Free Parking

Hearing the giggles and small talk filling the boutique as she left, really had her ready. Motivation carried her forward, each tick of her hooves on the street taking her closer to- she wasn’t sure. This emotion, this calling to what felt like danger, but she honestly knew was her finally leaving the comfort of her dark room. The past finally falling away, just a glimpse of Dia in the sun, froze Flurry to the step. All over again she could see it, standing outside a warm little shop and looking in. Everypony felt as though they belonged, like dolls on a stage. The bright light bouncing off of the white high-light in Dia’s mane casting a spell over her, the iced drinks set on the table almost like a movie scene.

“You shouldn’t stand in doorways you know,” the cold eyes of ice met hers and the sudden fight of flight kicking in was certainly not helping things. Ripping from the spot, Flurry works her way to the seat across from the earth pony. Her magic picking up the coffee as she looked it over, “right! Thank you I know I am a bit late b-”

“Nonsense. I’m glad you decided to come.”

“Th-thank you! I was excited to join you.”

“I could see that. You looked like a mouse in a trap,” her soft lips wrapped around the straw drawing in a long sip before her icey eyes lifted again, “yet here you sit.”

“Here I sit-” she struggled to find the next words to say.

“On that note, what finally got you to call?”

“Uh I. . . I really am unable to; pinpoint the reason?” Her cheeks lit up again with heat as she second guessed the cage of blue that held her in place. As her eyes once again met the pools looking into her, “you. I mean! You really intrigued me, and well I felt like we really connected.”

“I see. Now it's your turn. Go ahead and ask me something.”

“Oh yes! I have heard of this game. Dia, where are you from?”

“Simple one, I’m from Ponyville. Grew up alongside the CMC, and actually still talk to them.”

“Woah! That is so cool! Wait so…How old does that make you?”

“Ah-ah, only one question per turn. Now, what is currently bringing you happiness?”

“Happiness, that is a…a deep question…”

“Take your time,” Dia seemed pleased as she sipped her cold drink. Her eyes locked onto the struggling face of Flurry, searching her mind for anything she could sputter out.

“This. I am finding that this is bringing me happiness. I have not had much; how would you say-”

“Connection. You have not had much connection.”

“Yes…” Flurry trailed off as she found her eyes trying to pry away; to look anywhere but Dia.

“Come on. Let's get moving.”

The sudden movement as Dia ripped herself away, the slow trot easy for Flurry to catch up. “Where are we going?” she bubbled out as she grabbed both drinks on instinct; her light magic kept them close. Silence was her answer as they both trotted down the bustling street, the other ponies around them thinning out. Flurry almost ran straight into Dia as the pink pony suddenly stopped at the stoop of a tall building. With just a few button presses the doors popped open and Dia walked in, her tail seeming to suggest Flurry follow.

As they entered the large room, Dia made her way up the first flight of stairs; she turned back to face Flurry. “You know it is easy to see you grew up sheltered.” The sharpness of the statement sent a course of ice to run through Flurry as the reality of the situation finally hit her. Dia continued up the stairs and despite it all Flurry couldn’t help but follow, “following someone into a random building, without asking any questions: only a few things really lead to that. You may be sheltered, but I don’t think you're dumb. So tell me,” pausing on the fourth flight as she turned fully to view Flurry, “do you think you can’t be hurt, or is it that you don’t think others are something to be feared?”

“I I you, I did not, I mean, you-” Flurry blabbered out half coherent starts before taking a deep breath, “I am not scared of you. You help me feel…feel safe.” Dia seemed pleased as she turned around again and led both of them silently up the last few flights of stairs. The large painted sign on the wall facing them was very clear. This was the top floor, standing at above 9 stories high, and this was the way out.

Dia opened the door, as she almost mechanically propped it open with a swift hoof. The sky opened up as large clouds grazed just above their heads. Dia’s mane whipped up with the soft wind, exposing its curls to the world. “Now do be careful, I don’t have any magic or wings to save you if you fall off or blow away.” Her words rang true as Flurry took a test foot out the door only to brace against the wind. Dia’s calm and sure feet were misleading to the true wind speeds, but the cocked smile showed her pleasure as Flurry eased her way onto the rooftop. “That’s it, little filly, follow me. I like coming out here to clear my thoughts, and from the looks of it you certainly could use some clarity.”

Flurry bristled a little as she sat down close to Dia, keeping her distance from the edge as she felt her wings naturally push against her new clothes. Their attempt to catch the wind making her truly yearn for the freedom she once took for granted. The old days of flying above the crystal streets, ponies walking past her. Each little ant has its own story happening just below her, without care and without worry.

“Where are you?”

“Wh-what? Sorry I am right here.” Flurry’s hoof tapped the roof's surface gently.

“No you aren’t. Not mentally at least, that much is clear. So where does this take you?”

The pause laid heavy in the air as Flurry tried to place where she was without; well without revealing her wings, her past, god even just her family.

“It reminds me of home. Ponyville was never really windy but it; well it did always have something in the wind. Whether it was the princess of friendship learning a new lesson, or Celestial forbid a herd of breezies!” Dia chuckled as she tipped her head to the side to look over at Flurry, “it sometimes makes me think back to it all. Manehattan is busy but- back then Ponyville was even more so.”

“The Crystal Empire. I remember looking up and seeing the pegasus above me. They always seemed so far away just out of reach, caught in the winds of the Empire without a care.”

“You know I never would have pinned you to the Empire. Were you a pre-sombra pony?”

“Oh! No, no, I was actually one of the first born post-heart. I got to see all the cool stuff after the fact. No big scary black crystals save for Nightmare Night decorations. What brought you out here, from Ponyville I mean. Why the big city?”

“Honestly? For all the friendship lessons they taught, if you didn’t fit into their plan…Well you had to change. Don’t get me wrong, I was an ass as a kid. Having every adult after I changed, pick, criticize, and try to sand my edges; well it can get to you. I tried years to fit into their puzzle as best I could. I’m just abrasive, I’m proud, I grew up in a privileged position and I shared with others as much as I could. Here though,” Dia’s bright grin flashed a new feeling through Flurry. Her almost sharp teeth exposed as her eyes lit up, “no one cares if you’re a bitch. If you’re crass, as long as you are genuinely you; that’s all that matters. What did you say? That ‘I helped you feel safe’, go into that.”

“Well it is hard to put into words. I just feel like, like I can trust you? You are the one who finally invited me in.”

“What are you a vampire?”

The ensuing laughter from both of them filled the air, a small tear rolling down Dia’s check as she tried to catch her breath. “I’m sorry! That was too perfect not to take advantage. I am still happy that you took my offer,” her hoof drifted to Flurry’s leg, “not just today but last night…I know how hard fitting in can feel when you first move. When I got here it was just me. Trusting others took time. So I’m genuine when I say: thank you for letting me in too.” The soft moment was brought back to giggles as Dia mimed little fangs. Her bright and sharp smile let Flurry relax wholly, her guard falling to the wayside.

“We can both be thankful, I feel that is the best we can do. I do hope that we will be able to continue this,” her eyes widened as she caught herself, “hanging out I mean! It has been so nice getting out of my apartment and into the city more.” A soft nod was all the encouragement she needed to keep going, “I think that maybe- maybe you could show me around more? I still have not found anywhere half decent for pastries.”

Their chatter seemed to last into the night but as they took turns back and forth and the sun finally started to drift down, Dia finally stood up and headed towards the propped open door, her hoof holding the door open. Waving Flurry inside as both their manes settled down and the door latched behind them, sealing them both back into the safety of the building. “Now you may trust me a lot but, I’ll be honest here- My place is a wreck. How about we meet up again next week? I’ll pick out a good cafe for some pastries. A nice surprise huh?” With plans set it was harder than Flurry imagined to leave, her hooves dragging the entire way down as she left Dia at the doors to her apartment.