To Find the Light

Chapter 3

A Marvelous Gift

As I levitate a small pouch of bits accompanied by a grocery list into my saddlebag a sudden sound meet my ears and I lose all concentration. The sudden sound was actually the phone ringing so I ran over to it and answered it, putting my ear to the receiver hoping that it wasn't the postal service who have called me to tell me that once again they have failed to deliver me the correct mail.

"Hello, Wallflower speaking."

"Hi Wallflower." said a familiar voice. "I`m wondering if you would like to meet me for coffee at Costello's this morning. Say....around 10'o clock?" asks the familiar voice.

"Oh hi Cleo."

I glance at the clock, its almost 9:30 now so if I did my shopping  now...I can meet Cleo at 10 o'clock.

"I would love to. I am just about to leave to do some grocery shopping so I`ll meet you at ten ok?"

"Alright, I`ll see you then. Bye."

I finish packing my saddlebag before leaving the house and locking the door behind me.

Stepping out onto the street I notice how busy Mane Street is this morning. There are ponies everywhere, in cars, on hoof, the trams are full. The sounds of the usual busyness that Canterlot seemed to maintain fills my ears. Which leaves  me wondering, was I going to be able to meet Cleo on time? I sure hope so, otherwise I would have to turn around and go back inside, completely giving up on my opportunity to chat with Cleo.

I start walking towards the beginning of Mane street when a large steam-powered automobile drives right past me, followed by another and another and another. It would seem that I wasn't going to be able to cross the road today without been hit by one of those peculiar and extravagant machines that traversed ponies across the expansive city of Canterlot.

There is a large bridge that ponies who were travelling on foot could cross just a few kilometers to the east of where I am standing. It would mean taking longer to get to the grocery store but it would probably be a lot safer than trying to cross the road.

I start walking east. It is a clearer day today and it seems that for the first time in awhile it isn't going to rain like it has been for quite some time. At this thought I realize how, ever since I have brought Cleo back into my life, it's becoming a lot more fun and exciting. I wouldn't normally go out to the tavern and dance the night away. I haven't had that much fun with anypony in a long time.

My attention turns to the busy environment around me. For a Tuesday, Canterlot is awfully busy. It hasn't been this busy since the Grand Galloping Gala, not that I have ever been before. Although it has always been an event of which I have always wanted to attend. Unfortunately, only the ponies of Canterlot's most elite society could attend. Which meant for me of course, that I am in no way obligated to even be invited.

As the bridge draws nearer, a sudden whistling sound comes from nearby, smoke comes flying into the air as I quickly come to a halt. It's now that I remember why Canterlot is so busy. Today indeed is a very important day for Equestrian history.

My slow walking pace turns into a full gallop as I race over the bridge and towards what is now a train station. As the whistling noise stops so does the smoke but I speed up.  I am almost there.

As I arrive at the station, I notice that there is already a large crowd of ponies gathered around a stage in front of a strange and intriguing machine. Caesar steps onto the stage and with a loud clearing of his throat begins to speak. It seems Steam Lance was right about the new locomotive.

"Ladies and Gentlecolts. Today is a very significant day for not only Canterlot history, but for all of Equestria. A great and extraordinary pony has designed this magnificent piece of machinery. Behind me, Ladies and Gentlecolts, is Equestria's first steam locomotive. The Launceston Steam Engine designed by the brilliant, Steel Masquerade!" The crowd of ponies claps and cheers. "Unfortunately he is unable to be here because he passed away many, many years ago. However the fine pony who built this magnificent engine is, the esteemed, Fancypants." he finishes before exiting the stage. Ponies applaud and cheer as Fancypants makes his way up onto the stage.

"Yes, it is I who has built this simply brilliant machine. However, I did not design it. So it was not from my mind that the genius idea came from. I quite simply found the blueprints in my basement one afternoon and decided to construct it, not only for the benefit of myself, but for the rest of Equestria. My crew and I worked for months constructing this fine invention but a great deal of hard work has gone into doing so. So I, Fancypants, present you all the first ever, steam engine!" he concludes as flashbulbs go off. It would be perfectly reasonable to assume that the press would be all over such an event.

I quickly glance at the clock tower standing proudly before the buildings below and realize that it is already 9:45 am so I will have to rush to Costello's in order to meet Cleo on time. I have never been late to a meeting in my life and wasn't about to start now, especially to this one.

I push past the crowd of ponies who are still gathered around the stage as I make my way onto the Mane street. Ponies fill the street, either on hoof or in automobiles. Ponies with shopping and others with excessively large hats. I, for some strange reason quite admire the fancy hats that all the other mares always wear whenever they go out. It's just that I can't afford one since my book royalties still haven't arrived, and weren't about to.

I manovure in and out of the ponies passing me. I take a left turn and then a right before finally stopping in front of the grocery store. I hastily entered and start piling all the things I am meant to buy.

I make my way to the front counter,  paying for my groceries before collecting them and exiting the store. With my groceries in front of me, I start heading for Costello's Cafe, it is almost 10'o clock and I don't want to keep Cleo waiting any longer. I start running through the passing ponies almost toppling a few over in the process.

'There is absolutely no way I`m going to be late.'

I take a sharp turn which leads to one of Canterlot's quieter streets and almost bump into a fine looking stallion. For some reason I am beginning to think that somepony is chasing after me again, I could feel it. I quickly shove these thoughts aside as I come to a halt. I had made it.

The quaint little cafe known as 'Costello's' is rather popular and is famous for the great atmosphere and tasteful furniture fittings which makes it a rather successful business. Other than being named after the pony who first opened up the place, Costello's Cafe didn't have much other history, but the bartender always has an interesting tale to share.

My attention turns to the familiar stallion who is seated at one of the tables outside of the cafe. He is sitting there longingly, while every so often checking the time with his pocket watch.

I calmly walk over to him, as my face lights up with joy.

"Hello Cleo. I`m not late am I?"

"It's good to see you Wallflower, and actually, your right on time. Why don't you have a seat?"

I sit down and rest my groceries beside me.

"So why did you want to see me this morning?"

"Well, I was walking past a store when I saw this." he says as he pulls a round box from his saddle bag. "I really hope you like it. When I saw it I thought of you." he continues as he places the box before me.

"What is it?"

"Why don't you open it and find out."

I carefully levitate the lid of the box and when I realize its contents a loud gasp escapes my mouth. Before me is a beautiful, elegant and excessively large hat which is of dark purple in color and has an assortment of feathers on it complimented by some beautiful flowers. It is a hat of much sophistication and I am not even sure if there is anything in my wardrobe that would come close to been a suitable outfit.

"Cleo I...you...didn't have....thank you. I`ve always wanted one of these hats but never had the bits to afford them. So...why did you buy me such a beautiful gift in the first place?"

He doesn't reply for awhile. It seems he is deep in thought. The stallion actually looks quite...lost.

"Well...'The Phantom of the Opera' is on next Saturday night and I'm wondering if you would like to join me in attending. I bought you this hat so you would have something nice to wear. What do you say?"

I hesitate for a moment, I have never been to an opera before so I am not exactly sure how much I would enjoy it. On the

other hand...it would mean spending time with Cleo. Which meant doing something really fun on a Saturday night for once.

"I would be honored."

"Well...I`ll pick you up at 7'o clock on Saturday night. Ok?"

"That's sounds great, thanks for inviting me. Ive never been to an opera before so Im not sure what it's like but Im sure Ill have fun anyways."

"Look, I have to go but I`ll try and see if we can meet up again sometime during the week. Bye."

I just sit here for a moment, staring at my most marvelous gift that Cleo has given me.

'I wonder how much it must have cost.'

With that thought I put the lid back on the box and start walking back towards mane street. It seems that I have more shopping to do, Cleo has given me quite the opportunity to impress him and I am going to use that opportunity to my greatest advantage.

For I am going to shine!