The Emerald Escapades

Do you think that this will be different from the previous times?

I'm not sure. It's up to them to make their moves.

We'll see my dear, we'll see.

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Perspective: Ardite Crystal

I'm getting too excited about this. We were about to have lunch at The Tulip Garden, one of the most famous restaurant in all of Equestria. And we get to eat there for free! This day can't possibly get any better from here.

"We are eating at the Tulip Garden?" Emerald asked, he was just as astonished as I was.

"You are right Emerald," Clear Cut started, "The owner owes me a free lunch due to the fact that I helped him meet his new wife."

"That's helpful of you," dad added.

"I'm just glad to help out a friend in need," Clear Cut replied just as we were about to enter the restaurant. The place was spacious and had lots of decorations and sculptures. Mom would really have a field day in here. When we got to the front desk, a earth pony with an apron and a chef's hat on approached us. He looked like to be in his early 30's and still full of invention and new ideas. His cutie mark was a plate of spaghetti and a bread stick with a napkin behind it. He looked at Clear Cut and a huge smile came on my face.

"Clear Cut, how good it is to see you here today for a fantastic lunch," he said, "and you brought both your family, and the best artist in all of Equestria!" he said looking at dad, "Plus not to mention his two boys as well," he looked at Emerald and me.

"It's good to see you as well, Breadstick," Clear Cut replied, "Can you help us find a table for six?"

"It would be my pleasure," he answered, as he lead us to one of the more spacious tables he had. We all sat down in our seats, Emerald sitting on dad's right side, and me on his left. I'm just so excited! I wonder what Emerald is thinking right now?

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Perspective: Emerald Crystal

What I want to do is to talk to her, to get to know her a lot more. But every fiber of my existence is wanting to first make a good first impression with her parents. I'm a nice guy, so this shouldn't be hard, right? Arg, why is this so hard to do!? All I need to do is start a conversation with them and there! There's nothing to it, but why am I stalling? Wait, that's why! I need to have a good story to talk about. I'm not a good story teller, that's Ardite's role, so what am I going to-

"So Emerald," Clear Cut voice said, cutting my thoughts off, "What do you enjoy doing during your spare time?"

Well, I guess this will do as a start.

"When I'm not receiving portrait lessons, I'm usually writing stories, playing games with Ardite, or reading books," I replied, "It's not much, but it's what helps pass the time for me."

"What type of books do you read?" Gemstone asked.

"I prefer mystery stories, but the occasional action-filled adventure story comes around," I answered.

"When you say mystery, do you mean like what that Private Eye detective does?" Fine Sight asked.

"That's what my brother reads," I replied, "He refers to Private as his idol. To me, he wants to meet him in person and become some sort of student and successor to him. I think he's kind of obsessed with him."

"I'm not obsessed!" Ardite retorted back at me, "He is a mentor to me, not some idol to worship 24/7."

"I know, I was just teasing," I said while ruffling up his mane, "That's what siblings do, right?"

"I know bro," he replied.

"You two are the best pair of brothers I've ever seen," Clear Cut said.

"They were inseparable when they were younger," dad started, "They did almost everything together. Playing sports, reading books, coloring; all kinds of activities they were doing, they were doing it together."

"Talk about brother bonding time," Fine Sight said. I noticed Gemstone was starting to get out of her chair.

"I'm going to get some fresh air," she said starting to walk outside.

"Is she gonna be alright?" Ardite asked.

"She'll be okay," Clear Cut replied, "She might be a bit better if she gets out of Canterlot for a while."

"Do you have a house outside of Canterlot?" dad asked.

"Yes, I actually have a small house in Ponyville she could use," Clear Cut replied, "She can live there for a while with her sister."

"Ponyville, well it's a very tranquil place so it works to be away from the stress of Canterlot," dad added.

"Don't we have a cousin that lives there?" Ardite asked.

"Indeed we do," dad replied, "Real Estate helps up with good housing opportunities. He is a great help to us."

"I'll go and check up on Gemstone," I said as I left to go outside, "Someone's got to talk to her sometime."

"Just take it easy with her," Clear Cut said, "She can get a little bit tense when it comes to being talked to."

"Thanks for the tip," I whispered under my breath.

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Perspective: Gemstone

What was up with me? All it is is just lunch, it's not like I'll be seeing him again, I have a job to to. That job is to help mom and dad with the store. But something about him just makes me feel at peace or something. He does look cute though, and he's nice to be around. Wait, what am I thinking!? I'm probably not his type anyways, but when I'm in the same room with him, it's just feels right for some reason. Argh, why does this have to be so complicated?

"Hey Gemstone," the voice of Emerald said, he was in the doorway and looked worried for some reason, "Can we talk?"

"Yeah, we can talk," I replied.

"Listen, I think I know how you feel about what's going on right now," he started, "But it doesn't have to be so stressful all the time."

"Thanks for that," I added, "I've never met somepony else that really cared about how I feel, except my parents and my little sister."

"You have a sister?" he asked.

"Yes, and she is almost there for me when I need moral support," I answered, "She's like your little brother, Ardite."

"And kind-of like me in a way," he added.

"How so?" I asked.

"That's what I was during high school," he started, "I was the helping hoof in all of my friend's problems both emotionally and relationship wise."

"That's nice of you," I said.

"Yeah, but I want to tell you something that your dad told me," he started.

"What did he say about me this time?" I huffed, looking away from him.

"He said that it would be good for you if you get out and leave the stress filled environment of Canterlot," he said.

"Where did he have in mind?" I asked.

"He thought about Ponyville being the best choice," he replied, "He also said that he had a house there you could use."

"But what about my sister? And my mom?" I asked.

"Don't worry," he said, how was not supposed to worry? "Your dad said that your sister can join you and I bet they'll keep in contact with you."

"Are you sure they will?" I asked.

"They will," he replied, "Now let's go back inside, your lunch is going to get cold."

"Alright,"I said as we went back inside together.

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Perspective: Emerald Crystal

Well, that went better than I expected. She was easier to talk to than Clear Cut told me, some bad information he gave me. Now that phase one was done, I need to start phase two: get a house in Ponyville, and I know exactly who to call. After lunch was over, I went to the closest phone booth I could find. Luckily there was right next to the restaurant for me to use. I dialed Real Estate's house number and waited for a second before he answered.

"Real Estate here, where you are one hoof closer to the house of your dreams, how may I help you?" I got to tell him to change his slogan.

"Hey Real, it's me Emerald," I replied.

"Emerald, what's going on? I haven't heard from you for since the family reunion," he said, and the memories of the worst reunion party ever returned.

"Look, do you know of a house in Ponyville that belongs to a Clear Cut?" I asked.

"Clear Cut, yeah I do," he replied, "In fact, the house I don't use is right across from his. Why are you asking?"

"Can Ardite and I use it?" I asked.

"I don't see why not, I don't use it," he answered.

"Thanks Real, I owe you one," I said.

"You still haven't told me why you need it," he stated.

"Let's just say it's for comforting reasons," I replied.

"With Clear Cut's eldest daughter?!" he yelled over the phone.

"Calm down," I told him, "He trusts me around her."

"I hope so, I don'k want a beaten and broken cousin to deal with," he sighed.

"Thanks for your concerns, see you later Real," I said.

"Peace out Emerald," he replied, then hung up. I did the same and sighed How am I going to tell mom, dad, and Ardite?

"Who were you on the phone with?" Ardite's voice said out of nowhere.

"Don't be like that," I said to him.

"I heard Real Estate's voice," he said, "What are you planning?"

"Don't worry about it," I said as we left for the train station.

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Perspective: Gemstone

What am I going to ask him about? I can't just flat out tell him that I want to get out of Canterlot's stress filled streets. I need to be smart about this. I went to my dad's working room and opened it. He was working on his latest designs for earrings, and seemed too into his work.

"Um, dad?" i said, trying to get his attention.

"Sorry Gemstone, I was too into working to pay attention," he replied and focused his attention on me, "So what do you need?"

"Can I ask you about, leaving Canterlot for a while?" I asked.

"So Emerald told you about that," he sighed, "but I'm glad he did. Do you want to stay at Ponyville with your sister and avoid the stress of Canterlot?"

"That's the plan," I replied, "but I don't know what to say to Emerald. What should I do?" Suddenly the door opened to Cobalt entering with a happy look on his face.

"What's got you in the good mood Cobalt?" dad asked.

"Well Emerald and Ardite are wanting to do something for a while and go on a vacation," he started, "Which gives me a good reason to be happy since they're exploring around and out of the house."

"Did he say where he was going?" I asked.

"Yes. In fact they will be heading to Ponyville and see what they'll find there," he replied. Emerald's actually going to be in Ponyville? So this is what you meant when you said not to worry.

"Where is Emerald right now?" I asked.

"He's still at the train station still, waiting for the train," he answered.

"Dad, can I go and see him?" I turned to dad.

"I don't see why not," he said.

"Thank you dad," I said giving him a hug, "Could you pack some clothes for me?"

"Sure thing sweetie," he replied. I went out the door and straight to the train station.

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Perspective: Emerald Crystal

I explained the plan to both Ardite and dad and they were both confused about it at first, but realized that I was doing it for Gemstone. And all they did was went with it. I thought that it would be harder to do but this was going smooth.

"We get to see Real Estate again!" Ardite said with excitement.

"Yup, we do," I added.

"How long since we saw him last?" he asked.

"Back at the worst family reunion we've had for a while," I replied.

"No wonder we're from now on hosting the reunions," Ardite sighed, "Hey, is that Gemstone running towards us?" I looked over and sure enough, Gemstone was running towards me and Ardite. As she got to us, she took a minute to catch her breath after running, then she gave me a hug, for some reason that I don't know but I enjoyed it.

"You planed this didn't you?" she asked.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I lied, just to mess with her.

"You are staying at a hotel or something at Ponyville just to keep me company, right?"

"Now that's only half true," Ardite replied, "The plan was to stay at our cousin, Real Estate's house, not a hotel and have Emerald here get to know you."

"Really?" I looked at him.

"I couldn't help myself!" he called out, "It sounded like a great plan I just had to spoil the plan and the surprise."

"You're lucky you're my brother, or I would have really taught you a lesson," I looked into his eyes.

"Well thank you for looking out for me," Gemstone said.

"It's a pleasure to look after such a sweet mare like yourself," I replied to her.

"That's flattering of you to say that," she muttered, blushing a bright red in the process, "When are you going to move into your cousin's house?"

"Tomorrow. Hey, do you want to meet up at Ponyville tomorrow?" I asked, "We know where a good place to get smoothies and milkshakes."

"Sure," she replied, "Just tell me where to meet you."

"Alright, see you there!" Ardite called out as the train arrived. He left to get on the train, while I was left with Gemstone.

"So, I guess I'll see you at Ponyville," I said.

"I'll meet up with you two at your house," she suggested, "How about that?"

"That works. I'll see you there." I said as I turned to get on the train.

"Wait!" she called out. I turned to have Gemstone giving me a kiss on the cheek, "Thank you, for all that you've done."

"You're welcome," I replied as I got on the train. I can't wait to see her again.