The Quill and the Piper

by uz_mike222

Rating: everyone
Tags: Original Character, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Romance
Length: 8425

After loss of love, I thought I was done. However, life has other plans for me, Scramble. Can I carry out those plans and fall in love again? Or will I throw it all away with the first thoughtless actions, just following my heart instead of my brain?

It is a hard life as a writer. The blocks come and go, but recently they've been coming more and more, so when they come, I go to my favorite bakery, however, not this time. With a new employee, I become scared, but I swallow that and trudge on. Until I see the new employee and she becomes ingrained in my head after the first meeting. What should I do?!

Published 2014-10-20 17:30:02 UTC
Last updated 2014-10-20 17:30:02 UTC

The Quill and the Piper

Turning to my right, I began to stare out a window. I'm on the second floor of a three story apartment building. It was a quaint little room. One bedroom with a bathroom, a living room with a built in kitchen and small dining nook. The living room held my Oak desk up against the back wall. The window was next to me on my right. There is a bunch of giant pillows, all mono/multi-colored, surrounding a low-sitting coffee table which was bare, except for some coasters on top of it in the middle of the room. On my left, towards the door, was my kitchen. Between my desk and my kitchen, is the door to my bedroom and bathroom. Both were small, but they were big enough to hold my things, which wasn't much anyway.

I was looking out out my window, mane coming above my eyes and slowly watched ponies move to-and-fro, carrying on about their business. carts were passing by on the cobblestone street. Then, with eyes wandering, the small shops come up to view, sitting across the street. There was a baker's shop that I would frequent every time a block would happen right in the middle. Like, right now, for example. However, this time, I hesitated to head over there. Probably because there's a new worker that, I heard from the owner, would be opening from now on, unlike the old employee, who went off to the University. However, gulping down the stubbornness on there being a new employee, it was replaced with the stubbornness of keeping up with tradition. At least, it was a tradition for me.

I forcibly stepped away from my desk, shuffling with an effort towards the front door. Pushing it open with my magic, I stepped outside. The sun was bright, like any normal late winter day. It didn't help with the snow casting off a piercing glow of light that would blind most ponies. I covered my olive drab eyes from the harsh light. I wished I had my hat. It was good at blocking the sun, but it was thrown out by my ex: Fleur de lis, the model. She didn't like it because it was “so last century.” I sighed when she crossed my mind. I didn't feel sad about dumping her; it was liberating, in actuality. Not spending any more money for naught in return was a relief. A gold digger, she was. However, I forced my mind back to the task at hand: Going to get some delicious desserts for a snowy morning. Is that cliché at all? Nah. Doesn't matter to me. They were quite delicious.

It was a bit chilly out, but nothing that can’t be handled by a coat of insulating hair. I crossed the street and pushed open the door to the shop slowly. A small bell rang quietly as I entered, ringing again when the door was shut.

"Ah, Scramble. Welcome, welcome. I'm safe to assume tis' you have another block?" An old, deep, heavily accented voice asked coming from my left. I nodded as I faced the stallion who asked the question.

The stallion’s eyes held deep bags under them, along with other wrinkles, that showed his wisdom. His body was starting to sag with age but he was husky enough that he had a body that could still lift a full ton, like most Earth stallions. He had dark eyes that sparkled with laughter in them, after all the years and hardships. His lips held a cheeky smirk that complimented his twinkling eyes. He wore a white pastry cap with a white apron to match under some old brown fur with a whisk to match. Small pokes of his light brown and yellowish highlighted mane showed through the white cap he wore. He had the same one my ex threw out, but mine was colored a deep red with white strips. Next to him stood the new worker, who probably started today since she was not here yesterday. Looking at her long enough, she displayed a small, shy smile and a turn of her head. She was a light chestnut color with deep dark colored hair that swirled across her forehead to her left, with two strands coming down the left side of her head, one on each side of her ear, the rest hanging down the back of her neck. Her eyes were also a dark brown color. She wore a light brown winter’s scarf that was likely made of wool, with boots to match. She was also an Earth pony with a piping bag cutie mark.

"Well, did you want t'e usual?" The old man asked.

"Nah. Thought I'd try that puff you were talking about yesterday. Sounds perfect for this type of block." I answered with a wave of my hoof. The mare began to move as the two of us sat down at one of the tables that near one the big windows.

"Oh ho? What story be it t'is time, if you don't mind me asking."

I ran my hoof through my creme white mane. "Another romance with fantasy in it. Thank you," I said as Piper placed the tray down with a few of the puffs on it. She moved away and waited behind the counter. "She's new," I said offhandedly after I picked up a puff in my magic, broken horn alight. It looked like a cookie sandwich type deal. It had two wafers that topped a light whipped cream middle. "Started today, Mr. Cream?" I uncouthly shoved it into my mouth, swallowing it like a snake would a mouse, but taking less time and less jaw unhinging, but the metaphor was not lost on Mr. Cream.

"Aye. Her name be Piper. She’s a nice lass, but a little off, if you ask me. However, Ah cannot turn down a worker who is willing to work. Aye, she seems to be a hard worker.” He nodded to himself with a small grunt. “T'at reminds me, what happened to t'at girlfriend of yours? T'at famous model?" He leaned forward and pointed his hoof at me.

"We broke up. Turns out, the only real thing she was in love with was money. Can't believe I fell for that one." I pointedly turned my head, not showing him the guilt of stupidity within my eyes. He knew though. He always knew.

"Sorry to hear. She was a beaut, t'ough."

"Beauty isn't everything, Mr. Cream. You of all ponies should know that." I replied, matching the stallions's smirk with his own. Mr. Cream laughed.

"T'at Ah do, Scramble. T'at Ah do. But Ah do love me wife. Our love runs thicker than Lava. And probably burns brighter." He laughed again. After a few minutes of silence, Mr. Cream asked, "You lookin' fer another?"

"No. It's only been a few weeks. I'm not hung up over her, but...." My thought trailed off as I watched people come and go through the streets, a cart moving past, blocking most of the ponies walking. I sighed, looking down at the tray and shook my head. "But," I continued, "I feel empty, for some reason. I honestly don't know why. Like a part of my heart was cut out by her and she ran off with it, to never be seen again. It hurts badly and I don't like it."

"Hmm," Mr. Cream said, as he scratched his chin. "Ah've got nothing, for ya." He said with a shrug. "But Ah do believe you need to take your mind away from both yer story and yer ex. Go away and take a break."

"Wish I could Mr. Cream, but you know me. Work, work, work." I said with a small smile.

Mr. Cream nodded. "Need anyt'ing else from an old gentleman like meself? For right now? Like some fashion sense?"

"Nah," I waved a hoof, then pointedly stared at him. That cheeky smile came back. "I'ma sit here and think for a while. Besides, I’d rather kiss a Hydra on all seven mouths than ask you for fashion advice.” A hearty laugh escaped from Mr. Cream's lungs, his hooves upon his round stomach.

"Suit yourself," Mr. Cream said with a shrug and a smile. “You’re always welcome here, me boy.” He stood up, walked back behind the counter and disappeared behind a curtain.

Minutes passed by as I stared outside, watching the different colored ponies move about, some in winter wear, others aren't. A cart rolling past once in a while, the shouts ringing through the air. It’s a simple thing to do, to watch. It’s another to actually take something from the watching and use that as inspiration. I moved my vision from the ponies themselves to the surrounding area as they move past, most not even noticing the beauty of the winter landscape in the middle of a city. I watched the street, looking upon the cracks of the cobblestone snaking around like cracks in the earth. In my mind’s eye, I began to hear thunder coming from the distance like the clacking of metal upon stone. The sky turned a black and then a lightning bolt flashed in my brain, searing my vision somehow with a blinding white light. When I blinked my eyes, it was gone and there was a big boulder standing in the middle of a grove, shimmering as a beam of sunlight laid itself upon it. It glimmered brilliantly with a sheen that made its surface reflect like a mirror.

A long breath escaped into the air. I didn't even realize I've held my breath. I shook my head quickly and looked for Mr. Cream, who wasn't up front.

"How much for the Puffs?" I shouted in the sitting area, making a couple of ponies jump that I did not see enter. He just replied with 'nothing' back to me in a louder voice. I rolled my eyes and stood up. Hooves clacking on the wooden floor, moving towards the register. "How much were the puffs?" I asked Piper, pulling out my purse.

"A bit altogether," She said, punching in the order. A small ding came from the register, a little card popped up that read 'Bit.'

"Really? Says three bits for six of them," I pointed to the price tag.

"But Mr. Cream said-" I held up my hand and cut her off.

"Tell Mr. Cream I'm a customer who is demanding to pay what is owed, even if it’s full price. Besides, he can go and stick it!" I yelled more towards the door than to the girl. A guffaw came from that direction. She just rolled her eyes.

“At least I’m not a piece of cow dung that’s been dragged through the streets of a garbage filled town.” The old man shouted back, laughing. I replied with another quip of my own, until he conceded to my superior intellect and witty remarks. That’ll show him.

"Alright, alright! Ring him up for a third off normal price, Piper." He shouted back. I just rolled my eyes. Freaking stick in the mud. But, my mouth held a small smile.

"New total is two bits," she answered and I sighed as I shook my head. Whatever.

"Keep the change," I said as I placed down the three bits down. She gave me a funny look when she saw the coins. However, she shrugged and grabbed the three coins. Placing two of them in the register, she slipped the last one into her mane somewhere. I walked away and out the door, the small bell ringing again. It must have gotten colder while I was inside the shop, or I was just warmer. I don't know but I hunched together to stave off the cold.

I hurriedly shuffled my way back towards my apartment, walking through the half inch layer of snow, Ponies shouting as I cut in front of them. I walked up the stairs to the second floor, then pushed open my door with my magic. Moving inside, the door clicked shut behind me, trying to not the let cold inside. Sitting down at my desk, I let my head roll forward, eyes staring blankly towards the floor. My mind began to wander this way and that, glossing over Fleur and that new girl: Piper. Great. Now there are two girls on my mind than just the one. However, the longer I sat there, the more my mind would continue to slowly push away from Fleur and move towards that Piper. There was something about her I liked. None of my hooves could point to one of the many reasons why she began to dominate my mind. It just seemed like she glowed with a golden light around her body. I don’t know. I might just be looking into something that isn't there. I hope, anyway.

Pushing everything away from my mind, I filled the quill with ink and placed it onto a piece of parchment. I never got into the whole typewriter thing that everyone was talking about and how it can revolutionize the way we write and print our documents, papers and what-not. It seemed a like a good thing to invest in, but I just prefer the old way of writing: a Quill filled with ink.

The feather began to move of its own accord in my magic, scratching away. My mind became blank and there was nothing other than the quill, the parchment, myself and the lines that flowed from the quill to form words of their own volition. My ears became deaf to the scratching as the feather scrawled the words it chose. It was like a ballet. Each word working in sync with each other, moving and flowing to create a beautiful passage that can captivate the audience it was intended for.

-

“It was morning when Starlight awoke. She was frustrated and annoyed that the sun had brushed across her eyes after a few hours of sleep. Her dark mane was dingy and wiry as its strands moved every which way as she sat up. She rubbed her large gray eyes and angrily pulled her black, heavy curtains closed. They hung on the window that was positioned over her bed. She snuggled under her covers again, falling fast asleep.”

A few hours have passed and Starlight was awoken to the sound of a flock of birds scattering into the afternoon sky, chirping a loud alarm. Eyes bloodshot, she threw open the curtains forcibly. She looked towards the forest that was near her cottage. The path that lead inside of it looked like it always did, but.... It felt like something was beckoning her towards the inside of the forest for some reason. She suppressed the feeling, though, and fell asleep, eyes heavy.”

-

I broke away from the page and set my quill down. I know I should keep writing and not let the flow stop, but my stomach became angry at me and growled heavily like a monster that had been awoken from its slumber. I looked outside and saw a late afternoon sky shine through my window. I yawned and walked over to my kitchen.
Looking through each cupboard, I revealed to myself that they were mainly empty. Seems I forgot the groceries again this week. Sucks, but maybe this'll give me some time to think on what I can do for my new story.

I threw my saddlebag onto my back and left my apartment, scarf wrapped around my neck. It was slightly colder than what it was this morning, so why not the scarf? Could always use the extra protection against the late winter.

-

Deftly moving, I weave through the stalls at the market, grabbing all the ingredients I need, piling them into my bags, till I had enough stuff that would most certainly flow over the top of the flaps.

Continuously flowing, I move from one stalls to the next, gracefully spinning and stepping through the constant flow of the crowd, like a graceful ballerina. Until I bumped into something that was hard as my own skull, but smelled of a sweet lilac. I open my eyes and see Piper on the ground. I apologize quickly and help her up while returning the things that fell out of her own bag.

"I'm fine. Thank you, though," she said with a half-smile. Her hair slightly blowing in the breeze.

"That's good to hear," I said with a small nod, then looked up at her. I was about to say something else, but my mouth barely opened as I let out a shuttering breath. This is the first time I really looked upon Piper. All I can say is that she just stole my breath.

"Are you the one that's not OK?" She asked, a quizzical look of concern on her face.

"Thought I saw a ghost," I said, almost to myself as I shake my head slowly, gulping down my awkwardness.

"Alright. Well, take care of yourself," She advised and walked off.

"Will do," I answered, not looking back at her. I lifted my head to the sky, standing in the middle of the road. I heaved a heavy sigh with my eyes closed. I whisper to myself, "Please. Not again."

I pushed on, however, away from the encounter, moving deftly again through the stalls, until my back had its own mountain. I paid quickly and moved towards home. As I was leaving, something heavy brushed past my tail and bowled me over, pushing me down to the ground. Head spinning, I look towards the back of me, looking up at the thing that pushed me over.

“Get off me Sky!” I shouted, trying to push him off of me as he sat upon my back. Why am I friends with this guy again?

“Don’t you want to hear the good news?” He asked, getting off of me and helping me up, his blue wings began picking stuff up, his eighth note over a cloud being covered by them. My own was a quill.

“What is it this time?” I asked, brushing the snow off of my coat. Great I need to take a bath now.

“My band is going to be playing at the biggest joint tonight!” He excitedly shouted as he grabbed my bag and handed it to me.

“What happened to the orchestra?!" I asked, confused on hearing the news.

"I gave up that noise. It was too stuffy and not to my personality. We're a new type of band that has wind instruments, a single drummer doing the cymbals and the like with a bass player and some new instrument called a guitar. We're calling the music 'Swing'!"

Sky Dancer was a big name orchestra conductor. He’s a master genius in the music field. The funny thing is, is that he’s only 24. A year younger than me. His dark light green eyes shined brightly as his white and light-green mane was coiffed to his left and to the back, shinning in the waning sun light. He wore a fashionable slate gray vest with a darker gray buttoned shirt. His vest even held a pocket watch that looked extremely expensive that hooked to his shirt.

“Yup! And I have a couple of tickets for the show left. I was hoping you would go, along with someone else you want to go with.” He said, winking at me with an obviousness that made me want to hit him. I held back, unfortunately.

“I thought I told you I broke up with her.”

“I don’t mean Fleur. Sly guy like you has to have another skirt lined up, rearin’ to take you, a fine specimen of a writer, out with her. Maybe show her a good time after words.” He winked again. My face went a little red and I lightly tapped him in the side of his stomach with my hoof He let out a hurt breath. “Why you so mean?” He asked, a guilty look on his face, but it held his smile.

“The insinuation that I already have another girl in mind that I can ask to the show.” I told him, shaking my as head I began to head home. “Besides. Unlike you, I don’t like to just go with any girl. I may be desperate, but I’m not easy. And why are you talking like that.” He caught up and my matched my stride.

“Because it'll be the next big thing. Besides, I think I know a girl who might be able to satiate your fanciful…um, fantasies?” he said it more in the form in a question than in a statement. “Anyway, she’s courted a lot of men, but she’s only been private with a couple.”

“Let me guess on who one of those stallions is,” I said, pointedly looking at him. He let out a puff of air.

“Hey, she was the one that offered the cider.”

“But you’re the one who kept drinking, even though you could have stopped at any time you wanted.” I told him, knowing it for fact that’s what happened.

He sighed heavily, “I hate you. You know that right?” He put on a smile. Another puff escaped.

My lips put on mine. “Oh, I know. You’re not the only one, mind you. You remember that Quill that tried to discredit my findings on Starswirl’s work?”

“Yeah, I remember. She tried to burn your papers at the thing.” He said, remembering her. He whispered to himself ‘she was great.’ I just rolled my eyes at him.

“Anyway, take a number, ‘cause you’re not the only one.” I told him as we stopped outside my door. "Where this thing going to be at?"

"New joint called "The Graceful Daddy Cat." He replied with a smile. "Bought the place and will be dressing it up within the week. Everypony whose anypony will be there."

"Really?" I asked incredulous.

"Yeah! Oh that reminds me, I'm trying to write a song, think you can help me out?"

"I guess. We'll do it later in the week." I replied and he nodded happily. He helped me put my food away and we soon after a good half-hour, we left. He suggested to check in on Crisp, our friend who is a famous chef that opened a diner downtown. We made our way there until we stood outside of the diner. It was called The Little Hill. I pushed open the door and a small bell rang. It kind of looked like Mr. Cream’s pastry shop, old fashioned, but mainly white on the inside. Actually, I take that back. It was nothing like Mr. Cream’s shop. It was gloomy on the inside with mainly a gold and black palette for the room. Everything held those colors, and I mean everything. The curtains, the stools, even the high backed chairs that sat around the room, surrounding circular tables. Even the tables were those colors. What has our friend gotten into. The booths that were there are gone and the entire checkered floor went from red and white to black and gold.

“Is this better than the last color’s he’s used?” Sky asked quietly to me, both of us looking in different directions, taking in the surroundings.

Shrugging, I leaned next to him, “At least it’s easy on the eyes this time. The last two palettes almost blinded me, they were so…flamboyant? I guess that’s the word.”

“I know what you mean,” Sky said before looking around the room, then pointed. “Let’s sit over there.” He began to move, with me trailing behind a few steps.
We sat down at a counter, Sky and I sitting next to each other. A lanky, tall Earth stallion walked up to us, resting his hooves on the counter, giving us both a look that said “I’ll tolerate you being here.” He was an boiled egg yolk color, almost golden. He has a red and blue striped mane. His blue eyes were a dull color and the bags under his eyes were starting to look dark. He was wearing a long, black shirt instead of his usual apron which covered his chef's hat cutie mark.

“Whatchu both be doin’ her’?” The tall stallion asked.

“Well, we’d thought we’d get a coffee, Crisp.” I weakly stated as I looked him in the eye. What is that new girlfriend doing to the ol’ boy?

“Aye. So you do belivin’ you’d get a cup of coffee, eh Chris?” He asked, pointing at me.

“What?” I asked, confused until I started hearing the slurring in his voice as he began to ramble on about this “Chris” thing. I don’t know what he was saying, but I could tell he was drunk.

Crisp placed his long hoof on my chest, poking me as he began to ramble on and on, until Sky slammed his hooves on the counter.

“Hey! What in the name of Celestia is wrong with you?!” Sky exclaimed, pushing himself up and baring his teeth as he tried to look intimidating. Thankfully, it was only the three of us. “Am I going to have to beat you senseless until you snap out of your drink?”

Crisp laughed so hard a tear formed in his eye, throwing his head back. Once finished, he looked towards Sky, with a menacing look. “Drink? Ha’e ya gone off the deep end, boyo? Ah ha’en’t been drinkin’ since that old hag dumped meh! Tis been nearly a month and Ah ha’en’t touched a single glass o’ Cider since then, not that did much anyway. Ah just been plum tired without sleep. Smell me breath,” He breathed a long breath into our faces. It did not smell alcoholic. “Not a drop, Ah say. Tis just been a really long week tis all. Ya’ll should know better. And sorry ‘bout callin’ you Chris, Scramble. Ah just been passed out for a good hour before the both o’ya showed up. Weird dream about us bein’ tall hairless monkeys wearing weird cloths covering our entire bodies. It was daft. I owned a freakin’ bake shop. Whatever that is.”

“What was I?!” Matt asked, excited as he happily bounced on his stool. Before he pulled out his cigarette. Oi, these two.

“You, Sky ol’ boy, was the same. We all were t’e same in personality. Except in the shape of tall monkeys and almost the same color. Ah’ll get us some coffee. Me heads poundin’, for sure.” Crisp went back from where he came from for a few minutes.

“What do you think has Crisp worked up to miss sleep? It’s not like him.” I asked Sky, once he’s calmed down. "And why is he speaking with that accent?"

“Beats me. let's just play along. Besides, I've been worrying about that show I need to sing at.” He answered, looking towards me. I raised an eyebrow in a questioning way. “What? I’m not planning to date any of the show girls. Trust me, I tried and none would go for it.” I just rolled my eyes. "I just want to work on my song."

We sat in silence for a few minutes as I began to stew the day’s events inside my brain, going over everything. Nothing came to mind I could use for my story that I’m writing, but Crisp's shop gives me an idea. It’s a bit cliche, but I don’t think my publisher will mind something like that.

The door opened and a girl walked. It just wasn't any girl, though. It was Piper. As she sat down a few seats from Sky, my brain began to race on many of the possible thoughts on why she could be here, of all diners. Until my logic punched me in the gut and started listing off the reasons on why she would be here. The main one was probably because it was the only one open later than most. Though my logic got a hold of my senses, my heart continued to pound like a Dog’s war drum. I looked away, placing my chin onto the counter, legs at my side.

“She’s a cutie,” Sky stated as he pushed his elbow into my shoulder. “You should ask her to the show. Probably help to get your mind off Fleur. She might be a good swinger too.” His elbow keeps jostling me. I'm going to break him one day.

I slapped his elbow away and sat up. “I will respectfully decline your suggestion and not do that. My mind hasn't been on Fleur. It’s been on that girl.” I pointed my head towards her, then buried it within my crossed legs that sat upon the counter.

Sky, looked back at Piper and started chuckling to himself, and a bit too loudly, he got a look from her. “You should definitely ask her!” He exclaimed as Crisp came to us with three cups of coffee, one for each of us.

“Ask who?” Crisp asked, placing a cup in front of Sky and I.

“Sky here wants me to ask the girl sitting over there to his show, but I only met her today.”

“Tis a cutie, there Scramble. Aye, she is. But, Ah do believe you should get to know ‘er before you ask ‘er to the show. How long till t’e event?”

“A week and a half, I believe.” Sky replied.

“The’e ya go. You've got a long w’ile to makes your moves, then ask her to t’e show.” Crisp replied in a loud whisper before moving to Piper.

I just shook my head. How could they even say such things? Sky is outgoing and can speak his words very well. A bit too well, if you ask me. It just seems like he knows what he is saying. Crisp on the other hand, well, he’s able to get by with that whole ‘I’m awkward’ style of talking to the ladies of the land as he tries to date them. Me, on the other, other hand: my tongue stumbles on what I want to say as my brain turns to mush. It’s annoying how both of these guys can easily say what they need to at the right moment and are able to pull it off while I crash, exploding into something that’s tragic and sad, in a mocking sort of way.

Crisp walked past my vision and back past the door. I rested my head back in the crook of my leg, eyes looking forward. I wasn't thirsty and didn't really touch my coffee. I guess I just need to think some more.

A while later, Crisp gave Piper her cup of whatever she ordered and strolled back over to us. We began to chat lightly, joking with each other and talking about past events. It was nice to get away from everything, until she made her way over. We all looked towards her. She stopped in her tracks at the felt a little pressure from all of us wondering what she needed.

“I was just hoping to pay for my coffee.” She said nervously, pulling her purse to her chest, its long strap bending around her neck.

“Ah. Of course. How rude o’ me.” Crisp stood up, his long legs stretching. “It’ll be about a bit for the coffee.” She began to dig through her purse for a coin, but stopped when Sky cleared his throat.

“No need for that Crisp. We’ll pay for the girl’s coffee, won’t we, Scramble?” He asked pointedly, staring directly into my eyes. ‘And by we, I mean you’ his look said as he stared at me.

“Yeah. We got it for the lady.” I said as I pulled out a coin, handing it to Crisp. Piper nodded her thanks and left, a small look behind her shoulder before she walked out the door. Once it clicked shut, I punched Sky in the shoulder. “Next time, don’t put me on the spot.” I told Sky in a stern voice, Crisp laughing in the background. Sky pulled out a wheat stick and began chewing on it slowly.

I pulled out a stick myself and placed it in my lips. I normally don’t chew on wheat, especially if I can help it, but it’s been a nervous tick of mine, especially when under stress. With what just happened, too, I was really stressing. A half hour, I left, telling the guys I need to work on my story. They waved their byes and we parted, with me heading back to my apartment. I only told them that because I actually need a shower. It’s going to be a long week.

-

You know, I've never really had trouble to talking to girls before. Yeah, I’d get nervous and try to say what I need to without stumbling over my words. However, the past week was the hardest time I've ever had, even back when I was trying to get my first book published. That was tough. Talking to a girl that you like, though, was tougher than that. I mean, every time I’d enter the shop, my heart would pound in my chest so hard, I thought Piper might hear its thundering beats. However, she took no notice, which was great.

Entering the shop the day after going to Crisp’s diner she thanked me for buying her coffee for her.

“Don’t mention it,” I answered with a wave of my hoof. “The owner and I are friends so it wasn't too much. It only cost me a leg.” I badly joked with a nervous chuckle. At first she was surprised by what I said, but then smiled a small smile, finally getting it. “Sorry. Bad joke.”

“It’s fine. I got it,” A small giggle escaped her lips and asked if I wanted anything. I just told her I’ll take some more of the puffs that Mr. Cream was making from now on since a lot of people liked them.

The rest of the week went like that, save for the few times I had to help Sky. Me throwing her bad jokes as she laughed at them. Surprisingly enough, she would come over and talk if no one else was around the shop, except Mr. Cream who watched like a hawk. But he was a good man and he knew me well that I would never do anything wrong or bad to Piper, not unlike Sky, anyway. However, I knew he was watching her like he would Sky instead of me since I'm the more innocent one. I've been like a son to him since his only child died a few years back when he was in the Guard. Piper and I would talk about different things, like what were into, music wise, different foods and many other things like that. And it was fun, actually. I liked it and I believe she did too. However, when the time came, it was a week later from the diner and as we sat and chatted, I pulled out two tickets. I was surprised myself when I did. Can I really get over my fear of just talking to a mare?

“I was wondering if you wanted to go to one of my friend’s show? It’ll be at the swankiest places downtown with a list that you must call ahead by six months or whatever he told me. My friend was able to give me two tickets and I was wondering if you wanted to go with me?” I asked, placing the tickets down on the table and putting my hooves on the floor. She stared at them with a wide eyed look.

Somehow, like Sky said, it would be become big and it has, with all the hype surrounding. Especially with someone established like him who can pretty much have celebrities surrounding him.

Everyone knew about the Daddy Cat joint down in Lower Canterlot and how the new generation of music will begin, starting with him. It was the biggest thing here. This is where the biggest names of anywhere will be gathered to dance and drink. Politicians, theater stars and musicians, even the leaders of the underground were there. It will be the hardest bar to get into and if you were a nobody, then you’d never get in, unless you knew someone on the inside, like my buddy Sky. Which means I knew someone.
She looked back up at me and tried to force an answer out while thinking about it.

“I-I-,” her mouth worked in a circle trying to find her words. She stopped, took a deep breath and she said she would love to, somehow tears forming in her eyes. That’s weird. She wiped them away and gave me a hug. I was surprised by the gesture and hesitantly returned it. It felt weird, something like that happening, but I accepted it. I told her when I’d pick her up and left after paying for the puffs. I still held the tickets just in case.

-

When the night came, I left my apartment wearing a black fedora with a tuxedo that doubled as a three-piece suit: a white buttoned up shirt with a black bowtie, a black vest covering the shirt and black blazer on top of it all. These were my best clothes and I wanted to look my best. Not because I’m going to one of the most hyped dance joints or anything like that. No, I could care less about the celebrities I could meet or the other big wigs that run the city: both politicians and Princesses alike. It was because I was going with the mare I liked. And I wanted the night to be special.

Holding a bouquet of white lilies, I knocked on her apartment door. When she answered, I felt my breath caught. She was wearing a white dress that covered her entirely. It looked baggy on her, but that’s how all clothes are these days, for the women at least. It was held onto her slim body by wide strips on her shoulders that went from the sides of her necks to the top of her arms, covering the shoulders. The skirt part of the dress had a black band in the middle, then became slightly pleated down at the bottom with a black, long band that streaked up to the band with tassels hanging off the dress. She wore black gloves that came up past her elbows with pearls circling her wrist. Her mane held some feathers inside the bun she had done up in the back of her head, a band of black pearls resting upon her forehead. She had make up on that accentuated her ruby colored lips and her cyan colored eyelids which complemented her brown eyes.

To me though, she looked stunning. Stumbling over my words, I handed her the flowers and told her that they were for her. She smelled them and said her thank you. She put them away in her home and soon after, we left her apartment heading towards the place.

When we got there, it was packed. And I mean bodies pressing up against each other, pushing upon each other to try and get into the room. Ponies were spilling out into the dark street, laughing and joking with drinks in hand, both stallions and mares. Practically, everyone who was anyone was there from the great theater director Click to Princess Cadence was there. You had the theater stars, the biggest known musicians and the politicians, along with some of the most Distinguished Guards in the same conversation talking and laughing.

However, they were not my concern. I made my way, Piper holding tightly to my tail, through the crowd towards the front door. I flashed the two guards there my two tickets and they accepted them. They patted me down for any weapons, which I never had any on me but you never can be too cautious.

Anyway, the doormen let us in and we made our way inside. It was huge on the inside. It had a couple of floors, one on top of each other for sitting down and eating dinner with a drink or just to sit and chat with a drink. That was the first two. The next one was a lounge area where ponies could sit and chat in a more secluded way since it had booths that had curtains to cover them. Some were open with ponies laughing and drinking in some, but few others had the curtains closed. Only Celestia knows what ponies are talking about in there. The last floor held the dance floor, which was made of hardwood flooring. The band was up on a raised stage that was probably 3 feet taller than the dance floor itself, which both sounded with fast tempo music and was sung by a fast singer. That singer was none other than my friend Sky. His voice was good and he knew how to sing a note at the right pitch, while holding it.

We made our way down to the dance floor and sat at a table close by. A server came by quickly and asked what we wanted. I said a Cider on the rocks while Piper ordered a water. The server left quickly and we sat there, yelling at each other as Sky’s band’s tempo sped up. I knew this song well and soon the ending will come, with a crashing roar of trumpets and drums. It was called The Dancers Wrath. It was about a mare who danced with all types of stallions, until she died on the dance floor. Now her ghost haunts the dance floor and ruined couples time at dancing. It was a tale I came up for him, but he made it seem real with his singing and the band, which was amazing, setting the tone, which was a loud and brash chorus, but with dark undertones, all the while being fast paced.

Soon the drummer banged on his drum, quickly and methodically as the trumpets blew a hard sound that signaled the end, with the drummer banging on his cymbal once it was quiet from the other members. With the end of the song. Everyone clapped and Sky announced a ten minute interval so everyone who just danced could rest for a little bit as would the band. Once everyone came off the dance floor, he hopped down and made his way over to us.

“Glad you could finally make it!” he shouted over the crowd that began to settle into their seats.

“Same. I really like how you took that tale I spun for you in that song. It fits really well.” I shouted back. He laughed.

“Thanks. However I couldn't have done it without that creative brain of yours that can come up with any story.” He patted my shoulder. I just shrugged with a look that said, “Well, you know me.”

After that I introduced Piper to him, at least officially and he gave her a hug. Freaking Sky. He asked if she wanted to ditch me and go with him instead. However, my hoof answered for her as he let out a gasp.

“I was only kidding, Scramble. Jeez. I know to have hooves off when you get yourself a good lookin’ girl like this one.” Another punch. “Stick in the mud.” He breathed but he put on a smile. Piper laughed but she declined Sky’s offer and sipped on her water.

He bid his farewell, grabbing some water and went back up on stage. He started with a fast paced song that I asked Piper to dance to. She said should like that and we began to dance. We flipped, dipped, dived, soar and did many other moves during the time which had either of us either flinging each other in the air or swinging around each other. hooves clicked or stomped on the floor as many ponies were dancing around each other. This continued on for a couple of songs until Sky said he’s going to kick it down a notch and the band started a slow song. The main rhythm was from the Bassists, pianist and the saxophonist, with Sky singing about a stallion falling in love with a mare who loved to dance more than she loved the stallion. The anchor, though, was the clarinet taking the lead.

“Thank you for taking me out,” Piper said, her muzzle on my shoulder while I held her right. My right leg was on her waist, guiding her as we stepped on the dance floor.

“It’s not a problem,” I said as I spun her around in a twirl.

“Why’d you choose me instead of any other girl?”

“I don’t know many girls, actually. I’m not much of an outgoing person, honestly.”

“But why,” She asked, her big brown eyes staring into my eyes.

My throat caught and my lips started to quiver with an answer. I could feel time slow, though I know it hasn’t. My heart began to pound as loud and as fast as a drummer in a Sky's band. I could feel sweat began to pour down my face, but it was just started to coalesce in my mane.

“Because, I…. Because I,” I started but my brain felt like it burst into flames as I began to stumble over a simple thought. She looked at me expectantly as we stopped moving, hands still in the same spot. “Because I love you,” I whispered as my brain began to kick back in as it took so much blood that my heart was pumping.

“Because why?” She asked, her head cocked to the side. Celestia, she looked amazing.

'Because there's something I like about,' my brain wanted my lips to say, but my heart was there first one there and blurted out: “Because I love you!” I said louder, throwing my entire voice into the words, along with my heart and soul. “Because I love you, I love you, I love you!” I repeated again, throwing my entire weight into the words.

That’s when she let go of me, tears began to stream from her eyes, picked up the bag she had and left. Just left. I stood there, hand sticking out, mouth open wide. My brain shut down, as did my heart. My hoof dropped and I stood there, on the dance floor, shocked still as couples danced around me, until I was pushed towards the seats.

I sat down, hooves on my head staring down at the floor, a strand in between my lips with another being held in my magic. Both were chewed, but I didn't chew on either. Soon, my buddy Sky came by and tried to ask me what happened, but I just ignored him as I trapped myself in my own little world where I saw nothing and heard not a sound. I was numb and couldn't even feel the strand as Sky tried to grab it, breaking the magic around. He did the same with the one in my lips and tried to pick me up, but we both fell over, with me curling into a ball.

Soon, a couple of other guys, I don’t know if they were guards or what, helped Sky by picking me up and put me on his back. He flew me home and got me into bed, the only thing left on was my white buttoned shirt. I laid there, in my bed, staining my pillow with tears.

I spent the entire night like that, crying myself to try and sleep. I've had rejections in the past, though they were few, but nothing as crushing as this. I don’t know how, but it hurt worse than when my step-brother dieing in the Great War.

The next day, I stayed in my house, just sitting there with a Cup of tea and a blanket on my shoulders. Mr. Cream came by and told me Piper quit the shop and left. I heard him but didn't answer, just sipped on my tea. He said everything will be okay, and left me a box full of those puffs he makes. He started calling them Cream’s Puffs but I felt that was stupid. I ate one or two after he left and finished my tea. Gone. She was gone. Well, that’s what happens. I guess love is not with me at all. I forced myself to get up and began to write. I didn’t care what I was writing, I just wrote, my quill becoming a mind of its own as it scratched the lines that wanted to form, all the while a strand of grain in my mouth

This went on for some time during that day until I heard a knock on my door.

Standing up I went to the door and opened it. And there she stood: Piper. She still looked beautiful to me, but my heart didn't pound like it used to, the roar of war drums signaling above the shouts of charge. My brain was stuck, not on a love sickness stuck, just a regular sickness stuck. A revulsion if you will.

“How can I help you?” I asked, trying to keep my tone polite. but my eyes were the other story, judging from her reaction as she tried to not look at them.

I gazed upon her and she was done up with a big bag behind her. She was leaving town. Better that anything else, especially with me being here.

“Yes, I’m sorry I left but I couldn't handle those words. I just wanted to let you know before I leave that I’m a broken girl. That, I guess you would say, is into other girls. I’m sorry, but I must go. Goodbye.” And with that she left. My eyes felt like they would well up, but nothing came. I steeled myself in a plate of armor just moving the grain in around in my mouth. I closed my door, placed my back against it and just slid to the floor. I knew I would never see her again and knowing so hurt me more than when she left that night at the club. Then a small thought came to me: You don't know what you have until its gone. Right; granted.

Her last word echoed in my head as i moved back to my desk: Goodbye. Goodbye. Goodbye….

The End