//------------------------------// // Chapter 1. Unintentional Reminder // Story: Bardic Lore: Stabled Dreams // by Rose Quill //------------------------------// “Ugh, my hooves,” I groaned as I stepped into the cottage. “I feel like they’ve fallen off.” Gleam Star gave me a wry look as he doffed his helm and went to the cask set on a counter in the kitchen. “Azure, no one made you walk all the way from Canterlot,” he said, filling a mug with cider. “You chose to take the scenic route.” “Well, there was that little village on the way, I thought that I’d at least pick up a few good songs or stories.” I lit my horn and undid my baldric, settling the item that held both my flute and rapier on the table. “But everything they had I’ve heard before. I need to get back out to the wilds, Gleam.” “No one stopping you, you know,” he said after a long pull on his mug. “You’re one of the most headstrong mares I’ve ever had the misfortune to know.” I smiled at the jab, knowing it to be an affectionate jest. “No one makes you stick around, you know,” I returned as I stood and headed for the bedroom. I looked over my shoulder with a toss of my mane and a flick of my tail. “Or do they?” I said slyly as I went the rest of the way in and closed the door. The look on his face was priceless. The stallion just stared, his mug halfway to his mouth but completely forgotten. I woke up the next morning, my mane in my face and fog coating my thoughts. I could hear Gleam still gently snoring next to me, and I found no reason to wake him. I slipped out from under the blanket and stumbled my way to the kitchen, setting a pot of water on the stove and lighting it with a quick flare from my horn. While the coffee brewed, I shook my mane out of my face and glanced out the window. There was a light bit of rain falling, but from the cloud cover, I guessed it would be over quickly. There were already some Pegasi hovering around some of the clouds, nudging them further down the plain. The kettle started to steam, and I pulled it from the flame before it could erupt into a full-fledged shriek. Moments later, with a few scoops of sugar into the dark brew, I stood on the veranda of my simple cottage, watching the clouds drift by, mane and tail fluttering a bit in the breeze. I heard the creak of the door as Gleam came out, already in his armor, helm in place. He came over and gave me a peck on the cheek. “Don’t get into too much trouble while I’m gone, ok?” I smiled lopsidedly at him. “Who, me?” I asked. He gave me a level look. “Yes,” he said simply. “I should only be on rotation for two weeks in the Crystal Empire.” I gave him a kiss. “Two weeks, taking it easy all the while?” I grinned. “I’ll just see about the wedding requests I’ve received. That should fill up a day at least.” Gleam shook his head and started walking towards the train station. I let him get about a dozen paces away before I let out a wolf whistle. He stopped in his walk and looked back, gave a grin at my innocent look and started to march away again. I can’t believe he still puts up with me, I thought as I went back inside to get ready. I did have clients to see and they were more reliable than finding some neat ruin out in the wilds. I flipped through the pages of requests that had been left in the mailbox while I had been away, sorting by date. Most were a few months away and could be put aside for the time being. I found one for Dawning Dew and Diamond Hue for three weeks from today and one for a cute-ceañera for the day after tomorrow. I skimmed the information on the request letter and pulled on my coat and slung my flute over my shoulder, the bamboo wood a familiar weight on my withers. On the way into town, I spotted a familiar pony bouncing along. She spotted me and headed my way. “Hi, Azure!” Pinkie Pie said as she settled into a trot next to me. “When did you get back?” “Last night,” I said, flipping my mane out of my eyes. “I’m heading over to the Dust home to get information on Silver Dust’s cute-ceañera.” She grinned. “Me too!” she exclaimed. “When I heard he had gotten his cutie mark I was so proud of the little guy.” “Know him, do you?” I asked. “Nope!” she said, still trotting along side. “They just moved to town last week.” I smiled and gave out a chuckle. “You ever given consideration to being a Filly Guide den mother?” “Nah,” she said. “It’s not as much fun as helping set up parties. Maybe when I have foals of my own. Speaking of which…” I glanced at her and narrowed my eyes. “Yes?” “You and Gleam have any plans?” she asked in a leading tone. “For the last time, Pinkie,” I said. “You know that’s a sore subject with me.” “Yeah, but you never know, you might change your mind,” she said. “I told you about the shower I threw for Princess Cadence, right?” “Pinkie,” I said. “My mind won’t be changing on this subject. I've no plans to have a foal anytime soon. Let it go.” “Aw, alright,” she said, mane deflating for a second. The rest of the trip was in silence on my end as Pinkie began to relate what she knew about the Dusts. It was fairly simple information and it lodged in my head without effort. But I kept thinking the entire way about missed opportunities and dreams I had buried long ago. Not all dreams get to come true, even in Equestria.