Chapter 12: Good Surprise
(Dominic's P.O.V.)
Following close beside the pink mare, I wasn't sure if I should be looking forward to this 'surprise', or to feel a little cautious as to what she has planned. If she did something to my home that she was willing to show it to me with her being present, then it couldn't be too bad.
Yet then again, the worst it could be was minor damages, as I couldn't see a pony of her size an attitude causing more damage than maybe a mess. But if say Dash was planning a surprise... just that idea alone was enough for a shiver to run down my spine. I swear to all that is holy, she said she was going to prank me for my joke... I don't even want to know what that prank will consist of if it is taking her this long to implement it. Best case scenario, she forgot... though I doubt that. I did dump her into the creek...
Glancing up towards the sky to try and spot a certain Pegasus, I wanted to at least catch maybe a glimpse if she was around. Yet the sky was clear of any clouds and Pegasi.
Then Pinkie Pie broke the silence with a near sing song tone near the end, "Okie dokie Mr. Dominic, we are here~!"
Looking back towards the Earth, I saw indeed my house was in full view. And it was then that I noticed how dull my home looked compared to all the others around Ponyville. "Ok Pinkie... what is this surprise you were talking about?"
"Silly, you need to go inside first!"
Giving a quick glance around, I didn't see anything that could suggest what the surprise was, yet there wasn't even a single thing aside from grass and a few leaves. Shrugging my shoulders lightly, I made my way towards my front door. Along the way, I didn't hear anything out of the ordinary, and I didn't smell anything that could suggest to fire or anything else. I didn't see anything either as I made my way up the steps, and a quick look behind me showed the mare smiling brightly up at me from the bottom of the steps.
Maybe she just left a gift in the center of the room or something...
Grabbing the door handle, I gave it a twist and pushed the door open. Inside it was unnaturally dark. Where light had filtered into the blinds before, now it seemed the only light that was in my home was streaming in through the doorway, and from the looks of it, even that was limited to barely anything. Stepping into my home and to the side of the doorway a bit to let more light filter into the darkened room, I was hoping it would reveal anything, but by then, Pinkie Pie was standing beside me as well; but blocking the little amount of light that was coming in.
In that moment, my senses were screaming this was a trap of some sort, yet by then the lights popped on, and before I could comprehend what was in my home, my hearing was assaulted by the shouts of many ponies simultaneously, "SURPISE!"
Stumbling back, I brought a hand up in front of me, while using the other to grab what I could of the wall to stabilize my position.
Blinking a few times to rid my vision of the white spots that lingered, I let out a shaky breath before lowering my hand back to my side. What I saw before me, was both heartwarming, and surprising.
At least two dozen ponies were inside my home from what I could see, all had smiles on their faces, and I watched as confetti fell from the ceiling. On the ceiling was a banner that read in bright pink letters, 'Welcome to Ponyville!' Blinking a few times, I felt a chuckle leave my throat as I looked around, and already I recognized a few of the ponies within the crowd, though that was only due to them being a few mares I had the joy of spending a nice long train ride with...
Looking over towards the Pink mare, I couldn't help but laugh silently as I asked, "How did you plan a party like this in a few hours?"
She looked up at me, before she giggled sweetly and said, "Silly, that is a secret!"
Chuckling once more, I looked around the gathered crowd as they began to talk amongst themselves. Despite knowing a few of the guests, I really wanted to only be around a certain blue Pegasus... a Pegasus that I couldn't quite find.
Turning my attention towards the group of approaching mares, I saw it was four of the six mares I knew, along with a purple... reptile of some kind on Twilight's back. The things eyes widened when it saw me looking at it. It was quite an interesting thing to see, but I shifted my eyes over the mares next. They all had wide smiles on their muzzles, yet even though I could see her smile, Fluttershy was apparently doing her best to keep her face hidden behind her mane.
Kneeling so that I was more their height, I sat back to get comfortable, which easily put me at least below their eye level, before Applejack asked, "Howdy partner, how was your first day at your job?"
Looking down as I raised my tired fingers, I said back with a bit of humor, "It proved to be more tiring than I had thought, but it was good nonetheless."
This earned me a snicker from her, and I made sure to look towards her pointedly as she said, "You sure it was tough? Maybe you can come work on the farm sometime then..."
Shaking my head as I looked away, I made sure to look towards Twilight as I asked, "Hey Twilight, do you mind if I stop by tomorrow and pick up a few books?"
Instantly her eyes brightened up, before she smiled and nodded her head and said, "Sure thing. If you want, I can get them ready tonight so that you can simply pick them up early tomorrow morning?"
Before I could even answer, a purple head stuck up over her own and quickly shook. "Uh, no, it is alright, I will just come in and browse a bit."
Her confirmation was a nod and a brief smile before she turned around and began to walk away, and this time it was Pinkie that grabbed my attention. Well, more of forced me to give it to her as she bounced in front of me and held a cupcake in front of me. "Here you go! I baked it myself!"
Reaching out and taking the cupcake gingerly from the mare's hoof. I looked over the red cupcake with bright pink frosting with a bit of compilation, before looking at the pink mare who was giving me an expectant stare.
"You best eat that now rather than later. It is better than anything else you have ever eaten before." It was Applejack that said that, and she shook her head with a smile on her muzzle.
"I highly doubt that, but ok..." I know it is rude to assume, but I hope there isn't any fur in this thing...
Short fur or long fur, there is always that chance. Looking at the cupcake once more, I brought it closer and took a bike from one side of it. Instantly, my taste buds were being bombarded by the flavor of strawberries with a hint of some kind of cream. Pulling the cupcake away from my mouth, I separated my teeth once more, before chewing slowly. I felt the texture of muffin over my tongue, but I tasted and virtually saw big, juicy red strawberries as I continued to chew. As Applejack had said, this was probably going to be the best thing I had ever eaten, and I was adamant to say I feared this would be over too soon.
Swallowing after a few additional chews, I looked towards the pink mare with a blank face, doing my best to appear as civilized as I could after experiencing such a fantastic treat. Blinking a few times, I couldn't help but lick my teeth, before saying, "Pinkie, I believe I am going to be buying my baked goods from you more often." And then the smile I was withholding began to spread like a wildfire. Looking at the others, I saw they were all smiling with knowing looks, but I simply looked back at my hand, and smiled some more. "Well, time to finish what I started..."
I wanted to say I savored the cupcake, but in reality, I ate it with a refined haste, enjoying each sensual burst of flavor that seemed to send my mind on a roller-coaster of pleasure. If she put pieces of strawberries in this, I would be hard pressed to tell the difference in taste from the cupcake and the cream from the icing added a whole new texture to it. It was slightly salty, which while strange, didn't seem too bad overall. The sugar that was added as well blended flawlessly, adding a sweet flavor unlike anything else that seemed to dance over my tongue, all the while remaining within a perfect blend with the rest of the treat.
And before I knew it, I was finished. I let out a slight sigh, yet the smile didn't drop from my lips for an instant, even when I heard what sounded like a nervous ahead of me. Looking up, I saw a blue stallion was standing behind the mares with his hoof over his muzzle. He was glancing up at me, before his eyes would jump to one of the mares, before he would look up at me again. The poor guy was practically losing his man... stallion card as he began to shake, so I decided I might as well save him from his own embarrassment, "What can I help you with?"
"I was wondering... how... er, why is it all the mares are talking about you now?" As he finished asking that, I noticed his cheeks flair a bit in embarrassment, and it was clear as to why. He was asking that while there were three, if not more mares looking at him.
Chuckling a bit as I instantly knew the answer, I shrugged as I lifted a hand up and idly scratched my chin, "Well, I wouldn't say that all the mares are talking about me, but it is probably because I now work at the salon with Aloe and Lotus, and a few literally fell asleep as I gave them massages..."
This earned me a disbelieving glance from Applejack, but the other mares simply gave me looks that suggested they were eying my hands. Quickly lowering them, the stallion nodded, before he said, "Well, thanks... uh, have a good day."
"You too, and enjoy the party." Cause I know I am, and I'm still by the front door...
It was just then that I was dragged away from the doorway by an overexcited mare... one that I knew fairly well by now, and she said in that hyper voice, "OH OH, play pin the tail on the donkey!"
Before I even knew it where I was or what was entirely happening, I was blindfolded, and something was pushed into my open hand.
Alright... pin the tail on the donkey...
I'm blindfolded, something is in my hand, and I'm expected to play a game. Perhaps that is what just happened...
"Uh... Pinkie Pie, am I at least facing the right way?"
There was a giggle off to my left before her voice sounded off, "Yup-er-roonies!"
Letting out a dry chuckle, I slowly made my way forward, the hand with the 'tail' closer to me, while my other hand was held out in front of me in case the wall came up. Nothing would do worse for my pride than to be at my own party and to unceremoniously walk straight into the wall.
Walking forward a bit, I heard the cheers of encouragement from Pinkie Pie, while strangely enough all the others were remaining silent. In fact, it was so strange, that my embarrassment from her antics was probably showing on my cheeks. It isn't like it really matters... she did make that cupcake for me... best cupcake ever...
Or maybe it is because Base doesn't have a lot of sweets...
...
Nah, it was the best ever.
Feeling a smirk rise up on my face once more, I felt my hand touch the wooden wall, yet before I put the 'tail' to the wall, I took into account that I'm probably a two to two and a half feet taller than the other ponies, so I lowered my hand as so, and pushed my hand forward a bit. When I felt that the 'tail' wouldn't fall off, I pulled my hands away, took a few steps back, and then reached up to take my blindfold off. Looking down, I saw that while my aim wasn't spot on, it was in fact at least around the height it was supposed to be. Well... not really. I was a foot high and about two too far to the right.
Smiling as I shook my head, I turned around, but before I could even get away, I was once more assaulted by a pink blur, before said pink blue stopped directly in front of me and said, "Don't worry, better luck next time, hey, why don't we go see how the snack table is doing?"
"Sure."
I don't even know what she just said... I just know she said we are going somewhere else.
Following behind the pink mare, I looked around, and saw we were making our way towards the kitchen area.
But before we reached our location, I brought my feet to a stop as I looked across the house and zeroed in on my true target. Standing there across me and near one of the open windows was Dash, bathed in sunlight, yet as I saw her shake her head, I noticed something was off. The grin I was wearing began to slowly fall, and the entire time I was trying to figure out what it was. Shifting my gaze, I found she was talking to another pony, and if my perception was right, it was a stallion... and I was hoping I was wrong, but I was sure I recognized that expression he was wearing. I had seen it on many guys back at the bars around the town I would go to while on leave, and seeing him flashing it towards Dash...
"What is wrong Dommie? Where did your smile go?"
Looking down at Pinkie, I shook my head and offered a weak smile, though it was strained, "Nothing's wrong Pinkie." Taking a second to glance back over, I saw Dash was nodding slowly, and the stallion smiled a bit bright, and I felt all semblance of a smile, fake or not, vanish entirely. What am I worrying about? Dash is my mare... I'm her stallion...
Shaking my head as I prepared to start moving, I was stopped as Pinkie Pie leaned against me, and the next thing I knew, she was looking where I was as well, and she shook her head, before she looked back at me and said, "There isn't anything you need to worry about Dommie, Dashie is a good friend!"
Offering a weak smile, I nodded my head as I looked away from the flirting stallion, "Yeah, I know she is..."
(Rainbow Dash's P.O.V.)
Please, just leave already...
While I was used to the occasional stallion trying to lay down the moves on me, this wasn't the time I wanted to be deflecting any advances. I wasn't interested, I never would be in him, and yet he was still trying to talk with me about a possible relationship. It wasn't helping that I wanted to see Dominic already, and I had seen him, but I wanted to talk to him instead of just catch a passing glance of him. Yet the more this stallion jabbered on and on about him owning his own business, the more I was wishing I was at Dom's side already. I already had a stallion, and this one clearly wasn't getting the signs already... so, time to take off and give him the fact plain as day already.
As he took a breath to continue whatever tale he was spewing on about, I took that as my turn, "Hey, it was an interesting talk and all, but if you won't mind, I was planning on meeting up with my stallion... friend."
His eyes widened briefly, before they took on that playful look I was starting to loathe so much, before he simply shook his mane and turned around and began to trot away. But he did call over his shoulder, "Alright, well I'm going to go sample that tall weird creature then."
Wait, tall creature? Dominic?
I felt myself bristle as my wings began to flare out, but I forced them back to my sides as I carefully made my way towards the wall. I kept a close eye on the stallion that had mentioned something about sampling Dom, yet I also made sure to keep an eye out for other ponies. I didn't want them to see me stalking this stallion and get the wrong idea.
"... This, and for a stranger? You're too kind..."
I felt a bit of strange warmth and happiness spread in my chest as I was able to distinguish Dom's deep voice from all the other ponies voices, but I shook my head so that I wouldn't lose track of the stallion I was following. If he tried anything against Dom, I would make sure I was there. For better or worse, I would be there no matter what.
I heard Pinkie's voice from somewhere as well, but I didn't hear what she said. Either way, Dominic chuckled soon afterwards, but so did that stallion. Then I heard something that made me stop in my tracks and gag, "Well, hey there stud, how are you doin'?"
He's a colt cuddler!? Oh, he isn't about to flirt with MY Dominic...
(Dominic's P.O.V.)
Did I just hear that right?
Looking behind me and towards the kitchen doorway, I saw a stallion standing there leaning against the doorway. He was looking towards me with a pair of observant eyes, and I was instantly able to tell who he was. The smile I had dropped right away as I recognized him as the stallion that had been flirting with Dash, but if I hadn't just heard wrong, then he had just done the same with me, but I had to be mistaken. Yet, I would rather be informed than simply misunderstanding him, "Pardon?"
He chuckled softly, before he stood up and sauntered closer to me and asked, "So, you aren't tied down are you?"
My frown deepened even more as he approached, but before I could retort, it was Pinkie who beat me to the punch, "Hey, don't be a mister meanie, friends don't tie other friends down!"
"I didn't mean it like th-"
"No, but I knew how you meant it and I don't roll that way bud, so take your flirting somewhere else." Unfortunately, other than getting him to leave us alone, he instead refocused his attention on me.
"What, never dated a pony? How do you know you wouldn't like it?"
"Because he is already taken."
Looking over, I felt a smile tug at the corner of my lips as I took a step closer to her. I felt her lean against my leg as I looked over at the stallion, whose jaw was hanging open as he looked between Dash and I repeatedly, so I decided I would set him straight, "As you can see, I'm not interested, so as I said before, take your flirting somewhere else..."
His jaw snapped shut with an audible snap, and when he looked at me one last time, I saw a flash of anger run through his eyes, before he left the kitchen as swiftly as he came. I didn't move at all, and it was only after a few moments that I confirmed that he wouldn't be coming back.
Looking down at the mare beside me, she did the same, and it was just then that I noticed my hand was slowly stroking her back, while one of her wings was draped across my back. Looking behind me, I opened my mouth to thank Pinkie, yet she wasn't there. Closing my mouth, I shook my head, before I looked back at Dash, and felt a chuckle ease from my throat. Kneeling down, I looked at Dash eye level, and as she looked back into my eyes, I shook my head and said, "You sure know how to grow on people Dash... I actually found myself missing you today."
My only confirmation that she heard me was she smirked with a prideful looking expression, and I couldn't help but chuckle before wrapping my arms around her and pulling her into a hug. I felt her wings thump against my arms, but I knew it had to be from surprise. If it wasn't... well...
Giving her a quick squeeze before letting her go, I backed up until I was arm's length away from her. This showed that she was now blushing as she smiled goofily, and I couldn't help but chuckle as I looked over my shoulder to make sure no one had entered through the other doorway. When no other living being, pony, or pink blur, was seen, I felt safe. At least I had some form of privacy in my own home.
Looking back in front of me, I felt my blood turn to ice, before it seemed to melt right away again as Dash pressed her lips softly against my own. Her eyes closed as she leaned closer to me, and I saw her wings twitch lightly. I didn't want a kiss, but I didn't necessarily start pulling away. It was a good unexpected surprise.
And then voices started to draw closer, and Dash quickly pulled away with a blush very prominent over her muzzle. So much so that I knew her friends would be suspicious if they saw it. Maybe before I would mess with her and get her blood pumping to solve a solution, but perhaps I owe her for getting rid of that... confused stallion.
Getting to my feet, I ruffled Dash's mane real quick as I turned around, and I made my way to the door just in time to meet the other mares. And the perfect thing occurred, Twilight still had that little guy on his back, and I could shift the conversation towards it. Not only to give Dash time to cool down, but also to sate my curiosity.
"Hey there girls. Hey, Twi, I been meaning to ask, who is that on your back?"
Her eyes widened minutely, before she smiled and said, "I forgot you haven't yet met Spike. Well, Spike is my personal assistant, and adopted brother."
"Yes, and he is positively the kindest little dragon you will ever meet!" Rarity somehow pinched the little dragons' cheek as she said that, and I watched in interest as the green and purple dragon's cheeks began to turn a shade of red as well.
Stepping closer and then kneeling down, I looked at Spike a bit closer while offering a kind smile, and I held out my hand to him as I said, "Nice to meet you Spike, my name is Dominic... I must say, it is a pleasure to meet another guy for once instead of only another lady."
He hesitantly reached out, but once his hand was within my own, I made sure to gently squeeze it so that I wouldn't hurt him in any way. Giving it a firm shake, I watched as his nervousness seemed to slowly melt away, before he spoke, "I heard you were tall, but I didn't know that you were that tall..."
"Oh, and from whom did you hear I was tall?"
I felt a smirk make its way onto my lips as I glanced at the mare he was sitting on, before looking back at him as he too smirked. Then he spoke in a tone that was as neutral as one could be when restraining chuckles, "Twilight told me that you were tall, but then again, she wouldn't stop talking about you. Such as how tall you were, you were kind, that you could give massa-"
"Ohhh kay, that is enough Spike..."
A gem surrounded by a purple aura was stuffed into the young dragons' mouth, and I looked towards the owner of said magical aura. I gave her a knowing look as she looked back at me, yet as soon as her eyes met my own, she quickly looked away as the blush on her cheeks became all the deeper. The purple on her cheeks seemed to only make it stand out all the more, and soon I heard a loud crunch.
Following the sound to the source, I saw Spike had sat down on Twilight's back, but I felt my jaw go slack when I saw him effortlessly crunch down on the gem.
"Bloody hell... did you just eat that gem...?"
He gave me a confused look, before he said, "Yeah. Didn't Twi tell you that dragons can eat emeralds, diamonds, and other gems yet?"
"I don't think so..."
There was a cough, and then Twilight said, "Not to change the subject or anything, but is Rainbow Dash in there?" I looked over to see her holding her hoof up towards the kitchen entrance, before she lowered it and looked towards me, but not directly at me.
Shrugging as I stood back up, I looked into what I could see of the kitchen, "I think she is."
"Well, what're we waitin' for? I don't know about Rare's, but I wanted to talk to Dash sooner than this!" I looked over to see Applejack grinning and Rarity already making her way towards the kitchen entrance.
"Yes, well, I believe we should go see her already."
I watched as all the mares entered the kitchen, but Pinkie, bless her soul, gave me another one of those amazing cupcakes. Following the mares into the kitchen, along with taking a bite from a delectable treat, I looked around the kitchen to see that Dash was in fact nowhere to be seen. Well, it seems she decided to take the previous method of cooling down once again.
Hmm... I wonder how long until she comes back.
"I thought you said she was in here?"
Looking towards Applejack, I saw her looking towards me with a suspicious glare, but I replied with a simple shrug, "I said I thought she was in here. I had left to go find a cup so I could get something to drink since I don't have anything yet."
Not a complete lie...
It was silent for a bit, before the sound of giggling was heard. Looking over to see a disturbing sight in its own rights, Pinkie was holding a hoof to her muzzle as her eyes were squeezed closed tightly. Glancing at the others, I noticed it was only Fluttershy that wasn't concerned, and I turned back towards Pinkie pie. Just as I opened my mouth, she stopped and looked directly at me, before she said, "Silly, you already have everything you need!"
"Um, Pinkie, I don't know if you've checked or not, but I haven't had the time to buy even a cup yet." I said, gesturing to the entire kitchen. It was a fact I wasn't proud of, but I was planning on fixing that tomorrow.
"Hehehe... did you look inside your cabinets yet?"
"Er... not really?"
She simply gave me a gesture towards one of the cabinets, and I looked over at it. Making my way over to it and grabbing the handle, I gave it a tug and pulled the door open. Now, I wasn't expecting to see a single thing, yet instead I saw it was already packed with plates and cups. Closing the drawer, I looked back to see a smiling group of mares, with a pink one beaming all the more wider than the rest.
I then proceeded to walk through my kitchen, opening each drawer and every individual cabinet door; confirming that there was something in each one as I did.
Once I stopped, I let out a long drawn out whistle. Turning around, I looked towards Pinkie and asked, "Did you really do all this?"
"Yup-er-roonie!"
Making my way to Pinkie, I knelt down in front of her, before I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into a tight hug. "I don't know how to thank you enough."
I felt her hooves snake around my chest and pat my back, before she said, "What are friends for?" Yet, after she stopped patting my back, I felt her grip tightening even more to the point it was becoming uncomfortable, "Especially when that friend holds the heart of one of my friends." She then tightened her grip around me to the point of it being slightly painful, yet what she had just said seemed to click into place. "Even more when that friend holds the heart of my bestest friend."
A wheeze of pain left my lips quietly as I swore I heard a rib or two creak from the pressure. Just as black dots began to flit across my vision, she let me go, and I felt myself fall back into a sitting position as my breathing returned to normal; yet as I breathed in, I felt the soreness from her squeezing.
Looking over at the pink mare, I saw her smiling towards all the others, yet when her gaze locked on my own, I saw a hidden warning within her eyes. Her smile was wider, yet to me it seemed to lose all its warmth as she said, "I hope the super duper surprise Dommie Wommie! And remember our agreement."
My only response was a weak smile and nod...