Author's Note

Chapter two!! lets gooooo, hope it came out as good as the first one!

The Sweetest Introduction

The Sweetest Introduction | Chapter 2

Once Sunburst and Nerlz got situated, which didn't take long, they both started to trot toward Sugarcube Corner. As they walked, Sunburst wanted to learn more about the new stallion.

“So, Nerlz, if you don't mind me asking, are you new to town? Haven't seen you around,” he said, glancing at the lagging stallion.

“Mhmm, I’m new to the town—or moving around in general. It’s the second time moving towns, even if it’s temporarily. I’m not a fan of moving a lot, but the School of Friendship pays a good amount of bits, so I might look into working there!”

Sunburst nodded in agreement. “I also dislike moving a lot. Back in the Crystal Empire, all I did was sit in the dark with a light, reading books and researching ancient artifacts and unremembered history…” he said with an embarrassed grin. “But that was a while ago, I tell you!”

Nerlz chuckled softly. “It’s all good; we all have those times we just stay inside for days. I also have my fair share of stories. I usually just lay down on my bed reading Daring Do. I know it’s a children’s book, but I love the action in it. Plus, the students I teach at Manehattan Elementary!”

He smiled, remembering his students and how he showed them that reading could be fun. All it takes is finding the right book.

They fell into a comfortable silence, enjoying each other’s company. After a bit of looking around, Nerlz spotted Sugarcube Corner coming up just five feet away from them. The door was closed, indicating business had died down a bit, which Nerlz appreciated so he could have one-on-one time with Sunburst.

Sunburst quickly trotted in front of Nerlz and opened the door for him, making Nerlz blush slightly.

“Thank you!” he said, walking inside.

As he waited for Sunburst to join him, he took in the sweet smell that made him giddy with excitement; he was finally going to get the brownie he had been wanting for a while.

Pinkie Pie greeted the two stallions by popping out from under the counter, startling them and causing the embarrassed black stallion to recoil with a slight peep.

Pinkie giggled while flicking her hoof toward them. “Hello, Mr. Flare, and welcome back, Nerlz! Guess you couldn't help but come back! Look at our menu!”

She pointed with her hooves to the menu above. Her tail twitched three times, and her eyes widened with excitement as she quickly added, “This is on the house!”

The two stallions looked surprised and quickly nodded in appreciation, thanking her a couple of times.

“Don’t worry about it! I can’t throw Nerlz a welcome party, so this is a small welcome gift instead!”

After the two stallions looked over the menu, Nerlz let Sunburst order first. He chose a banana-strawberry smoothie with extra cream and trotted to find a booth for both of them to sit at.

Once Nerlz settled in, he was about to speak when Pinkie Pie suddenly appeared in front of him, surprising him again.

“Psst! I can sense you like Mr. Flare—I mean, Sunburst!” she said with a slight mischievous giggle.

Nerlz yelped again, his embarrassment intensifying. He quickly turned to her, thinking, Okay, this is getting out of hand! She greeted me without me knowing her, and now she knows I have a SLIGHT feeling toward the handsome stallion named Sunburst?!

He managed to recover and said, “I just barely met the man and haven’t even gotten to know him fully…”

Pinkie Pie grinned, clearly teasing. “Alright, whatever you say,” she said, then ducked down and popped out on the other side of the counter.

Nerlz quickly ordered a brownie and a grape fizzy drink, then galloped toward the table where Sunburst was waiting, a slight blush still on his cheeks. He sat across from Sunburst so they could wait for their desserts.

Once he settled in, Sunburst initiated the conversation.

“So, what are you going to be doing? I remember you talking about liking Manehattan, so why are you here? Is it a vacation for you?” Sunburst asked, tilting his head to the side with a curious look.

Nerlz replied quickly, “Oh! No, I’m not here for vacation. I’m planning to work here at the School of Friendship!”

His excitement was evident, and Sunburst’s expression shifted to one of surprise and happiness.

“Oh, that’s great! If you don’t know, I’m the vice principal of that school!” Sunburst said, continuing, “If you’re going to be working at the School of Friendship, it’s mandatory to have someone mentor you! Do you have anyone in mind?”

He glanced at the pink bubbly mare approaching them.

“Hold that thought,” Sunburst added quickly. Pinkie Pie came up to them with their desserts.

“Here are your desserts! Here you go, Mr. Flare!” she said, handing him his milkshake. “And here you go, Nerlz!” she said, giving him his dessert and beverage. “Alrighty! Enjoy your sweets!” she added, looking at Nerlz and giving him a sly wink, which made him blush again as she walked back to the counter.

Once they were alone again, Nerlz took a quick bite of his brownie and swallowed.

“Uh, I haven’t; it’s my first time hearing about the mentor thing, to be honest.”

He continued eating his brownie, letting Sunburst talk.

“Yeah, you need to find someone by the time you get your results back from your exam,” Sunburst explained.

Surprised, Nerlz clarified, “I saw you go into the room where teachers have to take the certifications.”

This cleared up the surprised look on Nerlz’s face. Then he hesitated, “Uh… Sunburst?”

Sunburst looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “Yes?”

Nerlz continued, “Are you able to mentor me?”

This surprised Sunburst, who quickly replied, “Yes! I’m able to mentor you! This will be the first time being asked! This is exciting!”

He took a drink of his milkshake, clapping his hooves together in a show of excitement, making Nerlz think he was cute.

“Alrighty, sounds great,” Nerlz said with a grin.

They lapsed into silence, finishing their drinks and desserts. After leaving a tip on the table, they got up to head back to the school for a good night’s rest.

Sunburst quickly said, “Thank you so much! But I have to part ways to go talk to someone about something.”

He smiled, rubbing his red mane with a hoof.

Nerlz nodded in understanding. “Alrighty, I had fun! Maybe we can meet up someday?”

They chatted a bit more before parting ways, both feeling something new that day as they headed to their respective places.