you ok?”
>”I am fine… just lost my footing for a second,” AB says as she stands. “See. Just fine. Now to get on that stage…”
>”Last call for the BAD Apple,” the MC broadcasts.
>”I am almost up there…” AB yells. “Just wait one more second.”
>”Alright… Ready for something BAD!” Apple Bloom yells out as she makes it to the mic, stabilizing herself with the stand. (https://youtu.be/7Pc4nt6rYi0 )

>”Huh… the Apple girl can sing. Never saw that coming,” Button quips.
>”Yeah…I knew she could. She used to sing all the time in middle school but that was before her parents…” Snails retorts.
>”Oh really. So you were close to her then?” Button asks.
>”Yeah I was. I also got to know Scoots and Sweetie well to but Apple Bloom always made me feel funny,” Snails continues.
>”Facinating,” Button quips as he scans over to Sweetie in the booth, holding close to Anon. “I fucking hate that guy…” he growls.
>“Anon has been a decent guy as long as I have known him,” Snips interjects.
>“Not a good time man…” Rumble adds. “Anon is now his rival and you have seen how he gets when he has one of those.”
>”It should almost be time to draw this to a close and win this…”
>”Win what, Button?” Snails asks obliviously.
>”Win Sweetie. I know she would be better off with me. She doesn’t know it yet but she will be mine.”
>Button, Anon already suspects you were the one sending him the pics and got his tire. He practically told me so,” Feather Weight comments.
>“That may be so but he has no proof. Using that internet texting protocol should have masked it to look like a dead number sent it. He would never trace it…”

>”Just Beat It!  Beat It! Beat it beat it. Beat it beat it,” Apple Bloom finishes as the audience applauds at her performance, having woken up for one moment from the stupor of their booze. “Thank you Thank you!” she replies skipping down the steps and stumbles slightly as she makes her way back to the booth.
“Great job AB!I can only hope I do as well with my songs.”
>”Yeah you were amazing. Been a long time since I heard you sing any Michael Jackson.”
>”Thanks Anon. Thanks Scoots. I was a bit nervous but just had to focus upon how much I enjoyed the song.”
>“Well we could not tell you were bothered,” Sweetie interjects. 
>”Thanks guys…” AB replies blushing as she sits, seeing her apple pie has been replaced with water. “Hey what gives?”
“I replaced your ‘apple pie’ with water. After all you did drive here right?”
>“Yeah… but I was going to swap to water next anyways…”
“Not the point, AB. You need to start sobering now if you are going to be safe later.”
>”But I liked that stuff…” 
>”Next up is a nameless singer taking us for a dark ride… Welcome Midnight Nonny to the stage!”
>Looks like I am up. Sweetie?
“yes dear?
“Keep her drinking water…”
“Alright.”
“...and start drinking some yourself. I don’t want you to get sick or worse.”
>“I will… don’t want to pull one like my sister and forget this fun…” Sweetie sighs.
“Absoultely,” Anon replies kissing her softly before rushing to the stage.
>Awww,“ comes voices from the next booth and the two girls with her.
>”Oh hush…” Sweetie says as she bushes and twirls her hair.

>”Alright y’all… Who wants a ride to HELL!?” Anon yells across the bar as Dragula (https://youtu.be/EqQuihD0hoI ) begins and he taps his foot to the beat.
>”Whoa… I never expected that!” Scoots replies.
>”He loves listening to it as he drives,” Sweetie counters. 
“Dig through the ditches; And burn through the witches; I slam in the back of my Dragula!”

>As Anon sings he turns looking over at Button and his crew as a dark smile crosses his face and winks at button as he continues.

“Dead I am the life, dig into the skin; Knuckle crack the bone, 21 to win; Dead I am the dog, hound of hell you cry; Devil on your back, I can never die”

>”Uh Button… I think he is calling you out…” Feather Weight says with a quivering voice.
>”Shut it…” Button says wide eyed and a bit of sweat starting to form on his brow.

“Do it baby, Do it baby; Do it baby, Do it baby; Burn like an animal!”

>”Now that is some metal shit to pull! Go Get ‘em Anon!” Gilda yells as he completes the final chorus.
>”Alright Nonny! Whoo hoo” comes a yell from Dash as she leans on Soarin who seems to have checked out from the glaze in his eyes. “Pffht… don’t lock up yet, Soarin. We still have some pie for you… and you better not disappoint, got it?”
>”garble garble…nuts…. stim…. Yes Rainbow…”
>“Good boy.”

>Anon finishes his song to a similar applause to Apple Bloom and the audience more awake to the world than they desired to be. He descends the stage to find Button waiting for him halfway back to his booth.
>”What the fuck was that? Are you challenging me?”
”Just giving you a reply to when you declared you were going to get me.”
>”Oh yeah? How about this as my reply to you?!?” Button barks as he takes a swing at Anon, who takes it full force, bending slightly to the gut hit. “How do you like that, asshole?”
“I say my sister Lilly can hit harder,” Anon retorts as he straightens up. “I don’t recommend you doing that again.”
>”Oh yeah what are you going to do?” Button barks back.
“Not a thing unless you try hurting Sweetie.”
>”Oh you call that a threat? You are a fucking pussy.” Button fires off and turns his back on Anon.
“Hey Button.”
>“What fucker?”
“Never turn your back on someone you struck,” Anon retorts as he kicks Button behind the knee and pushes him down. “They might just be waiting for an opportunity for you to fuck up,” Anon finishes as he walks back to his booth, bushing himself off.

>”Nonny! Are you alright?” Sweetie asks as she hops out of the booth and scampers clumsily to him.
“I am fine. The little fucker wanted to fight and I just got him back for the punch. Still a bit more strength to him than I let on. Guess the book bag lifting is more of a work out than I thought.”
>“Let me check it,” Sweetie says as she pulls at his shirt front.
“Wait till we are in the booth...” Anon replies blushing. “I don’t want to make a scene any more than is needed.”
>”Alright…” She replies, taking his hand and walking with him back to the booth.

>”I swear I will fucking get him and have Sweetie…” Button grits as Rumble and Snips help him up.
>”Maybe you should wait on that. I seriously think you might be out matched right now,” Rumble states.
>”Quiet… uh sorry…Thanks for helping me up… Just pissed now…”
>“I getcha… Let’s get back to the table and you can plan more or do you have a plan in mind?”
>”I have just the thing… Just get the waitress over. Time to get the finale started.”

>”Well that last performer was interesting… Let’s hear it for Farmboy and his rendition of Chattahoochee!” The MC replies as Mac wanders off the stage to a bubbly Fluttershy in their booth.
“Next up we have a cotton candy treat of a singer coming up. Behold the Belle of the Ballad!”
>”That is me, Nonny. Come on up with me. I need your help with the male parts.”
“Sure Sweetie. Whatever you need.”
>”Hey can you carry me like earlier,“ She asks with her arms out wide.
“As my love wishes…” Anon replies as he leans down so she can wrap her arms around his neck. He pinches her butt as he positions her drawing a giggle from Sweetie and groan from their tablemates.

>”It seems the Belle of the Ballad has brought some back up for this song,” The MC replies as Anon and Sweetie take the stage.
>”Uh hey Button… You might want to see this…” Feather Weight says as he taps Button on the shoulder as he had his head down grumbling.
>”What is it?”
>”Look on the stage…”
>”Son of a bitch… What is going on?” Button responds as Sweetie grabs the mic and takes a head down pose beside Anon who is sitting on a stool as the music starts. (https://youtu.be/WO0JvkMynCQ )

>”I close my eyes; Close the door; I won't worry anymore; I've been waiting for you; Everyday and everynight…” Sweetie starts as she raises her head looking at Anon and takes a pose with her hand extended out toward him.

>“Oh my… Scoots. It looks like Sweetie is going for the win against Button,” AB replies.
>”Go get him Sweetie!” Come a call from Scootaloo.

>”Cut the light; Let it fade; I don't wanna be afraid; I've been waiting for you” Sweetie continues as she dances around Anon, touching him in his chest on the last line.

>”Hey Look Gilda! Sweetie is on stage with Anon…”
>”Huh… cool… Now what are we going to do with lover boy here while he is passed out? I think we broke him…”
>”Eh.. We can just move to the other side of the booth and watch the show. Might find something to do while we watch…” Dash slyly replies.
>”I getcha… Now get over there si I don’t have to wait,” Gilda says as she pops her knuckles to loosen her finger joints.
>”Yes ma’am, Gilded Gilda.”

>”Tonight it is right; Stars shine bright; I just really wanna be with you; I celebrate pray for that day; When all my wishes will be coming true,” Sweetie continues leaning backwards onto Anon.

>”My heart beats like a drum - like a drum; Dam dam dam dam dam dam; And my feet step the beats like a drum; Dam dam dam dam dam dam”
>”My heart beats like a drum - like a drum; Dam dam dam dam dam dam; And my feet step the beats like a drum; Dam dam dam dam dam dam,” Sweetie continues dancing around Anon, poking him to the heartbeat lines.

>”Why the fuck is she doing this?” Button growls. “What the fuck does she see in him?” he continues as he hits the table and seethes.
>”I think she just likes the way he treats and respects her,” Snails replies.
>“WHO ASKED YOU?!?” Button yells.
>”Uh you did…” Snips replies as Button facepalms and glares daggers at Anon.

>”I think of you; Everyday; I've been waiting for a call; Just the sound of your voice; Anytime and anyway,” Sweetie sings as she leans close to Anon, placing a hand on his smiling face.

>”Dream of you; Since that day; When I saw you; The first time; At the Hard Rock Café,” she continues and then holds the mic to Anon.

>”Tonight it is right; Stars shine bright; I just really wanna be with you; I celebrate pray for that day; When all my wishes will be coming true,” Nonny sings as he leans close to Sweetie and the mic, reaching his hand to brush some of her hair behind her ear as he winks. Sweetie smiles wide and they blush together as the song continues.

>”My heart beats like a drum - like a drum; Dam dam dam dam dam dam; And my feet step the beats like a drum; Dam dam dam dam dam dam”
>”My heart beats like a drum - like a drum; Dam dam dam dam dam dam; And my feet step the beats like a drum; Dam dam dam dam dam dam,” Sweetie reprises 

>”Dude… I think whatever fight you want with Anon for Sweetie was over before you began…” Rumble replies as he watches the show on stage.
>”Just a battle…just a battle… not the war…” Button grumbles as he sinks down onto the table.

>”I close my eyes; Close the door; I won't worry anymore; I've been waiting for you,” Nonny sings deeply.
>“And my feet steps the beat, baby,” they sing together with their faces close enough to kiss and the audience minus Button leans forward in anticipation.

>”My heart beats like a drum - like a drum; Dam dam dam dam dam dam; And my feet step the beats like a drum; Dam dam dam dam dam dam”
>”My heart beats like a drum - like a drum; Dam dam dam dam dam dam; And my feet step the beats like a drum; Dam dam dam dam dam dam,” Sweetie reprises a final time before leaning in an kisses Anon firmly on the lips to the cheers from the audience.

>”WELL THEN! Looks like we have some lovers among us! Let’s hear it for the Belle of the Ballad and Midnight Nonny! Oh Look at this! Looks like Midnight Nonny has another song planned for us. I think it is his response to his love!” the MC continues as they break their kiss and Anon stands and helps Sweetie onto the stool. 
“This might not seem as romantic and sweet as yours but I want you to know that I mean every bit of love I put into this. The stresses we have faced from our more annoying family members inspired me to choose this. Know I am here for you and I know you will be there for me,” Anon whispers to Sweetie just before the music begins and he steps to the side with his head down as the piano tones fill the bar. (https://youtu.be/mVf2EeTMNJo )

“I know it's hard to tell how mixed up you feel
Hoping what you need is behind every door
Each time you get hurt, I don't want you to change
Because everyone has hopes, you're human after all
The feeling sometimes, wishing you were someone else
Feeling as though you never belong
This feeling is not sadness, this feeling is not joy
I truly understand. Please, don't cry now,” Anon sings as he rubs Sweeties cheek while he walks behind her.

>”What the hell is this shit?” Button retorts. “I thought he was going to serenade her not depress her.”
>”Oh I know this song…” Feather Weight and Snips say in unison.
>“You two do, do you? How the fuck is that possible?”
>”Hey now… So what if they know it? Let’s just listen,“ Snails responds.

“Please don't go, I want you to stay
I'm begging you please, please don't leave here
I don't want you to hate;
For all the hurt that you feel,
The world is just illusion, trying to change you.”

>”This is an odd song…” Apple Bloom says as she tilts her head. “I don’t follow how this is a good song for him to sing.”
>”Yeah…” Scoots says as she finishes what is left of her mai tai. “Anon is an odd one though…”
>”Good Point”

“Being like you are
Well this is something else, who would comprehend?
But some that do, lay claim
Divine purpose blesses them
That's not what I believe, and it doesn't matter anyway
A part of your soul ties you to the next world
Or maybe to the last, but I'm still not sure,” he continues placing a hand on her hurt shoulder.

“But what I do know, is to us the world is different
As we are to the world but I guess you would know that,” Anon sings hugging her from behind and accenting both these lines and kisses her cheek.

>”Uh… guys…” Rumble replies as Button starts turning redder with rage, jumping off his stool.
>“Where are you going Button?” Feather Weight asks.
>”To the bathroom to puke at this show…”

“Please don't go, I want you to stay
I'm begging you please, please don't leave here
I don't want you to hate for all the hurt that you feel
The world is just illusion trying to change you
Please don't go, I want you to stay
I'm begging you please, oh please don't leave here
I don't want you to change;
For all the hurt that you feel,
This world is just illusion, always trying to change you.”

“Please don't go, I want you to stay
I'm begging you please, please don't leave here
I don't want you to hate for all the hurt that you feel
The world is just illusion trying to change you
Please don't go, I want you to stay
I'm begging you please, oh please don't leave here
I don't want you to change;
For all the hurt that you feel,
This world is just illusion, always trying to change you,” Anon reprises as he steps back to beside sweetie, taking her hand and smiling softly as he accents the last 2 lines.

>”Nonny… That… was beautiful,” Sweetie replies with small tears in her eyes. “It was odd as hell too but I loved it.”
“Just don’t let Rarity, my dad, or even Button get you down, Sweetie. I know we will work it all out.”
“You know I won’t and you know I will be there for you too…” She chuckles as the small tears slide.
“I love you Sweetie,” he says as he leans down to her.
“I love you too, Nonny,” She replies as she reaches her arms out to hug his neck.
“Marshmallow,” he pokes as he picks her up.
“Big Green Monster,” she pokes back as he kisses her and they make their way back to the booth.

>“Ugh… You two are disgusting…” Scoots replies as Anon lets Sweetie down and they kiss once more,
“We know!” they say in unison and chuckle, drawing eye rolls from their orange toned friend.
>”Any ways… now that you two have sufficiently pissed off Button and let the world know you are a couple, what is the plan? Do we sing more or do we bug out?” AB asks.
>”Well I wanna hit the stage since the rest of you got in a song or two. Be right back and…. WHOA Dash…” Scoots gets out as she sees her sister liplocked with Gilda and their hands going all over each other as Soarin begins to wake back up across the booth from them.
“Hey Scoots… mind giving us a bit of privacy?” Gilda gets out between coming up for air, prompting the now red-orange girl to run for the reg booth.

>”Alright… Time to take what should be mine…” Button mumbles to himself as he makes it back to his table after getting some air and flagging down the waitress to come over.
>”Yes sir? How can I help you?
>”I need you to do one more favor for me… Could you take a drink order for that table over there and then come back over here as though you are checking on us after you make them? I will have something for you when you get back,” He says as he slips her 2 more $20 bills.
>”Sure…”

“SO what do you think Scoots is going to pick?” Anon asks as Sweetie cuddles into him and he rubs her hair and shoulder.
>“I have no clue. Alcohol makes her…bolder,” AB shudders.
“Oh I got to hear this…”
>“well, Anon…”
>”Can I get anything else for you all?” the waitress interrupts as she pulls out her note pad.
“Uh… Well do you have anything non-alcoholic we could share?”
>“Well we do have some milkshakes in the standard 3 flavors, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.”
>“I vote for strawberry! Sweetie interjects.
“I am starting to think that all that strawberry is how you maintain your hair color, Sweetie.”
>“OH Come on. I know you love it…“ Sweetie retorts as she leans up to his ear. “You will have to see if it flavors me too later,” she whispers and grins devilishly, making Anon blush hard.
“Strawberry it is!” blurts Anon.
>”Ok… one strawberry shake with 2 straws. Anything for you miss?”
>“More water… gotta get out of this fog if I am going to drive later.” AB replies as she holds her head.
”I think you should make that a double order for our other friend too. Please take her glass away as you go too, if you don’t mind. She might have to drive for our friends in the next booth.”
>”I understand. I will be back soon with your order,” The waitress replies as she puts away her notes and places the glasses on the tray she held under her arm.

>”Okay I got their order. What else do you want?”
>”I would like you use this in the couple’s drink as I bet they ordered together,” Button says as he palms a vial to the waitress. “It should make the rest of the night interesting…”
>”AH… I see what you mean…been a while since I have seen this prank…”
>”yeah… prank…,” Button mumbles to himself. “Oh could you also get me a water. Need to clear my mind so I can watch this fully.”
>”Yeah… I get you. Be back with that in a minute,” the waitress says as she walks back to the bar, pocketing the vial for the meantime.
>”Alright… They said it is going to be a few minutes till I am up…. And they are still at it… hey I will be back in a min…” Scoots says as she steps over to Soarin’s side of the next booth.
>“Hiya Scootaloo… your sister and her friend are…friendly…” Soarin says transfixed on the two girls across from him, blushing hard and sweating as he feels his heart racing.
>”Yeah… They have been for the last day or so… So are you doing ok watching or are you feeling a bit alone?”
>”Uhhh….” He says as he sees her slide into the booth beside him and scoots close. “Yeah… I am doing fine.”
>”Are you sure?” she asks while pawing at his arm and looking up at him with an innocent pout.
>”As I told you two…Bolder,” AB groans.

>"Alright! We have time for one more song before we take a 10 minute break on participants. Next up we have the Board Babe of West Canterlot!”
>“Hey Soarin. That is my call. Why don’t you watch and I will make it worth your while…” Scoots states as she boops his nose and winks before vaulting over the booth back to make her way to the stage.
>“I really wandered into a pack of horny hyenas tonight. No one would EVER believe this…”
>”All right you all scrubs. Time to rawk this joint” Scoots sounds over the bar as she fist bumps and her song begins. (https://youtu.be/TIy3n2b7V9k )

“And so she continues, leaving me the lone apple again…” AB mumbes as someone approaches from Button’s table. “Oh sweet hell, what now?’
>“Hi again AB…” Snails starts nerviously. “Mi..Mind if I join you?” he stutters out.
>“Did Button send you?”
““N..No… I don’t think he is thinking straight and is starting to talk to himself aloud.”
>“Ah… Well I guess it is ok then,” She says as she scoots over to give him room.
>“So…are you having a good time?”
>”I guess. Was not expecting the shows or tension… nor the alcohol really. Just wanted to sing and carouse with friends,” AB says as she leans forward and rests her arms and head on the table.
>”I was not expecting it either… just though Button was going to be nicer to me and Snips, not go on a power trip,” Snails replies, lowering his head as well.
>“Should have expected a wild time if RD had an old friend along. Soarin never stood a chance and now Scootaloo has her eyes on him…”
>”Yeah and those two seem to be happy though I never imagined that Sweetie would date him rather than someone in our class.”
“Y’all mention us?” Anon asks as he looks up from the snuggled up and blissful young lady across his lap.
>”Oh hi Anon. I was just talking to Bloom here.”
“Ah… ok. Say do you know what is with Button? I understand him wanting to be a rival for whatever reason but he is being odd even for that kind of motivation.”
>”Don’t look at me… I have trouble following enough as is,” Snails sighs. “I know he is trying to come up with something but he keeps mumbling to himself…”
“Hmm… Alright. Do you know if he asked the waitress to bring the girls their first drink?”
>”Yeah he did. Even told the waitress to not tell them who it was from.”
>”He what?” AB scoffs as she slides away from Snails. “Snails...Why did you not tell me that earlier?”
>”Well I was a bit distracted just trying to talk to you… always have trouble like that around pretty girls,” Button replies, drawing a blush from Apple Bloom. “I…I never have that much confidence…”
>”Well…I…I really don’t know how to respond to that…”
>”You thank him for the complement!” Sweetie retorts.
>”Yeah… Thank you for thinking I am pretty…” Apple Bloom says as she starts fiddling with her hair. “Uh… well thank you for telling us. Did he tell you anything else?”
>”Well I don’t really remember… sorry,” Snails says as he lays his head on the table. “I know there was more but I am just drawing a blank… I hate keeping secret or having to remember too much. Always hurts my head…” he continues as he rubs his temples.
>”Well I know you are trying your best…” AB replies, patting him on his back.
>”Thanks… you always have been nice to me even when I act dumb…”
“So… how long have you had a thing for Apple Bloom?” Anon askes with a raised eybrow.
>“I…uh…well…” Snails trips out, drawing a blush from AB.
“You don’t have to answer… I was curious since it was as obvious as the moon on a clear night”
>”Nonny… don’t tease the boy,” Sweetie retorts and takes his hand, putting it on her thigh. “You should be paying attention to me.”
>“Whoa… she makes no bones about her interests…” Snails replies.
>”You have no idea. Normally she is reserved but when Sweetie takes an interest, she fully gets into it. They are a good match though as he is just the same,” she continues as the Waitress returns with the strawberry shake.
>”Alright! Here is your Strawberry shake, mixed special for you two.”
>“Sweet! “Sweetie says as she straightens up, pulling the drink closer. “I can’t wait to try this!”
“I am looking forward to sharing it. It really looks good…”
>“So do you Nonny…”
“Now Sweetie, let’s not bother our booth mates.” He says as he smiles and rubs her back as she enjoys the milkshake and bops to the last part of Skater Boi.

>”Thank You! Thank You!” Scootaloo cheers as she walks off the stage to an unresponsive crowd. “well time to get back to AB and Sweetie… Wait why is Snails over there?” she says as she picks up her pace and almost trips over the edge of a stool.
>“Well I guess… had better get back before Button sees me and decides to target me…”
“Well it was nice talking to you Snails. Thanks for the info.”
>”Yeah… well if you want to talk more,” AB says as she hands him a scrawled on napkin. “Talk to you later!”
>”Yeah…sure!” Snails says, smiling wide as he walks back and pockets the napkin. “Oh hey Scootaloo. see you at school.”
>“Yeah…later” Scoots says with a raised eyebrow as he walks away. “Soooo what did he want?” she asks as she scans the table, frowning seeing the water where her last drink was.
“Well, being the decent person he is, he was giving us a heads-up on Button plotting,” Anon quips before he has another sip of the milkshake as he softly rubs Sweetie’s thigh.
>“Huh… Well that was unexpected…”
>“I know but he is not that bad. Just keeps getting with manipulative people who take advantage of him. Remember when Trixie had him as one of her ‘minions’?” AB quips.
>”Yeah. It was funny but sad,” Scoots says as she swings over to Soarin in his booth. “Still holding up?”
>”Uh yeah… Your sister and Gilda decided to step away for a bit…” Soarin says as he sits up to give her room.
>“Saw that coming…” She says as she slides in. “So what are you planning for the rest of the night?”
>”I was thinking of going home while I had a chance…”
>”Want company?” Scoots says as she lays back into Soarin. “I don’t take up much room and can definitely keep you comfy…”
>”Uh…”Soarin hesitates.
>”Scoots! Don’t forget you have Sweetie and I as your guests tonight!”
>”Oh yeah… Well do you want to come too?” Scoots says drawing a blush from AB and Soarin.
>”SCOOTALOO!”
>”What? I am just joking… I am sure Soarin would not mind my company later, right?”
>“Uh sure… later…”
>“I will call you later then. Better run before the other two remember you are here!”
“Great idea… talk to you…later...then...” Soarin says as he slides out of the booth and makes for the door after leaving some money for his drink and nachos.
>”well now I am bored…” Scoots says as she walks back to the main booth. “How long have these two been like this?”
>”A while.” AB says as Anon and Sweetie look at each other drowsily.
“Whoa… is it me or is it getting late… I feel a bit woozy and tired…”
>”Same here too though I am feeling hotter too…below.” Sweetie replies.
>”It is only 10:20. Are you sure you are alright?”
“Yeah yeah… Just thinking I need more water to help wash this milkshake down.”
“Hey Anon... put your hand back…”
“I didn’t move it Sweetie.
>“Huh… I don’t feel it and am now feeling a bit sick…” Sweetie trails off.
>”Need some help getting to the bathroom, Sweetie?” Scoots asks. 
>”Yeah, if you don’t mind. I will be back in a min.” Sweetie says as she leans up and kisses his cheek. As her feet hit the ground, she almost collapses as Scoots catches her. “Whoa… guess the alcohol from earlier and fatigue are all catching up to me…”
>”Are you sure you are fine? I know you are a light weight but this is a bit off.”
>Yeah… just help me back there… I am really starting to feel it and everything is getting blurry.”

“I hope she is ok…I am feeling a bit sluggish myself and there looks to be something funny going on at the door…”
>”Anon. I don’t see anything over there. Just a door and what looks like Flash wandering in with a date.”
“Of all the motherfucking luck…”
>“What about him?” AB asks
”Flash is dating my sister so…”
>“oh Hello Anon….”
“Son of a bitch… just as I get to feeling queasy too… HI Flash. How are you tonight?”
>“Just golden though you don’t look well. Did you trade in your luxury model for a sports/ute?” Flash asks as he thumbs over at Apple Bloom.
>“What do you mean by that Flash?” Apple Bloom replies with irritation.
>“I was asking if he was out dating you tonight rather than the petite girl he was with last night.”
“Flash… my date stepped to the bathroom. This is our mutual friend Apple Bloom. I am sure you remember her sister AJ and the ass whipping she gave you for mocking her friends.”
>“I don’t know what you are talking about…”
“Right. Now would you and Lily go away? I think my dinner and this shake found a weak spot and are making me feel sick.”
>”Whatever, Anon. Just don’t puke on your ‘friend’. Last thing you need is to improve her looks…”
>”Why you…”
“AB… it is not worth it and I need your help. Could you look over at Button’s table real quick and tell me who is over there?
>“Uh sure…Just Snails at the moment… The others have wandered off though I can see Snips heading toward the bathroom.”
“Alright… Thanks. I just wanted to be sure. Now could you get me some more water. I think this shake may be a bit too much for me…” Anon finishes as he puts his head down and rubs his temples. I am having trouble focusing and staying awake.”

>”Thanks for helping me make it back here. My legs were being a bit funny…” Sweetie says as she uses the stall wall to help her to the toilet.
>”No problem… So you really like Anon, eh?
>”Yeah I do…I honestly love him to be blunt…”
>”You do, do you? Why do you say that?” Scoots says as she leans against the sink.
>”I just do. He is so caring and really listens to me. He also is a fan of my singing as well as is creative and inventive. I feel safe when I am with him and I know he would support me should I ever need it. I really can barely word it right…just feeling a bit fuzzy right now…” Sweetie says before her legs give way and she collapses in the stall as she was closing the door.
>”Sweetie? SWEETIE? Oh my...Oh my… Can we get some assistance back here?!?”
>“I don’t think anyone is going to hear or come,” says a voice from just outside the door.
>”Who said that?” Scoots blurts as panic begins to set in.
>”I said it,” Button says as he steps into the women’s bathroom, followed by Feather Weight and Rumble. “And I see my idea worked just as planned…”he finishes as Scoots’s eye open wide.
>“Idea? What Idea?” 
>“Well you get a front row seat for it and I hope you don’t mind participating too…”
>“What do you mean participa…” She starts before a sock gets shoved into her mouth.
>“Now stay quiet for a bit...” Button says as the other two lock her hands behind her back and use a rag soaked in ether-rich starter fluid to make her pass out. “I have a prize to claim…”

“Say… Don’t you think the girls have been gone a bit too long?” Anon drowsily gets out as he tries to block out the sounds as they are making him touchy.
>“I would say so… I think I should go check on them.”
“Before you do, would you mind asking your brother and Fluttershy to come over? I think I might need some assistance as I am fading fast.”
>“Uh sure… Work too hard earlier?
“Likely but I suspect there might be something mixed in this milkshake… probably my paranoia from seeing Button acting odd.”
>”It is probably that but I will go get them now… Wait… they are already coming over.”
>“Why hello Anon! I never thought to see you here,” Fluttershy opens while holding onto Big Mac’s arm. “I thought you did not like bars or singing.”
“Well you know I like singing but I came out here to join Sweetie and the rest of the CMC for a nice diversion.”
>“Oh that sound like fun but I didn’t know you hung out with them.”
“It is a recent change. I just started dating Sweetie…”
>“Oh that is wonderful! You two are so cute together. Frankly I am surprised this did not happen sooner given how much time you two have been spending,” Fluttershy bursts out. “Where is she by the way?”
“Well Apple Bloom was just going to get you two to help her look. She was feeling ill and went toward the bathroom. They also were slipping her alcohol in her drinks for some reason…Oh God my head” Anon says, barely raising his head to face them.
>“Why would they be giving her alcohol?”
>”Well they brought over what they said were smoothies as soon as we got settled.” AB shares. “I should have been more suspicious but Scoots tried hers and seemed fine so…”
>”Apple Bloom! You should know better. I should tell AJ but I think we can keep this to ourselves after we finish checking on Sweetie and Scootaloo…” Big Mac says with annoyance. 
>”Yes, Big Mac. I am sorry…”
>“You really should be more careful. You never know what could be in a free drink.” Flutters adds.
“Or a purchased one for that point…” Anon groans. “So would one of you two mind helping her? I think I am going to need some help myself. I would not ask is Dash had not wandered off with Gilda…”
>“Oh…Gilda is back…”
“Yeah Flutters. It has been interesting for everyone, especially Soarin.  “
>“Oh my… Well I will go with Apple Bloom to try and find the girls and maybe even Dash. She has just been losing control lately…” 
“Thank you Fluttershy,” Anon says as she takes AB’s hand and pulls her along to start their search.
>”So what do you have to say about us, Anon?”
“Great pairing and I am glad to see Flutters happy. She has liked you for a bit but I can’t talk that much right now… headaches and hallucinations have started and been getting worse.
>“So this began after you had some of this shake?”
“Yeah but Sweetie was getting alcohol AND this shake. She could barely walk and was starting to get numbness in her legs. I seriously think this has been a setup that Button planned. He has been pissed at Sweetie for kneeing him and thinks I am responsible as he sees me as his rival.”
>”That is odd.”
”I know… I am afraid he is going to try to do something to ‘win’ rather than accept life and this may be it,” Anon shares as he breathes harder and reaches for his chest.
>”Are you alright?”
“I don’t think so…” Anon gets out as his head droops and he falls over in the booth.

>Scootaloo wakes up sluggishly and sees that she and Sweetie are no longer in the bathroom.
>”Wha… Where am I…ugh…what is that taste…ew sock and something else,” Scoots thinks as she begins to feel queasy.
>“Ah… I see you have awakened…” comes a voice from her side. “Glad you could join us…”
>Scoots works to focus in the low yellow red light of the room behind the main bar. Slowly she can make out Button and Rumble with Feather just outside the mostly closed door to the main floor. As she looks around she sees Sweetie passed out beside her on an inflatable mattress and her hands tied up to one of the storage racks behind the mattress. She tries to move over to her but in her fogginess failed to notice her hands too were also tied to a rack behind her.
>”Ah so you see your situation now, eh? The waitress told me about this back room so I thought I would oblige in using it.”
>“I don’t know about this Button… This is going too far if you ask me,” Rumble nervously murmurs.
>”Don’t worry… No one really knows about this room and who asked you?”
>”MURMURMRMBLE” 
>”You can try yelling all you want. Between the boxes in here and the karaoke, I don’t this anyone will hear you,” Button says as he walks over to Sweetie and rubs her cheek as he sits on the mattress, drawing a groan for the shifting. “Now where to begin…” He continues as he leans toward Sweetie’s face.

>”So it has been 15 min since you saw them last?” Flutters asks as her and AB make it down the hallway toward the bathrooms.
>”Yeah… Maybe I am paranoid because Anon is but this evening has been odd. Snails was even flirting with me but I don’t mind. I am bothered he was hanging with Button.”
>”Oh... Well good for you but what is the issue with Button?”
>”Well he swore revenge, Anon started getting random photos of him & sweetie while they wear on their date and him getting a tire slashed at the mall.”
>”Oh my!”
>”And button has been getting more aggressive in his seeking Sweetie’s attention lately but always tries to time it when Anon is away.”
>“That is creepy… I can see why you and Anon would be concerned for Sweetie.”
>”I know but making it worse is Rarity keeps suggesting Button as a good date for Sweetie, getting madder over the last few weeks that Anon and Sweetie spend so much time together.”
>”I know. She was been ranting a bit about it when I joined her at the spa last weekend. She seems a bit obsessed about his attention toward Sweetie, sounding like she would rather it be her,” Flutters adds as they enter the bathroom.
>”Huh... no sign of them,” AB quips as she wanders around looking in the stalls.”
>”Are you sure they came here rather than going outside for air?”
>”I am sure they did… Sweetie was feeling queasy and… Wait…” AB stops as she looks in the middle stall and leans down picking up a treble cleft hair clip. “Well I know they were in here. Sweetie had a pair of these in her hair and this is missing a rhinestone.”
>”How do you think it got there?” Flutters asks as she starts to walk over.
>”I don’t know but now I am really concerned. Sweetie could barely walk and I know Scoots would come find us if she got hurt and was able to step away.”
>”Well let’s go tell Mac and Anon. Maybe they will have an idea”

>”Anon! ANON! Wake up!” Mac yells as he shakes Anon.
>”Blazzleflargle…Mac…”
>Are you alright?”
“No… I think I need some real help. I am having trouble staying awake… Can you get the server over here?”
>”Uh sure… Waitress!”
>”Yes sir?”
>”Can we get some of your blackest coffee? My friend here is having trouble staying awake.”
>”Sure though I don’t blame him.
>“Why is that?
>“He was drinking up a storm and carousing very loudly”
>”Ah…Okay…well please get the coffee. He sure can use it,” Mac says with great annoyance.
>”Coming right up!”
>“Anon...” Mac starts as soon as the waitress is out of hearing range. “I think your paranoia was valid. Something wrong is going on here and I suspect the waitress has a hand in it.”
“Ugh…” Anon says as he manages to get himself sitting up again. “Not passed out like that since I had a seizure in 5th grade…”
>“Why did that happen?”
“Drug interaction. Ritalin and Benadryl don’t mix… I suspect the same here as I am sensitive to alcohol due to similar.”
>”Can’t handle your booze?” Flash says as he wanders over again having seen Anon pass out.
“Like I did not have enough of a headache…” Anon groans.
>”Flash, could you please go away. We are in the middle of an emergency.”
>What are you going to do about it farm boy?”
>”I really advise you to step away. Anon and his girlfriend have both comedown with something and now she has gone missing.”
>Are you sure she did not just run off from you, Anon? Scaring little girls is your forte right?”
>”Flash… I really am in a bind here. Please go away before we both do something stupid.”
>”Oh boy… Anon is threatening me…”
“I seriously wish I knew who decided to replace your brain with a second smaller dick so I could kick their ass, Flash,” Anon quips as he lays his head down again.
>”You son of a bitch!” Flash gets out as he swings as Anon only to have Mac catch his fist.
>”I would step away NOW, Flash.”
>”Ye..yeah… This is not over!” Flash blurts as he steps back in shock and scuttles back to his booth with Lily.
”Thanks Mac.”
“No problem.”

>Button begins kissing Sweetie as he feels along her chest, massaging her breasts through the shirt and bra. 
>”She feels better than I had hoped. Such soft skin…” Button says as he leers over at Scoots as she recoils at his behavior. “Don’t worry… I will be with you in a minute unless someone else wants to.”
>“MRRR!”
>”Wait a minute… This bra feels too fancy but I guess I should expect that from an elegant girl like her. One of the reasons I desire her…” Button coos as he pulls her shirt up and sees one of the newer undergarments Anon had bought. “Whoa…I never imagined something THIS fancy…” He breathes hard.
>Scoots kicks her legs trying to make noise and draw attention but only draws a side glance of shame from Snips as he turns away.
“I told you no one would hear you. Now be quiet. You are ruining this for me…” Button hisses as he pulls the cups of the bra down to see Sweetie’s soft, perky breasts. “Oh yeah…”
>Scoots begins to sob loudly, shaking hard in fear and embarrassment.

>”Hey Fluttershy? What is that under the sink?” AB Asks spotting an abandoned can and a cloth.
>”Huh?” Flutter asks as she leans down, spotting the objects. “It looks like a can of starting fluid and a rag…”
>”Starting fluid? Oh god. We need to get back to Mac and Anon now!” AB bursts out.
>What? Why?”
>”One of the main ingredients in starting fluid is Ether. If that rag is connected to it, Scoots was probably hit with that after Sweetie passed out…” AB continues. “They were carried off somewhere and we need to spread out.”
>”Oh no! Well you tell your brother! I am going to try to find Dash for more eyes. I think I know where to find her…”
“Well hurry!” Apple Bloom says as the part ways out the door.

>”Whoa…Gilda… that was…”Dash says leaning against the driver side interior of her mustang’s back seat.
>”What can I say Dash… I know how to push your buttons…”
>”Oh yeah… too bad Soarin would not fit back here too otherwise he could have joined…”
>”I think I prefer it being just us…”
>”I don’t know… guys can be fun too…”
>”Not the ones back home…They are too focused upon making money to really focus on a girl other than as an expense or accessory.”
>”Yeah I remember. How has…” Dash starts as a knocking comes on the fogged window. She brushes away some of the mist, seeing the face of Fluttershy peering in, catching her naked and indisposed.
“Dash! We need you to get redressed and to help us.!
“Why? What happened?
“Sweetie and Scootaloo have gone missing and someone drugged Anon!”
“OH GOD…Yeah we will be in in a minute…” Dash says as she stares at an annoyed Gilda.
“Oh boy… another interruption…” Gilda says as she slides her shirt back on.
“Shut it. My sister and one of her best friends is missing.”
“Are you all sure it is not a prank? That they are messing with you?”
“Absolutely if Anon is also hurt. He would be in on it but never would let something horrid happen.”
“Fine fine. Let’s go help them.” Gilda quips as she pops the seat forward and slides out the passenger door, finishing pulling her pants up as she stands.

”Welcome back AB. Find anything?” Anon sluggishly asks.
>”Well… I found this” She says as she hands him the hair clip. “It looks like Sweetie passed out in there but we also found an ether soaked rag.”
”What? They were not in there? She passed out?” Anon says as he tries to move but his legs feel like they are asleep and numb.
>“Anon...don’t try to move. I will help Apple Bloom find the girls. You just focus on the coffee when it arrives.”
“Fine Mac. I just feel helpless and useless. Sweetie need real help and here I am stuck because I got hit by the same thing.”
>“I understand. Just don’t worry. I personally will do all I can to help her...”
>“And I will for Scootaloo,” states a disheveled RD as she and Gilda come in from the parking lot with Fluttershy.
“Ah glad to see you are still here, Dash. Was starting to wonder…”
>“Well I just got distracted…Wait where is Soarin?”
>“Focus Dash…” Mac grits out. “We need to split up and try to find Scootaloo and Sweetie as soon as we can…”
“Apple Bloom? Is Snails still here? Maybe he would have a clue…”
>”Good Idea Anon.”
“About all I can do now is ideas and it is pissing me off…” he grits out with a balled fists and a tear rolling on his cheek.
>”Uh Gilda… Could you keep Anon company while we look? He looks like he is going to explode…” Dash states with concern.
>”Ugh… fine. Just because you asked…”
“Thanks RD.”
>”Alright… Let’s see what Snails knows, AB,” Mac says as he leads them to Snips and Snail’s table.

>”Oh yeah…  now these are a nice pair…” He says as his grubby hands grope and massage Sweetie’s chest and she fidgets and moans subconsciously. “Hmm… Should I continue with these or shall I go lower…” he murmurs to himself as he begins to rub his hands down her sides, feeling her soft skin.
>Scootaloo looks on in horror and fear as her friend continues to be assaulted, hoping this is all an alcohol induced nightmare.
>”MRRRMRR!” Scoots manages to get out as she tries to spit out the sock, fighting her gag response as she struggles.
>”Button…I don’t know if I can stay here through more of this… You are going way to far…”
>”Quiet Rumble! I have wanted Sweetie for months and the opportunity is ripe right now. Anon thinks he can just have her? After all the niceness I have put in and the displays of awesomeness? I refuse to pass on this chance and no one is going to stop me. I will make her mine and in a way Anon can never have…” Button barks out, making Rumble recoil and Feather turn back toward the room for a moment.
>”I just can’t be a part of this…” Rumble says as he starts toward the door. “You are on your own from here…”
>”Fine with me! I wanted more privacy anyways…” Button says as he finds the buttons to Sweeties skirt and starts to undo them.

>”OH hi AB! Enjoying the rest of the music? Oh hi Big Mac! Did not see you here.”
>”Hi again Snails. Have you seen Button? We think he is trying something with Sweetie and had something to do with Anon getting drugged.”
>”I only know he was talking to the waitress and had passed her a vial of something after she visited your table before bringing the milkshake. He also was talking with her before Feather and Rumble went with him over that way,” He says as he points toward the bar. “They didn’t tell me anything but Button looked like he was not…right. I might be a bit slow but I do know when something is off…”
>”Thank you Snails,” Mac says as he puts a hand on Snail’s shoulder. “That should be of great help. Would you mind helping Gilda watch over Anon and calling emergency services? I think Anon and Sweetie will need to be checked out…Button likely will need some medical attention too…” Mac says as he narrows his eyes while glancing around the bar.

>”Ah ok… just 2 more buttons…” Button mumbles as he unhooking Sweetie’s skirt. “Now to just pull it off…”
>Scoots’s eyes are locked on Sweetie who is still passed out cold, showing little life but for the subconscious groans as Button touched her and her slightly struggled breathing. She tries again to work her hands free and yell for attention, only worsening the grip of the cords on her wrists and gagging from the sock in her mouth.
>Buttons hands reach down to Sweetie’s legs, rubbing them softly for a moment before he tugs on the bottom edge of her skirt as he lifts her legs to ease the removal of the denim skirt. After a minute of pulling, the skirt slides free and off Sweetie’s legs, revealing a pair mauve pair of lace shorties with a wet spot from her earlier arousal from anon and the drug. The pattern and her pale white skin contrast in the low light, focusing Button’s attention.
>”Oh yeah… even her panties are elegant… truly beyond what I could have imagined…” he says as he rubs along her now exposed thigh.
>”Hey now... You can’t come in here…” Feather gets out before a meaty thud is heard, distracting Button before he can continue.
>”What is going on, Feather?” Button yells as he looks toward the door as it swings open from Feather slumping down against it. Visible through the doorway is three figures who quickly enter the room. As his eyes finally focus on who they are, a female figure swiftly reaches him and his left arm goes numb as a whump is registered by his ears and he begins to lift off Sweetie from the power kick Dash landed on him.
>”MURMURR!” Scoots sounds out as her eyes also come into focus on her sister punting Button across the floor of the back room. “MURR!”
>”Ah there you are kid… Let me get that for you…” Dash says as she pulls the gag out and undoes the cord tying Scootaloo to the storage rack.
>”OH thank God it is you Dash…” Scoots lets out as she begins to sob fervently. “I was so scared…Oh God….” Scootaloo continues as she hugs Dash tightly.
>Button’s left arm burns with pain as he tries to crawl into the shadows when he suddenly bumps onto something firm….with farm dirt encrusted boots.
>”Where do you think you are going?” Mac asks as he grabs Button’s collar and pick him up, mashing him hard against the nearby wall with a thud.
>”Hey you can’t do this to me?” Button protests as Mac’s grip tightens.
>”Legally I could kill you for attempting to harm another person in an assault like this. Be glad I don’t want your sorry ass on my conscience. Now what the fuck inspired you to do this? WHAT THE FUCK, You sorry piece of shit?”
>”It is not your problem or concern. Sweetie and I were meant to be together!” Button get out as he is gut punched and slammed against the wall again before being dropped.
>”Whatever you little shit. Now you are going to sit here till the police get here.”
>Oh yeah?!?” Button says as he jumps back up and swings his right arm at Mac who easily catches the punch.
>”Damn you are an idiot” Button hears as he sees a red fist flies and nails him in the face before he blacks out.
>”Scoots!” AB yells as she runs over and hugs the crying Scootaloo as she sobs into Rainbow Dash. “I am sorry… I am sorry this happened…” Apple bloom continues as she begins sobbing into her orange tinged friend.
>Fluttershy runs over to Sweetie, untying her hands while covering her up with the skirt and holding her close. Sweetie begins to stir but just to nuzzle into Flutters as a smile crosses her face.
>“Oh good…She is still out…” Flutters sighs as she feels Sweetie’s pulse. “She will have no memories from this... mostly. I am concerned about her pulse being low.”
>“So are we going to kick the shit out of the little fucker or are we going to just sit on him?” Dash asks as she cracks her knuckles and Scoots is hugging on AB alone.
>“If we do anything now, it would be on us. He deserves a full curbstomping but I think letting the cops process him will take any wind he has left out of him. Good kick by the way,” Mac quips.
>“I was aiming for his head…”
>“Well you still helped Sweetie and your sis so good enough.”
>“Now what are we going to do about Sweetie? She is still out cold.”
“I will sit with her” comes a reply from Anon as he hobbles into the room with Snails and Gilda’s help. “I think it would be best if she sees me when she wakes. Now could you all fill me in so I can figure out what to tell her?”

>An hour later the police and EMTs arrive on scene and THE Bar is shut down with the bartender and the waitress being arrested and taken away. All the other patrons are leaving but for a few who, due to the circumstances, are allowed to remain parked till they sober up without any DWI charges.
>“Alright alright…clear out… No point in anyone staying,” barks one officer as he is wandering through The Bar till he gets to the backroom.
>“Hey, you! Get out of here! Quit lollygagging.”
“Interesting choice of words, sir. Don’t you still need to take our statements?” Anon asks.
>”We already know what was going on here. Underage alcohol sales again. Now get!”
>Anon and his group look at each other then back at the officer in disbelief.
“Sir it was a great bit more than that. Wait… What is your name, officer?”
>“I don’t care and it is Officer Hippolytus.”
“Oh… you again.”
>“What do you mean by that ‘Again’?”
“You supposedly were taking down my statement about a slashed tire this morning.”
>“Yeah the kid who faked it for attention from his parents and called me down to the auto shop. What do you want now?” the officer retorts as everyone looks at him stunned.
“I would like to speak to the lead investigator on site so I can give a full and recorded statement.”
>”And I say you need to get out of here before I charge you all with trespassing and hindering an investigation. I swear…”
>What is going on here?” comes a voice behind officer Hippolytus.
>“Sir these kids are refusing to leave and…”
“Sir, we want to make a statement as we are the ones that called this in and report several incidents but your officer is trying to shoo us away with threats of trespassing charges.
>”I don’t know where these kids are getting this.”
“I also saw him this morning when I called to report a slashed tire, offering evidence of stalking as well but he blew me off.”
>”So… is this true?” The voice says as he steps into the room, reveling itself to be from the lead investigator.
>”I don’t know where they get this from…”
>”Did you not respond to a call this morning about a slashed tire?”
>“Yes I did but it was nothing…
>“Right… Why don’t you go manage the traffic outside? I will take over here.” 
>“Sir that is not…” Officer Hippolytus starts before he is cut off by the glare the investigator gives him.
>“Leave now or you are suspended again. I already had to dock you to street duty but apparently you insist on not doing your job. Now go!”
>“Now I would like you to start this from the beginning… Why did you call us and what is going on back here?”
“Well sir… Macintosh here is sitting on Button Mash here to keep him from leaving since Button decided to drug my girlfriend and myself in a milkshake with the help of the waitress. This is after he paid her to send over alcoholic drinks she told my girlfriend here…” Anon says as he hugs Sweetie. “…and her friends were just smoothies. Not a single one of them is 18 for the record.”
>“Alright…” the investigator says as he writes in his case book. “Anything else?”
“Yes sir… Once the effects of the drug, or whatever it was, was in my system, it lead to me having strange effect and almost passing out and made my gf pass out in the bathroom.”
>”I was there when this happened. Button and his friends came in and used a soaked rag to knock me out and I awoke back here tied to that rack and Sweetie to that one there. He had me gagged with that sock and began undressing and fondling Sweetie as she was passed out…”
>“That is almost unbelievable… but seeing the ligature marks, I am obliged to believe you.”
“Thank you sir. Once we figured out where they were taken, my friends stopped Button and his associates. That leads us to now though Sweetie is still out and I am very concerned.”
>”Well I will direct the EMTs back here to you two… and that mess over there. How did he get as damaged as he is?”
>”I kicked him off Sweetie as he was going for her panties” Dash adds.
>“I picked him up and punched his gut. He then swag at me. I then punched him in the face, knocking him out.”
>”Alright. That is all I need for now. Those that don’t need medical attention, please step out so I can make sure these people get what they need,” the investigator finishes as he motions for them to leave.

>”Huh… what is going on… my head… wait why am I on a gurney… Anon? ANON!?”
“Finally awake again…thank goodness,” Anon sighs from a gurney next to her as he holds her hand as they are both having their vitals checked at the ambulance rocks along the rough road.
>”What is going on… where are we Anon?” Sweetie asks as she tries to sit up.
>”Ma’am. Please stay down. I need you to stay calm.”
“Sweetie, I am right here. Our milkshake was drugged by Button. I am just so glad you are awake. I was starting to be concerned as you have been out for over a couple hours.”
>”I was out? Ooooh my head…”
“He is also why you got the alcohol…I think this was his plan from the start…”
>”What plan?” Sweetie asks as she looks around and sees he skirt laying beside her on the gurney, starting her to panic. “Oh god… Did he?” She asks as she begins to tear up…
“No, Sweetie… Mac, Fluttershy, and RD came along and stopped him before he could do anything. Anything more than fondle you from what Scootaloo said.”
>”Did he do anything to Scootaloo?” she asks as she looks down her arms, seeing the marks on her wrists from the rope.
“She was made to watch after she woke up from being knocked out and gagged…” Anon says low as he looks down.
>“Oh my…I…I don’t know what to say…”
“Well I can say we are all going to need some medical assistance… and each other,” Anon says as he tries to reach her hand.
>”I… need some rest. I need to process this… Wait where were you?”
“I was trapped in the booth due to being in and out myself since whatever was in the drink made my legs numb and I could not walk well myself. I am so sorry I could not help…” Anon says with tears. “I was worthless, useless, and should have suspected I could have gotten sniped. I failed you Sweetie…”
>”I know you would have done more if you could…” Sweetie says as she reaches out, finding his hand, gripping it tightly. “We both messed up…”
“At least we made it out alive…”
>”Hey you two… better rest as it will be a bit before we can make it to the hospital,” the EMT sitting behind them states. “You are both very lucky…”
“We know…” Anon and Sweetie say as they look over at each other, gazing deep into each other’s eyes.
>“I love you Nonny. I at least enjoyed our songs.”
“I love you too, Sweetie.  For all the hurt that you feel…” Anon begins.
>”This world is just illusion, always trying to change you,” Sweetie replies.
“…To us the world is different…. “ Nonny continues
> “As we are to the world but I guess you would know that,” Sweetie finishes with a smile as they grip hands harder.

>“Alright… clear a path…” Head nurse Redheart barks as she leads the two gurneys into a smaller examination room. “Surprised to see you here, Nonny, without you shadowing you dad or needing more stitches.”
“Ha Ha, Ms. Redheart. I am not THAT frequent a visitor of here.”
>”I know… just have to try to take some of the edge off the situation. Mind telling me HOW you and this young lady got here?”
“Well I went to join her at The Bar for some karaoke and someone who thought of himself as my rival and her betrothed decided to drug us with something in a milkshake.”
>”Well that is horrible…”
>“It gets worse… He tried to rape me while I was passed out in front of a mutual friend, with the consent of The Bar’s waitress…” Sweetie adds softly, hanging her head in shame.
>“I was mistaken. THAT is horrible,” Redheart replies. “Well we are going to get a few blood tests to see what you two were hit with and we should get a rape kit on your lady friend for good measure.”
>“My friend who witnessed it said he didn’t…” Sweetie trails off.
>”Alright… I still think I should check to be sure if you are up for it…”
>“I… I don’t know… I am nervous and not sure I want anyone exploring down there…”
>“It is up to you… Now I am going to step away for a moment. You two stay laying down till I get back. No point in you hurting yourselves,” Redheart says flatly as she walks out of the room and shuts the door.
“Are you doing ok over there Sweetie?”
>”I guess… wish you were closer…”
“Well I have feeling back in my legs and no feeling that woozy. I can try to come closer…”
>”Didn’t you just hear the nurse? You should stay over there till they check us out.”
“I am more concerned with you than myself. I just want to check on you…” Anon says as he pushes the sheet off of himself and begins to sit up. “I will be there in a second…”
>”Anon… don’t...” Sweetie says as he slides his legs off the gurney and puts weight on his legs. “I don’t want you to hurt yourself for my sake…”
“I am standing now, Sweetie. I refuse to stop till I get over there…” Anon says as he stabilizes himself. “I have left you alone too long and not been a good boyfriend and caught on to what fully was going on…” he says as he makes a few steps, stabilizing on the wall as he slowly makes it over to the chair by Sweetie.
>”Anon…be careful…” she lets out as he reaches over from the chair to the side of Sweetie’s gurney.
“I am doing my best to be. Sorry for being so stubborn but I…” he grunts out trying to stay standing despite the limited feeling that has returned to his legs. As he looks up, he feels a soft hand on his cheek and sees a smiling Sweetie looking at him with tears in her eyes.
>”You can be a stubborn ass, you know that?” Sweetie replies chuckling.
“Well it has gotten me this far. Otherwise I would have completely collapsed when my parents began the divorce.”
>”I wanted to ask you about that but later when we can both manage to not be under medical watch…”
“Ask anything you want, Sweetie. I have nothing to hide from you and intend to keep it that way. But for now… mind a kiss?”
>”sure, silly… because you asked…” She says as she leans forward and they meet their lips softly and happy tears flow. “Thank you for that…”
“Anything you can ask for, I will do what I can to meet. Will not always succeed but…”
>”I will be thankful for the effort,” Sweetie says as they both hear a tapping foot in the room.
>”Well since you will not listen to me to stay on the bed Anon, could you at least sit in that chair? We need to get those blood samples now,” Redheart says with annoyance, having re-entered the room when they were not noticing. 
“Yes ma’am,” replies Anon as he pulls the chair closer to Sweetie and sits. “I don’t want to be far from Sweetie if you don’t mind, given the circumstances.
>”I understand but you should listen to and follow my instructions,” Redheart stated as she preps Anon’s arm for taking a few vials of blood.
“I will from here. Sorry for the trouble.”
>”As will I,” Sweetie retorts.
>”Great to hear,” Redheart replies as she fills the first couple vials. “I don’t want to have to use force on you two or have to separate you,” She finishes as the fourth vial tapers off. “Okay, now your turn miss.”
>Sweetie holds out her arm as Redheart puts Anon’s vials in a sample bag and then cleans her arm.
>”So cold…” Sweetie shivers as Redheart rubs the swab on the inside of her arm.
>”I bet it is… now mind the prick…” Redheart retorts as she stick Sweetie’s arm. “Now make a fist and release a few times… it will make this go faster…” she continues as the first vial and second are filled quickly.
“You are doing well Sweetie. Just a couple more of those…” Anon reassures her with a smile and a hand on her shoulder.
>”Alright… last one….and done. See? Doesn’t take long and you did well.” Redheart says with a practiced smile. “I will get these to the lab so we can see what affected you two. Just relax here and we should have results in a bit. Just keep the noise low and we will let you know when your families arrive, alight?”
“Thank you nurse, Redheart.”
>”Anytime Anon. I have known you your whole life. Being able to help you and your pretty girlfriend is highlight of my night… especially given some of the others we get in here on 3rd shift,” She says as she walks out.
>”Good to have friends everywhere, eh Anon?” Sweetie pokes at him.
“Well she is friends with my mom so at least I know she will be good to us. In fact she took over the head nurse position after my mom vacated it. My Dad just knows her through work and she is not that fond of him. Always professional but not fond”
>”Huh… never knew your mom was a nurse.”
“Well we haven’t exactly had time to share much of our life stories yet, now have we?” Anon snarks.
>”We have plenty of time ahead for that…” Sweetie says as she rubs Nonny’s cheek. “But for now mind sitting up here with me? I want you closer… still tryig to wrap my mind around tonight and I could use some closeness to help me stay together…” Sweetie trails off.
“Sure Sweetie. Whatever you need…” Anon says as she slides over and he climbs up beside her, rubbing her head with one hand and she holds his other close to her chest.
>”I know I have said this several times already but I want to tell you again. I love you, Anon. I am not sure I would be able to handle all this if you were not here.”
“I love you too, Sweetie… I know we can make it through this and I swear on my life, I will do all I can to prevent anything like this from happening again.”
>“I know you will… now let’s try to rest some of this trouble away…”
“Sure Sweetie,” Anon says as he kisses her neck. “Best idea of the night…”

>”Where is she?” comes a loud voice outside the exam room which rouses the couple. “Where is my sister?”
“Sounds like Rarity finally got here…Guess the Fluttershy called her,” Anon groans as he wakes back up with Sweetie having snuggled into him, breathing softly as her hair wreathes both their faces.
>”So I can tell… guess we better sit up so she can’t have THAT to complain about.”
“Good point… “ Anon agrees as he gives her cheek a quick kiss as he sits up. 
>”Ma’am...I need you to calm down and to lower your voice. Other patients are getting disturbed from your yelling…” Redheart’s voice sounds through the door as Sweetie sits up behind Anon and hold around his waist.
>”Ugh… fine. Just show me where you are holding my sister,” Rarity’s voice is clearly heard saying.
>”Now Rarity… they might be resting after the ordeal they have been through,” Fluttershy is heard saying.
>“Yeah. No point in being rude to them…”
>“Like you were in wandering off in the middle of all this Rainbow Dash?”
>“How was I to know that their drinks were spiked? I wasn’t drinking them with them…” Dash retorts as they follow Redheart into the examination room.
“Hello y’all… We are fine-ish. Just took a nap…heh.” Anon chuckles with an innocent face.
>”Hello…Anon…I see you and Sweetie are ok…” Rarity states flatly. “How are you Sweetie?”
>” I am managing,” she says as she hugs Anon tighter. “I am glad Anon and our friends were there to help me before it got worse.”
>”Worse? What is going on here? Fluttershy, darling, what happened here?”
>”Rarity I already told you that there was an incident at The Bar and they were brought here to get checked after a boy tried to assault Sweetie.”
>“Yes and I see a boy here with her. Namely Anon…”
“Rarity, it was Button Mash. He drugged Sweetie and myself once I showed up and joined her friends for a few songs. The kid even hit me in the gut and tied up Sweetie as well as Scootaloo.”
>”I...I can’t believe that…he has always been so polite around me and asked to see Sweetie.”
“I am sorry you are having trouble with it but it is true. Fluttershy, Big Mac, Apple Bloom, Dash, and Scootaloo are all witnesses. The kid was even arrested for it. It is fact.”
>”Well… you don’t have to be rude about it,” scoffs Rarity. “I am just trying to say I didn’t see it…”
>“Well now you know, sis,” Sweetie replies. “He has been stalking me and this is how far he has been willing to go.  He also hurt my shoulder yesterday at the book store till I kneed him in the nuts. I was going to tell you about it but you were too drunk and mean for me to be able to get in a word about it.”
>”Rarity is this true?” Flutters asks. “Are you drinking again?”
>”I might be having some wine with dinner but nothing too bad, darling.”
>”Yes she is Fluttershy. I found her when she woke up this morning surrounded by a couple empty bottles of Merlot,” Sweetie states. “She also had no real memory of how she yelled at me for Anon taking me shopping on our date. She was even calling the undergarments ‘whore-wear’ because I asked him to take me to a racier place I never visited before.”
“I do take fault for my part in that. It made Sweetie happy so I went along with it.” Anon quips.
>”Rarity…” Fluttershy says as she grips the bridge of her nose. “…We seriously need to get you to stick to the better stress relief methods from the last time we got you help. You are just going to hurt yourself or Sweetie if you keep this up.  I am very concerned for you and I know Sweetie is. I am willing to be supportive of you but this…”
>”Fluttershy… I don’t have to take this… I am better. I just slipped yesterday due to shock and stress from hearing Sweetie is dating and from having to do the emergency personal fitting for a high ranking client.”
“I hope you are Rarity and you can better accept me being a part of your sister’s life. I care a lot for her and want to be there for her. I don’t want to come between you two,” Anon states as he hugs Sweetie and she lays her head on him.”
>”I don’t know… right now I just want to go and get us home…what is the hold up? Can’t you two be released yet?” Rarity quips as she looks away from the couple.
“Let’s hear the results of the blood tests first. I want to know what we got hit with…”Anon says as he looks toward the door. “Nurse Redheart?”
>”Yes Anon?”
“Have the blood test results come back?”
>”Just a few more minutes I think. I will go check since I know you want to get home,” Redheart states as she walks back to the nurse’s station.
“Well while we wait, why don’t you and Fluttershy sit down? It might be five minutes, it might be an hour. You never really know.”
>”Sounds good to me,” Flutters get out as she pulls over one chair from Anon’s side of the room. “I do want to ask more about what is going on with you Rarity.”
>”Well I have a new client who is the son of a diplomat, Prince Blueblood. He was who I had to go see on such short notice and have been so busy crafting for. I have to have it done by Wednesday or I miss the contract… The stress might have overloaded me,” Rarity finishes with a bashful chuckle. “He is soo handsome… and amazing hair…”
>”Okay, sis. Are you sure your prince fantasy is not clouding your memory?” Sweetie quips as she snuggles into Anon, intertwining her fingers with his.
>”I am very sure,” Rarity blushes and huffs. “I am just excited for such a high ranking client. It means so much for my reputation and a step towards my goals as a fashionista!”
>”Okay… Calm down Rarity. No need to get worked up.”
“I just have a couple questions myself. Fluttershy, did you reach my mom to fill her in? I am sure it is past midnight by now and I need to check in.”
>“I did reach her and when I told her Redheart was on duty, she was calm about this. Well calmer than she was… she still wants you to call as soon as you can.”
“Alright… I will call her as soon as we are released. Now can we figure out how I am getting back to my truck?”
>”Nonny… I don’t want you to leave me tonight… please stay with me…” Sweetie pleads.
>”Sweetie, he does have to go home. He can’t stay by you all the time,” Rarity adds.
>“I know but can’t he just stay in the guest room for tonight? I would feel more comfortable. He can go home in the morning but I need to be close to him now…” Sweetie says as she lowers her head in embarrassment. “I…please Rarity…”
>“I don’t know…I still think he should go home…” Rarity trails off.
“If I can get my truck, I think it would work out. That way I can go home in the morning and not have to trouble you for a ride. I don’t want to impose but I want Sweetie feeling safe given all that has happened,” Anon asserts.
>”I also think it would be best. I know well how having someone close can help comfort the hard times…” Flutters adds as she looks over at Anon then looks away.
>”Eh… Alright… but I will be watching you. Don’t take advantage of this to molest my sister! I will never forgive you if you try anything!” Rarity firmly states as she pokes Anon in the chest and a look that could freeze magma in seconds.
“I think we can say enough attempts at molesting happened tonight, Rarity. I only desire to comfort my girlfriend, your little sister. As an older sibling myself, I understand where you are coming from and know how far you are willing to go for her safety,” Anon fires back with a dark glare. “I only regret I was not the one to catch Button or was capable to move to catch him. It is best for his health that I was not…” he finishes as he looks Rarity directly in her eyes, making her step back in shock at his face as his last words leave his mouth. “If he returns and tries to assault me or Sweetie again, the EMTs will need a squeegee…”
>”Nonny… Calm down… you are scaring me…” Sweetie murmurs.
“Sorry dear…I was letting my frustration and anger get the best of me…Sorry for that Rarity…” Anon says as he takes a deep breath. “I take it very personally when someone hurts someone I care about…I was going too far…”
>”He is just angry at Button, Rarity. Don’t take it personally,” Fluttershy adds as she gets up and stands by the couple. “I get similar if you recall and I would never harm anyone without a reason.”
>”A..Alright,” Rarity says as she takes Fluttershy’s seat across the room from them, mildly shaken.
>”Alright… now to just wait on those test results…. Anyone want to play a game?” Fluttershy suggests.

>The door opens after 45 minutes of rounds of 20 questions and the couple holding each other close. Nurse Redheart is followed in by the lead investigator from earlier.
>“Well the test results are back and the lead investigator has an update for you two as well as a couple more questions before you are released.”
“Alright… I am looking forward to putting all this behind us. What are the results?”
>”Since you were able to get here so quickly after the incident, we were able to find traces of GHB in the blood but we would need a urine sample to confirm. Normally we would not think to look for it but there has been a rash of dosing lately so we thought to look for it off the bat as we ran the other tests. You were quite lucky that you did not get put into a coma or worse from this,” Readheart shares.
“Oh god… no wonder we both got sniped by it…”
>“Indeed you were lucky,” the investigator adds. “As a result of this, Button Mash is going to be having additional charges added for use of a deadly substance in the commission of a felony. Now I do have a couple questions I might have missed earlier. Did either of you actively order alcoholic drinks? We are not planning to charge you if you did but we want to know more for the case against the waitress and the owner of The Bar.”
>“They just brought over the ‘slushies’ as they called them as soon as we settled in our booth. I know my friends asked for something different and they were given other alcoholic drinks that the waitress chose. I just enjoyed the cold and flavor… Anon realized what they were and ordered us water and the milkshake. We never asked for alcohol as we are underage for it,” Sweetie replies.
>”Hmm. Alright. Now mister Anon. Where were you while the assault was happening?” the investigator asks as Sweetie cringes.
“I was stuck in the booth with numb legs, hallucinations, and queasiness. I was in no condition to move at all.”
>“That differs from a statement we got from Flash Sentry, who told us you took a swing at him, trying to start a fight.”
“Sir, I can assure you that is not the truth as Flash took a swing at me for snarking him, a swing my friend Big Mac caught with his hand, stopping the incident. My sister is also dating Flash. He has always been a cocky ass around me and I guess he decided to lie to try to earn points with my sister.”
>”That is…interesting. I will definitely look into that… May I have this Mac’s number to ask him about this?” the investigator asks.
>”Uhm… I have it. Let me pull it up…” Fluttershy interjects.
>”Thank you miss,” the investigator adds as he writes down the number from her phone.
>“Anyway I can help…”
>”Alright… That is all I needed. You all have a good rest of the night.”
>”And after I get a urine sample from you two, you are free to go.”
“Ok… Well let’s get it over with…” Anon says as he reaches for the sample cup. “Where is the bathroom?”
>”Two doors down to the right,” Redheart states. “Just put it by the sink in here when you are done. If you want to go ahead and do yours, there is another one 5 doors down to the left.”
>”Uh sure… Just help me down first and I will get that for you…” Sweetie says with a blush.
“I got you,” Rarity says as she takes Sweetie’s arm as she slides off the gurney, still a bit wobbly from earlier. “I can help you to the bathroom if you want Sweetie…”
>”I think I can manage… Thanks Rarity,” Sweetie say as she wobbles off, holding on the wall as she goes.
>”I…I am so disappointed I missed about Button. I have been a bad sister…” Rarity mumbles as she sits back down.
>”You are being there for her now. That is what matters…” Fluttershy replies. “You can’t protect her from everything.”
>“I know but I am still ashamed. I failed Sweetie. I failed as a sister…”
>”Well you can keep thinking that or focus on how to be a better one,” Fluttershy adds as she puts a hand on Rarity’s shoulder. “Looking too much at the past will just make it harder on you both.”
>“Um Rarity… could you help me after all… I forgot something…” Sweetie says with a blush as she steps back. I forgot to put the skirt back on…” Sweetie chuckles.
>”Pffft… Okay Sweetie… Here it is… “ Rarity tells her after walking it over. “Let me guess… Anon picked ou the panties?”
>Um…no… These are from Victoria’s Secret…I bought them because I wanted something different…”
>“Just be more careful….they are a bit…risqué… to show the public,” Rarity says with a blush. “Now hurry. It is a bit embarrassing being seen with you like that…”
>”Fine… just hold the unused sample cup for a moment…” Sweetie gets out as she steps into the skirt and pulls it up. “Alright… I will be back soon,” she says as she takes back the cup and moves as quick as she can to the bathroom.
 >Anon returns first to the room and sits up on the bed behind Fluttershy, laying down after placing the cup where he was instructed to.
“Well… this has been quite the evening… Tomorrow sadly looks as bright…”
>”What makes you say that? Aren’t you having dinner with Rarity, Sweetie and, their parents?” Fluttershy asks as Rarity looks over as well.
“Well I have to have lunch with my grandmother first. I love seeing her but my dad, sister and likely also Flash as her guest, will be there as well. I am not fond of seeing the last two especially since they were at The Bar and did nothing to help out and Flash tried to punch me. A punch Mac caught and scared the ass off in doing so.”
>“Oh lovely…sorry to hear that darling. I didn’t know that they were there…”
“I am still racking my mind why they were toward insults rather than trying to help but then again Lily Blossom has been hating on my since the divorce of our parents. Eh… I really don’t feel like hashing into that right now… too fucking tired and worn. Just need some rest… and my truck….” Anon trails off mumbling. “…and my Sweetie…” he finishes in a whisper.
>”Okay… that is done…” Sweetie says as she puts her cup beside Anon’s. “Are we free to go now or what? This place is starting to make me feel claustrophobic…”
“I will go check. Redheart should be at the nurses’ station if she is still on shift. Be right back,” Fluttershy says as she leaves the other 3 in the room alone as Sweetie stumbles over to Anon’s gurney, taking his hand when she gets to him.
>the three sit there in silence for a moment until Rarity breaks the silence with a question.
>”Sooo Anon… You mentioned having a sister. Do you have any other siblings?”
“I have 2 older half siblings from my Dad’s first marriage.  They are much older and are already out on their own. My sister though might as well be given how she moved out to with my dad. I lost my first, best friend when she went over to his side in the divorce,” Anon says as he squeezes Sweetie’s hand. “Her moving out has given me a lot of pause on connecting with people, until recently really.”
>“oh… well I am sorry to hear about that,” Rarity replies.
“I am getting over it. Never really was big on going out anyways so I turned harder into school, props, and my projects. Have begun having some success but I don’t want to talk about it more tonight. Mind telling me about the guest room at your house? Is it upstairs or is it on the main floor?”
>”It is upstairs beyond the bathroom… Why do you ask?”
“I just was curious since I am not fond of stairs or high stepping at the moment.”
>”Me neither, sis,” Sweetie joins in.
>”I know but it would be better than sleeping on the den sofa as well as require answering fewer questions in the morning.”
“I understand,” Anon and Sweetie say in unison before looking at each other and laughing softly.
>”Now I am willing to let you stay for Sweetie’s sake but you two better not be planning anything.”
“Frankly, Rarity, if I had the energy to plan anything, I would not have the energy to do anything. Your sister’s chastity is safe from me.”
>”Just what I wanted to hear…” Rarity says as she puffs up.
>”Nurse Redheart says you are clear to go. Just leave a post-it from the pad here to mark whose sample is whose and we all can go.”
“Some of the best news of the night…” Anon quips as he gets back on his feet.
>”What was the best news, Nonny?” Sweetie asks as she takes his hand.
“That you were not hurt, Sweetie. Given this last year’s troubles with the last day’s incidents on top of it, I seriously don’t know where my limits is but I am sure it would have been met from that news.”
>”well I was not so don’t worry about it…I am here and we both are safe.”
“I know… Now let’s get me to my truck and to y’all’s home to get some rest… I can text my mom as we ride so she knows what is going on at least in short. Last thing we need is more concerns.”

>Soon they reach Rarity’s Mini and luckily the back seat is clear despite all the fabric and notions filling the bags behind the seats and wayback.
>“Please be careful…some of that is the expensive fabrics I need for Blueblood’s order.”
“I will be as soon as I can get some of this shifted…”
>”Rarity? Do you mind if I ride in the back with Anon? Please?” 
>”Yes yes… just help me move these so you two can sit back there… I am just looking forward to us all putting this night behind us…” she says as she move half the bags to the wayback and half to the front floor,  leaving an island of cloth between the two door seats and would be passengers. “There. Room for you both. Now get in. It is getting far too late as it is.”
“Sure Rar. Come on Sweetie,” Anon says as he gets in behind Rarity and Sweetie behind the front passenger seat.
>”Everyone secure?”
“Yes.”
>Yep Rarity.”
>”Alright darlings. Hold tight,” Rarity says as she fires the engine alight, revving hard and, after a delicate reverse, fires into full speed, dancing her car through the lot to the main road.
“Should have seen that coming…”
>”What was that Anon?”
“Nothing. Just still feeling queasy but better now… drive on.”
>“Better be awake back there since you have to direct me to this…place.”
“Will do Rar.

> Rarity quickly has them racing along the backroads to The Bar, glancing in her rearview mirror every so often to make sure Anon is awake and that Sweetie is being taken advantage of. Good for her sake, all that she sees is Sweetie looking over at Anon as they hold hands. 
>“I am still not sure about Anon. This could be a ploy to get attention or to set my sister up to be let down like he did with Fluttershy,” Rarity thinks to herself as she drives. “I don’t want to see her heartbroken like Fluttershy was though those two did patch it up later but this is my sister. Plus why did she have to start liking him NOW…”
“Should be another left here and then we should be there. Thank you for the ride, Rarity. It really is a life saver.
>”Oh think nothing of it…I am just glad to help a friend and Sweetie’s…boyfriend… to be able to get on his way.”
“It is a great help. Otherwise I would have to miss my grandmother’s Sunday lunch. I would be really in a spot if I missed it. From my dad, mind you. My grandmother would understand but him… and I am sure I have to face Lily and Flash being there…”
>”I…didn’t know you would have to deal with Flash. Why is that?” Rarity asks.
“I don’t recall if I said it earlier but he is dating my sister…”
>”He’s what?” Rarity snaps. 
“My thoughts too when I first heard. It is worse since my dad approves of him but is not approving of my seeing Sweetie…”
>”Anon… You are making my head hurt… WHY does he not approve of you seeing Sweetie?”
“Says she is too young and yet Flash being 3 years older, and a douche, is okay.”
>”gah… I… I… hmph…” Rarity huffs as she intensifies her focus on the road. “I don’t know what to say.
>”Well I don’t care what Nonny’s dad says. He doesn’t need him anymore in his life…” Sweetie interjects as she tightens her grip on Anon’s hand and smiles wide with a wink.
>”Now Sweetie, you should not say things like that. He is still Anon’s dad, divorce or not,” Rarity retorts as she looks back at her in the rearview mirror.
“I agree with her Rarity. I think you will too when I have time to explain the whole story. It looks like we are at our objective though…” Anon shares as his truck comes into view at darkened roadhouse that was The Bar a few hours earlier. The low moonlight lends a mystic quality to the building, as though it was a corpse or psychic anchor for the real building that has vanished to the realm it arose from. The lone red Ford Ranger sits in the lot surrounded by police tape and shavings on the ground from their forceful removal of a boot put there by The Bar to milk more money from Anon on top of the trouble inside.
“Alright… This is my stop for now. I will see you at your house shortly,” Anon says he begins to open the door as Rarity stops behind his truck. “I won’t be long,” Anon reassures Sweetie as she tightens her grip as the door opens.
>”You better not be,” she replies as she taps on his hand chidingly.
>”Alright let anon get out so he can drive, Sweetie.”
>“Okay Rarity… wait can I ride with him?”
“I think you two should ride together for now, Sweetie. I need to contact my mom and then I would be along to y’all’s house. I swear on my life, I won’t be long. I do however ask that you two don’t leave till I get cranked up. Who knows whether more crap is waiting on me…” Anon finishes as he steps out.
>”Don’t worry about it, darling. I would not strand you.”
“Thank you…” Anon yells back as he walks around his truck, checking for any sabotage or dumb pranks. Seeing none he gets in and cranks his truck, giving a thumbs up, prompting Rarity to begin driving off with a pouting Sweetie in the backseat who blows him a kiss as they vanish into the darkness of the road.

>Anon adjusts his seatbelt and takes the truck out of gear so it can idle while he adjusts the mirrors and get out his phone.
“I hope the two of them have a peaceful ride,” Anon says as he lays his head on the steering wheel. “I hope they will talk about everything but I doubt they will tonight…I don’t want them to develop a rift like Lily and I did…” he continues as he sits back up and dials home.
>”Anon? Are you alright? It is so late. It is almost 2 am.”
“I am fine mom though there was a scare at the place I went to meet Sweetie at…”
>”What happened? Are you both alright?”
“We are both fine now though someone spiked our drink and got arrested for it. Had to go to Canterlot Med Center. Luckily Redheart had the overnight so we were in good hands.”
>”Oh god… Are you coming right home?”
“No…I am going over to Sweetie and Rarity’s to stay over. Sweetie got the worst of it and the guilty party tried to take advantage of her. She is really shaken and wants me to be nearby.”
>”I think you should come home but I know you know what you are doing…”
“I only think I do. I am grasping at straws but this feel right so I am going to do what I can for her.”
>”Okay son. I will see you in the morning?”
“Before I go to Sunday lunch. I do still have to change clothes and want to give you the full story.”
>”Alright. Drive safe and watch for deer. See you in the morning.”

>”How much longer will he be…” Sweetie murmurs as she lays her head on Rarity’s lap in their den and dressed a purple tank fluffy fleece pajama pants. “He said he would not be long.”
>”I am sure he is just driving more carefully because of all the trouble tonight,” Rarity reassures her as she sits dressed in her nightgown and robe.
>”I know… I am just worried. I want to sleep but am afraid…”
>”Well I am here with you. No need to worry now as you are safe at home.”
>“True… I…want to make sure he is ok too. He was awake though all tonight…”
>”I understand, Sweetie. You want to be supportive of him and, even with my hesitations toward him, I can see he really wants to do the same for you.”
>”Thank you again for letting him stay in the guest room.”
>”Well if it is for you, Sweetie, I would take on the world. I sometimes forget myself but I want to be there for you as your big sister,” Rarity says as she rubs Sweetie’s hair. “You know what… How about some cake while we wait? Dash and Pinkie made a nice sewing machine one for me in honor of my new contract position with Mr. Fancy Pants. How about I get us each a slice?”
>”That sounds great, sis,” Sweetie says as she sits up.
>“Alright then. 2 slices of sewing machine coming up,” Rarity says as she gets up, giggling and sashaying as she walks into the kitchen.

>”I am glad she let Anon come and stay… I… I don’t know how I would be handling all this if it was not for him trying to help and organizing the others. I feel so bad he got drugged too while trying to protect me,” Sweetie thinks to herself as she blushes. “I really do love him. I have such a flutter when I think of him. He tries so hard to not show off but when fitting. All the other guys try to put on a show but he just works on staying focused on his tasks. I really hate how his family broke apart. It is amazing he has held together through all this… It is all this why I want to give and be everything I can for him and I know he wants me to do all I can for myself too. He really is amazing,” Sweetie continues, smiling wide and blushing harder.

>”Deep in thought, Sweetie?” Rarity asks as she sits back down beside her, holding out a plate with bridge and bobbin of the sewing machine cake and a fork on it.
>”Uh yeah… sorry. I was just musing about tonight and Anon,” as she takes the plate.
>”Well don’t worry. I am sure…” Rarity begins as she see a pair of headlights start up the driveway. “…that is him now.”
>”Hmm?” Sweetie says as she quickly turns and almost drops her cake. “That looks like him. How do I look?” Sweetie blurts out before blushing at her own silly question. 
>”You just start on your slice while I get the door. He is almost up to it.”

”Okay… now to knock… slowdown heart of mine. You are here to keep Sweetie company and not fool around…” Anon mumbles to himself low as he raises his hand to softly knock, being met with an opening door and Rarity standing there.
>”Ah you made it,” Rarity pokes. “Sweetie was beginning to get anxious so we are having some cake. Care to come in and join us before everyone settles in?”
“Oh…sure…” Anon stumbles out as he steps inside, seeing Sweetie stuffing her face with fluffy cake and icing. “Sorry for the wait. Did not want to hit a deer and add to the fun of the night.”
>”I was just telling Sweetie that was probably what slowed you down,” Rarity states as she sashays over to the sofa and takes a small bite of her cake.
>”Would you like some of my slice, Anon?” Sweetie asks as he sits beside her on the sofa with Rarity after closing the door.
“Uh sure. It is an interesting icing design…”
>“It was a sewing machine cake. Pinkie…”
“No need to say anymore, Rarity. Knowing Pinkie had a hand in this tells me enough. I could really use a pick me up given I almost fell asleep driving… Guess the night is finally hitting me…” Anon says as he eats the bite Sweetie offered him. “I know I definitely cannot stay awake much longer even with this.”
>”Maybe we should all call it then. We were really just staying up to wait on you…” Rarity adds.
“And I am grateful…” he replies as Sweetie feeds him another bite while his mouth was still open, giggling as she does.
>”Sweetie! Don’t force-feed him! That was just uncouth…”
>”Just playing with him… after all he is liking it!”
“Do I get a word in this?”
>”Nope… have more…”
>”Okay… time to quit Sweetie. We are all tired and I still have to show him to our guest room.”
>”Aww… I want to show it to him. Please?”
>”Fine… take our dishes to the kitchen first. We don’t need to leave a mess.”
“I can help with that. In fact let me. Shall I put them in the sink or just beside it?”
>”Sweetie help him with it. I will be waiting upstairs,” Rarity states as she stands and starts up the stairs, pausing halfway to make sure they follow. 
”Is she always like this at home,” Anon whispers.
>”She is going light now for my sake,” as she rinses off the plates and dumps the remainders into the in sink disposal. 
“Geeze… I hope it is my fatigue tinting my perception but wow…” he says as he takes her hand and they make it to the stairs. 
>”Come on you two. I do have to get my beauty sleep.”
>”We are coming…geeze sis.”
“Sorry my legs as still stiff from the minor incident… it is not like they can exactly do a jig now…”
>“Whatever…” Rarity says as she spins around and finishes walking up the stairs. “I know Sweetie will show you the rest of the way and I will be checking to make sure she is in HER bed in 5 minutes.”
“As you wish Rarity. After all, I am JUST a guest here for her sake.”
>”Humph!” Rarity scoffs as she makes a right turn at the top of the stairs to her room.
“I didn’t go too far did I? A bit hard to not be rude right now.”
>”I was going to give a similar retort so you are fine by me.”
“Thanks Sweetie,” he says as they reach the top and Sweetie points to the left.
>“It is just down there to the left beyond the bathroom. We only have one up here so it might get bottlenecked in the morning.”
“UI gotcha. Not going to show me the rest of the way?”
>” I have to get into bed for a bit to make someone happy…” Sweetie pouts. “But it should not be long,” she chuckles softly as she whispers.
“Alright… Well good night Sweetie,” Anon says normally as he walks toward the bathroom.
>”Good night Anon…” Sweetie smirks.

>Anon makes it into the bathroom and looks at himself in the mirror for the first time all night, seeing the palid tone to his skin and the sunken eyes from stress and drugging.
“Glad Sweetie loves me or else she would be running from me. I look like a damn ghoul barely warmed over. Rarity must be having to hold back her response. I look horrible…” Anon says as he starts the sink, rinsing his face off with a few handfuls of water. He steps over to the towel rack and begins drying his face when he notices Sweetie’s shirt from the day before. He picks it up and sniffs it as he thinks of the previous night. 
“So short a time ago and so much has changed… Innocence lost due to ONE asshole…” Anon thinks to himself as he grips the shirt tight. “I fucking hate that twerp… a pain as long as I have known him but he is so much worse now. I…best drop it and Sweetie’s shirt. I don’t want to damage anything of hers in my rage at that twip.”
>Anon quickly finishes drying his face and finishes his business in the bathroom before he shuffles to the guest room. Turning on the light in there reveals a simplified version of his own guest room but with a single queen size bed donning the same light blue of his, a single bedside table with lamp, and a single dresser lined with pictures of Rarity and Sweetie over their childhood. Anon waves off the pictures as he turns toward the bed and sits looking around for a moment as he turns on the lamp.
“So here I am… at my girlfriend’s house for the night. Too bad it could not be under better circumstances. Well might as well get comfy,” He says as he walks back over to the light switch and mostly closes the door only to have is creek back open a bit to Opal prancing by him to jump on the bed.
“Guess you want to see who took your room, eh Opal?”
>”Merow…”
“You would like Tooner I bet,” he says as he scritches her head as he walks back to where he was sitting before, kicking off his boots then losing the pants and shirt, drawing her attention and inspiring her to pounce on his clothes and claiming them as a warm new bed.
“Yeah… you WOULD like Tooner,” Anon continues as he pulls back the comforter and sheets then loses his socks and boxers, covering himself quickly as he adjusts himself among the sheets and pillows. 
“I guess I should make myself comfortable while I wait for Sweetie if she has not fallen out ahead of me. All I can hope for is that she does sleep well. She deserves some peace after tonight…” Anon says as he closes his eyes for a moment.

>Sweetie patiently waits in her bedroom for Rarity to check on her but after no sign of her for 15 minutes, she sneaks out to listen at her door. Straining her hearing, Sweetie hears the faint breathing of her sister having drifted off and take this as her cue to join Anon. She tiptoes carefully, nightlights in the hall and bathroom guiding her like landing lights at an airport. She quickly makes it down the hall without hitting a single squeaky board, having long ago learned how to make it to the stairs and back without waking a soul for her midnight snack runs as a little kid.

>She makes it to the guest room door, slowly pushing it open and closes it completely. Anon apparently passed out waiting on her with the lamp on and Opal has now kneaded his clothes into a full cat bed… wait ALL his clothes. Sweetie bites her lip as she tiptoes to his bedside, turning out the lamp and then softly walks to the otherside of the bed, pulling back the covers enough to confirm he is indeed naked. The sudden motion and rush of cooler air draws grumbles from Anon till he pulls the covers back up, settling down again once the seal of his warmth returns. She looks around in the low silver moonlight and yellow nightlights and pulls all her pajamas off. 

>She slides under the covers and slides close to Anon, reveling in his warmth for a moment before he opens his eyes softly to her leaning in to kiss him.
“Huh… wha…Is that you Sweetie?” He drowsily mumbles.
>”yes it is Nonny… were you sleeping well?”
“Uh… sorta. Never sleep well away from home…What kept you?”
>”I had to make sure Rarity was asleep before I could come here,” she says as she snuggles close, pressing her bare chest to his and pulling one if his arms around her, resting his hand just above her small butt as she holds him tightly, kissing his neck.
“Wait a moment… are you naked?” Anon asks as he rouses a bit at the realization.
>”Well as Apple bloom described it once, more like nekkid as I am naked and up to something…”
“Oh really… like what?” he asks as he moves his head to kiss her forehead, feeling her face burning up as she is blushing.
>”well… I…” She hesitantly replies. “…I just wanted to be as close to you as I could. I feel so betrayed and hurt by tonight. I am glad we have our friends and know you would have rushed in if you had not been also incapacitated.”
“That thought is another thing that has been messing with my sleep. I actually had a time where I needed to be there to save but was inhibited…I swear I will never let that happen again to the best of my ability. “
>”I know that, Nonny. I know…” She softly trails off as she rubs on his chest and kisses his shoulder more. She turns her head up to meet his with soft tears in her eyes and sees the same in his as he tries to smile for her.
“I Love you Sweetie… I can’t say or express it enough,” Nonny manages to say as he begins to move his hand up her back only to have her stop him.
>”I love you too, Nonny. I want you give as much of myself as I can. I never have felt this way about anyone or anything like I do about you. I want you to know only you may touch me and for us to both forget about the incident earlier,” She says as she lets go of his hand and moves her head to kiss his lips.
“I know we are probably getting ahead of ourselves but please… just for right now… hold and touch me as you like. Reclaim me from the nightmare that is eating at us both…,” She continues with soft sobbing.

“Only if you stop crying for me. If we are going to reclaim ourselves, let’s do it happily, not as a desperate moment to blank a memory, alright?” he says as he wipes some tears from her eyes before returning his hand to her back and she responds with a soft nod.
>He softly rubs her back as she snuggles closer as he kisses a couple tears from her soft face. Sweetie coos and intertwines her legs with his, rubbing & softly scratching his chest as she nuzzles closer. He reaches lower, cupping her butt cheek and squeezes it, bringing a gasp from her lips.
“Hey… don’t forget we might wake Rarity. We have to try to be quiet too… don’t forget that.”
>“Sorry… will try to be quiet… just got surprised.”
“Surprised you did given where you put my hand…”
>“Oh hush and kiss me…”
“Where do you want to be kissed?” Anon asks drawing a soft, warm blush from Sweetie.
>“How about you decide…” She replies, biting her lip.
“Alright…” Anon says as he slides his head under the covers and stops touching Sweetie completely for a moment. She gets a confused look on her face till she feels his hands trace along her hips softly, barely touching and tracing their way around to her belly then back to her hips. Firmly gripping her hips, he rolls her onto her back then pulls himself close, kissing a circle along her belly spiraling inward where he kisses just above her belly button.
>“That is…interesting…” Sweetie replies before he begins kissing up her belly toward her chest. “More interesting…” She continues, squirming as he kisses his way up to her neck. “Think you missed a couple things down there?”
“Nope… I know right where they are,“ He responds as he slides his hands from her hips slowly till he has one breast in each hand. He then starts teasing her nipples with his thumbs barely rolling across the tips.
>”Whoa… indeed you do…” she responds as she flushes from the attention, purring to his touch as her nipples harden. She looks down toward him as his head is barely out of the covers as he continues kissing her neck. “I think you have given me enough for the moment… give me a moment…” she says as she starts huffing from losing her breath and throbbing heart.
“Sure… I can’t have all the fun…” Anon smirks as the low light reflects off his teeth and eyes, looking like a Cheshire cat resting on her chest.
>”Oh you…” Sweetie replies as she boops him on the head. “Roll off me. I want to play too…”
“As you desire,” Anon says as he rolls off her onto his back. “I am all yours.”
>Sweetie smiles as she slides over to him and climbs on top on him with one leg between his, sitting up and looks down at him, her curls bouncing down across her back and chest while also obscuring her face. She lightly brushes it from her face with one hand, revealing a soft smile and a soft reflection of her emerald orbs in the silvery light. Her pale skin glows, prompting Anon to reach for her to make sure this is not a dream. She carefully grasps his hands and places them together on his face, blocking his vision of her before she slides down and kisses his neck, drawing goosebumps along his skin as she goes till she stops mid chest and starts to give soft licks along his pecs.
“Well this is…unexpected…” Anon responds as he begins to breathe faster. “Where did you get this idea? Scoot’s vids?”
>”Partially but it is mostly an idea I wanted to try. Just came to me over today after last night. I was a bit scared at the lake but I just want to make the most of now.”
“I definitely look forward to where you are taking this.” Anon replies as he feels a warm wetness on his leg.
>”I am sure you will enjoy this…” She says as she grinds his leg subconsciously as she shimmies in excitement at her plans. “Now where was I?” She says as she leans down and places a hand by his side as she traces the other up his chest to his shoulder then back down his center line to his abs, pausing there as she takes a deep breath.
“A bit nervous?”
>”Yes…I know I reach down before but…I just need a moment…”
“Take your time or not. It is all up to you.” Anon says as he reaches up, brushing her cheek.
>”Okay…” Sweetie responds as she begins tracing her hand lower along his abs. As she goes, Anon feels the moisture increase on his leg, coating over his knee as she slides lower in sync with her hand. Sweetie breathes harder as she goes and eventually traces through Anon’s light pubic hair to the base of his dick. 
>”Well I finally have it…” Sweetie chuckles softly. “I was not sure I could get myself to go through with that…”
“You don’t have to push yourself just to give me attention, Sweetie.”
>”I just want to get past… my bashfulness. I want us to be able to… have fun without my hesitating getting in the way.”
“I am sure that will not be a concern. Sweetie. Just calm down and let’s take it a bit slower…”
>”But… I want to give myself to you… I want you to help me have something to replace tonight’s…” Sweetie trails off in tears, sobbing as she falls onto his belly.
“Come up here and let’s just snuggle Sweetie. You are pushing yourself… I am here for you and no need to cry. If you want attention, let me give you it. We can worry about reciprocation later. I am so sorry I could not have helped you… I feel worthless for it…”
>”Nonny… you are not worthless. I am. I am for not seeing the troll Button was and to not seek other help for myself.”
“Now you are just being too hard on yourself, Sweetie. Now come up here closer. I have an idea.”
>”Oh yeah? What is it?” Sweetie asks as she crawls up and lays on his arm, turning her head to meet his lips in a quick kiss.
“If you are really wanting to do something, I think we should be not taking turns but doing it together. That way we can guide each other and share the responsibility. We don’t need to follow some concept, just be ourselves.”
>”but I wanted to do a sexy show and fun for you…”
“I think now is not the time for that, especially with how you are recovering from a drugging and assault. The concept is still thawing in your mind and this is just denying it and is going to hurt you more. I don’t want any of our firsts to be ruined from the specter of that little shit hanging in the back of our minds.”
>”Nonny… I… Sweetie starts till Anon Rolls her over on top of him again, kissing her deeply as he rubs away the remnants of more tears.
“Shush Sweetie and enjoy the moment…”
>”Nonny… come on… I want to talk about this more,” she continues as she raps at his chest with her balled hands.
“Alright… What about this would you like to talk about?”
 >”Do you still think I am beautiful after Button…tried to have his way with me? Is that why you are hesitant?” Sweetie asks as she looks down to the side.
“Sweetie…” he starts as he holds his hand up to her cheek, softly rubbing it as he grasps one of her balled hands. “I think you are the most beautify girl I have ever known and the brightest. Those are two of the reasons I initially started liking you and part of why I love you. Button could never take that away from you.
>”Please forgive me for asking… I am so rattled…Please…” Sweetie says as she sobs. “I know you do… I,”
She continues as he rolls her off to his side and embraces her again.
“I forgive you and don’t blame you. This is why I wanted to just cuddle you and be near you. I knew that this was going to be hard on you. I love you so much and I don’t understand this shitstorm that is facing us. I just want simple comfort for and with you. I know stresses will come but why…WHY now before we can fully begin to know each other…”
>”Nonny…” Sweetie trails off as she turns her head and meets his lips with hers, defusing the mood for a moment. “What do you suggest we do for now? I… am not sure how to handle all this…”
“Let’s just spoon and be close. If we feel up to it after a while, we could get into something. But for now, let me comfort and support you. I am not perfect but I will give you what I have.”
>”Thank you, Nonny. Thank you so much. This is why I wanted you near tonight… I just don’t want to break down in front of Rarity. She freezes up and I feel extra-isolated as a result. Thank you, Nonny and I give you my heart. Please help me keep it safe with your love, my big green monster.”
“I will do my best, my little marshmallow,” Anon replies kissing her softly on the lips. They stay like this a few moments before pulling away, looking into each other’s eyes and joining their hands. “What do you say we get even closer with some spooning as I suggested a moment ago?”
>”Yeah…sure,” Sweetie replies as she lets go and rolls over, scooting closer to him in the center of the bed. Anon wraps his arms around her from behind, resting them on her belly as her butt sandwiches his dick between her cheeks. Feeling this, Sweetie blushes and wiggles a bit more, chuckling as she lays her head back, covering Anon’s face in her mussed curls.
“I see you are definitely getting comfortable. I missed you laugh too…”
>”Yeah… I am definitely comfortable now. Sorry to lose myself for a bit there…”
“I understand fully. Just don’t want you to bottle up like I normally do. I want us to grow together not change.”
>”Alrighty dear,” She responds as she moves one of her hands to on top of his and pulls one of them to her chest, on top of her heart and squishing her right breast in the process. ”See my heart rate is slowing down as I calm down… this is helping… thank you for being with me and mine.”
“Anytime dear though would you mind if we do something with your hair… it keeps trying to suffocate me…”
>”Sure Nonny…” Sweetie says as she softly laughs as she uses her free hand to shift her hair down and away from his face. “You are going to have to get used to it though…”
“I am sure I will. I love your hair but not up my nose…” he replies, bringing her to snort in laughter. 
>”Ok lover boy… we are spooning… now what?” Sweetie asks as she grinds her butt against him, causing his to grow firmer and both of them blush.
“Well I was thinking we just roll with it…We could sleep or… “ He says as he makes his loose hand glided down her belly till it is resting in a patch of cotton candy toned fluff. “At least just a bit of it…”
>”Oh? What about holding back like you keep suggesting?”
“I am saying that for myself really… that and I am trying to comply with consent laws just in case we got caught…”
>”Really…” Sweetie says slyly as she grinds against him more and moves his hand to her breast. “Afraid of us going too far or not being able to control yourself?”
“I just don’t want us broken apart due to bullshit of any kind,” He replies as he kisses her shoulder and nibbles toward her neck.
>”Yeah… I get it… don’t worry about it for now. We are both being quiet,” Sweetie coos as he nibbles on her neck as his grip tightens on her breast.
“Ok Sweetie… if you feel up for it…” Anon softly whispers into Sweetie’s ear as he nips it while making a circles in her pubic hair till he reaches her bare thigh whereupon he begins to rub her pale skin softly. The covers upon them begin to feel like an over as they both warm up and a mild sweat begins, filling the puffs of air from under the covers with the soft scent of their attraction.
>”Ooh… Nonny...” Sweetie gasps out as his hand softly massages her breast and his other moves to inside her thigh as he continues to rub along her leg and glances his thumb over her fluff. “keep going…” she says as she props one leg slightly and moves her loose hand to his arm to hold him as he explores her.
“Enjoying yourself?”
>”Oooohhh yeah…” Sweetie says as she loosens her whole body, staying leaning up only due to being propped against him. “Let me know if you want me to do anything…well in a few minutes… keep going for now…” Sweetie responds breathlessly. “How did you learn about this?”
“Reading and other research as well as some ideas of my own.”
>”Well I think you are collecting some good field data…”
“I can tell…” Anon replies as he trails along her inner thigh to a moist trail on her leg followed by very soft flesh, drawing a gasp from Sweetie. “Did I reach your….”
>“Yes… You may continue if you want,” Sweetie says blushing as she begins to breathe heavily.
“Before I do, would you mind flipping over? I don’t want to leave you out of the ‘explorations’ as I continue…”
>”O..Okay… I...that sounds fun,” Sweetie stutters.
“Is something the matter?” Anon asks as he pauses.
>”Would you mind just continuing on me?  I am a bit nervous about touching you just yet…”
“I…will be ok with that… I just thought you might want to kiss me some and not want me poking you in the butt.”
>”Just for now…please?”
“Sure Sweetie… as you wish,” Anon replies as he pulls her closer as his free hand rubs lightly across the edge of her lower lips, slowly moving his fingers lower in a wide V and coming back up with them together, tracing her slit with his middle finger. Sweetie moans softly, covering her mouth to muffle it slightly as he continues. Anon lightly kisses her neck as makes the v again, pulling apart the rips as he goes down and trails his middle finger again till he reaches her clit, drawing a gasp from Sweetie. Anon makes a swirls with his middle finger then slides his hand down again trailing just inside the edge of her labia as he squeezes her breast softly and nipples her neck, himself hardening at the stimulated sounds she is making.
>“Ah…Nonny… keep going…” Sweetie moans faintly as he slides past her entrance and back up. He pauses at her clit, circling it and making crosses. “ah…ah…anon…” Sweetie barely muffles through her hand as she bucks at each cross of her hardened clit as it sends electricity through her.
“Sweetie…” Anon pauses & blurts in her ear quietly. “Rarity will catch us.”
>”S...s…sorry, Nonny,” Sweetie says as she breathes hard. “That was a bit too much and lost control…”
“We could be loud later but I don’t want to get killed before we can be… Sorry to be blunt.”
>”I understand….” Sweetie replies as she lifts his arm from her lap and rolls toward him, kissing his nose. “I think I could use some kisses now…” she continues as she rolls over and rests one hand on his chest and the other on his shoulder as she puckers up.
>Anon smiles as he meets her lips and moves his hand to her cheek while his other grasps he back. They softly kiss as they stay close, periodically testing each other tongue as they hold the embrace and kiss. Anon gets harder from his arousal and is now poking hard into Sweetie’s thigh, bringing an intensifying blush that deepens the color in Sweetie’s flushed cheeks.
>“Whoa… Anon…watch what you are doing with that thing…”
“Sorry Sweetie…It has been a bit like this all night and you are just making it more intense…”
>“I know… I am still a bit… nervous about handling it. I never learned much from Health if you recall me saying before…”
“I know. You can take your time now if you like or I can guide you. Your pick.”
>”I think I could use some guidance… at least for now,” Sweetie says sheepishly as she balls up slightly.
“Alright…may I take your hand?” Anon asks as he pulls his other arm free, sitting up slightly.
>Sweetie hesitantly places her hand in his as he smiles to try to abate her insecurity. He then locks his fingers with hers and guides her hand to just below his belly button. He places her palm don on his skin and moves his hand to her wrist.
“Ok, Sweetie. Let me know when you are ready,” Anon says as he looks at Sweetie’s face. “You set the pace.”
>”Ok. I think I am ready…”
“Alright,” Anon says as he lifts her hand softly and traces it lower and shifts around his dick to the side so that Sweetie’s hand follows his crotch to the base. “Before we continue, would you like to continue this under the covers or not?”
>”How about not… I am getting a bit hot from all the attention…” Sweetie giggles softly.
“Alright…“ Anon responds as he peels the covers to expose them both to their knees. “Phew… that does feel better…” Anon responds as he then touches Sweetie’s fingertips to the base of his dick. “Ok. I am going to trace up it. Ready?”
>Sweetie knods slowly in the low light, prompting Anon to trace her fingers alon the underside of his erect unit half way and back down, repeating this along the sides of it. 
“As you see the different sides of it have slightly different textures. I am of average size according to one statistic I read not that it really matters…”
>”Alright… mind guiding my hand further?” She asks as Anon can feel her sped up pulse through her wrist as he continues to hold her hand.
“Sure…” Anon slowly traces her finger tips along the side of his dick to the edge of his head. “I am circumcised so I don’t have a foreskin like many guys do. As such, you can feel the ridge of the cap of my head,” Anon continues as he traces her fingers around the ridge and then up to the tip, Sweetie following along watching intensely.
>”Definitely different from how I expected… the teacher in class definitely tried to put a damper on curiosity,” Sweetie quips as he traces her fingers across the tip, lightly coating them in pre-cum she moves the back of them along his dick’s underside. She then rolls her hand, placing her palm on the underside. 
“I bet it is and they did. No one is supposed to talk about sex and types of it but they want us to not be curious.”
>”Yeah… do you mind me holding it? I think I can do it without locking up this time.”
“Go ahead. Just don’t deathgrip,” Anon says as he tugs on his balls.
>”Why did you just do that?”
“SO I don’t accidentally go off given that those pull up closer to the body the closer I would get to cumming. It is definitely a new experience to feel your soft hands on me there…”
>”O..K…Thanks?”
“Never mind that… if you want to try exciting me more and seeing me cum, I suggest trying a grip lower or high with your thumb on the head.”
>”I don’t know… but ok…” She replies as she grips and slowly begins pumping him midshaft. “How is this?”
“Feels good, Sweetie…” Anon responds as his breathing picks up. “You are doing well,” he continues as he rubs her shoulder and traces down her back.
>Sweetie loosens her grip slightly and picks up her pace, lightly rubbing her thumb along the side of Anon’s member, sending bursts of sensation through Anon.
“Whoo… this feels different…” He responds making Sweetie look to him with concern. “It’s a good thing…” Anon reassures her, calming her expression and inspiring a smile.
>Sweetie randomly swaps hands and continues her previous motions while looking Anon in the eyes.
>”Going to try this…”Sweetie says as she looks at anon, bringing her hand to her mouth and tastes his pre-cum. “Salty and mildly bitter…not horrible…”
“What inspired you to do that?”
>”Well… stories and porn. I was wondering what you would taste like… just was not sure…how to go about that…” Sweetie says nervously.
“Alright. As long as you are not trying to force yourself,” Anon adds as he slides back closer to her so he can better reach her back and begins massaging her shoulders.
>“Ah…that feels nice,” Sweetie says as she keeps looking at him and starts licking her hand lightly, making Anon get harder as she begins tracing each finger with her tongue.
“Now you are teasing me… too bad I can’t reach you to return the favor.”
>”Well you have to ask…”
“Really…” Anon replies with a raised eyebrow. “Is that how it is going to be now that you are warming up?”
>Sweetie replies with a nod as she places her now clean hand on his chest and moves herslf to lay beside him with her legs parted.
“May I join you Sweetie?” Anon asks with a smirk. Sweetie replies with a kiss on his lips then pulling back with a soft nod.
>Anon rolls onto his side in response and places his hand on her crotch, feeling the heat coming off it and the fluids she is beginning to leak on the covers, filling the bed with the musk of desire. Sweetie gasps as he rubs along her labia again, stimulating her clit enough to peek from its hood. Anon rubs rolling circles atop her clit causing Sweetie to tense and grip him tighter. Her motions become staggered as she shudders from his stimulation and he continues lower. She recovers for a moment, picking up her pace, till Anon slides his finger along her slit and pushes half a finger inside her. Sweetie bucks with a gasp as he slowly moves the finger in and out.
>”Nonny…”
“Yes Sweetie…”
>“Be careful… Remember I have never dated let alone gone this far with someone…”
“Okay Sweetie… I can stop if…”
>“Please don’t. I just want you to be gentle…”
“I will do my best Sweetie. You are in the lead here”
>”No, Nonny. Right now we are equals… and always will be…” She finishes before she leans up to his face and kisses him deeply.
“I love you Sweetie.”
>“I love you, Anon.”
>Anon hardens further at their shared words and Sweetie shudders as well. Anon pushes his finger in slightly deeper till he reaches a barrier. He begins moving his finger back out and back, repeating this as Sweetie picks up pace on him. Her fluids make the motion very easy and he then begins pushing in a second finger, causing Sweetie to wince.
>”It might be a bit much for a second finger right now, Anon,” Sweetie says as Anon resumes with his single finger.
“As you wish… I am get close to cumming soon, Sweetie.”
>“Alright… just give me a heads up before you do… I am getting close too…”
“Let me try something here that I think you will like…” Anon says as he shifts his hand, still penetrating her but rubbing her clit with his thumb as he does. Sweetie’s eyes go wide as she shudders and bucks as the sensation begins to overwhelm her. She lays on Anon as her muscles give on supporting her, letting her head fall on his shoulder. Not able to prop herself up, she nibbles on his shoulder as she struggles to continue pumping him.
>”Gah…mumble murph,” Sweetie sounds out with her face flat on Anon’s chest from the intense burst she felt at the double stimulation..
“Are you ok…?”
>”Yeah…. That… was  very different…” Sweetie manages to say after a few moments of twitching. “If you keep doing things like that… I am not sure I will be able to take it.”
“Alright… do you want to stop then?”
>”not till I get you off… I definitely owe you for that… now don’t move…” Sweetie manages to get out as she regains her strength and moves down him, kissing the whole way. Anon twitches and hardens as he feels Sweetie’s pointed nipple dragging along as she kisses. Eventually he feels her chest on his thighs, and looks up at Sweetie as she sticks out her tongue. She then lightly traces up the underside of his dick as she slowly pumps.
“Oooh…” Anon says as he begins to go light headed. “Definitely going to go soon if you keep that up…”
>Sweetie smiles deviously at his words and traces along the sides of his dick.
>“Tastes interesting… now to see how else you taste…” Sweetie gets out as she lightly kisses the tip of his dick. Anon tenses as he feels the light touch and then the lap around his head she tries after opening her mouth enough to fit his head in.
“More you got from Scoots’s vids?”
>Sweetie nods as she continues to lick and lightly suck on hos tip while she picks up pace with her hand.
“OK about to…” Anon get out as Sweetie closes her lips on his head and teases the tip, making Anon fill her mouth with a burst. Sweetie rolls she tongue around his tip as he twitches out a full mouthful. Sweetie pulls back from Anon’s crotch and slides up him, swallowing when she is close to his face/
>”That tasted… sweet actually. Definitely less salty than your pre-cum…” Sweetie says to a mildly out of it Anon. 
“I think we can thank my diet for that but I am surprised you swallowed…”
>”Well I wanted to try something different and I had wondered about. Not what I expected but definitely enjoyable.”
“Well I am glad you enjoyed yourself. I was wondering what you were going to tastelike after the all these strawberry things you have been eating lately….”
>”Hmm… well how about this…” Sweetie responds as she pushes Anon down and climbs up till she is sitting on his chest. “Neither of us have much energy left but how about you try a couple licks if you want…”
“That sounds good but just a few. I don’t want to make more noise…”
>”Ooop…good idea. Now do you want me facing you or away?”
“Away might be easier. Just turn around with your legs beside my chest and under my arms…”
>“Is this fine?” Sweetie asks as she moves as was suggested.
“Ok now slide back to me…” Anon says as he grips her thighs, guiding her back and grips when she is close enough. “Ok that is perfect. Now let’s try this…” Anon murmurs as he leans forward, smelling her musk as his face gets closer to her warm nethers. His nose tickles and he feels a new burst of energy as the scent triggers his mind. 
>Anon leans closer to Sweetie and makes a soft lick along the side of her lips, tasting the lightly metallic taste with sweet tinges. He then licks along her slit in a single pass, making Sweetie shiver from the sensation. His heart rate increases, goading him on as he moves his hands from her thighs to just below her butt with his thumbs on her lips. He lightly pulls them apart and is awash in her scent as she begins to drip on his chest.
>” Anon… What are you…” Sweetie starts till she is interrupted by the sensation of his tongue lightly moving along the inner edge of her lips and the entrance to her vagina. “Oooh...keep that up,” she breathlessly gasps.
>Anon keeps licking up the juices coming from Sweetie, driven ravenous by the scent and flavor as he cleans her up. As he continues, he moves his tongue down to her clit as the flavor changes to salty from passing over her urethra’s exit. Sweetie begins losing her strength again as he laps around her clit, buzzing her mind with sensations is was unprepared for.
>”Nonny…” She gasps as she flops down on his legs with her tongue rolling to the side. Anon feels her flop over, snapping him back and stops.
“Sorry Sweetie… got carried away…”
>”Not complaining… I think we can say you definitely made me yours alone… I definitely want more of that. How did I taste?”
“You tasted sweet, salty with a metallic tinge. Definitely want to do that more…” Anon trails off as he wipes his face on his arm. “Definitely ready to sleep now…”
>”I agree there. I don’t think I could take any more tonight,” Sweetie retorts as she turns around and climbs back up the bed, pulling the covers with her. She then rests herself half on Anon and half on the bed as she intertwines her legs with his. “Good night Anon,” Sweetie says as she hugs him close.
“Good night Sweetie,” Anon says as he hugs her back before they lean to each other and kiss one last time for the night and drift off to sleep, cuddled in the others care and protection from the world.

>The next morning comes too quickly as Anon wakes to Opal having crawled onto the bed and is cuddled between himself and Sweetie, purring loudly as she paws at Sweeties hair as it sticks out from under the covers. Sweetie awakens to the tugging on her hair with a light yawn.
>”Nonny… quit messing with my hair… I want to sleep…”
“That is actually Opal, Sweetie. She crawled up here from my pile of clothes,” Nonny replies as he slides his arm under Sweetie and pulls her close.
>”Oh…  Alright…that is fine…” Sweetie responds as she nuzzles into Anon. “Good morning lover boy…”
“Good morning lover girl. Sleep well?”
>”I want five more minutes… snuggles good…” She softly says in a cutesy tone.
“Well… we will see…” Anon says as he looks over to his phone, reading the time as 0845. “Yeah 5 more minutes can work…”
>”woo hoo…” Sweetie whispers in his ear as she pulls close, wrapping her legs around his, lightly grinding him in the process. The motions jostle Opal, disturbing her till she gets up and sits on the pillows above Anon and Sweetie. 
“Oh Sweetie…you are such a goob…”
>”Your goob…” She replies she replies with a bashful smile. “…and you are my Nonny.”
“Indeed I am…Sooo what were you planning on being up to till I am to be back to join y’all for dinner?”
>”I do have some homework I need to do. Just a bit I had left over from between classes. I don’t know about the rest of the day.”
“Alright Sweetie. Well before we think it any more, about those snuggles…” Anon replies with a tight hug and firm kiss which Sweetie returns followed by a blissful smile.
>As they begin to settle in again for a few minutes, Anon’s phone rings his normal ring. The couple stays frozen for a moment till it stops followed by a chirp of a voicemail having been left.
“Who would be…” Anon starts as he begins rolling to reach his phone till Sweetie’s grip stops him.
>”Just let it sit a few minutes, Nonny. Please.”
“Okay… As you wish Sweetie. I am going to have to check it soon though,” he replies as he rolls back.
>”I understand but just a bit more, alright?”
“Anything for the girl I love,” Anon replies with a peck on her nose, sending a shiver across her as she smiles with pure bliss.
>”I can’t put into words how happy I feel.”
“Me neither, Sweetie, Me neither…” Anon says as they hold each other close for the next few minutes.

>After about 15 minutes of extended snuggles, Anon pulls away and sits up.
>”Where are you going?”
“Nature is calling and I can check the message while I do it. While I go to the bathroom, you had better get back to your room. I will make sure the coast is clear first for you.”
>”Sounds good,” Sweetie replies as she reaches for her PJs in the floor as Anon pulls on his underwear and shirt, and grabs his phone from the bedside. He quickly opens the door a crack, and looks out. Seeing no one he steps out while waving Sweetie on. She follows him to the bathroom door as they sneak out, followed by a prancing Opal who quickly wanders to Rarity’s door and pushes her way in.
“All right. See you a bit later unless you want to sit on the bed like you had snuck in while I was in the bathroom,” Anon whispers.
>”Nah… I will wait here. Might as well get in the que before Rarity does.”
“Works for me. Till then…” Anon says as he kisses her forehead, causing her to giggle softly before she leans against the wall.

>As Anon steps into the bathroom, he again looks himself in the mirror as he orients himself to locate the toilet. He sees the smile on his face, a sight he did not expect and an expression he did not realize he was showing. A soft laugh leaves his lips as he takes in his appearance, having the look of someone who decided to test a lamp socket with a finger judging by his hair. After another laugh, he activates his phone and ques up the voicemail as he sits on the toilet, having decided to do his business sitting down to make less of a mess.
>”Hi Anon! Looking forward to you coming to lunch. Just wanted to let you know that your girlfriend is also invited if she wants to come. I made Chicken Cordon Bleau today and I am sure she would like it as much as I want to meet her. Look forward to you returning the call! Love You!” 
“Heh… Gannar calling me just before church I guess.  Well let’s see how this flies with Sweetie and her family… after they get past my being here. Nothing like a random guest to throw off a morning routine,” Anon says to himself as he finishes and flushes as he pulls his pants back up. He quickly washes his hands for good measure too just in case others outside would be critical. Time to get the day to the next step.
>Anon steps out of the bathroom and is met by Opal and Sweetie waiting on him and down the hall comes a shambling Rarity, oblivious to his presence. Seeing Rarity He quickly steps out of the way as she plods on into the bathroom past them and closes the door.
“Well that was…interesting.”
>”She is always that over morning. She probably will not register you were even there for 10 minutes,” Sweetie blurts as she steps over to Anon. “So I heard your voicemail but not clearly. Who was it?”
“It was my Gannar telling me she is looking forward to seeing me, what is for lunch, that she wants to meet you, can hardly wait to hear back from me…”
>”You skipped over something there… She wants to meet me?” Sweetie asks.
“Yeah… I know she would love you but I don’t know<” Anon says as he rubs his head. “I would love for you to come and meet her but at the same time, I don’t want to subject you to my dad, sister and…Flash. Plus you do have your homework…”
>”I see your point, Nonny. I would love to come but still need to ask my mom and dad if I can go. I also don’t want you to have to face any troubles alone again…”
“What about the homework?”
“I can do it tonight after dinner. Don’t worry about it. It is just some lit work.”
“Okay Sweetie…” Anon trails off as Opal bats at him for attention. He slides down the wall and is immediately pounced by the precocious Persian who licks his face as she purrs.
>”I have never seen Opal like someone as fast as she has taken to you…” Sweetie replies as he shrugs. 
>As he is about to reply the door opens quickly to Rarity looking quite lively and refreshed.
>”Ah hello Anon and Sweetie. I see you two slept well and are quite awake.”
>”Yes sis. I definitely did. I had such vivid dreams…” Sweetie says as she steps into the bathroom for her turn.
>”And you Anon? How was the guest room?”
“I definitely feel restored and clear of any of the stuff that was messing with my system.”
>”Well that sounds good. Now don’t you need to get on your way?” Rarity snaps shortly.
“I would but Opal here has taken a liking to me…” Anon says as he smirks and Opal meows in acknowledgement.
>”Ha ha, Anon but fun time is over for now. Don’t you need to rush home to get ready for seeing your family for lunch as well as tonight?”
“I do but there is one thing…”
>”And that one thing is?”
“My grandmother just called and asked if I could bring Sweetie for her to meet her.”
>”Now you have to be kidding me. You are refusing to leave her alone and I am not…” Rarity starts to raise her voice as Sweetie comes back out and Anon has pulled his phone back out.
>”what is going on now? Rarity, why are you starting to yell at Anon?”
>He is claiming his grandmother has invited you to come for lunch because she wants to mett you, and I think he is making…”
>”Hi Anon!” starts Anon’s voicemail from his Grandmother, making Rarity pause as the message continues and she begins to blush in embarrassment. 
“Rarity. I have no reason to lie to you or Sweetie. None. Now if you don’t mind, I think I am going to finish grabbing my stuff,” Anon barks back at her as he gets to his feet and plods into the guest room, closing the door behind him.
>”Great going Sis… you pissed him off. Way to ruin the morning mood…” Sweetie says as she plods back to her room to get dressed for the day, Leaving Rarity stunned in the hallway with even Opal leaving her alone to plod toward the kitchen downstairs.

>After 10 minutes of dressing and trying to fix the bed back to its original state, Anon pops back out of the guest room for the bathroom to try to fix his hair back to a somewhat non-crazy human state. When he manages to get everything but the cowlicks right, he makes his way downstairs. At the base of the stairs he looks across the den to see the tv on and masculine hands grasping a newspaper. Anon quietly makes his way toward the sofa before he speaks up.
“Good morning, sir,” He says in his most polite fashion, prompting the person with the newspaper to flip it down.
>”Good Morning…. Anon is it? I was not expecting to meet you till later but my daughters tell me you helped Sweetie out of a mess last night?”
“Yes sir though I also got hit by it. Other teens trying to… cause trouble.”
>”Well I am glad you were there for my little Sweetie. The name is Hondo Flanks,” states the man as he hold out his hand.
“Pleasure to meet you sir. I am Anonymous but I am normally called Anon. Sweetie is a very nice girl and I am glad to be there for her in whatever way I can.”
>”That is good to hear. Now sit for a minute unless you have to rush off.”
“I have a few minutes. I do have to get to my grandmother’s for our weekly lunch but that is not till one though I do have to stop back at home.”
>”well that is nice that you get to see her each week. Seeing much of the rest of the family there?”
“I will though I am not as excited about them. Several long stories there, sir.”
>”I understand. Well I want to finish my news and paper if you don’t mind. See you back here at 6pm when you come back by for joining us for dinner,” Hondo finishes as he starts back on his paper.
”Just one question, sir, and I will stop interrupting if you don’t mind.”
>“What is it, Anon?”
“My grandmother asked me if she could meet Sweetie during this week’s lunch. I would like to know if she could come along.”
>”Hmm… sure. Just make sure the two of you are not late for dinner,” Hondo replies as he flips a page. “Consider it a tit for tat for you coming to join us tonight. Alright! The Colts did well yesterday on their season opener!” Hondo goes on, no longer noticing Anon as he reads deeper into the paper.

>Seeing as to Sweetie’s dad is lost in his own world, Anon walks to the kitchen to look for a small bit of food only to be greeted with a hug from Cookie as Sweetie pulls down some bowls and cereals.
>“ANON! Glad to see you! Thank you for taking care of Sweetie last night and sorry to hear about you getting caught in it. Good to see you both unharmed.”
“Hello Cookie. I am glad we made it out of that and the kid responsible got arrested.”
>”Well at least there is that and that Sweetie seems unharmed.  I guess having you near really helped her from worrying.”
“Uhm… you can say that…” Anon replies with a blush.
>”Oh? Did she wake you up with a kiss? Ah to be young…”
“Uh yeah… so are y’all about to have breakfast?”
>”Just a bit of cereal and some fruit. Would you like some?” Cookie asks.
“Well maybe some fruit. Have any bananas?” Anon asks before a couple fly at him from beyond Cookie from Sweetie, quickly caught with a minor dodge. “Mind saying ‘INCOMING’ next time, Sweetie?” 
>”At least you caught them… I think I have only seen Sunset catch them easier when she came for a sleepover with Rarity. Fluttershy was not as fast though…”
“Ha. Well that is as expected. By the way, I met your dad a min ago and he told me you could come meet my grandmother during lunch. As long as we are not late for dinner tonight that is.”
>”Oh his Grandmother wants to meet you? I did not know about this… I thought we could go shopping together before we set up dinner.”
>”His grandmother left him a message inviting me just after he woke up. I was surprised by it as well,” Sweetie adds as she pours some cocoa pebbles into a bowl for herself.
>”And how do you know what time he woke up, Sweetie?” Rarity asks with an inquisitive expression on her face.
>”I…Well…um… I snuck into the guest room to snuggle and wake him up… from outside the covers and found Opal already with him as his phone rang,” Sweetie stutters out with embarrassment.
 >”AH I see… well that was sweet of you, dear!” Cookie accepts while Rarity raises an eyebrow as she goes back to her fashion magazine and Special K. 
“Thank you for the bananas Sweetie and it was sweet. I am just glad she was able to sleep at all given how last night went.”
>”Now I am still not clear as to the full details but a friend slipped something into your drinks?” Cookie asks.
>”Mom… Button is not a friend, especially after last night,” Sweetie retorts as she rubs her wrists.
“Quite bluntly, Button tried to sexually assault Sweetie and Scootaloo after he drugged Sweetie and myself with a date rape drug. I was unable to move due to numbness and difficulty staying awake. Sweetie passed out till we were both in the ambulance. Luckily our friends helped us out and stopped him,” Anon shares as he walks close to Sweetie. “We both were lucky it was not worse and Sweetie asked Rarity if I could stay over as she was so shaken. Sleep seems to have helped us both.”
>”Wait…WHAT?” Hondo states from the next room as Cookie recoils at Anon’s words. “Someone tried to rape my daughter?”
>”Yes dad but Anon helped the other keep their heads so I was helped. Fluttershy, Big Mac, and several of our friends were there and one of Anon’s mother’s friends was the nurse on duty so we were helped out of it.”
>”I…I… I am at a loss…” Hondo replies. “I need to make a call… enjoy your breakfasts… I will be in my office.”
>”Oh…Okay daddy…” Sweetie replies as she drops her head till she feels Hondo’s arms around her>
>”I am glad you are safe now and have a responsible group as well as this stand-up guy here,” Hondo says as he releases her and puts Anon’s shoulder. “I look forward to talking with you more later, Anon. Watch over my baby girl.”
“I will, sir,” Anon replies as Hondo pats him again and kisses Sweetie’s head as he rushes off to his home office.
>”Well this is an interesting breakfast… fine for a Sunday morning…” Rarity quips dripping with sarcasm.
>”Rarity! There is no need for that. Your sister has been through a lot.”
>”I know. The story just makes me cringe… for several reasons,” She says as she stands up and puts her bowl in the sink. “If you don’t mind, I am going to get back to work on my project. See you later, Anon,“
Rarity finishes with a mild glare as she walks back upstairs.
“Uh yeah… So we should get going soon Sweetie if you are coming along.”
>”alright. Any suggestions as to what would be appropriate?” Sweetie asks as she looks up to Anon from her seat.
>”Well I just washed your favorite ensemble and it should be hanging in the laundry room. I think it would be nice to wear to his grandmother’s.”
“Favortie ensemble?”
>”She means the pink and white striped shirt with yellow skirt. You know, what I wear to school most of the time…”
“Oh…actually that would be perfect. I will wait here and finish my bananas while you get ready.”
>”OK Nonny!” Sweetie replies as she hops up and off to the laundry room then scurries upstairs. “I should not be long!”
“See you soon, Sweetie,” Anon yells out as she heads up the stairs. As he returns his focus to the fruit in his hands, he hears Cookie cough to draw his attention.
>”So Anon… is there anymore to what happened last night?” Cookie bluntly asks.
“No. there is nothing to add other than as to how relieved I am for Sweetie and I to have made it out with minor effects. I am concerned about Scootaloo since she was awake and forced to watch as they both had their hands tied. I really don’t want to talk about it and am embarrassed that I was not able to help more. I feel useless to Sweetie for having failed here there and not suspecting something was ary, especially given the place where this all happened,” Anon finishes as he drops his head.
>”I am sure you did all you could. I can tell you are a good guy and you definitely care for my daughter. I also know she continually talked about you before you became a couple. I trust her judgement and can see she is in good hands with you. She might be young and still a bit naïve, but she is a great judge of character. In fact, the fact you are so shaken has me relieved about her choosing you as her boyfriend. I was concerned that someone would come and take advantage of her.”
“Thank you for that warm assessment. That definitely has me feeling better. I am concerned about my dad and sister’s opinions of her as she and her bf were there last night but the boyfriend only came over and drunkenly insulted me as I was struggling to stay functional. Going to end up seeing him and my sister as well as my dad over at this lunch too so I am a bit on edge.”
>”I can see why you are nervous. I am sure it will go fine though.”
“I am sure as well. Plus Sweetie told me she definitely wanted to go as soon as I told her about the call. She wants to help support me emotionally as I was trying to do for her last night.”
>”See! No worries,” Cookie responds as she gets up and walks over to Anon, hugging him. “I know you two will support each other,” Cookie says as she leans down to his ear. “…I also know she stayed in the guest bed with you given I checked her room this morning. Don’t worry about it though. I won’t tell Rarity or Hondo. They are too high strung and I used to do the same with Hondo when we first started dating and I was in the all-women’s college, skipping curfew,” she finishes, giving Anon a blush.
“I..uh don’t know what you are talking about…” Anon says as he tries to focus his attention on the banana in his hand.
>”Sure you don’t. Neither do I…” Cookie says with a wink as Sweetie comes back down the stairs.
>“OKAY NONNY! I am… ready? Mom, what are you doing?” 
>”Oh just talking to Anon and giving him a hug. I was just telling him how much I approve of you two.”
>”Alright….thank you mom?”
>”Anytime!”
>”Well we have to get going. Thanks for breakfast mom!”
“Yes thank you so much, Cookie,” Anon replies with a quick wink. 
“You two enjoy yourselves and see you back here between 6:00 and 6:30,” Cookie says as she waves from the kitchen.

>”So Nonny…” Sweetie asks as they make it down her driveway.
“Yes Sweetie?”
>”What was my mom really doing when I came back downstairs?” she asks  as she leans closer to him, placing her hand on his thigh.
“Well she was not lying when she said that she definitely approved of us…”
>”…And?”
“…And that she knows you slept with me rather than in your bed.”
>” Really… oh god…oh god…” Sweetie blubbers as she begins blushing hard. 
“She also said not to worry as she is going to be mum about it. She knows you needed support and thought we looked cute as well as about some of the things your dad used to do…”
>”OH GOD…”
“That is what I was thinking…”
>”Well that definitely explains your expression… So we are heading to your house first so you can change?”
“Yes though I need a shower too. You probably do too after last night.”
>”Oh… yeah… did not think about that. Do you think we have time?”
“I do though we could share one…” Anon says with a smirk.
>”hmm…let’s save that for some other time where we are not rushing.”
“Good point, Sweetie. Last thing we want is to make a bad impression from being late.”
>”Yep. I really like the idea though.”
“I was hoping you would…” he saw as he places his hand on hers. Sweetie pulls it close and kisses it, bringing smiles to their faces for the rest of the drive.

>Upon arriving at his house, notice a second car in the driveway, parked where Anon normally pulls up. When they get closer they notice the tags as government tags and a small spotlight by the front left side mirror.
“That is…odd. I wonder who that could be. Could it be a detective from last night?” Anon muses as he pulls beside the carport, seeing someone knocking at the door.
>The person stops knocking and starts walking over to the truck, shuffling some documents in his arms as he approaches Anon as he gets out of the truck.
“Can I help you sir?” Anon says as the man steps too close.
>”Do you live here, son? I am looking for a Mr. Anonymous or his mother.”
“I am Anon. How can I help you sir?” Anon replies as Sweetie gets out behind him and  hold him from behind with a look of concern.
>”I am from the Canterlot police and we came by to follow up on the incident from last night at The Bar…”
“What can I do for you sir? I am running behind for a trip to my grandmother’s and mmy mother is apparently still at church.”
>”So you were there then and were taken to Canterlot General?”
“Yes sir… I don’t see why this could not have been handled by phone though. My girlfriend was there with me and we both were taken to the hospital. Nurse Redheart and the main investigator were also there.”
>”I see. Okay… I was just following up. Had to confirm last night’s events…”
“You did not really ask what happened but if that is all…” Anon says as he watches the man’s hands and grasps Sweeties tightly as he side steps, pulling her along. “… We will getting inside. Call if you have anything else to ask please.”
>”Aliright. I will be sure to,” the ‘detective’ replies as the two quickly unlock the door and get inside, disappearing around the corner as Anon flips the ‘active’ security system on, triple bolting and barring the door. 

>After making it to the stairs, Anon quickly turns to Sweetie and hugs her tightly.
“Sweetie, I need you to come upstairs with me now.”
>”What is it Nonny? You are acting a bit odd for you…”
“I seriously doubt that man’s story and that ‘police car of his is an auctioned and refurbished model that CPD no longer uses. He had thick folders with our names and my mom’s on them and I definitely don’t recall him from last night. I might have missed him but I seriously doubt he is who he said he was. “
>”Umm are we really safe here then? Do I need to call anyone?”
“Let’s just get upstairs… My room and bathroom are more secure. Been paranoid about something like this happening ever since I began the projects I am working on.”
>”I am confused…”
“Sweetie, I swear on my life I will explain more but let’s get up there first. We both need a bath and to be out of here soon even without that guy snooping. Trust me.”
>”I do, Nonny. More than anyone else,” Sweetie replies as she kisses his cheek and begins hopping steps as fast as she can with him close behind.

>After making it past the now vaulted and biometricly locked door, they collapse on the bed looking at the ceiling.
>”What was that about?”
“Might have been an actual detective, might have been a spy trying to check out my projects, might have been a private dick. I don’t really know but I would rather be super suspicious after last night.”
>”I don’t blame you. I probably should start being more cautious too.”
“As long as you don’t let is change you from the girl I love. After all to us…” Anon says as he sits up.
>”The world is different,” Sweetie continues as she sits up and kisses his cheek.
“Indeed it is. Now I need to get that shower. Since we are locked in here for a bit, want to join me or wait a turn?” Anon asks as he stands up.
>”Well when you put it that way, I believe joining you is the best option… it is the most desirable too,” Sweetie finishes while biting her lip.
“Okay then… so… do you want to undress yourself or…”
>“I choose ‘or’ dum-dum,” she says as she stands up and grabs his belt, tugging it loose.
“Well then… you have the lead but… “Anon moves close and pulls off her shirt and over shirt, tossing them on the bed flat and without a wrinkle. “…We need to pick up pace if we are not going to be late.”
>Sweetie laughs at him as he tries to act cool and pulls his shirt off then slides her hands along his hips.
>”If you insist… now time to lose the boots…” She replies as she pushes him beside her tops and grabs a foot, tugging hard till his boot comes off with a pop.
“Well, ma’am... you have me at a disadvantage…” Anon snarks as she tugs at his other boot.
>”Well soon you get to have turn about,” She replies as the other boot comes off and she yanks his socks off.”
”True that is, Anon replies as he pops back to his feet and pushes Sweetie down where he had just been, fiddling with the latches on her boots, quickly removing them, exposing her cute little feet. “Now what should I do to these?”
>”Nothing for now…” Sweetie replies as she pulls them away and hops back up. “WE do need to lose these though…” She says as she rubs his legs through his pants.
“And you this and this…” Anon replies as he traces along her bra strap and feels along her skirt to its buttons. Before Sweetie can reply, he twists his hand and pops the hooks on her bra, baring her small chest as he steps closer.
>Sweetie giggles as they undo their lower coverings in unison, fabric of her skirt and his jeans hitting the ground in unison.
>“So who loses their underwear first?” Sweetie asks as she tugs at his boxers.
“Well I think I should…”
>“You do? Why is that?
“Just volunteering…” Anon says with a smirk.
>”Well since you insist…” Sweetie replies as she pulls the waistband loose of him and the boxers fall at his feet. “And now you are free…” she begins as he sweeps her up in his arms and carries her to the bathroom counter, placing her down with her rear near the edge and head back. 
>“What are you doing?” Sweetie manages to get out before Anon presses her legs back till her butt is off the counter and pulls her panties off in a single move. She shivers for a moment as her rear returns to the cold counter and she is surprised as her legs are parted for Anon to kiss just above her little fluff.
“Come let’s get the water started now,” Anon states to his stunned girlfriend.
>Where did you get that idea?”
“Just came to me a moment ago.”
>”We are doing that again soon… you need to expand on that more...” Sweetie replies as she steps down with a flush face.
“I will take that under advisement…” Anon replies as Sweetie hits him playfully. 
>”Oh you definitely will…” Sweetie says as she walks back to the shower and adjusts the water. “Come now. As you said, we have to hurry.”
“Yes Sweetie. We definitely do,” Anon says as he pinches her but and catches the surprised girl’s slap, following with a passionate kiss. “Gotcha…”
>”Shut up and get in…” She replies with a slap on his ass. 

>The shower goes quickly in a blurr of steam, soap and kisses. Anon helps to get the shampoo and conditioner into Sweetie’s long wet hair as she is pressed to his chest, rubbing soap along his back and butt. As she leans back into the water to rinse, he softly rubs the soap along her shoulders, chest, and thighs with her moaning softly as he makes patterns in her more sensitive areas. They then swap positions, with him rinsing his back and the Pert from his hair she quickly rubbed in and her soaping his chest, crotch and thighs, taking extra time to lightly rub in soap to cleanse his member while he smirks. 
“I still need to get your back…” Anon softly states as Sweetie nods turning her back to him under the water flow. Anon softly rubs the bar of soap across her back lathering her shoulders as he pushes her hair around to her front. He makes quick passes with the soap up and down her back and places it back in its dish as he begins massaging her as he spreads the soap across her back, working his way down her spine as he makes circles in the lather as the water washes the soap down her back. Sweetie coos as the water and his hands make it to her rear and he lightly grips her cheeks. He then presses his left hand mid shoulders, bending her over slightly as his right hand goes lower, drawing a gasp from her lips as she feels his fingertips glide lightly over her lower lips.
>“Nonny… we both know we don’t have time….”
“So stop?”
>”not just yet…” She says as she pushes back into him and rubs her rear against his crotch. “I want….you…” She says as she slides herself till his member is trapped between her thighs.
“This…is new…
>”Well a little rubbing won’t hurt. Plus it is not like getting sweaty will be a problem…” She replies as she slides her hips back and forth, the water and soap easing the glide along her thighs and her fluids lubing the rest of the way.
“Ooh… Sweetie… I definitely like this…”
>”Just came to me…now you can pick up pace if you can control your angle…” she replies as his head rubs along her labia and clitoral hood, teasing out the sensitive beacon quickly, and sending a shiver each time his head hits it.
>Anon nods as he picks up the pace and wraps his arm around her, the warm water of the shower bouncing off them like a summer rain, flushing away the sweat before it can taint the soap’s work. Anon and Sweetie tighten up as their intensity and senses overload them, bringing them both to a quick climax as then tense and her inner thighs are covered in their mixed fluids.
“Whoa… definitely something different there…”
>”Oh…my…” Sweetie replies as she is supported by Anon’s grip and her hands on the wall. “Yeah… definitely adding that to the try again list…” She says as she regains her footing and rewashes her thighs.
“Well I definitely say that is a cue to wrap up this shower… Otherwise…”
>”Oh yeah…otherwise I am going to have to explain how I lost it in the shower…”She says as she leans back into Anon. “Not that I would mind…just not now…” She says with a smirk that Anon meets with his own and a kiss on her lips as they intertwine in the flow of water as it flushes off the last of their mess and the new sweat that was forming.


>Having dried off and snogged for another five minutes, Anon and Sweetie walk into his bedroom smiling and see that it is now 10:45.
“Holy Shit… well definitely have to hurry now…”
>”Is it really going to take us that long to get there?”
“No but I want to take my time and yet get there before my father and the others. My grandmother should be home soon and maybe we can help her finish the meal and surprise everyone else.”
>”So what are you going to wear Nonny?”
“Well I am planning on blue jeans, oxfords, and a polo. You pick out the polo if you don’t mind. I have to sort out my ‘nice’ jeans and find those damn oxfords. Plus there is the concern about that guy…” Anon trails off as a ‘whump’ is heard in the distance. “Or maybe not…”
>”What was that?”
“A reason to leave you with plausible deniability…”
>”o…o…okay?” Sweetie says with a puzzled expression.
“Crazy cousin helped with security and set up a cannon or two of lethal things. I don’t know where or if it was boasting. Not going to explore to confirm. “
>”Gotcha… remind me to never go exploring here alone…”
“I added you to the security logs as friend. No concerns…” Anon chuckles nervously as he pulls out two pairs of pants and compares them.
>”Okay Nonny…” Sweetie says as she walks into his closet and sorts through his polos. She picks out a vibrant red one made of a very fine weave cotton and a three button collar. “Hey how does this one look?”
“Looks great. Thanks Sweetie,” Anon replies as he lays out his pants and fresh socks and underwear. “Now for you to get yourself ready. Here are these,” Anon says as he hands her her panties back.
>”You hold onto those. I have a spare set I wanted to wear…” Sweetie says as she puts on the purple lace underwear from last night. “I had wanted to show you these last night…Found them at Victoria’s Secret when the girls and I went out once.”
“Well then… as you wish Sweetie…” Anon replies as he passes her her skirt and places her panties under his pillow to Sweetie’s amusement.
>”Now don’t snuggle them too much. I plan to get them back from you next I am over here,” Sweetie chuckles as she puts on her bra and he slides his undergarments and pants on.
“Oh alright…” Anon says as he rolls his eyes before going back into the bathroom to put on deodorant and fix his hair. “Think I should go for my normal or brushed back?”
>”Normal. Got any tangle resistant brushes I could use?”
“On my sis’s side,” Anon says as he pulls open the drawer for her and finishes brushing his hair.
>”Your sis left a lot of brushes behind…”
“Well my mom actually has been buying one every now and then to replace the ones she used to use with my sister when she had to help remove the tangles from Lily’s hair. “
>“Wow… I did not realize she was as bothered by her moving out…” Sweetie says as she looks across the brushes. “Nor did I realize they were so close.”
“We all were, the three of us but puberty was where it all changed. The extra hormones drove her, my best friend, away and replaced her with what you have seen. That is another reason I work so hard on being there for my mom as all her other closest relatives are on the road or live a long distance away. Enough on that for now…“ Anon trails off as he sits on the bed pulling on his socks, underwear and pants. 
>”I…I am so sorry for you both… I never realized…I never knew TO realize… I am so sorry for you both Nonny,” Sweetie says as she walks over and hugs his head, pressing him hard into her small chest.
“I just never want to talk about it and when I do, it is never good timing. I am glad I have the friends I do have…” Anon says as he looks up between her breasts. “And I have you Sweetie.”
>”Well I am not going anywhere. I love you Nonny, my broken genius. I can’t replace your sister but I can be your best friend and more,” She replies with a boop to his nose and a smile.
“Thanks Sweetie. Thank you for everything…”
>”That should be my line for how this weekend has been going…”
“Well let’s share the line then. After all, who said only one of us had to be grateful out of our pairing, our team.”
>”Great point. Now I do have to finish with my hair and to finish getting dressed.”
“Alright. I have to get my shirt and find my shoes anyways.”