//------------------------------//
// Chapter 13: Meeting, part two 
// Story: Hearth's Warming in Los Pegasus 
// by Applejack224 
//------------------------------//

As soon as Aqua Marine walked in through the front door, she noticed the two stallions seating at one of the center tables, and one of them was staring at her.  She smiled upon seeing Projector as the other stallion, who also noticed her.

"Mr. Flash, it's good to see ya." she said as she approached the table.

Projector got up proceeded to shake her hoof.

"Of course. Though, please, don't be so formal. Just call me Projector." he replied.

"Just call me Aqua, then." Aqua said, giggling.

"Film, I'd like you to meet Aqua Marine. She's a bit of an old acquaintance of mine." Projector said.

Film raised an eyebrow before replying, "seriously?"

"Oh yeah, I interviewed him a few times over the years. We kinda know each other now, I reckon." she said, smiling.

Her accent's kinda cute, and the way she giggles is nice as well. thought Film.

Then it hit him: was she the reason why Projector brought him here?

"Well, anyhow, I'm going to grab myself a coffee. Be right back y'all." Aqua said, oblivious to Film's realization.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Film leaned in to Projector and asked, "she's the reason you brought us here, didn't ya?"

"Hmm? Oh, I dunno what you're talking about, Bud." Projector replied, his eyes darting back and forth.

"Projector, don't give me that. You're a terrible liar. You brought us here just so I can meet this mare." Film said in a hushed, but angry whisper.

"Hey, it wasn't technically my idea. Aqua was the one who called and asked for this meeting." Projector replied.

"So, you just decided to go with it?!" Film growled.

"Look, Film, I just think you need-" Projector never finished his sentence before Aqua returned and asked, "um, you guys okay?"

Projector and Film both looked up at her, unsure as to what exactly say.

"Um, yeah, we're okay, right Film?" Projector asked, looking over to Film.

"Yeah. Really good." Film replied.

Aqua, weirded out by all this, simply shrugged and sat down with her coffee.

"So, anyway, I'm Aqua Marine." the mare said, extending her hoof out to Film, who shook it. 

"I'm Film Reel." Film replied.

"Projector's told me quite a bit about ya, and I sorta figure why not meet one of Los Pegasus's legendary figures." she said.

Film had a light chuckle at that despite himself.  There was a time when every pony from Los Pegasus to Manehatten had heard of Film Reel and the work he did for Applewood.  Back in his youth, Film would help up and coming filmmakers take their first steps onto the Applewood scene.  In fact, this is how he met Projector all those years ago.

"Guess my contributions haven't been forgotten, huh?" Film asked, sipping his coffee.

"Oh no way. Sure, ya might not have  the same popularity as ya once did, but folks still remember ya." she replied, grinning.

"Heh." Film stated.

The three ponies chatted for the next hour or so, discussing everything from life in general to their works and even funny stories.  Eventually, the three ponies decided that enough time was spent and it was time to go home.

As Aqua was about to go her way, she said to Film, "well, it was mighty fine meetin' ya."

"Yeah. Same here." Film replied.

"Yup. Hope to see y'all again! Bye!" she said, turning around and walking back home.

Film couldn't help but stare at her as he watched her walk, captivated by her beauty.  He couldn't help but feel.... attracted to her,and was unknowingly increasing the size of his smile.

"So... you like her, don't ya?" Projector asked, a smug grin on his face.

"Huh? Oh shut up, I'm still mad at you." Film replied, his expression one of mock anger.

Projector shrugged, but continued to smugly grin as he walked home. 

The bait worked. he thought.