Sweeter than Honey.

Sweeter then Honey.

By Inkquill.

Upon arriving at the “Rare Bird”, I was greeted warmly by an elderly stallion who went by the name of Vinely. He welcomed me with a warm smile and a hoof- or, well, 'claw' shake in my case, but none the matter. On the ground floor was an open cafe. I could smell fresh pastries being prepared in the back and I could see a few ponies enjoying some cakes along with their coffee or tea.

After going through the whole formalities of the check-in desk, Vinely showed me to the upstairs apartments. There weren't many, and they weren't rather spacious but they were cozy to say the least. My room was labeled simply “Room 3” on a copper plate that hung by the door. It was a descent space. Plenty of open room for me to work, a bed, desk and balcony to let fresh air in. “Yes, this will do quite nicely.” I said to myself.

Vinely then told me that there was going to be a small party in the cafe the fallowing night and said that I was welcome to join in on the fun if I felt up to it. I smiled and thanked him and said I would think about it. I was never one who went out to parties back at home up north, but hey, I had come to Val Fleur to experience new things, so why not? Maybe?

Vinely left me then to return to the cafe. A few orders were beginning to pile up that needed his attention. So I was left alone in my room to settle in. I set my suit case on the bed, which was neatly made and covered by an old quilt, and began to unpack my things.

Shortly after I finished with that, I decided to go and relax on the small balcony. The sun had begun to set, though it wasn't quite to the point that that her Highness Luna would be out and about. But it dependently was later in the day. I sat there for a while. Looking out on the little city I had traveled days and nights to reach. Leaning up against the iron railing of the balcony, I scanned the streets below me. Ponies went about their day. I noticed a pair walking down the street I had come up to the inn from. They were casually chatting with one another, each with a pleasant smile on their face. I couldn't help but smile a little as well. I fallowed them as they turned the corner and headed up the adjacent road away from me and I lost sight of them.

I wasn't quite sure why, but I felt a little heavier after that, and let out a sigh. Thinking about it for a moment and I supposed that I simply felt a little lonely. However, I was in a new place on my own, so I supposed that was understandable. But whatever the case, I decided that I would retire early that day. I hadn't gotten much sleep on my journey so I decided to make up for lost time.

After closing the shutters and preparing the bed, I nestled myself in to find that old quilts and comforters quite soft. It reminded me of when I was a fledgling and my mother would line the nest with her downy feathers to make it softer. Griffonesses actually could make quite a bundle by selling their old downy feathers. Ponies down south, as well as other Griffons found them quite good for stuffing pillows with. Good way to rake in a few extra bits.

I laid there for a while, shifting a turning trying to make myself comfortable, but mostly i just stared at the ceiling. I thought about a few things. What my plan was, what I was going to write while here, what I should do while here in my spare time. Needless to say I felt a bit lost. I had traveled hundreds of miles from my home village in the Hyperborean Mountains up north to the quaint, little town in the south of Equestria to write about the culture and enjoy the scenery, but i still felt lost. I asked myself what I was doing here. My mind was in that state where it simply wouldn't calm down and rest.

It was then that I sat up in my bed and made a decision, “I think I'll take Vinely up on his offer.” I said to myself. And with that, I seemed to calm a little. I wasn't going to waste my time fretting over a plan. “Just let things happen,” I said to myself as I laid back down. And with that I drifted into sleep.

The following morning I woke up with a light groan. I could hear a rooster in the distance crying its signature call, and quite honestly I really had to drag myself out of bed in order to get up. It was just those sheets where so warm and comfortable. But anyway, after going through my morning routine I fixed my plumage and went down stairs to the cafe for get some breakfast. “I wonder if they have scones?” I thought to myself.

Vinely was working at the front desk when I came down and greeted me with a “Good Morning”, and a smile. I did the same and went over to check the menu. I ordered a medium sized coffee with cream and a croissant. Sadly there where no scones to be had. Petty. I now had a craving for one. But never the less, i decided to go and enjoy my breakfast on the outside patio. It was a glorious morning. The sky was completely cleared of clouds, leaving nothing but a vast dome of intense blue. It wasn't overbearingly hot either. A gentle warm breeze did however blow, but all in all it was rather cool.

I sipped my coffee and looked about the streets. There were a few other's out on the patio with me. An Earth pony stallion along with a Pegasus mare sat a table away completely infatuated with each other, while another table down and elderly stallion quietly read his newspaper and enjoyed his meal. I simply loved peaceful mornings like this, and I sighed with a wide smile across my beak.

The street vendors and shop keeps had all opened up for business as the cities denizens took to the streets. Personally, it looked to me like I had traveled somehow back in time a few centuries, because the scene to me looked like something out of a medieval romance film. I chuckled at the prospect. As I continued to sip at my coffee and peck at my croissant, something... very well, somepony caught my attention. Across the street, I noticed a Pegasus mare dressed in rural wear and a wicker basket in hoof. But that wasn't what really caught my eye. It was instead her strikingly vibrant, golden mane. I couldn't see her face, but I couldn't help but just stare a little at her flowing mane. It had a rich orange tint to it, almost like flowing honey. I know that this might sound a little awkward for someone like me to just stare at a stranger but I couldn't help it.

Her coat was a light creamy hue that very much complemented her mane and tail. I watched her pass by the street vendors, with the displays bursting with produce and fruits. She came to a stand decorated with bright, red and violet grapes and the vendor greeted her. They talked for a moment before he gave her a cluster of grapes and she a few bits to him. It was then that I saw her face. Looking back on that I can only say that I felt my breath become caught in my throat as I saw her. Her face was well rounded with even proportions. Gently placed cheekbones and large, bright amber eyes. Not quite the color of her mane but very close.

She was smiling and I swear by the Kings of Yore that the world around me faded. I was fixed on her face. She looked to happy. So warm... I don't know how to describe it. I simply... calm. Yes! Calm is the word! Or is it? I'm not that sure... I watched her as she continued on her way and disappeared into the crowd. I remember frowning when I lost sight of her, and taking a long, deep breath. Looking at the coffee mug I was holding in my claw I sat silent. But after a moment I shook it off and returned to my morning. After all, i probably wouldn't see her again.