Searching for a Stallion

CHAPTER TWO

Heart was being sneaky.

He had been listening into the two new lover's conversation, and it had given him an idea. They were going on a romantic walk; or so it seemed. Heart flicked through the nearby parks in his mind, and placed a gamble on the one closest to the small coffee shop they were in.

With a quick grin, he snuck out, leaving the payment for his coffee on their counter with a shushing motion. He had things to quickly rush out and buy, and not much time to buy them.

Meanwhile, Sterling and Bebe trotted along. Sterling thought to continue the conversation, it was of course the reason he suggested such a walk.

"Good day today, wouldn't you say?" Sterling asked, musing over what topics they could discuss. The next logical step would have been to share interests. "So, Bebe, I hope you don't mind but I'd like to get to know you better. You have any interests or hobbies or anything?"

Bebe nodded and smiled at Sterling. It really was time to get to know him better, and she was eager to tell him all about herself. Despite how superficial people assumed she was, she really was quite deep and had a large variety of interests.

"Well, I'm an artist. I like to draw, sketch, design, paint, everything really. I also have this total obsession with my penthouse. It always has to be neat and at the same time wild. I have all kinds of clashing prints in there and I get absolutely swept up in designing an apartment perfect for me. I also really enjoy keyboard music and wine. Reds, generally. And coffee, I adore coffee. I sometimes go tasting in Prance, chocolate and wine and coffee and bread. As they say in Prance, c'est A La Mode! Speaking of Mode, did I mention I like keyboard music? There's this Trottingham group, A La Mode, I absolutely adore their latest album. I just can't get enough. Hahaha...that's actually one of the songs. You know, I actually think I just enjoy strong things, no matter what sense they involve. I like bright colours and prints, I like rich tastes and smells, I love bassy music!"

Bebe kept walking, explaining her hobbies in a lot of detail. It was a nice, warm day and she felt so proud to be garnering the attention of more eyes as she walked. Then something caught her eye. Looking up at a nearby bulletin board she blushed, concerned for her dignity. There was Bebe, lounging around in lingerie. She let out a nervous giggle and kept walking, pretending not to see the risque board. Hopefully Sterling wouldn't see it either. Sterling nodded and listening intently as Bebe expressed her interests. The stallion knew there was something deeper beneath the modelling persona, and while that was a heavy mental barrier to break through, Sterling was glad to see she wasn't purely concerned with self-image alone and always looking for 100%. It was appreciable to see a mare with a good range of interests, and one that was seemingly well traveled as well.

He wondered over her answer, smiling at her being so artistic and enveloped in the creative arts, a trait that Sterling had surprisingly not come across in abundance in this city, or any place he had been for that matter. He could see that Bebe had particular tastes, and at that point, hoped that he was appealing to her as much as she was to him.

"That's certainly quite a selection of tastes you have, Bebe. I'm impressed." the guard stated, grinning at Bebe in response. It was clear that the mare liked talking about her interests, to a great level it would seem. Some ponies may have say that as a negative trait but Sterling didn't seem to mind it. He noticed she was blushing and giggling at something, though for the life of him he couldn't reason as to why. Regardless, he shrugged it off and started on his interests.

"As for me...not too many hobbies to speak of I suppose. I'm interested in magic and combat styles really. When I was younger and wanted to be a guard I started training from a relatively young age, and started looking into a lot of magical and combat related techniques. My only hobby I guess is keeping up to date on my training, y'know, sword play, magic practice, exercises here and there. Not too impressive I know but it keeps me busy and certainly has it's benefits. As for taste, I do love some coffee as well, but, as for music I um don't particularly have a favorite style. If it's well made and well performed then I'd listen to it." Sterling finished as he noticed their walk had finally led them to the nearest park.

"Ah, cool, here we are." he stated as he walked casually in, keeping occasional eye contact with Bebe, "So, Bebe. Is there anything you'd like to particularly know about me?"

Heart was collapsed underneath a shady tree, exhausted. Anypony else in his situation would have been just as exhausted! In the time it had taken the two lovebirds to arrive at the park, he had not only pulled a few favours he had to get permission to do this, but had decorated the park with a romantic decor, had subtly left a picnic spot made up (with a little note for the stallion - "Have fun - ~Table To Face Pony") and had hidden it in a way that hopefully would be spotted.

That wasn't even mentioning the band he had managed to pull into playing for him on such short notice, filling the park with a pleasant tune. While this stunt had taken most of his remaining funds that he didn't need to survive, it would be worth it should the two ponies be happy together.

He layed back, enjoying the newly decorated park. Heck, if these two ponies didn't enjoy it, it was obvious that somepony would, and that's all that really mattered in the end... right?

Bebe was happy to be opening up to this stallion and smiled at him happily. She also noticed that his eyes hadn't moved their gaze from hers in a long while. He clearly hadn't noticed the bulletin board, and for that she was incredibly thankful. As seductive as that board had been, Bebe didn't want to give him the wrong idea. She was quite a faithful and dedicated gal!

"Well, I just met you. We've had lifetimes behind us, you know, and there's just so much to talk about. We could even talk about the future if we wanted. Do tell, Sterling, what made you want to be a royal guard in the first place? It's such an honorable career and it surely garners a lot of interest your direction. What gave you that kind of dedication?"

Sterling continued to take in the pleasing atmosphere of the park, enjoying the faint music he could hear playing. An odd thing he came across though, was an empty picnic spot...with a note. Curious, he couldn't help but investigate. He levitated the piece of paper so he could read and was shocked at the contents, but pleasantly so. He decided to sit and relax in said spot, indicating for Bebe to sit as well.

"Want to sit here and continue our talk? It is a rather pleasant view." Sterling remarked, still smiling at Bebe. Upon hearing her question, Sterling felt a rush of nostalgia, one that he was glad of. The unicorn enjoyed talking about his past, and so didn't mind when Bebe inquired as to how he wanted to be a guard.

"I'd be more than happy to tell you about my past, Bebe. I guess it started when I was a lot younger, and used to live in Ponyville. Back then I had no real idea what I wanted to do with my life and didn't have much incentive or direction, until this one day. A big royal parade rolled through town, and I dunno why but seeing all those guards in their uniforms looking all proud and dedicated...I'm not sure why but it seemed appealing to me." the unicorn led into, relaxing on the apparent set up picnic area. "So after that, I started getting interested in things like combat, magic, chivalry and stuff, and when I was old enough I came out here to Canterlot and signed up. So I guess my dedication came from my aspirations, I guess I just wanted to be known for more than just another foal from Ponyville." Sterling finished, smiling lightly at the accompanying mare.

"What about you, Bebe? How did you first get into your career?" the stallion wondered, adjusting his armor once again to get comfortable. He found himself almost at ease, obviously realizing he was getting more and more comfortable around Bebe.

Bebe laughed nervously, thinking about what a nasty little spoiled brat she had been as a foal and filly. Her parents were so willing to bend to every whim, and she was mean to everyone still. She never faced hardship or discipline, unlike Sterling. Sterling was such a kind, honorable stallion. Bebe couldn't believe that she was so terribly selfish and horrible to everyone at a young age. She'd learned, mostly.

"Well, it's a bit of a terrible story. You have to understand that I was a terribly awful, juvenile little brat. I regret it all now, of course. I grew up in Hoofington to two very rich parents who spoiled me completely silly. Honestly, too much. I never really got along with my peers, I liked dressing up and wearing lots of makeup. I thought they were all awfully rough-and-tumble. My fashionable, classy attitude seemed to garner a lot of attention. On school picture day I took this stunning portrait and was offered a modelling contract. I earned my cutie mark that way. However, this silly cutie mark got me a lot of unwanted attention."

Bebe shook her head and sighed, remembering how colts had continually asked her for unwanted favors and treated her horribly. A kiss cutie mark? That was far too suggestive to be any good.

"Anyways, I moved to Canterlot when I was a bit older and I basically became a huge socialite. I got known, I got a contract, and things escalated. I became a top model in not too much time, and I'm quite glad."

Bebe took in her surroundings a bit more. The pleasant music, the lovely smells of the park, and warm sunshine making her tingle and stretch. The tall mare yawned with a high squeak and laid down. What a beautiful day, what a beautiful picnic. Sterling relaxed some more on the ground, trying to get as comfortable as he could with all these metal plates on him, he tried to not make his shifting about and readjusting too obvious though, less he look odd. He lightly chuckled at her squeaky yawn, thinking it to be adorable before responding.

"Well, I'm not sure I'm one to say but...that doesn't sound awfully terrible to me. You seem to have come out of it alright, someponies I've met don't even know they're being spoiled. That's very...well, down to earth, and admirable, Bebe. Sorry to hear about the cutie mark thing, though." the stallion stated as he lied down as well, resting his head in his hooves, "My one's gotten some attention before. You can't really see it 'cause of this armor but it's a silver coin with a horseshoe shape on it. Ponies can only ask when they see it, and I'm not entirely sure what it means myself...I guess it's sorta meant I'm always in the right place at the right time...lucky, I guess." he concluded, smiling to himself, thinking his trip to the coffee shop was a prime of example or right place and right time. "Beautiful park, isn't it?" Sterling asked, taking in the sights as he did, "They have anything like this in Hoofington?"

Bebe's heart fluttered. Sterling had just called her down-to-earth and admirable! The stallion was eyeing her in a way she had only seen in movies. She smiled at him then, admiring him just as much as he admired her. She also found his statement about not knowing what his cutie mark means quite fascinating. Bebe didn't even know that was possible. However, if it really was a luck cutie mark, Bebe had struck gold. She too was very lucky, and she had been lucky that morning when she entered the coffee shop.

"It really is a beautiful park. Hoofington is very beautiful, that much I'll need to admit, but the ponies there are an awfully odd mix. Here in Canterlot I don't stick out like a sore hoof. At least, when I do it's in all the right ways."

Sterling almost sighed happily, content with the situation. He turned to Bebe and smiled back at her as she smiled at him, the stallion almost tilted his head, admiring the mare lying next to him. Sterling never thought that this move to Canterlot would bring upon some positive events, of course he was hoping for career progression, but never knew that something like this would happen. He couldn't complain in the slightest.

The stallion was determined to continue being what he felt was charming and stretched a little in his seated position, casually resting a hoof closer to one of Bebe's than it had previously been before responding, "I can imagine. A mare of your talents and, well, prettiness is bound to stand out in a good way. I'm pretty happy with my move to Canterlot as well, such a great place, with such great ponies...or maybe I've just been lucky again. I'm inclined to believe either one. So, anything else you'd like to know or talk about? Or are you alright here for now?" the guard asked, curious if Bebe wanted to know anything more.

It was taking Heart all of his considerable willpower to not burst out in laughter - laughter of a job well done. The two ponies - whom's names escaped him, despite listening into their conversation - was a mystery. All he knew is that they appeared to be getting along like a house on fire. He grinned to himself, allowing himself that. He adjusted himself, staying hidden, hoping that the little note he had left underneath the tablecloth wouldn't go unnoticed by the stallion.

It wasn't complicated - simply his address, and his occupation (along with a name). As for his shot with this rather attractive mare, he did not begrudge the stallion his success even a little. He was a stallion of romance, after all.

He liked to believe Princess Cadance would appreciate his viewpoint - "Love, between anypony, is important" - as well as his strict viewpoint towards it. He could always wait - he was a fairly young stallion after all.

The sun was so warm on Bebe's coat, and she hadn't even half-realized how tired she was. She yawned in a squeaky fashion once more, and stretched out every limb, shuddering slightly as exhaustion overwhelmed her a little bit more. She instinctively moved a bit closer to Sterling and rested up against him peacefully.

"You don't have to say anything more. I like you...." Bebe concluded, her eyes beginning to shut. She yawned one final time and was out like a light the next second, dozing comfortably against Sterling. Sterling was staring idly off into space as Bebe said her response. His eyes widened slightly as he felt the mare lean against and rest on him. The stallion could hardly believe how events had transpired, smiling slightly as he too felt the warm air on his coat, what was exposed anyway.

"Wow..." he thought in response to the whole situation. He truly couldn't believe, even despite his lucky nature, that he could have been this fortunate. Yet, here it was, Sterling was sitting in the park, with a beautiful mare resting against him, the sounds of music and the faint smell of flowers in the air coupled with the warm sun made this situation all the more special. Sterling casually placed a hoof around Bebe, trying not to make it too obvious.

"I like you too, Bebe...." the stallion retorted, being very thankful, both for his good fortune, and for a certain stallion for setting all this up. He couldn't have pictured a better scene if he had tried. The sun warmed up the newly discovered couple and the two ponies fell into a calm and happy sleep almost instantly.

Bebe dreamed of Sterling Silver. She dreamed of discovering what face lay beneath that guard's mask, and she dreamed of living her life in a couple. She'd had a few coltfriends, but those relationships were either merely physical or for publicity. Maybe she was finally in love, maybe Bebe was truly and deeply in love. As she dreamed she realized just how badly she wanted to see Sterling again.

She would arrange a real date just as soon as she woke up.