Chapter 1
Amber and her pet Lea were running through the park together. They both loved this exercise with each other, it drew them closer together as owner and pet. As they reached a bench under their favourite tree, the two collapsed panting, Amber staring at the tree happily. She loved this park more than anything- aside from her puppy, of course. She gazed at the leaves, calm and peaceful in her own thoughts.
Ray was trotting through the park with his pet dog, Benji, a Border Collie, his white fur shining slightly in the sunlight. As he trots, he notices a mare with a dog as well, fall over at a bench under a tree. He trots over and gives a cheerful “Hello!”
Amber paid no attention to the colt until Lea gave a friendly bark. She turned to stare at her dog, then looked up at the colt. “Oh hello.” She said squinting. The sun was behind him and it was hard to see.
“May I sit with you?” He asks cheerfully, examining the mare’s dog.
Amber stretched her shoulders slightly and nodded.
“I don’t own the park, so do whatever you want.” She said smiling, laughing a bit as well.
Ray laughs a bit, smiling.
“Well I would never sit with somepony before asking their permission first.” He states before sitting down beside her.
“What brings you here, on this fine day?”
Amber shrugged. “I run with my dog all the time, she and I love the exercise.” She could now see the colt more clearly, but her eyes hurt from looking at the sun. She blinks a few times.
“Sounds fun, how often do you come out here?” He asked, examining the mare now.
“Every day.” She laughed as her dog climbed over her to inspect Benji.
Oh don’t mind her she’s a little too curious for her own good.”
“Well she’s a cute dog, that’s for sure, what breed is she?” He asked smiling, watching the two dogs interact.
“I think she’s a Miniature Pinscher?” Amber stared at her dog for a moment, then clicked her tongue. Lea walked over and sat down obediently.
“Well that’s a pretty neat trick. He said, admiring her. “You know, I never caught your name, may I ask it?”
“Darke Amber, with and “E” after the “K”. But you can call me Amber.” She smiled. “What’s your name?”
“My name, Amber, is Ray Blast, but you can call me Ray… Or Ray Ray.”
Amber laughed. “Ray Ray?”
“A nickname from my friends.” He said laughing.
Amber smiled. “Well, I should get going. It was nice to meet you Ray Ray!” She giggled and stood up, Lea following close behind as she trotted away.
“Same goes here, would you like to talk again?” He said, standing up and stretching.
Amber was too far away to hear him at this point, but she turned around and smiled at him.
Ray assumes she heard him and waves back smiling widely.
Amber suddenly realizes something and runs back to the park. “Hey, Ray!”
“Oh, hey, what’s up? I was just about to leave.”
“I just realized you can call me on my cell phone…” Some of her mane fell in her face, and she moved it away with a smile, “Y’know… If ya want.”
“Well, what’s your number? And of course, I’d love to!” He said with a wide grin pulling out his phone.
Amber giggled, holding out a piece of paper. “Here, this has my number on it, text me later!” With that, she turned and ran home.
Ray unfolds the piece of paper and copies the number into his phone, and trots home.
Back at home, Amber prepared her dog’s bed and then headed into the kitchen, checking her phone every time she could.
Once Ray arrived home, he sent Amber a text saying. “Hey!”
As soon as she had turned away her phone rang, sending Amber into shock. She squealed with surprise, then checked the message typing back. “I got so freaked out when my phone went off… Hi there! XD”
Ray hears his phone ring and he trots over to it, smiling when he sees a text from Amber. He texts back. “Haha, sorry about that.”
“No. It’s alright, this sort of thing happens all the time for me.”
“Oh, I see, so when would you like to hang out again? :D”
“I’m busy part of this week helping somepony move, but maybe next week or when I walk Lea. :D”
“Oh I understand… Maybe I could help you with helping the pony? :3”
“I think they would love that, I’ll ask!” Amber speed-dialed the couple she was helping and they talked about this and that, after Amber asked they agreed and hung up. “They said yes!”
“Awesome, what time and where do I go? :D”
“I’m helping them around 3:00, and they live in those big apartments across from the park.”
“Oh okay, do you want to meet at that tree where we met?”
“Sure! I can bring you over from there.” She added a smiley face for good measure: “:D”
Ray checks the time on his phone, noticing it’s 6, he quickly texts back. “I gotta go to a party now, I’m helping with the music, maybe you’d like to come?”
“Oh that sounds fun! Where at?”
Ray smiles to himself and texts back. “It’s at ClubMania, know how to get there?”
“ClubMania? Oh, that place downtown?”
“Yeah, there! :D”
Amber giggled. “I’ll be there in about a half hour.”
“Okies, see you there, I’ll be near the stage.”
“Alright . :)”
Ray smiled widely and packed his bag with some CDs, puts his goggles and headphones on. “This is gonna be awesome!
He trotted out of the door and headed to the club, headbanging on his way down the street.
“I know!” Amber giggled, putting her phone down and rushing into her closet to find something nice to wear.
Amber was searching for something to wear when something caught her eye, she gasped and pulled it off the hanger, laughing at herself as she put it on.
Ray arrived at the club and was greeted by a black colt, after flashing his pass he told the pony to let in a mare by the name of Darke Amber without any hassle, with that said he passed through the crowd to the stage where he pulled out the CDs and put them in a stack.
“Amber, when you get here, tell the bouncer your name and he’ll let you in.”
Amber couldn’t reach her phone until she had started heading toward ClubMania, then she saw it and smiled. “Alright, thanks.”
Ray was on the stage for a bit, peering at the crowd waiting for Amber`s arrival.
The door opened and an orange pony with a long black mane came in. Her mane was in a ponytail, she was wearing a short white dress and a white purse. It was Amber! She waved to Ray happily, trying to make her way towards him.
Ray spotted Amber and his jaw dropped. He hopped off the stage and pushed through the crowd to get to her. “Amber! You made it!” He offered his hoof to take her to the stage.
Amber took his hoof. “Thanks.”
Ray smiles and leads her to the stage. You look great.” He said blushing a little.
Amber blushed a little as well. “Thanks Ray.” She looked around at the club. “Wow, this place is bigger than it looks from the outside.
“Yeah, but it has good music and good drinks.” He said, “Would you like to come on stage with me?”
“Uh, sure.” Amber smiled and looked at him.
“Yay!” Ray hops onto the stage, using his wings to give him a little lift. He turned around and extends his hoof.
Amber grabs his hoof and stands up on the stage thankfully. “Thanks.” She said.
“No problem.” He said, smiling awkwardly. “It was great you could come, I usually come to these alone.”
“Well, it’s a club, I never thought they could be boring.” Amber smiled. “There’s plenty of fun you could have here.”
“Trust me, it gets boring to come every week, with nopony, the only thing that keeps me happy is the music.”
Amber laughed. “Well, anytime you want, I can come with you.”
Ray looks at Amber, a gleam in his eyes, his smile wide. “Really!?”
Amber nodded. “Yeah, I’d love to.”
Ray hugs her quickly then smiles. “Thanks!”
Amber laughed again. “This is a great song, did you pick it yourself?”
“Why yes, yes I did, it’s by Neon Lights, Pinkie Pie, and Vinyl Scratch herself!”
“Vinyl Scratch? I just got her new CD!” Amber smiled.
“I get all of her CDs, BEFORE they’re released, me and her are friends, she’s played here a few times.”
“That’s awesome!”
“I could get you a copy of them too, if you want.” Ray said, smiling.
Amber smiled. “Oh, that’s fine.”
“Okies.” Ray heard somepony calling him from behind, “Oh, excuse me Amber, I believe it’s my turn in the spotlight.” Ray said, smiling nervously and rubbing the back of his head.
Amber hugged him smiling. “Alright, I’m going to go get something to drink.” She jumped off the stage and headed for the bar.
Ray was left on the stage, blushing before turning around and trotting behind the stage.
Amber could only find a seat between two muscled stallions, she blushed a little from uncomfort and sat between them.
Ray walked on stage, his mask on and his goggles around his neck. He looked through the crowd and saw Amber between the two stallions.
Luckily for Amber, the stallions paid no attention to her, and she ordered a cream soda.
Another colt came and handed him a mic, he took it and raised it to his mouth, preparing to sing. <Insert lyrics or something here>
Drinking her soda, Amber listened to Ray singing, with a smile. “He has a nice voice…”
When he was done singing, he hopped off the stage and headed towards Amber, his mask still on. “Hey Amber!”
She heard her name and swiveled her chair to look at Ray.
“Hi!” He said smiling, though you couldn’t see it.
“Hello.” Amber smiled and waved. “Ray, what’s with the mask?”
“Oh heh… It’s hard to explain.” He said blushing.
Amber shrugged. “If you want to explain, I’ve got all night. If you don’t, I don’t mind.”
“Well… Basically, I’m in a band with my friends… Kind of, and we all made masks to sing in.” He smiled. “My stage name is Crackhead.” He said pointing to the cracks drawn on the forehead of the mask.
Amber nodded. “Oh, I noticed those.”
He pulled the mask back and smiled. “So… How’d I do?”
“Pretty great. I loved it.” Amber giggled. “This may sound strange but, can I buy you a drink?”
He blushed a little. “Thanks, and it doesn’t sound strange, and no that’s fine, I get drinks for free.”
Amber thought for a moment. “Oh alright.”
“There is something you can do for me though… I plan on getting piss drunk, could you take me home or something?” He said laughing.
“You plan on getting drunk and you need a ride home?”
He nodded before turning to the bar tender and ordering a pint of cider. “Mmm… Cider.”
Amber laughed. “Sure, but before you- Nevermind.” She laughed again, “Bartender, how about some cider for me too?”
“So… I take it that plan’s out?” He said laughing before taking a gulp from his cider.
Amber laughed. “No, I’ve never been drunk before, and I don’t really want that much.”
“Oh okies… Just don’t drink so much you forget where… Wait… You don’t know where I live, do you?” He said laughing.
“Oh that’s fine, you can stay at my house.” She said realizing something. “Hey, then you can stay over until I go to help my neighbors move!”
“You’re right… We form plans better than the A-Team!” He said, ordering another pint.
Amber laughed. “I see the cider takes effect quickly.”
“Yeah… My body gets drunk a lot faster.”
“So it isn’t that great when you want to stay sober?”
“Meh, doesn’t really matter to me.” He said wobbling a bit.
Amber stared at him and laughed. “Won’t be long before you’re full-fledged drunk.”
He laughed, turned around and ordered another pint. “This is fun, we should do this again.”
"If you're saying you should get drunk at a party with me..." She pretended to be angry, then burst into laughter, "Yeah, I'd love to!"
He drained his glass and wobbled a bit before falling over. “Weee!”
Amber laughs again, holding her stomach with both hooves. He tried to get up but falls over again. She tried to breathe, but couldn’t because of her laughter. He finally stood up and laughs along with her.
“Ray… Have another pint.” She slid the rest of her cider across the bar to him.
“Okies.” Ray took the glass and drains it.
Amber smiles, but then she suddenly looks worried. “Uh oh… That muscly stallion behind you looks a little upset…”
Huh… What?” Ray turns around to see a large stallion glaring at him.
The stallion said gruffly, “Hey, you spilled my drink!” Amber looked a little scared, turned away with a soda but watching out of the corner of her eye.
“O-oh, sorry man… Here, let me get you another.” Ray quickly waves the bartender down and tells him to get the stallion another of whatever he was having.
The stallion glared at him. “A beer, sir.”
Ray hands him the mug and backs up a bit. “There, you have your drink, everypony’s happy.” He turns to Amber and whispers, “I think we should leave now…”
Amber nodded quickly and jumped from the barstool, grabbing her purse. “Ahem… Well, this was fun.” She grabbed Ray’s hoof and rushed to the door.
Ray takes a deep breath as they get outside, looking up to see stars in the sky. “It’s getting pretty late, how far is your house?”
“Not too far, I live by the park.”
“Oh okay.” As they begin trotting down the street, Ray jumps up and starts floating in front of Amber as she walks. “Hiiiiiii.”
Amber pulls him back down to the ground with one strong jerk, dragging him along with her.
He floats back up again, this time, upside down in front of her. He flies in a little closer and kisses her.
Amber was about to pull him back out of the air, scold him for nearly getting into a bar fight, but the kiss surprised her.
Ray pulls back blushing with a wide grin.
Amber’s usually orange coat turned a little redder around her face. She looked away, hiding the fact that she was smiling.
"I think you liiiiiked it." He sings playfully.
Amber covered her face slightly, her voice sounding muffled. “No…”
“Reaaaally?” He pokes her softly.
She slowly looked at him. “Okay, maybe a little…”
Ray laughs a little, “Sorry, I just wanted to see how you’d react…”
Amber pulls him back down to the ground by his wing, holding him down by it.
Ray blushes a little, his wings being sensitive spots for all pegasi. “I really am sorry, forgive me?”
“You just wanted to see how I would REACT?”
Ray looks down, frowning a bit.
“Well, let’s see how YOU react to THIS!” Amber kissed him back, then laughed, “Gotcha.”
Ray’s eyes went wide and his jaw dropped. “You scared the buck out of me! I thought you were going to punch me in the face… You’re a really good actor.”
She smiled and rubbed his wing a bit before letting go. “Thanks, but I wouldn’t ever hit you on purpose… And If I did, I wouldn’t be trying to hurt you.”
Ray breathes a sigh of relief. “That’s good to know…” Ray was still blushing from her rubbing his wing.
Amber giggled. “Come on, we’re almost home!”
Ray trots beside Amber, bumping into her occasionally. “You really scared me back there.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it really.”
“Okies. How much farther is it?”
Amber pointed to a large building with many lights on, the only one unlit was a room with a balcony.
“Huh… Nice… Now, would you like to fly up?” He turned, smiling devilishly.
“What?” She turned to Ray curiously.
“You know, flllllllly.” He flaps his wings.
Amber shrugged.
“Well, I’ll take that as a yes!” Ray quickly picks up Amber and flies up to the balcony, placing her safely on it then having a not-so-graceful landing on the floor. “We’re here! And alive too!”
Amber let out a squeal as she landed, giving Ray a less-than-happy glare. “Are you insan?!” You’re drunk!”
“I know!” Ray looked up at her laughing.
Amber growled a little and stood up, brushing off her dress. Then she turned to Ray and laughed. “Just try to keep us both alive, okay?”
“Okies.” Ray said, putting on his most adorable face. “I’ll stop doing stupid things.”
Amber petted his head and walked into her bedroom. I’m getting ready for bed, alright?”
“Okies… So should I just… Stay out here?” He asked, confused.
“That depends, do you want something to sleep in? I have plenty of things that would fit you.”
“Uh, sure.” Ray stood up and trotted in slowly, looking around as he entered. “It’s beautiful in here!”
She giggled. “Thanks. I don’t have many friends over though…” She tossed Ray a folded shirt. “Here, try this on!”
Ray wasn’t paying attention and the shirt hit him in the face, before he reached out and caught it as it falling. “Thanks!” Ray said as he took his dirty shirt off and dropped it, putting the clean one on. “It fits great, and it’s so commmmmmmfyyyy.”
Amber laughed. “Yeah, I know, the bottle of softener broke open while I was washing that load of laundry.”
“Well I’m glad you did. Do you have and PJs or something? My shorts are dirty.”
Amber thought a moment, her hoof on her mouth, then she started to quickly shift through her closet. “I think there might be a pair in that drawer over there.” She pointed to a large wardrobe across the room.
Ray floated over to the wardrobe and opened it. Peering in he gasped and held up a pair of bright pink PJ bottoms. “CAN I WEAR THESE!?”
“Those are too small for you.” She laughed. “Besides, wrong drawer. The one to the right.”
“Awe…” Ray put them back and opens the other drawer and pulls out another pink pair, only larger. “Are these big enough?”
Amber stared at him. “Why do you want to wear pink pajamas anyways?”
“Pink is awesome.” He shrugged. “I won’t wear them if you don`t want me to.”
“Nahh, go ahead.” Amber shrugged and looked back in her closet.
“… YAY!” Ray dropped his shorts quickly and slid into the PJs quickly. “Silky.”
Amber pulled out another stallion’s shirt and smiled, hugging it. “I love softener.”
“Oh hey… Why DO you have stallion shirts lying around?”
“Oh, I have three brothers and an older sister, I got almost all my clothes from them.”
Ray frowned a bit at the mention of siblings, but smiled again quickly. “I’m an only child.”
Amber gasped. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t know…”
“It’s okay. Ray said rubbing the back of his head. “It doesn’t upset me much.”
Amber looked at him curiously. “Just a question… Are you like a black-out drunk? Like you don’t remember what you did while you were drunk?”
“… I have no idea. I’m gonna say yes because there’re some nights I don’t remember…”
Amber nodded. “Knowing my family history, I probably am too, but I’ve never gotten drunk, so…” She shrugged.
“Huh… So where am I sleeping? He asked trotting towards the hallway.
“My whole family used to live here, and we kept guests. There are plenty of places you could sleep.”
“Well I think th-.” Mid-sentence Ray fell over and a small snoring sound could be heard coming from him.
Amber stared at him for one moment before sighing, pulling her dress off and getting into PJs. Then she grabbed Ray by his shoulders, slowly dragging him into a guest bed by her own bedroom. She stood up onto the bed and dragged him onto it, then jumped to the floor. She smiled and hugged him, her hair rubbing his wing. “Goodnight.” She walked out into the hallway and headed into her bedroom.