>”You guys are absolutely adorable together, you know?” Sunny chimes in.
“First I've heard of it.”
>You say flatly as you dig into your cold lasagna.
>”Aw, come on, you and Glimmer would make a great couple!”
>You raise an eyebrow at this statement.
“Yes, of course because that marriage would go off without a hitch.”
>You grab the closest book and open it with a forced solemn look on your face.
“And now I pronounce you, mare and brunch, you may now eat his face.”
>Sunny bursts into laughter at your comment, seemingly forgetting to breathe between yips of joy.
>You never considered yourself a funny person, but Sunny getting a kick from your sarcasm surely brightens your day.
>You kick yourself at your own comment and resume eating the cold mass in front of you.
>A few bites later, Sunny composes herself and looks at your eagerly.
>”Alright, can you continue the story, we didn't even get to the best part, me!”
>You chuckle as you stick your fork into your meal.
“Heh, alright.  So the next day...”
 
>You awake conscious on your bed, eyes sealed shut by an ancient power.
>The legendary crust demon appears to have visited you last night.
>While sight is temporarily disabled, you feel something is amiss.
>Left arm?  Check.
>Left hand?  Check.
>Left hand on gun?  Check.
>Family jewels?
>...
>Double Check.
>Right hand on the wet squishy?
>Che- wait...
>You whip your left hand out of your pocket to dispel the curse set upon your eyelids.
>Achieving success in a matter of seconds, you gaze over to your right side.
>It appears that your right hand has been replaced by a pony head.
>Apple Shine's to be exact.
>You stare into the windows of her soul and find only innocent curiosity.
>Smirking, you ask her the golden question.
“Apple, dear, what are you doing?”
>”Ah wanned ah know ow you tayse.” she manages in a matter-of-factly tone of voice.
“Are you going to let go anytime soon?”
>”Noh.”
>You chuckle to yourself as you sit up on your bed, smoothing out your pajamas with your free hand.
“Well come, we have breakfast to attend to.”
>Gripping Apple's tongue like the hand of a lost child, you lead her out of your bedroom.
>You enter your living room, seeing Glimmer wrapped in a blanket slumbering peacefully on your sofa.
>While she was quite energetic with last night's conversation, it is quite obvious that yesterday's events took a toll on her.
>You decide to let her sleep a bit more, at least until breakfast is ready.
>Walking into the kitchen, you rummage through your refrigerator and pantry, tossing out ingredients for a proper breakfast onto the kitchen island.
>The pancake mix making a solid “thud” sound as it lands on the island, the measuring cups clatter into your sink as you haphazardly toss them in.
>You normally are a lot more careful with your ingredients and tools, but you normally have 2 hands when making kitchen art.
>Glancing over to Apple Shine, you see that she's made a bit of progress and has half your forearm in her mouth.
>Quite the sneaky one she is.
>Or you're just far too unaware.
>Still wearing that glazed-over look from this morning, you try to reason with her.
“As flattering as this is, can I have my arm back please?”
>Her eyes slowly move to your arm, then to your face.
>She repeats this action a couple of times before deciding to slurp you up to your elbow.
>You audibly sigh as you know that there is no ill intent with her actions.
>But as cute as it was, you are not making pancakes while wielding a filly.
>Not that you could lift her, even with both arms.
>Suddenly, a wild idea appears!
>You move your left hand behind Apple's ear and begin vigorously scratching the area.
>Her grip loosens slightly, but not quite enough to pull your arm out.
>While she wears her dopey little grin, you put all weight onto your right leg, moving your left leg towards her underbelly.
>You lose your balance for a moment and accidentally attempt to regain your balance with your right arm.
>You see your right hand bulge out of Apple's neck for a brief moment as you apply force on her.
>She giggles at this, still entranced by your flavor and scratching.
>Focusing on the task at hand, you balance on your right leg as you left foot begins its assent towards Apple's belly.
>You then begin to rub her belly with the underside your left foot, giving her the occasional scratch with your toes.
>Hey eyes close as a grin slowly creeps across her face.
>Her body appears to take on the consistency of jello as her grip on your arm is released.
>As not to break her out of her trance, you slowly remove your arm from the pony, continuing your assault on her head and belly.
>”Hmm... hm hm hm... oh!”
>Apple Shine snaps awake and backs up abruptly, staring at you with apologetic eyes.
>”I'm... I'm so sorry Anon, I don't know what came over me.  I just wanted to see how you tasted, but I just seemed to have lost myself and I...”
>You kneel down and place a dry hand on her head, stroking her mane.
“I understand Apple Shine, no need for apologies.  I'll go get breakfast ready and you can go lie down on my bed.  I'll call you when its ready.”
>Apple Shine nods and walks to your room, a dark cloud seemingly hanging over her head.
>As you hear her close your bedroom door, you see subtle movement on your couch.
“Heh... how long have you been awake missy?”
>You see a familiar head pop up from the mess of blankets on the couch, smiling at you.
>”Oh long enough dear, you must be wonderful with the children of your world.”
“I wouldn't know... its not every day I have a child trying to consume me.  You really are a bad influence on her, you know that?”
>Glimmer titters a bit before lowering her head back onto the sofa, wrapping herself tightly in the blankets with a glow of her horn.
>”Not my fault you're a walking cupcake, dear.”
>As you begin to brew the coffee and pour the batter onto your pan, you look over to Glimmer.
“...hey Glimmer?”
>”Mmm?”
“I know we talked a lot yesterday, but there's something that still bothers me.”
>You notice a bit of worry leaking out of your voice.  You clear your throat to solve the uncharacteristic tone.
“Why did you spare me?  You said this was not the first place you have invaded, so your magic could have easily incapacitated me, even in your weakened state.”
>You hear Glimmer make an inquisitive groan.
>She takes a long, deep breath before responding.
>”While you are right, this goes back to the whole Cutie Mark business I told you last night.  I did not tell you my special talent, correct?”
>You recall staring at her flank during that discussion, seeing a bright red heart that contrasts nicely with her white coat.
“Correct, do you mind telling me?”
>”Of course not dear, while unicorns specialize in magic, and to borrow your quote, 'It's magic, I do not have to explain shit,' I specialize in empathy.”
>You flip over the pancake, still listening to your guest.
>”I can read into the emotions of other creatures, and can usually defuse situations that would otherwise be lost in debate.  I can be... a glimmer of hope in otherwise dire times.”
>She chuckles a bit to herself at her statement before continuing.
>”Yesterday, I sensed no hostility nor fear from you, only an odd joy.  Joy that no other human has shown in my presence.  Am I incorrect in this analysis?”
>You feel a bead of sweat form on your eyebrow.  Whether or not its from the heat of the stove, or the fact that you're in the presence of a mind-reader, you cannot say.
>Your hands shake and your right foot begins tapping away at the kitchen floor.
>Why are you so nervous now?
“N-no, you're right.  I was quite happy yesterday, especially after I got to know you two.”
>You hurriedly place the pancake onto a plate, the first of many.
>Glimmer clears a throat before resuming.
>”You showed very unique behavior, and though my appetite did grab a hold of you first, I was still quite interested in you.  I am actually glad you found your way out, despite the circumstances.”
>You hear her rise from the sofa, trotting over towards you.
>”Though...”
>You feel the tension rise with each step she takes.
>Turning around, her snout is inches from your face, the red eyes seemingly judging your every thought.
>You hold your breath as your palms begin to sweat.
>You frantically search your thoughts as Glimmer's eyes take on a much more gentle look.
>”Why are you so nervous now?”  A hint of concern is heard in her voice as her words mirror your thoughts.
>The mouth opens to speak, but words refuse to form.
>Honesty was always your strong point.
>But what happens when you have no answer?
>”I know we have only known each other for a short period of time, but do not be afraid to tell me anything wrong.”
>She backs up before assuming a smile.
>”We are friends now, after all, yes?”
>A pang of clarity came into your mind with her last comment.
“Friends... huh.”
>You lean against the island for support as Glimmer worriedly stares at the perturbed expression on your face.
>Seconds turn into minutes as you search your mind for that word.
>Friendship... was something that you've never really considered.
>Sure, you could stretch a truth to earn a job, work well with others and feign camaraderie, but the only person you have ever been honest to is yourself.
>You never really had the opportunity to find anyone you enjoyed the company of.
>Never really got to “know” anyone.
>But now, you have.
>In a night's time, you got to know a couple of monster horses from another world, bent on devouring all of mankind.
>But... they were your monster horses from another world, bent on devouring all of mankind.
>Your... friends...
“Glimmer...”
>She stares at you with a thin smile, feeling the relief from your voice.
“How would you and Apple Shine like to join a club?”
>As if on cue, Apple Shine opens the door of your bedroom and walks slowly to the both of you.
>”Really?  What's the club's name Anon?” Apple squeaks excitedly.
>A smile creeps up onto your face as Glimmer stares at you with an expression of interest and worry.
“The 'Anon's First Friends' club.  Benefits include free food, free residency and free humans.”
>Apple Shine's face lights up like the night sky, while a flash of surprise covers Glimmer's face before nodding in your direction.
“The only requirement is that you have to deal with the amusing antics and daring feats of yours truly.”
>You bow to the two ponies to emphasize your point.
>While Apple Shine assaults you with enough “Yes”s to choke a donkey, Glimmer gives you a questioning look.
>”While I cannot deny these benefits are quite nice, I cannot help but overhear you say... 'free humans'?”
>You nod your head in confirmation, donning your signature grin of confidence.
“I'll tell you the details after breakfast, but I would never make false promises to an honorary member.”