Boozeberry

by FantheFlames

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, Berry Punch, Applejack, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Romance, Pinkie Pie, Tragedy
Length: 11585

A story explaining how Berry Punch came upon her alcohol addiction.

A young Berry Punch tries to find a way to cope with the loss of her mother, and decides that the best way to do this is to drink her way past her problems. Starting out as a carefree filly, a cataclysmic event in her childhood changes her life forever, turning her into a miserable drunk.
List of Characters --> http://emberstarfireclan.deviantart.com/journal/#/d4mx5ka
OC Character Sheets -->http://emberstarfireclan.deviantart.com/gallery/34911731#

Published 2011-12-31 09:56:57 UTC
Last updated 2012-03-04 01:13:14 UTC

Chapter 1

Author’s note: The idea has been in my head for a few days now. It is Friday, the 30th of December, at 10:48 PM. Moments before, after days of thinking of potential scenes, the literary spark hit me, and I rushed to my computer and got straight to work. After working on another story (that is completely unrelated to MLP) and writing it’s climax, I lost the initiate for writing (I hope to find the inspiration to continue writing my other story soon). It is because of StreakTheFox of Fimfiction.net that I found the inspiration to write again. After reading his fanfiction Molestia, I rediscovered my need for writing. I owe him my thanks. So Streak, if your reading this, thank you!

Chapter 1

“Berry.” A mare’s voice whispered. “Berry, wake up. It’s time for school.”

“Huh… What…?” The little pink filly muttered, opening her eyes halfway, a pale violet mare with a dark blue mane looked down at her, smiling. “Five more minutes Momma…” Berry Punch murmured, rolling back over and closing her eyes.

“You have to get up now sweetie, you don’t want to be late for school. Now get up and come downstairs for breakfast. I made your favorite.” The pink filly immediately leaped out from under her covers. She jumped out of bed and stood before her mother. Her eyes sparked and a wide grin spread across her face.

“Oatmeal with strawberries covered in chocolate syrup?” Berry squeaked, now wide awake.

“Yes, Berry,” Her mother giggled softly, amused by the little pony’s enthusiasm. “Just how you like it.” With wild, happy abandon, Berry Punch raced past her mother and went down the stairs. In her haste, she almost tripped as she reached the bottom, but that didn’t stop her from racing into the kitchen.

“Careful, dear!” Berry’s mother called, following at more of an average pace, but Berry didn’t hear her, as she was already in her seat, her muzzle thrust into her bowl. Her father, Silver Arrow, was seated across from her, reading the paper. He looked over at her with concern on his face.

“Berry? Uh… Wouldn’t you like to use a spoon?… Instead of your tongue?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. Berry Punch lifted her head quickly from the bowl. Her muzzle was covered in milk and chocolate syrup.
“Nope!” She replied, her eyes sparkling. She licked her muzzle with her tongue in one quick motion, drawing the mess back into her mouth, and plunged her face back into her breakfast. Her mother walked into the room, approaching her husband, who leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek.

“Good morning, Ruby.” Berry’s father said to her mother, who kissed him in return.

“Good morning, Silver.” Ruby replied. Berry Punch has just finished her breakfast and was making for her backpack, which was on one of the hooks by the door. She reared up on her hind legs, grunting with effort as she strained her leg muscles to reach it. Her mother walked over and picked it up in her mouth, laying it on her back. Berry put her forelegs through the straps one at a time before rushing out the door, only to be stopped by her mother’s voice.

“Berry! You didn’t wash your face, you can’t go to school looking like that!” Her mother gasped in astonishment. Berry’s muzzle was once again coated in scraps from her meal. The little pink filly immediately swiped her tongue across her muzzle, catching the remains.

“All clean! Bye!”

“Wait! But that’s not-” Her mother was cut off as Berry Punch ran out the door and slammed it behind her. Ruby sighed with a smile.

“Fillies… What can you do?”

Berry Punch ran down the road at top speed. She couldn’t wait to see her friends again. It was the first day of school and after a long summer vacation, she couldn’t wait for her friends to tell her all about how they had spent it. After what seemed like hours, she finally reached the school grounds. She stopped for a moment when she saw her friends sitting on the front steps, then ran over to meet them.

“Hey girls!” Her two best friends, Bright Shine and Amethyst, looked over when they heard her voice, then leapt up and raced towards her. The three fillies collided so fast that a cloud of dust surrounded them for a few moments. When it cleared, it revealed a small pile of giggling ponies, all thrilled to see each other after a long summer. After a moment, they got up and brushed themselves off, still smiling.

“ What did you girls do over the summer?” Berry asked, looking at both of them. Bright Shine, a yellow Pegasus with white hair spoke first.

“Ooh! Ooh! Let’s see, my dad took me to Sweet Apple Acres to go see how they make cider! Then my parents brought me to Cloudsdale, and we got to see the weather factory, and I saw the rainbows, and the rain clouds, and- and so many things!” She said with her unusually fast voice. “I did a lot of other stuff over the summer but I’ll tell you later because I want Amethyst to tell you what she did because I bet she did so many cool things and-” Berry planted a hoof on her mouth to keep her quiet.

“Bright Shine, you’re doing it again!” She laughed, and Bright Shine gave a sheepish smile. Berry Punch lifted her hoof from her friends muzzle. She turned to Amethyst. The purple unicorn gave Bright Shine a friendly shove before telling her story.

“ I went to Canterlot to visit my cousin.” She spoke with a mock Canterlot accent. As she spoke, she closed her eyes, lifted her muzzle, and poofed her hair with one hoof, allegedly mocking her cousin. “She’s such a snob.” Amethyst laughed with her normal voice. All three fillies started to laugh, but were interrupted as the school bell rang. The three friends reluctantly headed for the door, unwilling to end their conversation. They followed the other students inside and the teacher closed the door behind them. School had started.

Chapter 2

“Colts! Fillies! Quiet down now! Class in in session!” The teacher’s voice called out to the chattering foals from the front of the room. The noise did not cease immediately, and slowly lowered in volume as one by one the students turned to look at her. “Today we will be learning about the different animals that live outside Equestria. Any questions?” Nopony spoke. “Very well then, can anypony tell me,” The teacher picked up a white card with a picture of an animal sketched onto it. “What this animal is called?” A single orange hoof rose from the rows of desks, waving madly.

“Pick me! Ah know what it is!” A filly in a brown hat piped up impatiently. “Ms. Heart! Pick me!”

“Yes, Applejack?” Ms. Heart replied reluctantly. Berry Punch knew she normally would have chosen a pony who raised their hoof silently, however, nopony else was prepared to answer the question, and Berry certainly did not know the answer.

“It’s a dragon! Mah brother Big Macintosh told me all about em’!” Applejack answered proudly.

“You’re very right, Applejack. A dragon is a species of reptile. There are many types of dragon. Most of them breath fire, while very few do not. When you all think of dragons, you probably think of the kind with wings, like in this picture.” Ms. Heart indicated the card with one hoof. “But not all dragons have wings. Some are more serpentine, and fly without wings, and still others live underwater.” Ms. Heart looked directly at Applejack. “You should be very proud of having such a smart colt as a brother.” She told the small orange filly. “ I used to teach him, and he was one of the best students I ever had.” Applejack seemed to sit taller, soaking up the praise as if she intended later to boast to everyone how she had the smartest brother in all of Equestria, and, knowing Applejack, she probably would.

Berry Punch chuckled silently to herself, but thank Celestia Ms. Heart didn’t notice. Instead she proceeded with the lesson, picking up another card. “Can anypony tell me what this animal is called?” Berry Punch knew immediately, and raised her hoof quickly, but silently waited until Ms. Heart picked her. “Yes, Berry Punch?”

“That’s a griffin!” Berry Punch answered, feeling proud of herself that nopony else knew the answer but her.

“Very good, Berry Punch!” Ms. Heart praised the young pony. Berry remembered the day she had first seen a griffin, when she was younger. She had been in her living room, looking at the clouds when a small dot appeared in the sky. It was little more than a blurry brown and white speck, but looking at it closely, she had just been able to make out beating wings. Her father had noticed and come over to stand next to her.

“ What are you looking at Berry?” He had asked, looking down at her.

“There’s something in the sky, daddy” She squeaked looking at the speck as it soared in the air.

“Hmm…” Her father had looked through the window, trying to pinpoint the alleged speck, finally he had found it and turned to his daughter.

“That’s a griffin, Berry” He told her, looking down at her.

“A griff-um?” Berry had stammered, looking confused. Her father chuckled warmly.

“No, Berry. A griffin.” He had corrected her, smiling at her innocence. She had stared up into the sky, admiring the grace and speed of its flight.

“Will I ever be able to fly like that daddy?” Berry had asked in her tiny voice.

“No, Berry,” He had answered in the soft voice her parents had always used when speaking with her. “ We’re earth ponies. We don’t fly or do magic or anything like that. But,” He had added when she started to look downcast. “Each pony has something that makes them special. Even if you can’t soar in the air, or do magic tricks, you can still be special,” He had leaned down and nuzzled his daughters muzzle with his own. “By being yourself. Do you understand?”

“I think so daddy.”

“Good, now go and play”

A nudge in the side from Amethyst brought her mind back to the present. Not much time had past, and Ms. Heart was in the middle of telling the class about griffins.

“…Has a wingspan of nearly 6 hoof-steps, and sharp talons on either foreleg, much like an eagle. They also have a sharp beak for tearing into their food.”

“Ms. Heart?” A pony named Cheerilee spoke, Berry didn’t know her all that much, just her name, really.

“Yes Cheerilee?” Ms. Heart said.

“What do griffins eat, exactly?”

“Well, Cheerilee,” Ms. Heart explained, obviously uncomfortable. “They eat… Well… Other animals.” The rest of the class gasped in horror, then stayed in stunned silence, glancing wide-eyed at one another. Berry Punch felt her stomach twist in fear. Her father never told her THAT. Bright Shine was the one who broke the silence.

“Like bunnies and squirrels?” She squeaked in terror. “But that hurts them!”

“Yes, it does.” Ms. Heart told the class. “But that is how they keep themselves alive. You see, their stomachs are not built for eating plants and grains like ours. Their bodies were designed for eating the flesh of other living things.” Ms. Heart seemed very uncomfortable talking about this, and with good reason. Ponies NEVER hurt animals, especially not for food. The teacher continued. “ We may not like it, but it is not up to ponies to decide the habits of other things, vulgar though they seem. We must accept that that is how they live, even if we don’t approve.”

Cheerilee, though sickened like the rest of the class, couldn’t suppress a sigh of admiration. She turned to the classmate nearest her, who was still stiff with shock, his mouth gaping, and whispered in his ear.

“ She’s so smart. I think someday I’ll be a teacher just like her!”

The class went on as usual, and most of the students seemed to get over the shock of learning about a griffin's diet. The teacher’s lecture seemed to be sinking in. The bell rang, and class was dismissed. Berry couldn’t wait to get home. She couldn’t wait to tell her parents everything she learned!

Chapter 3

“Momma!” The pink filly called happily, running through the front entrance and into the kitchen. Her mother was standing by the table, packing different foods into a small basket.

“Hello, dear” Ruby greeted her daughter, a smile on her face. “Did Ms. Heart teach you very much? Are you ready for the rest of the year?” She asked Berry, who’s eyes were sparkling.

“Yeah! She taught us all about the different animals! Even the ones that don’t live around here!” She answered gleefully. Her attention was quickly drawn to the basket. “What’s that for?”

“Well, I thought of how proud I was of you, going to school by yourself for the first time, so I decided that maybe we could have a picnic.” Berry’s eyes sparkled.

“A picnic? Yes, yes!”, she yelled out, jumping up and down on the floor with excitement.

“I’m glad you're excited.” Berry’s mother chuckled. “I found this beautiful field just outside Ponyville where we can lay out the blanket.” With that she closed the basket and picked it up by the handle in her teeth. “Let’s go.” She said, her voice somewhat distorted from the handle. She went out the door, Berry Punch following behind with a skip in her step.

After about 10 minutes the two ponies reached the field and Berry’s mom pulled a plaid red and white blanket from the basket. For a few moments Ruby walked around the blanket, adjusting the corners and edges, making sure it was perfect at all angles for a picnic with her daughter. They enjoyed their meal for a half hour before the beating of wings was heard in the distance.

“I wonder what that is?” Berry’s mother asked herself before turning around to look. Her eyes widened with fear as a small red speck got gradually bigger as it approached from the horizon. Her voice was choked in fear when she turned her head towards her daughter. “Berry! Run!” She whispered, terror spreading across her face.

“What is it momma?” Berry asked. She couldn’t tell what her mother was so afraid of. The speck was so small and far away, it looked harmless.

“Don’t ask questions, Berry! Just run!” She ordered, shoving her daughter in front of her as she tried to flee, leaving the picnic behind. As they fled, Berry had no idea what the problem was. Suddenly, a loud roar like a clap of thunder boomed from behind them. Her mother cried out, “Run! Don’t look back!” and Berry was shoved forward through some bushes, landing in a ditch. She lay dazed for a few moments before a blood- curdling scream brought her back to full conciousnus. She leapt up and climbed the ditch, peeking out from the bushes. What she saw in the field turned her blood to ice, and she felt like her heart had stopped.

“MOMMA!” Berry screamed, her eyes stretched wide in horror. Out in the field, a pale purple body was laying on the ground, its fur stained red, a large puddle of blood expanding around it. Just above the body crouched a huge, bright red dragon, its claws and teeth soaked with blood as it tore hungrily into its prey. Her gaze was blinded with tears as she held back another scream, fearful the dragon would find her as well.

Suddenly, a loud chorus of trumpets exploded from the other side of the clearing, and a swarm of white pegasi covered in gleaming gold armor swooped in from the sky. The royal army had arrived all the way from Canterlot. The soldiers held crossbows on their hooves and, on the command of the leading guard, shot the dragon down. It resisted, shaking its head savagely until one final shot hit it square in the eye, piercing into its brain. The dragon fell to one side with a loud, painful groan, and laid slain in the clearing, blood pouring from the eye that had been pierced by the arrow.

The guards landed at once, inspecting the dragon, when one let out a gasp of horror.

“Sir! The dragon has killed a civilian!” He reported, looking stunned at Berry’s mother’s bloodied corpse. The lead guard walked over and looked down with disgust on his face.

“That monster!” He spat. Another guard, standing on the other side of the dragon, called out.

“Sir? You may want to see this.” The lead guard walked over, and the other guard indicated with his hoof that the dragon’s ribs were showing quite dramatically. “It must have been very desperate to wander way out here. Dragons don’t normally come this far from the Magma Plains, and they usually don’t come after ponies-” He was interrupted by the loud cry of a stallion.

“Ruby? Ruby!” A new guard cried out, running towards the body. He immediately flung off his helmet, revealing his dark ginger mane, and collapsed by Berry’s mother, sobbing loudly. “How could this happen… I should have been here! I should have protected her…” The lead guard strutted over to the sobbing stallion, who’s hooves were now stained red from the blood.

“Did you know this mare, Silver Arrow?” He questioned. His face looked unconcerned, as the guards had been trained to look, even in horrid situations. But the sympathy was evident in his voice. With visible effort, Silver Arrow managed to lift his head and look into the eyes of his superior.

“Yes, sir,” He choked. “She was my wife.”

“I- I’m so sorry.” The leader whispered, bowing his head in respect for Silver Arrow’s loss. A rustling in the bushes made him look up. “Who goes there? Show yourself!” Out of the bushes, a tiny filly, crawled out, her eyes pink and full of tears, and her hair full of mud and leaves.

“B-Berry? You’re okay!” Silver Arrow rushed over and embraced the little mare. “Thank Celestia you’re alive…” He whispered to her, eyes shut tight and ears streaming from them. “ I promise, I’ll always be there for you.” He vowed to his daughter. He promised himself that he would never let anything happen to her. Never.

Chapter 4

“H-hey! Barkeep! S-send another ’un over here…” A pink mare stuttered, leaning over the bar with one elbow. One of her eyes was half closed, and her hair was unkempt, as if she had been there for most of the day.

“You sure?” The bartender asked her while washing a glass. “That’ll be your eighth one today.”

“D-did I bucking st-stutter?” She stammered on angrily, leaning farther over bar to glare at the bartender with her uneven gaze. “I s-said send o-over another!” The bartender rolled his eyes, poured a glass of wine, and handed it to her.

“You know Berry, I think you gotta stop spending so much time here.”

“Whut’re you talkin’ ’bout? Y-your crazy…Ya know that…?” Berry Punch raged in a dizzy voice. The bartender shrugged.

“All I’m sayin’ is, I think you might have a problem.”

“What’d you just say!?” Berry snapped. She shakily slammed her front hooves down on the bar, spilling her wine glass. “I-I don’t gots n-no problem with my d-drinking!!” She fumed with a stutter. “You- you’re the ’un with tha promblem!”

It had been 17 years since her mother died. She had been living alone with her father until a few years ago, when he was struck down by a terminal disease. He was dead within two weeks of the diagnosis, and she had been forced to live alone in the house. Since then she had spent many a night in the bar, or passed out drunk on the sidewalk or in the alley. However, due to her drinking, she could never hold a job, and lost the house she was born in. Her friends, after staging many, many interventions, gave up on her, and reluctantly rejected her as their friend. She now lived in an alleyway, sleeping on newspapers and surrounded by empty bottles. She remembered the day her father died. He had been laying in a hospital bed, his white fur dull, not sleek, as it had been in his health, and he had already started to drift away. She had been crouching beside his bed, crying.

“Don’t go dad, don’t go!” She had cried by his bed as he laid on his side, staring blearily at her with half-closed eyes.

“I have to, Berry. I have no choice.” He whispered, smiling at her.

“But you said you would always be there for me! You told me you would never let anything happen!” She cried out, tears in her eyes.

“Berry… I WILL always be there for you…” He weakly reached out one hoof and placed it on her chest. “…In here.”

“But…But it’s not the same!” She cried, burying her face in her arms.

“Berry… Berry, look at me.” She wiped her eyes and looked up at him from where she crouched on the floor, her forelegs and head down against the edge of the bed. “You need to be strong…” He continued weakly. Just as the light in his eyes started to fade, something caught his gaze and he seemed to be staring up at the ceiling, at something Berry Punch couldn’t see. “…R-Ruby…? You’re here… I… I never thought…I’d see you again.” He whispered, his voice fading.

“F-father?” Berry asked anxiously, looking from the ceiling to her father very quickly. But his eyes were already closing, the smile still on his face as his head pointed to the ceiling. “Father?” she asked once more, but this time, there was no response. Silver Arrow, one of Celestia’s royal guards, and her beloved father, would never speak to her again. He was gone.

“Hey! You alright?” The voice of the bartender broke into her thoughts, bringing her back to the present. “Listen, I’ve worked here for a long time, and if I learned anything, it’s this; If a pony spaces out like that, then they’ve had enough.” Berry opened her mouth halfway to protest, up the bartender continued. “Besides, it’s just about closing time.” Berry turned around on the stool and noticed, with shock, that everypony had left. Grumbling to herself, she put the money down on the bar and stumbled away towards the door.

Berry Punch stumbled outside and turned the corner into a dark alleyway. It was a warm summer night, Berry knew warmth wouldn’t be a problem tonight as she stumbled towards the newspaper pile, tripping over empty bottles as she walked. Reaching it, she slumped down, the paper crumpling underneath her body. She was so drunk, she didn’t even bother to cover herself up. As soon as she laid down, she passed out, and slept without dreaming.

“Hello?” A voice broke into her mind, which seemed to swim around in her head. The voice was distorted in a watery tone. “Hey, are you okay? Wake up.” Berry Punch opened her eyes and lifted her head, but as soon as she did, she felt a spitting headache. She shut her eyes tight again and groaned, holding the back of her head. “ Whoa, are you alright?” the voice spoke again. Berry was able to see more clearly now, at least enough to see a shadow looming over her.

“Huh…? W-who are you?” She murmured, squinting at the figure above her. The voice belonged to a stallion, and from the silhouette she could just make out the shape of a horn.

“I guess I could ask you the same question. But, since you asked, my name is Sky Star”

Chapter 5

The hung-over mare struggled to sit up in the pile of paper that made up her bed. Her hoof still pressed to the back of her head. The unicorn stallion was dark blue in color, with bright yellow hair. His cutie mark was three white stars in a row, and he looked at her with concern.

“So…Now that I told you my name, can you tell me yours?” He asked. “And maybe tell me why your living in an alley?”

“Oh, um…” She said, trying to ignore the headache that seemed to threaten to split her head in two. “My name is Berry Punch.” She told him. “And… It’s a long story, I’d rather not get into it right now.” Berry wasn’t sure how she felt about this stallion. He was a stranger, and had no reason to be concerned about her. But looking at his sleek fur and kind gaze, she felt like somehow she could trust him.

“Good to meet you Berry Punch.” He said in a friendly tone, extending one hoof in greeting.

“Good to meet you too, um… Sky Star.” She extended her hoof awkwardly, and she shook it with his own. Berry had never seen this stallion before, and soon her curiosity got the better of her. “I’ve never seen you in Ponyville before, where are you from?” She asked, struggling to stand up so she could address him at eye level. She never felt comfortable with ponies looking down at her. And since she spent almost every night passed out somewhere in town, it happened a lot.

“I just moved here from Fillydelphia.” Sky Star told her. Then his expression turned to concern. “Listen…You seem like a really nice mare. I wouldn’t feel right, leaving you here like this. Why don’t you come stay with me? There‘s plenty of room, more than I know what to do with.” He offered generously.

“You… You would do that for me?” Berry asked, astonished.

“Sure. Come on, follow me.” He told her, turning and walking from the alleyway. Berry Punch followed more slowly. Even though the alleyway was cold and dark, but over the years, it had started to feel like home.

“Here we are!” Sky Star said with a smile. The sun was high in the sky by the time the two ponies reached Sky Star’s house. Berry gasped with astonishment as she gazed at the structure in front of her. They were standing in front of a huge building at the edge of Ponyville. A large dome covered a portion of the roof.

“THIS is your house?” She asked, eyes wide with surprise. Berry had never seen houses like that in Ponyville, or anywhere else, for that matter.

“Yeah, pretty cool, huh? It’s where I do my studies, too.”

“Studies?” Berry echoed. She wondered what a pony could possibly study in a house like this.

“Yes, see that dome up there? There’s a telescope inside it, that’s what I use to study astronomy.”

“Wow…” Berry mused.

“Well, I think we’ve stood out here long enough. Let me show you inside.” Sky Star offered, and led the way towards the front door. Berry followed close behind. Sky Star pushed the door open, letting Berry Punch go in first. “Well, this is the living room,” He said, closing the door behind them. Berry looked around. This didn’t look like any living room she had ever seen. There were sketches and posters all over the walls, depicting things that Berry had never seen. “What’s that one?” She asked, pointing with her muzzle to a sketch that seemed to show a colorful, cloud-like shape.

“That’s the Crab Nebula,” He told her. “It can’t be seen by plain eyesight, You need a powerful telescope to see it.”

“Wow, we never learned all THIS in Ponyville Elementary…” Berry said, full of awe.

“Probably not,” Sky Star told Berry. “ I had to go to an advanced school to start learning these things.”

“Well, what about that one?” She asked, pointing to a different poster. This one looked like dark stacks of clouds.

“Eagle Nebula.”

“Ah.”

“Well, let me show you the rest of the house.” Sky Star offered, and led the way through a doorway and out of the living room. They were now standing in the kitchen. It looked just like a normal kitchen, which surprised Berry. Judging by how the living room looked, she thought it would be covered in posters and models as well. “This is the kitchen. But you knew that. Would you like to go upstairs and see the telescope?”

“Sure.” Berry Punch agreed. They walked through another doorway. Berry stopped dead and looked up in surprise. A spiral staircase stood before them, climbing so high she almost couldn’t see the top, which was shrouded in darkness.

“W-we have to go up there?” She stammered, still staring upward.

“Of course, that’s where the telescope is. Let’s go.” He climbed up the stairs with ease, as if he had been doing it for a very long time. Berry Punch shook with fear as she followed him. She climbed more slowly, and gulped as she tried not to look down. Before long, she found herself stepping onto solid ground. She couldn’t tell how high she was, as the room was pitch black, but she was almost positive that they were inside that dome on the roof. Sky Star was nowhere to be found.

Suddenly the room shook and a loud rumble filled the air, turning Berry’s blood to ice. The red light from the setting sun flooded her vision, blinding her for a moment. The dome was slowly splitting in half. When her vision returned, she could see the dark blue stallion at the other side of the dome, his hoof on a large lever. But soon something else caught her eye. A huge black telescope loomed up ahead of her. It was not the kind of telescope that sat on a tripod. It was much more complex, with different lenses and components making up the structure.

“Pretty cool, huh?” Sky Star asked. Berry was speechless.

“Um…Berry?” He asked when she did not respond.

“Huh? Oh. Yeah, it’s pretty neat.” She finally replied, shaking her head.

“Would you like to see where you’ll be staying?” He asked her kindly.

“Sure.” Berry Punch said, and followed him back down the spiral staircase. She noticed that going down was much, much easier than going up.

Chapter 6

“Well, make yourself at home.” Sky Star said, standing with Berry in the entrance of his guest room. There was a bed against the wall in the center of the room, it’s blanket black and covered in silver sequined stars. The room’s walls were decorated in a long line of posters that went all the way around. Each poster was navy blue with a constellation and the name underneath it. Scorpio, Leo, Taurus, Sagittarius, Cancer, Capricorn, Aries, Pisces, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor… Berry couldn’t believe anypony could have so many posters. On the far left there was a break in the posters where a doorway stood. The door was half closed, but Berry could see that it lead to a small private bathroom. The ceiling was black and depicted expertly painted stars, planets, and one or two comets.

“Whoa, did you paint that?” Berry asked, gaping at the ceiling as she walked farther into the room. Looking at it closely, it seemed to come to life before her eyes. It was as if she herself was floating in space, the painted objects spinning around her. She shook her head, clearing her mind, and all was still once more.

“Oh, that? No, I had a professional artist come in to do that. She did a really great job, and worked quickly too! I was surprised when she finished in 2 hours.” Sky Star told her, still standing in the entrance. Berry noticed that in the corner of the ceiling the artist had signed her name, ‘Fingerpaints’. “Well, I’ll leave you to get settled.” He said to Berry before turning to walk down the hallway. Berry looked out the window at the night sky. She thought she saw one of the constellations depicted on one of the posters, but she couldn’t be sure- not that it really mattered.

She walked into the bathroom. It’s walls and floor were covered in white square tiles. The sink basin was also white, while the counter around it was made of marble, smooth and gray, speckled with black. Berry was somewhat surprised, she expected the bathroom to be decorated like the rest of the house, but it seemed to be an ordinary bathroom. There was a tall, rectangular mirror just above the sink. Berry gasped in utter shock when she saw her own reflection. Her mane was matted and stained with substances unknown. Her fur was the same, and her chest and chin were colored an odd yellowish color from years of vomiting in the streets. Berry Punch hadn’t seen her own reflection clearly in 3 years, only seeing blurry glimpses of herself as she walked past filthy, greasy puddles. She felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. Every time Sky Star had looked at her, he had seen a disgusting, unkempt mare, stained with vomit and other things. There was a shower in the corner of the bathroom, the curtain was a pale blue. On a shelf nearby there were towels of different colors, folded neatly. Berry decided to take a shower. She wanted to look presentable. The generous Sky Star deserved at least that if Berry was going to be a guest in his home.

Berry had finished drying herself off and sat on the bed in the guest room. There had been a hairbrush on the nightstand that had not been there before, and she had brushed herself thoroughly. By now her coat was glossy and smooth, like it had been before she developed her drinking problem, and was no longer discolored by stains of any sort. When she had lived in the alley, though she was filthy, she had grown used to it, and never noticed it. Now she felt better than she had for a long time. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt so clean. Berry looked at the small red clock that was sitting at the corner of the nightstand. It said 9:36, the sky was pitch black, flecked by stars. It was late, Princess Celestia had long ago lowered the sun, and now Princess Luna held Equestria with her powers of the night. Berry got off the bed and stood beside it, pulling the covers off on that side before sliding into the bed. As she covered herself, she had been shocked by how comfortable it was. After laying on that cold, crinkly pile of newspapers for so long, she had almost forgotten how warm and soft a proper bed was. The bed felt divine, and sleep overtook her quickly.

Berry woke up the next morning, feeling more refreshed and happy than she had been in a very long time. She slept well, a feeling that had abandoned her for years. With a loud, deep yawn, she climbed out of bed. She gazed at the covers, wrinkled. She was just about to make the bed when she realized that she hadn’t made a bed for years. She wasn’t sure she would remember exactly how to go about it, but she knew she couldn’t leave it like that. A good guest cleaned up after themselves. Putting on her game face, she grabbed the blanket with her teeth and pulled it down to the foot of the bed, where it bunched up and dangled towards the floor. She bit down on one corner of the sheet and pulled it carefully into place, then went to the other side of the bed and proceeded to do the same thing with the other corner.

Soon the sheet was perfect, and she moved to the pillow. Berry grabbed the corner of the pillow in her mouth and shook it up and down, fluffing it effectively, then placed it back on the bed. Sheet and pillow taken care of, Berry Punch fixed the blanket, pulling it up to the pillow and smoothing it out with her hoof. She looked at the bed, perfectly made, and smiled at her accomplishment. She had been so focused with her work, that she had not noticed the smell coming from downstairs, and decided to investigate. Berry walked out of the room and turned towards the hallway. She came to the stairs after a few moments and walked down them, straight into the kitchen. She saw Sky Star standing in front of the stove, his back to her. She said a quick good morning, and the blue stallion turned to her, eyes warm in welcome.

“Good morning, Berry!” He greeted her. “Did you have a nice-” He broke off, staring at her glossy coat. “Wow. You- you look great!” He exclaimed, still staring at her fur.

“Thanks, I feel great.” She said sheepishly. Sky Star finally broke his gaze away from her and turned back to the stove, but soon turned back with a skillet, stacked with pancakes. At the table were 2 plates, and he stacked each one with 3 large pancakes each. Berry sat down in the seat across from him. While she was eating, she got an awkward feeling and looked up to see Sky Star gazing at her, his pancakes untouched, as if in some sort of trance. “Um… Sky Star? Are you okay?” Berry asked, tilting her head.

“Huh?” He shook his head as if he had been woken from a dream. “Oh, yes. I’m fine. And please, call me Sky.”

Chapter 7

“Well, okay, Sky.” Berry Punch giggled. It felt strange to laugh, she hadn’t been truly happy in such a long time. By the time Sky Star had begun to eat his breakfast, Berry was halfway done. She finished first and waited in silence while he ate the last of his pancakes. He looked at Berry for a while, as if deep in thought, then finally broke the silence.

“Hey, I just remembered! I was planning on going to the market.” He paused for a moment, then added hopefully, “Um, would you like to come with me?”

Berry wasn’t sure if it was such a good idea. Just about everypony in Ponyville knew her as the town drunk; passing out on sidewalks, vomiting in the streets, and, when she was really, REALLY drunk, pole dancing on streetlamps with a bottle of vodka in one hoof. Everypony would see her walking with Sky Star. She could just imagine what that could do to his reputation. Berry looked into his hopeful eyes and quickly pushed the thought away. If they other ponies didn’t like it, it wasn’t Sky’s problem.

“Sure.” Berry said, watching his eyes light up.

“Great! Let me just get my bag…” He got up from his seat and walked into the living room, his shiny yellow tail swishing behind him, and appeared a moment later with a bag over his back. It had two pockets, one on each side, connected by a sheet of cloth draped over his back. The bag was dark blue, three white stars on the surface of each pocket. Was there anything he owned that DIDN’T have stars on it?, Berry thought good-humoredly. “Okay, let’s go, then.”

Sky Star walked in front of her and stood back, holding open the door.

“Mares first.” He said to Berry, gazing at her fondly and gesturing with his hoof that she should go first.

“Um…Thank you?” Berry said awkwardly. Nopony had ever opened a door for her before. Unless, of course, it was the door to the bar, and she was too drunk to open it when it was time to leave. The sun was shining brightly as it rose in the cloudless sky. The pegasi have done a great job pushing the clouds away, Berry observed as she walked into town with Sky Star at her side. As they walked down the street, Berry Punch was conscious of the shocked stares of the other ponies.

“Is that Berry Punch?” Heartstrings whispered to Golden Harvest. The yellow earth pony did not reply, staring at Berry as if she had grown pegasus wings and flew into the sky. Many of the other ponies were whispering too, shooting surprised glances in her direction as they spoke in hushed voices to the ponies next to them. Berry wanted to run straight back to the observatory and hide, but she pushed the feeling away. Still feeling awkward, she lifted her head, ignoring the others, and followed Sky Star down the street. When they reached their first stop, it was at a kiosk. There were all sorts of pastries and sweets on the counter, and a pink earth pony standing behind it with a huge grin on her face.

“Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie! I’m running this stand while Mr. and Mrs. Cake are on vacation!” The pony spoke with a voice that reminded Berry of her old friend Bright Shine. Berry felt a single tear run down her face.

She missed her friends so much.

Sky Star answered the energetic earth pony.

“Um… let’s see…”, he trailed off, deep in thought as he turned his head, looking from one treat to the next. “I’ll have two of those brownies, please.”

“Okey dokey lokey!” She said, quickly wrapping the two brownies in wax paper to keep them fresh. “That’s four bits.” She informed enthusiastically, as if she was excited about making a sale. Sky Star hoofed over four little gold coins over the counter, which the pink pony quickly grabbed up, moving as if she had sugar pumping through her veins. Sky star said a quick thanks to Pinkie Pie and used his unicorn magic to lift the wrapped brownies and put them in his bag. They continued up the road and kept walking until the dessert stand was out of sight. Sky Star suddenly stopped and looked around, his eyes resting on another stand. It had bags on display, much like the one Sky Star was wearing.

“Um, I’ll be right back.” He told her, walking over to the stand. Berry wanted to follow, but common sense kept her where she was. Sky Star was speaking to the stallion standing behind the counter, occasionally glancing back at Berry and quickly gesturing in her direction. Berry wondered what they were talking about, and suspiciously focused on the conversation, the stand’s owner was speaking, and she caught a small bit of what he was saying.

“…Come back tomorrow, it’ll be finished by then.”

What will be finished?, Berry wondered, but before she had time to think about it, Sky Star was already walking back.

“Okay, off to our next stop.” He informed before walking up the street. They had left the main part of Ponyville and traveled up a gravel road. Soon apple trees surrounded them on both sides and a large red barn loomed up ahead. There was a sign at the entrance to the property that read ‘Sweet Apple Acres’. A stand was set up just on the side of the road, barrels of apples sat on either side, and an orange pony stood behind the stand.

“Well howwday!” She greeted as the two ponies walked up to the stand. “What can ah do for y-” She stopped as she noticed Berry Punch standing next to Sky Star, a grin on her face. “Well, hi there Berry! Ah haven’t seen you in a long time. Where ya been?” She didn’t know? Berry decided not to tell her.

“Oh, you know. Around. Here and there.” Berry chuckled nervously. Berry remembered Applejack from her days in Ponyville Elementary. Applejack acted as if she had no idea Berry had spent the last few years drinking, she would only have remembered Berry as she used to be, a carefree little school filly. Berry certainly didn’t want to reveal that to her if it meant one less pony would give her dirty looks.

“Well ain’t that just peachy.” Applejack said to her, then looked at the both of them. “Now, what’ll ya’ll be havin’?” She asked kindly. Berry looked the barrels, each one with a different label. Macintosh, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious ,Granny Smith, Breaburn, Honey Crisp… Berry Punch had never seen so many types of apples!

“Hmm… Five of those…” He pointed with one hoof to the Red Delicious, “Five of those,” He indicated the Granny Smith barrel. “And…five of those one’s there .” He finished, pointing at the barrel with the Honey Crisps.

“All right, that’ll be fifteen bits.” Applejack said. Sky Star used his unicorn magic to levitate the money and place it on the counter. Applejack, in return, put fifteen apples on the wood surface, and Sky Star used his magic to open the flap of one of the pockets and put them inside. As the apples levitated, they were surrounded by Sky Star’s signature dark blue aura. Berry had seen this before, long ago, when Amethyst would move something. When unicorns used their magic on something, it would be surrounded by an aura that depended on the individual.

“Well, we’d better head back, it‘s getting late.” Sky Star said, looking up at the sky. Berry had been so caught up with walking with him that she had no idea how much time had past. She was surprised when she saw the sky had turned a bright red. “Looks like Princess Luna will be raising the moon soon.” He observed. They walked back to the observatory, and by the time they returned, the building was bathed in moonlight.

Berry was preparing to get into bed when Sky Star walked into the doorway, smiling.

“Good night.” Sky Star said, watching as she climbed in under the blankets. He turned to leave down the hallway, but Berry called him back.

“Sky?” He turned back and looked at her.

“Yes?”

“I- I just wanted to say thank you. For everything.” Berry Punch said.

“Think nothing of it.” sky said, blinking fondly at her before leaving down the hall towards his own room. Berry laid her head down on the pillow, sleep washed over her like a black wave.

Chapter 8

Berry Punch was dreaming the most vivid dream she’s had in ages. Everything was dark, and there were stars all around her. She was in space, but she wasn’t floating. She walked through the void as if on some invisible path, but when she looked down, she saw nothing but stars. She walked for what could have been just a few moments when a dark blue spot appeared in the distance. She squinted her eyes, but could not make out the shape. Curious, she raced towards it, her hooves pounding on nothing as she ran. The spot gradually grew larger until she could make out a bright yellow mane.

“Sky Star?” Berry wondered aloud. What was he doing in her dream? She sped closer and closer until she had almost reached him. His golden eyes were fixed on her, a smile on his face. Just as she was about to reach him, he turned and sped off, into the white-flecked void.

“Wait!” She called, confused. “Where are you going?” Why had he run off?

“Follow me!” He replied, looking over his shoulder for a moment, though he didn’t slow down. He fixed his gaze back on the path, his speed increasing. After a moment’s hesitation, she dashed after him. She ran faster, trying to catch up with the stallion. Soon they were both going at top speed. Two ponies racing through the stars.

“Hey!” She called out. “Slow down!” Berry wasn’t tired, this was only a dream, after all. But she knew she could never catch him at this speed, not even if she chased him for a million years. He slackened his pace, but only a little. This, however, was enough for the pink mare to narrow the gap between them. Suddenly, he slowed down, his hoof beats becoming slower and slower until they stopped altogether. He turned and waited patiently for her to catch up.

When she finally slowed to a stop beside him, he gazed out ahead of them and indicated with one hoof that she should look too. She turned her head, wondering what was so important that he couldn’t tell her before. Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened with surprise. Ahead of them, out in the distance, was a mass of stars and nebulas. But this was no ordinary mass, it was shaped like a heart. There were many stars, all different sizes, forming an outline, while different colored nebulas clouded and glowed on the inside, making the whole thing shine with a kind of light Berry Punch had never seen in the night sky of her waking world.

“Sky Star, it’s beautiful.” She told him, awestruck.

“I’m glad you like it.” He said simply. It all made sense now. The looks he gave her, the smiles, the way he acted, the way he sometimes stared at her as if aware of nothing else.

He loved her.

Berry Punch woke up, the images from her dream still all too real. She thought of Sky Star; His silky fur, those warm, golden eyes, his kind voice… A feeling seeped through her body, making her feel warm and giddy. She had never felt this before, but she knew what it meant. She loved him too.

She got up and made the bed, the realization making her feel light. She finished quickly, the bed perfect, the starry covers unwrinkled, and went down the hallway and down the staircase. She walked into the kitchen. Sky Star was sitting at the table, waiting bright-eyed until she sat down, his breakfast so far untouched. There were two bowls of dry oats on the table- a common breakfast for ponies- and on a napkin to the side of both bowls was a spoon, a brownie, and an apple. Sky Star smiled as she sat in her seat.

“I didn’t want to start before you got here.” He informed in his warm tone. Berry had to stop herself from giggling like a little school filly, but she blushed involuntarily. They both finished their meals, eating at an equal pace, with Sky Star stopping occasionally to look at her. She detected the stare and looked up, but he quickly snatched his gaze away awkwardly.

“So,” Berry Punch inquired slowly, trying to give away nothing. She tried her best to sound only genuinely curious “How did you sleep?”

“Huh?” Sky Star answered, nearly dropping his spoon. “Uh, fine. Fine.” His answer was quick and awkward, and he looked away. She wanted to know exactly how much he would say.

“I had a dream last night. It was kind of weird,” She began slowly, gauging his reaction as she talked. She saw him stiffen, still not looking at her. She had him right where she wanted him. “You were there, you talked to me.” This time he actually did drop his spoon, he bent down to get it and answered her quickly, still under the table.

“That’s impossible.” He said quickly, obviously hiding something. “There’s no sound in space.” He finally came up, spoon in hoof. “Hey!” He suddenly said, trying to change the subject. “Uh, let me take your dishes. Eheh.” He quickly walked over and scooped up her bowl and spoon, dropping them ungracefully in the sink in his haste. Satisfied, Berry decided she wouldn’t press him anymore. It was obvious he had the same dream.

It was afternoon and the sun was halfway down. Sky Star had spent the whole day showing Berry Punch the posters and diagrams in his home and explaining each one to her. She was tempted several times to bring up the dream again, but he moved from one thing to the next so fast, it was like he was intentionally keeping her from talking about it. Now they sat on the couch, he had given her a book on constellations to read. He had selected a book too, but Berry knew from the frequent stares that he never intended to read it, just use it as a decoy. It didn’t bother her- He liked her, and though she hadn’t told him yet, she liked him too.

“Hey, um…” Sky Star hesitantly broke the silence.

“Yes?” Berry asked, looking up from the book.

“I was… Uh… Wondering if I could… I-I mean if you would…” He stammered, rubbing the back of his head with his hoof.

“Yes??” Berry leaned in. Why couldn’t he just spit out whatever he was trying to say? He started to sweat.

“Can I take you out to dinner tonight?” He asked quickly. He was sweating profusely and shaking slightly, his eyes shut tight as he waited for a “No”.

“Yes.” Berry smiled. She watched Sky Star visibly relax. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, smiling with relief.

“G-great!” He stammered happily. He clearly did not expect a yes. He seemed pleasantly surprised. “Let’s go then, just let me get ready first."

Chapter 9

The sky was darkening as Berry Punch and Sky Star made their way down Ponyville’s main road, and the first stars were just beginning to fleck the sky. Few ponies walked the town’s streets at this time of night, and the ones that were out seemed to be heading home. The two ponies soon passed a building with a flickering neon sign, it read “The Midnight Chug”. Berry looked at the bar longingly. She had never told Sky, but it was hard for her to give up her alcohol addiction. He had no idea the internal struggles she went through, she hid it well. She forced away her yearning, she had left that life behind, and it was for the better. As they left the bar behind, she let out a soft sigh of relief, the temptation was over. Soon Sky Star stopped in front of another building.

“Here we are,” He told her. “My favorite restaurant.” The building was made up of red brick, and a wooden sign stuck out from the wall by a horizontal metal pole. It was white with curly black letters that said “Le Restaurant De L'amour.” Berry assumed it was French or something, but she had no idea what it meant. Sky Star stepped forward and held open the door. “Mares first.” He offered. Berry Punch giggled softly as she walked inside.

“Thank you, Sky,” Berry said graciously. “You’re such a gentlecolt.”

“It’s just the way I was raised.” He replied, blushing slightly. Together the two ponies walked up to the front desk. A very pale brown stallion stood behind it. He wore a white collar with a red bowtie, and sported a curly black mustache. He looked at the two with his muzzle slightly raised.

“What can I do for you?” He asked calmly, speaking with a distinct French accent.

“Table for two, please.” Sky Star said, a friendly smile on his face. The French pony stepped out from behind the desk, picked up two menus, and turned towards a empty doorway.

“Of course, right this way.” He directed before walking through the rectangular space, Sky Star and Berry Punch following a short distance behind. As they entered the room, Berry realized just how fancy it was. The walls were pure white, there were a few windows, each with a silk red curtain. The tables were round and every one was covered with a white table cloth, a vase of flowers as the centerpiece. Each table had petite black legs that were close to the center and curled outward at the ends to support the weight of the eating surface. The chairs had the same delicate frame, and sported fancy red seat cushions. The French stallion led them to an empty table with a chair on either side. Berry walked over to one of the chairs, but before she reached it Sky Star caught her attention.

“Wait!” He called, softly enough not to disturb the other diners but loud enough to make her stop dead. Quickly he dashed past her to the chair and pulled it out for her. It made no sound on the soft carpet. He smiled at her. “A gentlecolt always pulls out the chair for his d-” He suddenly stopped, as if he was afraid he was about to say something embarrassing. Berry smiled at him.

“You mean his date?” She finished for him. Sky Star looked both surprised and relieved, as if he didn’t know Berry also thought of herself as his date.

“Y-Yes.” He stammered, eyes gleaming with barely suppressed delight. Berry sat down and Sky Star sat in the chair across from her. The fancy-speaking stallion leaned in to whisper in his ear.

“She is a fine young mare, mm? It is good to see you are not here alone tonight.” Sky nodded. Berry figured she wasn’t meant to hear that, but she still blushed with self-consciousness. The host pony looked up and spoke in a louder, more professional tone. “Here are your menus.” He deposited the menus onto the table, one in front of Berry and one in front of Sky. “You’re waiter will be here shortly.” He informed before walking away, eyes closed and muzzle raised. The two ponies, now alone at their table, picked up the menus. They were a dark shade of red. The letters were printed in a sparkly gold color, and there were gold-colored tassels on each corner. Berry was surprised, even the menus were fancy. As she looked through the menu, a voice nearby made her look up. Not far from their table, a yellow pegasus mare was standing at another table, a notepad in her hooves. Soon she turned toward hers and Sky’s table. Berry felt like every hair on her mane stood up.

“Tell her I want the hay salad sandwich.” Berry told Sky Star in a panic. “I have to go to the mare’s room.” Berry zoomed off before the waitress arrived, leaving Sky staring, dumbfounded, after her. She found the bathroom without difficulty, swinging the door open in her haste to escape. She stood, panting, in the center of a plain public restroom, with three sinks and four stalls. She had never expected that the pony waiting their table would be her old friend Bright Shine, who, along with Amethyst, left her after many failed interventions. Berry knew contact with her former friend would be too awkward, especially after so many years.

She stood on the dark tiled floor, calming down as she regained her breath. Her anxiety subsiding, Berry Punch realized that she really did have to use the bathroom. She walked into the stall and closed the door behind her.

Berry emerged from the stall and walked over to the sink to wash her hooves. She pressed her hoof on the soap dispenser, muttering angrily as she realized it was empty. She moved over to the next one, which still had a bit of soap left in it. As she washed her hooves, Berry was not impressed by the bathroom’s maintenance. She dried them with a paper towel and walked to the door. Warily, she peeked outside and was relieved to find Sky Star alone, no yellow pegasi in sight. With a sigh of relief, she walked back to the table. Sky looked at her with concern in his eyes.

“Are you okay?” He asked. “You left in a big hurry. Are you sick?” Before she had time to answer, he leaned over and planted a hoof on her forehead. “No fever.” He observed.

“I’m fine,” She answered awkwardly. He didn’t seem convinced.

“Well, anyway, I told her what you wanted."

“You didn’t tell her my name, did you?” Berry exclaimed.

“No, why?” He answered, looking confused.

“She-” Berry was interrupted when Bright Shine returned, a tray on her back with two plates on it. I can’t use the “mare’s room” excuse again!, She thought, beginning to panic. Thinking fast, she quickly pulled the menu up, covering her face from view.

“Here you are,” Bright Shine said, bending her head back to distribute the plates. “A hay salad sandwich and apple tenders with our signature daisy dipping sauce. Anything else?” Berry, though she couldn’t see her, was surprised that Bright Shine seemed to have grown out of her high-speed voice. She spoke like everypony else now. Sky Star gave Berry a sidelong glance and she shook her head, not removing the menu from her face.

“We’re fine, thank you.” He dismissed the waitress, who nodded and walked away. Berry dared to peek from her protective menu.

“Is she gone?” Berry whispered.

“Yes,” Sky Star confirmed. “What’s wrong? Do you know her?”

“Sh- She’s an old friend. We had a falling out a long time ago, I really don’t want to talk about it.” She told him awkwardly. Being the gentlecolt that he was, he didn’t pry, but simply nodded understandingly and began to eat his meal. Berry took a bite of the sandwich. She remembered her mother used to make this kind for her at lunch. A pang of sadness hit her, and she struggled to keep herself calm, a single tear trying to fight its way out of her eye. Berry Punch thanked Celestia that Sky Star was too busy with his apple tenders to notice. She didn’t think she had it in her to explain Ruby’s tragic death. They finished their meals at the same time and spent the rest of their date talking about things ponies talk about on dates. Sky Star finally changed the subject.

“It’s getting late, we should probably get going.” He observed, looking at the clock on the nearby wall, which said 11:23 PM. Sky Star left the money in the little black book Bright Shine had left when she brought the meals and both ponies left the restaurant. They walked in silence, careful not to disturb Ponyville’s sleeping citizens. Both ponies were exhausted by the time they reached the observatory. As soon as they walked in, they said goodnight and walked up the stairs to their separate rooms.

Berry Punch almost stumbled on the way to her bed. As she climbed in, something glowing above her caught her eye. For the first time she noticed that the stars painted on the ceiling mural were made from glow-in-the-dark paint. Berry was impressed. Whoever this Fingerpaints pony was, she really knew how to make a great painting. That was the last thing she thought before sleep hit her like a stone.

As the pink pony slept, a dark figure appeared in her doorway. Head down, it crept across to the nightstand and placed something on it before tip-hoofing back to the door and out of sight.

Chapter 10

Berry Punch woke the next morning from a deep sleep. Yawning, she reached over to the clock on the nightstand so she could tell what time it was. Instead of touching the round, smooth surface of the clock, her hoof made contact with something soft. She sat up immediately and turned towards the nightstand. Just in front of the clock was a pink saddlebag. Covering the clasp was a picture of a strawberry with a bunch of grapes behind it. Her cutie mark pattern.

Berry picked it up carefully so as not to drop it with her sleep-clumsy hooves. There was a cool, minty smell wafting from the cloth of the bag, which she recognized as the brand of cologne Sky Star wore on their date, “Star-Struck Breeze”. Berry closed her eyes and hugged it tightly, a smile spreading across her face. Feeling lighter than air, she leapt out of bed and onto the floor. A gift from Sky Star! He must have cared about her very much to go through the trouble of obtaining a custom saddlebag for her.

Berry turned towards the door but stopped short. She wanted Sky Star to know she appreciated the gesture. She turned back to the bed and grabbed the saddlebag in her mouth, tilting her head to fling it over her back. It fit perfectly, Berry observed before walking out into the hall and down the stairs. She trotted through the doorway and into the kitchen. Nopony was there. Puzzled, she walked back upstairs, down the hall, and stopped at the base of the staircase heading to the observatory tower. She looked up at the top of the stairs, which were shrouded in darkness.

Berry shivered, but stepped onto the first step, trying to look confident. The metal of the step creaked as she put her hoof on it, but though she flinched, she did not turn back. Slowly, she made her way up the stairs, climbing higher and higher until she could barely see her hooves in front of her. Finally, she reached the top. A small lantern hung from the ceiling, and in it’s light she saw a dark blue stallion, fast asleep on the floor surrounded by pencils and pictures of constellations. Berry smiled but decided not to wake him, he must have been up so late with his work that he fell asleep.

If Sky Star was asleep, that meant he hadn’t had breakfast… Berry’s eyes brightened as an idea hit her. She would repay his kindness by making him breakfast! Quietly so as not to disturb him, she turned and headed down the stairs. Reaching the bottom, she trotted through the hallway and down the second flight of stairs, leading to the kitchen. Opening the pantry, she found a box of pancake mix, dry and powdery. She knew pancakes were his favorite. She found a bowl in a nearby cabinet and poured some pancake mix into it, then added water and stirred it.

Berry knew exactly what do, since, after her father died and she was alone in the house, she had had to make her own meals. Pancakes were just fine, but Berry thought Sky Star deserved better. She put the spoon down and walked over to the fridge. She was in luck! There were strawberries in a clear plastic box in the front of the shelf. She picked out the biggest berries and cut them into small chunks on the wooden surface of a cutting board. Looking up, she spotted the skillet Sky Star used to make pancakes hanging on a peg by a hole in its handle.

Berry Punch reached up and retrieved it, placing it on the countertop. After some searching, she found some butter, which her father had told her was the best, most natural material for greasing up the skillet. She turned the stove on to the appropriate setting and placed the skillet on one of the red-hot burners. She waited until it was hot enough before she poured the mix, carefully so as to ensure four perfectly circular pancakes.
After a moment she sprinkled the strawberry bits into the still-moist pancakes, which slowly sunk in until they were only half visible among the pale, bubbling mix. After a few minutes she picked up a nearby spatula and flipped them, then after more waiting, flipped them again. Soon they were colored an appetizing golden-brown. She gazed down at her work with pride on her face and turned off the stove. She opened the cabinet again and retrieved two plates, white with blue rims, and two forks and two knives from the drawer.

She placed the plates and utensils on opposite sides of the table and turned to pick up the skillet and spatula, which she used to scrape two pancakes onto each plate. Berry hung her saddlebag on the back of her chair and sat for many moments, gazing at the stairs and leaving her breakfast untouched. Finally, after a very long time, Berry Punch heard slow hoof steps on the staircase and a yawn. After a moment, Sky Star came into view, head down and hair a mess as if he had just woken up.

“I hope I didn’t oversleep,” He murmured, head drooping. “I still need to make break-” He looked up to see Berry Punch in the kitchen, eyes wide. “-fast?” He came through the doorway, observing, in surprise, that breakfast had already been made. “You made breakfast?” He asked.

“Well, you were asleep, and I wanted to repay you for your gift.” Berry informed him, smiling warmly, indicating the bag hanging on the chair behind her.

“You did this for me?” He asked, smiling. “Thanks, Berry. You really are great.” He walked towards her and leaned his head close, but then pulled away quickly, blushing with uncertainty. Berry understood, and leaned in to give him a kiss on the cheek. His mouth gaped open and let out a small sputter, his blush deepening.

“Why don’t you sit down.” Berry offered with a smile when Sky Star had stood, unblinking, for a few seconds. He shook his head, as if he had just pulled himself out of a dream.

“S-sure.” He finally responded happily, sitting down across from her. They both ate together, talking about this and that, but mostly talking about their feelings.

Their feelings for each other.