Everen opens his eyes to see Lily, already awake and staring at him. She moves a little closer and kisses the side of his muzzle lovingly.
"Mornin'." she says.
"Good morning." Everen responds. "Were you watching me sleep?"
"Yup. You looked so peaceful that I didn't want to risk waking you by shifting the bed." she stated.
"Thanks Lily." he smiled, stroking her mane with care, enjoying the slightly messy look that suggests that she had a good nights sleep.
Tsunami popped up between their faces. She began to cry, most likely hungry, being a newborn. Everen picked her up, climbed out of bed, and moved towards his door, stepping over Bliss and Cyrulian as he went, the two still asleep. Lily followed closely behind, tempted to step on Cyrul. She resists the urge though. The couple make their way down to the kitchen, looking for something that the baby dragon can eat. Everen spots a bowl on the counter full of turquoise and trots over to it, picking out one of the stones and placing it against Tsunami's lips. The baby dragon begins gumming and sucking on the rock, not having teeth to chew it with yet.
"Hold her for a moment." Everen gave Lily the dragon. "I'll be right back."
"Where're you going?" Lily questioned, taking the small creature for him.
"To go and get something." he said going through a door across the room that led into the garage. He came back through the door a couple moments later, levitating a hammer.
"What is that for?" Lily asked, as ideas ran through her mind, some more terrifying than others.
"Breaking the turquoise. Tsui doesn't have teeth yet so she can't chew the food dragons normally eat, so we have to break it down somehow. And we can't exactly pre-chew a rock." Everen said, the look on his face was hard to place.
"Oh, right." the filly said, feeling a bit thick.
Everen took the turquoise from Tsunami and set it on a cutting board and hit it with the hammer. The stone crumbled easily enough and within seconds it was broken up to where Tsunami could eat it. Everen sweeped the turquoise bits into a bowl and set it in front of the hatchling, Lily and Everen took turns feeding spoonfuls of it to her. Once Tsunami refused to eat any more they put down the spoons and trotted out into the living room. The two sit down on the loveseat, the dragon in lying on Everen's lap comfortably.
"You, know what?" Lily asked, looking down at Tsunami.
"What?" Everen inquires.
"The way we took care of Tsui in there, kind of made it feel like we were a married couple." Lily says, turning red.
"Yeah it kinda did." Everen confirmed, laughing a bit.
"Do you think we'll ever get married?" Lily asked, quickly and suddenly.
See did it. She managed to make Everen blush. It was possibly the first time she'd ever seen his face flush red.
"Ah, um, uh, I don't," he stuttered, tripping over his own tongue. "I don't know, maybe? It's certainly possible b-but I'm not sure." he continued, regaining a bit of composure.
"Oh, sorry! I didn't mean for that to sound so weird." Lily apologized, trying to hold back a smile. She failed.
"I-It's okay." he replied, then he saw her smile and turned redder. "It's not funny!" he rose his voice, annoyed that Lily found this situation amusing.
"You're very cute when you blush. I didn't expect that" she countered, giggling and making her colt-friend blush redder still.
A thought suddenly occurred to Everen, and he jabbed a hoof into Lily's side. She squeaked and began blushing as well. She glared at Everen, but before she could say anything he pressed his lips against hers, and, after a second, she pressed back. The two held the kiss for a solid minute. They broke the kiss, disappointedly, as the heard hoofsteps coming down the stairs.
"Am I interrupting something?" Libra asked as he came downstairs and saw the couple looking at him.
"Yes." Everen said, honestly.
Libra looked a little ashamed of himself. "Sorry, I didn't know."
"What were you doing still upstairs?" Everen inquired, changing the subject. "It's not exactly like there's anything to do up there."
"I was in the bathroom." Libra said quickly.
"Liar." Everen called him out immediately.
Libra's eyes widened in horror, Everen usually waited before calling him out on something, unless he either has a good reason, or he wants something.
"Should I go back to your room now?" Libra asked, hopefully.
"If you want to keep whatever secret you're hiding, yes." Everen stated bluntly.
"I'll be going then." Libra said trotting back up the stairs.
"Now then, where were we?" Everen looked back to his mare-friend.
They continued their kiss passionately. They ended it a couple of minutes later and looked into each others eyes lovingly. The earth pony snuggled in close to her colt-friend, who draped a forehoof over her shoulders. The couple enjoyed each others warmth and company, relaxing into the other. After awhile Tsunami climbed up a sat on Lily's head, Everen's having a horn and all. Lily giggled at the small dragon, and a thought came to her.
"Hey Everen?" she said, getting his attention.
"Yes?" he looked at her, smiling warmly.
"You're going to need help taking care of Tsui, right?" she asked, drawing a hesitant nod from Everen. "Well, I'd be happy to help any time you need it." she offered.
"That'd be great." Everen said. "But I figured you'd help out regardless of what I say anyways. What's the real reason you want to help out?" he questioned, knowing the answer already.
"Well," she began indecisively, but continued on knowing he would get her say it one way or another. "I really liked the mother-and-father feeling I got when helping you take care of her." she admitted, blushing again.
"No need to feel embarrassed, I don't love you any less for it. If anything I love you even more." Everen assuaged her, pulling her in closer.
"Thanks a lot, you always know just what to say to cheer me up." Lily said, feeling much more comfortable now.
Everen began stroking her flowing mane, feeling the soft texture. She nuzzled his neck in return, loving the feel of his hoof through her mane. They remained thus for about half an' hour, until Cyrul, Bliss, and Libra came down. The two got up, Everen levitating Tsunami onto his back.
"So, how about we go shopping?" Everen offered, wanting to get out of the house.
"Sure." said Cyrul.
"I'd love to." Bliss replied.
"Yeah, sounds fun." Libra added.
"Cool, lets go then." Everen said, moving for the front door, the others following behind him.
The group headed for the market, trotting through the streets together. When they got to market street, it was unusually crowded. There were ponies trotting from stall to stall, buying merchandise. There was such a large crowd that Everen and co. had to weave in between people left and right to get to their usual first stop when they go shopping; Crazy Cam's stall.
"Hey Crazy Cam, what's with the huge crowd?" Everen asked loudly, so he could be heard over the din of the market.
Lens 'Crazy' CamCorder is a store owner and info broker. He sells camera's upfront and gives information about the secret goings on in town to any of his 'better' customers. He has dirt on most ponies in Mirudloc, including the princess. The more interesting the info, and the more eager the customer, the expensive it is.
"A large group of foreign traders and peddlers cantered into town this morning and just started setting up shop all the way down market street." Cam explained, looking up and down the expansive road. "They're from all over Equestria, from Las Pegasus, to Maretonia, to Saddle Arabia, even a few from the Crystal Empire. I tell you it's been insane, it's more busy here than I've ever seen it before." he finished, scratching his spiked red and black mane.
"Do you know why they're here?" Lily asked, raising her voice as well.
"No I don't, but I do know that they're bringing more customers to the market, so who am I to complain?" he replied, his purple eyes practically glowing with excitement. He took a closer look at Everen, just noticing something. "Is that a baby dragon?" he asked in astonishment.
"Yeah it is. Her name is Tsunami, I got her as a birthday present." he said smiling happily.
"That's some gift!" Cam shouted.
Everen looked down at his necklace. But not the best I've ever received. He thought to himself.
"Seeya later Cam. I wanna check out these vendors merchandise before they have to leave." Everen said, cantering towards a stall occupied by a crystal pony.
"Seeya round guys." CamCorder called after them.
"What're you selling?" Everen asked the crystal pony, looking at the counter.
"Crystal Empire jousting gear and jewlery." the mare explained. "I see you're fond of shiny accessories." she continued, noticing his necklace.
"Sorry but nothing can replace this, and I don't wear rings, bracelets, or earrings." Everen said, shutting down the vendor instantly.
"How much for the sapphire earrings?" Lily asked, mesmerized by the bright gemstones.
"Twenty bits." the mare said, perking up a little.
"I'll take them." Lily said, handing over the money.
"Thank you very much." the crystal pony said.
"You're welcome." Lily replied.
"Lets keep moving, I want to actually find something I'd like to buy." Everen said, a bit anxiously.
"Calm down" Libra said. "We've got all day."
"You can't promise that." Everen countered.
"Lets split up then, I'll go with Cyrul and Bliss, and you and Lily go together." Libra suggested.
"Fine, fine." Everen responded, all too ready to move on.
Everen and Lily went over to a cart with a Saddle Arabian pony standing next to it. The cart was opened up to show the inside, containing a large assortment of clothes, jewelry, and incense. Lily buys a set of saddlebags, a corset, and requests something in a whisper so Everen can't hear, putting the items in the saddlebags. Everen buys some sweet smelling incense and a ruby gemstone to give to Tsunami later. Once they both finish their transactions, they move on to a stall with a pony completely covered by a cloak, selling cloaks. Everen decides to buy a large black cloak and move on, Remembering the location of the stall. The two move from stall to stall, not buying much else, a small glass figure in the shape of a lighting bolt, a dagger gilded with silver, and a couple of costumes based on historical heroes. As they were trotting over to the next stall somepony bumped into Everen, knocking him to the ground.
"Hey!" Everen yells after the pony, who doesn't stop moving. "Inconsiderate jerk." Everen complains.
"He seemed to be in a hurry." Lily observed.
"Yeah you're right, what was that all about?" Everen wondered.
Lily looked at Everen, and her eyes shot wide open. "Where's your necklace?" she asks, alarmed.
The look of horror upon Everen's face as he looked down where his necklace should be was unparalleled. Everen was up in an instant, chasing after the pony who knocked him down.
"GET BACK HERE YOU THIEF!" Everen shouted, louder than he ever had in the past.
Lily tried to keep up with Everen, but just couldn't get through the crowd fast enough. She was soon lost in the throng of ponies crossing the street in all directions at once.
The pony turned down an alleyway and Everen sprinted in after them. He follows the pony through the alleys until they reach a dead end. The pony turns around, it's the pony from the cloak stall. He throws aside his cloak to reveal a black pegasus pony with azure hair and solid, glowing, azure eyes.
"YOU?" Everen recognized those eyes. He'd never forget them, they're the eyes of the pony who tried to attack Beatrice, all those years ago.
"Hayseed! You remember me?" he asked, surprised this foal has such good memory.
"How could I forget? It's the day that changed my life forever." Everen stated. He levitated Tsui over to safety, lowering his head, ready to take on the threat before him.
"Hahahaha, you think you can take me on little colt?" the pegasus laughed. "I'm going to enjoy this."
"Doubtful." Everen retorted, confidently.
The pegasus' eyes glowed brighter, and three large spikes appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Then the spikes flw right at Everen, who nimbly dodged all of them, making it look easy. Everen then moved in close and punched the criminal in the jaw as hard as he could. The pony recoiled in pain, surprised at how skilled this colt is.
"What's your name foal?" he asks, wanting to know the name of his adversary.
"Everen Shamrock." Everen says, strength in his voice. "And you?"
"Azure Streak. I'll not forget your name." the assailant replied, smiling in anticipation of the battle that was about to take place.
"Nor I yours." Everen said.
The two engage in hoof-to-hoof combat, trading blows, neither one backing down an inch. Everen lands a solid blow to Azure's stomach who counters with a roundhouse kick to the side of Everen's muzzle. The fight proceeds on like this for awhile neither gaining the upper hoof, until Azure takes a nasty kick to his left eye. With his opponent disoriented, Everen picks up the pegasus with his magic and throws him hard against the back wall of the alley. Azure tries to shout out in pain, but has the wind knocked out of him, so that no sound escapes his lips. Everen pulls Azure in close and takes his necklace back, putting it on and charging his horn, summoning his shield and then shrinking it down to body armour. Everen drops the pegasus to the ground.
"Now then," Everen started, letting Azure get up. "Get out of my sight." he continued in the most terrifyingly calm voice he could.
The pegasus flew off instantly, leaving behind a trail of azure color, and Everen let the shield go. Lily showed up at the scene a moment later, gasping when she saw Everen. He had bruises forming all over his torso, a nasty welt building where he was kicked in the muzzle, and his lip was bleeding.
"WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?" Lily cried out, scared for her colt-friend.
"I'll tell you on the way." he said, cantering out of the alley, levitating Tsui onto his back again.
"Where, exactly, do you think you are going?" she questioned, critically.
"To Beatrice so I can get healed up." he answered, calmly.
"Alright, let me help you." she said taking Tsunami onto her back and supporting the beat up unicorn.
"I chased down that pony. I discovered that he's the guy from before, the one who tried to attack the princess." he began. "So we started fighting, I eventually took the advantage, I slammed him against the wall, took my necklace back, and told him to get lost. You showed up a few moments later."
"Oh my. Are you sure it was him?" she asked, concernedly.
"Positive, I'll never forget those eyes." he answered with absolute certainty.
The two arrived at Beatrice' gates soon after, the guards letting them in upon seeing how beat up Everen was. They enter the mansion-like structure before them and looking around, trying to see if they can find the princess anywhere. They found her in the library, reading a thick book about who know what, with it being written in another language. She looked up long enough to notice Everen's wounds, then she closes her book, walks over and starts fixing him up.
"What's the story this time?" she asked, not at all surprised by Everen's physical state.
Everen explained what had happened in the market and the alleyways. When he had finished his story, beatrice looked over to the nearest book shelf. She levitated a particular spell book over and handed it to Everen.
"Page twenty nine, there's a spell called spatial awareness. I recommend you learn it." she said.
"Understood." Everen complied putting the book in Lily's saddlebags for the time being.
Everen and the princess said their goodbyes, and Lily helps Everen home, walking with him to the door. Everen took back Tsunami.
"Lily?" he says.
"Yes, Everen?" Lily asks.
"From the way it looks now, it seems my special talent puts me in danger. And by extent, those I love." he said. Lily didn't like where this was headed. "I think we should stop dating, for your own safety." he ended, a firm look on his face.
"No." she said in almost a whisper. "No, you can't do this to me! I love you Everen, you can't just abandon me like this!" she rose her voice. Tears started to stream down her cheeks.
Everen's visage remained firm though, and Lily ran off crying. Everen cantered slowly inside. He went into, his room, shutting and locking the door. And then he started bawling, crying his eyes out. He'd been forced to break the heart of the one he loved, ripping his own heart into pieces in the process. They both cried themselves to sleep that night, their friendship would never be the same again.