A soft knock on our door had me jolting upright from a nap in an instant. Shufflingy out of alert mode, gently I hopped off the edge of my bed and rounded the corner, twisting the lock knob and jarring opening.
Met with a frigid blast of air from the outside, I winced and squinted temporarily, gaze meeting the pupils of a shorter sky-blue uniformed mare with a small brown pouch hung by a single strap around her neck.
"Letter for a... Star Shooter?" She spoke, holding out a closed envelope.
I blinked, then took the letter. "I didn't know there was a mail service here, too."
The mare grinned. "Ya learn somethin' new every day. Tah-tah!" then trotted back down the stairwell she came from further down.
Watching her go, my focus returned to the simple white envelope, a hind gently kicking the door shut. One hoof tore the lip off, the piece floating to the floor as I retreated into the bedroom.
Now rested sitting up on my bed, carefully I removed the single piece of paper inside and unfolded it.
Dear Star,
Here I am hoping there is some sort of postal service that you have access to in order to receive this. If you are reading this, then forget everything I have just said.
Anywho, for some work purposes, I will be vacationing in Manehattan for a time. Four days, to be much more precise, beginning the middle of the second week of February. The reason I write is because I have been meaning to ask you something, but have no other means of communication apart from letters. (Seriously, you should get a phone!)
Well, that is all beside the point, unless you have to work and must turn me down. So, I will cut right to the chase. Would you like to go out when I get there? You know, like a second date the time we hung out at your place, except go somewhere else. I'm fairly certain they would shoot both of us if you brought me on base, anyways.
I will be coming in on the 12th, during the afternoon. Write me back as soon as you get this! My address is on the back of the page.
See you soon (maybe).
Ray Blitz
A small, yet noticeable smile pursed my lips. Then, the realization hit me like an oncoming train. He was coming tomorrow!
There was no way a response would reach him in time, and he would be left in the dark. Unless I were to surprise him when he arrives. Yes, that would work! But, what if he is mad that I didn't reply in time? No, forget that. Surprising him would definitely work out!
Better yet, Thursday and Friday I now had off rather than the weekends. It all fit together perfectly!
Glancing to the door as it swung open, a shivering Nightpath making his way inside with heavy steps, I stood up quickly with a widened, stupid grin left over from reading
He gave a look of bewilderment. "What's... gotten into you, Star?"
"Oh, uh..." I froze, smile fading out. "I... just found out somepony I have not seen in a while is in town soon. Coming in on the twelfth!"
Nightpath's eyebrow raised, confusion further showing across his face. "Star, today is the twelfth. Where in the world have you been?"
My eyes shot wide. "Wait a minute, what time is it?!"
He raised up a hoof, peering down at his tactical-styled watch previously hidden beneath his sleeve. "Thirteen-fifteen. Why do you a—"
"Shit!" Alarmed, I plucked my jacket right up from the bottom wooden pillar of my bed and quickly bundled up, then snatching my beanie and making a break for the door around Night. "I'll be back!" and out the door I went.
After the door had slammed shut, leaving Night wincing to the noise, he began walking further inside. Left fully perplexed, he undressed slowly, preparing to get in a hot shower after a long morning's shift.
One piece of paper in particular, however, caught his attention. Giving a brief glance to the door, he took the fold-creased letter and stretched it out, eyes scanning over the written contents. The further he read, the quicker his confusion transformed to awe and shock at the sudden revelation.
***
Impatiently I stood a block away from base, peering in either direction the street went for a carriage to hail. For a city that frequently travels by taxi, none were to be seen. What ever the excuse would be, the tardiness was absurd. The holidays ended over a month prior. What is taking so long?
Minute by minute, the mental clock ticked away, and more irritable I became. The ultimate decision I made was to run for it. A two, maybe three-mile gallop, with much of said path being in a straight line.
By next realization, my hooves were already rushing beneath, having raced two blocks in what seemed to be just a few seconds time.
Swiftly hurrying around the corner and up an incline leading on to the Manehattan Bridge, in the coldness of the air, I huffed out steamed breaths in a heavy yet rapid pace while crossing the icy river a hundred or more feet beneath.
Racing as well was my mind, the only beliefs spinning around being those that Ray would be angry or upset. Even if I manage to beat him to the station, to a certain extent he still would be, thanks to the simple fact that he received no reply to his letter, not that one was ever made.
All I could hope for would be the best case scenario, where no mind would be paid to my incompetence. Surprise aside, I needed to get there as quickly as possible.
Finally, a moment could be taken to catch my breath, hooves sliding on a thin patch of ice to a halt before the large tan stone-and-brick structure. Sweat beaded up on my forehead and neck, trickling down incrementally with every movement, most of which coming from the deep heaving of my chest.
Having paused a second too long, once more my hooves were on the move, rushing up the small steps into the building. With a steadier, but still hurried of a pace, I made my way to the platforms, freezing briefly to check the timetable displayed on a large board hanging above the walkway.
Much to my relief, the train from Ponyville was running behind. Sighing out a breath of relaxation and my prior tense muscles easing up, I plopped down on to a nearby bench, leaning backwards.
Consequently, sitting down was met with a quickened inhaling pattern and heart pumping heavily, and now, aching limbs.
Now, all there was to do was to wait for Ray's arrival.
Bypassing ten minutes, the anxious back-and-forth pacing had begun. At some point, I was bound to fall through a worn-out, crumbling hole in the floor and likely be flattened by an oncoming express train.
Later than ever, this train was running. Rechecking the timetable every so often, each time I would find the time of arrival updating, adding an extra ten minutes from each time prior.
This was now even more frustrating than waiting to leave Fort Fetlock.
Fiddling with my hooves in boredom, I'd laid down on the bench, every so often glancing at the timetable but unable to read anything on it from the distance and angle. Surely, at any moment, his train would come.
At long last, the later-than-ever-express pulled up between two of the platforms. Springing up on all fours, I trotted down a flight of stone-constructed steps and up to one of the cars as the doors slid open and ponies began to disembark.
Through the pony flock my eyes wandered, even checking the other passenger carriages. By every passing moment, any hope of finding Ray had faded. He wasn't on this train in the first place!
***
My chin held low, eyes scrutinizing the frozen cement just forth of my hooves. A faint grimace sat crossing my muzzle all the while. One hoof kicked forward, knocking a pebble further ahead every so often.
Nothing made any sort of sense in any particular form. Where on earth is Ray? He stated in the letter that he would be coming.
A sudden realization of my surroundings had me walking directly into a white and orange-striped sign with blinking lights. Reversing away from the sign and rubbing my snout with a hoof, I'd taken note of more signs just like it, all circumferencing a wide perimeter at the base of a construction site.
Gradually, my gaze lifted, scanning the ground to the very top of a concrete-and-glass skyscraper, standing tall and proud beneath signature overcast skies. Scaffolding continued to wrap around the upper levels, and slender, yet sturdy steel cranes stretched to the peak of the tower.
Atop the sound of the breeze channeling through the streets, distant metallic-on-concrete ringing of jackhammers smashed away from above, as well as much more closer revving of ponies operating drills and hammering on lower floors.
Taking a glance down and to the left, another sign stood plastered against chain link fence, advertising the construction company, a rendered image of the completed project in dead center, and the words boasting beneath it.
GenTech Tower. Powering your future.
This must have been that new building Haywalker spoke of. The newest, and so-far ugliest addition to the skyline. Just with a simple look up, with confirmation on the placard, GenTech Tower is due to be the tallest structure in the city, topping Trotterdam Tower by ten whole stories.
In a world modernizing as quickly as it is, one can imagine Manehattan to become the new face of putrid neo-futuristic cities as seen in comic books and movies, like Star Trot. It would not be long before other cities across Equestria, and possibly worldwide afterward, to follow suit.
Ears perking at a shout, I squinted my eyes through the gap in the caution sign, spotting a trio of ponies, one neatly dressed and the others in construction vests and hardhats, both taking a scold from said suited pony.
With the ambiance in all directions, their conversation remained out of my ears' reach. Why was I spying on them, anyways? I better leave before somepony sees me, my inner-voice determined.
Turning around slowly, a blow to the front came out of the blue, leaving me stunned as all went totally black for a split second.
"Boop!" Ray said with a sly grin, his hoof pushed to my scrunched-up nose.
I blinked quickly twice with wide-eyes, heart rate momentarily increasing. Realizing it was just Ray, I relieved myself. Partly.
"Ray!" I shouted with surprise, bringing his hoof away from my muzzle. "Sweet Luna, were you following me?"
The golden pegasus' head shook. "Nope! I spotted you when I was getting a good look at this new tower, and thought I'd sneak up on you," he kept the grin wide across his muzzle.
"Well," an ear flicked. "Don't do that. Had this been a normal day and you would probably be in a whole heap of pain... becaaaaause... reflexes and all," I rubbed the back of my head, cheeks awkwardly flushing.
"Right," he nodded. "But, uh, I do have something to ask you.
Oh, god. Here it comes.
"Did you get my letter?"
And there it was.
My body tensed. I nodded. "Earlier, yes."
"Darn. I was wondering when you would get it. Now I know to send it out an extra week in advance," Ray rolled his eyes.
"But, wait," I began. "I didn't see you get off at the station. I was there when you should have arrived! When did you—?"
Ray chuckled softly, one of his arms looping around my neck and he began walking. "Oh, Star. I didn't take the train. I flew in!"
"You... flew. In this weather. No way," it seemed too good to be true.
"On a plane! Was a turbulent ride, though. A couple of ponies got airsick both on takeoff and landing."
"By plane?" It struck me. "Oh. I'm... sorry. When I realized you were in town today, I hoped to surprise you. I... did not know you weren't taking the train."
Ray chuckled some more, a bit louder this time. He seemed to be getting quite the crack out of the little mishap of mine. "Silly pony, have you never flown before?"
My cheeks now tinged a faint red. "Not at all, actually."
"Well, that's understandable. Flying isn't for everypony. It surely is not one of the more conventional ways, ponies still enjoy traveling by train or riverboat, if those still exist," Ray responded with a smile.
"I guess..." My eyes shifted another direction. This was awkward, though it could have been far worse, I'll admit.
"So... now that I am here, what do you want to do first?"
"Well..." I froze in speech to gather ideas. "I'm certain there is plenty to do around here. It is Manehattan, after all."
"I am aware of that, you big dork," he ruffled up my mane, making it even messier than prior. "I meant for Hearts and Hooves Day!"
Down to the size of marbles my irises shrunk. "Hearts and... Hooves Day?"
"Don't you know it's tomorrow?" he raised his eyebrow with minor suspicion.
"I—well... I have not exactly been the best at keeping track of time, especially as of late," I fibbed. Blatantly, Hearts and Hooves Day topped the list of my most disliked holidays, and for countless reasons, too.
"Oh, well. Now you know!" Ray then paused. "I mean, if you're cool with hanging out and that kind of stuff. I know you are busy here and all, but... would you like to spend Hearts and Hooves Day with me?"
Time ultimately stopped completely at that very moment. Perhaps it was just me trying to think this offer through.
Do I want to spend time with Ray? Of course I do. The next couple of days I had off, anyways, which was even better. My concerns were that this was far more serious than it seemed...
"That... would be lovely," I smiled warmly. "I have up until the weekend off as it is. Lazing around a barrack all day isn't any fun, either, even though I'm far used to it. So, yes, I will hang out with you."
"Great!" Ray smiled.
Then, something unexpected happened again.
He pecked my cheek with the littlest of kisses. My heart thumped heavily against the walls of my chest. From hoof to ear, my body immediately got heated with free flowing blood.
Some time within the moment I had stopped walking, staring blankly out into open air with warm, pink-shaded cheeks, and a steady breath that steamed in the cold air.
From a yard ahead, Ray looked back with a grin. "You coming?"
The only answer was yes.