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PONYVILLE - GLEAM'S HOUSE - MIDDAY
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Icicle Gleam reclines on the sofa in the living room of his home, one of his favorite novels propped open against his forehooves. He seems content to just lounge about at the moment, enjoying the time he has to read.
Sue knocks on the door of Gleam's house, dressed in her disguise cloak.
Icicle Gleam hums curiously as he sits up a bit, clearly not having expected any visitors. After a moment, he marks the page he's on with a feather and sets his book aside as he rolls off of the sofa.
Sue waits the proper 10 seconds before knocking again.
Icicle Gleam trots towards the door, his curiosity growing with each step. After a short pause, he unlocks the door and opens it. "Yes?"
Sue smiles down at Gleam. "Hello there. Care to have some tea?"
Icicle Gleam starts with a surprised yelp. "Ahh! Princess Sue!" He hastily steps back and makes a welcoming gesture as he smiles back at the alicorn on his doorstep, "Of course! Please, come in."
Sue chuckles as she steps in, removing her hood. "No need to fear. I do so enjoy our chats."
Icicle Gleam shakes his head a bit as he chuckles nervously. "Not at all afraid, Princess. I just wasn't expecting company today, so I don't really have anything prepared." He glances towards the kitchen, at the end of the entrance hall, "I could whip up something if you'd like, though."
Sue makes her way toward the living room. "As I said, some tea would be nice. And perhaps some cookies..."
Icicle Gleam nods pleasantly and moves towards the kitchen. "Please, make yourself comfortable, Sue. The tea will be ready in a little while, though the cookies will take a little longer."
Sue quickly finds her place on the sofa, lounging as only a princess can.
Icicle Gleam returns to the living room before long, a tray holding a steaming teapot and two teacups balanced on a wing. A small plate of crackers and biscuits is balanced on the other wing. He smiles at how readily Sue has made herself at home. "I'm guessing the sofa feels comfortable enough for you, Princess."
Sue chuckles. "Good enough for a princess. It feels comfy and lived-in~"
Icicle Gleam chuckles as he sets both trays down onto the coffee table. "Precisely why I chose that sofa. It's really nice when I'm reading my books."
Sue: Ah, but it's comfortable precisely because you've been using it.
Icicle Gleam smiles. "I guess my using it makes it feel more welcoming."
Sue hums. "They say certain kinds of household items absorb a bit of magic as they're used..."
Icicle Gleam nods a bit as he climbs onto the sofa, sitting opposite of Sue. "I've heard something similar to that. I suppose that's why a well-cared for home tends to feel really cozy."
Sue 's face turns pensive. "Hmm...perhaps this requires more research..."
Icicle Gleam leans forward and pours himself and Sue a cup of tea each. "Research, hm? If you'd like any assistance, I'd be happy to help." He pauses, then tilts his head a bit, "How many lumps of sugar do you want in your tea, Sue?"
Sue smiles. "One lump, please."
Icicle Gleam nods and drops a cube of sugar into one of the cups. He gently stirs the sugar a bit as he adds a couple of cubes to his own. With a small smile he picks up Sue's cup and offers it to her. "Here you go, Princess. A piping hot cup of tea."
Sue graciously takes the cup and sips from it. "Mmm...what a pleasant aroma~"
Icicle Gleam hums and takes a sip from his own cup. "A little something I keep on the side for the more relaxing days."
Sue: By the way...I hear you and Sister were at the spa the other day...
Icicle Gleam chokes on his tea, nearly upsetting the cup. After a moment, he clears his throat and manages an awkward smile. "Oh, um... Yeah, Mary and I... we went on a spa date together..."
Sue looks over cup at Gleam as she takes another sip. "Getting to...know each other, yes?"
Icicle Gleam nods a bit as his cheeks seem to tinge a pale red. "It was our first actual date together, so we spent a fair bit of it, um... getting to know each other, yes."
Sue: You were on the front page.
Icicle Gleam tilts his head. "On the front page...?"
Sue chuckles a bit. "Royal Spa Scandal, it said. Of course, there's a scandal headline every other week."
Icicle Gleam blinks, then seems to shrink in on himself slightly, clearly embarrassed. "A scandal...?"
Sue pulls a folded newspaper page from her cloak. "According to the article, you two were...doing it right out in the open? That takes some guts."
Icicle Gleam stares at the folded paper, almost at a loss for words. "I-in the open? We were... we were in the private sections of the spa!"
Sue narrows her eyes at the paper. "Hm...I'll need to have a word with the writers at the Infinity Weekly..."
Icicle Gleam stutters as he tries to continue explaining. "Th-the other patrons were... w-were trying peep in on us! They literally broke the door in... into the private massage room off it's hinges!"
Sue blinks. "Ahh...I see. I wonder who the paper interviewed?"
Icicle Gleam shakes his head a bit as he sets his cup down. "It definitely didn't include me or Mary, as far as I'm aware."
Sue sips her tea again. "Why would you get intimate in such a risky place? You literally have to walk past several patrons in the normal massage room to reach the adjacent private room."
Icicle Gleam cringes slightly. "It was my idea to go to the spa for the day, just to relax. It was Mary's idea to have some fun while we were there..." He shrugs a bit, "It... seemed like a fun idea at the time."
Sue rubs her chin. "Hmmm...it was more than just the massage room, wasn't it."
Icicle Gleam awkwardly rubs his neck. "Um... yes..."
Sue chuckles. "Typical Sister..."
Icicle Gleam lets out a quiet sigh. "The massage parlor was actually our last stop in the spa... We'd stopped by the hot springs and the sauna before then."
Sue: The royal hot springs? Oh Sister...
Icicle Gleam nods a bit. "Yeah, the royal springs, with all of those cushions and plants inside." He tilts his head slightly, "She specifically requested it."
Sue: The water depth, the decorations...she arranged them specifically for a...passionate time!
Icicle Gleam blushes. "I'll admit that the time Mary and I spent in there was... quite passionate..."
Sue chuckles and blushes slightly. "Well, I don't mind that you had some fun before the scandal..."
Icicle Gleam chuckles weakly. "We probably would have been perfectly fine, really... Mary used a soundproofing spell on the rooms we used in the hot springs and sauna. I think we just forgot about it in the heat of the moment when we got to the massage parlor."
Sue: Ah...I see. Well then, perhaps you should be more careful the next time you want to get...frisky in a public place."
Icicle Gleam nods a bit. "We'll be sure to keep that in mind, Princess..." He pauses, then looks up again, "How's Mary handling it? Is she okay?"
Sue: She's sort of brushed it off
Sue: I scolded her, but...
Sue sighs
Icicle Gleam lets out a small sigh of relief. "So she's handling it well, then. That's good to hear..." He falls silent for a moment, then lowers his head slightly, "Sorry about the commotion, Sue."
Sue chuckles. "It's alright. Sometimes it's healthy for the castle to have a little gossip going. Although...I'll have to make sure it doesn't get out of hand..."
Icicle Gleam nods. "I'd appreciate it a lot. I wouldn't want either of your reputations to get tarnished because of that little adventure."
Sue: Oh, we've done much worse, I assure you
Sue coughs after a short pause. "...is what Sister would undoubtedly say to that."
Icicle Gleam blinks, then arches an eyebrow with an expression of incredulity. "I could understand Mary, but..." He pauses, "...You, Princess Sue?"
Sue hides her blush with her teacup. "P-perhaps..."
Icicle Gleam hums thoughtfully, then leans over and picks up his teacup again. "Huh... I never would have guessed..."
Sue huffs. "You expect me to regale you with tales of the rambunctious twin sisters of centuries past. That is not going to happen."
Icicle Gleam shakes his head a bit. "No, no, of course not, Sue. That's your business, after all." He chuckles quietly after he takes a sip of tea, "Though, I have to say, your self-control is amazing, if you can go decades or centuries without release."
Sue: Ah...well...I never implied anything quite that extreme, did I?
Icicle Gleam gets a bit of a shrewd look on his face. "I recall you mentioning the last time we had a chat like this that you've only had one or two lovers over 1200 years."
Sue winks. "There are other ways besides taking a lover."
Icicle Gleam chuckles. "That's true... Although now you've got me curious, Princess."
Sue huffs. "You could just ask Sister."
Icicle Gleam can't help but smile at Sue's reactions. "You do know Mary will probably make it seem as though you're far naughtier than she is, right?"
Sue: Perhaps she was...perhaps not...
Icicle Gleam lets his smile turn into an amused smirk. "Unless that were true, anyway..."
Sue pours herself another cup of tea. "Hmm, who knows~?"
Icicle Gleam takes another sip of his tea and sighs in apparent appreciation. "You do, for one. And perhaps I could find out, somehow~"
Sue crushes the sugar cube she was holding in her magic into a fine mist. "Ah...clumsy me..." She smiles menacingly.
Icicle Gleam blinks and reaches to grab another sugar cube for Sue. "Oh, it's alright, Sue. Here." He offers her the replacement sugar cube on a spoon, "I'll drop the subject, then."
Sue drops the sugar cube in her tea and stirs it. "Ah, I did not mean it that way. I just do not want that kind of information to get out. I mean, there are not even any records..."
Icicle Gleam gives Sue a bit of a flat look. "No one has heard of the incident with Mary's golem. I figured that was also something you wouldn't have wanted to get out."
Sue blushes heavily and nearly chokes on her tea. "G-gah! Th-that never happened!"
Icicle Gleam raises an eyebrow, and a small smirk breaks his flat expression. "As far as anyone else is aware, absolutely nothing happened whatsoever, because I'm not stupid enough to talk about private stuff that's better kept in confidence."
Sue coughs. "G-good. We shall keep it that way."
Icicle Gleam 's expression seems to soften slightly, though he's still giving Sue a pretty flat look. "So I'm not exactly sure why you're worried about stuff like that getting out." He pauses, then chuckles, "Unless you're meaning to tell me Ostfriesen plans to invade Equestria soon. Then I'd have to go running to Celestia and Luna."
Sue chuckles. "Well...in that case...perhaps this teatime was in vain..."
Icicle Gleam 's smile brighten a little. "Hardly, Princess. It's a pleasure to be your host." He gestures vaguely with a hoof, "But please, if you want to chat about anything, don't worry about me speaking of it to anyone else."
Sue: Haa...very well, then...
Icicle Gleam sniffs at the air, his nose detecting a rather delicious scent. "Hm...? I think the cookies are ready." He sets his teacup down and slips off of his seat, "Let me get them ready, Sue. I'll be right back!"
Sue sniffs as well. "Oh, you really did bake some cookies?"
Icicle Gleam nods happily as he trots towards the door. "Yup! A recipe I learned from my mother. I think you'll enjoy them, Sue!"
Sue hums as she sniffs at the air a little more. "I hope they are as good as the treats you bring to my office."
Icicle Gleam 's voice floats back down the hall from the kitchen. "If you enjoy chocolate chip cookies, you'll be in for a treat!"
Sue: Aha! I knew they were chocolate!
Icicle Gleam walks back into the living room a few minutes later, a large plate piled high with cookies held aloft with a wing. A delectable scent of sweet chocolate seems to suffuse the room a moment after he enters. "Here they are, Sue! Nice and fresh out of the oven."
Sue sits up, clearly interested in the cookies. "S-so many..."
Icicle Gleam sets the plate down on the coffee table right next to the tray with the teapot. "Help yourself, Princess. I've made a lot."
Sue immediately stuffs two cookies in her mouth. "Mmf...s'good~"
Icicle Gleam chuckles as Sue lays claim to two cookies. "Delicious, aren't they? Don't worry about running out; I can always make more if necessary."
Sue remembers her manners and takes a moderately sized bite from the third cookie. "Equestrian baking techniques truly are magical."
Icicle Gleam hums and takes a cookie of his own from the pile. He replies after taking a nibble. "Many of us have a sweet tooth, so baking kind of comes naturally. I'll admit I had trouble with baking at first, though."
Sue chews thoughtfully on her cookie. "Mmm...is that so...? Sister tells me she has been experimenting with baking, as well..."
Icicle Gleam blinks, clearly surprised by the news. "She has? Huh... I wonder what she might know in the way of recipes..."
Sue blushes a bit as she takes another cookie. "I believe you will find her baking to be...quite a thrill..."
Icicle Gleam notes the blush on Sue's cheeks and arches an eyebrow. "A thrill, you say~?"
Sue chuckles. "You shall see. She has likely mastered baking by now..."
Icicle Gleam chuckles, a smirk on his face. "Sounds like you've experienced her baking before."
Sue blushes a little more. "N-no, she just told me about it..."
Icicle Gleam smiles. "I'm sure I can always just describe her baking to you, if you're curious. Maybe even sneak a few cookies out for you, if you'd like."
Sue stares at the cookie floating in front of her. "A few...Ah...yes...I would like that..."
Icicle Gleam nods a bit. "Then I'll see if I can put some on the side for you when Mary makes some cookies for us."
Sue smiles awkwardly. "Ah...thank you, Gleam."
Icicle Gleam smiles in turn. "No problem at all, Sue."
Sue picks up another cookie and munches on it.
Icicle Gleam takes a sip from his teacup, then leans over to refill it from the teapot. He slips a cookie off of the still-sizable pile from the plate and nibbles on it.
Sue contemplates the inside of her teacup.
Icicle Gleam stretches his wings a little, then looks curiously at Sue. "Are you alright, Sue? You look really thoughtful about something."
Sue: Hmm...I was just wondering if Sister ever came out here to your house to meet with you...
Icicle Gleam tilts his head a bit. "...Now that you mention it, she hasn't, yet. I've always been visiting you two at Ostfriesen."
Sue: Perhaps you should invite her over.
Icicle Gleam hums thoughtfully, a small smile appearing on his face as he thinks. "That might be a really nice idea, actually. There's a lot to do around town that Mary might find fun."
Sue chuckles. "I approve, so long as you avoid making headlines."
Icicle Gleam manages to laugh a bit. "I think we'll be fine. Not much to worry about with a pleasant walk in the park, or stargazing."
Sue: Heh, I hardly think Ponyville is ready for a "Royal Ostfriesen Scandal"
Icicle Gleam smiles wryly. "Probably not, no. If there's one thing to be said if things go in that direction, though, it's that it's not hard to find privacy in Ponyville."
Icicle Gleam: ...Actual privacy, that is. Not... you know... being peeped upon or anything.
Sue tilts her head. "Oh? Those places are easy to come by?"
Icicle Gleam nods. "Ponyville is a fairly small town. A fair number of residents, but plenty of open space, too."
Sue sips her tea. "Hmmm...it sounds very pleasant..."
Icicle Gleam: "It really is. The town's a great place to spend some time with somepony special." He looks off to the side with a slight blush, "Either for just a pleasant afternoon, or for some... 'fun' as well."
Sue chuckles. "Perhaps I could convince Sister to stop here herself."
Icicle Gleam hums and smiles. "If she'd be willing to take a break from her duties, I'd love to see her stop by."
Sue: Sister's duties are such that she can take a break any time. All she does is socialize, anyways...
Icicle Gleam chuckles. "It shouldn't be too hard to convince Mary to stop by, then."
Icicle Gleam considers for a moment. "She might even bring along a batch of cookies, if she felt like baking..."
Sue blushes a bit. "Y-yes, she might..."
Icicle Gleam smiles at Sue. "And if she does, it'd be easier to put aside some cookies to give to you, unless you mean to invite her while you're already here."
Sue blushes even more as a thought crosses her mind. "Th-that...might be a little too interesting..."
Icicle Gleam tilts his head curiously at the blush on Sue's cheeks. "Interesting?"
Sue shakes her head to clear the blush. "N-nevermind. I just think those cookies ought to be enjoyed with someone special to you..."
Icicle Gleam puts Sue's strange reaction from his mind for the moment. "Well, I'd be lying if I said you and Mary both weren't special to me."
Sue begins to get flustered. "W-well there is special and..."special""
Icicle Gleam hums thoughtfully. "Mm... I suppose that's true, but you both are still close to my heart in one way or another."
Sue 's blush remains. "Ah...I am honored. Not many ponies can say they are close to me..."
Icicle Gleam smiles a bit. "Well, I've been stopping by Ostfriesen for a while, even before Mary and I started, er... dating, just to visit both you and Mary. These trips have always been enjoyable, to me."
Sue smiles as her blush fades. "We do enjoy your visits. You are always welcome in the castle."
Icicle Gleam gracefully dips his head. "And likewise, you and Mary are always welcome to stop by my humble home whenever you please."
Sue blinks. "Oh? Really...?"
Icicle Gleam smiles a bit more brightly. "Of course! My home might not really compare to Ostfriesen Castle, but I'm more than happy to play host to you and Mary, should either of you stop by."
Sue: Anytime...I would not put it past Sister to sneak in here while you are sleeping....
Icicle Gleam blinks, then chuckles a bit. "Honestly, waking up with Mary snuggled up beside me is a feeling I rather enjoy."
Sue raises an eyebrow. "Snuggled...right..."
Icicle Gleam blushes slightly. "Well... even if she had other ideas in mind. It wouldn't be... a bad thing."
Sue chuckles. "You will just have to see~"
Icicle Gleam smiles sheepishly. "I'm sure I will, once she becomes aware of the invitation."
Sue: I think I shall inform her that you gave her permission to watch you sleep.
Icicle Gleam blushes a bit as he recalls the similar permission Mary had given him one time before. "Er... That's fine with me, Sue."
Sue clears her throat. "You know she will take that offer seriously. And frequently."
Icicle Gleam 's blush deepens a little. "I'm... well aware, yes."
Icicle Gleam clears his throat. "But the point is that you and Mary both occupy special places in my heart. So... if Mary's cookies are meant to be shared with those I care deeply for, I'd be more than happy to share some with you, as well as Mary."
Sue turns very red once more. "W-well...if you insist..."
Icicle Gleam smiles as the blush on his cheeks fade. "It's the least I could do, Sue, really." He chuckles, "Of course, just because I'll be giving you some of those cookies doesn't mean I won't stop bringing along snacks for you and Mary."
Sue smiles, her blush fading slightly. "You are so kind..."
Icicle Gleam nods, his smile growing warmer. "I just... like to show how much I care for those I consider my friends, or more, regardless of whether they're my teammates, or even Princesses."
Sue: It is difficult to find that kind of attitude in Ostfriesen, honestly...
Icicle Gleam blinks and tilts his head. "Really? Why might that be?"
Sue answers matter-of-factly. "It is ego."
Icicle Gleam seems slightly taken aback by the answer. "Ego? I'm not sure I'm following, Sue..."
Sue sighs. "The Ostfriesen ponies have become so great at everything that many of them forget about caring for each other. It is really quite unfortunate..."
Icicle Gleam hums quietly. "That's definitely unfortunate... Though, I suppose when everyone can do everything well, it's easy to lose sight of everyone around you..."
Sue nods. "They do not need to rely on each other, except in the most dire of situations...or when they are getting paid."
Icicle Gleam sighs sadly, then shakes his head and smiles at Sue. "Then... I'll try to make up for the deficit for you and Mary. If either of you need me for anything, just let me know."
Sue nods and takes another cookie. "Will do. I may request more of these cookies soon..."
Icicle Gleam chuckles. "Then I should perhaps start stocking up on ingredients for them. I'm glad you enjoy them so much."
Sue picks up another cookie. She seems to be doing it unconsciously now...
Icicle Gleam checks on the teapot after pouring himself and Sue another cup. "Hm... The water is starting to run a little low. I'll be right back."
Sue hums in affirmation, automatically eating another cookie
Icicle Gleam returns before long, a fresh pot of tea steaming away on the tray. "And here we are, Sue."
Sue grins and readies her teacup once more. She glimpses the dwindling pile of cookies. "Ah...how many have you eaten?"
Icicle Gleam idly waves a hoof as he pours Sue another cup of tea. "Enough to satisfy my sweet tooth for the moment. I can always make more if I crave them later."
Sue frowns at the dwindling pile...then takes another cookie. "Ah! My magic is acting on its own!"
Icicle Gleam blinks and gives Sue a strange look. "Your... magic is acting on it's own...?" He scratches his head, "Is... is that even possible?"
Sue shakes her head, causing the magic to dissipate and the cookie to drop. "For some unicorns, it can even happen in their sleep."
Icicle Gleam: Huh... I didn't think something like that could happen...
Sue picks up with cookie with her hoof. "If a unicorn is not careful, their subconscious could take over their magic..."
Icicle Gleam raises an eyebrow as he considers the implications. "So... your magic would start doing what you're thinking about, rather than what you want it to do?"
Sue hums as she deftly spins the cookie from hoof to hoof. "It is much like muscle memory. For example, if you were to zone out while flying, you do not immediately fall out of the sky..."
Icicle Gleam nods a bit as he glances at his wings. "I tend to start gliding if I'm not paying attention..."
Sue nods. "It is only natural then. I am fortunate my more powerful spells do not trigger on their own..."
Icicle Gleam hums quietly. "That would definitely be... unfortunate." He tilts his head a bit as he looks at Sue, "I'm guessing your magical training also helps to stop this sort of thing from happening?"
Sue nods. "It takes a lot of discipline. Although...clearly not enough discipline to stick to a diet..."
Icicle Gleam blushes slightly and clears his throat in embarrassment. "You were on a diet, Sue...?"
Sue shakes her head. "If I were, it would be going terribly."
Icicle Gleam chuckles as the embarrassed blush fades away. "Well, that's a relief. I was going to say that you and Mary both have such good figures already. There wouldn't be a need to diet." He smiles, "And at least I don't have to feel guilty about bringing you two all those snacks."
Icicle Gleam tilts his head a bit. "Though... I do have to wonder how you two keep yourselves looking as good as you do. You must have a very rigorous exercise regimen."
Sue: Ah...well...you already know Sister's exercise regimen...
Icicle Gleam can't help but smile a bit. "I guess I do, at that. It certainly does burn a lot of energy~" He coughs after a moment, "What about you, Sue?"
Sue smiles proudly. "I often spar with challengers in the training yard, and do morning exercises if I am sore!"
Icicle Gleam blinks and tilts his head curiously. "Sparring? I wouldn't mind seeing that, one day. You must be frightening in battle."
Sue chuckles. "Frightful? Maybe. Beautiful, certainly!"
Icicle Gleam smiles. "I'm sure you are, Sue. You and Mary both look quite lovely as it is, normally. Add in the grace of a sparring match, and, well... It must be an impressive display, to say the least."
Sue blushes. "Thank you, Gleam..."
Icicle Gleam smiles warmly. "You're welcome, Sue. I just like to say what I think, sometimes."
Sue: Heh, no wonder Sister likes you...
Sue nibbles on the cookie in her hooves.
Icicle Gleam blushes slightly. "What... what makes you say that, Sue?"
Sue: She also simply says what is on her mind...
Icicle Gleam chuckles. "That's definitely true... She's not really one to beat around the bush, so to speak."
Sue nods. "She is still very complicated, though."
Icicle Gleam nods as well. "That's something I like about Mary. She's always full of surprises."
Sue chuckles a bit. "I am sure she has a lot more surprises for you."
Icicle Gleam hums, a smile on his face. "I'm sure she does..."
Sue hums. "I hope you have some surprises for her, as well."
Icicle Gleam can't help but grin a bit. "I'm sure I do, Sue. A lot of what I do for her seems to pleasantly surprise her. Like paying her a visit on Hearts and Hooves Day, just to see how she was doing, or asking her out on that date."
Sue chuckles. "That is a good start. So what next...?"
Icicle Gleam gains a rather thoughtful look on his face. "Hmm... Next...?"
Sue: Now she knows what to expect. You have to really throw her off her hooves.
Icicle Gleam spends several seconds just contemplating his cup of tea. "Hmm... Would you... have any thoughts in that regard, Sue?"
Sue scratches her chin, thinking...
Sue: First of all, I think she would be surprised if you invited here.
Icicle Gleam chuckles. "At least for the first time." He looks sideways at Sue with a bit of a smirk, "And then she'd make use of the invite as often as she can, as you said."
Sue: Maybe you could bring her up into the sky with you.
Icicle Gleam blinks, then smiles brightly. "Hey, that's a great idea! Maybe we could watch the sunset over Ponyville or something."
Sue nods.
Sue: Sister loves sunsets.
Icicle Gleam chuckles. "And up in the sky, with us all alone together... It'd be a pretty romantic setting."
Sue blushes a bit. "There you go, that should be a fun evening."
Icicle Gleam hums quietly. "I hope she'll enjoy it."
Sue: Oh, she will.
Sue: Be sure to go as high up as possible.
Icicle Gleam tilts his head. "Why is that?"
Sue: It will be really romantic!
Icicle Gleam thinks for a moment, then brightens up a bit. "You know... I think it just might be!"
Sue chuckles as she takes another cookie. "Let me know how it goes."
Icicle Gleam nods. "I will. It's the least I could do for the suggestion."
Sue hums and absentmindedly pours herself another cup of tea. "I would thank you for inviting me over, but...well..."
Icicle Gleam curiously tilts his head after taking a sip from his cup. "But?"
Sue chuckles. "I kind of invited myself over..."
Icicle Gleam can't help but chuckle as well. "I did invite you in, though, as surprised by your arrival as I was."
Sue hums. "It is sometimes good to have a little company in the middle of the day. I assume this is a normal thing for Equestrians..."
Icicle Gleam nods and smiles. "It's definitely nice to spend the day with somepony. And yes, it's a rather normal activity for us all."
Sue: Hmm...it seems somewhat strange to regularly invite other ponies to your house...
Icicle Gleam: Oh? Why might you think that, Sue?
Sue: Well, it would put a strain on your food budget, to be...baking this often, for example.
Icicle Gleam chuckles. "I'm a pegasus, Sue. I eat enough for two non-pegasi as it is. Baking a batch of cookies every so often for visitors isn't going to strain my budget that much more."
Sue: Ah...I see...
Icicle Gleam smiles. "It's really no trouble at all, Sue."
Sue sips her tea and smiles. "I hope you did not have any other plans for today..."
Icicle Gleam shakes his head as he picks up another cookie from the plate. "Not at all. I was simply reading one of my books." He dips his head a bit, "Entertaining you is a lot more enjoyable, Sue."
Sue blinks and glances at the clock. "Ah...I just remembered..."
Icicle Gleam hums curiously and looks towards the clock as well. "Hmm? What is it?"
Sue: The hour is nearly up. I have a meeting to attend to in ten minutes!
Icicle Gleam sits up a bit straighter. "Oh, boy... it wouldn't be good to be late for that!"
Sue sits up and pulls her hood up. "Sorry to leave so suddenly..."
Icicle Gleam waves a hoof as he slips off of the sofa in preparation to see Sue out. "It's alright, Sue. We can always have another chat some time later on." He smiles kindly, "You have your duties to attend to, after all."
Sue waves as she heads out the door. "Thank you for your company, Gleam. I look forward to seeing you again."
Icicle Gleam waves as he moves into the hall. "And thank you for stopping by, Sue. It was a pleasure to see you again, and I'm looking forward to your next visit, as well."
Sue hurries out the door towards the Lusty Seapony, hoping she doesn't miss her meeting
Icicle Gleam watches as Sue trots down the lane and out of sight before returning to his spot on the sofa. He stretches with a yawn and flops back down, then reaches for his book once again, only to pause as his eyes wander towards the newspaper Sue had left. Curious, he grabs that and shakes it open.