Aviator

The Grey Mare

Nimbus gathered up the last of Storm Runner’s belongings from his apartment floor. He and his friend had arrived only a few minutes ago to find no trace of his parents, save a single note. It read:

Dear Nimbus,

Sorry we couldn’t meet you here. As you know, we had a train to catch, and we’ll just make it there as it is. We tidied up a bit and left Storm Runner’s things by the kitchen table. Whirly was excited to see you in action today. Write us back as soon as you can!

Love,

Your Parents.

The note didn’t help improve his mood at all. He’d wanted the chance to say goodbye in person, but the quick scramble earlier that day had made it impossible. Now he’d have to wait for leave to go home.

“You okay?” Storm Runner asked, taking the bag of books Nimbus had been carrying and shaking the stallion out of his stupor, “you’ve been kind of out of it ever since we landed.”

Nimbus sighed. “Yeah, I’m good. It’s just this whole ‘temporary squadron’ situation. I mean look at what we did for Equestria-“

“You mean the things we did back in school that don’t go on our records because Colonel Dusk Shine said, and I quote, ‘they’ll get our flanks fired faster than stealing an airship, no matter what our intent was?’ Yes, I remember what we did for Equestria.”

“Yeah, never mind,” Nimbus said, frowning. “I just feel kind of cheated. I wanted the chance to be in a real squadron- one where I could feel comfortable knowing I’d be working with the same ponies for a few years, instead of a few weeks.”

Storm Runner smiled and patted his friend on the back. “Don’t worry about it, Nimbus. Look, I know this is kind of upsetting, but look at the bright side! We’ll be making history when we escort the Sol on her maiden voyage. We were placed here because the REAF knew we wouldn’t disappoint. Look at everypony else in our squadron. They’ve all got years of experience, and we’re fresh out of college. When we transfer, we’ll end up somewhere nice, I guarantee it.”

“If you say so,” Nimbus said.

“Hey, cheer up, buddy. Look, I’ve got to head back to my place now, but swing by if you ever want to chat.” Storm Runner started down towards the street, but stopped and turned back. “By the way,” he added, “I hear there’s a music café not far down the road. Just sayin’. Might be worth checking out.”

Nimbus’s ears perked up a bit as he waved goodbye to his friend. A music café? It didn’t solve all of his problems, but it would be a nice distraction. If nothing else, he reasoned, he could get a half-decent cup of coffee there. He closed the door to his apartment building and headed back up to his room on the second floor. As he shut his own door he stole a quick glance at his tenor saxophone case in the corner of his room and smiled slightly. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to hear some live music. Might inspire him to work on the song he’d been writing.

Which just so happens to be a blues song, he reminded himself, sinking slowly back into depression. Wonderful. Right back to square one. He needed that coffee. He turned off his lights and left the room, making sure to close the door quietly, so as not to disturb the occupants of the nearby rooms. As he walked downstairs and stepped out into the Manehattan air, a crisp breeze ruffled his coat. The sun was now below the horizon, and the city was starting to cool down. He had to admit- it felt nice. It wasn’t exactly the mountain air he was used to, but the scent of the salty water coupled with the cool touch of the wind wasn’t half as terrible as he might have expected.

Storm Runner’s directions hadn’t been terribly specific, but Nimbus had a pretty good idea of where he was heading. He’d spotted a small café on the way in, and judging by the faint sounds of music in the air, it was almost certainly the one his friend had been talking about. Nimbus headed down the street at a slow trot, nodding to other ponies as he passed. Some returned his gesture while others just kept walking. It didn’t phase him. Back home, he was used to everypony he met returning his greeting, but this was a bigger city. Other ponies didn’t necessarily have the time to respond, or simply weren’t comfortable with greeting an unfamiliar face. He had bigger concerns anyway.

As he drew closer, he knew he was heading in the right direction. The music’s volume increased considerably, and he could now make out smooth jazz being played. While it didn’t completely help his mood, it was a good start. He pushed open the door to the small café, smiling a little at the quaint tinkling of a cluster of bells above the door. A few ponies were seated around the café, and the musicians stood in the center. It was a small jazz ensemble, by the looks of it, with a trombone player, a drummer, a saxophonist, and a trumpeter. Noting a sign which read “take a seat, and we’ll take your order!” Nimbus headed over to a line of bar stools and took a seat next to a grey mare who was absently flipping through a book. A cheerful-looking barista trotted over and set a notepad down by Nimbus.

“Hello, sir,” she said, “what can I get for you tonight?”

Nimbus rubbed his chin, checking out the menu, which was written in chalk on a blackboard behind the bar top.

“A medium coffee, please,” he said with a yawn, “correction- a large.”

The barista nodded. “Right away.”

Nimbus heard a light chuckle next to himself. The mare beside him was smiling and nodding. “Rough day?”

Nimbus nodded. “Yeah, I’m just tired. I’ve got way too much to think about right now.”

His coffee arrived and Nimbus immediately took a few gulps, forcing the hot liquid down. To say it felt good would be an understatement. As he drank some more, the jazz band broke into a smooth blues melody, and he absently reached back into his squadron saddlebag. He began writing out a smattering of notes on his napkin, thinking through the blues chart he’d been working on. As he scribbled, he felt somepony watching him, and turned around. It was the grey mare again, eyeing his work.

“An Aviator and a musician, then?” she asked, then shook her head. “I’m sorry- I don’t mean to pry. It’s just that I’ve only been here for a month or so, and I’m trying to make the most of my stay.”

“I’m sorry if it looked like I was ignoring you,” Nimbus said, “I’m just winding down a bit. Had a pretty busy day, and I’m new here as well.”

“Manehattan has that effect on most ponies,” the mare said. “You’ll get used to it soon.” The two ponies awkwardly eyed each other for a moment before Nimbus cleared his throat and extended his hoof.

“I’m Nimbus,” he said, “Nimbus, er, Flare.” He gulped. In all of his life, Nimbus had told next to nopony his last name. In his mind’s eye, the two names never quite fit together. “Nimbus” simply rolled off the tongue better. He wasn’t sure why he’d chosen to abandon tradition now, but what was done was done.

“Octavia,” the mare said, shaking his hoof firmly, “the name is Octavia Melody. And don’t worry,” she added as if reading Nimbus’s mind, “I tend to only go by my first name as well. Now what brings you to Manehattan?”

“My job,” Nimbus answered, the memories of his talk with his squadron commander coming back in a rush and putting a damper on his steadily improving mood. “I’m with the 132nd Aviator Squadron. We were assigned to the Sol as its escorts, and we run harbor patrols from time to time. We’re… temporaries really.”

Octavia’s eyes widened. “You don’t say- the Sol? Why, that’s exactly the reason I’m here!”

The coffee was almost gone now, and Nimbus was feeling considerably more awake than he had been five minutes ago. Socializing was good, or so his family had told him time and time again. It certainly couldn’t hurt to listen to this mare’s story and possibly pick up a new friend.

“Well, I’ve told you my story,” he said, “what’s your involvement with the Sol, then?”

The mare smiled and closed her book, which Nimbus now noted was full of musical compositions. “I’m from Ponyville, first of all.”

Nimbus raised his eyebrows, surprised. Evidently his assumption that she was from Canterlot based on the accent had been wrong.

“I know,” Octavia said, picking up on his gesture, “I really don’t sound at all like a Ponyville resident. I was born in Canterlot, but moved to Ponyville only a few years ago. I just felt I needed somewhere quiet to concentrate on writing music and perfecting my own cello work, but I digress. A few weeks ago, I was invited here to attend a six-week music study with several of Equestria’s top musicians and composers. Our goal was- or rather is- to create a theme for Equestria’s largest airship on her maiden flight. We’ll then have the honor of being on the Sol when she leaves the ground. The best part, of course, will be that the orchestra will be set up on the observation deck. They say the view is supposed to be truly magnificent.”

Nimbus nodded. “My little brother would probably give his wings to be in your position when that day comes. He’s been obsessed with the Sol ever since he found out about it. It’s all he ever seems to talk about now.”

“Oh, you have a brother?” Octavia said, “that’s fantastic. I rather love children myself. I was an only child.”

Nimbus reclined a bit as he considered this. He’d always wondered how differently his life might have turned out if he’d been an only child. Whirlwind, while a great brother, had been nothing short of high maintenance as a little colt. Still, it was Whirlwind who had also inspired him to get back up on his hooves and try for an Aviator slot after flunking out of the Wonderbolt Academy...

“He’s great,” Nimbus said finally, “really a lot of fun. If he’s ever up here, I’ll have to introduce the two of y-“ he paused, realizing he’d completely overstepped his position as a stranger. “Really sorry about that,” he said, correcting himself, “I barely know you. Didn’t mean to impose at all.” Octavia dismissed his concerns with a wave.

“And you’re certainly not imposing. In fact, this is perhaps one of the most enlightening conversations I’ve had since coming to this city. I’d love to meet your brother, Nimbus. I suspect of course, that he might find me a bit… boring. Most ponies do.”

Nimbus shook his head. “Not at all, and I certainly don’t. I’m actually quite glad we met. Do you come here often?”

Octavia glanced over at a wall clock, then turned back to Nimbus. “I do, actually. I make a point of coming here most every day around seven p.m. I’ve found it’s a wonderful place to unwind and reflect on the day. Are you planning on stopping by?”

“If you’re up for conversation, I’ll see what I can do,” Nimbus replied, then yawned. “Coffee only works so well, I guess.”

Octavia chuckled, “yes, well after a busy day no amount of caffeine can stop the big collapse. You should really get home to bed.”

“I certainly will,” Nimbus said, “it was a pleasure meeting you. Thanks for an outstanding, uh, coffee break!”

Octavia smiled, “pleasure meeting you as well. See you tomorrow then?”

“Around seven thirty,” Nimbus said, backing out of the shop door, “until next time.”

The grey mare waved as he closed the door, and Nimbus waved back. It made him realize just how nice having and making friends really was. He had Storm Runner, obviously, but he knew next to nopony else here. Finding a mare like Octavia was a nice break from familiarity, and Nimbus began to feel much more optimistic about his next few weeks in Manehattan. It was then that a thought occurred to him- not once had he even stopped to think about the very subject which had upset him earlier- his squadron’s temporary status. Nimbus shook his head in disbelief as he trotted back to his apartment. Ponies could say what they wanted, but it seemed that once again, some hot coffee and friendly conversation were more than a match for any bad mood.