{"id":33684,"date":"2023-03-02T16:19:21","date_gmt":"2023-03-02T22:19:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/?p=33684"},"modified":"2023-03-02T16:19:21","modified_gmt":"2023-03-02T22:19:21","slug":"chapter-26-bonding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/2023\/03\/02\/chapter-26-bonding\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 26: Bonding"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cTamara, <\/span>must<\/span><\/i> you make out with your boyfriend in <\/span>my<\/span><\/i> living room!\u201d Tabby\u2019s voice reverberated shrilly through the house. She stood in the doorway, glowering at the couple on the couch.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy, Tabby,\u201d said Beauregard with a nonchalant grin, scrambling to his hooves. \u201cI\u2019ll, uh, just be going\u2026 I\u2019ll give you a call later,\u201d he said, with a final kiss to Tamara.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, sweetie,\u201d Tamara purred as he went on his way. She turned to Tabby, unperturbed, as she tucked some loose strands of hair behind her ears. \u201cWell, Athena\u2019s holding a dinner party, so we couldn\u2019t go there,\u201d she said by way of explanation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAthena\u2019s house is big enough,\u201d Tabby huffed, flopping down in a chair.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tamara shrugged, unconcerned. \u201cNext time, I\u2019ll leave a ribbon on the door.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s <\/span>my house<\/span><\/i>!\u201d Tabby wailed. \u201cYou can\u2019t keep me out of <\/span>my own house<\/span><\/i>!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not like you\u2019re ever using it for cuddling with your own sweetheart,\u201d Tamara said flippantly. \u201cOh, that\u2019s right, because you avoid him as much as possible because you\u2019re holding a torch for your boss.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not\u2026 entirely\u2026 true,\u201d Tabby said sulkily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just saying, you should do something about it,\u201d Tamara said in a lecturing manner.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing to do,\u201d Tabby snapped.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThink about it. You, Thomas, this couch!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Tamara<\/span><\/i>!\u201d Tabby shouted, mortified\u2026 and a little intrigued. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you just hurry up and get your own place?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not settling for anything less than my dream house,\u201d Tamara said, picking up a magazine from the end table.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you live at the estate while you\u2019re waiting?\u201d Tabby asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so outmoded,\u201d Tamara complained, flipping through pages. \u201cMom hasn\u2019t really maintained it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe wanted one of us to step up and take over,\u201d Tabby pointed out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, why don\u2019t <\/span>you<\/span><\/i>?\u201d Tamara asked. \u201cThere are dolls in every nook and cranny here. You could spread out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s cozy here,\u201d Tabby protested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you can mooch for food off of Strawberry, I suppose,\u201d Tamara scoffed. \u201cYou certainly haven\u2019t improved in the kitchen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs if you\u2019re any better,\u201d Tabby shot back.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is nice,\u201d Toby said, leaning back on the couch and putting his foreleg around Tabby. \u201cIt\u2019s been too long.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby smiled weakly. \u201cYeah.\u201d She sat gingerly, wondering how Tamara was so at ease in situations like this.<\/span><\/p>\n

Toby looked at her contemplatively, and Tabby felt nervous. \u201cSince you came back from the conference,\u201d he spoke at length, \u201cyou\u2019ve seemed\u2026 different.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMe? No, why would I be different?\u201d Tabby said, her voice annoyingly high-pitched to her own ears, likely from a guilty conscience. She had not mentioned a word of Guido\u2019s obsession with her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve been quieter,\u201d Toby said, shaking his head. \u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re thinking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nothing,\u201d Tabby insisted. \u201cIt\u2019s just been a lot, with Tamara moving here\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know you can tell me anything that\u2019s bothering you,\u201d Toby said earnestly, taking her hoof.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, there\u2019s nothing, really!\u201d Tabby squeaked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, then.\u201d Toby smiled, but Tabby knew he didn\u2019t buy it. Still, he was willing to drop the topic\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is one thing,\u201d Tabby blurted out, unable to hold it in any longer. \u201cAt the conference\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Toby\u2019s smile turned down. \u201cDid Thomas bother you? I was afraid he might forget himself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThomas? No, no, of course not!\u201d Tabby was taken aback. \u201cThere was a–guy–\u201d (no need to add that he was a billionaire CEO) \u201cwho was very <\/span>particular<\/span><\/i> in his attention to me. I spent time with him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d Toby said, his emotions unreadable.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing happened,\u201d she forged ahead, \u201cbut I feel that I\u2019ve done something wrong.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI trust you,\u201d Toby said softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby managed a small, clenched smile. Surely that was all she needed to say, wasn\u2019t it?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a beautiful, charming mare,\u201d Toby continued. \u201cOf course there will be attention on you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

No, he didn\u2019t get it, not really. \u201cWe had dinner. At his home. Alone,\u201d Tabby said emphatically.<\/span><\/p>\n

Toby drew back a little. \u201cYou were attracted to him,\u201d he said coolly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot\u2026 not really. I was dazzled a little, maybe,\u201d Tabby admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut you came back to me,\u201d Toby said, brightening.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026\u201d Honestly, wouldn\u2019t anything dampen his opinion of her?<\/span><\/p>\n

Toby pulled her closer. \u201cTabby, I\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Tabby asked, feeling rising dread at what was ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want to take you to visit my family for Thanksgiving.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Yeah. That sounds\u2026 fun,\u201d Tabby said, feeling relieved that it was a rather mundane request and not something more momentous. \u201cI\u2019ll have to see what I can work out with Thomas, though.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen was the last time you had time off?\u201d Toby asked, frowning. \u201cHe owes you a vacation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019ll let you know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d he said, kissing her.<\/span><\/p>\n

He drew back, and ordinarily that would be the end of it. There were certain boundaries that had been maintained–Tamara\u2019s boundaries looked a bit different, though, Tabby mused. Maybe, if Tabby could just figure out kissing, she could be happy with what she had.<\/span><\/p>\n

So she kissed him with a forced level of intensity she was unused to.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTabby,\u201d he murmured, stroking her mane.<\/span><\/p>\n

She smiled nervously. <\/span>He<\/span><\/i> had liked it. That was a start.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShould we start the movie now?\u201d Tabby asked with artificial brightness.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026it\u2019ll give you a chance to do menial tasks below your pay grade. It\u2019ll be fun!\u201d Tabby finished pitching her idea to Thomas and waited, expectantly, for his response.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose I can make that work,” Thomas agreed, trying to mask his disappointment that she wouldn\u2019t be at Strawberry\u2019s party. \u201cGoing to see your mom?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, just Toby\u2019s family,\u201d she sighed. \u201cHonestly, if you wanted to deny the time off, I’d be cool with that, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAhh,\u201d Thomas said, thoughtfully shuffling some papers on his desk. Perhaps he shouldn\u2019t have been so quick to agree. \u201cIs this the first time meeting them, or\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019ve done this before,\u201d Tabby said. \u201cI\u2019ll survive. At least now he won\u2019t press for Christmas privileges. I hope.\u201d Her brow creased.<\/span><\/p>\n

Perhaps the visit to Toby\u2019s family was so distasteful, it would serve as a catalyst to sever the connection. It was a fanciful thought, Thomas admitted to himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to promise to come back,\u201d Thomas admonished, getting up and walking to the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBelieve me, I\u2019ve already had quite enough of New Pony,\u201d she said, trailing after.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not all bad,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cSay hi to Andrew and Ribbons n\u2019 Lace for me.\u201d He held the door for her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve met?\u201d Tabby asked, cocking her head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, once, at a Christmas party.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

“They\u2019re impossibly high in the instep, living in the lap of luxury, don\u2019t you think?\u201d Tabby said dismissively, walking down the hallway.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe a little,\u201d Thomas admitted. \u201cBut they\u2019re doing good things with the wealth at their disposal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI guess,\u201d Tabby grumbled, \u201cbut it doesn\u2019t mean I want to spend a holiday with them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Tamara ran into Tabby\u2019s living room, carrying her pink Fruitbook laptop aloft.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTabitha, look!\u201d she squealed. \u201cMy viewers are reacting to seeing you in my Eliza Berryton purse unboxing!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you were cutting that footage,\u201d Tabby said with a frown, looking up from the book she was reading. Some weeks before, she had unwittingly walked in on a recording session of some fashion nonsense.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut twins are great for views!\u201d Tamara said, setting the laptop on the coffee table and sitting next to her sister. \u201cButtercup faked her twin, and that scandal alone brought in millions of views!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby, baffled at how things worked in SnapTube land, leaned over to see the screen. \u201c<\/span>Look, this is my twin sister!<\/span><\/i>\u201d Tamara in the video squealed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby squinted. \u201c \u2018Clearly green-screened,\u2019 \u201d she read the top comment. \u201cThey don’t believe I exist?\u201d she asked incredulously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, they don’t agree,\u201d Tamara explained. \u201cThey’re fighting about it, and that’s great for my engagement rating!\u201d She was clearly ecstatic. \u201cHey, I have some new merch proofs to check out–wanna see?\u201d She pulled up a box from the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Tabby asked cautiously. \u201cYou\u2019re not filming, are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, this is strictly under wraps until its roll-out in December,\u201d Tamara said, lifting out a pink plush toy with enormous eyes. \u201cIt’s a plushie of myself as a cat!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s something,\u201d Tabby acknowledged,<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe eye color is off,\u201d Tamara said with a critical look, \u201cand the embroidery needs to be 3-ply, but it’s progress.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby held the toy in her hoofs; and a memory sprang unbidden to mind, of her and her sister, much smaller, styling a plush cat much like this. They had been in harmony, one of the rare times.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI like that you bandaged her leg with a purple ribbon,\u201d Baby Tamara had said approvingly. \u201cVery chic.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cThank \u2018oo,\u201d replied Baby Tabby.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s cute,\u201d Tabby said thoughtfully, a warmth from the memory enveloping her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t wait to show Beauregard,\u201d Tamara chattered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you really serious about him?\u201d Tabby ventured to ask.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat can I say, I like a stallion with business acumen,\u201d Tamara said. \u201cFor that matter, if Thomas was available\u2026\u201d She gave her sister a significant look. \u201cNow, are you ready to tell me what\u2019s really going on? You two are obviously a match.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby continued toying with the plushie. Was she really considering opening up to Tamara? The secret was eating away at her. Maybe, despite their differences, her twin was the best confidante for this sort of thing\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI stole Thomas\u2019 magic!\u201d Tabby burst out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, why did you go and do that?\u201d Tamara asked, looking perplexed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI stole a lot of ponies\u2019 magic,\u201d Tabby said with a shaky sigh. \u201cI didn\u2019t know them. It was the scheme of a warlock I fell in with in New Pony.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you did,\u201d Tamara said, rolling her eyes. \u201cSo you confined Thomas to a life without magic, costing countless hours in transportation, not to mention a lucrative career in magic healing\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes, you don\u2019t have to spell it out!\u201d Tabby exclaimed. \u201cSo, now you see why it\u2019s impossible between us!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs there any way he could find out it was you?\u201d Tamara asked, frowning reflectively.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo–but that\u2019s not the point. <\/span>I\u2019d<\/span><\/i> know!\u201d Tabby said, her pitch rising.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you seem to be getting by just fine on NOT telling him,\u201d Tamara pointed out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWorking together is one thing, but being in a relationship\u2026 no, I couldn\u2019t hide it then.\u201d Tabby shook her head emphatically.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you\u2019re going to have scruples, then the only thing is to tell him,\u201d Tamara said matter-of-factly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen he\u2019d hate me!\u201d Tabby wailed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen you\u2019ll never be more than friends!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe that\u2019s enough!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t believe that,\u201d Tamara said with a stern look.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be enough. It has to be enough,\u201d Tabby said softly, more to herself than to Tamara. Then she handed the toy back and hurried out of the room for solitude.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cTamara, must you make out with your boyfriend in my living room!\u201d Tabby\u2019s voice reverberated shrilly through the house. She stood in the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1071],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33684","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33684","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33684"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33684\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33685,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33684\/revisions\/33685"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33684"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33684"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33684"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}