The Canterlot Adventures of a Prench Stallion

"Thank you." Autumn said as the last of the kids piled onto the school wagon and pulled away. She turned to look at him and smiled. "Thank you so much. If you hadn't been around when Bub was looking for someone, I doubt I could ever had gotten the kids here at a decent time."

Mirage smiled back and adjusted his hat to the proper position. Ditzy had tried on the hat on the way over and had also, in her exuberance, had given it back by fluttering up and landing it on his eyes.

"It iz no problem, Autumn. Though if I may... where was Monsieur Dandy today? I would think he would be ze one 'o would be most disponible for ze morning?"

Autumn sighed and looked out into the street, "You would be right, but sometimes he just... goes." she said before lifting a hoof in front of her, fanning it out as if to clear the air. "A-and that's fine, I guess. He's his own pony, and he does a whole lot for the orphanage. But some days, like today, I wish he would... I don't know."

Autumn groaned and mumbled to herself, "Is it too much just to have him around more? I miss him."

"Does he know that?" Mirage asked. Autumn jumped in surprise from his response. Mirage's face soured from the reaction. "Just because I am old does not mean I cannot hear, jeune jument." he chastised. His features smoothed again as she looked away, abashed. "I think you would be best served by telling him that yourself."

He reached out a hoof to Autumn's shoulder and gently turned to have her face him. "Ecoutez." he began, "I do not know you two well, but you seem to care for each ozzer. If you do wish to... ah, sortir avec lui, court him, yes? You must learn to speak without anger about what you feel. communiquer, non? Without it, you will never reach him even if he is right in front of you."

He sighed as he dropped his hoof. "Forgive me," he said softly, "I've meddled again. It was not my place to speak so. Whatever you decide is not my decision." He turned his head and cleared his throat in an attempt to change the subject before returning to look at Autumn again, who had a thoughtful expression on her face. "When do les poulains return? I would like to walk with them again." he asked with smile on his face.

Autumn looked up at the sun pensively before returning her gaze to Mirage. "Well, the kids just left not to long ago. I'm here at two o'clock and I'm always ahead of the wagon, so that would be a good idea." He nodded and turned to leave before she called out.

"Mirage!" she said as he turned around to face her, she smiled again. "Thanks for the advice, I'll think it over." She said as she waved goodbye.

Mirage returned the gesture and mused for a while after Autumn left.