Light as a feather

-Chapter One-

The voices of the ponies mingled so closely together it had become hard to pick out the individual conversations. He would catch a snippet now and then, merged together with altogether separate dialogue, which he had to admit made for some pretty interesting results. It had amused him for a while but he was beginning to feel the all too familiar twinge of boredom.

“Order up!”

The sudden outburst called his attention and only reluctantly did he answer it, his hooves dragging. The cook, a stallion by the name of Short Order, gave him an incorrigible look.

“Don’t drop it this time.” The burly stallion muttered dismissively.

“I got it.” The scruffy colt answered hastily balancing the tray, laden with a variety of exotic fruits, some of which couldn’t be found anyplace else, on the tip of his nose. He was careful to walk slowly as he wove his way through the numerous tables, until he found the one he sought.

“You’re quite good.” A sultry female voice spoke. “…For an earth pony that is.”

He chanced a glance at the mare who had complimented his skill. An insecure smile crossed his face as he set the tray on the table and stepped back, trying not to stare. She was extremely beautiful, long and lean, with pleasant green eyes. The blush rising to his face was hidden by his rusty orange pelt. The unicorn gave him a once over before turning her attention to the food. She levitated a strawberry to her lips, a motion that made the colt swallow uncomfortably.

“You weren’t here yesterday.” He muttered under his breath, not meaning for her to overhear.

“Oh?” She questioned biting down on the strawberry. A thin bead of pulp slid down her chin, but she didn’t seem to care. A mischievous smile turned her lips as her attention settled on him once more. “I suppose it was best I choose to come this day then was it not?”

“Amber!”

The colt tore his gaze from the unicorn as he heard his name called. Realizing he’d lingered too long, far longer than was proper for a simple waiter, he reluctantly left. Short Order raised a brow as the colt returned. “Don’t forget your place son. Mares like that are nothing but trouble.”

The ruddy colt frowned at the brawny stallion’s use of the familial term. His father was gone. He had been for some time now. Biting back his anger Amber balanced another tray and abated his emotions through work.

~~

The night was cool and crisp, the stars shining brightly. Amber gazed up at them as he walked, knowing the streets well enough to navigate blindfolded. Not that he could ever think of a plausible reason to do such a thing.

It was a lengthy walk to his apartment, through a lesser known neighborhood, not tarnished by the energetic nightlife of others he’d been through. The rusty orange pony welcomed the silence allowing his mind to wander where it would. Not surprisingly he found it settling on the stunning unicorn he’d met that afternoon.

It was only now he thought to get her name, when the opportunity had long passed. He could remember nothing by way of distinguishing marks to identify her should he see her again and this made him angry.

“You’re a fool Amber.” He said aloud, thankful no pony was around to hear. He dug at the earth, biting hard on his bottom lip, suddenly overwhelmed by a white hot fury he struggled to withhold. After several quiet moments spent restraining his aggression he glanced again to the stars high overhead.

Princess Celestia must be tired. He thought quietly as one of them fell, a shimmering procession of sparks trailing behind it.

“Aren’t you going to make a wish?” A familiar voice asked. He swung his gaze toward the sound finding the beautiful unicorn stepping from the shadows, an amused smile on her lips. Her ivory coat glistened in the starlight, creating an ethereal aura around her being.

“Wishes are for fillies!” He snorted unable to hide the bitterness in his voice. At least that’s what his father had always told him. The colt shoved the memory away.

“Then, shall I make one for you?” The mare asked, closing her eyes and titling her head toward the night sky. Amber hesitated. She couldn’t be inviting him to look, could she? Swallowing the lump in his throat he dared a glance at the mares flank.

“The Royal Crest!” He exclaimed far louder than intended. He hadn’t meant to say anything at all. The coat of arms on her flank was surrounded by what looked to be small hoof prints.

“Are you surprised?” The unicorn merely smiled, glancing at his cutie mark in turn. He’d always been a bit ashamed of it. Cutie marks were meant to show a pony’s special talent; so why then was he, an earth pony, adorned with three white feathers?

Amber shifted on his hooves. He had never been very good at small talk, or talking in general, especially around pretty ponies. He found more often than not his words got him into trouble. The unicorn spoke suddenly taking the burden from him. “I meant what I said. You may not realize it but balance is a skill, a very rare skill in earth ponies.”

The colt didn’t look impressed.

“Perhaps I’d better explain myself someplace a bit more private.” She said. “After all, this is royal business, not meant for prying ears, of which here there are many.”

Though he hated to admit it he was intrigued if not curious by what exactly she had meant by prying ears. The colt saw no one but himself and the mare. Reluctantly he invited her to follow behind, as he continued his journey through the seemingly empty streets to his apartment building.

~~

"Forgive the mess." Amber muttered distractedly as he led the unicorn into his apartment. She glanced around the large front room, unimpressed...or rather, confused.

"Mess?" She inquired. Aside from a couch and small table the room was empty. A large picture window allowed for a spectacular view of the city below, but there were no personal decorations of any kind.

"You live alone?" She asked as she glanced into a smaller room just off the first. Inside she found a torn mattress, the bedding strewn haphazardly across it. Another window, much smaller than the first, let soft moonlight in.

“Yes.” He answered his eyes narrowed suspiciously. Perhaps it had been a bad idea bringing her here?

How could one live in a place with so few comforts? The unicorn wondered inwardly, hiding her delight beneath a warm smile. He was perfect!

“Well that’s enough of that!” She said suddenly breaking Amber out of his temporary stupor. Her eyes shimmered as if she’d stumbled upon something grand but the earth pony had nothing of substantial value. “Amber I’d like to officially invite you to participate in Canterlot’s first ever fine dining expose being held in honor of Princess Luna's return to duty!”

“Fine dining…expose?” Amber repeated confused.

The unicorn gave a curt nod in answer. "Indeed. The younger princess is a fan of the culinary arts. Her sister thought it might be beneficial if she was to have a hoof in throwing an event of her own choosing. I am currently recruiting participants, at the princess's request of course."

“You’re recruiting me?” The colt asked disbelievingly. He had assumed she was merely a consumer, a patron at the restaurant, but now he knew differently. She hadn’t truly admired his skill! She was only looking for a plaything to amuse the princess at her party.

A frown creased her brow as the colt hesitated in showing any sign of exuberant emotion. Every other pony she'd invited had been absolutely ecstatic at the prospect of showing off their talents in front of royalty. “Do you not want to participate? There will be prizes I assure you, treasures of significant value.”

“No...I don't..." The colt took a deep breath and slammed his hoof into the floor. His flank quivered and the mare stepped back waiting for the explosion that seemed imminent. The colt gritted his teeth tightly, his words coming out in a tight hiss. "Leave..."

The unicorn opened her mouth to speak, perhaps reiterate, but the anguished colt interrupted her before she could. "NOW!"

"Forgive me. I did not mean to upset you." The unicorn apologized quietly as she moved carefully past the distressed colt. His eyes remained locked on the crack he'd created in the floor. The unicorn gave him one final glance before closing the door, leaving the colt to seethe in solitude. She flinched a moment as the thunderous crash of the young stallion bucking the apartment wall caught her unaware.