Dreaming of gentle lavender fragrances

¤ The beginning of a very special colt, one that may very well have quite an unforgettable life in store for him shall experience such a life; of hardships, romance, friendships and experiences. This is the story of an extraordinary stallion born in a ordinary world. ¤

"Congratulations. It's a boy!" The doctor stated with mirth for the mother who just gave birth to her son. Fresh from the womb, he was speechless as he surveyed the white room, looking around and gathering information for the first few minutes of his new life. Then he looked up towards his mother with abundant curiosity as she looked down to him bundled into her arms.

"He's such a cutie, Artemis. He's got your eyes, you know." The mother looking towards her husband as he looked back to her in kind.

"He's got your face, I can see you in him a little. That's not an insult. You're beautiful like a rose, dear." The husband heard his wife scoff before she chuckled back to him and he continued.

"I know he's gonna make it big in life. Just like his old man and you. So, Julia. What's his name going to be? I know this is very last minute to decide, but what time could be better than right now, right?"

"Well, I think that since I love creating and establishing new ideas and you have a knack for artistic skill. It's only appropriate that we combine us two together with this one. How does the name 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭 sound?"

"Artcraft... yeah. That's a very nice name, honey. And you're sure you're alright with this?"

"I am. That sounds like a very successful name for our son. Artcraft it is."

"Tonight's the first annual Lunar Reunion Festival in the city square, dad. I want to really wow the crowd with my new inventions. Something that will raise profits for our home." Artcraft said to his parents as they looked towards him with bemused smiles.

"What about your prototype? What was it called again? The Crescent Cannon?"

"Yeah, mom. It's designed to woo the crowd with its ability to preform a light show during the darkest night to blend in seamlessly with the night sky itself. This has been my magnum opus for at least three years now. I can't believe it's finally ready to be presented and during the very year that Princess Luna awakens to her full bloom."

Artcraft was excitedly grabbing the scrolls that contained the blueprints for his exact designs. There were at least three in total that he grabbed with him to take to the Canterlot Palace so he could enter into the festival to be a part of their performance for the masses.

"Good luck, son! I know you're going to wow them good!" Artemis shouted out as he cheered for his son and was eager for him to succeed.

"I know this is a very important night for you, Luna. But as your sister, you should know that I'll be with you every step of the way." Celestia was leaning up against Luna and nuzzling her left cheek to make her giggle.

"Thank you very much, Tia. I'm a grown mare now, I do not require coddling. But your concern for me is very flattering."

"Coddling? No, I wouldn't use such a strong word. I'd prefer to use the term 'supportive'."

"Supportive, my blue butt, Tia. You've been hanging over my shoulder ever since Twilight and her friends had purged Nightmare from my body. But I love thee so for thine support and care. It was what helped me adapt back to our current society."

"It's my job as both the co-ruler of Equestria and as your sister to be there for you. So you expecting a corny speech out of me?"

"Please, for the love of Faustia, Tia. No." Both sisters then leaned up against each other to share one very heartfelt bout of laughter together.

"What? Were you expecting that to actually come out from me?"

"Well.. should I answer that, Sister?"

"Nope. So then, are you prepared for today?" Celestia then stood up and waited for Luna to also do so.

"Prepared is a matter of perspective, Tia. Do I want to attend a festival filled with haughty nobles and selfishly rich perverts? No. Do I know that I must for the sake of keeping the peace? Yes."

"If anything does get out of hand, you know that you can always count on me to support you, Lulu. I hereby doubt that anything bad will happen to you on your special day tonight."

"But, sister... Blueblood and his stupid cousin will be there. Sliverblood is such a raunchy pervert and an arrogant piece of-"

"Luna. Remember to mind your language when you're there."

"Yes, Tia. I shall. Just understand that my expectations are going to very low tonight."

"I do understand, Lulu. I don't like them around, neither, but the royal family must be present, sadly." Celestia and Luna then left Celestia's Bedchambers to go and eat breakfast, then get prepared for their day.

"Hey there. Excuse me. Sorry about that." Artcraft was trying to swim through the crowd as he made his way to the local coffee joint in the town square. He was hugging onto his scrolls as he then made his way to the front counter of the coffee shop and saw a young mare wearing an apron with a nametag on her dress. "Hey there, just here to get a coffee and maybe something to eat."

"Why hello there, sweetie. You're kinda cute. Welcome to the Canterlot Coffee Joint. What can I do for you this lovely morning?" She was an honestly thick mare in all the right places. Having a pleasant southern accent, tan coat, nicely groomed, a light-brown mane and tail that looked like a river of sweet flowing maple. Blue eyes and her mane done up in a bun as she got her pen and notepad ready at the counter as she was ready to take Artcraft's order.

"No no. That won't be necessary, ma'am. Just a cinnamon roll and a regular coffee, with three creams and two sugars, please."

"And so well-mannered, too. Coming right up for you." She winked at him as she then left the counter to walk into the kitchen to get his order made. He was then approached by someone who was nudging him from behind.

"I think she likes you, bud."

"Well, That's nice, I guess. It's nice to see you, too. So you getting what I'm getting?"

"Nah, man. I'm having the strawberry smoothie with a blueberry muffin for my breakfast."

"Well, I hope you enjoy it. I love cinnamon rolls." After about fifteen minutes, the waitress came back in.

"Here's you order, sweetie. I voided the coffee for you, that'll be five bits for the roll, please."

"But.. the whole price is eight bits. I don't want to steal from anybody."

"Nonsense, sugar. It won't be nothing for me to worry about. I'm the manager here at this joint. So I can void off whatever I want."

"Well.. okay then. Here you go." Artcraft gave her the five bits then grabbed his breakfast and walked over to a table to sit and eat. He turned his cinnamon roll to its other side to see sticky note on the wrapper that read, "call me" and had her phone number on it. He glanced back to her as she gave him a kissy face and winked at him before serving the rest of the customers. "Wow... what an interesting morning this has been."

After eating his breakfast, he was on his way out of the coffee joint when he accidentally bumped into someone at the entrance. "Oof, I'm so sorry about that."

"Arugh. You better be, you little peasant. Do you have any idea who I am?"

"Nope. Never heard of you."

"For your information, I am Duke Silverblood of Trottingham. I would ask for your name, but I honestly could care less. Just stay out of my way, if you know what's good for you."

"Ok then. I'll be sure to do that. Later." Artcraft walked away as Silverblood visibly scowled at him.

"How dare you not give me the due respect that I deserve as nobility. Now I do want to know your name. Who are you?"

"Artcraft."

"I won't be forgetting that name anytime soon. Know me as your enemy."

"Ok then. Sorry to hear that. Have a nice day." If looks could kill, Artcraft would have been dead on the spot. Silverblood was gritting his teeth as he went in to get his breakfast and drink.

"C-Can you believe that guy I just bumped into. Honestly, no respect for his superiors." The waitress saw Silverblood and had a small scowl herself as he approached the counter but forced a customer friendly smile on her face.

"Howdy there, Silverblood. Welcome to the Canterlot Coffee Joint. So you'll be having the usual espresso cream with two sugars?"

"Yes. You know how I enjoy that drink that you make so well." He was eyeballing her hips to see them swinging back and forth as she momentarily glared daggers at him.

"Coming right up and you'll also be having your usual chocolate chip muffin too, right?"

"Of course I will be."

"Alrighty then, that'll be nine bits, please."

"Nine bits?! That's highway robbery. I usually only pay eight bits."

"Sorry about that, sweetie. Taxes on everything has gone up lately and we've got to stay in business somehow."

"Grr.. fine. I can flip the bill for the incompetence of the city, I suppose." He begrudgingly set the extra bit down to cover the whole nine bits for his purchase. "First I bump into this really annoying and disgustingly friendly pony this morning walking in and now I have to pay more than necessary for my breakfast? Unbelievable."

"What color was his coat?"

"A light tan-yellow. Dark brown mane and tail, green eyes, red vest and these really dorky glasses. He's that guy that's too friendly to everyone, it really gets on my nerves, condescending prick."

"Nah. He's just a genuinely nice and sweet guy. Something that you have always had trouble with doing ever since I've known you."

"What?! How dare you?! Forget it, I'm running late to an important meeting at the Canterlot Summit. You're lucky that I'm in a hurry, else I would have had this place shut down already."

"Have a nice day, Silverblood." That same sweet look on her face was the same face that he had, too. How revolting. These poor ponies were the very definition of impoverished trash. This naturally made his blood boil, something that the waitress had taken more pleasure out of seeing than usual. With an indignant huff, he strode his way out with as much dignity as he could manage which wasn't much all things considered.

"What a nice lady she was. Well, I guess if she needs me to do anything, I could always have her on hoof dial. But why give me her number, anyways? Maybe when she's off shift, I can ask her why once I call her later." Artcraft then with a happy stride had made his way to the Canterlot Castle to sign up for the festival. "Mmm mmm. That was sure yummy. And I'm on time, too. Sweet." Artcraft made it up and showed the two guards his identification and proof of residency in Canterlot.

"Thanks, guys. I'll make sure to wow everyone." Artcraft was allowed in as he made his way up to the counter to see a maid with a neutral expression.

"Yes. Welcome to Canterlot Castle." She said in a bored tone. "Fill out a form here if you're interested in applying for the Lunar Festival tonight."

"Oh boy. Yes I am. I can't wait to see her face when I show everyone my invention. This is so exciting for me, you know."