//------------------------------// // Bistros and Babbling // Story: Fashion, Journalism, and Romance // by Magic Cupcakes //------------------------------// After hours of slaving away at a sewing machine, I looked up at the clock and saw the time nearing 5:30. Time to head out. I turned to my sewing machine, turned it off, and covered it up then began to quickly gather all the scraps of cloth and loose strings I had scattered around. Picking up the all of the bobbins of string, I finished by picking up my sketch book, putting on the table and closing it to the beat-up cover. Turning around, I looked around the room with a smile and felt as calm as it looked. I grabbed my bag and headed to the Bistro. As I walked down the streets I looked around at the buildings taking in the sharp edges and powerful look they gave. I focused my gaze on the ponies around me. Some dressed sharply, others simple, and many avant garde, yet they all had the same bustling speed and pushing pace. I finally came up on Bab's Bistro. I looked over at the large clock on the outside of a nearby building, it read five fifty six. I walked in the doors and was met by the greeter pony. "Welcome to Bab's Bistro, would you like a table?" The mare said cheerfully as her curly yellow mane bounced with her words. "Uh.. I have a reservation with Trenderhoof, is he here yet?" I said with a smile at the end as to not seem rude. "Oh yes, Mr. Trenderhoof already arrived, I'll show you to the table ..uh." She looked down at the reservation list, "Miss. Pommel?" "Yes, that would be wonderful." I followed her down an aisle then took a sharp left to find a table with Trenderhoof buried behind his menu. The mare trotted off to her post as I took a seat. Trend looked up and an adorable smile brightened his face. "Hello again." He said as he put the menu aside. " So how are things going with your new line?" "Well ..." I dove down into every detail of the past couple of days and my different inspiration, my difficulties, my semi-crazy ideas, all of them. He was so easy to talk to and just felt so safe and so right to pour out all my emotions to him. I liked that. "That sounds amazing, the whole line, each piece sounds so unique yet they all tie together." I looked at him and saw genuine interest in his blue eyes. I sat there smiling at him as I thought. "What?" He said with a look of confusion on his face. "What are you thinking about?" "I just have never met a writer quite like you." A blush crossed over his face warming his cheeks. "What do you mean by that?" He said a bit frazzled. "Well you're just so easy to talk to compared to other journalist, and I realized it's because you take a real interest in what I say. You aren't constantly scribbling on paper every word, instead you seem to really think about what I say, mauling over each sentence. It's ... unique and I like it." He smiled. "Well because you are a very interesting pony and everything you say intrigues me." Now I began to blush. I quickly picked up the menu to hide my cheeks and Trend called over the waiter. "Shall I start you out with some drinks or are you ready to order?" The waiter asked as his small well-combed dark blue mustache rumbled upon his lip with his words. "I think we are ready to order." Trend said looking toward me slightly questioning his statement. I nodded and he continued. We both ordered and waiter took our menus and left us in a growing silence. "So.. uh hav-" "Why are you in Manehatten?" I blurted. Crap, I honestly was wondering but that came across so rude AND I interrupted him. "What do you mean?" He asked a bit startled. "Well, your a TRAVEL writer, so why are you at home instead of traveling about trying to get some hot scoop from.. well.. some where else?" His expression stiffened. I began to feel uneasy. "Well you see, I had been traveling around for quite some time now but I hadn't found anything worth writing about. Lead after lead each came up dry and as time went on the publisher got impatient and so did the readers, so I finally decided to stop chasing leads all over Equestria and instead to come back to the one place where I am always inspired," His eyes gazed out the window dreamily at the city, " Manehatten, my home." His eyes suddenly became hard again as he continued. "Yet even here, I still couldn't find anything... that is until I saw the show The Whinny of Oz and although the acting was spot on, it was enhanced so much more by the garments worn by the actors which seemed to shine, and that is what lead me to you." He turned back to me with a smile, his eyes gentle and his expression soft. I left out a small sigh of relief. I didn't like seeing Trend so overwhelmed and stern, it seemed so unnatural for him who always seemed together and easygoing. "Well, I'm glad you saw the show, looks like both of us reached our big break from it." He nodded in agreement. "So, how is the story going?" "I have a first draft written so far, now I just need to edit a bit, did you want me to give you a copy of it?" "Yes that would be amazing, I'd love to know what impression I gave you." He gave a chuckle. "I'll send it to your apartment and I'd love if you would give me your feedback on it." "Of course!" I said with a smile. Our food arrived and we ate in silence, both of our minds preoccupied. After we finished, Trend broke the silence first. "Well I'll send you the draft immediately, I hope you'll enjoy it." He said as he began to get up to leave. "Perfect, I'll be waiting for it." I stood up as well and we both made towards the exit. As we came to the door, he sped up and held open the door. "Thank you." I said a bit surprised. He looked at my expression and gave a smile. "What? chivalry is not totally forgotten in this city." His eyes teased as he turned away as he trotted into the crowd and soon disappeared within it. I began to walk home myself. Stepping into the apartment, I jumped onto my couch and snuggled up in the center, thinking about the story, my future, and Trend. My thoughts swirled around as I began fall asleep.