"Great weather again today huh Twilight?" Wind Walker looked at the clear blue sky above, but Twilight's head was turned away in thought. "I hope it stays like this until the race, I would hate for it to be cancelled...Twilight?" Wind Walker looked down at Twilight and frowned. "Is something wrong? You seem distracted."
Twilight's face was hot, she couldn't look into Wind Walker's eyes. "Um...why did you pick the amethyst?"
"I told you, I like the color," Wind Walker tilted his head and gave a quizzical look.
"It...it was the same color as my coat."
Wind Walker gave a grin. "Was it? I hadn't noticed."
"Wind Walker."
"You were kind enough to improve something I love, something I thought could never be improved. The amethyst was just a little way of saying thank you, a way of always remembering who did this for me. It's the least I could do. And besides, I didn't lie. I really do like the color."
"Oh, thank you" Of course, he was just being nice.
Wind Walker gave Twilight a friendly smile. "Did it embarrass you that much?"
"No, of course not." That was a lie. Why did it embarrass me? Why did I think he chose it? "Thank you..."
Wind Walker stared at Twilight. "Why do I have the feeling there's something else bothering you?"
Twilight was about to deny it, but stopped. I suppose this is a good a time as any to ask him. At least we're alone. "Back when we first met, and we were talking about what I've done for Equestria and Ponyville...you had this weird look in your eye..."
Wind Walker just stared at her for a second. He looked concerned, like he was frantically trying to think of an answer. "It, uh...must have been admiration. What you've done is awesome, anypony would admire it."
She shook her head. "No, that wasn't it. It seemed so...sad."
He looked increasingly nervous. "I...I don't know what you're talking about Twilight."
"You had the same look again when you were telling us how you got your cutie mark."
He turned his head and averted his eyes. "You're imagining things Twilight."
"Wind Walker if there's something you want to talk about..." Twilight trailed off. She was concerned for her new friend. She hadn't known him long, but he was kind. She would do the same for any of her friends.
"Actually...there is something..."
"What is it?"
Wind Walker turned back to Twilight, and what she saw surprised her. Happiness. He once again had a happy gleam in his eye and a smile across his face. "I need to pay you back for all your kindness."
Twilight stumbled over her words for a moment. "Huh, bu-...what?"
"As if enchanting my wings wasn't enough, you've given me food and a bed. That's a hay of a lot more kindness than you'll find some places. I have to do something to make it up to you."
"Wind Walker-"
"Don't try to say no Twilight, I always repay my debts." He had started walking off towards the center of town. "It's a rule of honor and practicality. When you travel as much as I do you want to have as many friends as you can in as many places as you can. Keeping good with those who have shown me kindness has gotten me out of a tight spot more than once."
Twilight stood there for a moment before following. "OK, sounds like fun." If he doesn't want to tell me it's best not to pry. Wind Walker gave Twilight a smile, and she smiled back.
It was as fake as she knew his was.
"Thanks again Wind Walker," Twilight said walking out of the book store. "I've been wanting to get some of those for a long time."
"Heh, no problem." Wind Walker stood in the doorway for a moment, trying to shove the last of Twilight's new books into his now full saddle bag. Finally he gave up with a sigh, and just floated the book above his head. "I figured the book store would be the perfect place to find you something."
"So, what do you want to do now?"
"Huh, I don't-"
"Catch me if you can!" Twilight looked up and saw a group of pegasai foals playing in the sky.
"Aw, aren't they cute?" Twilight asked turning to Wind Walker.
"Mhmm, I think I'll join them." Wind walker dug into his saddle bag for a moment, before frowning. "Oh, right."
"You forgot your wings are with Rarity didn't you?"
Wind Walker lowered his head. "I don't like not having my things..."
"It's only for a day."
"I know, but still..." He looked up at the foals laughing and playing in the sky. "There's something magical about children playing. They have such wide eyes and innocence."
Twilight turned back to the foals. "Yeah, there really is." She turned back to Wind Walker. "Maybe you can..."She stopped as she saw Wind Walker was no longer by her side, but instead at a jewelry stand nearby. He gets distracted easily doesn't he? She walked over to see what he was doing.
"I don't suppose I can convince you to lower the price?" He asked the mare behind the stand.
"Not that much, sorry sweet heart," she replied.
By now Twilight was close enough to see what Wind Walker was pointing at, a beautiful necklace. He sighed. "Well, thanks for your time." He turned around and saw Twilight by him.
"Why were you buying a necklace?" The purple mare asked Wind Walker.
He shrugged, "I thought it'd look nice on you."
"You've already done enough by buying me those books Wind Walker."
"Those were to repay your kindness. This was just a gift."
"You don't have to do that."
"But I want to. It would look great on you, and I love buying friends gifts."
"Well thanks for the thought."
He waved his hoof to dismiss the thanks and looked around. "Thank me after I actually get it for you."
"But how-"
"I just need to find some work. Odd jobs are how I make a living."
"You don't have to do that just to get me a necklace."
"I need to either way. I'll need some money to buy supplies before I leave."
Something about what he said made Twilight stop for a moment. "Are you planning on leaving soon?"
Wind Walker looked at Twilight for a moment in silence. "I just like to be prepared, just in case."
"Oh...ok."
"Come on, let's get these books back to your place. I'll find some work afterwards."
Twilight and Wind Walker went back to the library and shelved her new books. Afterwards Wind Walker left to find some quick work. When he returned he brought back his wings, now fitted with a flawless amethyst, and Twilight took a minute to cast the enchantment. Afterwards, the two ponies talked for a bit. He told her he found work as a waiter at the local diner (apparently the waiter working the evening shift had suddenly fallen ill,) and then they shared some more stories of their adventures before going to bed.
"Maybe this will help me sleep..." Twilight floated her cup of warm milk back up to her bedroom. It was odd that she couldn't sleep, usually she didn't have any problems doing so.
On her way, as she took a sip of milk, she heard a door open to her left. She turned to see Wind Walker standing in the doorway to the guest bedroom. "Wind Walker, what are you doing up?"
"Twilight? Oh, I, uh...heard somepony walking around, just wanted to make sure everything was ok."
Twilight gave a sleepy smile. "Everything is fine, I was just having some trouble sleeping. Sorry to wake you."
"It's fine, don't worry about it. Good night." He turned back into the room and closed the door.
"Good night," she sleepily responded and went back towards her room. Halfway there however, she suddenly stopped as a question popped into her hazy mind. Why did he have his coat and hat on? She turned her head and looked at the closed door. Was he going somewhere?