//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: Curious // by I_Post_Ponies //------------------------------// I went to a concert today. It was a small one, out in Ponyville’s central park. I usually don’t go to performances like this, but today was different. The performer was that interesting teal unicorn; the one that plays the lyre. She did quite well, if I do say so myself. The music flowed smoothly and softly, a gentle massage on my ears and my mind. Music can tell you a lot about a pony. Maybe more than anything else. It told me she was calm. It told me her pains and how she dealt with them. It told me what brought her peace. It told me so many things. But it did not tell me everything. There are times I wonder if I regret meeting this unicorn. I’m having such a hard time understanding her—something that has not happened to me for a long time. I want to know more, but I cannot bring myself to take the next step. All I can do is stand here in the crowd, watching her behind a facade. Her eyes have been closed the entire time, anyways. I’m safe here, and here’s I’ll stay. At least, that’s what I told myself. But then she looked at me. Straight into my eyes. And she saw me. Bold. Too bold. I was quite uncomfortable, in fact. The mare was practically yelling. “What’s the big deal, huh? Does this stallion look like a chump to you? Cause that’s what you’re treating him like!” I walked up behind her, tapping her on the shoulder. This scene really didn’t need to go on any further. “Really, Bon Bon, it’s fine.” She spun around, her angry immediately redirected towards me. “And you! Do you really insist on being trodden on for the rest of your life?” I shirked away beneath Bon Bon’s glare. “It’s just an asparagus…” My voice trailed off. “Sure, today it’s an asparagus. But what about tomorrow? The day after that? Next week? You’re not walking the road to success, ****, you’re just dithering in the grass!” She was breathing quite heavily, and her head was now turning back and forth between me and the vegetable vendor. Why the hay did she care so much? For whatever reason, she had decided to invest considerable time into ‘training’ me to haggle, and now it had just become a point of pride for her. But pride in what? We hardly knew each other! “Maybe we have different definitions of success?” I suggested, wincing. “No, success is not relative, dolt. I just—” she took a deep breath and spoke her next words more slowly, “—I just want to help you. Are you really so adverse to the idea?” I stood up straight and put a hoof on her shoulder. “I do appreciate the effort, Bon Bon, but it’s just a misalignment of priorities. I don’t really mind paying a little extra for goods. It gives me more time away from the market, doing things I enjoy. Besides, I’m sure the vendors here don’t mind.” She rolled her eyes. “Fine. I won’t bug you about it any more.” With that, Bon Bon trudged away, back toward her own market stall. I felt bad about letting her down, but I had warned her to some extent. This enterprise wasn’t exactly accepted with gusto. Hopefully next time I came around, she’d feel better. It would be a pity if this caused hostility between us. Turning to the vegetable vendor, I paid the price Bon Bon had worn him down to, smiled, and headed back home. I decided I wasn’t a big fan of bold.