I knew better than to keep something like this from my friends. Especially since Pinkie Pie had seen me asking Scarlet out. I made her promise not to tell the others, at least not until I had a chance to. So, later that evening, I called them over to my house where I sat them down and told them just what I was planning on doing.

There was stunned silence, before Twilight stood and exclaimed, "A herd? A herd?! You've barely been in Equestria half a year and you're already considering a herd?!"

We were in my main living room, Zecora sitting on my right and Scarlet on my left. Sitting around me were the rest of the Mane Six. Well, almost all of them were sitting. Twilight Sparkle had jumped out of her seat and was pacing the floor anxiously as she continued her rant, her hooves stomping the floor instead of their normal clopping sound. She stopped in front of me, turned and leaned closer fast, her face filling my vision. "Jethro Edward Bethridge, what are you thinking?!"

"I don't know why you're so stressed out about it, Twi," I said, honestly confused. "I mean, I'm the one considering it."

Her eye twitched, and she whirled on me. Stomping over, she poked my chest hard. "You're my friend, Jethro!" she shouted, before taking a few deep breaths and calming down. "I…I know how hard it's been for you to adjust to our way of life. I'm just…I'm worried about you."

"We all are," Fluttershy said, standing herself and coming over beside Twilight. She put a hoof on my leg gently, and I could see the look in her eyes. She was indeed worried about me.

Either that, or jealous.

Yeah, if I was to make an educated guess, then I would guess that Fluttershy was one of those other Ponies Rainbow Dash told me about the day before. The ones that had affections for me. It would make sense as to why Rainbow was overprotective and why Fluttershy would cling to me so often. It would also explain why she sat so close to me every time we read some Earth manga despite me being able to project the screen into the air like some magical hologram.

And it could also explain why she was trembling slightly.

I put a hand on Fluttershy's hoof, and smiled kindly at her. "The worry and care is appreciated, Flutters. It really is. Thank you."

Applejack was the next one to come up. She looked at me, scrutinizing me carefully. "Yer a grown stallion, so ah can't see any reason why ya can't make this choice yerself. Just be careful, ya hear?"

I smiled. "Always."

"Can I say something?" Scarlet asked. When all eyes were on her, she inhaled and said, "I know how hard it is to assimilate to a culture not your own. I'm still learning about Ponyville culture, and Equestria culture in general. I know the contrasts between human and Pony culture better than most in this room. What I did during the party was a big mistake, I'll admit it, and I apologize for it. But I won't apologize for my feelings for Jethro. I love him so much that my heart aches. But if nothing happens between us, then nothing happens, and we go back to being friends."

Pinkie bounded over to the still fretting Twilight and put a hoof on her back. "Come on, Twilight! Nothing bad is gonna happen! Sure, Scar-Scar can be a bit pervy, but she's a good mare!"

I smirked and looked down at Scarlet. "Scar-Scar, eh?"

"Pinkie is…yeah…"

"An acquired taste, I know," I replied knowingly.

"A seeexy acquired taste?" Pinkie crooned, grinning at me as she suddenly leaped into my lap.

"Pinkie Pie, calm yourself!" Rarity shouted.

I smirked at the pink Pony, then leaned forward. "Yes, Pinks. A very sexy acquired taste." I flicked her nose gently and laughed as she scrunched up her face. She got off of me and stepped back. I looked at the gathered Ponies. "I get you're worried. Believe me, I do. I'm more worried than you can imagine. But I've been sitting on my ass about this for far too long. I'm a member of this world now. I should try and adapt a little bit more than I have been."

Rarity spoke next, standing and moving beside Applejack. "Darling, are you absolutely sure you want to try this? There's no going back if you do."

"I know, but I need to try," I said. "I need to see if I'm capable of this."

"And if you are?" Fluttershy asked, and I didn't miss the slight hope in her voice.

"Then, if this works, I'll have a herd, I suppose," I said. Even though I had a suspicion that she might like me, I didn't want to call her out on it or give her false hope. It might break her heart, and seeing Fluttershy broken would break me. "I don't know how this is going to end, but I do know that I'll have to work extremely hard at it if I want it to work out."

"But do you want it to work?" Twilight asked nervously.

I turned to her, reaching out and putting a hand on her cheek. She leaned into it automatically, still looking worried. I held out my other hand and summoned pen, ink and a piece of paper from a nearby endtable. Placing the paper on said endtable, I began. "Dear Princess Celestia, today I learned that sometimes worrying too much about your friends can be detrimental to their growth as a Pony. It could hold them back from discovering something about themselves, no matter how it might end up. Sometimes, hurt is the only way we can learn. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle." I stopped the writing, lifted the paper over to her, and held it up. "Send it or not, the message won't change. I need to know if I'm capable of being in a relationship with more than one mare."

She bit her lip and leaned in further into my palm. Closing her eyes, she said softly, "Jethro, I can't help but worry. From what you've told me about your species, you're not a herding type."

"We do desire companionship, but I know what you mean," I said, removing my hand from her cheek. "But who's to say that the part of me that's part Pony can't be put to good use? I know the risks."

"As do I," Scarlet said bravely.

To my surprise, Fluttershy flew up into Scarlet's face, a determined look in her eyes. To her credit, Scarlet didn't flinch as Fluttershy said in a low and threatening voice, "Don't you dare hurt him, understood?"

Scarlet nodded, continuing to look back at Fluttershy. "On my honor as a Pony and as a citizen of Equestria, I will never intentionally do any harm to Jethro, of any kind."

Fluttershy nodded, then landed in front of her. Turning back, she walked up to me, giving me another pleading look. "Be careful, please. Nopony here wants to see you hurt."

"Heh, I can tell," I said as I stroked her mane, which caused her, once again, to shudder. She leaned into my hand and sighed contentedly. I turned to Rainbow Dash. "You've been unusually quiet through all this, Rainbow. Do you have anything to say?"

Rainbow was sitting down, front hooves crossed across her chest. She sighed, then flew over to me slowly. I maintained eye contact with her as she stared deep into my eyes. Slowly poking my chest, she said, "You had better make this date the best date she's ever had," she whispered. "I don't need both my top students heartbroken."

I grinned. "We're your only two students," I smirked.

"Don't fucking ruin this for me," she pleaded.

"Of course."

"Promise," she said.

Rarity nodded immediately. "I'll have that ready for you by the time your date comes upon you. What date do you wish to have this date?"

I frowned and considered. "Hmm…December 6th."

"Wait, Jethro, isn't that the day before the Council of Equestria?" Twilight asked nervously.

"Yeah, it is," I said, "but I think I'll need it then."

"Why?" she asked.

"Well, I think that something to distract me from the stress right before it would be a good idea," I said. "Besides, it'll give me plenty of time to plan the best date ever." I looked over at Scarlet. "And she deserves an amazing date."

I spent part of my time after that meeting preparing for the council and the other half planning out a perfect dinner date with Scarlet in Cloudsdale. I made reservations at a theater so we could watch a play, and found a lovely restaurant where we could talk about said play afterwards.

One of the only times I was doing neither was when I spent some time with Applejack at her parents' graves two days before my date. There, the two of us shared a moment of grief over both of our parents' deaths. I'd never seen Applejack cry so hard before. She thanked me for being there to hear her vent and cry, but made me promise never to mention a word of this to anyone else.

Thanks to advice from Rainbow, I found a decently proper restaurant in the middle of the city called The Citrus Cellar, which was apparently well known for all of its citrusy drinks, but also known for its delicious food.

Rarity designed a warm dress suit for me, dark gray trousers, a dark mauve jacket, and a black dress shirt. She also insisted on making a lovely dress for Scarlet, but insisted on it being a surprise to me, which I was perfectly okay with.

The day of the date, Scarlet, Rarity, Twilight, Zecora and myself went up to Cloudsdale in the balloon. More specifically, Rainbow Dash's Cloudominium. No matter how many times I saw it from the air or even on the show, it didn't seem like there was any way Rainbow Dash could afford her place. It seemed too extravagant for her tastes, but then again, I'd seen the way most other Pegasi houses were bigger than most, which made sense to me considering the fact that Pegasi foals could fly before they could walk, so they needed the extra room.

The moment we were in Rainbow's house, Rarity ushered the gray Pegasus upstairs while Rainbow Dash showed me a spare bedroom I could change in. Zecora came in with me and helped me into my suit.

"Are you nervous, my love?" she asked as she used her hooves to help button my dress shirt.

"Pfff, nah," I said sarcastically. "I'm just going on a romantic date with the Pegasus I saved while my marefriend helps me get ready for it. Why the hell would I be nervous?"

Zecora rolled her eyes, then pressed her lips against mine. "We are more used to the idea than your kind are," she said softly, leaning against me comfortingly. "I know you're scared, but this won't change anything between us, you know?"

I sighed. "Maybe not for you, but I'm still stuck in my own damned head. I like Scarlet a lot. She's one of the coolest friends I have. She gets my lame Earth jokes, and pervness aside, I do like the Pony she's become. More self-assured and knowing what she wants. And working hard to pay off all of her debts to society."

"And her physical appearance?" Zecora asked as she grabbed my dress jacket with her teeth and brought it over to me while I adjusted my white and red tie. "Even I can tell what a beautiful mare she's become."

I nodded as I took the jacket from her and carefully slipped my arms and wings through the sleeves. "Yes. Scarlet is a very beautiful mare. Slender, but with the right curves in all the right places, and I'm pretty sure I've seen her goods more often than I'd like."

Zecora chuckled. "And did you like what you saw?"

I facepalmed. "I'd be lying if I said no," I admitted before going back to buttoning up my jacket and throwing on a black scarf for the cold. "She's a very attractive mare, Zecora, so why does it feel like I'm betraying you?"

Zecora smiled. "You're not betraying me, dearest. I am completely alright with you having a date with Scarlet and possibly starting a herd."

"I'm not afraid to admit that I'm scared," I chuckled dryly.

"I can see that in your eyes, but just take a few deep breaths and relax," Zecora said tenderly. As I did so, she sat me down on the bed, then got behind me and nuzzled my neck. "Just breathe in and out."

I took a few deep breaths and, sure enough, my nerves calmed down a bit more. I wasn't about to deny, though, that there was a part of me that was excited. I had what I considered a good evening planned. Show, dinner, then a bit of a surprise beneath the starry late autumn sky. Zecora must have noticed my relaxed state because she nuzzled my face tenderly. "There's the stallion that swept me off of my feet."

I chuckled and blushed a bit as I finally finished changing. Standing, I turned around for Zecora to inspect. "Well? How do I look?" I asked, putting my hands on my hips and posing.

"Like a Prince," she chuckled.

I laughed at the Aladdin reference but leaned forward and kissed Zecora once more. "Thanks, dear."

"I want to hear all about your date," she said, "but first, go and see the mare of the evening!" She got off the bed and started pushing me towards the door, head butting my ass as she did.

"Okay, okay! I'm going," I laughed as I exited the room.

I was immediately ushered towards the foyer by Zecora and Twilight, the latter of whom was beaming. "Hurry up! You don't want to be late!"

"I might not get off on planning like you do, Twilight," a voice from the top of the stairs said with amusement, "but I think we'll be fine."

I turned…and saw Scarlet, wearing a low-cut crimson silk dress that was a shade or two lighter than her mane. I shouldn't have been surprised that she was in her Anthro form again, but there she was, and she was actually blushing as she took one hold of the handrail, or was it hoofrail? Anyway, she walked down the stairs, and I didn't miss the swaying of her hips as she approached me. Her dark gray wings slowly began to expand as she approached and she brushed part of her mane aside, pushing it behind her ear. Her dress might have been a bit simpler than the ones Rarity normally made, but the mare filling it out made it work.

When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she sauntered up to me slowly, raised her hand to my chin and pushed my mouth closed. "You'll let all the flies in," she giggled.

I blushed and smiled back at her. "I should have seen this coming," I admitted, gesturing to her temporary Anthro form.

"It's the least I could do," she said sincerely.

"Well, for our next date, feel free to go as your normal self," I chuckled.

"You're already thinking about a second date?" She sounded stunned.

"I've told Zecora this, and now I'll tell you: I'd be a fool to give up after only one date," I explained. "Now then, don't you have a coat?"

She nodded and pointed to the coat hanger beside the door. I saw a white jacket with brown buttons and faux fur inside. I walked over, grabbed it and began helping her on with it. It took a while since she had to put her wings through the holes, but in the end she was dressed and ready to go. She put her arm through mine. "I'm ready," she said.

And with that, the two of us stepped out into the early evening air, but not before I turned to the others and said, "I know it's tempting, but I don't want you all to stalk the two of us. I'm sure Scarlet will give you all the sordid details tomorrow. I just want a private date."

"I promise," Twilight said.

Rainbow sighed. "Fine, I won't go spying," she said with a frown.

"I'm heading down to Ponyville with Twilight anyway," Zecora said.

"And I need to be home to make sure Sweetie Belle has a good dinner and a proper bedtime," Rarity concluded. "Especially since the Crusaders are staying tonight."

I chuckled. "Good luck."

"You too, darling," Rarity said.

It surprised me just how well Scarlet was able to fly in her Anthro form and with wings larger than the norm for her, but nevertheless we both found ourselves flying through the sky down towards Cloudsdale mere minutes later, heading down towards a larger building with other Ponies gathered outside in a line. Scarlet looked down and asked, "What's that place?"

"Cloudsdale's only theater," I said. "I got us a booth so we could watch one of the seasonal plays. A Hearth's Warming Tale."

She smiled. "Is it anything like A Christmas Carol?"

"Pretty much," I admitted as we landed near one entrance which was barred off by red velvet dividers. "It's got that Equestrian take on the book."

Scarlet snorted. "Of course it does. Hell, even I know the tale."

An usher at the front door, wearing what could only be described as vintage theater usher clothes but for a Pony, saw me and Zecora approach. He looked at a clipboard and his eyes widened. "Sir Jethro?" The poor stallion couldn't have been more than sixteen or seventeen.

"Relax, it's just Jethro," I said. I pulled out a pair of tickets and held them up for him to see. "I believe we have a private box seat?"

The Pegasus took the tickets, looked them over, then looked back at his clipboard. "Yes, yes of course!" He put on a nervous smile. "Just go in, take a left and show this to the mare at the podium and she'll show you to your booth."

I reached into my pocket, retrieved a handful of bits and handed them to the young stallion. "For your trouble."

His eyes widened at the number of bits I was handing him, but he silently took them and slipped them into his pocket. "Thank you, sir," he said gratefully.

"You're welcome," I said as I held the door open for Scarlet.

We both stepped inside. The lobby reminded me very much of an old styled theater lobby, two chandeliers hanging from a cloudy ceiling, a concession stand that served everything from popcorn to candy to sodas. We were standing in a path made from the velvet dividers leading to the aforementioned mare at a podium. She grew increasingly nervous as the two of us approached. "Um…Sir Jethro, correct?" she asked shakily when we reached the podium.

"Correct, ma'am, but just Jethro works," I said as I held up the two tickets. "My date and I have a private box seat?"

She took the tickets and looked them over. "Right this way, sir and ma'am," she said as she turned and headed towards a set of dark red stairs. As we walked up, I put my hand on the walls, and felt them pressing back against me. Being able to naturally walk on or interact with clouds did have its perks.

The stairs ended in a corridor with warm white lights hanging from the outer walls, and there were doors on the inner walls. She led us to one and it opened onto a balcony booth. "Um, here you are, sir and ma'am," she said nervously.

Reaching into my pocket once more, I tipped her with a large number of bits. She stared at the amount in shock as I said, "For your trouble," I said.

Some of her nervousness faded away, and she smiled a bit. "Thank you, Sir Jethro," she said gratefully.

"Of course," I smiled back at her before turning back to the entrance.

"Wait, sir," she said quickly.

I turned and raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

She looked a bit nervous again, but it somehow looked different. Her dark purple eyes were sparkling as she looked at me and took a deep breath. "I just wanted to say…well, I know that the whole world might think less of you, and that's putting it mildly, but you do have Ponies who admire you and what you've done for Equestria. And I'm one of them."

I smiled wider, and knelt in front of her. "What's your name, ma'am?"

"Starjet Blast," she said, looking at me with a small smile of her own.

I held up a hand and said, "Starjet Blast, thank you for saying those kind words. I definitely needed to hear them."

She smiled wider and took my hand with her hoof, shaking it. "Just doing my job as a member of the Jethro Bethridge Fanclub, sir."

I snorted and chuckled, and from behind me I heard Scarlet giggling to herself. "Still weird to think I have a fanclub," I said, "but I'm glad you think so highly of me. I'll do my best to live up to those expectations and protect Equestria. And could you thank any other fanclub members the same?"

Starjet blushed as I stood. "Of course, Sir Jethro!" she said excitedly.

"Just Jethro is fine," I said.

Starjet beamed. "Well, I shouldn't keep you. Do you want anything to eat or drink?"

I looked back at Scarlet, who said, "You got lemonade?"

"Pink and regular," Starjet said immediately.

"Pink lemonade for me, light ice please," Scarlet replied.

"Same for me, please," I added. "And a small popcorn."

"C-Coming right up!" Starjet beamed as she flew away down the hall.

Scarlet and I took the opportunity to enter the box seat area. I saw that the seat was actually a couch, one made of clouds which made it easily moldable. I used my wings to mold it so that we could sit comfortably in it, then tested it out. "Yeah, this'll work for us."

Scarlet sat close to me and leaned against my shoulder, closing her eyes in contentment. "Very comfortable," she said softly. Out of habit, I put an arm around her shoulder, and Scarlet snuggled closer to me. "Veeeery comfortable," she repeated, a joyful smile spreading across her face.

Reaching up, I stroked her mane gently, which looked as if it had been done up specifically for tonight. Normally, the top was hanging loose and the bottom half was to one side, much like Fluttershy's was. Tonight, however, her mane had more of a lift to it, and it made her own eyes pop even more than they normally did despite being the same color. "I didn't say it earlier, but you look absolutely beautiful tonight," I said. Just because I was nervous about dating someone other than my marefriend didn't mean I was going to let that ruin the night for her.

"Implying I don't look beautiful all the time, stud?" she said in a teasing tone, arching her back into my hand.

"You had to go and ruing the moment," I teased back.

"You make it too easy, sexy man," she said, turning back and looking up at me. "You're not half bad yourself, though. For an alien, that is."

I smirked. "Gee, thanks."

She giggled, and moved closer, reaching up to take my hands in hers and wrapping them around her midsection. "Just for tonight?" she asked.

"Heh, sure thing," I said.

She smiled happily for a few seconds, then her seductive grin reappeared. "You know…this place apparently has curtains we can hide behind. We could…get into something very naughty."

"Oh my God, how horny are you?!"

The next Side Stories chapter will be about the throwaway interaction between Applejack and Jethro, just FYI