Candy Swirl and I trot through the town, enjoying the beautiful weather that surrounds us. Heat waves ripple from afar, the only sound in the air is the giggles and shouts of distant ponies playing, and our hooves on the concrete.
“I don’t know, Sugar Stick, I think vanilla ice cream’s the best, but I can’t say.” She responds to my question from a while ago. “I mean,” She adds, gesturing to her flank, “I’m more of a milkshake gal.”
I smile kindly, glancing absently at her flank, and quickly looking away. I don’t want it to seem weird. But what she said was true, on her flank there’s a picture of a long glass cup, with a raspberry milkshake inside.
“That’s true.” I chuckle. She belts a laugh, blinking away tears. I love that about her. How she freely laughs, not caring who’s around her… “I like chocolate, though.”
She stops laughing, clearing her throat as she composes herself. “Two opposites. Fair enough.” She replies, grinning from ear to ear at me. I smile back.
“I don’t know how to make this not awkward.” I choke, trying not to laugh. She beams, fluttering her eyes.
“What?” She asks, as if she already doesn’t know what I’m getting at.
I grin. “Well, we’ve known each other for…a while, and I’ve developed some sort of feelings towards you,” I explain, trying to sound sophisticated, “and I was wondering…sweet Celestia! WATCH OUT!” I let out a shriek, pushing her to the ground as mangled torso bullets past her.
“What the hell, Sugar Stick!” She yells at me, climbing up from a mud puddle and brushing the mud off of her.
“I saved you!” I mutter back, speaking through gritted teeth. She always looks beautiful when she’s mad…
“Well now it’s my turn.” She guffaws, shoving me hard towards the mud puddle she was once in. I flap my wings at the last minute, taking to the air and sticking my tongue out.
She sticks hers out back. “Can’t get me!” She sneers, wiggling her flank and cantering away playfully.
When I don’t follow, she turns around and shouts, “C’mon, why aren’t you going to come get me? You always do!”
I don’t respond right way, too busy remembering that distorted figure that swooped past us, making the oddest noises.
“Because…oh, I have to go. See you tomorrow.” I mumble, flying off slowly back to my house. I take my time, using an aerial view to look for that…thing.
When I can’t find it, I speed up and just go home, falling asleep unwillingly, the revolting sight my last thought as I drift to sleep.
