Moonlight Sonata

Chapters

Ch. 1 Curiosity Killed The Cat
Ch. 2 The Carrier Pigeon
Ch. 3 Come Again?

Ch. 1 Curiosity Killed The Cat

They say chance meetings are once in a lifetime, where an opportunity will never come back again. Most are blunt to even see nor hear as the moment comes and goes, calling out as it vanishes into the nothingness that is the past. For such people, when they do accidentally give into the rare option and act upon it, the future changes for them in the most dramatic sense. Like stepping into a mountain fed river, ice cold and within seconds the nerves burn to the chilling grasp of the water.

For Indigo Wreath, that moment would come for him on the very day he returned from a school sponsored trip right after the events of the Battle of the Bands. The light gray skinned boy with sweeping deep magenta locks had missed the entire thing after spending four days on the North West coast with a graduate student of the Everton program for gifted students. Recently he had quit Drama and Theater after burning out his inspiration, Indigo dived straight into pottery which gave him some alone time to think about his life and future. A young teenager having an early midlife crisis was hardly even fathomable and yet he found himself in quite the quandary. Only barely grabbing the skills to throw even a small bowl or cup on a throwing kick wheel in the arts department at the start of the year, he had managed to embed himself like a tick. The art instructor had taken notice of his determination to find a new outlet for his person and managed to coax him into the trip to the Nation Conference of Ceramic Education with the nearby university.

Through some way that looked good on Everton, Wreath had soon found himself on a plane for hours to the location and followed his graduate student guide to all that he should see. New scenery, new people, new food, and a diverse array of art had his mind feeling rejuvenated as if a good cold shower rinsed away the grim that tainted his purpose in life.

Now, the young man had returned after a good night’s rest with a sense of confidence swirling about his body eager to put it to use. Indigo had returned to his normal school routine following the weekend of his arrival with backpack in tow. Dawning the usual khakis and green long sleeve dress shirt, the boy walked from home to Canterlot High where he mirthfully awaited to tell the art instructor about his experience. On his way was a large open zone not yet taken up by a house or business, a place where trees grew high and birds danced about in their natural ballet of activity. A mere few hundred steps and he’d be on campus grounds, perhaps even meeting his fellow buddies to discuss his little adventure?

“I wonder if the school’s in pieces again? Man… that formal went so badly, magic and all that.” He said to himself chuckling as if it were a dream that never happened in reality.

Out of habit he checked his backpack for his homemade lunch, never one for the cafeteria food due to his own gut issues. He had packed away a couple sandwiches, a small can of hummus, and a few packets of sprouts for roughage which helped his ailing digestive track where the other students devoured sugar after sugar after fat and so on. His hands groping through the exterior lining of the pack he confirmed even the little thermos with a two cup serving of yerba mate.

“Well I guess it’s back to the old grind then?” he said as he noticed the school within a road’s width reach.

While looking about the little traffic that existed in the peaceful town, to his left his peripheral vision noticed something move. Quickly his eyes tracked onto the source through shrubbery at something cerulean or even fair sky blue, whatever it was had been too covered to be determined as to what it was. Indigo stopped mid stride and gave a closer inspection as to what caught his eye, squinting slightly as the figure seemed to stretch over to the left for something before returning to an upright sitting position. Someone was there that was no mistake, for which Wreath was thankful it was no wild animal or rabid dog having had a bad experience once as a kid. Though his heart had spiked for a moment, it began to gradually let down as his sight analyzed a bare arm and long hair that had to be thigh length.

Never one to dally the boy crept up on the person intent on at least getting a glimpse of who they were before returning to the school. It would be odd to see a homeless person in the town, Equestria was far too famed for its rich ranches and orchards that only the mentally ill couldn’t receive a side job to pay for some living costs. Of course at the state where the clay convention was hosted at it was very much the opposite, even the train ride from the airport to the hotel there were at least a hundred plastic tarp tents and covers shielding the inhabitants from the bitter chill of the climate. He helped two people a day ago with food out of the goodness of his heart, giving most of his lunch to them and the coupon to the food truck he visited that they gave out.

Reaching just enough to see over the hedge, Indigo stretched out on the tips of his toes craning his neck out as the person became visible. The broad leafed vegetation gave way agonizingly slowly to a female, for what he could determine was around his age give or take. His eyes scanned over the display of scavenged eats she had in front of her like a pathetic buffet of the poor if he had a finger to put on it.

Past the tattered clothing she had on her person, there were several acorns in a pile to the left, followed by dandelions, a half eaten hamburger likely from the school’s dumpsters, an oddly freshly caught flopping catfish which had to have been from the creek nearby, a freshly discarded breakfast taco, and two over ripened apples to the right ending the cascade of barely eatables. All laid out on a canvas sheet that appeared to be taken off the road after it had flew off the truck it likely covered at some point.

Indigo held his stance painfully as his toes and feet started to cramp up, watching intently as the fair skinned arms reached outwards and grabbed the catfish as it continued to breath air to no respite of its slow suffocation and inevitable death. Dainty soft hands gripped its head and tail securely before rushing it towards the owner’s maw faster than he could blink. The fish shuttered in the predators hold as he heard the mushy sound of teeth meeting flesh, the rather oddly familiar sound that reminded him of wedging wet clay into something usable.

Try as he might, his will to keep silently intruding onto the persons personal space had failed after a cramp locked his muscles and sent him into a classic timber fall. Without fail he let no word out as his arms flailed about looking for purchase, what was he to do in that moment as his own weight bore the downfall of his sin?

In that instant he kissed the shrub the woman had been hiding behind to which she whipped her head to the sound like a deer to headlights. She frozen in place with a mouthful of uncooked catfish as Indigo swam his way up with leaves and twigs in both his hair and mouth. No amount of pressure with his hands or arms brought him any closer to standing up as they pocked through empty space within the plant. It was then that he immediately regretted doing what lead up to the moment and acting upon it to keep the other person calm.

Spitting out the foliage, “Quite the fair day we have today? I seem to have taken a fall, I do apologize…” he started to say before the wide eyed girl tilted her head like a dog barely understanding their owner’s words.

Her mouth stood stock still as her magenta orbs locked onto his alert as a mouse hunted by a cat, confusing him as to the reaction she was having to the intrusion. Her long mane appeared wet as if she’d recently bathed, her skin slick in some areas with her clothing showing dampness. Putting two and two together and the puzzle pieces made sense after that guess, Indigo realized the catfish was something she captured herself bare handed most likely.

“While I again offer my apologies for invading your personal space… if I might ask… did you just catch that fish a moment ago?” he inquired as his thoughts swirled with the pictures of a homeless person actually fishing with no tackle.

The girl blinked once and the ingested the morsel she ripped out shortly ago, “Ya, there’s like a little river over there.” she pointed to the creek he figured she used, “The taco I found had a maggot in it… I didn’t want tacos after that so I went for the next best thing!” she happily displayed the still jerking meal.

Her smile and tone were as innocent as a child’s yet the implications were rather alarming. Indeed this was a homeless and a young girl at that who still had happiness and with no clear signs of psychological issues. Not like those people at the other city, stricken with cursing uncontrollably and talking to themselves in an argument of a shattered mind.

“Do you want some?” she gestured as the fish gaped its mouth and swiveled its whiskers in a dying death throw.

Grinning nervously he shook his head, “I must negate, I had an early big breakfast and I believe my stomach won’t take anything more as tempting as it is.” He rose to his feet finally.

Shrugging, “Well, more for me then!” she chuckled before resuming her feast and ignoring him outright as if he’d never stumbled upon her.

The one thing that snagged his attention however was not the fact that she was living off the bare minimum, but that there were clear bruises of some extent present on her arms and her cheeks. Deeper shades of blue showed either heavy work or abuse, though what caused it was yet to be attainable. Wreath simply backed away as he kept an eye on the girl whom he knew not her name nor history. He was a young boy with no real way to respond to such a meeting, but he knew it needed to be addressed.

As his legs propelled him back onto the right path with time to spare, he wondered what his art instructor would say to do. Would they even believe him if he told them?

Seeing Canterlot High not even a jog away in all its glory, Indigo pondered how even he might help the poor human being. Having grown up in a female dominated family it felt like the right thing to do and assist the person before they ended up like the others he met. She had to have been newly homeless judging by the state of her condition, though her willingness to eat what she caught was a bit disturbing to say the least.

Sighing he rubbed his head as he waited for the cross walk sign to allow passage, “This was not the way I had hoped my return would be, well at least my folks are out of town still. Just my aunts nearby… Perhaps Principle Celestia might know what to do? She’s either hurting herself by accident or something is hurting her.”

He grimaced at the low life that’d attack someone with little to offer, it made his blood simmer like that time a distant cousin harassed another. His reason purely based on social hierarchy, so he pushed her around until he himself intervened because he knew it wasn’t right. Though as time would tell, family was a word that had no meaning as you earned respect, never given.

Ch. 2 The Carrier Pigeon

Author's Note

I had a whole dialogue interaction with Indigo Wreath's friends when the browser closed and deleted all my work. So I went with a Sonata centric telling out of frustration. Two hours of work not cached and I couldn't bring myself to rewrite what I wrote, enjoy...

Ch. 2 The Carrier Pigeon

Not too soon after the strange boy left had Sonata soon devoured most of the little morsel she had caught. It was such a casual thing to do for her, a call back to the days in Equestria years upon years ago. When they were sirens in their natural form, using their dark magic to move across soil from the sea. They would occasionally indulge in good food with their gems supplying all the sustenance they needed which made physical food much of a treat than necessity as Adagio would say. Out of the three, Sonata herself was the one who took such moments with glee in a strange kind of way, one which Aria was always quick to point out in humor.

Speaking of the very devilish of the group, Dusk hadn't notice her hoodie covered compatriot stalk behind her. She had purposefully covered up being so close to C.H., no one needed to know they were still in the area and it had to stay that way. Using a large oak tree to hide herself further from the windows of the school peering in their direction before saying anything. Just as Sonata tossed away the neatly picked clean fish corpse, Aria crossed her arms and scowled as usual, clearing her throat to catch the other sirens attention.

"You know, when Adagio said to watch the school she meant to stay hidden and look out for the Rainbooms. From what I can tell you're as obvious as can be and even that dunder head Rainbow Dash couldn't miss ya." to which Sonata dropped the acorns she had just then picked up and swung her head to the disapproving gaze upon her.

"But I've been doing what she asked! And only one guy has seen me too!?" she admitted ignorantly.

With a slap to her own forehead in aggravation, "You can't even listen to a single command and not stuff your face..." Aria groaned as she knew how their glorious leader would blow up in her face instead of Sonata's.

A few vehicles passed by on the road, both the girls looked over to see two human guard chariots or squad cars escorting a black armored vehicle. Their loud passing and exhaust filled the air for the moment they journeyed through, the humans inside paying no attention to the girls who looked on curiously. The metal instruments vanished after a few seconds behind homes on to some other destination they knew nothing of. Aria soon continued on her berating of her lesser siren without missing a beat and no Dazzle to stop her.

"Listen! Adagio's trying to get our powers back... are you still with me?" like a cat reacting to a new sound Dusk returned her attention as if forgetting the scolding she had taken earlier, "Which means while she does that you and I mean YOU are to make sure that those idiots over there don't get in her way. That you report to us if they start searching for anyone of us!"

"Fine, fine I get it. I'm suppose to hid and watching them. But I get huuuunnngrrryyyyy... I can't help it if we don't have bits for food!?" Sonata whined.

"Ya don't remind me." Blaze sighed feeling a pang of her twitching growling stomach, "Look just stay hidden, stay... hidden! If we lose this chance then we won't get another! Adagio's said our gem shards only have enough power to keep us alive for only a little while longer. Whatever she's tracking its got magic somehow and I for one don't feel like dying among these apes either. So get your head in the game and do your JOB!"

Aria had then surged forwards and gripped Sonata's jacket, pulling her close to her face with a fury that could match a demon on the rampage. Sonata tried to crane her neck as far back as she could with her hands up in submission, yet it only made her superior tug her closer.

"Adagio needs me to help get whatever the magic thing is so you'll be left here by yourself." she lets the aloof one go to extract a small plastic object from a pocket in her pants, "Use this phone and call us if they start to look for us. It's called a cell phone, open it like this... and push this button to speed dial me. The battery should last you long enough that we'll be back if you don't use it. Adagio nicked this off some poor sap of a merchant, calls it a ghost phone or something."

Blaze shoved the phone into Sonata's chest who then fumbled to grab it as her wonderment at the machine quickly entertained the blue former singer. She eyed every curve and surface of the pink object and even looked at the user interface and digital screen, knowing nothing about it other than how she was suppose to use it.

"DON'T use it unless you need to call us. Remember that or otherwise you'll never be able to warn us! Did that sink in?!" Aria warned to the otherwise intrigued girl, who then gazed back with a whimsical smirk and a vigorous nod of the head.

"You got it!" she grinned as Blaze's anger failed to gain any footing.

The tree above them swayed with a gust of wind that blew by, a couple ravens squawked and flew away disturbed from their sleep. Sonata's pony tail hair picked up slightly still being a tad damp from her dive into the creek. She somehow did not feel cold in her wet clothing, whether it was her unique mind or she simply ignored it the cerulean girl maintained a rather positive outlook and it irked Aria. Seeing that she couldn't do anything more to reassure herself or Adagio that all wouldn't go south with Sonata, she departed without saying a word.

Sonata barely noticed the leave and gave a hearty wave of the hand as a send off before reinvesting her being around the cell phone. Human technology seemed to fascinate her very much though she had little understanding of anything non-magical. At least she had something else to pass the time, lately it had become a huge bore between the beginning class period and the ending hour where students were the most frequently seen. Honestly seeing the targets she was suppose to watch were visible only those two times, occasionally the one known as Sunset was the only other of the group who occasionally sat on the front steps to write into a book. Even her dwindling senses picked up the magic it exuded if only lightly.

It seemed to spike like a source of heat to her whenever Sunset wrote into it, then going cold and stale once she closed it and left. It was a strange sensation without the pendant, the several slivers of her gem giving her a blind assumption as to where magic seemed to be. Though as always she became distracted by something else and forgotten about it till it occurred once more.

The rest of the day was as usual as it always was since she was posted by the school. Occasionally getting a drink of water from the creek and snagging a small fish in the process, once the school let out for the end of the day she was ready and waiting. Putting her head through shrubbery to better hide herself, picking out each boy and girl until a Rainboom eventually came into view. Of all the colorful humans and their diverse clothing, she knew who to look for as the ones who destroyed her pendant.

Steeled with excitement at finally doing something besides waiting she pumped herself up as Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash made their first appearance walking in tandem. She could barely make out what they were saying being so far away in cover, but she knew they were up to no good. All she saw when she observed the trio was the group who broke their gems and stole their powers away as well as their lives. Though she had a fraction of Aria's rage to ever achieve, Dusk loved food and to be taken away from many years of enjoying it was a mark on her list.

Determined to see any chance that they'd try to foil Adagio's plans, she was met with rather disappointing results. They seemed to just talk and laugh as they walked home, Rainbow had a soccer ball going with each footstep as she coordinated her movement as so. Rarity just talked her mouth of as Fluttershy kept to herself and listened intently while smiling all through it. If they were ever a pack like hers was they had no leader to be in charge, their very behavior betrayed any kind of working relationship. It suddenly got Sonata's brain cogs to start twirling as she wondered who was the alpha among them, if those three were not of the right caliber who was?

She took to tapping her chin in thought as the faces came slowly to her, there was the pink one and the strangely dressed girl among them. Yet those two also did not fit the bill, it was the lavender purple girl who attempted to lead the group against them initially at the bands contest. But she too was unable to fight their might at their height of power, there had to be one last one who stood up and helped defeat her group. The image was fuzzy and hard to determine, something yellow or orange tried to form in her forethoughts into a picture that lazily took its time to form.

In all this time she never heard the arrival of someone just like with Aria and it took a soft tap on her back for any reaction to come. Feeling the gentle pokes she removed her head from the tightly nit branches of the plants just enough to turn and look behind her. With the rest of her hair stuck in the dense foliage she locked eyes with the boy from earlier as he stood crouched behind her with a weak smile on his face. Yet another puzzling turn of events for the cerulean siren.

"Hi, we met earlier today... its nice to meet you, I'm Indigo Wreath and you are?" he asked ever politely as it rolled off his tongue from his time in Drama.

Sonata twirled around until she sat on her behind with the grass below her, "Ohhh... oh ya!! You saw me with breakfast!? Coolio...I'm Sonata Dusk, what's up?" she replied completely forgetting the whole secrecy plan she was to uphold.

The boy hesitantly responded, "I was wondering if... maybe... you wanted to catch dinner with me at a local place I know? Figured you could use more than just raw fish I mean?!!" he jumped at the last sentence hoping he did not appear to be crushing on her or anything, intention was always a big thing.

It was an immediate turn of face as the homeless girl's eyes became starry with enthusiasm, bringing her arms close to her chest as she wiggled in place with delight over eating cooked food. Burgers, burritos, pizza, fried foods, and the like swarmed her thoughts and spirit with hunger that even the fear of Adagio could not stall. If the human meant what he said, then she was to be destined with a free meal to which would last her a whole day or until the next day at least. Besides it was not as if the Rainbooms were charging after where ever the others were off to.

"You... you mean it?!!?" she gasped.

Indigo stepped back a little spurned by her reaction, "Uhhhh... ya?"

Immediately he felt her lock her arms around him and squeeze so hard he even felt a few joints pop, thankfully lasting merely seconds of pressure before she released him. Such power from someone living on the streets did surprise him, but her efforts in securing food were anything to go by she certainly had some ability to do well independently. So long as her stomach had any say in the matter

With a face sparkling in innocent reverie, "I'd love too!! Where to?" she paused and held her stance awaiting the words of her new buddy.

"Ummm... Frank's Noodle House?" he propositioned.

The name came as a surprise and found no footing in Sonata's memory, to where she simply starred at his eyes and shrugged without a care. He soon caught wind of what she meant before going off on an explanation.

"It's a place that makes their own noodles, kimchi, and broth on site. For the amount of food you get per bit its the best place in town. You wanna come with me?" he asked with uncertainty.

She simply sat on the notion for a time before it became clear, her hunger after the catfish begged her on to do what she was not suppose to do. He noticed as she took in a deep breath filled with the aromatics of nearby restaurants as their smokers and grills flowed through the air. Her belly quivered with a need to feed and the opportunity before her was far too coaxing to pass up.

"Alright! You got yourself a deal!" she grinned like a Cheshire cat, those raspberry eyes that drew in the boy as he heard her response.

"Cool, well then... follow me I'll take the check, I just want to see you eat some... real food ya!?!!" he turned about face from what he was going to say openly.

Sonata skipped up to catch a spot alongside him, her mission left to the wind for the time being. The two managed to put enough distance away from the school before the rest of the Rainbooms showed up. Sunset along with Pinkie Pie and Applejack stepped out of the main doors in a deep discussion over the Friendship games coming up, with their attentions away from the main road in front of the school. The group of six conglomerated as one and decided to head somewhere together with the topic of Crystal Prep on the tips of their tongues.

5pm Frank's Noodle House

"So what's this house of pasta you were talking about?" Sonata inquired innocently as she looked all about her, for once not among Aria and Adagio to stifle her curiosity.

Wreath nodded, "Frank's Noodle House, as in the saying 'to be frank'. The real owner's name is Jiya Fen, he came to this place from his home and started the restaurant where they make their own noodles from scratch, kimchi too. He's a very kind old man and knows his way with his particular cuisine, I'm sure you'll like it." he hoped she would and ease in the idea of working at Sweet Apple Acres he talked about to Applejack.

As a few vehicles passed by and a few joggers getting their evening runs in Dusk jarred her head towards the boy with inquisitive eyes, "Jeeya Fean? Sounds like a funny name... he makes his own food for his restaurant? Don't all places do that?"

Shaking his head with a grin at her lack of knowledge of the ways prepared food came in, "I'm sorry to burst your bubble but not every place you can go to is really good. I know of this place because of my old teacher when I was a drama major, she loved going to different places to eat and could always strike up a talk with the staff."

"What do you mean not the same?" she tilted her head as they turned a corner, her long blue hued ponytail waved with her every movement like a tail of some sort.

Indigo tapped his chin to begin, "So you probably go to a lot of burger places or other right?"

She brightened up like a new bulb, "Ohhh!! There's this taco hut in another city I got to try, for realzies I fell in love with tacos ever since. Beans, cow, chicken, stuff from the sea..." she touched every tip of the finger she used to count the choices.

"Okay okay... well, what if I told you most of the time... well tacos are an exception if they season them differently I guess. That's besides the point, most places have a perfected recipe to be replicated for countless orders so there's no real individuality. Now when you go to somewhere that makes each dish by hand down to the amount of seasoning and cooking time, you can taste the difference. Like cheap cup noodles or a corn dog sitting under a heat lamp I guess is the best way to put it. Not a chef myself but even I know when something's not worth putting in my stomach." he chuckled remembering the one time he had gotten food poisoning from a fast food restaurant.

Sonata adorned a deep thought facial expression before chiming up another experience of her own, "Well there was this place called Arrive and Depart, three bits got you fries and a greasy but delicious burger! My tummy didn't like it though and I had to throw it up shortly after we started to leave. Like THE worst moment in my life and I never puke up my food... neeee verrr!!" she proudly proclaimed her usually iron willed constitution.

They neared the place to eat following a few more steps down the next street, "Ha haha, I too have gotten that, woke me up at two in the morning to hurl in the toilet. Wickedly bad pizza... so I've taken to the best places like mom and pop shops as they're called. If you eat on the go they're the places to stop by, honestly for a bang for your bit!"

Sonata's demeanor seemed to dip upon the mention of bits in such a manner, ever since their pendants were shattered they had no way of finding bedding nor food. Bits were alien to them with their voices having done all the heavy lifting, life was full of free stuff for the duration of their powers. A few days on the streets really impacted them and especially Dusk, they were mortal and new demands were needed to be met with each passing day. They were very unprepared for it and it often made her the target of Aria's anger over it, a bang for your bit was one of her taunts she used often when she happend upon her foraging for a meal.

Indigo noticed the affect his words had and he froze up, whatever he said did not end int he way he expected it to end. It did not help that he had a very small circle of friends and little real social interaction that was not scripted, even as they kept walking he tensed up and thought of ways to remedy the situation. Of course he being himself, action did not come quickly and he locked up vocally as the homeless girl dwelled on a thought which she felt no love for.

'What did I SAY!!!' he mentally screamed feeling the pores of his skin start to seep sweat out of anxiety.

She kept her face turned away from him with an arm rubbing her right shoulder, a sign of nervousness he knew all too well. The two kept quiet until they reached the front entrance of the noodle place, of course even then Sonata seemed too hampered to even react to the smells of the cooking food which were as fragrant as any major dine in. The actual location was situation inside a more homely looking place than some manufactured template, easily mistaken for a home than a place to eat. With white walls, gray tiled roof, and rustic windows the only thing that gave it away was the sign bolted to the front of the building and a smaller sign by the stairs to the front door.

The two stopped before the concrete stairway, Indigo still unsure of what to do as he awaited for her to make the first step upwards. Yet as she still remained unmovable all he could do was await her recovery, she was far unlike any Drama student he'd known and art students were just plain crazy in the head in a good way. They both had a way to obscure their pains or past, letting it out only when they wanted to but never in this manner.

It took the sudden appearance of the Rainbooms farther down the road heading to Sugarcube Corner to startle the former siren from her melancholy and actually move. Her vision catching the very colors she knew all too well, realizing she was out in the open as well she did the next best thing. Grabbing Indigo's hand and racing into the restaurant they stood before and immediately escaping detection. As spontaneous as it was, the young man had no way to react as he was whisked away before even a single vowel could be muttered. Nearly sidestepping quick enough and planting his face into the hardwood floor, Indigo recomposed himself before the casually dressed waiter with a hallway into the kitchen behind him.

Feeling his nose and forehead throb, his hand in an iron grip of the girl they were soon given the common question, "Table for two?"

Ch. 3 Come Again?

Inside the actual house that served as the restaurant had been twelve sets of eyes all trained on the two who made such a spectacular entrance. The mere thud of the young boy kissing the floor drew chuckling from a fair amount of the patrons sitting down enjoying their meal, gifted a quick impromptu show to boot. To them however it was just a couple of kids on a date and one of them was the more eager of the two.

While the former siren stood breathing nervously like a squirrel that just outran a dog, Wreathe recovered from the pain pulsing in his nose. A slight redness had even the waiter giggle just a little before he put the tray of drinks down on the nearby counter behind him.

“Indi man, I keep telling you to watch that front step? Now how’s it going dude, school treating you good?” the man asked as the dining area soon quieted down from the laughs.

The server was a tall man with charcoal black hair waved backwards with gel to keep it in place. A standard black apron with pockets for taking orders and holding the bill slates adorned his front. A chipper mirth in his soft pail violet face which welcomed each customer in and took every requested item on the menu with pleasure.

Wreathe scrunched his nose just a little before giving the waiter a response, “Mr. Twine… hey. Ya sorry for the loud entrance I guess we were in a little bit of a rush.”

He wanted to in some way make the girl he was helping understand how he hated what she just did, but they were in public and he did not want to sour the moment. At least not before everyone here who seemed to have a different perspective of them, saving face he let it go.

“And who’s this lovely lady you have with ya? Never figured you a ladies man to be honest.” Twine shook his head.

Sonata hadn’t noticed the attention she was getting, instead she kept an eye behind them out the glass portion of the entrance. Still grasping his hand, her terror of being seen and failing Adagio again had her nerves on edge. Seconds passed as nothing became of the anxiousness and hope that she had not been discovered yet grew every painfully slowly.

“Sonata? Are you alright?” Indigo asked as both he and the waiter saw her paranoid gaze out the door.

“Looks like she’s seen a ghost? I’ll be right back, you take care of whatever you need.” Mr. Twine said as he heard a customer casually ask for a check in the back, no one paying much attention at the front anymore.

The wood flooring thumped with each footstep of the waiters dress shoes as he left to tend the diners, leaving Indigo to figure out what had happened. The cerulean toned girl seemed absolutely focused as if she’d been running from something or someone, and perhaps that was not far off the mark. It would be a fairy tale beginning to meeting the homeless girl, after all he didn’t know her and was acting on generosity advised by his small clique of friends. What he needed to do was calm her down and hope they might talk so he could assist her if she needed it, there was no telling what kind of life she lived thus far. The last thing he wanted was trouble himself or get involved with the bad crowd she might have stalking her.

“Sonata?” he said gently squeezing back on her hand that held his still in an iron grip.

She broke her stare like a puppy who heard a squeaky toy in the distance. Unfortunately as she turned to face him her long ponytail accidently whipped him in the face though not hard. It did shake him a little as his tender nose did not take kindly to the contact.

She soon saw him wince and she had no idea as to why, “Oh are you okay?”

Her innocence was something to be admired if not from an actor’s point of view, “Ah! I asked if you were okay… kinda spaced out there.”

“Oh it was nothing, thought I saw a… a… wolf! Ya, that’s what I thought I saw down the road… nothing else… just a big scary pooch!” she deflected the inquiry with a grin and rubbed the back of her head for no other reason with her free hand.

He could tell she didn’t want to share with a lie like that, the town did not have wolves just coyotes and they stayed away from the public areas out of fear.

“Okay then.” He shrugged trying to salvage the evening, “Well this is a sit in restaurant soooo… let’s find a table?”

She perked up happy to continue on and avoid the subject, it took her only ten seconds to find a nice seat away from windows and in the furthest part of the area. Before Mr. Twine returned she took it upon herself and once more dragged the boy in tow to the chosen table. He nearly tripped again though thankfully catching the misstep which would have ended horribly for a family eating bowls of hot soup. Dusk took the back corner seat with her new friend plopping down beside her, hair ruffled up and an expression aghast from the treatment.

“Whoa! Nice digs here, it’s so normal like.” She commented as the homely décor gave the quaint noodle house its signature atmosphere.

The walls were a soft cream yellow with large pictures of the man’s native homeland characterized into beautiful paintings, placed one per section between the beams. A few potted plants primarily bamboo were placed to liven the otherwise rustic color tones of the furnishings. The seats were mainly thin legged tables with similar square oriented seats, only a few areas had booths like the two claimed having poofy soft cushions which made dining easier to enjoy. There was an upstairs area from the staircase they had seen to the right of the hallway into the kitchen, the chefs could even be seen through a small rectangular portal from their table. A very white and sterile looking room clean and in the process of cooking the next dish, four people were inside with pots and utensils clanging about. Two large TV screens played the news or sports going on for the older customers entertainment.

“Yes, quite, I remember why Mr. Fen preferred this look. He said it helped ease folks after a hard day at work that frequented here. Actually now that I think of it he had this a little less easy going and similar to places I’m sure you’ve been to.” He explained feeling a growing nervousness at why they still held hands well after they were seated.

She sniffed at the air with delight, “Oh gosh that smells amazing! Lemony and meaty with a… that’s noodles alright.” in the process brought her hands up in ecstasy as if it were Taco Tuesday, inadvertently pulling his right arm upwards with them.

It wasn’t until she had her fun when she discovered the extra weight holding her right arm down, curiously it appeared as if she’d forgotten all about it. It would have been adorable to admit, but it was the right time to try and gain freedom from the awkwardness of it all.

“Ehh… you can let go now?” he grinned trying not to sound offending as if it was a hated thing to endure.

“Woops! Sorry about that.” That hold which bonded them with a link seemed to have no lasting effect which was a breath of relief for the lad himself.

Sensing the arrival of the server Indigo flushed his thoughts clean and focused on what he’d order, there would be plenty of time to engage the girl for meager details. From there he’d see if she’d want a job at Sweet Apple Acres courtesy of Applejack’s kindness herself. Though time would tell if she’d be someone else than she appeared, least he send a rather unscrupulous person to the famous farm.

“Well lovebirds, what can I get you?” the waiter chortled with menus to hand them.

“I’ll have the red zinger!” Sonata’s most favored drink in the human world, a fizzy red beverage with a good sugary kick.

“Water for me and no we’re not on a date. I’m just treating her to a meal.” Wreathe defended himself hoping to not get any assumptions drawn to him or else scare off the girl as well.

Mr. Twine shook his head, “Just kidding around with ya. See the menu, we have the option for level of spice if you want some kick to your meal. I’ll be back with your drinks.”

With that they were once again alone with each other and one last thing to fix, “Um… I’ll just sit in front of you if you’re okay with that.”

The boy started to get up to chance his placement only for Dusk to grab his shoulder to halt him, “Why? Do I smell or something?”

Again she asked out of curiosity over her own condition than what it meant to sit next to the opposite sex, “No no!! Not at all, you’re fine it’s just… well… it’s kind of a thing… to um…” he stuttered sitting back down, he was always terrible with people he didn’t know and more so with girls in a none professional atmosphere. As the teacher would say to him back during the drama era for him, to which he reluctantly admitted was true for the mild introvert he was.

“Then sit next to me? Like I’m not going to eat you or feed on your negative emotions as if I could! For realzies!” Deep down she enjoyed someone to talk to who didn’t belittle her whenever she talked, in fact she missed being with the others despite that fact.

The sweat starting to chill his skin barely began to flow once she essentially pointed out in a rather strange way she failed to see his perspective as such. Either the poor unfortunate had no knowledge of public expectation or she simple saw the two of them as acquaintances sharing a meal together which was what he defined their outing as. He’d be fine no matter what if that was the case, so he gave up on the move and plopped himself back beside her feeling his blood pressure drop back down.

“So watcha think tastes good? I’ve kinda just had burgers, pizza, tacos, taco bowls, burritos, and sandwiches since we’ve… I mean I’ve been here! So true!” she waved a hand wide to side with a tongue sticking out to distract from what she almost said.

Thankfully for her the boy had been focused on the menu already a step ahead of her, figuring she’d be likely one to ease into the cuisine through soup first. It was the cheapest meal for his wallet as well, what allowance his folks could offer so long as his grades were high.

“No worries.” He dismissed her concern, “Here, look at section B, it’s a big serving and it comes with a tasty side dish too. Beef, chicken, squid…”

“SQUID!! I love squid!” Sonata squealed into his ear after inching her face close to his to see where he was pointing to.

“Ow.” He rubbed the flap of flesh from the tiny ring that began to fade away.

She turned to her laminated pamphlet and saw the array of meats to choose from and the veggies mixed in. While she never heard of three of the items they nonetheless intrigued her, mind set onto the dish offered her hands closed the menu and casually tossed it onto the table.

Mr. Twine had returned with their drinks, passing the fizzy soda to the young lady and the clear glass of water to the frequent customer. Placing the black plastic platter on the table he extracted a pen and pad before asking away.

“Well anything new this time or the same for the both of you?” he asked smiling gently at the teens.

“Sonata did you want to try it?” he pointed again to the item.

Nodding her head vigorously in a cute fashion she smiled wide, “Righty Runee! I’ll have the squid, it’s been so long since I’ve eaten it!”

A curious eyebrow rose from their server as he looked to Indigo for more insight to her answer, “She and I will have the Handmade Soup Noodles, Squid as her choice and pork on mine please?”

“Ah makes sense now, it’ll be about ten minutes so hang tight.” The man held a palm to cover his mouth as he whispered, “Got a keeper there lad.”

Twine left before the peeved art student could retort even though it was just a jest. A light snort of air blew through his nose before he went for a drink which Sonata copied in turn. She hummed in pleasure at having something other than river water or half a can of something from Aria if it was almost half a can.

The air between them grew quiet as they waited for their food, there was enough to see to keep the once powerful singer interested alone. However he needed to get some details about herself and once their food arrived there would be only minutes to spare before they’d have to leave.

He pondered how to start, ‘I can probably get a head start and find out what she likes. Relax her into being less defensive should I go into personal matters. Yes people enjoy sharing stories of their fun times!’ his drink tapped the table as he readied himself to engage with the homeless one.

Looking at her he could see some kind of a child-like carefree attitude, marveled by the new place as someone who valued everything down to the letter. How she ended up homeless he hoped it wasn’t too traumatizing, she seemed so nice at first and it tugged at his heart strings. Her legs swayed back and forth in the space they had, her hands clasping the cushioned seat.

Indigo drew in a deep breath and nearly got to the point of asking what she liked to do for fun, but that never came when someone shouted gasped loud enough to draw their attention. Turning his head he came across Amethyst Star, one of Canterlot’s students and had been the theater departments animal caretaker for sets which required live animals. She worked with Fluttershy to ensure the welfare of the creatures used was well heeded and observed, though nothing bad ever happened to the furry or scaly ones when he use to be there.

She was with a few other girls who appeared to stop at the restaurant out of chance but what she said next was not what he ever expected to know. With a vengeful finger pointed at Sonata to which he even confirmed by gazing at her and seeing a shameful fearful reaction to, Star shook the nearest friend to ensure his guest was seen.

“It’s one of them! One of the sirens who almost ruined everything!!” she spouted out gaining her groups ire as they frowned as one.

Indigo thought the label was rather silly yet Sonata’s cringe as she sank behind him to hide from their venomous beams meant it wasn’t a laughing matter.

While the other customers halted in their dinners, the room grew disturbingly quiet from the hostile reaction to what they had seen before as only a normal young lady.

Wreathe remained seated but faced off Amethyst in defiance, he hated an outside opinion of anyone when he knew nothing of why someone was hated or despised.

“Come again?” he put an arm on the table to further obscure his guest.