Chapter Three
Moon Dancer
I am two fools, I know, for loving, and for saying so. -- John Donne

Strawberry didn’t like walking the streets of Hoofington alone, the colors were too bright and obnoxious, and the ponies were too loud and boisterous. The air was too crowded, filling her senses and blocking out coherent thought.

She kept her head down, her mane covering her eyes. Trying to avoid contact with anypony and everypony, however, it didn’t turn out that way.

“You’re new.” The voice came from behind her, and Strawberry jumped, spinning around and flattening her ears. It was a filly, with blue fur overlapping yellow fur, and a peach colored mane. Her eyes were mischievous, narrow and bright green. Her mouth was pulled into a slightly diabolical smile.

“Um…Yes…” Strawberry shook her head to clear her thoughts.
“M-My name is…Strawberry Bell.” She said.

“Strawberry Bell?” the filly eyed her, taking in her small stubby horn, her pure white body, and her blank flank.
“I’m Marble Bee, and I think I have something you’ll like!” The pony hopped in place, her eyes shining with excitement.

“Wh-what’s that?” Strawberry asked, following the bouncy pony with her eyes.
“Marble, lay off.” A new voice, a male voice, Marble Bee stopped bouncing and glared.
“Back off Mr. Moon Dancer, this has nothing to do with you.” She neighed, a warning in her voice. Strawberry looked over her shoulder into the eyes of the purple unicorn stallion she had seen earlier.
He smiled at her and shrugged his shoulders, Strawberry smiled back weakly. She liked Moon Dancer; he seemed more grounded than the other ponies of Hoofington.
“Don’t mind Marble, she’s always looking for victims for her get-rich-quick schemes.” He cast Marble Bee a look and she intensified her glare.

“You’re Strawberry Bell, did you say?” he asked politely. His gentle blue eyes focusing on Strawberry, Marble Bee hissed and took off around a corner, mumbling to herself.

“Yes, and you’re Moon Dancer, Marshmallow told me about you,” she said, plopping down on the rough cobble stones. Moon Dancer chuckled, tossing his head.
“Ah yes, Marshmallow, he’s a bit of a difficult one.” He said. Strawberry smiled, fighting back a giggle.
“But the fact that he even talked to you is encouraging, the colt rarely leaves his house and barely has any friends.” Moon Dancer shrugged.

“Who are you staying with?” he asked, sitting beside her and tucking his hind legs under him.

“The Skys.” She said, watching the older pony intently. Clusters of other ponies cantered by, laughing and playing.
“Ah, Mythic Sparkle and her family, she’s an extraordinary mare.” He smiled, casting Strawberry a sly glance.
“A bit hard to get along with at first, but once you have her trust she’s in your corner for life.” Strawberry Bell nodded, her eyes following a group of colts as they kicked a ball down the street.

“You look troubled.” Moon Dancer watched her, concern evident in his blue eyes. Strawberry Bell shook her mane and sighed deeply.

“I just feel like…maybe…there’s something wrong with me.” She said. Moon Dancer leaned closer, studying her face intently.

“Maybe…” he snorted and closed his eyes.
“If you ever need to talk to me, I’m here,” He said with a kind smile. “Sometimes, you just need somepony to talk to.”

Author's Note

Hullo! I'm super excited that my story got accepted. Please tell me what you think.