Nimble Hooves and Stardust

[Nimble Hooves]

When Firefly passed, she left a huge hole in many of our hearts, mine included. It is well known she had a number of alts, each one of them unique, and some of those alts were also very special someponies to some of us.

This was the case with Nimble and Stardust. While their relationship was very young compared to others, they had hopes and dreams for the future.

The last thing I want to do is retcon all of that, so I would rather celebrate it. To treasure the time that they did have, and not just have it hidden away in some log on my PC.

I would like to share with you the night they discovered their feelings for each other.

A love just beginning to bloom....





#=#=#=#=#=# PONYVILLE SQUARE #=#=#=#=#=#

At the heart of Ponyville stands a proud and massive pavillion known as Town Hall. Around it lies the town square, a well-kept ring decorated with tall banners and the occasional picturesque bush. A fountain sits before the entrance to the hall with a joyous, reared-up earth pony statue as its ornament. Various municipal officials have pitched colorful, conical tents in the square from which they run their operations. The town square is lined along one side by a stream crossed by a broad stone bridge, while on its other sides it's surrounded by a combination of commercial establishments and some of the oldest houses in Ponyville. The mood here is generally cheerful but officious.

[[Players: Stardust, Nimble_Hooves ]]


Nimble_Hooves makes his way through the Square, yet today something is amiss. His normally polished wings are scuffed and dirtied, there are twigs and leaves stuck in his mane and there is a definite limp in his step. He looks about nervously, hoping to remain unseen as he makes his way to the Magic Research Centre.

Stardust is kind of off on her own as well, getting a small bundle of carrots and some other items. Tomorrow she would look around for a nice apartment of a house. It was quieter here than Canterlot, and she really didn't care for the stuffy feeling the larger city always seemed to have.

Nimble_Hooves continues to look about nervously, worrying more about anypony that may see him then about what is in front of him. In his rush he trips and falls. There is a clatter as a component separates from his wing and skitters across the cobbles. With a wince he picks himself up for the second time today and goes in search of the missing part.

Stardust pauses as something spins across the ground before her. She watches it slide along the stones curiously, only then noticing its owner seeking it. She pauses, taking into consideration his condition. He looked like he crashed and broke something. She quietly turns and scoops the thing into her sack, hopefully before anypony noticed, then smiles and trots over to Nimble. "Hello there." she greets him quietly. "I have it.,"

Nimble_Hooves blinks and looks up as he hears a voice. His ears drop when he sees who it is. He didn't want anypony seeing him like this, least of all somepony he knows. He tries his best to smile, despite his appearance. "H-Hello Miss Stardust." He quickly retrieves the part, with a quiet "Thank you," and stashes it in his saddlebag, before looking back to the pegasus. There is a moment of eye contact, and then he looks down. "S-Sorry y-you seem to have caught m-me not looking m-my best."

Stardust smiles and adds, "We'd best get inside before anyone notices." seeing that look. "Its ok...." using a wingtip to try to lift his chin so she can smile to him. "We all have off days....c'mon, lets get somewhere quiet and you can tell me about it. I also have some snacks we can eat." then giggles. "You think you look bad somehow? You should have seen when I landed in a lake. Drowned rat with wings." making a point to stand so few could see him directly., hoping it would make him feel better.

Nimble_Hooves is startled at the reassuring words, as if he had been expecting to be taunted or laughed at instead. His face breaks into a soft smile at the mental image of the drenched Stardust. There is a slight chuckle, although a little pained. "I-if you think I-I look bad... y-you should see the tree I-I crashed into." Somewhere up by the lake there is a tree with a pegasus-shaped hole in its canopy. He winces as he puts weight on a hind hoof, but makes his way towards the Magic Research Centre again.

Stardust grins. "I've tried flying into trees, they always win." then moves alongside, helping to keep herself between him and the general area. "Though when MY wing broke, it really, really, hurt." looking where they were going. "I was downed for two moons plus."

Nimble_Hooves nods, sadly at the comment, wincing at the mention of the broken wing. He finds himself edging closer to the pegasus. "I-I can imagine. A-at least I-I am mostly okay." He glances to his hoof and then back to the pegasus. "I-I guess this i-is a reminder th-that these th-things aren't flesh a-and feathers... C-Control cable snapped." As if that explained everything.

Stardust doesn't move away, but keeps assisting as she can. "Trust me, its quite a plus that you can break your wings and just repair them. I mean, you'll be back in the air in a few days at most, once you get a new cable, right?" walking along slowly. "And, aside of the other bruises, it doesn't hurt."

Nimble_Hooves pauses and then nods at that, "I-I guess y-you're right. I-I have a-another set of wings. M-My old wings. N-Not quite a-as pretty as these." He looks to his wings and then lets out a slight chuckle, "N-Not that these are very pretty right now... I-I suppose I-I could be back i-in the air straight a-away... n-not that I want to right now." It seems his pride probably took the worst hit.

Stardust helps him to the center for mayhem and explosions, flying spiders and glowing inside out bats. "Well, this is a new concept area you are pioneering after all, it takes time to sort out the details." smiling, opening the door.

Nimble_Hooves pauses at the doorway, and looks to Stardust with a look of concern on his face. "I-I'll be right back. Y-You wouldn't w-want to see me w-without my wings on.... I-It is not... pleasant." He sighs heavily.

Stardust tilts her head. "That should not matter, truly, after delivering messages to hospitals in three major cities I have seen some things. I'm tougher than I look..." then realizes it wasn't a comment about her strength in seeing something like that, but rather, him not wanting to BE seen. "Ah. Alright....I'll wait here for you."

Nimble_Hooves disappears inside the Research Centre. There is a clatter from the back of the room, and then sounds of rummaging. It is a few minutes before Nimble emerges again, this time wearing wings made from brass, wood slats and a curious purple fabric. Despite a quick clean, there is still some dust, indicating these hadn't been used in a while. His mane had been mostly brushed of twigs and leaves and his rear hoof was now tightly bandaged. "H-Hello a-again."

Stardust waits quietly, a slight wince at some of the clattering sounds. When he emerges she smiles and walks up to him. "Hello again." lifting a wingtip to flick a remaining twig away. "There....did you want to get something to eat? I know I'm hungry and the snacks I have were not meant for a meal in themselves." then tilts her head. "Do you know a good place here?"

Nimble_Hooves blushes slightly as the twig is flicked away. He smiles to Stardust. "Th-thank you, Miss Stardust." He sighs, briefly. "I-I'm not s-sure what I-I wanted to do a-after that.... Perhaps s-something to take m-my mind off things. F-Food does sound good." There is still a limp to his step. "Th-there is a small place here, o-or cafes in the Market."

Stardust says "Something warm would be nice. The cafe is good for light things, but its nice to eat inside now and then." smiling. "And, just 'Stardust' is fine...no need to call me miss so formally." then turns to walk along with him. "Oh, I know what you mean, eating is always good to get one's mind off things that bother us."

Nimble_Hooves blinks and dips his head with a smile. "Th-Thank you, Stardust." He thinks for a moment. "Th-there is a nice place in the Market. Shall we go there?" He starts in that direction, ambling slowly with the pegasus next to him.

Stardust says "Oh, that sounds delightful. I really don't know the town well here yet." walking alongside lightly. "But I do like it....so far most of the folks have been nice, some are a bit....." curling an ear in thought. "...odd..." recalling the one crashing from the sky the othe night. "But I am finding I really do like it here."

You offer to let Stardust walk along with you.
Stardust decides to walk along with you.

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Cafe Tobiano

This simple coffee house appears to come from humble beginnings. From the outside it looks like an old grey stone house with a small covered porch and one bay window among with a few smaller ones scattered across the first and second floors. The shutters are painted a crisp, cheery lavender and the woodwork for the covered porch and Victorian-gingerbread styling is bright white. A hand-painted wooden sign set out in the short front lawn among the purple, orange, and white flowers during the blooming season reads 'Cafe Tobiano' with the image of an elegantly curved coffee mug and curls of steam.

Inside, the first floor is converted to a proper, cozy coffee shop. The old wooden-walled library, done in deep green and bright golden oak, retains the old musty odor of books that line the shelves. Several tables and chairs are set up for patrons in there as well as in the converted living and dining areas. Cushy low couches are interspersed for other ponies to lounge on. What furniture is there is piecemeal, lending to that homey eclectic feel. The kitchen is closed off to the public by a large wooden display unit and countertop adorned with a wide array of equipment. More importantly, though, is the space not taken up by machinery is adorned with a dazzling array of sweet and savory goodies from tiny cookies and pastries to fresh fruits and salads right up to larger treats like breads and sandwiches. Specials are on every day, so come back soon!

Upstairs is kept closed to the general public as well, but to the curious there is a small office, restroom, and two bedrooms that remain from the original building. They are done up in soft, welcoming country style and may even serve as a place to crash for the few staff members who need to catch a quick quiet moment throughout the day.
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Stardust has arrived.
Nimble_Hooves enters, with Stardust walking along next to him.

Nimble_Hooves opens the door for Stardust, "M-Most folks here i-in Ponyville a-are really nice. I-It is a bigger place than where I-I'm from, b-but most everpony is friendly." He shudders slightly at the mention of oddness. "Y-you're right a-about odd ponies... and things. B-but then w-we are right next t-to the Everfree Forest, and the Elements of Harmony themselves live here." He goes a little wistful, like a fancolt at the mention of the well known ponies.

Stardust enters with him, looking around. "Whoa, this is rather nice....what is this place?" perking her ears as she keeps looking around. "I have never been in here before." then angles an ear. "Elements of Harmony? I have read about them a little. Sometimes the palace workers will mention them. I've never seen any of them myself."

Nimble_Hooves smiles at Stardust, "Th-this is Cafe Tobiano... d-don't let the name fool you. Th-they do really nice food too." He moves to a nice out-of-the-way table and pulls a chair out for the pegasus. "Th-the Elements of Harmony a-all live in Ponyville, a-and they are really nice too. Lady Rarity, th-the Element of Generosity herself, made my wings so wonderfu--" The mention of the wings stops Nimble for a moment. "Th-they'll look good again once I-I fix them."

Stardust smiles as he explains the Elements of Harmony, smiling again when he pulls out a seat for her. No pony has ever done something like that for her. She finds it rather nice. She takes her seat, listening even through the pause. "Wow, you actually know some of them...that is really cool you know?" giving a soft laugh. "And they are all here in Ponyville? I would have thought they'd be in Canterlot or some unknown wing of the Palace."

Nimble_Hooves takes his seat, and continues on about the Elements of Harmony. "I-I have met all of them... i-it is hard not t-o in Ponyville. Lady Rarity owns the Carousel Boutique, Lady Apple-- I-I mean Applejack works on her family farm, Sweet Apple Acres. Their a-apple cider is the best. Pinkie Pie w-works in SugarCube Corner, right over there." He points his hoof out the window to another store. "Princess Twilight Sparkle still runs the Library. Rainbow Dash runs th-the weatherponies, a-and Fluttershy..." His expression saddens a little and he lets his voice trail off.

Stardust listens intently, loving to learn about the local ponies. Specially when some of them were rather famous all around. "Still must be really cool to meet them and know them more than just as 'elements'." smiling, though she has to ask when he stops after Fluttershy. "She was the one with all the animals, right?" then ohhhs. "Something happened with this Fluttershy that was kinda bad?"

Nimble_Hooves nods to Stardust, "O-oh yes. She is very g-good at taking care of the animals." He shakes his head at the mention of bad things. "O-oh no. Not bad." There is regret in his voice. "Fluttershy i-is never bad. S-she is the kindest pony there is... A-All the Elements of Harmony a-are wonderful, and really nice ponies to know. Th-they don't even act special a-at all, not even Princess Twilight."

Stardust ahhs and nods, not missing that subtle tone. "You like her, don't you?" she asks after a bit, putting the clues together. "And something didn't work out...guessing from your tone...." then blinks. "Oh, I am sorry...for that and well, its really none of my business."

Nimble_Hooves's ears drop, and he nods. "I-I confessed th-that I liked her, a-and she--" He stops himself. "A-anyway, we are still friends. Th-that is the important thing." He looks to his hooves. "I-It is not like I-I had a chance anyway. S-She's the Element of Kindness, a-and I'm just a nopony." He blinks and shakes his head suddenly. "I-I don't know why I'm telling you this. I-it is in the past. I-I have all of them t-to thank for bringing me here."

Stardust tilts her head and hrfs. "Well, I would say even if she IS really nice, that wasn't so really nice OF her." settling in her chair. "If she can't see the gleaming heart within you, well, her loss." nodding. "We are all noponies to other ponies, its who we choose to be friends with that makes us somepony." smiling gently. "You've certainly been nothing but kind to me, much more so that others here. And I for one find it both pleasant and heartwarming."

Nimble_Hooves blushes deeply at the comments. He touches his hoof to his chest. "Y-You have been far kinder to me... e-especially today. I-I wish I-I had something I-I could offer in return a-aside from my friendship... a-and perhaps this meal?" With that he waves a waiter over.

Stardust gives a giggle and a smile. "I would be honored to accept both the meal...." curling her ears back a bit, the insides a bit pinker than normal. "And your friendship...I've...never really had anypony be this nice to me before, Messengers are usually seen and treated like a table or a lamp. Something that's there for when you need it."

Nimble_Hooves's blush continues, but there is a genuine smile on his face as he looks across the table. "Y-you may be a messenger, a-and i-it is a very important job, b-but you are a-a pony too. W-with thoughts a-and feelings a-and dreams..."

Stardust smiles and gazes back for a while, then gives a soft cough. "You...ah, didn't mention being a poetic romantic also." looking up as the menus arrive, taking one and looking through it, then back to Nimble. "Oh....I've never eaten here before....what would you recommend?"

Nimble_Hooves hides a little behind his menu at the comment. He perks at the request for a recommendation, glad of the distraction. "I-It depends how hungry you are. Th-the dandelion a-and orange salad is nice. The grilled eggplant w-with watercress is really good... b-but I-I was just going t-to have a sunflower burger w-with hayfries...th-the best in Ponyville."

Stardust perks her ears. "Oh! I do love burgers....I'll try that then, with fries." nodding with a smile. She folds her menu and lays it aside. "So...what kinds of things do you enjoy doing, when not working on your wing designing and such?"

Nimble_Hooves places his order with the waiter, as well as two mugs of the famous Sweet Apple Acres cider. He looks to his hooves. "I-I like to fix things, b-but most of all I-I love flying." He looks to his wings, "I-I do w-what I do b-because I love it, n-not because it makes money..." There is a slight sigh, but he keeps smiling.

Stardust nods to him and smiles. "At least you love it....I am almost in a reverse situation...I love flying, and am good at delivering messages....it pays rather well surprisingly, but it IS a palace position....with little actual work...so no real flying." sighing a bit as well. "I have to remain close in case some palace employee needs to send something somewhere, so it limits where I can fly while not actually working."

Nimble_Hooves looks a little saddened by this. "Th-that pretty sad. D-Do you not get much free time working in the Palace? I-I went to Canterlot once. I-It seemed like a really busy place... compared to Ponyville." He pauses thinking. "Canterlot i-is quite far away from here... w-what brings you here?"

Stardust says "Oh, I do get time off." she nods quietly. "I just....I get tired of the cities...I've worked in three and really like how different Ponyville is....its quiet....peaceful. Has a lovely night sky...." she smiles. "In large cities you just can't have a moonlit picnic to admire the stars." then smiles gently, her ears reddening. "Honestly....I was exploring Ponyville while on call, I didn't find any real reason to really hang out here, aside of the tranquillity...until I met you. Then I found I had something...somepony...I actually looked forward to meeting again."

Nimble_Hooves goes wide-eyed at this, a blush spreading across his cheeks and his ears. "M-Me?" his voice is a whisper. He looks confused for a moment. "I-I'm the reason y-you came back to Ponyville?" He looks about. "B-b-but I-I'm really not that special..."

Stardust smiles gently and nods quietly. "Yes....its who you are within and how you treat others that truly makes one special," sipping some of the water the waiter brought while they waited for their food. "And you make me smile...to me that's pretty special." smiling as the waiter begins bringing the food. "Ohh, looks wonderful."

Nimble_Hooves lowers his head slightly, blushing at Stardust's comments. Then his ears perk, "I-I make you smile? H-How?" His comment is interrupted by the arrival of the food, and he is momentarily distracted by the delicious smell. His tummy lets out a grumble.

Stardust gets her sandwich and nods across the table, "Yes, you do." taking a bite of her sandwich. She perks an ear and finishes that bite before she can speak again. "Oh, you were right, these ARE good hayburgers."

"Th-thank you... Y-you do too..." Nimble says quietly, suppressing a further blush. With that he picks up his burger, and tries his best to remain tidy and polite while at the same time munching the burger hungrily.

Stardust giggles a bit, not having missed the 'how' part, but really wanting to try a fry first. "How you ask? By not pretending to be something you are not. That and being openly kind..." getting another fry. "Oh I say, these are better than anything we had in Cirrusota."

Nimble_Hooves pauses and puts his burger down. He looks to Stardust. "B-but you have been far kinder to me. Y-you taught me that pivot roll, a-and you were here to help me today. I-I r-really haven't done that much... But I-I'm glad you are here now." He headtilts a little, "C-Cirrusota? I-Is that where you are from?"

Stardust munches a fry before she replies, nodding. "I grew up there, huge. It makes Cloudsdale look like a small village." laughing softly. "Its also expanded to part of the ground, where the mountains reach the clouds, so its partially accessible to unicorns and earth ponies too." smiling. "Kindness doesn't have a scale....its either there...or its not, and with you, its there."

Nimble_Hooves's eyes widen. He had only been to Cloudsdale briefly. "B-bigger than Cloudsdale? I-I th-thought that was huge. I-I remember seeing Pegasi cities up in the clouds when I was just a colt." There is a brief flicker of something that could be sadness in his eyes, but then it is gone. "W-what made you leave?"

Stardust takes a bite of her burger, swallowing it after a bit. "I had a job opportunity here at the Palace...and I was tired of the noise and blarg of the city. I absolutely love it out here." smiling.

Nimble_Hooves nods, "I-I can understand a-about the Palace. Wh-when I-I saw it for the first time, w-when I went to Canterlot, i-it was amazing. S-still, I-I think I prefer Ponyville. I-I'm glad you like it here."

Stardust nods and giggles. "Worked there now for several months, and not met or seen either Princess." finishing her fries and sipping her drink. "So where are you from?

Nimble_Hooves's ears drop a little, "O-Oh... that is a shame. M-Maybe one day I-I'll get t-to meet them. I-I've met Princess Twilight Sparkle a-and Princess Cadence... th-they are both very nice." He finishes the last of his burger, and has a sip of cider. "I-I'm from a-a little village to the south... Withersville. I-It is close t-to the coast. I-I doubt y-you would have heard of it."

Stardust tilts her head. "Until I moved here, I never heard of Canterlot." smiling gently. "I suppose unless one is into geography other towns are just words on a map you've never been to or heard of."

Nimble_Hooves lets out a little chuckle, "I-I'm not s-surprised you've never heard of it... i-it really is a small place. Th-they don't even have weatherponies. M-my mother a-and I were th-the only pegasi in town. Mostly earth ponies, and a small number of unicorns."

Stardust smiles. "Sounds like a dream really....no noisy cabs, construction, or sirens." sipping her drink. "So what brought you here to Ponyville?"

Nimble_Hooves shakes his head, his expression shifting. "I-It was quiet, b-but being a wingless pegasus there w-was not so good. F-foals c-can be pretty mean to each other sometimes. I-I kept t-to myself, a-and started fixing things. Then I-I found my cutie mark, a-and I decided to fix my wings." A pensive look crosses his face and he takes a long sip of cider. Then a smile. "I-It was the Elements of Harmony th-that brought me here. I-I heard stories of these ponies that defeated Nightmare Moon and Discord... and that they lived in Ponyville. W-when I finished my wings, I-I just had to come here."

Stardust listens quietly, smiling. "And here you are...you've overcome a great many things to get this far you know." flicking an ear lightly. "There are two scary ponies I've seen here, and both are pink." laughing. "I've heard of Nightmare Moon, but that's about it. History was never my strong suit. I preferred picnics to history lessons."

Nimble_Hooves chuckles, knowing instantly who at least one of the ponies was... unless Pinkie had visited the mirror pool again. "Lady Pinkie i-isn't so bad... a-and she i-is a good dancer too." The memory of the waltz in the middle of the epic food battle of Sugarcube Corner brings a grin to his face. He attention then snaps back to Stardust. "I-I'm not one f-for history either, b-but that morning the sun d-didn't rise for the Summer Sun Celebration w-was hard to forget."

Stardust giggles. "One would have had to be awake to miss it....I often sleep till high noon." laughing a bit. "I probably would have thought it was still early morning and went back to sleep."

Nimble_Hooves blinks and laughs, "Y-you slept th-through the arrival of Nightmare Moon? I-I'm not much o-of a morning pony, b-but the Summer Sun Celebration w-was always a-a big thing in Withersville."

Stardust says "Yeah, it made all the papers but still, I slept through it." grinning. "Course, there's nothing really important about Cirrusota, its just big. This area is a lot closer to home for all those things."

Nimble_Hooves finishes his food, still chuckling, "W-we were a-a little too far away to get a-any major effects from Discord. I-I remember a squall o-of chocolate milk rain sweeping through... and some o-of the local cows turned bright pink f-for a day or two."

Stardust says "Our clouds were like soap for a while...but we didn't know why for days." laughing. "That and butterflies kept exploding into jelly bean confetti."

Nimble_Hooves smiles and looks across the table to Stardust. "Th-thank you f-for your help today... a-and for coming out w-with me. Th-this is nice." He starts to reach a hoof across the table and then stops, blushing.

Stardust smiles and curls her ears aside, blushing slightly herself, reaching a hoof out to meet his halfway before he pulls back. "You are welcome...and yes, this is nice." giving a slight nod. "Very nice." giving her wingtips a slight flicker. "I don't suppose you'd like to do it again sometime?" she asks quietly. "I mean, going out. With me?"

Nimble_Hooves smiles brightly at this, "O-Of course I-I would like to... w-why wouldn't I? Y-you're really nice, a-and pretty too--" He suddenly stops himself, and blushes intensely.

Stardust blinks, then blushes herself. "You...think I'm pretty?" she repeats softly, giving a giggle. "No pony's ever thought THAT before. Well, not about ME anyhoof..

Nimble_Hooves looks up and nods, "D-Definitely. W-what w-would make you think otherwise?"

Stardust curls her ears back and looks aside for a moment, then looks back at him. "My eyes tend to give ponies the wrong impression."

[[edit: Stardust's desc inserted here for context]]
Stardust [[Female Pegasus]]
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Stardust is a pegasus, well kept and rather polite overall. Her build is slightly larger than most ponies, but that is rather common from the larger cities. She is well toned and trim as most fliers tend to be. Her body fur is a gentle yellow color, much like a dandelion would be when it is in bloom, the fur itself having a sheen to it like silk. All that time in the spas really pays off you know.

Sprouting from her back are her wings, also slightly larger than normal, though given her build and work they look to be just right for her. Her feathers are a mixed lot, most of her wings are a soft blue, like the sky, with all of her trailing edge feathers being a carnation pink. Her mane is swept back, flowing along her shoulders, also being blue, though several shades darker than her wings, her tail sharing this dark blue hue.

She has crimson red eyes, always seeming to sparkle with curiosity. Her ears are black, standing out nicely against her fur which adds to the glimmer of the two small rings in her ears, a gold ring in her left ear, a silver ring in her right ear. Around her neck is a thin silver necklace, from which dangles a small bright red crystal.

Upon her flank is her cutie mark, a single envelope with golden wings sprouting from its sides. She is usually seen with her saddlebags and a shoulder tote on, both are soft tan and bear the royal emblems of the sun and moon upon them. Beneath the royal symbols, on the shoulder tote only, is another seal, a small circular one, black with a small stack of coins shown on its center, rimmed in gold trim that has "Official Seal of the Department of Royal Accounting" lettered along it.
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Nimble_Hooves moves his head slightly, to try and make eye contact once more, "Y-You have nice eyes. I-I don't see w-why ponies w-would be afraid... p-plus I-I know y-you are a-a really kind pony." He gaze shifts to her sides. "Y-you have b-beautiful wings."

Stardust says "I suppose its the stereotype really...they see my eyes and think I'm demonic or evil somehow I guess...so most don't bother to say hello even." then looks at her own side, extending a wing as he comments about it. "I..really?" pivoting her feathers a bit before closing her wing again, blushing. "I always thought of myself as kind of average really."

Nimble_Hooves smiles and shakes his head, "Y-you are certainly n-not evil.... B-but I-I do know what it is like t-to have ponies avoid you. I-It is okay... th-they'll just never know w-what they are missing out on." He smiles as Stardust briefly show her wing. "I-I do l-like the colouring."

Stardust looks back to him and smiles. "Well, I certainly don't feel like I'm missing out anymore." grinning gently. "I'll have to let you admire them more often, for such compliments..." then giggles. "And..thank you." blinking. "Oh, I just realized you have another advantage over the rest of the pegasi," cupping her ears. "You can change your wings or re-color them a lot easier than we can." giggling. "Though these are my natural colors....dye is to hard on the feathers."

Nimble_Hooves blushes now, but then pauses at the comment about his wings. His expression shifts, briefly. "I-I suppose so... b-but there i-is an awful lot m-my wings can never do." He shakes his head and smiles again. No sense bringing the mood down. "A-Although m-my other wings d-do sparkle really nicely."

Stardust smiles and nods. "Sounds like the advantages and disadvantages are rather balanced out just in various areas. And they did sparkle very prettily. From above at night they are like a small cloud of fireflies." then looks at her side again. "The fanciest I ever did was to bleach my feathers to white. I thought I would like it, but I didn't."

Nimble_Hooves nods, "Y-you feathers a-are lovely j-just the w-way they are." His eyes move to the necklace around her neck. "Th-that stone on your necklace is pretty... i-it matches your eyes."

Stardust grins and blushes slightly, nodding. "So are you." then blinks. "Uh...handsome as you are, not lovely." giggling, then looking down at her necklace, then looks back up, smiling. "Thanks....its my favorite color. I bought this when I was a filly, it does so sparkle in the sunlight."

Nimble_Hooves blushes at the compliment. He looks to his hooves for a moment unsure of how to respond. "I-I've never been called th-that before..." He looks up, meeting Stardust's eyes. "S-So red i-is your favourite colour? I-I'll have t-to remember that." A wry grin appears on his face.

Stardust gives a soft laugh and nods. "Yes...of all the reds, the bright crimsons are just....well, my favorites." then catches his grin, tilting her head a bit. "Are you plotting something?" she asks with a soft chuckle.

Nimble_Hooves straightens suddenly, and then shakes his head. "N-no. I-I--" Despite the shake of his head, a twinkle in his eyes says something different. "W-would it be bad i-if I did?"

Stardust giggles, then laughs. "I suppose it would be good thing....though I've never had anypony plan something like this, whatever it is." grinning softly. "I am sure to love it whatever it is."

Nimble_Hooves smiles, "I-It really i-isn't anything much--" He suddenly stops and claps his hooves over his mouth, with a blush. He didn't mean to reveal he was planning anything at all. Of course there is a reason he didn't get a cutie mark in keeping surprises a surprise.

Stardust giggles and smiles to him. "Its alright...I still don't know anything about the plot, so trust me, I'll be quite pleasantly surprised all the same."

Nimble_Hooves puts his hooves down, glad that he may be able to do something after all. Then a concerned look crosses his face. "W-when do you go back to Canterlot?"

Stardust says "Whenever I feel like it, to be honest. I've just been staying there until I can setup and move here to Ponyville." sitting up with a smile. "I have a feeling I'm going to be here more than Canterlot most of the time, unless duty calls."

Nimble_Hooves perks at this, "M-moving to Ponyville?" He seems genuinely excited at the prospect for some reason. Then there is a moment of worry. "B-but I-I thought they needed y-you at the Palace? W-what would keep you here?"

Stardust smiles. "I'm fairly quick, the Palace is only a bit away, and I get my summons hours before the item is ready anyways....assuming anypony there ever actually writes one." laughing softly. "As to why....well, Ponyville is nice, and it would mean I'd get to see you more often, would it not?"

Nimble_Hooves smiles at this news, blushing. "I-I would like t-to see more of you... i-if that is okay w-with you that is." He is interrupted by the waiter removing their plates. "A-are you still hungry. W-would you like dessert?"

Stardust pinkens in her ears and smiles as the plates are removed. "I would like that very much." then cups her ears forward. "Oh, desert would also be grand...what do they have here?"

Nimble_Hooves looks across the table to Stardust, smiling warmly. The look lingers of a moment or two, before he remembers the subject at hoof. "O-oh... dessert... I-I was just going t-to have an Icecream sundae. I-I can g-get a menu i-if you wanted s-something else?"

Stardust smiles to him while he look at her, gazing back until he remembers the desert, which makes her giggles softly. "A sundae would be lovely...considering how good the food was, that should be exquisite."

Nimble_Hooves waves over the waiter and starts to order a sundae for each of them. "I-I'll have chocolate and--" he pauses, looking across the table. "W-what flavour w-would you prefer?"

Stardust Oh ohs! "Chocolate and butterscotch please." smiling brightly. "Another favorite of mine." flicking her ear lightly. "I could almost eat butterscotch from the bottle....if it wasn't so fattening that way."

Nimble_Hooves chuckles at this and nods to the waiter. There is another twinkle in his eye as another tidbit of information gets saved for future use. "H-Have you seen a-anyplace around Ponyville y-you'd like to stay?"

Stardust says "Oh, not yet....there are plenty of places that are nice." smoothing her mane with a hoof. "I like some of the houses here in town....I like the lakeside ones...I'm just...its hard to decide with so much to choose from." laughing. "Do you have any recommendations?"

Nimble_Hooves shakes his head, "N-not at the moment. I-I don't really have a place o-of my own.. yet. I-I have just been staying at the Magic Research Centre w-while my workshop i-is being built."

Stardust perks her ears and smiles. "Where are you building your workshop?" sitting up, curious. "It must be really fun to be able to build and repair things. The fun of creating something and seeing it work."

Nimble_Hooves smiles, "N-not too far from th-the lake. I-I'm looking forward t-to having a-a place of my own... n-not that the Magic Research Centre is a bad place." Once you get used to the mayhem and occasional explosions. "I-It won't be long now." He sighs happily.

Stardust says "Having a place to call home is quite wonderful, yes." nodding. "And being by the lake is also nice, if you get all hot in the summer its easy to dart out for a swim and cool off. I'm rather fond of sunning on a beach, listening to the birds' singing. Very relaxing." nodding. "And a LOT more peaceful than any buslting city."

Nimble_Hooves nods to the pegasus happily, "I-I really can't wait. I-I have b-been living o-off the kindness of other ponies f-for too long. I-I try my best t-to return the favour, b-but u-until I-I have my place I-i won't truly be standing o-on my own." He dips his head slightly at the mention of swimming. "I-I don't really swim much. I-I can, a-and it is nice on a hot day...." But he doesn't like other ponies seeing him without wings.

Stardust smiles to him. "the freedoms it allows you are awesome too, if you want to lie in the sun all day, you can." laughing gently. "And you can grow all the snacks you want in your own gardens, saves on trips to the market."

Nimble_Hooves chuckles softly, and raises his head a little, "M-me a-and growing things d-don't exactly go well together... S-some ponies h-have a green hoof, b-but mine i-is most definitely brown." He grins. "F-Freedom i-is good. I-It was one of the things I-I was hoping t-to find when I-I left Withersville."

Stardust giggles a bit, then nods. "Well, I can't say anything there, if your hoof is brown, mine's black." giving a soft chuckle. "My garden was mostly wildflowers I just put a small fence around....and let them do whatever flowers do."

Nimble_Hooves's eyes twinkle slightly as he laughs, "Th-that sounds f-far more successful th-than my efforts. I-I can fix i-intricate clockworks w-with ease, b-but I-I can't even keep a-a single daisy in a flowerpot a-alive."

Stardust says "Well, its easy to find something already growing and just fence it off." coughing a bit. "And it you do it right, it looks like you did it." grinning. "But, in a city, its hard to do much else really. So long as I never touch them, they are fine. I watered some once, drowned them."

Nimble_Hooves smiles, "Th-that is part of the reason I-I like it here... th-there are plenty o-of things a-already growing... a-and in most places a-all you need to find them i-is to walk o-out of your front door." He looks to his hooves for some moments and then looks up. "I-I do hope y-you find a place here. W-when m-my place is finished --and i-if you haven't found a place b-by then-- y-you are welcome t-to stay with me."

Stardust smiles and curls her ears, the insides pink. "You'd really like somepony like me living with you?" asking softly as the sundaes arrive. She smiles again, then nods. "That....would be nice." then tilts her head. "Do you like pies? I do make some good cherry pies...you'd not have to go into town to get any."

Nimble_Hooves blushes at this, but nods. "I-If you want to. I-I know finding a-a place in Ponyville i-isn't easy." The arrival of the sundaes distracts him for a moment. "Y-You don't h-have to make pies f-for me... b-but i-if you did make them, I-i wouldn't say no." With a grin he starts on his sundae.

Stardust giggles as she licks some of the chocolate and butterscotch off of her sundae. "I can cook rather well actually...." still red in the ears. "Though it would be rather nice to have somepony to share it with."

Nimble_Hooves nods, as he takes a couple of mouthfuls of sundae, and then he speaks. "I-I can cook too... I-It is better t-to have somepony to share with. B-but myself I-I don't r-really have the motivation t-to cook a-a lot."

Stardust nods. "I can understand that fully....living alone there just isn't much reason to bother, ya know?" taking a scoop of her ice cream. "Hmmm....these are delightful....this was a wonderful idea Nimble."

Nimble_Hooves blinks and tilts his head curiously, before realising she meant the sundaes. He grins. "I-I am glad you like them... I-I like the sundaes here. I-I probably eat here a-a little too often, b-but it is nice... especially sharing it w-with a--" he searches for the right words, "--pony I care about."

Stardust is eating another bite of ice cream, but at his words and that pause, she has to smile. When she swallows that bit she flicks an ear and starts to say something, then doesn't. She hrrfs and angles an ear. "I...I am not sure what to say....." she finally confesses. "This is all new to me really...its positively wonderfully nice...." then smiles lightly. "...and I like it.....and you."

Nimble_Hooves blushes now, not sure if what he said was right. It was something that have been growing over the course of the evening. He had never had a special somepony, but he never really had many friends either. This felt like more than just a friendship, but he couldn't say what exactly. "I-I-I like you too." He eventually admits... and then in a softer voice. "I-it is new to me too."

Stardust eats some more of her ice cream and gives a soft chuckle. "Are.....are you...." then pauses, looking at the table a moment. "I thought you liked Fluttershy....I mean...I'm nowhere as fancy or famous as her...."

Nimble_Hooves's ears drop, and he looks to his partly eaten sundae, "I-I do, o-or rather I-I did. Sh-she doesn't feel the same way.. a-and that is okay. She i-is still a precious friend." He glances up, in the hope that hadn't somehow offended Stardust, and then back to his sundae. It melts a little more as he tried to put feelings into words. "Y-you don't need to be famous, a-and y-you're just as special..." He winces as this doesn't seem to come out right either. "I-I guess what I-I want to say i-is that I-I like being around you."

Stardust looks up and after a bit smiles, understanding what he was saying more clearly this time. "So...you don't have a special somepony then....?" connecting even more dots as it were, seeing him trying hard to express himself, so tries to help a bit, so he need not ask after putting so much into clarifying. "....I don't have one either...." then offers a soft smile. "..yet."

Nimble_Hooves shakes his head at the question, and then his ears perk at Stardust's revelation. He looks up, hopeful. "Y-You don't? That's good--" He instantly stops himself. "--I-I mean not good that y-you don't have one...." He starts to get quite flustered, making his stutter worse. "I-I m-mean good th-that there w-will be a-a special s-somepony h-here f-for y-you." That's not quite what he meant to say either, but at this point he gives up and fills his mouth with a large spoonful of sundae.

Stardust smiles softly back to him and giggles, noticing the flustered effect and sorting things out from that. "I think I understand...." getting some more ice cream herself. After a bit, she angles a reddened ear. "At least I hope I do...." tilting her head slightly with a soft grin.

Nimble_Hooves finishes his sundae, still blushing intensely, looks over the table at Stardust's reaction with a warm smile. "I-I like you." Perhaps sometimes simple is better.

Stardust finishes hers and smiles. "I like you too, Nimble." replying quietly. "I was hoping I guessed that right." then licks her bowl a few times to get the chocolate leftovers. "I cna't ever recall having such a lovely time with anypony before."

Nimble_Hooves sighs in relief. The last time he tried to share his feelings with somepony didn't exactly end well. He looks to Stardust's crimson eyes with a warm smile. "Th-thank you. I-It has been a lovely evening w-with you." He waves the waiter over, in order to settle the bill.

Stardust smiles and puts her spoon in her empty bowl. "Yes..it has, with some lovely surprises." smiling with a happy almost not believable kind of feeling, "Lovely and nice surprises." giggling.

Nimble_Hooves smiles and chuckles too. There is a warmth inside him that wasn't there before. He slips the waiter a small pile of bits that more than pays for the meal. "I-it has been quite a-a surprising evening." He stands and offers a hoof up to Stardust. "S-Shall we go f-for a walk?"

Stardust smiles and puts her hoof on his and gets up. "That would be wonderful...lets." nodding gently. "This has certainly been quite a day, I would have never expected this..." giggling. making sure her mane was settles right.

Nimble_Hooves never quite expected the events of the evening either. It was just supposed to be something to take his mind off the crash earlier in the day, not a confession of his feelings. He watches Staurdust correct her mane, saying nothing for a moment. "I-Is there anywhere i-in particular you'd like t-to go?"

Stardust pauses and thinks about his question. "Well, I really don't know the area too well, what is there to go and see?" she asks, "Though a nice walk is always good after eating." flicking her ear and smiling. "Though as nicely as this day turned out, most anyplace would be nice." giggling a bit.

Nimble_Hooves hmms and things for a moment, "W-We could w-wander through the market a-and square, b-but y-you have already seen that. I-I'm not sure wh-what will still be open though." He thinks for a few more moments. "W-we could wander up to the lake, o-or just off the Road to Canterlot i-is a nice little teahouse."

Stardust perks her ears. "Oh, a tea house would be nice! Do they serve brambleberry tea do you know?" nodding. "And it sounds warmer than the lake..." laughing a bit. "Winter is always so.....Wintery...and snowy icy."

Nimble_Hooves steps next to Stardust, letting himself nudge against her gently. "I-I'm not exactly s-sure what Miss Cherry Blossom has, b-but I-I'm sure i-if she doesn't have it, there w-will be others just as nice." With that he leads the way.


You offer to let Stardust walk along with you.
Stardust decides to walk along with you.
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Cherry Blossom's Teahouse
The interior of the teahouse is welcoming, an overall feeling of warmth and serenity away from the hustle and bustle of life outside the walls. This is a place of comfort and relaxation, a place for a pony to recharge and rejuvenate themselves. The wood work is a light aspen in color; the walls whitewashed and here and there dotted with the most amazing landscape portraits. On one wall is a truly impressive painting, it stretches the length of several tables and shows a broad stretch of river, a stonework bridge crossing over the water way. And what seems to be a young couple standing in the middle looking out over the slowly moving river. The figures are plain but the features are not well defined, it could be any two ponies...perhaps you and the one you love?
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Nimble_Hooves enters, with Stardust walking along next to him.

Stardust walks along beside him, following his lead. She hasn't explored to much really, and this certainly helps her learn the layout of things. When they get there, she follows him in and smiles. "Oh, this is cozy....I like it."

Nimble_Hooves smiles at Stardust's reaction, and leads her to the far corner of the teahouse, next to a window overlooking the garden. On the way he pauses briefly to order a pot of brambleberry tea from the waitress at the counter. At the table, once again he pulls out the chair for Stardust to sit first. "I-I do like it here. Th-the garden i-is wonderful in spring."

Stardust walks over with him to the table, smiling as she learns they did have brambleberry tea, then gives him a soft smile as she takes the offered seat. When he mentions a garden, she looks out of the window. "Oh, I can't wait to see it come spring. I bet its absolutely lovely." then looks back to him. "I do hope winter wrap up is soon, I miss the colors of nature. All this blah white only makes me feel colder." laughing.

Nimble_Hooves seems rather relieved that they had the tea, but with dozens of varieties arranged on the wall behind the counter it would be hard to find a tea they didn't have. "I-It is quite lovely... e-especially w-with all the cherry blossoms. I-I will have t-to bring you here then." He looks out over the white covered garden, glistening in the moonlight. "I-I do like winter... S-snow does make crash landings a-a little softer." He glances to his bandaged rear hoof. "A-and there is something nice a-about snuggling up in a warm blanket w-with a mug of hot chocolate."

Stardust nods as he speaks, also looking to his bandaged ankle. "The cold helps keep swelling down too, another plus. How is your leg there doing?" tilting her head. "I've had a few bad landings myself, even have the trophy to prove it." laughing a bit. "Stupid weathervanes...." shaking her head. "Grounded for two moons after that." then grins and nods. "Oh yes, hot chocolate and a good fireplace with soft blankets is always nice."

Nimble_Hooves looks to his hoof again and smiles, "I-I'll be okay... I-it is not the worst I-I have done, b-by a long shot." He does wince and nod at the mention of weathervanes, perhaps out of memory from a similar incident, but doesn't say anything about that. "U-unfortunately I-I don't have hot chocolate, o-or a fireplace, o-or blankets, b-but I-I hope this is okay for now?"

Stardust perks her ears and smiles. "This is more than OK for now...." then cups her ears lightly. "...and if this continues to go so well....there is plenty of time ahead to collect and share the rest of those things....though I suspect we'll need a lot of chocolate in the winter." laughing.

Nimble_Hooves chuckles softly, the blush returning to his face. "B-Between Sugarcube Corner, and Mr Sugar Rush's Candy shop, th-there [[shouldn't]] b-be a shortage o-of chocolate. B-blankets a-aren't a-a problem." He grins across the table. "I-I just need to work o-on the fireplace..."

Stardust giggles quietly. "Well now, a fireplace would certainly be an added incentive, not to mention a useful addition to anypony's home." then has to smile. "Though it would also be nice to have the house around it finished as well." giggling. "A fireplace in an open frame would not be very snuggly in winter, even with blankets."

Nimble_Hooves nods, "I-It isn't much more th-than a shell a-at the moment. Th-there is a forge downstairs, b-but that doesn't really c-count as a fireplace. S-still, a fireplace would be useful."

Stardust nods and mrrrs quietly. "I'd offer to help finish it, but I have no building skills what-so-ever." angling an ear. "I'm the sort that would have trouble stapling two papers together without having issues." laughing a bit. "I may have to just keep searching for a place until its finished." smiling. "Then we could stock up on everything for next winter."

Nimble_Hooves sighs a little and nods. He had hoped to be further along with the construction before Winter set in, "I-I don't expect you t-to help me... b-but I suppose if the weather holds out, I-I can hurry th-things along a little. M-maybe I-I should have a chat t-to the weather ponies."

Stardust says "Good weather would be a great help, yes." nodding. "I'm not to good there either, aside of the basics." laughing a bit. "I can create and move clouds, make them rain or storm, clear 'em off, I can't do snow or strong things....so if you ever want just a light shower...that I can do!" giggling, making a soft sigh, smiling. "I'm finding myself looking forward to Spring more and more now."

Nimble_Hooves smiles to Stardust, "U-umm... I-I can walk on clouds. Th-that's about it. I-I didn't even know I-I could do that u-until after I-I got to Ponyville." He looks out at the garden, remembering the pretty cherry blossoms of the previous year. "S-Spring will be nice."

Stardust looks over to him and grins. "Oh, you can move clouds and make them do some things, like rain or lightning....and you could break the clouds up and clear the skies. All of that is done with your hooves and pegasus born magic." waggling her front hooves. "We're retty much equal there for sure."

Nimble_Hooves is about to speak whe he is interrupted by the arrival of tea and a small plate of treats. He pours a cup for Stardust before pouring one for himself. Then he returns to the connversation. "A-after I-I lost my wings, I-I though I-I had lost that magic... I-It is one of the things I-I have found since coming t-to Ponyville."

Stardust perks her ears as the tea and snacks arrive, smiling as she accepts her cup from him, sipping it. "Ohhh, perfect." she comments, nodding to him again. "I can relate a little there, I had....an accident that I thought took flight from me forever. For me, it was just something fear made me believe, which I eventually learned to overcome, despite the reminder I carry of it every day. Magic works in weird ways....thank goodness there are ponies who know how it works to help us reclaim and use it."

Nimble_Hooves blinks and looks to Stardust's wings, "O-oh... I-I didn't know. Y-you fly so well." He pauses, unsure of whether to ask the question. The same question the he gets asked all the time, except it was his turn to ask. There were times he hated that question, but now he knew the innocent curiosity behind it. "W-what happened, i-if you don't mind me asking?" He quickly adds, "I-It is okay if you don't want to tell me."

Stardust angles an ear. "Well...I suppose....if we're going to know one another better...." then gets up and turns sideways, then lifts her wing up high, showing him her left side, and while invisible normally, when she lifts her wing straight up, her fur shifts a bit and then he can see it, a nasty jagged scar from her shoulder, just below her wing joint all down her side to flank, just before her cutie mark. She flattens an ear and mrrfs, "Weather vane....cast iron, rough weather. I didn't see it."

Nimble_Hooves winces and his ears droop at the sight. "I-I'm sorry..." His eyes look over the scar, and he sighs. "B-but you recovered, and you fly so well." He looks to Stardust's eyes, "a-and that scar doesn't make y-you any less pretty."

Stardust closes her wing and smiles at him. "It took a long time before I flew again....almost a year. I lost faith in myself, and thus, my magic." turning to face him, gazing back into his eyes. "And, you should know, that's how I feel about your wings....they don't make you any less dashing or wonderful." smiling warmly.

Nimble_Hooves blushes, and then sighs heavily. It was time he shared his story. "B-back in Withersville, th-they don't have weather ponies. W-when I-I was just a colt, b-before I found my cutie mark, a-a massive storm hit. M-my father went outside t-to secure the doors t-to the forge." He looks to his hooves. "M-my father told me to stay inside, b-but I-I saw him having trouble a-and I-I thought I could help. Th-the moment I-I stepped outside, the winds caught my wings a-and I was gone." Tears sting at the edges of his eyes, but he carries on determined to tell the rest of the story. "M-my parents ran out t-to search for me. W-when m-my mother found me, m-my wings had [[been]] ruined a-and burnt by lightning. Th-the doctors t-took my wings t-to save my life. M-my father never returned."

Stardust walks over and gently noses his cheek. "That is rough, yes." she says softly. "Though I must say, you have overcome so very much to get where you are now." using a wingtip to wipe a tear away. "I would say that takes more courage than a Wonderbolt." smiling gently to him.

Nimble_Hooves sniffs and smiles, "S-sorry i-if that upset you. I-I thought y-you should know." He nuzzles Stardust in return. "W-we have both been through a lot, a-and yet w-we are still here..." a smile returning to his face. "Th-thank you f-for being here."

Stardust softly mrrs. "You didn't upset me....I'm not the sort to get upset by honesty, whatever it is. Maybe that's why we understand one another so well," smiling warmly. "And as you said, here we are, together in a tea house in winter...enjoying wonderful company and warm tea together..." giving a soft chuckle. "Thank you for letting me be here....there's no other place I'd rather be, either."

Nimble_Hooves lets out a happy sigh, glad that Stardust had not been turned away by his past. Comforted by the physical contact, even thought it was initially unexpected, he edges over so Stardust can sit next to him instead of across from him. "Th-this i-is a nice place t-to be... I-I'm glad you are here."

Stardust uses her tail to curl around her tea and slide it over before sitting with him. "I'm glad I'm here too." smiling to him. "You now, if anypony has told me I'd meet such a wonderful pony here in Ponyville I would have laughed at them." sipping her tea. "And poof, here I am in a cozy little tea house with a charming and wonderful pegasus who actually likes me in return." setting her cup down. "Its like a fairy tale dream come true."

Nimble_Hooves sips his tea to hide his blushing at the compliments, "I-I am r-really not that wonderful, b-but I-I am certainly glad th-that you happened t-to stop in Ponyville, a-and that I-I had the chance to meet you. I-It is like the Princesses themselves smiled down upon us." He pauses and looks about, in case that was quite literally what happened. He chuckles.

Stardust sets her cup down again. "Well, you are to me." giving a soft laugh, looking around as well. "Well, whether they helped or not I can't say, but I'm definitely glad we met." mrring. "Its not every trip to the market one meets their very special somepony." sipping her tea and getting a snack. "I don't know what the future may hold, but its looking quite promising to me."

Nimble_Hooves's eyes widen and something in his chest leaps. Very special somepony. He hadn't been so bold, or so hopeful, as to use those words. But now they had been said, and it just seemed so right. There were no words he could say to this, but there was something he could do. He turned to the pegasus, and leaned close... for a kiss.

Stardust's own heart felt like it skipped and stopped for a moment, not having expected the kiss, caught slightly off guard, but she wasn't pulling back from it. She gives him what sounds like a soft chirp and closes her eyes, kissing him back softly, her wingtip feathers twitching ever so slightly. It did feel just right, and she found herself relaxing as he expressed his feelings towards her so clearly without a word.

Nimble_Hooves had only intended a brief kiss, but as his lips touched hers there was little he could do to pull away and break the moment. Happiness filled his head, consuming his thoughts, and time seemed to slow to a stop. Eventually the kiss did part, and Nimble smiled. When he did finally talk, it was two whispered words. "Thank you."

Stardust smiles and flicks her wingtips a bit, just staring softly afterwards. "A mutual thanks then." cupping her ears up with a quiet giggle. "I must say, this is the nicest evening I have had in.....forever it feels like."

Nimble_Hooves smiles, and sighs happily. "Th-this has been r-rather a surprising evening... I-I h-have never had a nicer time." He takes another sip of tea, finishing the cup, and then leans softly against Stardust. "I-I must admit, I-I'm not sure wh-what to do now..."

Stardust laughs gently and leans back into him a little. "I am not sure myself really, but its nice to know we're not facing it alone anymore." giggling as she tops off her tea and sips some more.

Nimble_Hooves smiles, enjoying the physical contact with Stardust. "I-I do wish I had a place f-for us to go. M-My place in the Magic Research Centre i-is little more than a-a converted storage room." He thinks for a bit. "S-still, Ponyville has an Inn now... I-it is better than sleeping i-in a tent, w-which is what I-I did when I-I first got to Ponyville."

Stardust mrrs quietly. "We'll just have to get that place you were building finished is all, or at least a decent room closed off, then we'll have a place while the rest is being worked on.

Nimble_Hooves nodnods, "I-I will work on it tomorrow." He rummages in his saddlebag and pulls out a sketchbook, opening it to a number of pages of construction drawings. "I-I can c-change the plans too..."

Stardust perks her ears and watches curiously, smiling at the plans he laid out. "Ohh, these are lovely....so long as any gardens are plastic we'll be fine." giggling.

Nimble_Hooves chuckles at that. "N-No plans for a garden... I-It will just be grass, n-next to a stream." He turns the page to show a waterwheel, and sketches of various mechanics attached.

Stardust smiles. "Ohhh...I like that..." nodding to te waterwheel. "At least grass wont' run screaming from us."

Nimble_Hooves blushes slightly at the compliment to his work. "I-If worst come t-to worst, w-when bits get tight, I-I suppose w-we can always make hay." He shows some of the other pages to Stardust, quickly flicking past the one that has project costings.

Stardust looks at the pages as he flips through them. "Oh, I don't think that'll be a problem....I have a bit saved up and do well in my job, if things get tight we can coast on that until things pick up." then smiles. "After all, if we're going to live there, won't we be sharing the costs?"

Nimble_Hooves stops and blinks, "D-don't feel y-you need t-to do that... I-I mean sharing costs i-is okay, b-but I-I don't w-want you t-to feel you need t-to pay for me... S-surely you have a dream. S-something your saving for?"

Stardust has to giggle and smile. "Yes...." then noses him gently, looking to the plans. "The same thing most mares dream of....finding someone to be with....building a home...."

Nimble_Hooves pauses and then blushes. "D-Don't you h-have any other plans... places y-you'd like to visit and such before--" He tries to think of the right words. "--settling down?"

Stardust laughs gently and cups her ears. "My job has taken me most everyplace I'd ever want to see or go to. After a few years it gets a bit...meh." then smiles. "Though I can understand if you still have things you'd want to do or see."

Nimble_Hooves ohs and nods, "I-I haven't seen th-that much of Equestria yet. I-I plan on s-seeing places eventually." He looks to Stardust. "I-I just don't want you t-to feel like I-I am holding you back.... I-I mean having m-my own workshop has been a-a dream of mine for a while now."

Stardust smiles and tilts her head. "Aww...that's so sweet...but I have never felt like I was being held back." stil leaning against him warmly. "Besides, its a lot more fun to have someone to share such things with isn't it?"

Nimble_Hooves nuzzles Stardust, "I-I would like to see Canterlot again, m-maybe visit the Palace. G-going back to the Crystal Empire may be fun, b-but I don't think I-I would be a-allowed to stay in the Palace again."

Stardust nuzzles back softly. "Just because we might 'settle' together doesn't mean losing any dreams of seeing things...it just means we'd be seeing them togther, making each one just that much more special, don't you think?" then blinks. "Did you break something in the Crystal Palace?"

Nimble_Hooves smiles, "T-travelling together w-would be nice." He then laughs, "I-I didn't break anything. I-I was just there w-with another...pony. Th-they were the guest o-of the Princess." He doesn't mention that the other pony was actually a changeling, who had been a 'guest' of the Princess as a precaution.

Stardust giggles and smiles. "Well, if it wasn't anything you did, I don't think the princess would hold anything against you yourself." sipping more of her tea and eating one of the small treats.

Nimble_Hooves chuckles softly, "Princess Cadence w-was very nice. M-Most curious a-about my wings." He pauses. "I-I'm not sure th-the staff w-would let me stay a-at the Palace again. I-I wasn't really supposed t-to be there the first time. I-it would be nice t-to go back. I-I have learned s-some amazing techniques th-that had almost b-been lost."

Stardust nods. "Learning old techniques is a grande task....so much has been forgotten in the new age of make it quick and seal it before it falls apart." nodding, sipping her tea. "And older architecture is always so grande."

Eris walks down the stairs from her room, sleepily. The fledgling stops about halfway down and rubs her eyes with her front feet, then continues. She blink-blinks at the sight of the two in the teahouse, then smiles and brightens up - her sleepiness suddenly gone. "Hi hi!" the griffon says, grinning. Her small feathered form disappears behind the counter, and the clinking and crashing of dishes is heard as the griffon rummages about. From behind there, you hear her call up, "Y'all need anything?"

Nimble_Hooves smiles to Stardust, "I-I was really impressed b-by the way crystal w-was used for everything." He chuckles to himself. "B-but I-I suppose it wouldn't be the Crystal Empire i-if that weren't the case." The clinking and crashing startles him and he turns to see the young griffon at the counter. "O-Oh... Hello Miss--" he pauses to recall the name "--M-Miss Eris." Suddenly self-conscious he edges ever so slightly away from Stardust.

Stardust laughs and nods. "I imagine that is sort of how it got its name...and it IS a lovely place. I've never met Princess Cadence myself, but I've heard she's fond of being thrown out of windows." snickering a bit, looking to Eris. "Oh, hello.....do you work here?" paying no mind to the tinkles and crashes. Everyone has iffy areas...hers were just slaughtering anything planted. It was quieter.

Eris manages to reach up and place a filled kettle on the stove, which thankfully already had a fire going. She then hops up onto a stool so she can see over the counter, and grins. "Yep, that's me! How're you, Mr. Nimble?" she asks, before turning to Stardust, "I don't think I know you, though. I'm Eris!" The griffon adjusts the heat on the stove, then, "Yeah! I came to Equestria by myself, and Cherry gave me a job here, and a room upstairs! So I live AND work here! And, even better, Cherry Blossom and MapleWing adopted me, so I've got a family and everything! I do love working here, though. All sorts of great ponies to meet, and lots to do!"

( The comment about Princess Cadence gives Nimble quite a chuckle. "I-I personally didn't see any acts of defenestration." Looking to the counter, he smiles to the young griffon. "Miss Eris, th-this is Stardust... S-She is visiting from Canterlot." He looks back to Stardust warmly. "Hopefully s-she will be staying a while." )

Stardust says "Well, that certainly cuts down on transportation costs." laughing. "Nice to meet you." as Nimble introduces them. "I work at the Palace, I'm a messenger for the officials when something needs delivered immediately and no baby dragons are around to barf it over." giggling as she sips her tea. "The tea here is fantastic, just like Nimble said it was, and I will most likely be staying a while, yes."

Eris says "Hi Miss Stardust! Happy to meet you!" She does a little bow-sort-of-thing, but loses her balance on the stool and, with a surprised squawk, crashes to the floor in a cloud of dust and a few feathers. From behind the counter you hear her squeak, "I'm good! I'm okay!" She rights herself and scrambles back up onto the stool with a sheepish grin. "Uhm, well," she starts, brushing herself off a bit and preening at her wings, "Thank you, for that! Miss Cherry and I work very hard on getting the best teas for our customers! And I'm glad you'll be staying for a bit." The griffon then goes about pouring a cup of tea for herself - the smell of peppermint and a few other herbs wafts outwards as she allows the tea to steep in the hot water.

Nimble_Hooves moves to help the griffon when she falls, but sits again when she rights herself, "A-Are you sure you're okay? Th-That looked l-like it may have hurt." The smell of tea hits his nostrils. Mmm. It pulls his gaze to their almost empty pot. "W-would you like another pot, Stardust?"

Stardust winces at the crash, but tilts her head when the griffon recovers so quickly. "Wow, that was fast....I'd still be staring at the stuff." looking to Nimble and nodding. "That would be delightful I think...and maybe some more of these little snacks."

Eris grins, "I'm okay, really! Dad says I'm 'young and bouncy and flexible' or something like that! It's a good thing, too! I do fall down a lot. Hard being a griffon who doesn't fly!" When the two start talking about more tea, she perks up, "Oh, if you want more, there's certainly plenty of water left in the kettle! What sort of tea would you like? We've got all sorts of great blends for the season, and, of course, the regular stuff, too! Green, White, Oolong, Black, Rooibos, Mate... whatever you want! And I think Cherry went to the bakery this morning, so all the pastries and such are quite fresh! I think she picked up a pie, too." It's clear the griffon is enthusiastic about working at the teahouse.

Nimble_Hooves grins, remembering when he used to be bouncy and flexible... at least when his mother wasn't around. Hoping to avoid breakages and to help the young griffon about he takes the pot and empty plat back to the counter. "S-some more brambleberry tea w-would be nice... a-and do you have any treats w-with butterscotch." He leans closer and whispers, "I-Its her favourite flavour." He winks.

Stardust finishes the tea she has and slides her cup aside, smiling as Nimble goes to get their new items ordered. It was certainly quite a nice evening for tea and treats while relaxing.

Eris, after thanking Nimble for bringing the dishes to the counter, winks a giant golden eye back at him, then goes rummaging. You occasionally see her bright yellow taloned feet reach up to the counter, placing two clean mugs, a teapot, and such up there. She then produces a silver tray with lid and slides it up onto the counter as well. Hopping back up onto the stool, the fledgling pours hot water into the teapot, along with a steeping vessel full of brambleberry tea. "Now, you take that steep out after two minutes, or it'll get all sour!" she says, looking at Nimble. "And, there's this," Eris says as she lifts the silver lid off of the platter. Inside is a little crystal bowl with a delicious-looking layered confection in it. She leans in towards Nimble and whispers, "Chocolate Butterscotch layered mousse." With a decisive nod, she then hops back off of the stool, disappearing again - this time taking the dirty dishes with her. Rummage rummage crash bang clank.

Nimble_Hooves oos at the confection, and grins. He leaves a small pile of bits on the counter, more than enough, and takes the tray carefully back to the table. After setting down the tray, he sits next to Stardust once more, giving her a happy nuzzle.

Stardust gives a giggle and nose shim back, looking at the tea and treats, tilting her head. "Oh, what's that?" looking at the layered confection. "It smells absolutely wonderful." flicking a wing lightly. "I think I have a new favorite place to relax." laughing a bit. "Its nice and quiet here, excellent tea and all sorts of delightful surprises."

Eris, as soon as she returns to the counter, looks incredulously at the bits, and she stammers a thank-you to Nimble, cashing it into the till appropriately. Quietly, she watches for Stardust's reaction to the mousse, then grins when the pony seems happy with it. "I'm glad you like it here, Miss! We aim to please!" The griffon then re-notices her own cooling mug of tea, and brings it to her beak, sipping (as best a griffon can) at it as she purrs quietly.

Nimble_Hooves waits the suggested steep time, leaning quietly against the pegasus mare, contented. He pulls out the steeping vessel, setting it on the tray, and then pours fresh tea for the both of them. "I-I do like it here too." Even the memory of Fluttershy rejecting him, wasn't enough to keep him away.

Stardust leans back against him and smiles softly, waiting until he had poured her tea to get some, getting a bit of the new treat too, trying a bit. She pauses at tasting it, then licks her muzzle. "Nimble, I don't know what this is, but I absolutely LOVE it. They have nothing like it at the Palace in the break room."

Eris, when Stardust praises the mousse, looks incredibly happy. Figuring the two could use some time, the griffon drops back behind the counter and goes about cleaning and tidying up, out of sight. Her pleased purring, however, can be heard distinctly over the other side.

Nimble_Hooves chuckles softly at the sound of the purring, "P-perhaps you should g-get some more t-to take back to Canterlot w-with you... w-when you go back o-of course." A slight frown crosses his face. "I-I suppose w-we should th-think about finding you a place t-to sleep tonight b-before it gets too late."

Stardust munches on the chocolate butterscotch delight or whatever it was called. "I might just do that....save some for later." nodding, then looking towards a window. "Oh....I hadn't realized it was getting on so." sipping some tea. "Well, I am open for suggestions, it would be a lot easier than flying back tonight, and I do have tomorrow off, so don't really need to be back until the day after tomorrow."

"You could stay with Nimble!" Eris calls out from behind the counter, with a little giggle. She hauls herself back up with a grin, "A sleepover! Slumber party! You could tell ghost stories and all sorts of stuff!" She wiggles a bit, then sips at her tea, looking back and forth between the two, expectantly.

Nimble_Hooves blinks at the unexpected voice and laughs slightly, "A-a sleepover d-does sound like fun." He blushes, and then sighs. "I-if I had a room th-that were more than a converted storage closet, that is..." He sips his tea, thinking. "I-it does seem sad to have to end th-this lovely night..."

Stardust laughs and giggles a bit watching Nimble. She looks to Eris and nods. "Well, he already invited me, but the issue is as he says, he doesn't have a place yet." then sips her tea, getting another treat to snack on, hrrrring at it. "It is not late yet, we still have plenty of evening left." then smiles. "Besides, we have countless more nights to yet look forward to, do we not?"

Eris looks a little disappointed. Her plan, foiled! The griffon considers this and sips at her tea, for a bit. Suddenly, she's back with that grin again. "There's an inn in Ponyville, I think! A, uhm, romantic bed and breakfast thing, I think! Go there!" The fledgling is incorrigible.

Nimble_Hooves hmms and looks to Eris, "A-actually, th-that isn't a bad idea... a-although Miss Stardust w-would have to be okay w-with a slumber party." The happy blush returns to his cheeks. "I-I'm not sure about telling ghost s-stories though."

Stardust laughs. "Oh, I don't mind at all Nimble. It would be much nicer than flying back to Canterlot just to come back tomorrow for my day off." sipping some tea. "Though ghost stories don't bother me...never had any fear of 'em since all they can do is make silly noises at you and flutter in the breeze."

Eris squeaks happily! Plan unfoiled! "See! Perfect!" she says. Jumping down, then back up again alarmingly quick. Placing a box on the counter, she says, "Here's another mousse, to go! I learned how to make 'em back in the Kingdom! Some famous chef used to come to the mansion, taught me all sorts of stuff!"

Nimble_Hooves blushes and sips some more tea, "S-sounds like a-a lovely end t-to a perfect evening." He looks back to Stardust, "I-I've never seen a-a ghost, s-so I can't really comment."

Stardust giggles. "Deliver a box to Zecora in Everfree once. Seems the woods have so called spooky things like that...they just make me laugh." refilling her teacup and getting her packaged mouse ready. "Oh, thank you Eris....what did you call it...Moose?"

Eris giggles, "Mousse! M-o-u-s-s-e! It's, um... all fluffed up stuff. I never really understood HOW it works, but Mr. le Grand was insistent that I /never/ share the recipe." The griffon narrows her eyes and tries to take on a more 'manly' voice - "Take it to ze grave, Mademoiselle!" Eris laughs again, "That's what he said!"

Nimble_Hooves pauses and thinks for a moment, "Y-You're n-not the only pony that giggles a-at ghosties... P-perhaps you a-and Lady Pinkie Pie would get on well together." He looks to the fledgling as she imitates her teacher. "S-sounds l-like it is rather a-a special recipe then. I-I'm sure Miss Stardust will savour every bite."

Stardust laughs. "Well, it is a good thing mister Le Grand could not follow his own advice." grinning. "Else nopony would ever know it but him and I'd not get to have any." nodding as she gets up and gets her boxed treat. "Oh, I will savor it too, as much as the first one if not moreso." laughing. "Though only now and then, so it remains special."

Eris preens herself a bit, "Well, I'm glad you enjoy it!" When Stardust mentions 'now and then' the griffon falters, "Uhm, well, make sure to keep it cold! And it'll only be good for a few days, so don't wait too long." She then hops back down, back to rummaging behind the counter.

Nimble_Hooves finishes his tea and moves to the counter, next to Stardust. "I-I may just have t-to help her o-out in that case. W-we wouldn't w-want them to go bad." He peeks over the counter as the griffon disappears from view.

Stardust says "Oh, this one won't last past tomorrow. We'll enjoy it later. I meant in general. Like having some every other weekend or so." smiling to her and Nimble. "It seems she is already preparing something new for another guest." laughing. "A good kitchen is never a quiet one."

Eris peeks up, "Oh! I'm sure you'll enjoy it! And you're always welcome to come get more!" The little griffon is in the middle of loading wood into the stove, and gets back to it. "Always lots to do! Gotta keep the stove warm, get fresh mixes ready, do the dishes, clean the floors, put more ice in the icebox..." the griffon goes on.

Nimble_Hooves smiles to the griffon, "Y-you certainly work hard.... a-and you make lovely treats too. I-I'm sure Miss Cherry Blossom is proud of you." He sets another small pile of bits on the counter, again more than enough for the confections. He turns to Stardust, "I-I suppose w-we should go before the Inn closes."

Stardust says "Oh, yes....do lead the way good sir." smiling to Nimble and following him. "Have a good evening Eris! I'll certainly be sure to visit again!" finishing her tea and leaving the cup as her and Nimble head off. "M o u s s e...." she repeats to herself. "And without the m i c k e y too."

Mickey? What's that? The griffon looks a bit confused, but Eris gives a little wave to the two, blushing a bit when Nimble compliments her. "Thank you all /so/ much! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I hope you have a great night at the inn!"

Nimble_Hooves dips his head to the griffon, "A-and y-you have a good night too, Miss Eris." With that he turns and heads towards the door, holding it open for Stardust. "I-I'm s-sure you'll se us b-back here again soon."

Stardust smiles and waves goodnight to Eris as Nimble holds the door open, slipping on outside. "Why, thank you." making sure she has her treat safely put away in a tote.

Eris waves to the two as they exit, and goes about cleaning up after them, scurrying around.



[[edit: Nimble and Stardust did continue to the Inn of the Dancing Dragons... but this is probably a good point to leave this scene]]

[Eris]

Nimble Hooves: Thank you so much for sharing that - I do remember that RP with you and miss Firefly quite fondly.