Chasing Stars

“Ladies first,” Seyfert opened the door for the mares before turning and waving goodbye to Benton. “I can’t wait to show you two the university, it really is a sight.” He said, as they made their way down the bustling sidewalk.

The weather was absolutely perfect. Not too hot, and there was a nice breeze. The sun was high and there were only a few clouds lingering in the pale blue sky. Aurora took in a deep breath, taking in all the sights around her. This was a beautiful city. She decided to hang back and trot behind Star and Sey while the two talked about astronomy. She was quite content to pick up the atmosphere this place and store it away in her memory for later paintings.

As the conversation dragged on, Sey looked around to see what he had left behind. Part of him missed living here but part of him didn’t. He eventually shut all the memories out and turned his focus back to Stardust. Seyfert was quite taken back by her; he had never met a fellow astronomer outside his colleagues at the university, let alone a pretty mare such as herself. Stardust closed her eyes a moment as the breeze caught the natural wave in her hair. Catching a glimpse of her raw beauty stopped Seyfert in his tracks for a moment, untill Dusty began to speak.

“So how long has it been since your last visit here?” she asked, “I myself haven’t been in at least four years.”

Sey had to come back to his senses, “Hmm,” Seyfert scratched his head trying to remember his last trip, though he kept finding himself distracted. “Last time I was here was when I moved away. That was about two years ago.”

Stardust smiled. “That’s not so bad I guess. Do you ever miss it?”

“Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t,” Seyfert replies, “It got pretty hectic living here after awhile.” He trailed off as he was reminded of the stress and hardship that ultimately forced him to leave this city. He shook his head and took hold of his surroundings to see that they were getting close to their destination. “The diner is right up ahead.” He said with a smile, lunch was beginning to sound more fantastic than when they left the inn.

Aurora caught the scent of something savory in the air, suddenly aware of just how hungry she was. “Oh my, I can’t wait to eat!”

Stardust smiled, one of her pinned back curls falling loose in front of her face. “Me neither, it smells delicious!”

“I used to love coming to this place.” Seyfert mused as he opened the door. Aurora and Stardust walked quickly inside, the plethora of smells and scents of baked goods and soups greeting them. They both waited for Sey to take the lead as they weren’t sure if they should take a seat first or order at the counter.

“Where you you two like to sit?” Seyfert asked. “It’s open seating.” He spots a table next to a far window that would give them a view of the outside, “What do you think of that one?” He asks pointing to the table. Aurora and Dusty both nodded, heading towards the corner booth.

“This will do just fine, Seyfert.” Aurora smiled taking a seat.

“And thank you for offering to bring us out here. We haven’t been here long, but it’s already been a blast.” Stardust sat across from her sister closest to the window. She looked up at Seyfert as he took a seat next to the dusty blue mare.

“oh trust me you two are doing me the favor, I have always hated traveling alone.” He gave a toothy grin. “And the best is yet to come.” A waiter walked up to their table and greeted the three friends, pulling a note pad and pen from his apron with his magic.

“Can I start you all off with some drinks?” He asked with a smile.

Aurora nodded then took a look through the menu sitting on the table in front of her. Stardust acknowledged the server and then gave Seyfert a quick wink before glancing through her own menu.

“So Seyfert, was there anything here in particular this place is famous for?” What do you suggest we get?”

“Well, all I ever got was their coffee. I know that’s very good.” He replied scratching his chin, “I hear they’ve got some great teas too.”

Aurora’s ears perked at the mention of tea. “Really now? I’ll have to see the selection.”

Stardust giggled, “Aurora is a tea fiend. She can never get enough of the stuff.”

Seyfert let out a hearty chuckle. “I’m the same way when it comes to coffee.” He said, “Though I do enjoy a cup of tea once in a while.” He turned to his right to face Stardust, “So what do you like to drink?”

“I’m impartial. I always like to keep an open mind, but preferably something with loads of caffeine and loads of sugar. Keep same sharp in the lab.” She lightly tapped a hoof to her temple and laughed. “I’ll probably order one of those fru-fru caramel coffee drinks with whipped cream. Those things are delicious.”

“That they are.” Seyfert agreed. Realizing the waiter was still standing there, he addressed the poor stallion. “May we see the specialty drink menu please?” The waiter smiled and nodded, before trotting off to retrieve the menus.

“Oooh, I see the tea!” Aurora snatched a menu up with her magic almost as quickly as the waiter and placed them down. Stardust reached for one herself, accidentally brushing against Seyfert. She flushed and her heart raced, but she didn’t make mention of it in hopes that Sey wouldn’t care or notice. Seyfert did notice, but he too kept too himself as he reached for his own menu.

“I think I will stick to my normal black coffee.” He said looking to Stardust and Aurora, “How bout you guys?”

Aurora’s eyes narrowed on what she wanted, “I think I’ll stick with the classic Earl Grey, though the chai tea looks good too. I might have to come back for that tomorrow.” Stardust scanned for a moment and decided what she wanted. “I think I’ll get a Caramel Frappuccino, extra caramel drizzle!” After the three gave their drink orders, the waiter trotted off to prepare them.

“So I was thinking…I talked to my sister last week and she informed me that there are tours of the palace; would the two of you be interested in that?” Seyfert asked, “I’ve only ever been to the archives and never had a chance to see the rest of it.”

Both mares’ jaws dropped and they both very nearly smashed their hooves down on the table. Aurora started, “Tour THE Palace?” Stardust chimed in, “Where the PRINCESSES live???”

“Yep,” Sey plainly stated. “I almost didn’t believe it myself.” Then he spotted the waiter returning with their drinks. “So what do you say?”

Aurora nodded excitedly Yes, of course!” Dusty agreed as well, hopping up and down in her seat. Sometimes it was easy to forget she was an intelligent scientist, she was so high-energy.

Once they were done being excited about the tour, they took another moment to look over the menu. Aurora’s eye caught a salad with Bibb lettuce and other mixed greens, tossed with strawberries, oranges, grapes, toasted walnuts and raspberry vinaigrette. Stardust had a hard time narrowing down between a stuffed croissant and a bowl of soup. After while they had decided what they’d like to eat. When the waiter came back with their drinks, they were ready to order. Aurora started off, “I would like your Fruit and Walnut Bibb salad please, Raspberry vinaigrette on the side.:

Stardust was next to order. “I think I’ll go with the Swiss and herb stuffed croissant.”

“Ill have a bowl of vegetable soup with a side of bread on the side please.” Seyfert says, he was finding it hard to contain his own excitement about touring the palace, but being the gentlecolt that he was he managed to keep it in check.

Aurora smiled, sipping her tea. “I’m not much for coffee, but I do love the way it smells. It’s relaxing Sometimes I’ll brew a cup for myself when Stormbringer isn’t home, just for the smell.” Before long their food was brought out to the table. Aurora’s mouth watered, she was absolutely famished. Stardust realized how hungry she actually was as well, once the plate was set in front of her.

As they began to eat stopped and raised his glass. “I’d like to propose a toast.” He says raising his cup of coffee. “To friends…and possibly more.” He said, winking at Stardust. Stardust blushed, again thankful for her dark colored coat. She smiled, perhaps the biggest of all three present, her heart skipping a beat. “Now then, lets dig in.” Sey suggested, taking a bite of his soup. “Mmm that’s good.”

Aurora’s face nearly melted when she took her first bite. “Oh…My…Luna…This…this is fantastic. How is yours, Dusty?” Stardust just grinned, mouth full. She was eating too quickly to bother with conversation.

Seyfert went to town on his soup, occasionally taking a bite of bread. “I have to agree, this soup is delicious. This place never disappoints; you two should save room for desert, they have some of THE best deserts around.”

Aurora had to keep from laughing to avoid choking. “Huh, way ahead of you. We ALWAYS save room for desert. Why do you think we ordered such petite meals?” Stardust laughed a little, nearly finished with her entree.

“We are something akin to foodies. And sweets? Right up my alley!” She grinned, taking the last sip of her drink.

Seyfert laughed as he gulped down the rest of his soup. “I’m the same way, I always save room for dessert even if it isn’t a big one.” He gobbled up the rest of the bread he had and waved for the waiter. “Excuse me but could we get a few dessert menus please?” Seyfert asked with a smile, the waiter quickly obliged, trotting off to fetch the menus.

Stardust piped up, “And a glass of water please?” She then turned to her companions. “Why don’t we each order something different, and then share all three? Kind of like a sampler buffet?” Aurora smiled. “I like the way you think, sis. What do you say Seyfert?”

“Sounds great,” He replied with a huge smile, “Never tried it before but it sound slike a great idea.” Just as he finished saying that the waiter set the menus in front of them then set Stardust’s glass of water in front of her, “Thank you so much, just give us a few minutes to choose?”

“Not a problem.” The waiter replied with a smile as he rushed off to tend to another group of ponies with what seemed like a very unhappy foal. “Poor kid.” Seyfert chuckled before turning his attention to his menu, “so what do you think?” He asked looking to Aurora and Stardust, “This apple cobbler sounds really really good.”

“Is it as good as the stuff we get from Sweet Apple Acres?” Aurora raised an eyebrow, still smiling.

Stardust immediately saw what she wanted. “Oooh Colta-Cola Cake and ice cream??? I am THERE.” Aurora laughed. “Mmm, Creme Brule sounds great too. So we can get that, the Cake, and your Apple Cobbler?”

“Sounds like a plan.” Sey replied. After dealing with the group with the unruly foal, the waiter made his way back to the trio, “Ready to order?”

Stardust wasted no time. She promptly ordered all three deserts, must to Aurora’s surprise. Seyfert sat there stunned, “Right then.” He laughed, he always admired a mare that enjoyed sweet as much as he did. “I can almost feel those cavities already.” He joked as he handed the menus back to the waiter.

Stardust laughed, “Cavities Shmavities. We came to enjoy the city, we should darn well enjoy everything about it.”

Aurora was clearly amused. Her sister was always fun to be around. She rubbed her hooves together. “Mmm, I can’t wait to try everything. It’ll be delicious, I know it!” She took one last sip of her tea, whish she had rationed perfectly for the meal. “Sey, do you know what time it is?” She asked.

“Hm,” He replied looking around, “If I had to take a guess I would say it’s around 2ish,” He scratched his head, “It was about 12:30 or so when we left the inn.” He shrugged, “Yea I’ll stick with my guess for now, I will ask the waiter when he returns.”

“Well that clock on the far wall says it’s exactly 2:15 PM.” Dusty smiled smugly. Aurora turned around to see that, sure enough, there was a clock on the wall behind the counter. “Well, then that answers-” She was cut off when the waiter returned with the desserts, fresh forks and extra napkins.

“Huh me and not paying attention, I never noticed the clock.” Seyfert said blushing. “Oh sweet the desserts are here.” He paused for a second realizing his unintentional pun. “Wow those do look good don’t they?”

Stardust had already dug into the cake by the time Sey spoke up. “Mmhmm.” She savored the rich taste of the cola baked within the cake, the vanilla ice cream melting perfectly with its warmth. “There are no words for this kind of deliciousness.”

Aurora laughed, daintily taking a bite of her creme brule. “Oooh, fantastic.” She used her magic to slide the hot crock closer to Sey and Stardust. “Try that. There is no getting better.” Meanwhile taking a nibble of cobbler. Seyfert took a small bite of the brule and was instantly awestruck, “WOW that’s good!” He exclaimed before trying the cobbler. “Mmm it’s good I won;t lie, still though I think the Apple’s recipe takes the win.” He turned to Stardust who looked like she was enjoying her cake a lot. “May I?” He asked with a smile.

Stardust, not realizing she had eaten nearly half of the cake, sheepishly scooted the plate forward. “Haha sure. But only because I deem thee worthy of such glorious cake.” Aurora had to keep from spitting her food out as she laughed. She took a sample of the cake, savoring the flavors and differing temperatures. “Oh wow…I have to say that might be the best thing so far. And I agree, the Apple family’s cobblers will always be top notch.”

They sat in the cafe for another ten minutes or so chatting after they’d enjoyed the deserts, before Aurora mentioned the Palace again. “I wonder when the tours stop? Perhaps we should head over in that direction?”

“Oh yea, I almost forgot.” Seyfert admitted, bonking himself in the forehead. “We should get going.” He waved down the waiter and asked for the check, “I got this by the way.” He said with a smile and a wink, “Let me go take care of this and we can be on our way; Europa will be meeting us there.” Without another word, the dark blue stallion stood and made his way to the front register. Aurora smiled. “I’ll at least chip in a bit, if that’s alright.” She levitated some coins out of her pocket in front of Seyfert.

Seyfert just smiled, “Sure thing.” He took the coins from Aurora and fished the rest out of his coat pocket. “We will definitely have to come back here some time.”

“I’ll step outside for a bit while you finish up. I’d like to stretch my legs before walking up to the castle.” Aurora stated, quickly exiting the cafe before anypony could protest.

Stardust nodded, following Sey up to the register. “I appreciate you offering to hoof the bill. It was kind of you.”

“Oh don’t mention it.” He said blushing. Seyfert finished paying, making sure to leave a tip for the waiter and made his way to the door. Before opening it, he stopped Stardust, “Say if it isn’t too bold to ask, do you maybe want to go for dinner or a drink sometime?” He asked blushing even more.

Stardust felt the familiar warmth come to her cheeks. “O-Oh, sure thing! I’d love to! Maybe you could come by my lab sometime, we could..uh-uhm, do science?” She smiled, hoping she didn’t scare him off. She always flubbed things up when she was nervous.

“Sounds great,” Seyfert replied, still blushing but smiling big. “We’ll talk later eh?” He said holding the door for her, “Don’t wanna keep that tour waiting.” They walked outside to an awaiting Aurora, “Sorry bout the hold up, shall we?” He said motioning towards the palace.

Aurora smiled, “It;s no problem, but you;re right. Let’s be off,” As Sey walked ahead of her, she gave her sister a slight, playful nudge. She cocked an eyebrow, a wry smile on her face. Stardust smiled sheepishly, trotting up ahead next to Seyfert.