Berry Punch practically hopped out of bed. Today’s the day. The art festival had arrived. Ever since she knew about its existence she had teetered back and forth about entering. Truthfully, the event itself wasn’t a competition, but more of an exhibition of art from near and far. That fact, and Roseluck’s support, had tipped the balance and she decided to enter.

She quickly reviewed the painting, her eyes sweeped over the surface for any mistakes. She nodded in satisfaction. Her touche-ups had worked out well. She covered the painting and wrapped it for transportation later. She still had a morning to afternoon shift after all.

She wondered when she might not have to work at the bar anymore. She didn’t begrudge Sour Whiskey, if anything she was happy for his support, but that didn’t make her enjoy the work any more. She sighed. I’ll cross that bridge when it appears.

She took a shower, and was in the middle of brushing out her mane when somepony knocked at the door. The clock read 7:30. Likely Derpy.
Sure enough, the smiling mailmare was waiting for her when she opened the door.

“Hi, Derpy. More from my parents?”

Derpy nodded.

“Yep. Also this one.”

Derpy hoof over two letters.

Berry Punch eyed both letters. The first one was definitely from her parents. Probably going to ask how today went. She thought to herself. The second one was plain with just her address and name. That hoofwriting looks familiar.Her mind couldn’t come up with an answer for this familiarity so she shrugged and tucked the two letters off to the side. I’ll read them after the festival.

“Thanks, Derpy. Have a good day.” Berry Punch waved goodbye, and Derpy returned the gesture before flying off.

Berry Punch wrapped up her morning routine before putting on her work garb and hitting the street.

Sour was already there by the time she arrived.

“You’re here early,” Berry Punch said.

“Yep. Today’s a festival day.” Sour wiped the counter. “You need to leave early today, right?”

“Around 11:30,” she confirmed.

“Hm.” Sour stopped what he was doing. “Ya know, you’ve come a long way. I remember when you stumbled into town. Runnin’ from something. Now you’re here.”

“Thank you, Sour.” The stallion usually wasn’t as forthcoming with his thoughts, so Berry Punch made a point to appreciate each time it happened. “Do you need any help after I’m done?”

“Nope. You enjoy your day after that.”

He went back to work without another word. Berry Punch went to work alongside him. The two set up and prepped everything they needed to for the day ahead.

At around 9:30 a crowd started to fill up the establishment. Ponies, and non-ponies alike took seats and started to talk.

The bar was more packed than usual due to amount of outsiders in town drawn by the art festival. Most stuck to light drinks or food. A lot of them were discussing the pieces they were going to display or other pieces from their friends. The room was lively with discussion of different artistic mediums as well as debate on which were passing fads or longstanding movements.

Berry Punch threw in her own two bits every once in a while to the surprise of some of the patrons. Overall it was an energizing environment to be in, and Berry Punch found herself more excited to present her own work.

She practically bounced her way over to the next table. Maybe Pinkie Pie’s rubbing off on me.

The table had fours mares seated. Three of which were engaged in a heated discussion over color combinations and which would work best together. The forth was looking over an open binder. Berry Punch only glanced at them before asking for their order.

The first three rattled off their orders quickly while the forth seemed distracted. One of her friends poked her.

“Spots, you gonna get a drink?” The binder closed with a soft thud.

“Alcohol's not really my thing.” The mare turned her golden eyes to Berry Punch. “How about a water?”

*SNAP*

Berry Punch looked down at the paper pad. Her pencil had snapped in half. Paint Spots is here. She put up a neutral expression. She’s not going to ruin this for me.

“So it'll be a water for you then?” Berry Punch asked as politely as she could while she fished out another pencil.

Paint Spots stared at her for a moment.

“Sure,” she replied coolly.

Berry Punch scribbled down the order before sliding the pad into her uniform pocket.

“Is that everything?”

“Maybe. Been a while since we talked.”

“We don’t need to talk about anything.”

The other three mares were looking back and forth at Paint Spots and Berry Punch trying to figure out what was happening.

“How’ve you been?” The unexpected question made her suspicious.

“Fine.” Berry Punch really hoped the short response would end the conversation.

Paint Spots hummed.

“So you and her are finally together then?” Berry Punch already didn’t like where the conversation was heading.

Berry Punch tried to find any hint of snark in her tone, but Paint Spots remained neutral to the point of disinterest.

“I don’t think that’s your business.”

“So, that’s a yes than. Good, I’m happy for you.” Her three friends looked just as confused as Berry Punch. One of them open their mouth to speak, but interrupted themselves with a yelp of pain. “No need to be rude, Amber Cast.” Paint Spots turned back to Berry Punch, “Surprised she’s not here today.”

“Is that all for your order?” Berry Punch chose not to engage with the conversation. It’s not worth it.

“Sure.”

Berry Punch turned around only to hear Paint Spots speak again.

“She’ll be late coming back from Canterlot.” Against her better judgment she turned back to Paint Spots. “I don’t know the details, but she won’t be back today.” How would she know?
“If you could stop lying, that’d be great. I’ll get your order now.” Berry Punch flicked her tail in irritation as she got back to the bar to make the drinks. She rolled her eyes. Roseluck would tell me if she was going to be late. I can’t let her back into my head.
She came back later and quickly gave them their drinks before walking off.

“See you later at the art event, then!” Paint Spots called after her. Berry Punch didn’t bother to respond. She decided not to let Paint Spots mess with her head. Roseluck would be back tomorrow, and nothing would change.

Berry Punch stepped out of the shower. She scrubbed her coat dry and brushed her mane and tail out. She did one last check in the mirror to make sure she looked nice and didn’t miss any spots.

Once assured everything was good she packed her painting and carefully made her way out the door and to the festival.

Balloons hung from every pole, and colorful streamers leaped from roof to roof. A kaleidoscope of confetti covered the ground. Bouquets of flowers tied with blue, yellow, and red ribbons sat in glass containers lining the street. The Spring Art Festival had started. A whole host of events were taking place today, but the art display was the one Berry Punch was taking part in. Pinkie Pie really outdid herself.

Berry Punch carefully made her way through the crowds of ponies until she found the art exhibit. It was a large open stage with slots for all those displaying their art. After finding her spot she placed her painting on the easel and sat down. She had arrived early so she could compose herself before the exhibit started.

The painting a couple feet away from her looked familiar. The background work and buildings in the work were immaculate in design and execution, but the painting was missing something. Despite the clear skill involved, the work seemed mechanical, made without love. Paint Spots.Berry Punch was knowledgeable enough in her work to tell who it belonged to. Compared to Paint Spots’ work in college this wasn’t as good; she wondered where all the care went for her craft.

The more she looked over the painting the less she liked it. The lack of ponies or any life at all sterilized the setting. The empty streets didn’t look empty for any reason, save for the fact the painter simply didn’t want them there.

“Nice day so far.” Berry Punch heard Paint Spot approaching. She looked out to the crowd and ignored her.

Paint Spots didn’t seem to care.

“I took a walk down to the train station to see the ponies arriving this afternoon.”
Don’t listen to her.

“I saw an old stallion with his granddaughter. A young couple. A group of young ponies.” Paint Spots looked sentimental. “It was like an array of life to death in front of me. Those at the very start and those about to tumble into the unknown. But,” Paint Spots paused, “the one thought occupying my mind was there was somepony missing from the crowd.”
Don’t listen.

“Cream colored coat, almost vanilla. Red striped hair. Green eyes. You know I don’t remember her name. Could you help me out?”

Don’t.

“Roseluck, that’s what it was.” Paint Spots nodded to herself. “I wonder what held her up?”

Berry Punch was trying very hard to ignore her.

“Hey! Leave her alone.”

Minuette put herself between Berry Punch and Paint Spots. Berry Punch felt immediate relief.

“Just some talk between old friends.”

“Well, you’re not her friend anymore.” Minuette poked her chest. “I know what you did. Stay away from her.”

Paint Spots’ face could have curdled milk.

“I’m surprised you’re still her friend after what you told me.”

Minuette didn’t back down.

“I know what I did was a mistake. I owned up to it, and apologized. Somehow, I don’t think you can do the same.”

Paint Spots snorted and seemed posed to say something nasty, but Minuette interrupted her.

“Nothing else from you. Leave her alone or I’ll tell Pinkie Pie. She’s one of the ponies in charge of the event today.”

“Fine.” Paint Spots walked off. She flashed a smile at Berry Punch, but otherwise disappeared back into the crowd.

Berry Punch breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thanks, Minuette.”

“Not a problem! Oh, wow!” Minuette was looking over Berry Punch at her painting.

“You like it?”

“It’s beautiful. You should have shown me some of your work sooner.”

“Do you think Roseluck will like it too.”

“Are you kidding? She’ll love it.” Minuette poked her forehead. “Don’t let your noggin say otherwise.”

Berry Punch giggled at her antics.

“Okay, okay.”

The two settled in as the festival went on. Berry Punch had quite a few ponies interested in her art piece. Some were artists like herself, and asked her about specific techniques and styles she utilized. Others commented on how the piece felt to them on a personal level. Ponies from around town recognized Roseluck, and asked if they were in a relationship which Berry Punch always responded in the affirmative.

As the day wore on, Berry Punch was starting to wonder where Roseluck was.

“Minuette, do you know what time it is?” Berry Punch knew she had an uncanny ability to keep track of it. Whether from skill or her cutie mark she was unsure.

“It’s a quarter to three.” Roseluck should have been back by now. “Are you worried?”

“I don’t know. It’s just… something Paint Spots said. She said she’d be late. Now I can’t get it out of my head.”

“She lies a lot, Berry Punch. We don’t know why Roseluck’s not here. She might be getting ready.”

Berry Punch didn’t look convinced.

“Okay, I can tell your worried. What if we check together?”

“I’d like that.”

As they approached Roseluck’s house, Berry Punch started to calm down.

“I guess this was silly of me. I still want to check, but I hate how much my anxiety just takes control sometimes.”

“I bet it’s frustrating.”

“You have no idea.”

Minuette knocked on the door.

“Roseluck! You home?”

A moment or two passed in silence. That nervous feeling increased the longer there was no answer. Berry Punch opened the door.

“Roseluck? Sorry, I…” the house was just as Roseluck left it. There was no sign of any unpacking or recent occupation.

Minuette followed after and looked inside.

“I guess she really isn’t home. Did you check your mail this morning? She might have sent a letter if she was going to be late.”

Berry Punch latched onto the idea.

“No, I didn’t. Derpy delivered it, but I put it to the side.”

They made their way to Berry Punch’s house.

She spotted the strange letter from this morning and opened it.

Her eyes went over the letters contents in disbelief. What… is this?

“Berry Punch? What’s it say?”

Berry Punch turned the letter around.

Dear Paisley,

I’m sorry, it’s been awhile, but I finally read your letter. I didn’t expect there to be so many delays to seeing you. Honestly, it’s my fault, but I’m going to make it up to you! Honestly, I’m planning a trip up to Canterlot soon to visit. Plus it’d be nice to see your foals again (they’re such an adventurous pair, even if it gets them into trouble), and I’m sure they miss me. I’m sure we can work on things together when I visit.

Love,
Roseluck

Author's Note

Okay, need to stop with the promises of a chapter the next day. Sorry about that. Next chapter should be soon, but I won't specify a day since it'll take longer to put together. As usual put any corrections or thoughts in the comments (if the list of corrections is long, feel free to DM me the list!)